Live at City Hall: New commander for the Southwest Precinct
10:33 AM: We’re on the seventh floor of City Hall with a couple dozen other media reps, where the mayor and police chief are about to appear for a briefing. The news release has just been handed out and it confirms the Southwest Precinct is getting a new commander – a familiar face, though – Steve Paulsen, who left as its Operations Lieutenant back in January, will return as Captain, and as its commander. The current SW commander, Capt. Joe Kessler, who’s been in West Seattle for two years, will become captain of the West Precinct. More to come.
10:43 AM UPDATE: The briefing has begun. The mayor is here with four top SPD leaders including Chief John Diaz. The Southwest Precinct command change is part of a larger change in command structure departmentwide. As part of that, Acting Deputy Chief Nick Metz (second from right in our photo) is now officially Deputy Chief Metz, and in charge of “community” (he was in West Seattle a week and a half ago for the briefing after the Admiral Way shooting and we are about to hear from him) – “community” is one of three priorities that Chief Diaz has listed, with another being “not being afraid” (paraphrase).
10:53 AM UPDATE: Deputy Chief Metz – who was introduced by Chief Diaz as the second-in-command of the department, now – says that community outreach will permeate every part of policing. And he says the community’s partnership is vital to that. Returning to the podium, Chief Diaz has briefly listed the command changes at precincts (not all precincts are getting new commanders) – Capts. Paulsen and Kessler are not here, but Chief Diaz says the changes are effective October 1st, and mentions that the West Precinct to which Capt. Kessler is moving is one of the toughest jobs in the department. (The SW Precinct commander before Capt. Kessler, Capt. Mike Fann, also is moving, from Traffic to Homeland Security.) The chief is now talking about “de-escalation” and decision-making at the scene – in light of recent incidents, including (though he hasn’t mentioned it specifically) the Admiral Way shooting. He says they will be making some changes in training to work more on “de-escalation.” He also says they will increase the number of Tasers – they have 300 now. They also will expand the use of video.
(Afternoon note – we’re putting the rest of the as-it-happened coverage after a jump – also, the full official news release is now available online, if you’re interested in reading it):Read More
Expand Dakota Place Park? Junction Neighborhood Org. pitched
That’s Jennifer Cargal at the dedication of Dakota Place Park one year ago, an exciting occasion for Cargal and other neighborhood advocates who worked hard to get the old substation site (map) turned into a park. Last night, she was at the Junction Neighborhood Organization‘s meeting, requesting support for a possible expansion of the year-old park. She says there’s a chance that money from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Acquisition Fund could be used to buy a parcel just north of the park, once planned for residential development. According to Cargal, this idea is in a very preliminary stage – negotiations aren’t even under way – but Parks is doing some appraisal work “and trying to get a measure of community support.” One key point, though: Levy money would just cover the costs through purchase of the land and clearing it – actual park development would then require a community campaign (which is what it took to finalize Dakota Place, and other neighborhood park projects such as Junction Plaza Park and Ercolini Park). One park neighbor who came to the JuNO meeting says she’s “amazed” at how many people use Dakota Place Park as it is now; Cargal also mentioned the students at nearby Tilden School, who (as reported here last spring) have “adopted” the park and do regular cleanups there during the school year. “I think there’s a really powerful argument for adding open space while we have this opportunity,” she said. What do YOU think? Comments, she said, can be sent to Chip Nevins, in the Parks Department’s real-estate division (here’s his contact info); Cargal’s making the rounds of community groups asking for their support, and JuNO pledged theirs. One more report from last night’s JuNO meeting – a followup on the Junction Parking Program – coming up later.
West Seattle Wednesday: From fish, to golf, to a groundbreaking…
(Big tugboat spotted in Elliott Bay yesterday, post-fog, by David Hutchinson)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The 75th anniversary celebration at Spud Fish and Chips on Alki, previewed here yesterday, starts with a ceremony at 10:15 am (remember to bring donations for the West Seattle Food Bank to get the $2.75 today-only special for $1.75) … Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association is one of the partners in the new Strength of Place Village in White Center, breaking ground this morning at 11 am … At 5:30, it’s one of the final meetings of the Citizens Advisory Group for the Murray Basin Combined Sewer Overflow Project (time, location, schedule here) … Also tonight, it’s the 2nd design meeting for the future West Seattle Golf Course driving range, as previewed here yesterday, 7 pm @ the golf course clubhouse … The Delridge Neighborhoods District Council also meets at 7, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center … And West Seattleites are invited to the big presentation tonight at Benaroya Hall, starting at 7 pm, about Reshaping Seattle’s Central Waterfront – contenders for “the role of lead designer” on the waterfront, post-Viaduct, will make their case for getting the job, and the city is hoping for bigtime public involvement (they’ve even been advertising the event on neighborhood-news sites like ours). … More on the calendar!
