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THREE West Seattle soccer teams in championship matches!
December 12, 2008 9:59 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Turns out the West Seattle Cheetahs (most recent WSB story here) aren’t the only West Seattle team playing in the state recreational-soccer championships at the Starfire complex in Tukwila this weekend —

That’s the U17 West Seattle Xtreme. They play Avanti United for the title in their class at 3:45 tomorrow. Then the Cheetahs’ (U12 girls) game vs. the Tracyton Tornadoes is at 9:15 Sunday morning, and at 3:45 pm Sunday, the U18 Eagles are up:

Their title game is against the Ambush. Tim McMonigle of the West Seattle Soccer Club says, “This is a big deal, as we have never had this many teams vying to win at the state level. These teams have won our district (District III), and then were one of the top two teams after the semi-finals against other District winners from around the state, and are now the top two teams in the state. The winner can rightfully say they are the best in the state for recreational soccer for their age group.” If you plan to go cheer them on, admission is $5 for 12 and up, parking is $5 unless you are a Starfire member. Want to know more about the West Seattle Soccer Club and its teams (more than 1,300 players this fall alone)? Here’s the info-laden website. Good luck to all!

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4502 42nd SW: New design proposal, from new architects
December 12, 2008 8:01 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Next Thursday, the proposed 7-story residential/retail/commercial building at 4502 42nd SW (map) goes back to the Southwest Design Review Board for the first time since a tough review session 14 months ago (WSB coverage here). This morning, its new design proposal is already available online (check out the full presentation here; the image above is looking toward the project’s north and west sides) – and development-watchers will note the architect has changed; Junction-based Nicholson Kovalchick is now on the case, replacing Mark Travers. The review meeting’s at 6:30 pm Thursday, Madison Middle School (right before the 8 pm review for the redevelopment of The Kenney).

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They made things happen: Neighborhood $ winners’ Alki party
December 12, 2008 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on They made things happen: Neighborhood $ winners’ Alki party
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

No shortage of big news last night – from the Alaskan Way Viaduct “scenarios” getting narrowed down to two, to Cooper Elementary parents and teachers meeting to plot strategy to save their school (our report’s coming up later this morning), to Snow Watch. But one event that some might have overlooked contained big news all its own – because of neighbors from all over West Seattle celebrating community projects that received city $. (And taking home reusable shopping bags, shown above!) The periodic Neighborhood Matching Fund celebration brought people from all over the city to Alki Elementary – and a WSB reporter was there too – story and photos ahead, along with information that can help you seek out this kind of grant for your own neighborhood project:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Robbing Victim X to pay Victim Y
December 11, 2008 11:56 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

At White Center Now, we’ve posted coverage of tonight’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting. One tidbit along the way: Remember the BB-gun burglary arrests? Southwest Precinct Community Police Team officer Adonis Topacio revealed tonight that the motive was … stealing to get money for restitution to PREVIOUS burglary victims. EARLY AM SIDE NOTE: On both sides of the South Delridge/White Center line, the same group of robbers reportedly hit two stores Thursday night – Gas Depot on Delridge, Lucky 7 on 4th SW – within three hours. Info in this WSB Forums thread; we’ll check with law enforcers later this morning about possible surveillance pix to share.

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Alaskan Way Viaduct scenarios: West Seattle stakeholder’s view
December 11, 2008 10:32 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

After the two “final” Viaduct scenarios went public late today (WSB as-it-happened coverage here), they were presented to the Stakeholders Advisory Committee that was created as a sort of “sounding board” in the Alaskan Way Viaduct scenario-review process. Two West Seattleites are on that committee: Pete Spalding and Vlad Oustimovitch, both longtime community activists (Pete lives in Pigeon Point; Vlad, in Gatewood). We have asked both for their thoughts on what was announced today. First response in, from Pete:

I am still concerned about the long-term viability of citizens of West Seattle to have the ability to get out of or into our community. Most folks do not realize that 20% of the population of the city of Seattle lives on this side of the Duwamish River.

Under the I-5, Surface & Transit Hybrid Scenario

If you leave West Seattle and drive through downtown going to north Seattle you will encounter 28 stop lights, a 90 degree turn to proceed through the Battery Street tunnel and a 30 mile per hour speed limit. On top of this there is no mention of how the ferry traffic (entering or exiting Colman dock) will be figured into the traffic flow.

