West Seattle, Washington
07 Sunday
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
When we saw via Twitter this morning that Dick’s Drive-In is taking votes again on where to add a new location, we thought it hadn’t been that long since their last vote. Checked our archives and … well, time flies. It’s been six and a half years! Anyway, this time they’re asking “east or south?” – with West Seattle included in the potential “south” spots. You can vote here.
(Back in 2010, north beat south, and Dick’s opened its Edmonds location a year later.)
The Sunset Sunrise kids-consignment store at 4140 California SW has announced it’s closing at the end of this month, via its website and via this e-mail that proprietor Suzanne sent to customers today:
I have loved being a shop owner in my West Seattle community. I am grateful for these last two years. The hundreds of families that I have had the joy of meeting and develop relationships with have made this journey priceless. I will cherish the memories and look forward to seeing you and your sweet children around West Seattle for many years to come. … Sunset will close on March 31st. New inventory will continue to be put out in the shop over the next couple of weeks. Please stop by and use your available store credit and say hello.
No word yet on what’s next for the space.
From today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin, the next phase of a microhousing project we first told you about in May of last year, at 5952 California SW, north of Morgan Junction, replacing this 1925-built house and the garage building behind it:
(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
Last September, we reported on the “administrative design review” phase – a process in which comments are invited, but there’s no public meeting – for the proposal. Today’s notice (see it here) is for the land-use permit; the project has downsized from the first-proposed 48 units and is now described as “a 4-story apartment building with 29 small efficiency dwelling units and 6 apartment units (35 units total). Surface parking for 5 vehicles.” (Small efficiency dwelling units is the current official city term for microhousing.) Comments will be taken until March 20th, the city says; here’s how to send in yours.
P.S. Here’s the city’s final report on the aforementioned no-meeting design review.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:42 AM: The trouble this morning has all been outside the city so far. But as we write this, a Seattle Fire medical-aid response is headed for 28th SW/SW Roxbury, so be careful through that area.
7:57 AM: Trouble on I-5 northbound downtown – a big “heavy rescue” response at Mercer. WSDOT says it’s in the left lanes. Per scanner, it’s a car on its side.
8:05 AM: Now another West Seattle incident – crash at 16th SW/SW Myrtle.
8:31 AM The NB I-5 incident is reported to be blocking all but one lane.
9:04 AM: More lanes have opened, and SFD has just cleared the crash scene. But the I-5 NB backup has stretched south of the West Seattle Bridge.
Three notes related to the ongoing community feedback on proposed Mandatory Housing Affordability rezoning as part of the city’s HALA (Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda) initiative:
REMINDER – MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY DESIGN WORKSHOP ON MONDAY: 6-9 pm Monday at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), it’s the Morgan Junction Urban Village version of the city-organized meeting that’s already been held in West Seattle’s three other urban villages (most recently Admiral last month – WSB coverage here – and The Junction in January – WSB coverage here). The city’s official description of the meeting – including how to RSVP, though that’s not required – is here.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK – WESTWOOD-HIGHLAND PARK CONVERSATION: This past Wednesday night, a community-led conversation about the proposed HALA rezoning happened at Highland Park Improvement Club:
Organizer Kim Barnes told the dozen or so attendees that she’s hoping to have two more meetings along the path of creating a community response to what’s proposed for the Westwood-Highland Park Urban Village. The affected area has three neighborhood groups, but she’s hoping their response can be coordinated. That was underscored by Cindi Barker, one of the West Seattle community advocates who have been helping neighborhoods around the area get up to speed on the proposals; she said that talking points are vital so that neighborhoods “don’t get steamrolled.” Attendee concerns included how to ensure that existing small businesses, especially those owned by people of color, aren’t put at risk by the upzoning. No dates for future meetings yet, but Barnes says she hopes that once the HALA Environmental Impact Statement comes out, that a city rep will come out and present a briefing.
TWO LINKS OF INTEREST: First – if you’ve been to a Community Design Workshop already (Westwood-HP in November, WS Junction in January, Admiral in February) – here’s a survey you might want to answer. Save the link if you’re going to Morgan on Monday, so you can answer afterward.
Second – If you’ve wondered how the city is talking with builders/developers about the proposed upzoning, read the newest SDCI newsletter, published online earlier this week.
… AND IF YOU’RE STILL NOT SURE IF/HOW YOU’RE AFFECTED BY ALL THIS – zoom in to your neighborhood via the interactive citywide map. You can comment via e-mail, at halainfo@seattle.gov, and the city has a feedback website, organized by urban village, at hala.consider.it.
