If you’ve driven by the city-landmark former Fire Station 37 and noticed a new sign, here’s what it’s about: The city Finance Department is recommending the City Council approve plans to sell the building at 35th and Othello, since the city has no further use for it. It was vacated when Engine 37 and its team moved into their new, larger station a few blocks south last October. This recommendation triggers a 30-day comment period before the Council moves ahead with the process of putting the site on the market. But this process actually started nine months ago (here’s our report from July), so there’s already a fair amount of information on what the city expects might happen. Ahead, how to comment, as well as what sort of interest the city has already received:Read More
(Added: “Shipwrecked” photo by Michael Brunk, courtesy ArtsWest)
If you follow the regional theater scene, you have likely heard that the Intiman Playhouse has canceled the rest of its season, though it hopes for a comeback. West Seattle’s ArtsWest Playhouse is reaching out to ticketholders left in the lurch, offering them a chance to swap their Intiman tickets for admission to the next ArtsWest production, “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment,” which opens a week from Wednesday. Read on for the announcement:Read More
The date is now set for the pothole-fighting “spot paving” work along Sylvan Way we told you about earlier this month. The traffic advisory is just in from SDOT:
SDOT paving crews will lay a new surface of asphalt this week in the eastbound lane in the 2400 block of Sylvan Way SW (at the curve by Home Depot).
On Thursday, April 21, the crews will grind off the old surface, and on Friday, April 22 they will lay new asphalt. One lane will remain open in each direction. Traffic flaggers will assist traffic.
This repair work is needed due to an ongoing pothole problem at this location.
If you share those concerns – or are worried about other West Seattle streets – it just so happens that, coincidentally, a key SDOT traffic-safety manager is the guest at tomorrow night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Councilmeeting. West Seattle resident Jim Curtin is community-traffic liaison for SDOT. We had checked with Curtin late last week, after the deadly crash, to ask if anything happened to currently be in the works for that stretch. He pointed out thatSeattle Police will investigate the crash to see what factored into that, but in the meantime: “No changes are currently planned for this location [35th/Juneau] at this time. We can, however, recommend additional enforcement in this area and will look at SPD’s findings to see if any changes are warranted.” It should be noted, though, that those findings may not be out for months, given how long major investigations often take. Tomorrow night’s WSCPC meeting is at the Southwest Precinct (the meeting room is right off the parking lot alongside SW Webster, east of Delridge), 7 pm, all welcome (and you can bring neighborhood-crime questions for SWP police, too). Till then, you can also read up on SDOT’s neighborhood-traffic program, by going here.
(Fence photo added 12:55 pm)
With a few speed bumps along the way, it’s a day some wondered if they’d ever see – but it’s truly almost here. No formal groundbreaking ceremony is planned, but Delridge Skatepark construction is about to begin. Stu Hennessey from Alki Bike and Board just shared the news that the fence is up. (We’re heading out for a photo.) We had checked a few days ago with Seattle Parks project manager Kelly Davidson, who told us that since the official “notice to proceed” kicked in last week, preparations were in motion – including “utility locates,” as well as an on-site meeting with Parks’ arborist. “It just takes a few steps before they really start tearing things up out there,” Davidson told us. The park will be built by West Seattle-based Grindline, the skatepark specialists who also designed it:
Their winning bid was $483,000. Construction is expected to last about four months, with the skatepark opening in late summer.
Thanks to everybody who answered the first call for suggestions for this summer’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies (a six-Saturday series in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse [WSB sponsor]). Organizers are getting ready to sit down and look ahead, so they asked if we would put out one more call, in case you missed the first one. Since the movies are a free, all-ages event, they need to be somewhat family-friendly, but that does not mean they have to be kid-geared or even G-rated. Here’s the direct link to the comment area with the suggestions that came in earlier this month; here’s the movie list from last year – the biggest crowd was for the kickoff movie, “Mamma Mia!” You can make a suggestion via comments here or via the Outdoor Movies Facebook page – thanks for your help! (August 2010 photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
Think you’re off to a tough job this morning? So are some of the littlest birds in our urban forest – Trileigh Tucker shares the photo and this explanation:
All over Lincoln Park, chickadees have found holes in decaying trees that make perfect places to raise their babies. We have both Black-capped Chickadees and Chestnut-backed Chickadees here in the park. This is a busy time of year for the little parents as they scramble to feed their young; both parents fly back and forth from their nest holes to nearby shrubbery looking for seeds and small bugs. This photo is of a Black-capped Chickadee cleaning its nest this morning, trying to keep up with the housework while its mate looks for food!
