West Seattle, Washington
14 Friday
Students, teachers, and school staffers aren’t the only ones marking farewells as this week comes to an end. Thursday afternoon at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), a reception honored departing CEO Kevin McFeely, who’s leaving after 9 years to run The Hearthstone in Green Lake (as reported here a month ago). Among those offering tributes at the celebration, marketing director Karmen Hudson:
His replacement has not yet been named. The Kenney is north of Lincoln Park, with history going back more than a century.
(WSB photo from June 2010 volunteer cleanup @ the museum)
Inspired by recent stories of community cleanups, both spontaneous and planned? Here’s one you can join in. Just received from Marcy Johnsen at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:
Calling Volunteers! Your community museum needs you!
This Saturday, June 23rd, come help clean up at the Log House Museum. 3003 61st Avenue SW – corner of 61st and Stevens.
All sorts of chores to be done so no talent will go unneeded! Come ready to pitch in 9 am to 12 noon. No prior experience needed.
That would still leave plenty of time to check out Saturday’s big events, including the Morgan Junction Community Festival (10:30 am-7 pm) and “Celebrate Springer“ at the Alki Bathhouse (11 am-3 pm, not far from the Log House Museum).
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports to share – one, the odd tale of a front-yard flower thief; the other, stolen groceries – read on for both, plus a quick roundup of notable incidents on the crime map from the past 24 hours or so:Read More
Shakura Kanye‘s dad passed away recently; she says he was “a very active member in the West Seattle community and I would like to spread the word about his funeral service.”
Honoring Mark Christopher Adams
When: Saturday, June 23, 2012 @ 11 a.m.
Where: Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury)Please join family and friends at Freedom Church in West Seattle at 11 am for a funeral service honoring Mark Adams- a loving brother, father, husband, uncle, and friend. He will be missed dearly.
Just in from SDOT – what you can expect for the next week-plus in terms of Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project closures. Right now, no bridge closures after tonight, but there are several surface closures of note, including a three-day shutdown of two blocks of eastbound surface Spokane Street. Details ahead:Read More
A new commercial-real-estate listing of note: A half-acre site that includes Morgan Junction’s Short Stop market and adjacent dry cleaners, immediately north of Morgan Junction Park. The $2 million listing for 6311 California SW pitches it as a “TOD site with 60+ unit potential.” (TOD stands for transit-oriented development.) That number of units is comparable to the 62-unit almost-converted-to-condos Strata on California across the street. We checked and there’s no formal development proposal on file for 6311 California, but there is a city notation that “paid land-use coaching” was sought this past January “… to verify highest/best use … fully understand zoning/setbacks, units possible, height restrictions, etc. … understand comprehensive plan for area.”
By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
When we saw the agenda for last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, featuring an SDOT presentation about “Delridge rechannelization,” we expected more information about this – rechannelization planned in connection with Metro Route 120 changes on the north end of Delridge.
Nope.
This presentation was about a new plan for mid-to-south Delridge rechannelization – and as you can see if you watch our video from last night’s meeting, its details surprised the District Council members too:
The South Delridge rechannelization plan, the SDOT reps said, is bundled with the forthcoming resurfacing/repaving of the same stretch, which was most recently detailed during Mayor McGinn‘s Town Hall in The Junction on May 3rd (as mentioned in our report on that meeting).
Read on for details of what the city unveiled last night, including the graphics of what the configurations are supposed to look like for each affected stretch, and news of one block where parking will undergo a dramatic change:Read More
Seattle Public Schools‘ executive director of West Seattle schools has just announced she’s leaving the district. Here’s the letter from Aurora Lora, addressed to “colleagues” and forwarded to WSB:
It is with mixed emotions that I announce I have accepted a position as Assistant Superintendent for the Dallas Independent School District. In my new position, I will be supervising four executive directors, 45 principals, and will be responsible for overseeing the education of 35,000 students. My last day with the District will be July 6.
This was not an easy decision for me because I have truly loved my experience working with the principals, assistant principals, schools, families and community members of the West Seattle region. I have learned so much in the past two years from my work as an executive director and will genuinely miss the individuals that I have had the pleasure of working with during my time in Seattle.
I know the District is committed to finding a new Executive Director for the West Seattle region very soon. I wish you all the best of luck and look forward to hearing about the successes of the Seattle School District in the years to come.
Aurora Lora
Executive Director, PK-12 Schools
Seattle Public Schools
That’s just a few days after new SPS Superintendent José Banda begins work.
