West Seattle, Washington

18 Thursday

56℉

West Seattle news 60707 results

Alki Community Council tonight: Slopes, shoreline, more
September 15, 2011 11:19 am
|    Comments Off on Alki Community Council tonight: Slopes, shoreline, more
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Sorry, no full-size West Seattle Thursday preview today – you can always check the Events calendar page – but there is one community meeting you might want a heads-up about: Alki Community Council meets tonight, 7 pm at Alki UCC Church (62nd/Hinds). A sure sign of fall is on the agenda – city reps talking about landslide mitigation. Also on the agenda, the “street end improvements” for the shoreline at Bronson (east of Salty’s; seattle.gov photo at left) and emergency preparedness. Full agenda here; all welcome.

Share This

Citywide weekend traffic alert, including WS Junction Car Show
September 15, 2011 10:21 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

It’s still technically summer, and around the city, there’s a busy slate of festivities over the next four days. SDOT is already out with its weekend traffic-alert roundup. Note that this ONLY includes events they believe might affect traffic. As such, the only West Seattle event mentioned is the WS Junction Car Show, 8 am-4 pm on Sunday, since it’s closing California SW in The Junction between SW Oregon and SW Edmunds (which means some bus re-routing, too). Read on for the entire citywide list:Read More

Share This

Admiral Neighborhood Association pushing for fewer Fauntleroy Expressway project closures
September 15, 2011 3:48 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Josh Stepherson was the busiest man in West Seattle on Tuesday night. He is a consultant for the city, getting information out about the upcoming Fauntleroy Expressway Seismic Retrofit Project. We reported on his Southwest District Council briefing last week; this week, he had three community councils to visit in one night – Junction Neighborhood Organization, Admiral Neighborhood Association, and Fauntleroy Community Association.

Because of the detours that will be involved during certain phases of the work, Admiral is arguably affected the most – and along with receiving new information, they also had some requests – read on:Read More

Share This

34th District Democrats: Investigation requested; endorsements made
September 14, 2011 9:48 pm
|      74 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(BREAKING, 4:59 PM: The Department of Neighborhoods just sent a reply to our inquiries from this morning. Included was this: They asked Unified Outreach for the $1,000 back, and received it. Separate story to come.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

We’re at The Hall at Fauntleroy, where the 34th District Democrats‘ monthly meeting has just wrapped up. Two toplines tonight:

*First, this one came toward the end of the meeting: The group is calling for a state and city investigation into a “newspaper” published by an organization called Unified Outreach, with a Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Small Sparks grant.

Unified Outreach’s director David Toledo is campaign manager for King County Council candidate Diana Toledo, and the 34th DDs allege that the group’s “Youth Arts Compendium” is “a piece of campaign literature supporting one candidate, Diana Toledo, and attempting to discredit another, [incumbent] Joe McDermott, in the King County Council District 8 race.” (Note that McDermott is a member of the 34th DDs, which has endorsed him.)

The 10-page “newspaper” includes articles headlined “Diana Toledo’s innovative plan to bring Arts back to Public Schools,” “Artist Community stands with Diana Toledo- Says fund Public School Arts,” “Senior Outrage! Candidate ‘misled us’ says senior community” (regarding an unattributed claim that “seniors” voted for McDermott because they had him confused with believed he was the son of U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott), and “Scandal at the 34th District Democrats Mid-Summer Classic” (the alleged “scandal” is which includes a claim that Joe McDermott left the group’s softball game early and was replaced by David Toledo).

(added 1 am) The publication also addresses politics with a cover story noting that all but 3 of 32 “executive-level decision-makers” in state/county/city government are white, and highlighting two issues in the County Council district in which Toledo and McDermott are running, the South Park Bridge and the Maury Island gravel mine.

The entire back page is devoted to the Toledo-McDermott race, topped with three paragraphs about the 11th District Democrats’ dual endorsement of the candidates, and also including information on the Municipal League’s rating of both candidates, with a quote about each candidate but not including the actual rating (“good” for Toledo, “very good” for McDermott), while noting in the last paragraph “It should be noted that both Candidates were also rated by the Municipal League in 2010. Candidate Diana Toledo has remained consistent in her evaluation, with no change in her rating. However, after one year in office, Joe McDermott has received a lower ranking in 2011 than he did in 2010.” (Their 2010 ratings, according to the Muni League site, were “good” for Toledo and “outstanding” for McDermott.)

