West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
More than 20 sales of all sizes are already signed up for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – the eighth annual edition (and the fifth one coordinated by us here at WSB), coming up 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 12th. It’s become more than a shopping-frenzy kind of day – it’s become, with more than 200 sales all over the peninsula each of the past two WSCGSD’s meaning that most areas have a sale within walking distance (if you’re not hosting one yourself), a chance to get out and meet more of your neighbors. And it’s also a chance for yard-saling fans from around the region to come enjoy and explore West Seattle (including lunch and refreshment stops at local businesses). Plus, of course, it’s ultimately person-to-person recycling! If you’re considering being a seller this year, don’t procrastinate … sign up now. If you’re not sure, you do have time to make up your mind – registration will continue for three more weeks. It’s an all-online process – here’s the form!
Story and photos by Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It’s been two months since we first reported on the mysterious happenings inside the former Petco storefront at 4732 California SW – and now, the brand-new window-painting work has brought a new round of questions.
So we stopped by to see what’s up with Jason Rudolph, who told us back in February about his plans for the space – running his Sound Advertising Group and restoring some legendary animatronic characters.
First – Jason tells us he’ll open the space during the April West Seattle Art Walk next week – 6-9 pm Thursday, April 12th – to showcase work by Jason Sinclair Astorquia and host some live music by Willow & The Embers, so you’ll get to take a look inside for yourself.
While the restoration of the “Rock-afire Explosion” animatronic characters set up at the front of the space continues; Jason adds that most of his staff has moved their workstations from the company offices on 44th SW into this new space.
Painting over the windows with a mural – with just a few intentionally see-through spots – gives the the employees more privacy:
Once finished, the mural will be a colorful creative, original work hand-painted by Japhy Witte, known as “the Sign Savant.”
Petco vacated the space last November to move into its new spot in Capco Plaza at 41st/Alaska.
Every time the Fauntleroy Church Green Committee brings 
1 Green Planet to West Seattle for a “Recycle Roundup,” they head out with tons of stuff to be recycled rather than thrown away. So we’re giving you advance warning – another one is in the works for April 29th, 9 am-3 pm, and the church’s website already has posted the list of what you can drop off that day to be recycled – see it here. Last “Recycle Roundup” in October (WSB photo at left) set a Fauntleroy record – 14 tons of recycled items! (P.S. Yes, it’s free.)
Family and friends around West Seattle and beyond are mourning 48-year-old Lisa Mills, the motorcycle rider killed in the crash that closed southbound Highway 99 for hours last Sunday night. 
We are reporting her name now that the county Medical Examiner has finally formally released it. Ms. Mills, who lived in Sunrise Heights with her wife, was well-known as lead singer of Swamp Mama Johnson, a Northwest-based band that was popular in the ’90s (see a 1997 clip here).
She worked as a hypnotherapist and life coach, with her own business, Heliotrope Hypnosis Services. A friend shared the photo at left, showing Ms. Mills with her dog Ruby, who until Ruby’s recent death assisted her in volunteer therapy work, according to her website. Another friend of Ms. Mills tells us she also was studying to become a mixologist, adding, “Lisa lived life to the fullest and loved riding her motorcycle with her friends.” The preliminary report from Seattle Police says investigators think she “failed to negotiate a curve” at the Viaduct’s south end.
We have no information yet on a celebration of life or memorial fund, but have asked friends who contacted us to please let us know if and when those details become available, so that we can share it with the WSB community. (This mention on a news site in Bellingham, where Swamp Mama Johnson often played, says memorials will likely be held there and in Seattle.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The principals of Arbor Heights and Roxhill Elementary Schools say the emergence of a proposal to merge the two into a rebuilt AH was as much a “big surprise” to them as it was to their schools’ communities.
That’s part of what they told a gathering of more than 50 people last night at a quickly organized community meeting, less than a week after the merger proposal debuted in the package of possibilities that district staff is circulating (as reported here) as the first round of community meetings begins about what should be in next February’s 4th edition of the every-six-years BEX (“Building Excellence”) levy.
The meeting, led by AH principal Christy Collins, with Roxhill principal Carmela Dellino speaking from the audience, unfolded while the first of those meetings played out across the city at Eckstein Middle School (West Seattle’s school-board director Marty McLaren had sent her regrets to AH and Roxhill, saying she had to be at that meeting instead of theirs). West Seattle’s version of the levy-input meeting is set for 6:30 pm Thursday at Denny International Middle School, and the meeting materials are now on the district website, if you’d like a preview – PowerPoint overview here and “the 3 options” here (which includes the merger proposal).