Elevated Bypass Hybrid Scenario

I am not convinced that another elevated option will solve our transportation needs 50+ years into the future. This is our opportunity to make Seattle a world class city with a world class waterfront. Building another elevated structure running along the waterfront does not help to accomplish that in my opinion.

_________________________________________________________________________

No matter what decision is made at the end of the day we have to have better transit service into and out of West Seattle. Not only for Delridge but for all of the peninsula. I pointed out that not everyone leaving West Seattle had downtown as their final destination. Our transit options must include destinations to the north, south and east without first having to connect to another bus somewhere in the downtown business district. Adding a new Rapid Ride line on Delridge is being proposed but has its own unique set of difficulties. Not the least of which is where do you come up with dedicated bus only lanes from Genesee to the bridge?

In conclusion I lean toward the hybrid solution that has been brought forward by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce (presented to the SAG on Monday) which was referred to tonight as the P3 hybrid option. I also encouraged the Executives to give a much stronger look at the deep bored tunnel option which was the final option taken off the table late today prior to the briefings beginning. This option needs more study as it would be the least disruptive to all of us here in West Seattle. I am not convinced that the cost estimates have been thoroughly vetted and are somewhat exaggerated in materials that we were presented.

Finally, just as reminder there is a public hearing on Monday, December 15th beginning at 5 pm at Town Hall. If you feel strongly about this issue please state your preference (opinion) at that time or go on line to the Viaduct website and do it there.

That site is at alaskanwayviaduct.org. Meantime, we’ll have more Viaduct views tomorrow, including Vlad’s thoughts.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Snow’s still on the way
December 11, 2008 9:26 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Our favorite ex-co-worker meteorologist (Channel 13’s Walter Kelley) says it’s definitely going to be snowing for “everybody” around the metro area starting sometime tomorrow night, so now we really believe it. An official Winter Storm Watch is in effect, in fact, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast. How much? Hard to say, of course, as always. Sounds like you should be able to get home from work safely before any snow hits (as long as you don’t work, say, Everett northward, which is expected to see snow first).

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Seattle Police go public with crime stats from first half of ’08
December 11, 2008 9:13 pm
|    Comments Off on Seattle Police go public with crime stats from first half of ’08
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

If you hadn’t already followed the SPD Blotter link from the WSB Crime Watch page, here’s the crime-stats page it links to. We’re just starting to read this and will add any noteworthy trends (although from ongoing coverage, we’d wager it’s pretty easy to guess what’ll turn out to be the major category bedeviling our side of the bay, and likely others).

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Happening now: West Seattle Art Walk, holiday edition
December 11, 2008 6:45 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

That’s artist Lisa Pettit, one of dozens of local artists showing their works during tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk – which you can enjoy at any or all of more than 40 venues, all over WS, till 9 o’clock tonight (full list here). Lisa’s showing drawings and etchings at Brunette Mix, which is on Oregon just west of California (see more of Lisa’s art at her website; her work is on display at the salon all month). On the other end of the heart of The Junction, you’ll find WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli at Ama Ama (WSB sponsor), where his imagery is being displayed on the flatscreens over the bar. Wherever you go — meet an artist, enjoy art and refreshments, holiday-shop, and have fun under the full moon!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Two quick updates
December 11, 2008 3:16 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two updates from the Southwest Precinct: Lt. Steve Paulsen says still no arrests in the 14th/Cambridge “violent mugging” reported here yesterday. We also inquired about a reader report of intense police activity around quarter till 4 this morning at 35th/Cambridge; Lt. Paulsen says it was the second time police have been to that address in two days, and describes the incident as “an occupied burglary to rip off a Marijuana Grow farm. A weapon was fired at the intruders, no injuries. Homeowner was arrested.”