7:10 PM: A “full response” is on the way to Fauntleroy and Juneau for a possible fire in a multifamily building. Crews are starting to arrive. More to come.
(WSB photos, added 8:19 pm)
7:13 PM: Crews have traced it to a “small rubbish fire” in the alley by an under-construction townhouse project. They’re calling for the SFD investigator.
7:42 PM: Just back from the scene. The fire was in a pile of “combustible materials” under a stairwell on the alley side of the construction project. The incident commander considered it suspicious enough to call in the investigator, who arrived a few minutes ago. Police are talking to neighbors. No major damage and no injuries.
ADDED MONDAY: We followed up with SFD, whose spokesperson Alice Kim said, “Our Fire Investigation Unit members ruled the Fauntleroy/Raymond incident as undetermined, either caused by a careless disposal of smoking material or a handheld flame. SPD was notified.”
Last August, we reported on one city notice covering 60+ potential zoning-policy changes – from parking to signage to trees to marijuana – and more, including the “historic lot exception” rule, which has factored into various land-use controversies in this area and elsewhere. That August notice was the first official public announcement of what the Department of Construction and Inspections said would likely go to the City Council for final consideration by year’s end, as what it characterized as an every-two-years “omnibus” proposal.
The measure did indeed go to the council in January and got approval from the Planning, Land Use, and Zoning Committee on February 24th – with two members present and voting, Rob Johnson and Lisa Herbold – after discussions at two previous meetings. We’re making note of it tonight because it goes to the full council for a final vote tomorrow (Monday, March 6th). The full 142-page text – with some changes – can be seen here. Some of the changes proposed before that vote are detailed in this memo from council staff; the original department memo summarizing the proposed changes is here. Tomorrow’s vote is scheduled during the 2 pm full-council meeting at City Hall; you can watch via Seattle Channel, cable 21 or online.
(Photos by Steve White)
Thanks to Steve for the photos – West Seattle High School presented its annual Big Band Dinner Dance this past Friday night, and student musicians were a big part of the lineup:
This fun(draiser) also starred the West Seattle Big Band, whose main mission is to support school music programs. If you missed it – or if you were there but want to see/hear/dance to the WSBB again, while supporting more student musicians – the WSBB is on the slate for the Madison Middle School Swing Dance and Auction in less than three weeks. All the details are in our calendar listing for the March 24th event.
It’s nesting/hatching season for bald eagles in our region, so tread lightly if you see a nest! As you know if you’ve been in West Seattle for any length of time, we are lucky to get frequent views of the bird that’s in its third century as America’s national symbol. Here at WSB, we are lucky to have been able to share awesome photos of local bald eagles, courtesy of generous and talented local photographers. One of those photographers, Danny McMillin, recently put together the slideshow video you see above – all photos of eagles (“and a few corvids”) in the Alki area, except for a few views from the Yakima River Canyon at the end – and sent it to us for sharing. Thanks, Danny!
P.S. Think you know everything about bald eagles? Check the Seattle Audubon fact sheet.
(WSB photo, taken Friday morning)
By Clifford Cawthon
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The expansion of Camp Second Chance on Myers Way in southeast West Seattle as a city-authorized encampment has begun.
In the month-plus since an emergency mayoral order created three new authorized encampments including this one, the city has been finalizing a contract with Patacara Community Services to operate the camp, which continues to draw support from residents as well as concerns from the surrounding community, while growing and maturing as a clean-and-sober homeless encampment. (Here’s our coverage of the most recent city-organized meeting about it, on February 1st.)
This week, George Scarola, the city’s director of homelessness, confirmed to WSB that the operating agreement for Camp Second Chance had “a few steps still remain (ing), but the agreement is close.” This process includes permits and agreements as well as a framework that Patacara will operate under while administering the camp in its partnership with the city.
Ahead of the finalization of the agreement, the following improvements have already been made: Read More
Got a little time to spare today for your community – something you can do right where you are right now? It’s the second-to-last day to nominate businesses/people for this year’s Westside Awards, presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, which sent this reminder:
West Seattle is home to many remarkable people and successful and innovative businesses with amazing stories. We need your input. Each year the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce looks to the West Seattle Community to nominate businesses and individuals for the annual Westside Awards. The recipients from past years listed below.
