West Seattle, Washington
14 Sunday
That’s the photo that won West Seattle’s “Diver Laura” James – the “citizen scientist” and advocate whose work is often featured on WSB – a kayaking trip on the Duwamish River with music star Macklemore. The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition just announced that Laura’s photo won its “River for All” contest. Debris/trash from the river is part of the photo, and yet, she meant for it to be anything BUT a message of despair over its extreme pollution. Writing about the photo concept on her website, she explained:
Usually images of marine debris are somewhat hopeless. A mermaid caught in a fishing net, lying (presumed dead) on a sandy beach. Beaches covered in trash. Dead birds with belly full of plastic. These images, as powerful as they are, don’t always work for me. My message is one of strength and hope. Empowerment. Dream big. That was the concept behind this shot.
And yes, as a prolific producer, Laura created a behind-the-scenes video:
BtS Duwamish #riverforall Photo Contest shoot from Laura James on Vimeo.
Here’s the DRCC announcement about the photo contest; here’s the gallery of other entries; and here’s why Macklemore is involved – his own essay about the river that forms much of West Seattle’s eastern border, declared by its admirers and protectors to be “a river for all.”
P.S. And as noted here on Wednesday, you too can be a Duwamish River ally and protector – just sign up to commit four hours during Duwamish Alive! one week from Saturday.
P.P.S. If you haven’t read Laura’s post yet – note that, beyond the contest, she writes about looking for collaborators for other visual projects to tell the river’s story.
That’s the venue list/walking map for tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk – click it for a full-size version. The Art Walk tops our list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ART WALK NIGHT! 19 venues from Admiral to Sunrise Heights – the list changes each quarter, so take a look and see who’s ready to welcome you, 6-9 pm. Many artists/venues are previewed on the official Art Walk website – among them, West Seattle High School students presenting their work at Junction Plaza Park. WSB sponsors featuring artists include Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, where you’ll see Todd Martin‘s annual Halloween show ; at Wallflower Custom Framing, you’ll find West Seattle painter Patri O’Connor (along with beverages and soup from Admiral Bird); and Shelli Markee is at Click! Design That Fits, and co-working hub West Seattle Office Junction is highlighting art by Don DeLeva.
Also:
SOUTHWEST YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES OPEN HOUSE: 2-6 pm, come enjoy a barbecue and find out more about the resources you can access via SWYFS – details in our calendar listing. (Delridge/Alaska)
SEALTH OPEN HOUSE/CURRICULUM NIGHT: The annual event for Chief Sealth International High School students’ families is tonight, starting with dinner at 5 pm, open house at 6 pm. Details in the school newsletter. (2600 SW Thistle)
SECOND THURSDAY OUT: LGBTQ community members and friends are invited to the monthly event at the Senior Center of West Seattle (and dinner in The Junction), 6-9 pm. (Oregon/California)
WINE TASTING AND MUSIC: 7-9 pm, enjoy both at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – details here. (5612 California SW)
LOTS MORE GOING ON! See for yourself on our calendar.
Young writer in the house? Here’s a chance to win money and recognition! From Kyle Geraghty at the West Seattle VFW:
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2713 of West Seattle is holding its annual youth competitions. All students in public, private, and home school are invited to compete. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded for each grade and are invited, with their families, to the VFW holiday party later this year to receive their prizes. First place winners from all contests will advance to higher levels and greater prizes. The competitions are:
Youth Essay – Grades 3rd-5th
Topic “What can I do to make our country better”
Prizes: 1st $50, 2nd $25, 3rd $15
Rules and entry forms herePatriot’s Pen – Grades 6th, 7th, 8th
Topic “Why I appreciate America’s Veterans”
Prizes: 1st $50, 2nd, $25, 3rd $15
Rules and entry forms hereVoice of Democracy – Grades 9, 10, 11, 12.