The two also were mentioned in a story titled “How the Deep Bore Tunnel will destroy us,” in a list at the end of the story, with CANDIDATES FOR THE TUNNEL (Boo!) followed by eight names including Joe McDermott, and CANDIDATES AGAINST THE TUNNEL (YAY!) followed by four names including Diana Toledo. Above the list is a cartoon depicting the tunnel as a toothed hole, with caricatures of five politicians including McDermott, the only one whose full name is used in the cartoon’s dialogue (“Uh oh, Sally, we’re almost out of tax dollars!” “And the tunnel is still hungry! What else can we feed it?” “Hey Tom, you and Joe McDermott hustle us up some seniors!” “We’re on it!”).

*The rest of the story, including the scanned copy of the publication, is now after this jump*Read More

Share This

‘Everyone has the right to be on the road,’ mayor declares
September 14, 2011 9:10 pm
|      86 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Mayor McGinn has jumped into the endless bikers-vs.-cars safety squabble tonight, writing that he will take on not only specific safety issues, but attitudes: “My office will be convening a summit of community leaders, experts and elected officials to determine how best we can encourage an attitude of responsibility and empathy on the roads, and make it safer for all users.” Meantime, Cascade Bicycle Club invites everyone who’s interested to attend its media briefing tomorrow on the same topic (mentioned in this Tuesday night WSB story). It’s in North Seattle, but the two politicians who are speaking happen to be from West Seattle (City Council Transportation Committee chair Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, speaking as County Board of Health chair), 9:30 am (location and other details here).

Share This

West Seattle roads: ‘Rechannelization’ decision for SW Alaska
September 14, 2011 6:41 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(Click image for full-size view)
The final decision is in, says SDOT – SW Alaska will indeed be “rechannelized” between California and Fauntleroy, adding transit lanes to parts of the stretch, a westbound bike lane on one section, and removing some parking. It’s mostly the same proposal that was circulated, though without a standalone public meeting, earlier this year (here’s our most recent story, from July.) According to a letter just sent to area “stakeholders” announcing the decision, the only notable change is that parking on SW Alaska in front of Capco Plaza (home to QFC, liquor store, future Petco) will NOT be removed. Read on for the letter from SDOT’s Jonathan Dong:Read More

Share This

West Seattle community centers: Ballroom dance; Reptile Man
September 14, 2011 5:38 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Fun stuff to do | High Point | West Seattle news

As this week’s big announcement reminded us all – use your city-run community centers, or risk losing ’em. You’ve already heard about this weekend’s biggest community-center events in West Seattle (Delridge Day and Hiawatha’s Centennial) – but there’s more:

DELRIDGE DANCING: Every month, there’s a ballroom-dancing event at Delridge Community Center, and we just got the announcement that it’s coming up again this Friday afternoon, 1:30-3:30 pm. Billy writes, “As always, you will enjoy and dance to the beautiful music of Lauren Petrie. And get a chance to win a surprise prize.”

(March 2011 photo from PhinneyWood.com, used with permission)
REPTILE MAN AT HIGH POINT: Saturday morning at 10:30 am, High Point Community Center plays host to the famed Reptile Man. If you buy tickets at HPCC ahead of time, it’s $3/person; on Saturday, $5/person ($15 max per family) at the door.

Share This

Followup: ‘R’eally big thanks from Roxhill Elementary
September 14, 2011 4:00 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools


(Click the photo to see a larger size)
A followup on the freshly repainted Roxhill Elementary “R” – done with donated labor and materials, as reported here last week – this time, with a big thank-you photo from students and staff, and words of appreciation, shared by head teacher Christopher Robert:

A huge thanks goes out to Al Keim and his brother, Tom, of Keim Construction Company. They began the process over a year ago to obtain the proper permits that the district requires for this kind of work. They spent three long days over the Labor Day weekend and worked tirelessly to paint the “R” and the building. Not only that, they gave the windows in the cafeteria a much needed washing. Al Keim donated his time and the cost of all materials and paint! We at Roxhill cannot thank him and his brother enough. Thanks also go to Rodda Paint and Berg Scaffold for their donations of paint and the scaffold used by the painters. We are so appreciative.