In addition to answering questions, the two principals sought to explain their side of how this idea might have sprung up, and Collins explained in a show-and-tell why it’s imperative that a new building replacing the 64-year-old AH becomes part of the levy, some way, some how.
An anonymous Fauntleroy photographer shares one more image from the Tuesday evening storm (and rainbows afterward – did you see our roundup of WSB’ers’ photos?) … since the National Weather Service says we could see thunderstorms later today, too. The weather may not keep a schedule, but some events do, and here are the highlights from the recently revitalized WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
ROAD WORK TRAFFIC ALERTS: Same ones as Tuesday: First, again tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed 10 pm-5 am, so you won’t be able to exit to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill during that time. Here’s the SDOT alert.. … Also, work will continue on the repaving of a block-plus of California SW from Hudson to Dawson, south of The Junction.
2 WEST SEATTLE WALKS FOR NATIONAL WALKING DAY: If you’d like to join with others in walking along Alki in honor of National Walking Day, one group is scheduled to meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza at 10 am, while another plans to meet at the Bathhouse at 5:30 pm. Details here. (2701 Alki Avenue SW)
BABY PEPPERS: A new session of this support group for parents with babies 5-12 months old (slightly older than those in PEPS) starts at 10:30 this morning at Bright Horizons-West Seattle. More details, including the registration link, here. (4530 38th SW)
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Per the agenda we’ve added to the calendar-listing page, presentations about the downtown Waterfront/Seawall project and Community Power Works energy assessments/incentives program (WSB sponsor) will bring special guests to tonight’s monthly meeting of reps from community groups and organizations around western West Seattle. 7 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s board room (6000 16th SW).
Two notes about thirst-quenching events that are also charity benefits:
EVENT #1: Check out the all-star crew we photographed Tuesday night at Company Bar in White Center, previewing Hi-Yu Brü before it goes out to the masses this Friday night! Proprietors of establishments participating in the release of the next West Seattle/White Center benefit beer gathered tonight with friends at Company for a tasting of sorts. As of 6 pm this Friday, Company is one of the places – along with Shadowland, Feedback Lounge, West 5, The Feedback Lounge, Mission, Big Al Brewing (which makes Hi-Yu Brü), The Bridge, Locöl, and Beveridge Place Pub. Also in the photo, by the way – front and center, in the gray-green shirt, that’s Tian Richardson, who came up with the winning name.
EVENT #2: At Tian’s left in the dark shirt is The Feedback’s Matt Johnson, who figures prominently in this next announcement about a separate benefit event coming up next month: Feedback Lounge has signed on as cocktail sponsor for WestSide Baby‘s upcoming “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” cocktail party benefit at The Hall at Fauntleroy on May 18th. (We’re told Matt himself will be there as guest master mixologist.) Tickets are available now; read on for the announcement of what’s new with the party plan:Read More
ORIGINAL 9:09 PM REPORT: Thanks to everyone who’s been texting and calling about crashes – it’s been a dangerous night on local roads.
The latest is a crash in front of the opening-next-week Trader Joe’s in the 4500 block of Fauntleroy Way SW – and if you’re headed westbound on Fauntleroy, coming from the bridge, or 35th SW, you’ll be detoured onto a side street from Fauntleroy just before you get to the scene. Eastbound traffic toward 35th and the bridge is moving OK.
10:19 PM UPDATE: As pointed out in comments, westbound Fauntleroy is fully open again – we just checked it out in person, too.
Not related to the crash, but if you’re out driving tonight, remember the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure is now in effect till early am – we were just heading back from an errand on the other side of the bay, and the barricades were going up at 10 pm sharp.
11:28 PM NOTE: Another crash – this one, single vehicle, currently closing the 8100 block of Delridge Way SW. They’re calling an ambulance for a man in his 40s, though the injuries do not sound major at this point.