Now, on to the daily preview: This is a momentous day for at least three reasons: Federal tax-deadline day (e-file by midnight or get the envelope postmarked by this evening – ); Passover starts at sunset; it’s Spring Break for Seattle Public Schools. A few more highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
PREPAREDNESS TRAINING: Earthquake safety/readiness and more, 6 pm tonight at Southwest Precinct, led by city expert Debbie Goetz, presented by West Seattle Be Prepared and West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network, as previewed here.
SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE TALKS PERMACULTURE:Biochar, Puget Ridge Edible Park, and the Community Orchard of West Seattle are all on the agenda as Sustainable West Seattle‘s April community event digs into permaculture. 7 pm at Camp Long Lodge – and you’re welcome to join the pre-forum potluck at 6:30.
LOW TIDES: As we write this, a big bright moon is on its way to setting, which reminds us that means tidal extremes – some good beachwalking low tides start today; here’s the chart.
When we dropped by Delridge Community Center at noontime Saturday, our quick pic captured only a glimpse of the volunteer power behind Delridge Green Up. Last night, Holli Margell from the North Delridge Neighborhood Council e-mailed WSB to share these photos and warm words for those who pitched in (including “early team” arrivals in the top photo, with Nancy Folsom in front wielding Adopt-A-Street supplies):
A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped make Delridge Green Up a success!
We enjoyed chocolate cookies from Jennifer Knutson, fruit from Kirsten Smith, hot beverages from Amanda Leonard and Holli Margell.
Our volunteers spruced up Delridge Park by picking up trash, weeding and mulching, and our Adopt A-Street Team cleaned up Delridge Way.
Karrie Kohlhaas refreshed our Welcome to Delridge Sign, which was completed with help from Amanda Leonard – Thanks to Pete Spalding for the paint!
Tasha Mosher and her daughter Ilah show off some “treasures” found while picking up trash to our youngest weeding volunteer, Cooper Margell.
Patrick Baer finished up the mulched bed. Our weeds pile almost equaled the mulch pile.
Though NDNC’s next meeting isn’t until next month, you can connect with Delridge-area leaders this week – as the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meets at 7 Wednesday night, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (the stately brick building in the background of the last photo above).
With one month to go till the bigger-every-year West Seattle Helpline benefit, the Taste of West Seattle, the lineup of food and beverage providers is now finalized – more than three dozen this year! WSB sponsors Hotwire Coffee, Metropolitan Market, Skylark Café and Club, and Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering are participating, as are Angelina’s, Avalon, Bakery Nouveau, Bamboo Grill, Beveridge Place Pub, Bin 41, Blackboard Bistro, Blue Willow Catering and Luncheonette, The Bridge, Chaco Canyon Organic Café, Circa, Cupcake Royale, Duke’s Chowder House, Eats Market Café, Elliott Bay Brewery, Fresh Bistro/Herban Feast, Freshy’s, Full Tilt Ice Cream, Great Harvest Bread Company, Husky Deli, Kokoras Greek Grill, Locol, Phoenecia at Alki, Porterhouse, Prost! West Seattle, Salty’s on Alki, Schooner Exact, Slices on Alki, Spring Hill, Sugar Rush Baking Company, West 5, West Seattle Cellars, and Wing Dome. It’s at The Hall at Fauntleroy again this year, and tickets are on sale now at tasteofwestseattle.org – $40 in advance (it’ll be $45 at the door, 6-9 pm May 19th).
