West Seattle, Washington
23 Thursday
Food literacy was back on the menu today in the Sanislo Elementary library, as Katherine Pryor – author of “Sylvia’s Spinach” and “Zora’s Zucchini” – came to visit. First- and second-graders rotated through over the course of the morning. Sanislo librarian Craig Seasholes featured “Zora …,” the newer of the two books, with kindergarteners back in June, and wrote about it here. Pryor’s publisher is Readers to Eaters, whose co-founder Philip Lee visited Sanislo last year. (Check out all the Readers to Eaters books here.)
Pryor talked to the students about growing food, including how she gardened in the back of a pickup truck one summer. In a re-enactment of the story about Sylvia, they all got to taste spinach leaves, in case they hadn’t before – and we hear some spinach was to be planted in the school garden beds, too.
(Photos courtesy KCTS 9 – above, at Chief Sealth IHS; below, at Denny IMS)
In a program that premiered tonight, KCTS announced that Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School are two of this year’s three “Pathways to Excellence Award” recipients:
KCTS 9 is pleased to announce the 2015 Pathways to Excellence Award winners, recognizing schools in Washington state that are helping low-income students and students of color achieve at higher levels, making measurable progress in closing the achievement and opportunity gaps. Each school is improving teaching and learning and expanding connections with families and communities in meaningful ways. The honorees are selected by KCTS 9 in partnership with the Washington State Board of Education.
The 2015 honorees are:
Denny International Middle School, Seattle Public Schools, West Seattle
Chief Sealth International High School, Seattle Public Schools, West Seattle
Chinook Elementary School, Auburn School District, AuburnMy School, Our Future: 2015 — a new half-hour special on KCTS 9 — looks at the three Washington State schools to see how dedicated teachers, families and students are working together to beat the odds. See their stories and those of past award-winners, at KCTS9.org/pathways.
Ensuring that all children, regardless of racial, ethnic or socioeconomic background, have fair and equitable access to quality learning experiences is one of the great challenges of our time. Across the country, schools are struggling to fully serve low-income students and students who have been traditionally underserved — including African Americans, Latinos, and American Indians — and ensure that all students find a pathway to success. When we hear about the opportunity gap — the disparity in access to the quality educational resources needed for all children to be academically successful — the headlines are usually quite grim. Fortunately, some Washington schools are generating good news. These bright spots are an inspiration to parents, teachers, principals and communities, showing that there are strategies that are working to combat the persistent gap in educational equality and provide students with the skills they need to succeed in school and life.
You can watch the feature about Sealth here; about Denny, here. On TV, the full half-hour program about all three schools will be shown on KCTS 9 on October 17th, October 20th, and October 31st – check the schedule for more information.
(From Fire Station 32 “schematic design” packet dated August 2013, by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The rebuild of West Seattle’s Fire Station 32 is now running nine years behind the schedule that was originally projected when voters passed the levy to fund it and a tall stack of other projects.
We’ve learned that its construction is now not expected to start until early next year – which will be about a year after its crews were moved to interim locations.
When the station’s Engine 32 and Ladder 11 moved to a temporary site early this year, demolition of the original station was supposedly imminent. But more than half a year has passed, with no sign of work. After a reader e-mailed to ask what was going on, so we started looking into it.
What we’ve learned is that it’s going out to bid again – and now it appears that Station 32’s crews will have been out of the old location a full year by the time the teardown begins, meaning they’ll be in temporary quarters for about two years. (E-32 and L-11 are now in temporary structures on city-owned land that’s set for a future park, along 40th SW between Alaska and Edmunds, while Medic 32 is currently based at Station 37 in Sunrise Heights.)
The Station 32 rebuild was part of the $167 million Fire Levy approved by voters in 2003. It was a nine-year levy, so property owners aren’t paying it any more. But the presentation given to the City Council that year promised the city would “implement the program over the shortest possible time period to minimize the risks of inflation.” Page 19, the program schedule, shows the Station 32 project as expected to be complete by the end of 2007:
And now, as the end of 2015 approaches, this project hasn’t even started construction yet.
Design started three years ago, as noted on the periodic status/schedule reports posted on the Fire Levy website. (The most recent status/schedule report, however, posted less than a month ago, shows the site as under construction, which it is not.)