Sage shared that photo, saying: “Turns out 30th & Thistle is somewhere over the rainbow!” That rainbow, you probably know, followed an intense hail* shower about an hour ago. According to the National Weather Service’s latest “forecast discussion,” tomorrow will bring more scattered showers mixed with sunbreaks. Possibly related to the downpour, there’ve been at least two crashes in the past hour, including one at California/Charlestown that we’re told is still affecting traffic in the area. Matthew sent this photo from that scene:
Meantime, back to the rainbow – Mike Gerber shared this view of a double rainbow seen from Puget Ridge, on his property with the old orchard house mentioned here previously:
And from High Point, Wendy Hughes-Jelen shares this view:
If you missed the hail … here’s a view on the backyard bricks at WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy:
ADDED 9:25 PM: A few more photos – first, Don Brubeck captured the squall as it headed downtown:
And John Hinkey, northeast of The Junction, got an Alaska Airlines jet, rainbow-bound:
Probably another photo or two to add later .. but in the meantime, thanks again, everybody!
The biggest spring-sports success story so far in West Seattle this year is the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ varsity soccer team. They are undefeated after another win this afternoon, on the road against division rival Nathan Hale, 4-0. That puts their record at 7-0-1, and even before today’s big win, the Seattle Times ranked them 9th in the state. Their next scheduled game is Friday afternoon at home – 4 pm, hosting Rainier Beach at Southwest Athletic Complex (across SW Thistle from CSIHS).
About 5 months into construction, we have a few updates from the developers of Youngstown Flats – the almost-200-unit building going up at 26th/Dakota in North Delridge, the biggest project under construction in West Seattle right now. For one, their design for turning the “right of way” across 26th (newest version here) into a parklet of sorts won Seattle Design Commission approval, required because they need a Street Use Permit from the city. For two, the sculpture above has been chosen for installation along 26th near the building’s main-lobby entrance (it’s “Continuity” by Jan Hoy), and another RFP for more art is going out. Last but not least, if you’re interested in more info before they open in a year or so, the project finally has an official website.
Another first-of-its-kind event is on the West Seattle calendar this month – the first Delridge Unsung Heroes awards banquet on April 20th. Outreach co-chair Holli Margell has an update:
We were so impressed with the all of the 27 nominees to the “Delridge Unsung Heroes Banquet” that we’ve decided to change the format to a celebratory banquet. Instead of recognizing just the top 8, we’ll invite all 27 nominees to gather together for recognition and celebration.
One Outstanding Unsung Hero will be our nominee to the 2013 National Jefferson Awards. Every neighborhood within the Delridge District is represented, and this event will provide a unique opportunity for bringing the district together.
We know there are many who would like to help us celebrate these Unsung Heroes. One way we still need help is with providing the banquet portion of the event. We’re still accepting sponsorships. If you’d like to be a sponsor, please contact Mike Shilley at michael.j.shilley@q.com. We wish to thank everyone for sending in nominations!
This wasn’t in our morning roundup but in case it’s a subject about which you’re passionate – a reminder that the Seattle City Council‘s public hearing on the proposed Seattle Public Library levy is tonight, City Hall downtown, 5:30 pm (they’re taking signups starting at 5). Lots more info here. If finalized, the levy to raise $17 million a year would go to voters this August. If you can’t make it to the hearing, you’ll be able to watch it live via Seattle Channel, cable 21 or online.
West Seattle-based Transitional Resources recently put out the call for restaurants to join in its first Food for Art benefit: You dine, a portion of the proceeds goes to TR. Today, we have word that seven local restaurants have answered the call, and on Thursday, April 12th – in conjunction with that night’s West Seattle Art Walk night – they’ll partner with you, to help Transitional Resources, which shares this announcement:
Seven West Seattle restaurants will donate a generous percentage of proceeds to Transitional Resources’ art-therapy program on the evening of Thursday, April 12 as part of the first annual Food for Art event. Representatives from Transitional Resources will be at each restaurant, selling $5 raffle tickets for prizes donated by local artists and businesses, including event sponsor Ola Salon. All raffle proceeds will benefit the art therapy program at Transitional Resources, a West Seattle-based non-profit mental-health center serving people living with severe and persistent mental illness.
Food for Art diners are encouraged to let their servers know they support Food for Art. Details about each restaurant’s Food for Art promotion follows:
CIRCA will offer two Food For Art specials, donating 50% of the proceeds from those sales. Promotion runs 5-10 p.m. (2605 California SW)
FRESH BISTRO will donate 10% of proceeds from sales off their regular menu (not their Restaurant Week promotional menu) and strongly encourages reservations. Promotion runs 5-10 p.m. (4725 42nd SW)
HIGHSTRIKE GRILL will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 7-10 p.m. (4505 39th SW)
LOCOL BARLEY & VINE will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-10 p.m. (7902 35th SW)
LUNA PARK CAFE will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-10 p.m. (2918 SW Avalon Way)
WEST 5 will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-10 p.m. (4539 California SW)
ZATZ A BETTER BAGEL will donate 15% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-9 p.m. (2348 California SW)
Transitional Resources’ commends these local restaurants for their philanthropic engagement. By contributing to Transitional Resources’ art therapy program, these businesses are helping men and women have access to a creative catalyst for healing. The process involved in expressing one’s self artistically can help people resolve issues, as well as develop and manage their behaviors and feelings, reduce stress, and improve awareness. Art therapy is one of many programs offered at Transitional Resources, which provides respectful, optimistic, and highly personalized care to those most in need.