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New West Seattle Whole Foods sign: More rumor debunking
December 11, 2008 1:09 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Just spotted this while heading through the Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th intersection, and pulled over to grab a pic. The sign appeared after a day in which we checked yet another “is the project dead?” rumor — several WSB’ers sent us the link to an online report in which a writer (without a quote to substantiate) claimed “new stores were on hold” — we subsequently contacted the regional Whole Foods spokesperson, who promptly responded that report was wrong and had even omitted information she said she had given the writer to clarify a company memo he’d received, and YES, the West Seattle store is still on schedule. (As we reported here a week ago, after checking yet another round of rumors with both Whole Foods and with developer BlueStar.) So now — a sign. As we noted in last week’s story, BlueStar explains that the reason you’re not seeing active construction work at the site right now is that they’re between “phases” and will resume early in the year (that’s when they say the big crane will show up, too). The project continues to evolve behind the scenes as well; BlueStar’s project manager, Easton Craft, tells WSB today, “Based on the uniqueness of the current economic climate we are able to create some value engineering opportunities that will reduce the overall project budget. We plan to take full advantage of those opportunities. Conducting the value engineering exercise will have no discernible impact on the design of the project. We have now gone through the MUP [Master Use Permit] process twice and are excited about the current design. We are also very happy with our General Contractor, Ledcor Construction. They have been and continue to be a valued asset to this project and an excellent team player in this process.” (All WSB coverage of this project is archived here.)

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Fri.-Sat. snow, Sun. megafreeze
December 11, 2008 10:55 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The National Weather Service’s latest “forecast discussion” has the closest analysis of what’s on the way, and while the Friday night snow likelihood is not PROJECTED to “accumulate” in the city, for Saturday they say “an inch or two” can’t be “rule(d) out.” Read the forecast discussion here (it’s usually updated three or four times daily – gets a bit technical but has better context); elsewhere, meteorologist Cliff Mass calls it a “difficult” forecast but says never mind about those short-lived wind worries. Even more than snow, the coming low temperatures have local government agencies worried (down to 20ish here Sunday morning!) – so they’re redistributing “protect yourself” type information like this.

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Remembering longtime West Seattleite Josephine Mahon
December 10, 2008 11:39 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Though we don’t have an official “obituaries” section right now, once in a while somebody sends us one. In this case, James Mahon e-mailed WSB to say his mom died this week and “as a West Seattle resident for over 50 years, she should probably get a notice posted in your blog.” Services for 81-year-old Josephine Mahon are planned on Friday – read on for the obituary and photo sent by her son:Read More

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Wells Fargo robbery getaway driver gets 4-year sentence
December 10, 2008 11:00 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Posted tonight by the P-I: 44-year-old Kevin Palmer, getaway driver in the Admiral Wells Fargo heist that was followed by a downtown standoff and shooting, has been sentenced to 4 years in prison and will testify against the accused robber, 51-year-old Douglas Cox. Here’s our running coverage from while it was all unfolding on July 1st.

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Admiral Neighborhood Association: Park, preparedness, more
December 10, 2008 6:07 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

admiralogo.jpgThe school-closure-related meetings already reported here weren’t the only newsworthy, West Seattle-related events happening last night; we had a reporter at the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s monthly meeting too, and she’s sent in an update including the latest on California Place Park — read on:Read More

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Updated snow forecast
December 10, 2008 4:45 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Latest from the National Weather Service gets right down to, or should we say “up to,” elevation: Snow level in Seattle on Friday night, 400 feet. Read the forecast here. What’s particularly interesting is that a big event is happening at about 500 feet elevation Friday night, olgandsky.jpgin the vicinity of the highest point in West Seattle (also the city’s highest point) – 35th/Myrtle, where Our Lady of Guadalupe invites one and all to its Community Christmas Tree Lighting (7 pm; 2007 tree at left). One more weather note – A comment on today’s earlier post provides a reminder that one of Seattle’s best-known non-TV meteorologists has his own website; here’s what Cliff Mass says about the upcoming wintriness.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Two people “violently mugged”
December 10, 2008 2:02 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

We’re checking with the Southwest Precinct for any more info on this, including whether anyone’s been arrested. But we didn’t want to wait any longer to share the original reader report, from Zack:

Two of my neighbors were violently mugged last night in Highland Park as they were walking home. The mugging took place at the intersection of 14th and Cambridge [map] around 7:30 pm. The muggers worked in tandem. One approached the couple asking where the closest bus stop was, while the other hid out of sight. The first mugger wrestled one of the victims to the ground, using a blade of some kind to cut open the victim’s pants and remove his wallet. The other mugger stepped out from behind a car and flattened the second victim, ripping her purse and handbag from her. The muggers fled in a vehicle heading south. The muggers made off with both of the victims’ wallets, a lap top computer, and various personal items (including house keys). Within minutes, the criminals had attempted to use the victims’ credit cards at a gas station with a 98116 ZIP code.