Fire Levy projects are now managed by the city’s Finance and Administrative Services department. When we checked with FAS last winter, a spokesperson told us (as reported here) demolition and construction was expected to start by late February – of this year.
Responding to our latest inquiry, FAS spokesperson Cyndi Wilder tells us the project has to go out to bid again:
Initially, this project was bid out through an alternative contract method called general contractor/construction manager (GC/CM), which allowed the general contractor to assist in the design process through a pre-construction services contract. The GC/CM process, following design, allows the City the option to negotiate with a selected construction firm to determine an appropriate construction cost.
The City and the contractor were unable to agree upon a negotiated cost that fits within the City budget. This week, the City is in the process of cancelling the pre-construction contract and will quickly move to a traditional bidding process for construction, where the entire construction contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. We anticipate beginning demolition on the old Fire Station 32 facility in the first quarter of 2016.
According to the project’s city webpage, the GC/CM contract had been awarded to BNBuilders (which has its own page for the project here).
We don’t know what if anything the schedule changes have cost the city. The project is budgeted at $18.6 million, according to the latest online financial report; the actual construction cost was cited at $10.6 million in various places including this solicitation for subcontractors, under the BN Builders contract. The new FS 32 was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (BCJ), whose designs were shown to the community at this 2014 open house.
The Fire Levy has an Oversight Committee that still meets periodically, with its next meeting scheduled for December 15th. Its meeting minutes are online, but recent editions have few details other than who was in attendance and the number of projects in progress. Earlier, more detailed sets of minutes shine some light on the overall delay, first indicating that some early challenges included big project-cost inflation in the first few years after the levy’s passage, with some of the cost increases attributed to factors such as China buying much of the world’s steel and estimates having been based on “suburban” fire stations rather than “urban.” The earliest mention we found of FS 32 in meeting minutes was November 2007, when its architect was about to be announced; BCJ was described as being in “pre-design” as of the July 2008 meeting minutes. At the November 2008 meeting, several postponements were announced, and at that time, the committee was told that Station 32 would be done in 2011. The next year, the project was listed as “being deferred” due to the shortfall in Real Estate Excise Tax received by the city. Later in 2009, meeting minutes said the project would start in 2010; toward the end of that year, a new delay – a request to search for a different site. The next mention of a new schedule came in 2011 – when it was declared to be starting in 2012. Then suddenly the February 2012 minutes say FS 32 would be complete “after 2015.” Every set of minutes from that year says the same thing, and then the specific mentions cease.
P.S. West Seattle’s Station 37, mentioned above as interim home to one of FS 32’s units, was a levy project too – shown on that original 2003 schedule as expected to be finished by the end of 2007, opened three years after that. Other local levy projects include upgrades at Station 36 (North Delridge), Station 11 (Highland Park), and Station 29 (Admiral); the first two are complete, the third still under way (and, like FS 32, listed on that City Council pre-levy presentation as projected for completion by 2008).
A tutoring program serving schools around Seattle, including two here, is looking for help. Maybe you can answer the call. Here’s the announcement:
Invest in Youth is a Seattle-based non-profit organization that provides free tutoring to local elementary students across the city, including at Roxhill Elementary and Fairmount Park Elementary, both in West Seattle. We are looking for volunteer tutors to work with students this school year. Will you join us this fall?
Tutoring begins in early October, runs through May and takes place once every week at one of our six conveniently located schools across the city.
The program is pretty straight-forward. Each tutor is matched with the same student for the whole school year and the pair works together on things like playing math games, reading stories or working on homework, for an hour once a week. Educational materials and activities, training and support, and heartfelt appreciation are provided at every session.
The impact of Invest in Youth’s tutoring program is dramatic:
· 100% of classroom teachers agreed that Invest in Youth was a valuable resource for their students.
· Students in our program made an average gain of 10 points on their MAP tests, which is twice the national average.
· Our volunteers collectively provided more than 3,000 hours of FREE academic support to students in need during the 2014-2015 school year.
· Tutors felt that the lasting bond they form with their student is the most meaningful element of the program.We are looking for volunteer tutors to join us this fall. Apply today!
For more information or to apply to be a tutor, please visit our website: www.investinyouth.org or contact Alison at aallen@investinyouth.org. Can’t commit to the full school year? Become a substitute tutor or share this with your friends who might be interested.