Fauntleroy Community Association reviews RapidRide revision
It’s been the hottest topic before the Fauntleroy Community Association board for months – the originally proposed design of the RapidRide bus stops by the Fauntleroy ferry dock, and concern the design could choke traffic — and it looks like there’s finally some progress. Tonight at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, FCA saw a new proposal presented by Metro’s Paul Roybal and Jack Lattemann, incorporating some of the group’s counterproposals. This one only has a curb bulb on the water side, only affecting northbound traffic – but it would also remove some of the parking in the park-and-ride lot. The revised plan would try to preserve the existing artwork at the bus stops, add a bike locker, and try to keep the traffic lanes more open. In discussion after an hourlong presentation, the FCA board decided they’ll draft a letter to Metro and King County Executive Dow Constantine saying they’re in favor of the revision and against the original plan (which was thoroughly explained on page 2 of FCA’s summer newsletter). FCA’s Susan Lantz-Dey got props for taking on a traffic study to make sure the county was dealing with accurate numbers – board members including Vlad Oustimovitch and president Bruce Butterfield thought that had helped move toward the changes.
The meeting also included an update on another long-thorny topic, a disputed path to lower Laurentide, and ongoing struggles over right-of-way access; a South Brace Point rep said their lawyer had found a 1945 easement filed by Ken Colman that covers the path, so the two sides are now in talks. Last but by no means least, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is just one month away, 2-6 pm October 17th (with a fundraising pasta dinner this Friday); in addition to food, fun and festivities, nurses from Swedish will be there offering flu shots.
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (old schoolhouse).
Car flipped in Arbor Heights, nobody hurt
Thanks to Christina for the cameraphone photo of a car that flipped in her Arbor Heights neighborhood, near 34th/100th SW – a few other people have texted/e-mailed. Just as we were writing this, our photographer arrived and confirms nobody’s hurt (which is why it wasn’t on the 911 log) – someone hit a parked car, theirs flipped, but everybody’s OK.
The flipped car already has been righted, but 34th is still partly blocked till everything’s cleared.
Tierra Landscape: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Tierra Landscape, located in West Seattle. Walter Sepulveda, Tierra Landscape’s owner (left), brings more than 10 years of experience in landscape design and construction. Walter moved to Seattle from Argentina right after studying Forestry in Bariloche, at the University of Comahue. Tierra Landscape specializes in landscape design and construction. The mission of the organization is to design, build and maintain unique, modern, and creative landscapes that respond to individual needs. Tierra Landscape provides a complete array of residential and commercial landscaping services, including patios, walkways, fountains, and water features, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, retaining walls, fences, arbors, and decks. While Walter was growing up, his family owned a brick warehouse where they built outdoor kitchens known in Argentina as Quinchos. His new line of outdoor kitchens and pizza ovens are based on this unique design. He encourages interested clients to visit his website at tierralandscape.net. Tierra Landscape also provides both commercial and residential maintenance services, including lawn care, irrigation, and seasonal planting. Residential landscape maintenance services range from one-time yard cleanups to weekly, monthly and seasonal maintenance programs. Tierra Landscape is offering 10% off patios to first-time customers, when you mention Tierra’s WSB ad.
We thank Tierra Landscape for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Fundraiser funnyman: Pat Cashman @ SW Youth & Family Services
Some people just walk into a place and take right over. That’s Seattle funnyman Pat Cashman making himself comfortable in Southwest Youth and Family Services executive director Steve Daschle‘s office this morning. Daschle wasn’t around but truth is, SWYFS really didn’t mind Cashman getting comfortable – he’s the guy who’s going to keep things lively during their biggest fundraiser of the year, the XAFLAD! (Somali for “party”) auction/entertainment gala coming up September 24th (a week from Friday) at the Columbia Tower Club downtown. He was at SWYFS HQ in North Delridge this morning for a briefing – even as volunteers like Nancy continued to toil on the auction items – some of which have been grouped into theme baskets (this one’s easy to figure out):
SWYFS has more than 150 donated items going up for live and silent auction, according to Nanette Westerman, who along with Shayla Simoes stopped to chat while Cashman and SWYFS’s Cara Kroenke strategized for the big night. Most are in storage, awaiting the auction…
…but some items just aren’t shelf material, like a stay in Barcelona, Spain, or two tickets to a fancy dinner and show, and even a sneak peek inside the fabled women’s restroom atop the Columbia Tower (yes, females can go inside for free – but the successful bidder will get a tour even with XY chromosomes, Westerman says). Whatever the auction brings in, SWYFS is going to need it, she notes – she says she’s already getting phone calls inquiring what kind of help the agency will be offering at Christmastime: “Things are fairly dire out there.” (SWYFS wears many hats – public-school classes on site, violence-prevention programs, family-assistance programs, and more – and has a service area that also stretches outside West Seattle.) A few $60 tickets to XAFLAD! are left, and you can buy them online here.