Share This

West Seattle traffic alert: Crash on SW Alaska
September 14, 2011 3:21 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

Traffic is slow going on SW Alaska between 35th and 36th SW in The Triangle right now, in front of The Grove/West Seattle Inn, because of a crash involving at least two cars. No major injuries reported – a private ambulance is there to transport one person – but it’s blocking the westbound lanes.

Share This

West Seattle schools: Getting High Point students to Denny
September 14, 2011 2:30 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The Denny International Middle School students in our photo will be coming back home this afternoon on school buses provided by Seattle Public Schools – after neighborhood residents won a hard-fought victory to get that transportation. More than 60 Denny students who live in the High Point area are technically in the school’s “walk zone” – at its northern edge – but, as discussed at a community forum with SPS officials last year, were provided with public-transit passes. But as their families and neighborhood leaders explained to the district, that still didn’t work for getting them to school on a timely basis. Tom Bishop from the SPS transportation department says he investigated, and he even discovered that Metro wouldn’t get them there in time. He and Denny principal Jeff Clark worked together, he said, and discovered that two school buses headed for Denny had extra capacity, so starting today, those buses are making stops in High Point. At one of the two stops, near the HP Neighborhood Center, they even had a mini-celebration to welcome the bus (as shown in our photo), but there was a glitch: That bus didn’t show up; it went to the wrong spot, waited several minutes, found nobody, and moved on. Bishop told WSB they’ve straightened things out and both buses will be bringing the students home this afternoon, picking them up tomorrow, etc. Overall, he says, one week after the start of school, they are still working out some of the bugs in the newly overhauled transportation plan (which has fewer buses, each making more runs, in hopes of saving money).

Share This

WestSide Baby expands car-seat recycling: They’ll take ’em all
September 14, 2011 11:58 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Safety | West Seattle news | White Center

WestSide Baby has accepted car seats for recycling before – but usually, just the ones in good enough shape to reuse. Starting this Saturday, they will accept ALL used car seats – 10 am-2 pm on Saturday, bring yours to their donation HQ in White Center, 10032 15th SW (map) – so if you have one, in any condition, in the basement, the attic, the closet, the garage, bring it over! For the new campaign Re-Ride: Car Seat Reuse and Recycling for Local Children in Need, WS Baby is now partnering with recyclers Total Reclaim to enable acceptance of any and all car seats (if yours can’t be reused, they request a $5 minimum donation to help cover the cost of recycling its materials). WS Baby says they are only able to fill about HALF the requests they currently get for car seats, so widening the recycling program will hopefully help them fill more. P.S. If you can help them dismantle car seats in preparation for recycling, please contact Shana Allen at shana@westsidebaby.org or 206-767-1662.

Share This

Update: Power outage in south West Seattle over, & explained
September 14, 2011 10:22 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

10:22 AM: Thanks to Nathan for that photo of Seattle City Light workers digging near 45th/Roxbury (map). City Light’s Scott Thomsen tells WSB that’s where crews first found trouble while trying to trace the source of an outage that’s kept hundreds without power since yesterday afternoon. He explains, “When the calls first came in, crews found a blown fuse and limiter near Roxbury and SW 45th. Those are devices that are designed to protect the transformer and they did their job. It took a while to determine why they blew. Ultimately, crews determined that the problem was a failed underground cable. We have identified where the failure took place and crews are working right now to dig up the failed section and replace it. Estimate for restoration of service is about 2 pm.”

11:52 AM UPDATE: Nathan reports his power’s back on (and the SCL map no longer shows any outage in the area). He says neighbors wonder if the problem had any relation to the underground work in the area these past few months; we have asked SCL that question and will update when we get the answer.

1:13 PM UPDATE: From SCL’s Thomsen: “I have confirmed that this section of cable was one of those tested during our cable injection project for Brace Point. It was deemed unsuitable for injection because it had deteriorated too badly. As a result, it was scheduled for replacement, but failed before that work started.” (The “injection” relates to the “underground work” link in the 11:52 am update – some of the recent work in the area had involved boosting aging cables with silicone injections, and scheduling replacements for those that were too far gone.)