Just in from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office: 20-year-old Alicia J. Goemaat is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend’s 17-month-old son, Drue Lehto. The allegations are the same as described at the time of her bail hearing last week – that she kicked Drue in the abdomen twice, then put him in his crib, and that’s where the child’s father found his son dead after returning from a trip to the store; court documents say she later confessed to kicking Drue after becoming angry when he and her son, a few months older, fought over a toy. Goemaat remains in the King County Jail, now awaiting arraignment, with prosecutors asking that her bail remain set at $1 million.
As shown here last night, neighbors have started a sidewalk-side memorial for Drue; his father’s family is raising money online for his funeral, and gave us permission to use the family photo shown above.
(Today’s sunrise from Sunrise Heights, tweeted by @MetPatrick22)
Four weeks until Election Day; your ballot will arrive next week, so tonight is a great chance to check out your City Council choices, among other options highlighted below – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MATH BUDDIES: 4 pm drop-in program (first-come, first-served) for K-5 kids to get math help at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, explained here. (2306 42nd SW)
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Open agenda for tonight’s monthly meeting, 6 pm at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction – check out WSBC’s website for details and for other recent news about the group. All welcome. (SW Alaska & 41st SW)
‘LAND USE 101’ AT WWRHAH: Find out how to figure out what it means when a sign suddenly turns up on your street indicating something’s about to be torn down or built, whether there’s any chance for public comment, and more, in community advocate and former land-use planner Deb Barker‘s “Land Use 101” presentation, the main event at tonight’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting, 6:30 pm at Southwest Library. (35th SW & SW Henderson)
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES: Tonight brings the first of four forums in West Seattle over the next 10 nights. This one’s at 6:30 pm at Fauntleroy UCC Church, presented by the Westside Interfaith Network and League of Women Voters, featuring candidates in the three races that’ll be on ballots here – District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) and at-large Positions 8 and 9. (9140 California SW)
‘BOOKTOBERFEST’ TRIVIA: Tonight, librarians challenge you to trivia at Westside Public House in The Junction, as “Booktoberfest” continues. 7:30 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4752 California SW)
And a biznote:
WHY BAKERY NOUVEAU IS CLOSED: A reader was worried to see the shop dark and a sign on Bakery Nouveau‘s door in The Junction; no worries, it’s just maintenance work – today’s the second and final day of a two-day closure.
(Police and fire investigators at scene on Saturday)
An 18-year-old man is in jail, suspected of setting the fire that damaged a house in the 9200 block of 31st Place SW on Saturday afternoon. SFD confirmed on Monday that the fire had been ruled arson, but we weren’t able to confirm until this morning that a suspect is in custody. Court documents say he is the boyfriend of the 18-year-old woman who was found outside the house, “screaming and crying,” as it burned. She is reported to have told investigators the suspect lived inside the house, and that when they had argued earlier in the day, he had threatened to set it on fire. She also said the house, described by SFD and in an online complaint as “vacant,” had belonged to a relative of her boyfriend and that he had been staying there because he was otherwise homeless. A neighbor told police he had seen the man walking away from the house just before an “explosion” that preceded the fire. The suspect was found “on a pathway near the Roxhill Park entrance,” according to the probable-cause document, and recognized by officers “from prior contacts” (he does not, however, appear to have a criminal record, either felony or misdemeanor). He was booked into King County Jail on Saturday night; on Monday afternoon, a judge set his bail at $25,000. Prosecutors have until tomorrow to file charges.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No incidents of interest to our area, so far.
ROAD WORK ALERT: The city says it’s continuing work at the intersection of 21st Ave SW and SW Genesee St on Pigeon Point (as seen here on Friday) and that the intersection “will be closed to southbound traffic” for a few more days “while crews install new sidewalk and curb ramps. A signed detour will be in effect to direct southbound traffic around the work: From 21st Ave SW travel east on SW Charlestown St to 20th Ave SW; then travel south on 20th Ave SW to SW Genesee St. … Crews have also begun surveying the area where 22nd Ave SW merges into 21st Ave SW. As part of the greenway project, we will install a new sidewalk, pavement and curb ramp.” This is part of the Delridge/Highland Park Neighborhood Greenway project.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Published here on Monday, here’s first word of a big project that will affect one mile of Delridge Way next year – the complete replacement of the streetlight system between Myrtle and Henderson, plus a lighting upgrade for the SW Holden stairway.
