West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

42℉

West Seattle news 60712 results

Quick update after Design Review doubleheader: 4724 California done; 4755 Fauntleroy advances to next stage
November 8, 2012 10:13 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

We’ll have separate full-length reports later on both parts of tonight’s Design Review Board doubleheader, but since it has just wrapped up after more than 3 1/2 hours, we have toplines: The board gave its final blessing to 4724 California, the building planned for the ex-Petco site in The Junction, and allowed 4755 Fauntleroy Way – the megaproject that we now know will include Whole Foods – to move on to the second phase of Design Review. 4724 California still has other parts of the permit process to go through, but now that this stage is complete, they’re expecting to start construction – with demolition first – around April 1st. A fair amount of public comment was provided on both projects, mostly positive for 4724 California, some negative for 4755 Fauntleroy Way – “South Lake Union next to West Seattle” was one vivid phrase. Again, full coverage coming up later.

Share This

Roxhill Castle update: Grand opening planned for December 22
November 8, 2012 9:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Westwood

Another update tonight on the Roxhill Castle playground project, almost complete after five extensive days of volunteer work: Volunteer organizer Mat McBride says, “We are targeting the first day of Winter Break, 12/22/12, for the opening of the Castle Park.” (The adjacent skatespot, still under construction, will open separately, at another date.) The finishing touches include a new treatment for the “castle roof,” McBride explains: “Cool as the metal surface is, that’s only the superstructure for a mosaic sculpture. Originally, it was set to look like all of the other crenellations, but local amazing human Mike Henderson was assigned to work it. Mike had other ideas, which he shared with Barry [from Leathers and Associates], and we decided to go with it, on the spot. Because of the unique nature of this park build, we could do that.” He added that other “sculpture elements” are under consideration.

Share This

County sets meeting about South Park Bridge construction delay
November 8, 2012 6:49 pm
|    Comments Off on County sets meeting about South Park Bridge construction delay
 |   South Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Recent aerial view of bridge construction, by Long Bach Nguyen)
One week after first word that the South Park Bridge would not be complete until next year, King County has announced a meeting to update everyone who’s interested:

King County will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 to update residents on the status of South Park Bridge construction. The meeting will be held at the South Park Neighborhood Center, 8201 10th Ave. S., Seattle.

During the meeting, County engineers will review construction progress, including efforts to excavate new piers. The contractor, Kiewit Massman JV, has informed the County that this phase of work has taken longer than expected, which will shift the timeline for opening the bridge. The County and the contractor are now working on a revised construction schedule. The updated timeline for bridge completion should be announced in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, other elements of the project are moving forward. Major steel components for the new bridge have started arriving. Later this month demolition of portions of the old bridge will get underway.

During the meeting, engineers will provide more details about construction activities currently underway, share photos of recently completed excavation work and answer questions.

For more information about the meeting, contact Ashley DeForest, (206) 684-1154 or email her at ashley.deforest@kingcounty.gov.

Share This

West Seattle scene: ‘Locked up’ to help fight muscular dystrophy
November 8, 2012 4:38 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Around West Seattle today, there was an unusual number of “arrests” – and an unusual number of smiles associated with them. The occasion: The “lockup” fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Above, environmental health/safety specialist Christa Colouzis getting “arrested” at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) at noontime today. That photo was shared by co-worker Marcia Mitchell; next photo, we went to the lock-up site – Talarico’s in The Junction – to see who we would find “behind bars”:

That’s Lora Swift from Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) – Lora tweeted the actual “arrest” – and David Groves from Seattle Logo Pro. Firefighters made the “arrests,” and then the “arrestees” were supposed to get MDA donations from friends, family, colleagues, whomever, to make “bail.”