Westside Business of the Year
Westside Emerging Business of the Year
Westside Not-for-Profit of the Year
Westsider of the Year
Deadline for Nominations: March 6th
Your input is valuable because the number of votes is not the criteria for winning. Criteria includes how the candidate:
Demonstrates the highest standards
Promotes diversity, equality, and inclusiveness
Demonstrates a consistent commitment to environmental sustainability
Takes a leadership role in the communityThere is always room for anything else you would like to share. On March 7th, your nominations and comments will be submitted to the selection committee and on May 4th the recipients will receive their award. Everyone is invited to attend!
Here’s the form you can use to nominate. Past year’s winners, dating back to 2010 (when WSB was honored to be chosen as Business of the Year), are listed on the Chamber’s home page.
(Photo by Jim Clark – on Saturday, along the Duwamish River near Cecil Moses Park)
Happy Sunday! First, if you’re heading off-peninsula:
TRAFFIC ALERT: While the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s twice-yearly inspection is OVER, as announced Saturday, there’s still a closure this morning/early afternoon north of downtown, as explained here.
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, in the street. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES: Day 3! Info’s in our Friday night story. (Various locations)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm, regular hours at the home of West Seattle’s history. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
BLOCK PARTY: As previewed here, 2-3:30 pm, the Urban Homestead Foundation is hosting a Block Party on SW Dakota between 49th and 50th SW, “bringing neighbors together to celebrate the potential of what this vacant piece of land could be for our community. All are welcome! We’ve gotten a street permit along Dakota and we’re working on getting donated food and beer.”
‘BECKY’S NEW CAR’: Final performance for the Twelfth Night Productions comedy, 3 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Full details in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
‘MILK LIKE SUGAR’: Matinee for the new ArtsWest production, 3 pm. Details here. (4711 California SW)
LIVE MUSIC: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), Jen Tal and the HuZBand perform. (5612 California SW)
HAWAI’I IN WEST SEATTLE: West 5‘s monthly Hawai’i Aloha Happy Hour returns today, 4-6 pm, with music by Aunty Manu Lono and Kalei Medeiros. (4539 California SW)
MORE LIVE MUSIC: Tony Salvata at Parliament Tavern, 6-8 pm: “An early evening of country rock blues.” 21+. No cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
For a few festive moments tonight, a milestone birthday celebration at OutWest Bar went outdoors for a flash mob! Sindy Todo was celebrating the big 6-5 – that’s Sindy above in gold, and below (note the cap – and the matching dresses!) with Dolly Madison, who performs at OutWest on Saturday nights:
And of course there was dancing:
Thanks to Jill for the tip, and happy birthday, Sindy!
Thanks to Vy Duong for the photos and report:
2017 All City Honors Elementary Orchestra and Band Concert today at Asa Mercer Middle School. Participation is by invitation only from their music teachers.
Elementary students from the following West Seattle schools performed:
Lafayette
Alki
Gatewood
Roxhill
Highland Park
Pathfinder
Congratulations to the young musicians, their families, and their teachers!
When Kristin e-mailed about the theft of her in-laws’ car from outside her house in Fauntleroy, she wasn’t very hopeful it would be found. But it was, about 3 1/2 miles away, thanks to WSB reader Susie, who e-mailed to say, “I stopped by my boyfriend’s house today (4000 block of 32nd Ave SW) and noticed Kristin’s family’s stolen red 1998 Honda CRV parked out front. We notified police and Kristin; SPD showed up minutes ago. … Appeared to be a large amount of stolen mail and other belongings in the vehicle and they had obviously gone though the open glove box. … Did not appear to be any damage to the doors, windows, or ignition so maybe there’s a silver lining.”
This weekend’s Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection has ended early and Highway 99 has reopened. No inspection closure tomorrow but, WSDOT says, the Hot Chocolate 15K closure just north of the Battery Street Tunnel is still planned for Sunday morning. (added) Specifics on that:
Hot Chocolate 15k/5k details
6 a.m. to noon, Sunday, March 5
SR 99/Aurora Avenue North will close in both directions.
Southbound lanes will be closed between the Battery Street Tunnel and N. 38th Street.
Northbound lanes will be closed between the Battery Street Tunnel and N. 47th Street.A Project Belltown walk inside the Battery Street Tunnel may keep the northbound lanes closed as late as 1 p.m.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
FIRST REPORT, 3:01 PM: A fourth-quarter comeback just won the West Seattle High School boys third place at the state 3A basketball championships – they beat Lincoln 66-54, as head coach Keffrey Fazio‘s team battled back from a 14-point deficit at halftime. Photos and details to come!