One more ‘so long, summer’: Last Alki paddleboard event tonight
Greg Whittaker of Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) and Alki Kayak Tours shares two bits of news: First, tonight is the final Tuesday Night Stand-Up Paddleboard Demo Night – try a paddleboard for free, and/or race at 7 pm – it’s the last race of the season in the Northwest, Greg says. He adds, “West Seattle finished strong in the second annual Round the Rock event on Sunday at Seward Park. Local paddleboarder Tyler Hesse won his division for the 13-mile race around Mercer Island.” And Greg says he won his division in the 2.5-mile race, as did Kathy Kingen: “All and all, it is a strong showing for West Seattle for a new sport.” (Full results here.) Tonight’s paddleboarding event starts at AKT’s Seacrest HQ.
Before Alki Spud celebrates its 75th tomorrow, a chat with Carol
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tomorrow morning, the longtime manager of Spud Fish and Chips on Alki will be at work before dawn.
They’re expecting quite the lunch rush – almost certainly a line, despite the fact it’ll be a Wednesday in autumn. The occasion? Spud turns 75 years old (and is sponsoring WSB to promote the occasion) – and throwing a party.
Manager Carol Kelly – at right with daughters Ashley and Tory, who were on duty with her there when we chatted Monday afternoon – has worked at Spud on Alki for about half the restaurant’s three-quarters-of-a-century lifespan … almost 38 years.
Just kind of happened that way, she explains – she graduated from West Seattle High School, and other members of her family were already working at Spud. “I really like working with the public … and it’s such a well-established place. … I enjoy it down here.”
Quite the view, of course, since from behind the counter – inbetween rushes – you can look right out at Alki Beach and Elliott Bay.
Tomorrow, the view will feature a lot of people, pomp and circumstance, and prizes.
Read More
West Seattle Tuesday: 3 neighborhoods … and more music!
(West Seattle Bridge onramp, by smohundro, from the West Seattle Blog Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, tonight’s big events again include chances to get involved in your neighborhood, and a chance to make music:
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION, 6:30 PM, GINOMAI
Agenda highlights: An SDOT transportation planner visits to find out how the parking changes resulting from the city’s Junction parking study are going over. What’s working well? What’s not? What needs to change? JuNO president Erica Karlovits says, “It is important for the city to get feedback from our neighborhood.” Plus, an update on Dakota Place Park.
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, 7 PM, ADMIRAL CHURCH
Agenda highlights: A WSDOT rep is expected for an Alaskan Way Viaduct program; Summer Concerts at Hiawatha will be reviewed; the recent rulings on the California SW “upzoning” proposal (here’s our coverage archive) will be discussed, as will the decision not to “rechannelize” Admiral Way north of The Bridge; plus, the ongoing push for a 47th/Admiral pedestrian light.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, 7 PM, THE HALL AT FAUNTLEROY
Agenda highlights: RapidRide update – this has been the hottest topic in recent months for FCA, as they have voiced serious concerns with the proposed design for the RapidRide stops by the Fauntleroy ferry terminal and its potential effects on traffic; also, the upcoming Fauntleroy Fall Festival (which has a fundraising pasta dinner coming up this Friday).
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS START REHEARSING, CHIEF SEALTH IHS:
Here’s our original announcement, with contact info if you’re interested in joining as the rehearsals begin.
Fauntleroy updates: 20 tons recycled! Plus, art deadline ahead
Fauntleroy Church‘s second recycling event of the year had an even bigger response than the first one – that’s the first of two Fauntleroy updates from Judy Pickens:
Sunday’s Recycle Roundup sponsored by the green committee at Fauntleroy Church relieved West Seattle residents of 20+ tons of recyclables. A steady stream of donors filled five large trucks with everything from computers to bicycles and dishwashers. 1 Green Planet will disassemble everything responsibly for use in making new products.