Share This

West Seattle power outage: 2 ‘customers,’ but one’s a school
November 8, 2012 4:00 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle power outage: 2 ‘customers,’ but one’s a school
 |   High Point | Utilities | West Seattle news

4 PM: We’re checking with Seattle City Light about what at first glance might look like a small power outage in High Point – two “customers,” per the SCL outage map – but affects many more people, because one of those “customers” is West Seattle Elementary School, according to tipster Odetta, who says it happened right around dismissal time, just before 3. The city map projects restoration around mid-evening, but says the cause is being investigated.

4:07 PM UPDATE: SCL spokesperson Scott Thomsen tells WSB the problem isn’t with their system, but rather “the customer’s panel.” So now we’re checking with the school district.

ADDED: Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Teresa Wippel explains:

(The) power outage was from 2:50-3:47 pm, caused by a boiler malfunction that blew the circuit breakers. Students left school about 10 minutes early to wait for the bus since there was no power. They were able to bring the power back on and City Light came out to inspect and ensure there were no safety issues. So school is on as usual for (Friday) but I’m told it may be a little cool at the school in the morning since the boiler still needs repairs — the building also has a heat pump, which will be used as a backup until the boiler is fixed. (They need to get some parts to do that.)

Share This

Crime Watch: Warning for bus riders; gratitude for bystander
November 8, 2012 2:56 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

This didn’t happen in West Seattle, but the choosing-to-be-anonymous victim – and the person who helped her – were both headed this way:

Last night I had the unfortunate experience of being robbed while waiting for the Rapid Ride C line downtown. I was at the stop on the corner of 3rd and Pike at 9 pm after my evening class let out when a man grabbed my iPhone right out of my hands and ran away with it before I could even get a good look at him.

I was shaken and upset and I want to warn other bus riders of this danger. The stop really didn’t feel unsafe, even at that time of night because the corner is so well-lit and there were LOTS of people around. The officer that took my report said that this crime is very common in that location.

A very nice young woman stepped up to loan me her phone to call 911. She missed her bus to West Seattle in order to let me place my call. I’m trying to focus my mental images of the night on her good deed rather than the jarring experience of being a crime victim.

Share This

Followup: New slide in place & in play at Myrtle Reservoir Park
November 8, 2012 2:10 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Amy for sharing the photo from the Myrtle Reservoir Park playground and this report:

Eleanore and Mimi (were the) first kids to use the new slide after they removed the yellow tape about 12:45 pm today.

Checking the WSB archives, we are reminded that the Myrtle slide was taken out nine months ago after a nationwide recall following at least 16 injuries involving that particular type of slide.

Share This

Octopus followup: Dylan Mayer advocates for protection in Olympia
November 8, 2012 12:36 pm
|      56 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | Wildlife

12:36 PM: There’s a postscript today to last week’s big controversy over a 19-year-old diver removing an octopus from popular Cove 2 at Seacrest.

West Seattle environmental advocate “Diver Laura” James – the first person to tip us last week – monitored the proceedings in Olympia before state Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. In our coverage last week, we focused on plans to push for protection of wildlife at Cove 2, since otherwise, the octopus catch was completely legal. The state explained that public comment was welcome at commission meetings (today and tomorrow are the first ones since the incident). James reports that the octopus catcher, Dylan Mayer, spoke during the public-comment period of today’s meeting, “on behalf of closing Cove 2 for octopus and putting up clear signage.” She adds, “Massive props go to Craig Willemsen, the owner of Silent World Diving Systems, who met with him on Tuesday and discussed it as an option.” Mayer had defended his action in various discussions, including the WSB Forum, with several posts including this one. This morning’s meeting was webcast by TVW, and video will eventually be online here.

ADDED 6:37 PM: The official state news release about what happened today, including Mayer’s comments:Read More

Share This

West Seattle Thursday: Art Walk; Design Review doubleheader
November 8, 2012 10:25 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Doug B, whose work you can check out on Flickr)
Beautiful morning! And the Olympic Mountains’ snow frosting reminds us it’s getting colder – tonight’s low is expected to drop into the 30s. But no rain is expected today/tonight, so it’s still a great chance to be out and about, with the following highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

LIBRARY STORY TIME: 11:15 am, it’s Preschool Story Time at Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge).