Thursday is the traditional day for sharing SDOT‘s roundup of big weekend events around the city that might affect traffic – this time around, the events include the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, which will close the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 from 5 am-3:30 pm on Saturday. And while it’s not on the city’s list, don’t forget the Morgan Junction Community Festival, which will draw a crowd to and around Morgan Junction Park 10:30 am-7 pm in the 6400 block of California SW – we’ll have another festival preview later today. Read on for the citywide heads-up, which starts with an event in the stadium district today:Read More
Those bags are part of a 57,000-pound special delivery that arrived at Colman Pool Wednesday morning (thanks to some tricky truck maneuvering): A special plaster mix that will be applied to the outdoor swimming pool’s surfaces right before the water starts flowing back in. It’s the final major step before the pool’s scheduled June 30th reopening after 5 months of work in the second phase of its $1.4 million renovation project. What was happening Wednesday was the cleaning and other preparation before the plaster:
Seattle Parks‘ project manager Garrett Farrell agreed to show us around the site, with just over a week to go till its belated season opening. Ahead – what you are most likely to notice when you first visit the pool this year; a hint .. it’s not in the water!
(Thanks to Alex for sharing the raccoon-family photo from “somewhere along Longfellow Creek”)
Welcome to the first full day of summer! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
BRIDGE CLOSURE TONIGHT: If you missed the announcement on Wednesday, SDOT added another westbound closure of the Spokane Street Viaduct (plus one eastbound lane) for tonight, 10 pm-5 am – as noted on our updated “this week’s closures” page.
LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Every so often, we like to remind you of these weekly events at your friendly neighborhood Seattle Public Library branch. Today, Southwest Library (35th/Henderson) presents Preschool Story Time, 11-11:30 am; Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon) has its own edition, 11:15-11:45 am; High Point Library (35th/Raymond) has Toddler Story Time, 11:30-noon.
FAREWELL RECEPTION: The Kenney (WSB sponsor) is saying farewell to CEO Kevin McFeely (as reported here), and there’s a reception at 4:30 pm (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW).
‘CIRCLE OF SINGLES’: Event for singles 55 and over at Salty’s on Alki, 5 pm – details here.
WINE TASTINGS: Two tonight: West Seattle Cellars, 5:30-8 pm, Spanish and Portuguese Wines, from Casa Ventura, with Laura Stiff (6026 California SW) … Bin 41, 6-8 pm, with Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon, sharing not only wines but also excerpts from his new book “Been Doon So Long: A Randall Grahm Vinthology,” and autographing it too (4707 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE FIXERS’ COLLECTIVE: Meeting tonight at the West Seattle Tool Library (northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW), 6 pm.
K-5 STEM AT BOREN DESIGN TEAM: The team of community, school, and district reps working on West Seattle’s new public school meets at 6:15 pm in the library at Madison Middle School (45th/Spokane).
SANISLO ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Current and new Sanislo Elementary families are welcome! 6:30 pm (details on the calendar).
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The monthly ACC meeting is tonight, 7 pm, at Alki UCC Church (62nd/Hinds) – agenda here.
(WSB cameraphone photo of the crowd just before public comment began)
Though it was not an agenda item, the just-announced co-locating of K-5 STEM and Middle College High School at Boren generated discussion, and a promise, at last night’s Seattle School Board meeting.
After half a dozen people voiced concern during the public-comment period, three board members did too, including West Seattle’s Marty McLaren, who promised a “public discussion” on the issue.
Ahead, more of the discussion, plus a budget item that might – or might not – relate to K-5 STEM’s eventual permanent home:Read More
(1st 3 photos by Torin Record-Sand for WSB)
At Solstice Park about an hour ago, NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen looked off to the west with some trepidation/anticipation, a few minutes before the official 1st sunset of summer was supposed to happen, somewhere behind all this …
We counted more than 70 people scattered around the hillside viewpoint over the Lincoln Park tennis courts, where for the past three-plus years, Alice has showed up on equinoxes and solstices to explain them – and anything else astronomical that folks want to know about.
But as part of her volunteer ambassadorship, Alice organizes other events too – next up, a Mars landing party on August 5th, previewed a bit with Lego rover models at Solstice Park tonight:
Alice yelled out to the crowd that she’s still looking for a venue “with Internet and a roof,” available around 10:30 pm on August 5th. If you have a suggestion, reach her through her website, alicesastroinfo.com.