ADDED 8:48 PM: The magnitude of the comeback had to have alleviated a little of the sting from the buzzer-basket loss the night before. Read More
(Family photo, used with permission)
Every small, family-owned business has a story. Recently, the one behind New Leaf Bistro in The Admiral District turned tragic. Less than a year and a half after opening the restaurant in the former Royal India Grill space, co-proprietors Geoffrey Ly and Shi Qiu Chen found out in December that Geoffrey had “a very aggressive cancer,” customer and friend Suzanne Krom writes. “His doctors started treatment but it quickly overwhelmed his system, and on January 29th, he died. He was only 55 years old.”
The couple has two young children, 10-year-old Angelina and 8-year-old Kelvin. Chen is now raising them alone and running the restaurant, a 17-hour-a-day job.
When Suzanne found out about Geoffrey’s death, she wanted to do something to help, something with which the community could help too. So today she launched a GoFundMe page. She writes that “the business and family are in jeopardy. Friends have rallied around her and customers who know about the loss of Geoffrey have been supportive too. But it’s not enough, which is why we have set up this GoFundMe page. Any donations of any size are welcome. We have a goal of $30,000 to help Shi Qiu pay for Geoffrey’s funeral costs. … Shi Qiu and her children will be eternally grateful for any help they receive. It will help make this tragedy something they can recover from. And it will feel like Geoffrey is indeed watching over them, making sure they are going to be okay.”
Mr. Ly’s West Seattle ties, by the way, went beyond New Leaf Bistro; as we reported when it opened, he also operated Hunan Express in Morgan Junction at the turn of the millennium. Again, if you’d like to help, the GoFundMe page is here.
In case you missed the announcement this week – the city has a new hotline you can use to report harassment, 206-233-7100. From the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) news release:
The Hotline is part of the City of Seattle’s Bias Hurts Campaign for Seattle residents and business owners who are the targets of discriminatory harassment, including threats, slurs, intimidation and cyberbullying.
“We’ve set up the hotline so people in Seattle can contact the Office for Civil Rights immediately if they are harassed or discriminated against,” said SOCR Director Patricia Lally. “But more important, we want to join with the community to develop actions that we can take to protect and support people over the long term. As a community, we need to take care of one another as much as we can.”
The campaign includes three key components: a hotline (206-233-7100) to report harassment, meetings with community groups from across the city to learn what people are experiencing and how the City can proactively address them, and a media campaign to publicize the City’s efforts. The media campaign will include print ads, social media, ads on buses and trains, radio and direct outreach to community groups.
SOCR is coordinating its actions with the Seattle Police Department, which enforces criminal laws against hate crimes, also known as malicious harassment. Anyone who experiences physical violence, property damage or threats should call 911 to report directly to the police. People should call SOCR’s hotline if they experience discriminatory harassment in housing, employment, or public places that does not rise to the level of a crime.
It is illegal in Seattle to harass someone based on race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and other protected groups. SOCR can investigate allegations of discriminatory harassment, issue findings and mandate remedies.
“I urge anyone who feels they’ve been harassed to call the Anti-Bias Hotline at 206-233-7100,” said Lally. “By supporting one another we can send a clear message: all of us are welcome in Seattle. That’s what the City of Seattle’s Anti-Bias Campaign is all about.”
Report discriminatory harassment to SOCR by calling 206-233-7100.
Report bias-related crime to Seattle Police by calling 911.
Visit the Seattle Police Department’s Bias/Hate Crime Data Dashboard.
According to the dashboard, the Southwest Precinct – West Seattle and South Park – has the lowest reported amount of such incidents so far this year: 1.
P.S. You can also file a complaint online by going here.
(Surfbirds photographed this week south of Alki Point by Mark Wangerin)
The sun’s out and there’s plenty to do! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DONATIONS FOR WELCOMING REFUGEE FAMILIES: For the second and final Saturday, as previewed here, you can drop off donations of to make welcome baskets for refugees. The list is in the linked preview; take your donations to Hope Lutheran Church in The Junction, main entrance, 9 am-noon today. (4456 42nd SW)
WEST SEATTLE KIDS’ SALE: Shop this giant consignment sale at the VFW Hall in The Triangle, benefiting West Seattle Cooperative Preschools. 9 am-1 pm. (3601 SW Alaska)
ADOPT-A-STREET CLEANUP: Join the Admiral Neighborhood Association for a few hours of beautification – with treats and coffee first, a sack lunch for you to take home afterward. Meet by 9 am outside Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor). Tools and bags provided. (41st/42nd/Admiral)
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES: Day 2! Info’s in our Friday night story. (Various locations)
YOUTH OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DAY: 10 am-3 pm at Camp Long, it’s a day of free outdoor fun, as previewed here. Activities will include “archery, high-wire challenge course, rock climbing, rifle shooting, dutch oven cooking, orienteering, fire building, tomahawk throwing, geocaching, robotics.” More here. (5200 35th SW)
NORTH SHOREWOOD PARK WORK PARTY: 10 am-2 pm, give this King County park just south of West Seattle some TLC; you’ll also get a tour of its forested trails, and some environmental education as a bonus. Details here. (10061 21st SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Following last night’s heartbreaker, the West Seattle High School boys play for 3rd place in the state tournament at 1 pm at the Tacoma Dome, vs. Lincoln HS. Brackets and ticket info are here; for directions and parking information, go here.