MDA FUNDRAISER ‘LOCKUP’: At midday today, as part of a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, various local business/organization leaders/reps will be “arrested” and “locked up” till they are “bailed out” by pledges/donations to MDA.

NEXT ELECTION RESULTS: King County plans to release new vote counts at 4:30 and 8:30 pm today/tonight. They say about 3,300 “on-time ballots” arrived with this morning’s mail.

BIKE MASTER PLAN WORKSHOP: Downtown last night, on Beacon Hill tonight – it’s your second chance to speak up for West Seattle’s needs in the city’s Bicycle Master Plan Update. 5:30-7:30 pm at NewHolly Gathering Hall, as explained here.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: 6-9 pm tonight at dozens of venues around West Seattle! Here’s the list/map. Some highlights:
-Longtime WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli‘s internationally famous “big food/little people” work is part of a group show at ArtsWest in The Junction, and he’ll be there for the reception, 6-7:30 pm, as will Kristen Reitz-Green and Jere Smith, whose work also is part of “A Feast for the Eyes.”
–West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor) has its weekly free tasting 5:30-8 pm and is showing the work of Glenn Brewer.
–Heidi Horwitz DDS-Orthodontics for All Ages (WSB sponsor) at Genesee/California is participating, with jewelry designer Katherine Dancer.
-In The Admiral District, participants include Heartland Café featuring Nicole Melchior, and Zatz A Better Bagel (WSB sponsor) featuring
–Rachel Austin (whose work is featured on this quarter’s WSAW poster, above) is back at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction
-Also in The Junction, Kari-Lise Alexander is featured at Wallflower Custom Framing (WSB sponsor).
-Find lots more spotlights on the official West Seattle Art Walk website

DESIGN REVIEW DOUBLEHEADER: Two major West Seattle Junction projects go before the Southwest Design Review Board tonight for the second time. Both meetings are at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon – enter on the Oregon side and go upstairs); both will include public-comment periods (regarding design issues). Here’s the lineup:
–6:30 pm, 4724 California. This is the project proposed for the ex-Petco, now-Sound Ad Group site. The project passed Early Design Guidance back in May (WSB coverage here) and is now up for potentially final approval. Here’s our most recent report.
–8 pm, 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW. This is the megaproject which, as first reported here yesterday, will include a Whole Foods Market. It did NOT pass Early Design Guidance at its first meeting (WSB coverage here), so it’s back for a second round.

GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Live in the Genesee Hill/Schmitz Park area? This is your neighborhood council, and they’d love to see you at their meeting tonight, 6:45 pm at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).

Music and more in our other listings for tonight – and for many days/weeks/months ahead – on our calendar.

Share This

Election 2012: West Seattle voter reports odd phone message
November 8, 2012 9:41 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Just out of the WSB inbox, from Helen, who wonders if anyone else got a call like this:

I got a most peculiar message on my land line last night. The message was from a young woman claiming to be with the King County Republican party, and she was calling to report that my ballot could not be counted because of a discrepancy with my signature. I didn’t listen to the rest of the message, but I found it very odd, especially since this came the day AFTER the election. I checked to ensure my ballot was received and counted here:

info.kingcounty.gov/elections/BallotTracker.aspx

My ballot was indeed received, verified and counted.

This morning I called the King County elections office and reported this. The number that my caller ID caught was 425-679-9085. According to the person I spoke with, the elections office is getting a pretty good number of complaints about this number.

The point of my message is this: If you got a call from these people, PLEASE report it, I don’t care what your political affiliation is. What they’re doing is a federal crime.