ADDED 11:32 PM: Thanks to those who shared their photos! First, Jordan Petram caught the color that the sunset yielded, even without the hoped-for alignment view at the park:
Cathy Jaramillo caught a closer view of Alice as she explained how that alignment would work if the sun were in view (note the stone in the lower right – that marks the spot):
And from Scott Scowcroft, the view of the crowd, looking northwest:
Note the cupola of The Kenney (WSB sponsor) off to the right.
Here’s a 5K you may not have heard much about – but your support can save lives. At West Seattle Stadium this Saturday afternoon, big steps will be taken for the most tiny and endangered among us – drug-exposed and medically fragile newborn babies. The event is “Walk for the Babies,” a 5K (twelve and a half times around the track) to benefit the Pediatric Interim Care Center, a 22-year-old facility/program which takes care of those tiny patients “at an interim level between hospital and home … at a savings to the taxpayers of Washington State.” Here’s a video about it:
PICC is described as “the only specialized, 24-hour facility available for the safe withdrawal of drug-exposed newborns” in our state.
The Walk for the Babies idea hatched, we’re told, when West Seattleite Phoebi Crawford called PICC to ask what they needed – blankets? diapers? etc.? – and found out they just need money, because they have lost $400,000 in funding. The walk, which has more than 70 people signed up so far, is hoping to raise $100,000. You can donate by going here; if you want to participate in the walk, call Phoebi at 206-707-6220.
Along with tonight’s overnight WESTBOUND closure of the Spokane Street Viaduct – which means you can’t get to the bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill – another one’s just been added for tomorrow night (late Thursday night to early Friday). Details ahead in an SDOT advisory:Read More
In previous discussions of the city’s impending “plastic-bag ban” – taking effect July 1st, as noted here last weekend – some have wondered how small businesses, especially those selling carryout food, are dealing with it. The Junction’s renowned Bakery Nouveau is telling its behind-the-scenes story on its website today – including the tax complications that it’s anticipating with the fee required for paper bags.
(Springer, photographed in 2002 by West Seattle-based researcher Mark Sears)
She’s one of the most famous orcas to pass through West Seattle waters – and as we first told you a month ago, the 10th anniversary of Springer‘s family reunion will be celebrated on Alki 11 am-3 pm this Saturday, at an event hosted by West Seattle-based The Whale Trail. The latest update on the festivities:
Ten years ago, a ferry quartermaster noticed a lone juvenile orca (A73, Springer) near the north end of Vashon Island and contacted local researcher Mark Sears, who confirmed the sighting. These actions led to the only successful orca reunion in history, being celebrated this Saturday at the Alki Beach Bathhouse with first-hand accounts of the rescue, updates about Springer and why her story matters to the recovery of the Southern Resident orcas today, a killer whale mask dance, and dedication of four new West Seattle Whale Trail signs. Hosted by The Whale Trail.
*Duwamish Tribe Singing Feet Dancers
*Introductory remarks by Martha Kongsgaard-Goldman, Chair of the Leadership Council of the Puget Sound Partnership
*Stories of the rescue and reunion by members of the rescue team
*Le-La-La Dancers, First Nations dance company from Victoria who were present when Springer went home
*Information about orcas and kids’ activities
Participating organizations include NOAA Fisheries, the Seattle Aquarium, Seal Sitters, the Whale Museum, and Friends of Lime Kiln.
Celebrate Springer! events conclude with a festival July 12-15 in Telegraph Cove, British Columbia where Springer was reunited with her family in July 2002.
For more information, check out the Celebrate Springer Facebook page and The Whale Trail,
Earlier this month, we showed you the work of a group of Harbor Island workers calling themselves HIPE – unveiling murals and planters in an area once plagued by dumping. Today, we have news of a different group of Harbor Island workers beautifying part of the industrial, man-made island – Jackie from Matson Navigation shares the photos and this report:
A couple of years ago I wrote you about my coworkers and my volunteer project where we helped with the “stencil a storm drain” program in the Alki neighborhood.
I wanted to share with you that last night we were back at it! My small office worked together with the Port of Seattle to clean up a site at Terminal 10 (on Harbor Island, where Matson is also located). We worked to remove morning glory and other invasive plants, helped cover the area with mulch, and remove litter from the beach.
The site is a little bit of prettiness on Harbor Island, as well as a home for fish and wildlife. It felt really good to help tidy the area up a bit, and get some much needed sun at the same time.
Terminal 10 is just north of the old flour mill, as explained on this Port webpage.