The victims described the assailants as Asian Pacific Islanders or Samoans in their early 20s. The muggers did not have any distinguishing features or marks. They were both large men.

The victims are friends. My wife took them to the hardware store last night to buy replacement locks. Needless to say, we are all shaken up over this. The violent nature of the crime is particularly disturbing. The police who responded said that as the economy worsens, they are seeing a rise in these types of snatch and grab crimes.

Please alert your readers to call the police the first moment they notice any suspicious looking vehicles or people in their neighborhood.

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Holiday help: Don’t forget the furry family members
December 10, 2008 1:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Holiday help: Don’t forget the furry family members
 |   Holidays | How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

That’s the Pet Angel Tree at Pet Elements in Morgan Junction – we got word of it from Teri Ensley at Furry Faces Foundation, who e-mailed WSB this writeup about three holiday-pet-help opportunities that are all “on site” at Pet Elements, in conjunction with F3 and Purrfect Pals:

Holiday Pet Food Drive: People of all income levels have pets that are near and dear to them and there is a spike in the surrender rate of pets to shelters because of tough economic times. Therefore, Melanie Wells, owner of Pet Elements, is sponsoring this pet food drive in conjunction with seven other small independent pet supply stores. She says that by helping people with pet food, we can help these animals stay with their humans instead of being surrendered to a shelter.

Pet Angel Tree: People can show off their beloved companion by putting a photo and/or name on Pet Angel Tree. Ribbons, cards, scissors and other ‘ornament’ accessories are provided. There is a suggested donation of $5, however, it is not mandatory. Any donations will support Furry Faces Foundation’s ‘Oliver’s Fund’, which assists animals, whose humans are financially restricted, with unexpected Veterinarian bills and healthy pet food…because everyone deserves unconditional love.

Cat Sponsorship Holiday Cards: Purrfect Pals has wonderful Holiday cards with photos & stories of their permanent resident cats that people can give as a gift to their animal loving family members and friends. The cards are a wonderful, green gift and only a $25 donation. Purrfect Pals is an excellent rescue group who teams with many other groups, including Furry Faces, because we all want the same thing–happy, loving, permanent homes for animals. (and of course, spay/neuter).

Pet Elements is at 6701 California (map). Any other pet-helping holiday opportunities? Let us know and we’ll add them to the WSB Holidays page! (P.S. Teri also sends word that the recent “Catsino” fundraiser for F3 [WSB coverage here] raised more than $1,200 on behalf of “It’s Hip to Be Snipped” spaying/neutering work.)

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Fixing Fauntleroy (aka Fauntle-rut) Way: Today’s sightings
December 10, 2008 1:04 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Heading north on Fauntleroy Way this morning, just before the straightaway that leads from Fairmount Springs to the Triangle area, we spotted Pothole Rangers in action, so we pulled over for a pic. Not far away, a relatively sizable group of people in safety vests was in position on both sides of the street – didn’t think much at the time, but when we returned southbound down the same stretch 2 1/2 hours later, what looked to be members of the same group were still on the move, this time up at Fauntleroy/Edmunds:

We’re checking with SDOT to see if there’s anything to say about what this delegation was doing, beyond inspecting curb cuts, which seemed to be the activity at that particular corner. Meantime, we’re also checking on the status of the decisionmaking/question-answering process on the big proposal involving that same stretch of Fauntleroy – “rechannelization,” as discussed at last week’s open house (WSB coverage here) as well as in several previous reports. 4:48 PM UPDATE: Here’s what Marybeth Turner from SDOT tells us:

City crews are constructing curb ramps in advance of the paving project. During the city budget process we had to stop and start the crews a few times when the future of the Fauntleroy paving was in question. They are getting ready to begin again and are meeting with Pavement Management staff and the Project Engineer to make sure they are built correctly.