We have a message out to King County Elections to ask about this. We also called the number Helen mentioned – and it went to a voicemail greeting that self-identifies as the King County Republican Party, saying they are “currently reminding voters to return their ballot” as part of a “Get Out the Vote” effort, though a crossreference via Google does not list the number as anything official. We left a message. The official number for KC GOP is listed on its website as (425) 990-0404, and we’re also contacting them through official channels to ask about it. We’ll update this later as we find out more.

10:38 AM UPDATE: No replies yet to any of the aforementioned inquiries, but commenters say they received similar inquiries from someone claiming to be with the Democratic Party. As Helen notes above, you can check the county Ballot Tracker – but note that if you didn’t drop off or mail your ballot until the last minute, it may not have shown up yet.

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday reports
November 8, 2012 7:13 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Wednesday turned out to be a busy day with traffic/transit effects … today is starting quiet but we’ll see what’s ahead.

Share This

West Seattle Bike Connections members speak out @ city workshop
November 8, 2012 2:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Bike Connections members speak out @ city workshop
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

The first of two city workshops for the city’s Bicycle Master Plan Update included plenty of input from members of newly organized West Seattle Bike Connections. And if you missed it, there’s another workshop tonight. WSBC’s Don Brubeck shared the photo with this report on how things went Wednesday night at City Hall downtown:

West Seattle was well represented at City Hall! We provided, and the SDOT planners sincerely welcomed, our input. Due to representation from neighborhoods all over the peninsula, and all types of bike riders, our contingent had incredible local knowledge of the streets and routes people need to travel. We were able to give SDOT feedback on their preliminary draft routes, eliminating some due to steep hills or potential conflicts with vehicle traffic or parking, and adding other possible neighborhood connecting routes on lower traffic streets. A bunch of us also sported new West Seattle Bike Connections shirts.

City Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen (from West Seattle) and Sally Bagshaw were present, along with the whole Seattle Bike Advisory Board and a large contingent from SDOT and their bike planning consultants, Alta Planning & Design.

The meeting tonight (Thursday) is 5:30-7:30 pm at the NewHolly Gathering Place, 7054 32nd Avenue S. on Beacon Hill (map).

Share This

Dedication next week for artwork under Spokane Street Viaduct
November 8, 2012 2:13 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

If you have driven the newly reopened lower Spokane Street, westbound under the newly widened Spokane Street Viaduct, you have seen the designs painted on the columns – city-commissioned art that’s part of the project. The city has just announced plans for a formal dedication:

After three years of construction, the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project is nearly complete. At a public dedication scheduled for 9 a.m, Friday, Nov. 16, a unique set of artworks will be unveiled, along with new sidewalks and landscaping in the lower roadway reconstruction. Santa Monica, Calif. artist team merge conceptual design’s (Claudia Reisenberger and Franka Diehnelt) artwork, SODO, is a vast visual narrative that catalogues more than 200 years of SoDo’s history. Created in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), the artwork consists of stenciled and barcode designs painted on the concrete columns that hold up the existing and new portions of the Spokane Street Viaduct between Sixth Avenue South and East Marginal Way South. Nine different color and image schemes create separate zones that recollect the natural and cultural history of the area, the industries that flourished there, and wildlife that inhabited the site. In total, more than 500 column faces were painted.

Read More

Share This

West Seattle schools: BEX IV levy plan finalized; on to February vote
November 7, 2012 7:26 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

7:26 PM: After months of meetings and revisions, the Seattle School Board has just unanimously approved the project list for the $695 million BEX IV levy they will send to voters in February, including expanding and renovating Fairmount Park Elementary to reopen in 2014, building a new Schmitz Park Elementary on the Genesee Hill site to open in 2015, and building a new Arbor Heights Elementary to open in 2018.