As they had promised in the note published here this morning, neighbors created a sidewalk-side memorial tonight for 17-month-old Drue Lehto, who died eight days ago of internal injuries that police say his father’s girlfriend confessed to causing by kicking him. They told us other community members had stopped by to add small tributes – stuffed animals, candles, flowers. It’s in a tree well along the sidewalk in the 6500 block of California SW, just south of the Morgan Junction apartment building where Drue died; you are welcome to add to it, they said. Meantime, the accused killer remains jailed in lieu of $1 million bail; we’ll likely hear from prosecutors tomorrow about charges.
From Seacrest – 12 sighting, postgame. pic.twitter.com/NnAcwbhVOU
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) October 6, 2015
For the first nighttime home game of the Seahawks’ season, the big bright “12” was back downtown. We photographed it shortly after Seattle’s 13-10 win over the Detroit Lions. This was the Seahawks’ only scheduled Monday Night Football appearance this year; they’re set for a Sunday Night Football home game on November 15th, hosting the Cardinals.
9:49 PM P.S. Via Twitter, we learn Zillow is now the largest tenant in the building.
(Family photo, taken the day Alex left Harborview)
That’s Alex, who survived a crash on Fauntleroy Way north of Lincoln Park four weeks ago. His mother Katie e-mailed to say that investigators are still looking for the driver who left the scene:
On 9/8/15 around 9:30 pm my son was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Fauntleroy and Othello. He was admittedly going over the speed limit when a white truck pulled out in front of him, cutting him off. The driver of the truck then stopped in the middle of my son’s lane, causing my son to hit the back driver’s side quarter panel. The impact threw him off his motorcycle and into two parked cars. The motorcycle slid for quite a ways in the middle of Fauntleroy. The driver of the truck then backed up, looked at my son, and then drove off … leaving my son screaming in pain, asking for help.
Congratulations to Chief Sealth International High School for again being recognized as having one of the nation’s top career/vocational business academies. From Gary Perkins, who also shared the photos:
For the third consecutive year, the Academy of Business, which includes both the Academy of Finance and Academy of Hospitality & Tourism programs, was awarded “Model Status” by the National Academy Foundation, an award given to only a select number of business academies across the country. NAF is a leader in the movement to prepare young people for college and career success and operates in more than 650 academies across the 50 states. For over 30 years, NAF has refined a proven educational model which included industry-focused curricula, work-based learning opportunities through summer internships and job shadows, and a relationship model that connects the classroom to the workplace.
There are only five NAF academies in the entire state of Washington, with two of those located here at Chief Sealth Int’l. Over the past five years, the graduation rate for the Academy of Business has exceeded 99% and over 95% of those that graduate have gone on to college or post-secondary education.
In the pictures are juniors and seniors from the Academy of Finance and Academy of Hospitality & Tourism. Also included are Gary Perkins (Academy Coordinator/Instructor) and Jenny Austad (Academy Instructor). You can find out more about the program by E-mailing Gary Perkins at gaperkins@seattleschools.org
That photo by Araya Casey Photography is one of several shared with us after orcas swam past West Seattle on Sunday (see others here). If you’re among our area’s many orca fans, you will want to hurry up and get your ticket for the October 13th event that will lead off The Whale Trail‘s new Orca Talk season, with world-renowned author and orca expert Erich Hoyt speaking October 13th at The Hall at Fauntleroy. His talk titled “Ants, Orcas and Creatures of the Deep” is one of three stops in the region on Hoyt’s “Orca Tour 2015.” Wondering what in the world ants and orcas could have in common? Don’t miss the chance to find out – you can get your ticket right now through Brown Paper Tickets. (When Hoyt spoke here two years ago, he filled the house!)
(Part of the stretch of Delridge where the upgrading will happen)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Another big city project is headed this way.
We got first word of this while talking with one of the many city department reps who came to West Seattle on Saturday for the mayor-led Find It, Fix It walk in Delridge (WSB coverage here). It isn’t in the area on which the walk focused, but it’s in an area where many people will be affected by the work as well as by its results. Here’s what’s up:
Next year, Seattle City Light plans to replace and upgrade the Delridge Way SW streetlights and their infrastructure between SW Myrtle and SW Henderson. That’s a 1.1-mile-long stretch (see it on this map).