Now, a look ahead to a big event later this fall:
Judy continues:
Photographer Mark Morgan, shown here with a prospective customer, found last year’s art show at Fauntleroy Church well worth his time. Be among the West Seattle artists and crafters at the 2010 Fine Art and Holiday Gift Faire Nov. 19-21! Details and application form at www.fauntleroyucc.org. Deadline is Sept. 30. (Photo courtesy Enid Havens)
Signs of change: Skylark Café gets ready for new schedule
West Seattle’s busy sign-painter Japhy Witte, aka the “Sign Savant,” was at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) this afternoon, to decorate Skylark’s exterior at 3803 Delridge Way with signs of the changes kicking in a week from today: 7 days a week – no more Monday closures – but no weekday lunches (brunch continues); also, there’s a new campaign to make sure you know you can call ahead to order Skylark dinner for takeout/pickup (convenient if you come off The Bridge at Delridge) – 206-935-2111, as the sign says:
(The menu is online, of course, as is the live/no-cover music schedule.) Skylark announced the changes last week – proprietor Jessie SK told us today that a few people were so excited about Mondays, they showed up today, but she wants to remind everyone, the first Monday is NEXT week, September 20th, doors opening at 3 pm.
(The night after that, incidentally, is Skylark’s very popular monthly Alauda belly-dance showcase.)
West Seattle schools: Sealth event addition; superintendent visits
Two notes tonight about upcoming events at local schools: First, there’s an addition to the schedule for the September 25th open-house celebration at Chief Sealth International High School, according to word tonight from principal John Boyd: The event will start with a 9:30 am “early-bird preview” for parents/guardians of Sealth students, before the “all-community celebration” begins at 10 am. Tours will be offered of the new galleria and the renovated gym and main Sealth building.
Second, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson is launching a series of “coffee chats” and regional meetings, and two West Seattle stops are on the list: She’ll be at Sealth Thursday, September 30, with other top district officials, 6:30-8 pm, for a “welcome back” meeting geared toward all public-school families in the WS area. Then as part of a series of “coffee chats,” Monday, October 25, she’ll be at West Seattle Elementary, 6-7 pm. Both of the superintendent’s WS visits are scheduled to have interpretation available in Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese, according to the district announcement.
Looking ahead: Bingo & skating return to Alki; trick-or-treat dates
(Photo added 10:44 pm, from first post-summer edition of Bingo on Alki)
Three quick notes, two involving weekly activities resuming after summer hiatus: First, Fran e-mailed to say that Monday night Bingo on Alki resumes tonight, 6:30 pm at Alki UCC – you’re welcome to play any Monday night. Second, Mary Pat from Alki Community Center sends word that Friday night skating is back this week:
Come start off school in a fun way! Bring your family to Alki Community Center for Friday Night Skate. Enjoy free hamburgers, chips and lemonade. Cost is $3 per person. (Skaters & nonskaters) You may bring in your own clean skates or borrow them from us. Come enjoy our new sound system. Time is from 6:45 – 8:45 p.m. For more information please call 684-7430. Alki Community Center is located at 5817 SW Stevens St. Skate Night will continue every Friday, excluding October 8th, November 12th & 26th, December 24th & 31st.
Finally: Seven weeks to go till Halloween. We mention that only because the dates are set for two big trick-or-treating events (and we are already starting to get inquiries!): Admiral Treats and Treasures is set for 3-6 pm, Friday, October 29, according to Parris from Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys; the West Seattle Junction trick-or-treating event is set for 1-3 pm Saturday, October 30th. We’ve got a message out to see what’s planned at Westwood Village this year. This’ll all be on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, where we already have other fall events, even the West Seattle schedule for the Christmas Ship!
West Seattle’s ‘Green Bikes’ get a citywide spotlight
We’d heard a bit about West Seattle’s “Green Bikes” but hadn’t come across one for a WSB photo-op till Jason Grotelueschen photographed the one shown in our photos – then today, they got a citywide spotlight on Slog (read the story here; thanks to Max for the link). They’re donated and fixed-up bikes you can borrow (if you come across one); Guy Olson is leading the West Seattle Green Bikes effort and has a Facebook group for it here if you want to find out more.
In case you’re wondering: Police training at Genesee Hill School
Just got a few questions about this, and they coincided with a heads up from the Southwest Precinct: Police training is under way at the vacant Genesee Hill Elementary campus, continuing till late tonight. ADDED 3:33 PM: You can see why, if you drive by and don’t see the sign, you might think something had happened – long stretch of yellow tape. From SW Genesee, you will also note that at least one entrance to the playfield below is blocked off. SW Precinct’s Lt. Norm James, by the way, says the neighbors did get advance warning.
The day after 
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