There were no amendments proposed before the vote but the list that passed (see it here) included the extra language we have reported here in the past few days – clarifying that the current Schmitz Park Elementary will be kept open as a school (either neighborhood or option, said assistant superintendent Pegi McEvoy tonight) and that the district will rebuild AH sooner if it can figure out a way. The levy will go to voters February 12th, as will the district operations levy also finalized tonight; between the two, they’re asking voters for $1.2 billion, acknowledged board president Michael DeBell, saying, “This is a bold package. We’re asking for a lot of money.” Tonight’s public speakers, pre-vote, included Vicki Schmitz Block and son Dietrich Schmitz, thanking the board for responding to the family’s request that the current school, on a site their family donated to the district decades ago, remain in operation as a school.

ADDED 8:10 PM: The district’s official news release, ahead:Read More

Share This

Update: Police search for assault suspect wraps up
November 7, 2012 5:40 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

5:40 PM: Thanks for all the tips – we’re on our way to check out a police search in the 36th/Graham/Raymond vicinity. Police are looking for a suspect linked to a car in which, according to the scanner, a gun was found. More info as we get it.

5:45 PM: It’s a search for an assault suspect, according to Southwest Precinct Capt. Steve Paulsen, who confirms a gun has been found. Per the scanner, police have blocked off an extensive area for containment and a K-9 team is expected to be part of the search. Scanner traffic also indicates this is linked to an incident that happened yesterday.

6:11 PM: Police are reported to have a suspect in custody. (added) Capt. Paulsen says this is related to a road-rage case in which the suspect was reported to have pointed a gun at the victim.

Share This

Metro Route 120-related work starts next week at 26th/Barton
November 7, 2012 5:22 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Along the Metro Route 120 corridor, work has been under way to boost the busy route’s efficiency, and the county says another round will start in about a week:

King County Metro Transit launches another round of construction in West Seattle next week, focusing on improvements that will help pedestrians and bus riders for Route 120 – one of Metro’s top 10 busiest routes.

Up to eight weeks of work are planned starting as soon as November 13 at the intersection of Southwest Barton Street and 26th Avenue Southwest just south of Westwood Village.

Read More

Share This

BULLETIN: Whole Foods confirms its new West Seattle plan – anchor tenant for 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW megaproject
November 7, 2012 3:19 pm
|      94 COMMENTS
 |   4755 Fauntleroy | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(4755 Fauntleroy Way rendering, looking toward corner of Alaska/40th; store would wrap around this corner & run along Alaska)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 3:19 PM: Whole Foods Market has confirmed a new West Seattle location – right across SW Alaska from the spot where it once planned to open. Here’s the news release we just received:

Whole Foods Market – the world’s leading organic and natural foods supermarket – announced plans to open its seventh Puget Sound store location in West Seattle. The 41,000–square-foot store will be located within a mixed-use project at the intersection of Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Alaska Street. The store is scheduled to open in 2015.

The West Seattle store opening will create 150 new jobs throughout Seattle. Whole Foods Market has been ranked for the past 15 consecutive years as Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”

“We’ve long wanted to be part of the West Seattle community and we’re grateful to all the residents who have reached out to support our efforts,” said Joe Rogoff, president, Whole Foods Market, Pacific Northwest Region. “Creating jobs, supporting local producers and lending a hand to area schools and non-profits are core to our philosophy and practices, and we’re eager to share this with West Seattle. And of course we’re thrilled to be expanding the selection of natural and organic food, sustainable seafood, humanely raised meats and housemade prepared foods and bakery items to the community.”

Whole Foods Market announced signing a lease with Weingarten Realty for West Seattle during its quarterly earnings call on November 7, 2012.

Robert Smith, Senior Vice President of Development and Acquisitions for Weingarten, commented, “We are extremely excited about this project which will be a signature property at the gateway intersection to the Junction area of West Seattle. Weingarten, Lennar and Whole Foods Market are substantial companies that are working intently together with the City to design a functionally well integrated project that is appealing to its customers and a positive reflection of the community. We believe this project fits the vision and objectives developed by the community and the City in their recently adopted Triangle Plan for this commercial intersection. This is an important project for us and reflects the growing trend toward more dense, urban, mixed use projects, desired by many metropolitan areas like Seattle.”

