1 year in the works, Coffee at the Heights about to open
It’s been one year and five days since we first told you about Coffee at the Heights, the espresso shop that the proprietors of PB&J Textiles have been working on at their shop’s former location in Sunrise Heights (7349 35th SW; here’s a map). As is often the case for new food/drink establishments in particular, it’s been a bit of a bumpy road, but they are finally on the verge of opening – here’s the latest from proprietors Paul and David:
We are ready for our final inspections. Tuesday is plumbing and electrical, and if there are no issues then we can schedule the final health inspection. Once that passes, we are open. Our grand opening will start May 1 and run for 30 days with all of our drawings on May 31st! … Grand prize winner is a coffee drink for a day for a year!
In the meantime, Paul and David are looking for artists who might want to show their work in the new shop – they would love to hear from you ASAP – their number at PB&J Textiles is 206-243-3053.
Four candidates to be evaluated for interim King County Executive
Just in from King County – the four names sent to the “blue ribbon committee” for evaluation are:
*Former County Councilmember Steve Hammond
*Former County Councilmember Louise Miller
*Former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer
*King County Executive Chief of Staff Kurt Triplett
The county executive’s job technically isn’t open yet, but it will be as soon as Ron Sims is confirmed to his new federal appointment; today’s development means that neither of the councilmembers running for the “permanent” position, Dow Constantine and Larry Phillips, will have the advantage of interim incumbency – Constantine had not indicated interest in the interim job, but Phillips had. (Side note: Looking for any interesting West Seattle-related history with the candidates, we turned up this item from Royer’s tenure.) Read on for the full news release about what happens next:Read More
Parking-rule alert: Deadline today to comment on RPZ changes
5 pm today is the deadline to comment in the current review phase for proposed changes to the city’s Residential Parking Zone program. Fauntleroy is West Seattle’s major RPZ stronghold, largely to stave off major “park-and-hide” action related to the ferry dock, and Fauntleroy Community Association president Bruce Butterfield forwarded an alert to be sure that those who care about the proposed changes hear about them before it’s too late. Here are the key points from the city’s online summary of the major changes:
Proposed Major Changes
• Managing permit parking demand – Limit RPZ permit sales to 8 permits per household
• Permit eligibility–Require that vehicles be registered in resident’s name and permit-eligible address
• Major Institutions policy – For new or expanding major institutions, limit major institution permit payment to no more than two permits for first permit cycle
• RPZ location – Prohibition of RPZ implementation in downtown Seattle given high demand and multiple, competing needs for on-street parking
• Business and institution permit pilot program – Create a pilot program that allows eligible employees in the Sound Transit LINK Light Rail Initial Segment to purchase permits
• Guest permits– Create single-day guest pass in addition to biennial permit
• New RPZ zone creation process – Change technical and community engagement requirements. Parking study must generally demonstrate at least 75% parking occupancy along affected blocks, and 50% non-resident vehicles. Any proposed RPZ zone would need to contain at least 10 contiguous city blocks.
• Modifying and removing zones process – Change technical and community engagement requirements
• Parking enforcement – Create additional fines to address permit abuse
• Customer service – Create on-line permit payment and eligibility checks for permit holders
• Director’s Rule –Replace existing resolution with procedures in Director’s Rule
This document also includes the language that would change in the city code. Also, the name Residential Parking Zone is to change to “Restricted Parking Zone.” This round of public comment is not your final chance to have a say – City Council briefings, among other things, are coming up – but it’s an important stage in the process; rpzparking@seattle.gov is the place to e-mail a comment by 5 pm today. Since the City Council will ultimately vote on this, their contact information is here (and note that two councilmembers are appearing at community-group meetings in West Seattle this week — Sally Clark at Admiral Neighborhood Association tomorrow, Tom Rasmussen at Morgan Community Association on Wednesday, more information on this week’s meeting slate here).