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School-closure fight: Cooper Elementary’s “fact sheet” out
December 10, 2008 10:08 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure | West Seattle schools

Days after Arbor Heights Elementary was proposed for “program closure” in the “preliminary recommendations” from Seattle Public Schools leadership two weeks ago, its community prepared and released a “fact sheet” (WSB report here). Now, the morning after its official appearance on the potential closure list – its program, not its building – Cooper Elementary has created a “fact sheet” as well, so we wanted to share that with you. Read it here (7-page PDF) in its entirety. Among many other points, the document showcases some of Cooper’s programs, like these two:

*Cooper’s Bilingual Program serves a culturally diverse group of English language learners. Two bilingual teachers and three instructional assistants provide instruction and support to students and parents who speak Spanish, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Somali.

*Cooper’s Autism Program continuum serves 24 students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Eight students are served in Cooper’s general education classrooms with additional support and instruction provided by one special education teacher and 2 instructional assistants. Sixteen students are served in rooms 209 and 107, Cooper’s self-contained Autism K-2 and 3-5 classrooms. They are supported by two special education teachers and six instructional assistants. Additionally, Cooper’s resource room supports students with learning disabilities and developmental delays through both pull-put and push-in support.

The document also says closing Cooper’s program would eliminate the Earth Project (here’s its link on the Cooper site), which we’ve mentioned previously. Again, here’s where you can read the Cooper document in its entirety; the school is having a meeting tomorrow night – we covered the first Cooper meeting last Friday. Also, if you missed it last night, the latest “potential final recommendations” for school closures and changes citywide are summarized on the district website here.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Brace yourself
December 10, 2008 9:43 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Now that the end of the week is within sight, it’s time to start taking the forecasts REALLY seriously. Not only is cold weather, with possible snow, still said to be on the way, the National Weather Service says it’s going to get windy first – here’s an excerpt from the newest citywide forecast:

FRIDAY…WINDY. RAIN. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S TO MID 40S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 20 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

FRIDAY NIGHT…RAIN AND SNOW. LOWS IN THE MID 30S.

SATURDAY…CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE 30S.

SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE 20S.

SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S. LOWS IN THE 20S

Safety information for “cold and icy weather” also has just been linked to the Regional Public Information Network website; read it here.

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School-closure fight: Pathfinder K-8 meeting
December 10, 2008 9:27 am
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 |   Genesee Hill | West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure | West Seattle schools

As we have mentioned in previous coverage, we learned from the district last night that schools have the option to have “closed” (school community only) meetings if they are not widely advertised – one such meeting was held last night at Pathfinder K-8. We asked Pathfinder parent Eric Baer if he could provide us with some notes about what happened at that meeting, to share with you, since their school too is involved in the closure/change process that has rocked hundreds of West Seattle families (we also have new information this morning from Cooper Elementary – now facing the possibility of “program” closure — which we will publish shortly) – read on for a summary:Read More

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West Seattle Democrats celebrate, tonight and tomorrow
December 10, 2008 9:08 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

TONIGHT: The 34th District Democrats‘ annual holiday party. Among the highlights – two deep-fried smoked turkeys to be provided by outgoing chair Ivan Weiss, whose farewell message on the 34 Dems’ site is a must-read. (The organization elects new leadership next month.) Party’s at 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy, bring a potluck item to share; more info here.

TOMORROW: West Seattle Democratic Women celebrate their holiday party at their monthly luncheon, 11:15 am, West Seattle Golf Course. Lunch costs $10 and there’s still time to RSVP; all the info (including e-mail and phone for reservations) is here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Shoppers beware
December 10, 2008 12:51 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

A West Seattleite who wishes to remain anonymous sent this in to give you a heads-up:

I was shopping at Target (West Seattle) at 4:45 today. I got hot, took my coat off (and my bag), put all in cart, turned my back to it and then – poof – it was gone.

The brazen thing was, even as I was reporting it to security and the police, the thieves were shopping at the store! They spent 682.98 at Target (at 6 pm) and then ran off to Best Buy for another splurge of 635.44.

I cancelled my credit and debit cards and then something I’d never heard of until now – I put fraud alert on all my accounts.

This Seattle Police webpage includes some handy info regarding what to do if (hope not) this happens to you. We’re adding it to the “resources” list at the bottom of the WSB Crime Watch page.

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