Once complete, Whole Foods Market will provide local shoppers with a wide selection of high quality natural, organic and local products. The company’s quality standards are outlined online at www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

ADDED 3:33 PM: We’ve just talked by phone with Lance Sherwood from Weingarten, who notes that the project still is in early development stages – it goes to its second Early Design Guidance meeting before the Southwest Design Review Board tomorrow night (at 8 pm – after the 4724 California review), a process that then will be followed by permitting as well as completion of financing and purchase before construction begins.

Whole Foods backstory: It was originally set as anchor tenant for what was Fauntleroy Place, announced in 2006 but stalled in 2008. While that project (which has NO link to this one) went through court battles in the ensuing two years, WF eventually announced in 2010 that its lease for FP was no longer valid, saying at the time that it was still seeking a West Seattle location. The former Fauntleroy Place, by the way, was sold at foreclosure auction last year, to Madison Development, which has filed plans with the city to develop it as Spruce West Seattle, with the former supermarket space instead changed to a fitness center that, according to the artwork with the filed plans, is expected to be an L.A. Fitness branch.

Share This

Election 2012: Marriage-equality Referendum 74 passes, county readies for marriage-license issuing
November 7, 2012 3:18 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(WSB photos by Nick Adams, from last night’s OutWest Bar election-night party)
After a long night of result-checking, even before the 2nd round of King County results is announced today, it’s clear that marriage equality will be the law of the land in our state: Referendum 74‘s passage is being celebrated. And King County Executive Dow Constantine just issued a statement saying the county’s ready to start issuing marriage licenses at the first possible moment:

“Marriage equality is now the law of the land in Washington State, thanks to voters who have made our state, Maryland, and Maine, the first in the nation to recognize this civil right at the ballot box. We can all be proud that our state is on the right side of history.

“This is a journey that started back in 1971, when Faygele Ben-Miriam and Paul Barwick were denied a marriage license by King County. Faygele did not live to see this day, but I think he would be proud of what we’ve accomplished.

“I want to thank all the legislative leaders for their tenacity in keeping the issue in front of the state Legislature. I have one of the pens Governor Gregoire used to sign the marriage equality bill into law, and I look forward to using that same pen to personally issue the first marriage license to a same-sex couple in King County on the first day the law goes into effect, December 6.

We expect large numbers of applicants for marriage licenses in those first few days, so our King County Recorder’s Office will be open for extended hours for the issuance of marriage licenses on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 6 and 7, and even on Saturday, Dec. 8.

At West Seattle’s OutWest Bar last night, WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams photographed a few of the people it will directly affect, like Michale Farrar and Nathan Adams, who have been together for three years and say they will marry next summer:

And Teri Gawne and Kristin Baron, who say they too plan to marry:

The champagne was already flowing last night, courtesy of OutWest owners and staff:

Washington was one of four states where voters were considering marriage-equality measures last night – and as of this afternoon, the pro-equality side won in all four: Maryland voters said yes to marriage equality, with Question 6 passing; so did Maine voters, approving Question 1; and Minnesota voters defeated an anti-equality measure. Meantime, we’ll add the newest Washington vote totals here when they come out later today/tonight.

4:27 PM UPDATE: King County Elections is not expecting the next round of numbers to be out until about 6:30 pm due to some equipment problems. Meantime, the R-74 victory is being celebrated at the Washington United for Marriage campaign headquarters – County Councilmember Joe McDermott sent this cameraphone photo of himself and fellow West Seattleite Anne Levinson during the celebration:

7:15 PM UPDATE: The margin after the latest ballot counts were added remains 52-48.