West Seattle Crime Watch: Costly burglary at Senior Center
We first got a tip about this last week but couldn’t get it confirmed until today; now we’ve talked with both Southwest Precinct 
Detective Nick Bauer and Senior Center of West Seattle director Karen Sisson, and here’s what we can tell you: Police are investigating a costly break-in that also left behind some serious damage at the Senior Center HQ in The Junction. It happened sometime last Sunday night/early Monday. Sisson told WSB this morning that the burglars got into the center’s 1950s era safe and stole the equivalent of $5,000, including $2,500 in Safeway gift cards and $400 in postage stamps. But that’s not the Senior Center’s only loss – at least $3,000 in repairs are needed to office doors and walls damaged by the burglar/s, including what the police report described as two 2-foot holes in plasterboard in corridor walls. Locked file cabinets were broken into as well, even one, according to the police report, related to the Meals on Wheels program. No arrests so far; it’s the second prominent Junction nonprofit hit recently — the American Legion hall was broken into a week earlier. Police don’t know at this point if the two burglaries are related. (P.S. We are following up to see whether there’s anything specifically the Senior Center needs to have donated because of this – will add to the story, but in the meantime, they take donations year-round, and there’s even an online-donation link from this SC of WS page.) ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: Police have provided a surveillance-camera framegrab – see above left – they hope might help solve the break-in. Call 911 if you have any idea who it might be.
City budget crunch: Briefing coming up this morning
One week ago, we reported from City Hall as city finance director Dwight Dively briefed reporters, and then City Councilmembers, on changes in the revenue forecast, since less money’s coming in than expected. This morning, as noted then, we’ll get the first public report on how that might affect city projects – Dively will be back before the council’s Budget Committee at 10:30 am; you can watch live via Seattle Channel (online at seattlechannel.org or on-air, channel 21).
11:04 AM UPDATE: The document that Dively is reviewing with councilmembers right now can be seen here. He’s specifically discussing budget cuts to be made in “capital” projects because of reduced revenue from the Real Estate Excise Tax – examples so far, $750,000 less for the library system.
The week ahead: Neighborhood groups, California Place Park #3
Much happening this week. Major highlights, from the WSB Events calendar:
MONDAY – Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council. 7 pm, Cooper Elementary. Agenda topics include electing a new chair and discussing public safety in the wake of recent incidents from car prowls to the incident in which police shot a dog.
TUESDAY – Fauntleroy Community Association, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. Also: Admiral Neighborhood Association, 7 pm, Admiral Church, special guests include City Councilmember Sally Clark.
WEDNESDAY – Morgan Community Association, 7 pm, The Kenney. Big agenda, including Fauntleroy restriping/repaving, RapidRide, The Kenney, Morgan Festival, Solstice Park, and a guest appearance by Councilmember Tom Rasmussen. Also that night: Southwest/Delridge District Councils‘ joint meeting, 7 pm, Youngstown Arts Center. Plus: “Gutenberg! The Musical” opens at ArtsWest (7:30 pm).
THURSDAY – Third and final “design workshop” for possible additions to California Place Park in North Admiral. 7 pm, Alki Community Center. Previous coverage archived here. Also, Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Association meets at the Southwest Precinct at 7 pm; agenda includes briefings on EC Hughes School and community awareness/education about sex offenders.
FRIDAY – CoolMom Family Movie Night at Camp Long, 6:30 pm, “An Arctic Tale,” free.
SATURDAY – Huge slate of happenings, including Duwamish Alive! Earth Day events (cleanups followed by a festival @ Cooper Elementary), Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor), Alki Garage Sale/Car Wash at Alki Community Center, and a LOT more (full list on the calendar).
90 years old, yet so much is new: Hope Lutheran’s changes
As Easter Sunday worshipers entered Hope Lutheran Church in The Junction through those doors this morning, they went into the recently built lobby that literally bridges what was a gap between the church — celebrating its 90th anniversary this year — and Hope Lutheran School.
Not only is that space now a welcoming place for churchgoers, it also will be usable for public meetings with some more finishing touches. It’s part of Hope’s expansion/renovation construction project, which is mostly complete, 10 months after groundbreaking (WSB coverage here), though workers went back in during spring break earlier this month for more finishing touches. During that week, we toured the church and school with Bil Hood, shortly after reporting (March 28th story here) that Hope’s school has a new joint operating agreement with nearby Seattle Lutheran High School. Read on for more of what that’s about, more photos of Hope’s expansion/renovation work, and details on three chances this week for prospective families to take tours to learn more about the new Hope/Seattle Lutheran collaboration:Read More
2 hours of help, a whole lot of hope: WestSide Baby “frenzy”
(WSB photo from December visit to WestSide Baby)
Can you spare two hours this Thursday night? WestSide Baby needs your help to sort donated items (like the ones above) that are needed by hundreds of local families:
WestSide Baby is opening on Thursday, April 16th from 7-9, for our monthly “After Hours” sorting frenzy. Grab a friend and join us for an evening of sorting donations, socializing and making a difference in the community.