AUDITIONS: Angry Cat Productions in West Seattle needs actors for April show “Empty” by Mark Reinhardt, directed by Donna Austin. Auditions are happening at West Seattle Christian Church, 1-5 pm today – e-mail ASAP to book a time. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
CLEAT EXCHANGE: For youth baseball/softball players and their families – it’s the first day of this year’s cleat exchange at Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, explained here. Additional deals and treats while you’re there. (6529 California SW)
FAUNTLEROY CHILI COOKOFF: 6-8:30 pm at Fauntleroy UCC Church, $10/person or $25/family gets you chili, cornbread, root-beer floats, and something you generally don’t get to do at dinnertime – vote! Vegetarian and meat options. (9140 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: This month’s featured film is “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret” – doors open at 6:30 pm, movie at 7, at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, with “optional facilitated discussion” afterward. Details here. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
GROVER & ARRAN FAGAN: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘BECKY’S NEW CAR’: Second and final weekend for this comedy presented by Twelfth Night Productions, 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Info’s in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
‘MILK LIKE SUGAR’: More in the mood for drama? You’ll find it at 7:30 pm at ArtsWest, during the first weekend of “Milk Like Sugar” by Kirsten Greenidge. Details are in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)
AFROCOP WITH BILL HORIST: 9 pm, live music at Parliament Tavern in The Admiral District. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SAINT JOHN AND THE REVELATIONS: 9 pm, live music at Whisky West in Morgan Junction. No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)
And a reminder:
ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT CLOSURE: Scheduled until 6 pm tonight, and 6 am-6 pm tomorrow.
6:27 AM: The Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s twice-yearly inspection is here, and Highway 99 is scheduled to be closed until 6 pm between the West Seattle Bridge and the Battery Street Tunnel. As noted in WSDOT‘s announcement, the closure also is scheduled for a second day tomorrow, 6 am-6 pm, with the Hot Chocolate 15K and a community walk in the BSTunnel extending the closure north a ways until early Sunday afternoon. If you’re headed downtown, 1st Avenue So. and 4th Avenue So. exits from the eastbound bridge are options as well as I-5. We’ll be watching traffic all weekend and will publish updates if anything changes with the closure (or with the alternate routes).
P.S. Metro bus reroutes are listed here.
5:16 PM: As tends to happen, the inspection has ended early and aside from the Hot Chocolate 15K closure north of the Battery Street Tunnel on Sunday morning, the Viaduct is open for the rest of the weekend.
(WSB photo by Katie Meyer)
Police were investigating the possibility of DUI being a factor after a driver hit at least one parked car on the west side of The Junction late Friday night. They found the driver, apparently unhurt, in his car at 45th and Glenn Way, and were giving him a field sobriety test.
This is how it ended – WSHS basket and lead, then Garfield's buzzer basket. pic.twitter.com/cqEwoNdUIy
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 4, 2017
10:48 PM FRIDAY: Unbelievable ending here at the Tacoma Dome minutes ago – a buzzer basket at game’s end got Garfield the win over West Seattle and the trip to tomorrow’s state-championship game against Nathan Hale. Final score, Garfield 44, West Seattle 43. The Wildcats will play Lincoln for third place tomorrow here at the T-Dome at 1 pm.
This was overall a low-scoring, relatively slow-moving game that neither team dominated, though West Seattle led for much of the last quarter. Both teams were cold-shooting in the first half, neither much above 1-of-4 field-goal success, but Garfield ramped it up with a 64% field-goal percentage in the second half. West Seattle #1, senior Nate Pryor, got his team the lead briefly with their last basket – as shown in our video – and was the game’s top scorer with 19 points.
More to come.
7 AM SATURDAY: The game tipped off at 9:19 pm. Garfield scored first; West Seattle got on the board with a foul shot by Pryor at just over a minute in.
First West Seattle basket was by #5 Abdullahi Mohamed.
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