The Delridge Way SW Streetlight Infrastructure Upgrade Project entails much more than changing to LEDs (which won’t happen on other West Seattle arterials until 2017) – SCL says the light installations themselves have issues with wiring, grounding, and even siting/spacing, so the entire streetlight system along that stretch is being redesigned and replaced.
Along with new streetlights along Delridge, the project also will include lighting improvements on the SW Holden stairway between Delridge and 20th SW, the focus of safety concerns after robberies earlier in the year (yes, this is the same stairway where goats did some cleanup work last spring).
And, SCL says, some power-cable work will be done in areas where “injection” repair work failed.
Here’s the city overview of the type of work that’s expected to happen during this project:
City Light contractors will be trenching within the right-of-way. They will work within planting strips whenever possible, but will be demolishing sidewalks in some locations. New sidewalks and curb cuts will be installed as necessary and trenching across streets will be required in some areas. Sections of sidewalk will be closed while work is taking place. Roadways may be redirected for short periods of time when trenching across streets is taking place. Residents will be notified if driveways will be blocked.
SCL says the work is not expected to require or cause power outages.
The full scope of the project is still being planned, with its design not expected to be complete until March of next year, and bidding to follow in April; construction is expected to happen June 2016-January 2017. We’re checking on the estimated cost, as the SCL budget proposal for next year doesn’t list this (or other) specific projects.
New and “gently used” items would be greatly appreciated by students in need at Chief Sealth IHS – here’s how to help:
The Clothing Closet is open and looking for donations!
Chief Sealth International High School PTSA — along with CSIHS staff and Key Club — coordinates the Clothing Closet, where students in need can get clothing, school supplies, and toiletries at no cost. The Clothing Closet relies on donations to keep its shelves stocked.
Here are some things that we’re currently in need of:
new men’s and women’s athletic and dress socks
new men’s underwear — preferably stretchy boxer briefs of all sizes
new women’s underwear – preferably cotton bikinis of all sizes
gently used athletic shorts — all sizes
gently used sweatpants, athletic-style pants, yoga pants, and leggings — all sizes
gently used men’s belts — casual and dressYou can drop off donations at the collection box in the Main Office. We’ll also have a collection box outside the Clothing Closet during the Open House on October 8. For more information, please contact Lisa Conley with PTSA at lisalconley@hotmail.com or 206-938-1947.
The school is at 2600 SW Thistle.
(Alki photo by Michael Zaton)
Looks like one more day of the endlessly blue sky and sea. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7 pm, Homework Help volunteers are available at High Point Library, for K-12 students. (35th SW and SW Raymond)
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOUNDARIES/STUDENT ASSIGNMENT PLAN MEETING: No big boundary changes in the current West Seattle plan, but the ones that are in the works for next year – explained in our preview – are the subject of a meeting tonight, 6:30 pm, at Schmitz Park Elementary. (5000 SW Spokane)
WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: 7 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, it’s the monthly meeting for West Seattle Hi-Yu, which is currently inviting youth to apply for its new Ambassador Program. Come to the meeting to see how you can help with anything and everything Hi-Yu is up to. (California SW & SW Hill)
‘BOOKTOBERFEST’ AT SKYLARK: 7:30 pm, match wits with librarians, who are going around the city this month for special events like this round of “bookish and library-themed trivia” at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … by browsing our complete calendar.
Two followups this morning in the case of 17-month-old Drue Lehto (family photo at right, republished with permission), who died eight days ago in a Morgan Junction apartment, with his father’s 20-year-old girlfriend in jail for investigation of homicide:
First, neighbors invite you to join them tonight in an informal memorial. Alexa told us via e-mail, “There will be a few of us neighbors setting out a small memorial for baby Drue, the baby killed last week, (tonight) at 8:30 by the building [6533 California SW]. Just some flowers, candles, and stuffed toys, no formal event, but others are welcome to come join to pay their respects or stop by the next day to add to the memorial.”
Also, Drue’s aunt Samantha shares word of this crowdfunding page raising money for funeral expenses.
In the criminal case, meantime, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has until tomorrow to file charges against the suspect, who, according to court documents, had lived for about half a year with Drue, his father, and her own toddler from an earlier relationship. She remains in King County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
(Three WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:41 AM: Good morning! So far this morning, no incidents in West Seattle or on the major outbound routes from here. Big story later will be Monday Night Football, with the Seahawks hosting Detroit, 5:30 pm kickoff at CenturyLink Field. The West Seattle Water Taxi will have extended evening service, with the last run from downtown set to leave at 10:30 pm.