Share This

Date set for California SW ‘spot paving’ south of The Junction
September 14, 2011 10:12 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Added 11:29 am: Part of the stretch to be “spot paved,” looking south on the northbound side)
New information from SDOT today about the “spot paving” planned just south of The Junction, as first reported here last month. It’s scheduled to be done next week:

Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation plan to grind and pave in the block of California Avenue SW between Erskine Way SW and SW Hudson Street on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 20 and 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. One lane of traffic will remain open for each direction and bicycles will merge with general traffic. There will be a police officer at the intersection of California & Erskine/Edmunds to assist traffic. All sidewalks and crosswalks will remain open.

Before you ask – as noted in our August story, SDOT says it wishes it could repave California SW further south, too, but doesn’t currently have the money.

Share This

West Seattle Wednesday: Camp Fire; CoolMom; 34th Dems…
September 14, 2011 10:04 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Lots going on today/tonight! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HOME-DIALYSIS TOUR: A motor home with a home-dialysis setup will visit West Seattle Kidney Center in North Delridge 2-6 pm today (and tomorrow), and its owner, dialysis patient Jim Smith, will be available to talk with visitors – as he dialyzes. More info in our preview, published yesterday.

BIOJUNCTION SPORTS THERAPY OPEN HOUSE: We first told you back in May about BioJunction coming to Charlestown Center (home to WSB sponsor West Seattle Runner, among other businesses). Now it’s open, and inviting you to an open house this afternoon/evening, 3-9 pm (NW corner of Charlestown/California).

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: Haven’t been there yet? Time’s running out! Weekly farm stand, 4-7 pm, 32nd Ave SW and SW Juneau, selling fresh produce right next to where it’s grown.

LAST COMMUNITY DUWAMISH TOUR OF THE SEASON: Tonight’s the last scheduled 2011 Summer Community Kayak Tour of the season by Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. RSVP to Alki Kayak Tours (206) 953-0237 (and check the start time). More info here. Tour meets at Terminal 107 Port Park (4700 West Marginal Way SW)

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CAMP FIRE: Fall information session for students/families interested in Camp Fire USA, only info session scheduled on the peninsula, West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

COOLMOM MEETING – WITH AN INCENTIVE! This fall, West Seattle’s CoolMom group has a big project – Think Outside the Car – and Terri Glaberson will be talking about it at tonight’s meeting, 7 pm, NOT the usual location – it’s at Red Cup Espresso. Meeting attendees get a bonus incentive: 20 percent coupon for online purchases from West Seattle-founded ReUsies.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS TALK $60 CAR TABS, AND MORE: Our area’s biggest political group meets at 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, with a program including a forum (speakers both pro and con) on this fall’s $60 car-tab fee vote, to raise money for transportation projects in Seattle. The newly proposed redistricting maps will be on display too. See the full agenda here.

SECOND WEEK FOR ‘AMY’S VIEW’: The first production of the 2011-12 season, “Amy’s View,” continues at ArtsWest Playhouse in The Junction, 7:30 pm Wednesdays-Saturdays, 3 pm Sundays through October 1st.

Share This

New interim athletic director for West Seattle HS: Kim Depew
September 14, 2011 9:57 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

There’s someone new – and yet also not new – in charge of athletics this year at West Seattle High School. Assistant principal Michael Kelly provides your official introduction:

It is my pleasure to introduce Kim Depew as Interim Athletic Director at West Seattle High School. Kim has been teaching at West Seattle High School for the past fourteen years in the Science and Math Departments. Kim is an active member of the West Seattle faculty serving as Key Club Advisor, Seattle Education Association Representative, and as a class advisor.

Kim’s career includes being a varsity coach for volleyball and softball. As head softball coach for the Wildcats she has taken the team to the district playoffs. In the community Kim founded the Thunder Select Fastpitch Team. Kim is familiar with the duties of athletic directing as she was Interim Athletic Director in 2007.