(“Final schematic” for skatespot configuration at Roxhill Park)
A milestone for the Roxhill Park skatespot/play area project – the construction work has gone out to bid today, according to Seattle Parks project manager Kelly Davidson, with a bidding deadline of July 11th, three weeks from today. (You can see the summary of work, estimated at more than $542,000, on the city’s eBid website, which lists West Seattle’s Grindline, designers/builders of Delridge Skatepark, as among the potential bidders.) The project is complex, with some of the skatepark features/work donated to the city, and the new play structure to be put up by volunteers. Davidson says they’re expecting to break ground at Roxhill in early August.
Out of the WSB inbox:
A group of people in Southwest Seattle would like to get a Timebank started and are hosting an informational meeting to explain how it works and determine if there is enough interest.
Timebanks use a low overhead, self-organizing internet based system to help people exchange their talents, passions, and resources with other members so that they enjoy the necessities and the niceties of life. At its simplest, an hour you spend doing something for a SWEL Timebank member goes into the bank as a time hour. Then you have a time hour to spend having another SWEL member do something for you. People of all ages are welcome.Timebank Informational Meeting
Wednesday, June 27th 7-8 pm
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 SW OregonThere are more than 100 timebanks in the United States, including one in East King County, called Eastside Timebank, which serves the cities of Kirkland, Redmond and Bellevue. There is also one in North King County called SWEL Timebank, which serves Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds and Lake Forest Park. Timebanking is a great way to get to know members in your community. Representatives from Eastside and SWEL Timebanks will be at the meeting.
If you have already been on the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct this morning, you know this already, but SDOT has now confirmed it – the 1st Avenue South offramp reopened this morning, a day earlier than anticipated, because the contractor finished the work that had required one offramp to be closed continuously for the past several weeks. This also means an end to bus rerouting, too, as Metro has just confirmed in an advisory. We just updated our list of scheduled closures for the rest of the week, which include Saturday’s 5 am-3:30 pm closure of the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.
Thanks to Monty for this morning’s view of Mount Rainier, out in all its splendor just in time for summer to officially arrive at 4:09 pm today. Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar for the rest of today/tonight:
TONIGHT’S SCHEDULED BRIDGE CLOSURE: The westbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct are scheduled to be closed, along with one eastbound lane, 10 pm-5 am. (We’re checking to see if this plan is changed at all by this morning’s opening of the 1st Avenue S. offramp, which according to last week’s announcement was not supposed to happen till tomorrow.)
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: In both public comments and on the agenda, there are items of interest for West Seattle at tonight’s meeting of the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors. The list of public-comment speakers includes several who plan to address the announcement (first reported here Friday) that Middle College High School will move from South Seattle Community College to portables at the Boren Building, which also will be home to the new K-5 STEM elementary. The agenda includes next year’s budget, with funding for reopening Fairmount Park – to come from past-levy-related money rather than next year’s BEX IV levy – among the line items. Board meetings now start at 4:15 pm, with the public-comment period at 5, at district HQ in SODO; here’s the agenda.
DINNER AND MUSIC AT THE SENIOR CENTER: Doors open at 5 pm for a turkey dinner and live music at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon), headlined by Casey MacGill. Details here; reservations requested.
2 HOT TOPICS AT DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Tonight’s 7 pm meeting of the council with reps from organizations around eastern West Seattle has two hot topics on the agenda: the proposed Delridge rechannelization, and the plan for 200 Highland Park homes to get trash service every other week as part of the city’s pilot project starting next month. Public’s welcome; the meeting’s at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: As previewed here last night – be at Solstice Park around 8:45 pm and watch the sunset (expected just after 9) with West Seattle-residing NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen. Her website explains the event, and how to get to Solstice Park if you haven’t been there before.
More on the calendar!
The punk band Random Orbits will head out on tour today as planned, reports KING 5 (whose story from last night’s newscast is embedded above), even though they suffered a big loss in an Arbor Heights car prowl sometime overnight Monday night/Tuesday morning. According to a post on the band’s Facebook page, the thief/thieves made off with:
Fender 72’ Telecaster Deluxe – serial # MZ9576505 – “SCS” is carved into the back of the head stock
Gibson SG Standard – Serial # 112610579 – Cherry Red
G&L 1981 SB-1 Bass Guitar- Serial # B015960 – Black
David Eden Traveler – Bass Head – Serial # 1887
Marshall JMC 900 – White, with “No Beer On Top” written across the top
2500 dollars Cash which was inside a box of beer koozies/stickers/posters
If you have any information on the break-in or the stolen items, you can call police and refer to incident # 12-191715. Random Orbits is scheduled to play Leavenworth tonight and then keep heading east, all the way to New York state over the course of their tour’s first week.
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