It is very helpful for us to know if you are coming though so we can prepare with staff and projects. Please RSVP to Sarah@westsidebaby.org. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and it is especially important for us to know if minors are coming so we can prepare appropriate jobs for them.
We also have an ongoing need for larger size diapers (Sizes 4-6) and Pull-ups (Sizes 3t and 4t).
WestSide Baby HQ is at 10032 15th SW (map).
West Seattle style: 2 fashion shows of note this week
First: Remember Mary Griffin and Grace Puffert? Two months ago, we interviewed them about their Seattle Lutheran High School senior project — a community fashion show, showcasing “A Century of Fashion,” to raise money for Providence Mount St. Vincent, where both work as volunteers. Their show is just one week away, so we checked in with them last Thursday night, just before they gave it a trial run at The Mount. In our photo above, that’s Mary at left and Grace at right with some of the items loaned for the show. They’ve got men’s fashions, too, like this ’70s classic:
Grace and Mary hope to see you at the big show, 4 pm next Sunday (April 19th) at Seattle Lutheran (map). Just so happens – this is also Seattle Fashion Week – and while the shows aren’t in West Seattle, a few of the designers are:
That shoot outside Salty’s on Friday afternoon involved the work of Heart On My Sleeve, the Pigeon Point-based fashion/music team you met here a month ago (they also were featured in today’s Seattle Times). HOMS is part of a show at 7 pm Thursday, Fremont Studios (tickets available online). Also showing his work during Seattle Fashion Week: Blayne of Project Runway and Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) fame (he’s part of the SFW couture finale, Saturday night at 7 pm, also at Fremont Studios).
Meet another West Seattle “shop cat”: Swifty on Roxbury
So far in our series profiling “shop cats” who are fixtures at local businesses, you’ve met Seth at West Seattle Nursery (story here) and Presta and Schrader at Aaron’s Bicycle Repair (story here). Today we head to the southernmost edge of West Seattle for our next “Shop Cat”: Swifty, “the cat who purrs like an engine.”
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Introducing Swifty — whose name exemplifies irony.
Swifty spent 9/10ths of our interview in her big, soft bed on the counter at Roxbury Complete Auto Supply (map). When co-owner Bill Crawford finally picked her up and placed her at the other end of the store, she meandered the aisles for a bit, then went right back to her big, soft bed on the counter.
Who can blame her?
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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car extensively “keyed”
Another crime report to share today – out of the WSB inbox, from Nick:
Sometime early Friday morning (4/10) our car was vandalized on the street side by someone gouging a key completely from front to back in the neighborhood off Delridge near the West Seattle Bridge on 26th St SW. There has been a lot of extra activity in this area in the past year or so and has been escalating. If anyone has any information or saw anything suspicious in the area around that time please let us know. It’s kind of sad when things like this happen unprovoked and just goes to show that you always have to be on your guard…
Side note for everybody: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; in addition to making sure there’s a Block Watch in your area, we highly recommend attending the next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, to bring concerns to local police leaders (and the volunteers who run the group), and to hear firsthand about local trends. 7 pm April 21, Southwest Precinct meeting room.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Anyone witness this hit-and-run?
Just out of the WSB inbox, from Dunsany:
While I was in Caffe Ladro this morning, someone backed into the side of my car smashing in the section in front of driver-side door. The car was parked down on Frontenac street [map] from 10:30 am until 12:30. Driver took off – no note and no witnesses to be found. I’m pretty disgusted with the complete lack of responsibility of people right now.
See anything? Let police know: 206-625-5011 is the non-emergency number. Frontenac, by the way, is the cross-street north of Caffe Ladro, as seen here on Google Street View:
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Medic call at Seacrest: Never mind
Thanks to those who’ve e-mailed to tell us about a medic call at Seacrest. We have someone on the way and should have information shortly about what’s happening. 2:19 PM UPDATE: Talked to the medic/fire crews (who have since all left the scene). Someone thought there was a problem – there wasn’t – all’s well – nobody treated/transported, case closed.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Delridge harassment; hydrant vandalism
First, from seattlepi.com, a Delridge man has told police he’s being harassed – with his truck repeatedly egged, and a swastika drawn on it. Second, a vandalism report from the WSB inbox tonight, sent by Shannon:
I wanted to report some new activity in our area. When we woke up this morning we noticed that someone had spray-painted some type of graffiti on the fire hydrants in bright orange paint. On the way to work, I realized the graffiti was on all the hydrants along 48th Avenue between Brandon and Raymond [map]. We made a police report – hope this isn’t signs of more to come. I park on that street and will definitely be bringing everything in from my car tonight – CD player, CDs, etc.