Read More

Share This

Election 2011: Big West Seattle candidates’ forum planned
September 14, 2011 8:58 am
|    Comments Off on Election 2011: Big West Seattle candidates’ forum planned
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgThe November 8th general election is eight weeks away – and your ballot will be in the mail, headed your way, in just five weeks. The date is now set for what’s likely to be West Seattle’s biggest candidates’ forum of the season. At last night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, Karl de Jong and Sylvia Rolle announced that the new local group VIEWS (Visualize Increased Engagement – West Seattle) will again gather together as many of the local candidates as possible for one big forum, 6 pm October 26th at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. More than 100 people were at VIEWS’ pre-primary forum at South Seattle Community College in July (WSB coverage here, here and here). This is one of at least two forums planned before November 8th; as reported here last week, local PTAs/PTSAs are putting together a School Board candidates’ forum for October 18th at Madison Middle School.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Car break-in; suspicious person
September 14, 2011 7:00 am
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

Two reader reports this morning – one, a car break-in; second, an uncomfortable encounter with someone the reader says seemed “shady” – both ahead:Read More

Share This

Memorial service announced for Brian Zombro, 1981-2011
September 14, 2011 4:00 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial service is planned September 24th for Brian Zombro, whose sister Kara shares this tribute:

Brian Zombro died unexpectedly on September 4, 2011 at the age of 30. Brian was a lifelong West Seattle resident who was a son, brother, and a great friend. He will be missed by many.

Brian was born on June 17, 1981. He attended Schmitz Park Elementary, Madison Middle School, and West Seattle High School. He was also a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 282. He was a skilled carpenter and electrician and a gifted musician and artist.

With his outgoing personality and ability to make everyone around him feel accepted, Brian was well known around West Seattle. Anyone who met him would know his big smile, easy laugh, and willingness to offer a helping hand to anyone in need.

Brian is survived by his mother Janet, father Jim (Nancy), sisters Kara (Louis) Erickson and Leah, maternal grandmother Betty (Andy) Nielson, his cat Blue (arguably his favorite family member) and his best friend and honorary brother Tony Hamilton. He is remembered and loved by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins and close friends he considered family. He is preceded in death by maternal grandfather Stan Miller and paternal grandparents Ann and Walter Zombro.

Brian will be interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery as his final resting place. The family will be hosting a public memorial on September 24, 2011 at 3pm at The Georgetown Stables at 980 South Nebraska Street. For further information, please contact Kara Erickson at klzombro@yahoo.com.

“They shall not grow old as we who are left to grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn… In our hearts and in our minds, their devotion and acts will always be remembered. To us, they have found immortality.”

Share This

Missing the moon? Two holdover West Seattle views
September 13, 2011 10:51 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

More than missing the sun on this cloudy day just past, tonight we’re missing the moon – so many nights in a row of watching it this past week-plus, as it set, glowing-coal red, behind Vashon, then as it rose golden in the sky, almost full, then finally full, from the Olympics. So here are two views from this week’s full moon: Above, Booker‘s view from The Junction last night; below, Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) shares the view from over the Duwamish on Sunday night:

If you too are a sky-watcher – note that our experimental WSB Weather page has moonrise/moonset/sunrise/sunset times. (Our reader survey last spring included many requests for expanded weather information, so we’re tinkering with this before serious fall/winter weather hits. You can also reach the page by clicking the temperature icon on the sidebar, under the bridge cam.)

Share This

West Seattle street safety: Arbor Heights guards – and police
September 13, 2011 8:40 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two updates on safety near Arbor Heights Elementary School:

First: Thanks to the parent volunteer who shared that photo of the new group of AH crossing guards, sworn in by teacher Margaret Boitano at this week’s all-school assembly. We’re told that almost half of this year’s fifth-grade class trained last spring and are serving as crossing guards now – so keep an eye out for them if you’re driving in the area before/after school. (Safety news from other schools? Let us know!)

Second: Arbor Heights is featured in the latest roundup of Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team patrols – with four speeders and a “no proof of insurance” citation listed in the SPD Blotter writeup (which includes the latest ADRT efforts from other parts of West Seattle, including the bridge and W. Marginal Way SW).