Share This

First-ever alumni basketball games ahead for Chief Sealth Int’l HS
November 7, 2012 3:04 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The night after Thanksgiving – in other words, two weeks from Friday – Chief Sealth International High School plans its first-ever alumni basketball games. And the school is looking for more alums to be part of the big event. Here’s the announcement shared by athletic director Sam Reed:

– November 23, 2012 will be the date for the inaugural Chief Sealth alumni basketball game. In what hopes to become an annual event, the Nels Enquist Alumni Basketball Game will feature a number of former Seahawks in celebrating the school’s rich basketball history.

Both a men’s and women’s game is scheduled for that Friday evening at the Chief Sealth International High School gym, and will be played in succession with the traditional intersquad scrimmage for the current boys and girls teams that kicks off their respective seasons.

Read More

Share This

New views of 4724 California before Design Review tomorrow
November 7, 2012 1:59 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Street-level view of 4724 California, along its namesake street)
Two major Junction-area developments go back to the Southwest Design Review Board tomorrow night, as first reported here last month. Last week, we showed you key points from the “packet” available online for 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, which will have its second round of Early Design Guidance tomorrow. Now, we have new renderings for the project whose review will start the night, 4724 California (also known as the “ex-Petco” building). We talked about it with project rep Rob O’Dea, who says that while there’s a packet online for this project too, architects were still working on updates and what’s shown online may not reflect everything you see tomorrow night. It includes two views of the “passthrough” along the building’s north side – this one from California, looking toward the alley, with the apartment building’s entrance to the right:

Toward the right side of the rendering, the project’s lobby no longer will have a “grand staircase” to the second floor – access to the live-work units up there will be more utilitarian; the staircase would have taken lobby space out of commission -. Meantime, here’s the passthrough looking from the alley toward California:

O’Dea says the project team has continued to work on suggestions from community members, in conversations since the first Design Review meeting as well as since. There’s one “departure” – digression from what’s allowed by zoning – they plan to ask for. It would enable the project to have a “staging zone” for moving trucks fully enclosed on the lower level, with an entry off the alley, so that moving trucks wouldn’t block the alley. That would not, he says, enable the sort of curved parking-garage entry that was suggested at the first meeting – a straight-on parking-garage entry, which is the type that Mural has right across the alley, would be required, to facilitate the staging area and a utility zone between it and the garage entry. Also to be described/shown tomorrow night, proposed materials for the project, including some, O’Dea says, that are more expensive than originally envisioned, since the owners plan to hold this building for the long term.

Whether you have something to say about this project, about 4755 Fauntleroy Way, or about both, public comment is welcomed at tomorrow’s meeting, which starts with the 4724 California review at 6:30, moving to 4755 Fauntleroy Way at 8 pm. The meeting location is upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle, California/Oregon.

Share This

Roxhill Castle ’99 percent done’: See what the community built!
November 7, 2012 12:45 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

After five days of hard work by volunteers – with lots of community support, from food donations to West Seattle Tool Library tools – only finishing touches remain at Roxhill Castle, the new play structure in Roxhill Park, right next to where a skatespot is under construction. Volunteer coordinator Mat McBride tells WSB some site cleanup remains, and “one last punch-list work party” will be scheduled.

A few volunteers, plus a rep from Seattle Parks, are on site again today. They described it as 99 percent complete. McBride says they’re also planning to create a “Friends Of …” group for the playground, so be on the lookout for that.

In this video mentioned in WSB comments on an earlier story, he mentions how he got involved – someone commented on a WSB report during playground-design meetings that no kids had been there to offer their opinion. So he brought his. And the rest was history – to be enjoyed by the generations of kids ahead who will play on the new Roxhill Castle.

Share This

West Seattle traffic alert: Gas line cut in Fauntleroy
November 7, 2012 10:57 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
10:57 AM: Fire crews are working right now between Fauntleroy Schoolhouse/Church and the Endolyne business district, because a work crew is reported to have cut a gas line at California SW/Brace Point Drive (map). They’ve called in police for traffic control – this is a major route between 35th SW and the ferry dock, too. No injuries reported, and Puget Sound Energy is reported to be on the way.