This one was Mighty House Construction‘s project in Sunrise Heights, a few blocks east of the mini-business district with West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), Café Osita, John’s Corner Deli (with the cow on the roof), etc. Speaking of the roof – top photo is a “scalable” solar-panel system designed and installed by West Seattle’s own Solar Epiphany. Katie reports it’s a grid designed to hold several frames of four panels each; one panel is in place now, but Mighty House’s Laura Elfline says more are planned over the next six-plus months. Also a work in progress, the back yard, with an ongoing conversion away from the old-fashioned water-guzzling, chemical-tempting lawn mode:
It was a big, but short-lived, Seattle Fire Department response in the 5900 block of High Point Drive SW (map) about an hour and a half ago – the last unit was rolling away barely 20 minutes after arrival – and that’s because it turned out to be not just a “food on the stove” call, but one without “extension” (meaning, the fire did not spread beyond the stovetop problem). Thanks to Mike Daigle for the photo!
Meet the newly elected commander of West Seattle’s VFW Post #2713, Morgan Junction resident Ron Zuber, who served 20 years in the U.S. Army. In the photo, he’s at left, receiving the gavel from past Commander Steve Strand. Ron says the VFW (whose hall is at 3601 SW Alaska in The Triangle) would like to be even more of “an active partner in the community” than it’s been, adding, “We welcome an opportunity to host your event for a modest fee. … Please let us know how we can help!” The VFW, in fact, is going to be a group site for the upcoming 7th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 14th) – 15 tables available at $10 donation (that goes to the VFW) per table; call them at 206-935-4352. Ron also notes that the VFW welcomes new members, including “all returning veterans that served in Iraq and Afghanistan. All it takes is a copy of their DD-214 paperwork.”
From Sanislo Elementary mom Lisa, a photo at the end of Saturday’s Ultimate Frisbee match between Sanislo and Daniel Bagley Elementary. Lisa says the Sanislo All-Stars (fourth- and fifth-graders coached by third-grade teacher Ellen O’Connor, who also coachesDenny International Middle School‘s UF players) came out victorious. (Reminder note, Seattle Public Schools are on spring break all week long, returning to class Monday 4/25.)
Tim shared that photo of his 5-year-old daughter Akela, saying “Scottie Joe” let her “install one of the stones and told her that whenever she came by she will remember that she put that one rock in.”
From one of the wonderful photographers who has been kind enough to share their work here: Danny McMillin spotted this otter near Cormorant Cove along Beach Drive Friday night. Gives us another occasion to note that the otters we see here in West Seattle are not sea otters – those are the furry, more compact creatures that live out in the open ocean; these are river otters.
They do spend time out of the water as well as in it, so when you’re driving along Alki Avenue, Harbor Avenue, or Beach Drive, among other close-to-the-water streets, they’re another reason to be extra-watchful.
We’ve received two reports of incidents that don’t clearly qualify for West Seattle Crime Watch classification, but are both of potential interest – one as a warning, one as a mystery. One involves a frightening encounter early today, the other a mysterious discovery last night, and both – apparently coincidentally – happened along the Genesee Hill stretch of SW Genesee west of California (map) – read on for both:Read More
With one week to go till Easter, we have published, and added to the site navigation (the tabs under the sunset photo in the header), the new WSB Easter page, with three groups of listings: Egg hunts (most are next Saturday, but not all!), church services (including Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday), and a few Easter brunch notes from local restaurants. Still a work in progress, so if you are involved with, or know of, any activities/services/brunches that are NOT on the page yet, please send us the info so we can add it! editor@westseattleblog.com – which also is where you are welcome to send word of Passover activities in West Seattle, since that holiday starts at sunset Monday; we are including Passover events in the regular Events calendar.