Share This

Own/operate a business in the Admiral District? You’re invited
September 13, 2011 7:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

In hopes of strengthening Admiral District businesses by bringing them together, just as the Safeway redevelopment brought a new dynamic to the area, the Admiral Neighborhood Association shared a letter and survey with more than 120 businesses this past summer (as reported here). The survey results are now compiled, and ANA, along with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, invites Admiral business owners/merchants to a special meeting to both look at the results and talk about future possibilities. The formal invitation is here; it’s at 4 pm next Monday, September 19th, at the Porterhouse; again, it’s just for Admiral business owners/merchants, who are asked to RSVP to info@admiralneighborhood.org.

Share This

Followup: Delridge Neighborhood Service Center closure plan
September 13, 2011 5:47 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle politics

On the ground floor of Brandon Court, just north of the Delridge Library, the former DNDA offices are vacant – since they consolidated operations at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – and now there’s a proposal for the city to clear out of the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center next door.

We first reported this yesterday, when Mayor McGinn, Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, and acting Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams came to High Point to unveil their vision for how city-run community centers will operate next year. As part of that plan, the Delridge NSC – the only one left in West Seattle, after the Junction NSC closed in June – would close and move into the Southwest Community Center in Westwood. There were no Department of Neighborhoods reps available at the High Point media briefing to elaborate; the Delridge closure wasn’t even confirmed until more than an hour after our followup question at the briefing. But today, DON director Bernie Matsuno sent a followup note to Delridge Neighborhoods District Council chair Mat McBride and Southwest District Council co-chairs Susan Melrose and Tony Fragada. Through McBride, it was shared with us to publish publicly:

Yesterday morning, the Mayor and Councilmember Bagshaw held a press conference announcing recommendations for community center operations in the City’s 2012 budget. Among the recommendations presented, there was discussion on how community centers could be used in different ways, specifically noting the Southwest Community Center. In essence, it was proposed that the upstairs area of the Southwest Community Center serve as the home of the Neighborhood Service Center (NSC) serving West Seattle residents.

As you know, DON, as well as all other city departments, was asked to take budget reductions for 2012. Because of our economic reality, the Mayor wanted to look at how the City can do business differently while still preserving city services. By using an existing city-owned facility (in this case, the community center) for an NSC instead of renting a space, it makes the City more efficient and accessible, while saving the City money. And the assistance and support that our Neighborhood Service Center provides to West Seattle residents will remain intact at this new location.

However, opening this new location will mean the closure of the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center. While this proposed new location is further south, no reduction in Customer Service Representatives will occur. It will also not affect our Neighborhood District Coordinators; Steve, Yun and Ed will continue to support the West Seattle community.

I know this is yet another change for West Seattle, but this recommended model will save money while preserving services and is part of a longer-term vision of using city facilities to provide multiple services and activities for our community members. The Mayor will share the details in his proposed 2012 budget to be presented on September 26.

The community-center proposal also will be discussed when the City Council’s Parks Committee meets at 9 am September 15th (at City Hall downtown), and when the city Parks Board meets at 7 pm September 22nd (at Parks HQ downtown).

Share This

West Seattle power-outage update: ‘Equipment failure’
September 13, 2011 4:17 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Utilities | West Seattle news

(Updated screen grab of City Light outage map – click here for a “live” look)
ORIGINAL 4:17 PM REPORT: Just got a note from Eddie, who says they “heard a big explosion … south of Fauntleroy ferry dock,” and are without power. The City Light map says 165 customers in that area are without power, and the cause is listed as “equipment failure,” with hopes of getting the power back by 7 pm. More as we get it.

4:25 PM UPDATE: Now up to 335 customers affected. We’re headed for the Fauntleroy/Endolyne business district to make sure they’re OK. (Update – they are, power IS on in the business district; the map above is from City Light’s website, and suggests the outage area starts just south of there, and is mostly west of 45th/Marine View Drive.)

6:21 PM UPDATE: The City Light map reverted to 165 customers (homes/businesses, though we believe this is all residential) so we’re going with that. It also has changed the restoration estimate to 2 am. And we’re hearing there is a Comcast outage in the area as well.

6:47 AM UPDATE: Still not fixed, according to the SCL map, which is back to the 335-customer estimate, and listing early-afternoon restoration. We’ll be checking directly with the utility’s media team as soon as they’re reachable this morning.

Share This