11:16 AM UPDATE: On the west side of this situation, traffic is blocked at 45th/Wildwood – and that’s affecting at least one Metro bus.

We’re checking on where it’s stopped on the east side. But again, don’t head west on Barton from 35th SW till this is cleared up, if you’re expecting to head to Fauntleroy Church/Y/Schoolhouse, the ferry terminal, or Endolyne businesses.

11:26 AM UPDATE: On the east side of the area where the line was cut, the road is blocked at 42nd/Barton.

12:03 PM UPDATE: Per a comment, pedestrians and cars are “being slowly let through.”

12:11 PM UPDATE: Per the scanner, PSE has turned off the gas, so the Seattle Fire units are clearing. And if you hear/see a helicopter, it’s a TV chopper checking out the scene.

5:29 PM UPDATE: Buses apparently still are not being allowed through, and there’s no update on when that will end.

6:57 PM UPDATE: The bus reroute has just ended, according to Metro.

Share This

West Seattle Wednesday: School levy; Explorer West & Kennedy open houses; marijuana zoning; USO benefit; more
November 7, 2012 10:41 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great blue heron, photographed by Russ Walker, shared via the WSB Flickr pool)
Highlights for today/tonight:

ELECTION RESULTS: The next major update will be in the 4 pm hour today, when King County Elections will add another big batch of ballots to its totals. We’ll publish an update when that happens, and we’ll keep an eye on the major statewide races during the day in case any new totals emerge sooner. Our roundup of key races/issues is here.

SCHOOL BOARD’S BEX IV LEVY VOTE: The final vote on the $695 million plan that will go to voters next February is scheduled for the meeting that starts at 4:15 pm today at district HQ in SODO. Here’s the agenda. Public comment starts at 5; the BEX vote likely won’t be till after 6.

USO FUNDRAISER AT MERRILL GARDENS-WEST SEATTLE: 6 pm tonight, dinner, auction, and dancing to the Big Band sounds of Route 66 – all at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (4611 35th SW; WSB sponsor). Tickets only $10; more info here.

DANCING AT THE SENIOR CENTER: Dance with Joe Ross and the Haggis Brothers Band, 6 pm tonight, Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).

EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 tonight, Explorer West (WSB sponsor) welcomes prospective new families to tour the school, starting with a presentation at 6:30 pm (10015 28th Avenue SW).

KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Also at 6:30 tonight, the major chance this fall for prospective students and families to learn about Kennedy HS (WSB sponsor) – full details on their website (140 S. 140th, Burien).

INTERESTED IN A WEST SEATTLE CO-WORKING SPACE? 7 pm tonight at Uptown Espresso in The Junction, the co-founders of the in-the-works WS Office Junction co-working space are having another meet-and-greet meeting. Here’s our story from Monday. If you’re interested, please RSVP.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA: All welcome to tonight’s meeting at 7 pm in the school library. Here are the details:

Please come to this important PTSA meeting. Christina Ruzzine, science teacher and WSHS activities director and Kris Green, YMCA after school activities coordinator will speak about the opportunities that WSHS offers for student leadership and enrichment, including ways to earn service learning hours. Get a school update from Principal Ruth Medsker and learn about a fabulous new resource for finding scholarships! It’s also a great time to drop off last minute auction donations.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL TALKS MARIJUANA: As previewed in this WSB story, two City Councilmembers are scheduled to talk about the medical-marijuana-zoning proposal at SWDC’s monthly meeting tonight. Is it a moot point in light of the marijuana-legalization vote statewide? Be there to find out, 7 pm at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) board room (6000 16th SW).

‘LEND ME A TENOR’ AT WSHS: You have just a few more chances to see the West Seattle High School fall production, “Lend Me a Tenor” – starting tonight at 7:30 pm in the school theater. Details on the Westside Drama website.

More for tonight and beyond, on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar!

Share This