What the yellow tape in The Junction is there for
You may have noticed yellow tape cordoning off some areas along the sidewalk in The Junction’s business district: Liz at the West Seattle Junction Association tells WSB that landscaping work is happening along California between Edmunds and Oregon, through next week, and the tape will come down as the new plants go in. West Seattle-based Artego’s is donating their services.
Rescued West Seattle kayaker shares his story – and gratitude
(3/16/08 photo from Doug and Anne, originally published here that night)
On March 16, we brought you breaking news about a West Seattle kayaker who got into trouble off Brace Point. The photo above was shared by local residents, as the ferry crew that helped get Scott Redfern out of the water returned their small vessel to the Issaquah. Today, we received Scott’s story, told firsthand. He also provided all the photos in the story below.
By Scott Redfern
Special to West Seattle Blog
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the rescue crew of the Washington State Ferry, the Seattle Fire and Police Departments, and Gaye Hewson, who opened her home to me. I would also like to thank my friends who have held me close to them and for their love and caring. I feel embraced by this community of West Seattle that is where I make my home. For those of you that know me but are not in touch: I am grateful, healthy and whole. I love you all.
These days are hard as winter slowly recedes. It leaves me wanting for warm and sunny days. With heart-felt sighs and grey, dreary skies, I force myself out to exercise between storm breaks, in this case in the wake of a storm.
Before I took the kayak out I went for about an hour run in Lincoln Park. I chugged up the wet, muddy slippery hills carrying the burden of my extra winter weight. Upon return from my run I look out from my apartment at the wind blown water and the white caps. My endorphins are coursing and I feel like more work. I want to push back against the depressing weather. I’ve been out there on days like this before. It seems every other day it changes direction. Today the winds and swells are moving from south to north.
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More earthquake-proofing planned for a West Seattle bridge
View Larger Map
After encountering a brief mention of “Fauntleroy Bridge seismic work” on a city page listing future projects, we checked with SDOT to see what that’s about. Here’s the explanation of what’s on the drawing board for a half-mile section at the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge, from SDOT communications director Rick Sheridan:
This work will upgrade the Fauntleroy Expressway Bridge, which spans over SW Admiral Way, Harbor Ave SW, SW Avalon Way, SW Manning St., and local railroad tracks that access the adjacent steel mill. This reinforced concrete bridge is approximately 2527 feet long and carries traffic between the West Seattle Freeway and Fauntleroy Way SW.
The city completed a first phase of seismic retrofit work in the mid 1990s. This covered widening and strengthening bridge supports, and tying bridge segments together over the supports. The project you referenced is a second phase of work. This will upgrade the structure to prevent a collapse during a 1000 year seismic event, which is the new national design standard.
We have identified the bridge weaknesses that need to be retrofitted to meet this new standard. A consultant contract is being negotiated to design and detail the retrofit work. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in early 2010.
Design Review tonight: Avalon project advances, 42nd doesn’t
That’s the Transitional Resources project at 2922 SW Avalon, one of two projects examined by Southwest Design Review Board members tonight at Madison Middle School. This is intended to be an 16-unit residential project over 1200+ square feet of living space, part of the TR complex offering services, including residential units, to people living with mental illness. This was the project’s first time before the board, seeking “early design guidance” (see the full presentation here); members agreed to let it move on to the next phase, with a few recommendations, including open-space coordination and the courtyard entry. Next project did not have such smooth sailing:
That’s 4532 42nd SW (presentation here), which last went before the board 10 months ago (WSB coverage here). It’s already passed “early design guidance,” so it’s in the second phase of design review, but has to come back for at least one more meeting. Last June, board members said they wanted a closer look at what this mixed-use building (35 residential units over 3,000 sf commercial) will look like at street level; they got one tonight but aren’t happy yet with how the ground-level retail will look – saying it’s not inviting enough and looks distant and inaccessible, which could lead to business failure. So the first floor will be the topic of the next meeting – in hopes a revamp will make it less “vanilla” and “generic.” One more note from tonight’s meeting: new members Norma Tompkins and Robin Murphy joined the board.
One week after the city’s finance director warned that budget cuts would be forthcoming because of a $40 million-plus revenue shortfall, we just got 
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