So much going on Saturday, we made it to only one stop on the West Seattle leg of the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild‘s Green Home Tour before it wrapped up for the day. But the good news is, if you had that problem too, it’s continuing today (Sunday), 10 am-4 pm! Above, architect Sheri Newbold of live-work-play and contractor Anne Higuera of Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), in front of tile work inside the “Kitchen Art House” tour stop at 2651 47th SW in the Admiral District. That’s one of four sites to stop at in West Seattle, and two of the others offer more workshops during the Green Home Tour today – from the list that’s been on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, courtesy of Laura Elfline from tour co-sponsor Mighty House Construction – at her company’s stop on the tour, #19 (3108 SW Webster):
* Luke Marcum w/Markham Home Performance, thermal imaging camera on his side and a blower door too! 10 am-4 pm
* Eric Thomas w/Solar Epiphany highlighting the expandable solar systems | 11 am-2 pm
* Josh Brinkco w/International Studio – “making green look good!”
* Sandy Peterson w/Urban Land Army mobilized w/ her bucket brigade and all things about edible gardening | Noon -3 pm
* Make your own green cleaning supplies courtesy of CoolMom (while materials last!)
Delridge Community Center was the epicenter for volunteer work fanning out around North Delridge today as part of “Delridge Green Up,” a multi-site project organized by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council. Here, volunteers weeded and cleaned up the highly visible garden spot by the community-center entrance; other work today included sprucing up the “Welcome to Delridge” sign, and the quarterly NDNC Adopt-A-Street litter pickup. (P.S. If you live or work in North Delridge, NDNC would love to see you at its monthly meetings – second Monday, 6:30 pm, Delridge Library.)
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Healthy kids are safe kids, so the safety experts – aka Seattle Fire Department team members – from nearby Fire Station 32 were part of the picture today as the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor) celebrated its annual Healthy Kids Day. The weather was perfect to climb up the “rock,” too:
WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz captured the scene on video as Zippy’s Giant Burgers handled a giant crowd in its final hour of business in West Seattle. Its original location in Highland Park, which opened in May 2008, is now closed. As first reported here two months ago, Zippy’s is moving to a new, larger location in White Center (9614 14th SW) because foreclosure against its former landlord at 16th/Holden left the building with an uncertain fate. We’ll add a bit more later, including the customers who “tied” for official final order in HP! An intensive week-plus moving process now begins, and Zippy’s hopes to open in WC on April 25th. ADDED 10:17 PM: Also from Deanie – Zippy’s proprietors Blaine and Rahel Cook:
Cari Simson of the Duwamish RIver Cleanup Coalition estimated 1,100 volunteers have been part of today’s Duwamish Alive! events at 13 spots from Alki south to Tukwila – and more than 75 of them were here at Port of Seattle-owned T-107 Park, for a ceremony that just concluded the day’s work. Top, the Blue Heron Canoe (read about it here) heading out from the new hand-carry launch at the park; (added) here’s video after it launched, with skipper Mike Evans of the Snohomish Tribe asking permission to proceed, while, offcamera, James Rasmussen of DRCC and Duwamish Tribe welcomes the canoe:
Below, the new bench the Rotary Club of West Seattle just dedicated in honor of the late Ken Wise (His son, Tom is at the far right in the photo).
Many more photos, and video – those speaking here included Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin, and Port of Seattle Commissioner Gael Tarleton – to come, including the unveiling of the new interpretive sign here. The followup event that’s getting under way now is an Earth Day Festival at Pathfinder K-8 School on Pigeon Point.
ADDED 8:32 PM: As promised, additional photos ahead:Read More
Thanks to everybody who answered 
With one month to go till the bigger-every-year 
Meet the newly elected commander of West Seattle’s VFW Post #2713, Morgan Junction resident Ron Zuber, who served 20 years in the U.S. Army. In the photo, he’s at left, receiving the gavel from past Commander Steve Strand. Ron says the VFW (whose hall is at 3601 SW Alaska in The Triangle) would like to be even more of “an active partner in the community” than it’s been, adding, “We welcome an opportunity to host your event for a modest fee. … Please let us know how we can help!” The VFW, in fact, is going to be a group site for the upcoming 7th annual 
Please join us on Monday, April 18th, 2011 at Lincoln Park shelter 3 from 4-7 for the Memorial of Chef Joseph Brewer.
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