10:32 AM – WEEKEND PREVIEW ADDED: Quiet morning so far. But alerts for the week ahead will likely be emerging – like this one from WSDOT, of note if you use I-90:
Westbound traffic between Bellevue Way and Rainier Avenue South will be reduced to one lane and detoured to the I-90 express lanes from 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12. Drivers heading to Mercer Island must exit westbound I-90 at East Mercer Way. There are no westbound exits to Mercer Island from the express lanes.
Since it’s westbound, it won’t cause an I-5 backup like the earlier eastbound work did, but still something you’ll want to know about if you’re crossing the lake over the weekend.
(WSB photos by Katie Meyer)
Every year, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Admiral invites pets and their people to an open, public “Blessing of the Animals” event, a tradition for many churches in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, and today was the day. St. John’s new priest-in-charge Rev. Michael Carroccino and Brother Paul Dahlke from the Order of Saint Francis were in the neighboring West Seattle High School parking lot for all who showed up.
Most of the pets brought for blessings were dogs … but we also spotted Olive the cat:
As explained on the event flyer, “Today we thank God for the gifts of companionship and beauty which animals and pets bring to our lives and homes, and ask God’s blessing on them.”
Blessings are usually offered this time each fall as it coincides with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals:
At least two other West Seattle congregations offered Blessing of the Animals events today; another is still ahead, next Sunday (October 11th) at 10:30 am at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Gatewood (thanks to Sue for the tip).
(WSB photos by Katie Meyer)
If you weren’t part of today’s CROP Hunger Walk – you might have seen those who were, with red shirts and signs, on a 3-mile route along Alki this afternoon.
The walk calls attention to the struggle many around the world have in obtaining drinkable water as well as getting enough food to stave off hunger. As one walker explained, the distance of the walk – 3 miles – signifies how far many people around the world have to walk to obtain drinkable (or any) water each day.
The West Seattle walk was one of two in the city today, with pledges helping people in need globally as well as locally; you can donate to the cause here.
(Photo courtesy Robert Ferguson)
6:24 PM:Seattle Fire is responding to a reported house fire in the 5200 block of 45th SW.
6:37 PM: SFD says this is an attic fire and that everyone got out of the house OK, no injuries reported so far.
MONDAY MORNING: SFD finally ended “fire watch” at the house, 12 hours after the fire broke out – the online 911 log showed units at the scene, rotating every few hours as is done if there’s concern about flareups, until early this morning. We’ll be checking on investigators’ official ruling of the cause. Meantime, see the comment section for a discussion of this house’s unusual history.
MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Lt. Sue Stangl with SFD says this fire has been ruled an accident – sparked by work on the house’s roof. Damage to the house is estimated at $50,000, and $20,000 to its contents.
(ADDED: Photo by Paul Brannan – orca off Fauntleroy)
5:43 PM: Caller says a few orcas are southbound – playfully, not speedily – off Constellation Park south of Alki Point right now. Might be “transients,” which Orca Network says have been in the central Sound today. Let us know if you see them!
7:46 PM: Adding a photo – thanks, Paul!
8:25 PM: And thanks to Araya Casey Photography for sharing these images:
The photos were taken in the Alki area.
(Empty Terminal 5 as seen during the port’s community tour last month; photo by Karen Berge)
Now that Shell has suspended its offshore-drilling plans for Alaska, what’s in the future for Terminal 5 in West Seattle, which was planned to be the Shell fleet’s offseason homeport? Will the turn of events affect the Port of Seattle‘s T-5 modernization plan? Find out firsthand at next Wednesday’s Southwest District Council meeting, where a port rep is on the agenda to brief the SWDC. The agenda also includes a discussion of Seattle Proposition 1 – the $930 million “Move Seattle” levy on the November ballot – and a presentation about the West Seattle Timebank. All are welcome at the meeting; SWDC members are reps of community councils and organizations around western West Seattle. The meeting’s at 6:30 pm Wednesday (October 7th) at the Sisson Building (home of the Senior Center of West Seattle), southeast corner of California SW & SW Oregon in The Junction.
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