Just received a reminder about Washington State Ferries‘ plan to raise fares in May. The new fares are listed in this brochure (PDF). Read on for the news release in its entirety:Read More
We really DID open registration as promised yesterday for the 8th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – but by the time we were ready, there was so much news to report here, we could only get the early word out in other channels – the WSCGSD website and the Facebook pages for WSCGSD (here) and WSB (here). NOW – we have a breaking-news-less moment to make the announcement here too!
The big day for sales all over West Seattle (more than 200, in recent years) is 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 12, 2012. Here’s the link to the registration form (registration is online-only). Again this year, to further reduce paper use – it was a big hit last year – if you are OK with getting your “packet” via e-mail instead of postal mail (general info including the sign template and how to donate leftovers through Northwest Center if you choose), please click “yes” on the form.
New this year: We have been asked every year about West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day sponsorships. This year, we’re going to give it a try – 3 sponsorship spots. If your business is interested, please contact WSB co-publisher/business-development director Patrick Sand, patrick@wsbsales.com.
Backstory ahead, if you’re new or need a refresher: Read More
Thanks to Doug B for sharing photos of the submarine seen off West Seattle shores early today (see another, larger image on his Flickr page). Meantime, from the new-look-new-features WSB West Seattle Events calendar, some of what’s up today (follow the link to the calendar page for even more happenings for today/tonight):
ROAD WORK TRAFFIC ALERTS: Once again tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed 10 pm-5 am (Wednesday night too), and that means drivers cannot exit to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill. The city rundown of the closure(s) is here. … And this is the day that SDOT is starting to repave a block-plus of California SW from Hudson to Dawson – we just checked with Marybeth Turner from SDOT and she confirms (from the scene!) that the work has begun.
CYCLE UNIVERSITY’S NEW LOCATION: Per the announcement published here last month, they’re scheduled to open their bigger new digs on Harbor Avenue SW (just south of ActivSpace) today. Here are their hours. (3418 Harbor Avenue SW)
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP: Monthly meeting at Providence Mount St. Vincent, 2:30 pm – our calendar listing has more info. (4831 California SW)
PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: You’re invited to come tour West Seattle Christian Preschool on the northeast edge of The Junction and meet the staff. 5-7 pm. (4425 41st SW)
WINE TASTING: Special Tuesday tasting, 6-7:30 pm, at Bin 41 in The Junction, with James Cahill of Soter Vineyards in Oregon. (4707 California SW)
MERGE ARBOR HEIGHTS/ROXHILL ELEMENTARIES? It’s one possibility the district is floating as the BEX IV levy planning moves to a more intense stage, and school-community members want to talk about it publicly before the official BEX IV feedback meeting later this week. So tonight at 7, there’s a community meeting – “ALL community members welcome,” as one parent put it in a reminder note to us this morning – in the AH cafeteria. Here’s the original announcement we published a few days ago. (3701 SW 104th)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA MEETING: 7 pm tonight in the school library. More info on the WSHS PTSA website. (3000 California SW)
You can call it an announcement in two acts – last Friday, ArtsWest artistic director Christopher Zinovitch sent a news release with the 2012-2013 season lineup (we published it here), and then on Monday night, he and the ArtsWest team, including new managing director Line Sandsmark, invited fans and friends into the theater for a live hourlong preview with some drama, some music, some laughter and more. Which fit the mood, as Zinovitch reminded the packed house, “Our shows are not black and white, they are shades of gray – and full of color.” We captured the hour on video – meet the new managing director at 6 minutes in, and start hearing from Zinovitch at 12 minutes in. He admired the turnout and exclaimed, “We are on a roll here!” (Almost 300 actors auditioned for the season, he said, and you’ll see some of them in the video.)
(Photo by Long B. Nguyen)
What you see in that recent aerial view is part of the West Duwamish Greenbelt – the largest contiguous forest in Seattle, and the focus of the restoration work done by the Nature Consortium. The West Seattle-based nonprofit is celebrating the other kind of greenery, too – almost $40,000 raised by Sunday’s annual benefit brunch at The Hall at Fauntleroy, double last year’s total, according to NC founder and executive director Nancy Whitlock:
Other big numbers could be found in the NC’s annual report, circulated at the brunch – 2,295 youth served with art classes last year, 3,651 volunteers helping plant 7,155 native trees and shrubs. “It’s pretty astounding even to me, how much is accomplished,” marveled Whitlock. She spoke of her organization “growing up,” coming out of its adolescence – next year is its 15th anniversary. The terms were apropos, given that Nature Consortium works with youth, including the two groups that performed at the brunch – Natural Voices sang “The Greatest Love of All”:
There was also a feisty dance performance by younger kids from Rainier Vista; though Nature Consortium is headquartered in West Seattle, it works elsewhere in the city, too. This year, a bit of a disappointment for fans of all ages of the NC’s signature Arts in Nature Festival – it’s going on a one-year hiatus to regroup for a big 15th anniversary blowout next year, and beyond. But the boost from Sunday’s brunch is bound to help power them in that direction. You can donate to the NC’s work online any time; you can also plug into their frequent forest-restoration work parties by going here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
After two community meetings in the past five days, residents of Sunrise Heights and Westwood know exactly which planting strips the county is eyeing for potential “bioswales” to keep rainwater from causing combined sewer overflows (CSO) at Barton Pump Station, miles downhill – specific spots along the 31 blocks identified in early March.
They also know how the county hopes to keep them from “ponding” during all but the heaviest rains – through a complex underground “underdrain” system.
But some remain skeptical that the “green stormwater infrastructure” project will not be Ballard Roadside Raingardens, The Sequel, though the project manager insists it won’t.
The ghost of that problem-plagueed city project has long loomed over this county plan, despite reassurances, promises, and explanations of how the two situations differ. There were more of those Wednesday night at the first gathering inside Westside School (the second meeting was Saturday at High Point Community Center), even as project manager Mary Wohleb tried to keep Ballard from being the proverbial elephant in the room.
We’ve spent the past 2 1/2 hours in Burien City Council chambers on behalf of partner site White Center Now – covering a big story: November has just been set as the date for White Center (and environs) residents to vote on whether to be annexed by Burien. We chronicled the meeting on WCN – as you can read here.
Back in February, West Seattle Helpline put out the call for a new home for its Clothesline clothing bank. It’s found a new home, executive director Tara Byrne says – in the Admiral District, close to West Seattle High School, more accessible to bus lines, more conducive to expanded hours. However, there’s a bit of a downside, as explained in this excerpt from a donation-seeking letter they’re circulating:
In West Seattle we have the only clothing bank that offers 3 free outfits, a pair of shoes, and a coat to each family member in need. Our Clothesline is on track this year for giving out $68,000 worth of clothing to families in need in West Seattle so that they do not have to decide between groceries or coats for the children.
As excited as we are about helping our neighbors, the West Seattle Helpline needs some help from you. We found out last month that our rent-free space will soon no longer be an option for our Clothesline program. The good news? We found an excellent location to better serve our neighbors in West Seattle and we have amazing clothing on the racks for families. The bad news? Rent is no longer free.
Our goal is to raise $6,600 to cover rent for the next year at our new Clothesline space. How can you help?
$20 keeps the Clothesline open for 1 day …
$138 keeps the Clothesline open for 1 week …
$275 keeps the Clothesline open for 2 weeks …
$550 keeps the Clothesline open for 1 month …
You can donate through their website at wshelpline.org (see the button on the right sidebar) – where you will also find ticket information soon about Helpline’s big “Taste of West Seattle” fundraiser, coming up May 17th.
A memorial is planned April 13 for Lou Tice, founder of the Harbor Avenue SW-headquartered Pacific Institute, which announced his death today:
The Pacific Institute is saddened to report the passing of its Chairman and co-Founder, Lou Tice Sunday evening, April 1st, after a brief illness. Surrounded by his wife, Diane, and loving family and friends, Lou spent his final days challenging those around him to carry on with his life’s work – educating and empowering individuals all around the globe to an ever-greater commitment toward making “a better world.”
A memorial service celebrating the life of Lou Tice is scheduled for Friday, April 13th, at 10:00 am at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 4212 S. Mead St., in Seattle.
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