Topic “Why Veterans are Important to our Nation’s History and Future”
Prizes: 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd, $25
Rules and entry forms here
The VFW says all submissions must be turned in by November 1st to the West Seattle VFW at
3601 SW Alaska St. Seattle, WA 98126.
(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! We start with advisories:
35TH SW REPAVING: Today and tomorrow, SDOT will be repaving 35th SW between Cambridge and Roxbury (map). Sorry for the short notice – we hadn’t heard about it until checking with SDOT after spotting a portable sign on 35th yesterday afternoon; after our inquiry and initial report, they sent an advisory. (Though it says work hours are 8:30-5, the mobile sign said 7-7.)
VICE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: VP Joe Biden arrived at Boeing Field Wednesday evening and is here until mid-afternoon. He is expected to travel from downtown to Renton for an 11 am event at Renton Technical College, then back downtown to the Convention Center for a Democratic fundraising lunch, then to Boeing Field for takeoff in the 2 pm hour. Until then, be on motorcade alert.
Meantime, on the (non-campaign) trail:
POP-UP STOP FOR BICYCLE RIDERS: As noted in our late-night biznotes, West Seattle Cyclery plans a trailside stop under the bridge 6-9 am-ish today with “coffee, snacks, and on-the-spot service.”
(ADDED: Photo courtesy of West Seattle Bike Connections president Don Brubeck, who reports, “Lots of people were stopping for juice, coffee, bananas, baked goods and bike advice. A flat was fixed while I was there, and Brad (left) tells me I need a new bottom bracket.”)
ADDED 9:51 AM: Regional media reports via Twitter that VP Biden is or is about to be on the move to Renton. This means temporary stops along southbound I-5 (including the West Seattle Bridge ramp to it).
ADDED 2:44 PM: The vice presidential visit is ending – right about now (or perhaps it’s happened already) the motorcade is heading back to Boeing Field, which means more temporary stops on and near I-5.
(WSB photo: Gatewood Elementary, SW Myrtle side)
Three and a half hours after publishing our Wednesday update on the Friends of Gatewood “keep a teacher” fundraising drive, we updated it with the official district announcement that the drive had met its goal. But the final word comes from the parents who organized and took action so quickly, and their public message of gratitude:
Today we received the wonderful news that we raised enough funds to keep our teacher that ensures that there will be no relocation on October 10th as the district letter originally mandated. Friends of Gatewood raised $66,758.52, the Go Fund Me account that was created last night raised around $1000. The online donation site will be closed since we met our goal.
This accomplishment is shared with many, many people with our school, West Seattle and supporters beyond. The vigor, concern and passion expressed by so many people made this goal a reality; the process exemplifies that improvements need to be made in many areas, that the problems are real and complex, and that our students and teachers will not take the brunt of the inadequacies of an imperfect public school system.
All schools are unique by virtue of the individuals who occupy them. Gatewood Elementary’s infrastructure is more unique than the typical public elementary school. We stand by our students’ needs and our teachers to set them up for success. Thank you a hundred times over for answering the call for help.
With gratitude,
Friends of Gatewood
Nicole Sipila
Laura Kincade
Natasha Turcinovic-Hissong
Previous WSB coverage:
Wednesday 10/8
Monday 10/6
Saturday 10/4
Friday 10/3
First report, Thursday 10/2
A round of West Seattle biznotes tonight:
CHILI COOKOFF COMPETITORS SET: The Junction Association says it’s filled out the field with nine restaurants ready to face off in a cookoff, the Chili Competition that’ll be part of the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival (co-sponsored by WSB) on Sunday, October 26th:
The 2nd Annual Chili Competition has its official slate of contestants. Thank you for helping to make this West Seattle Food Bank fundraiser possible.
Easy Street Café
Elliott Bay Brewery and Pub
Feedback Lounge
Husky Deli
Quadrato
Shadowland
Terra Cole Butchery
The Swinery
West 5
Husky took the title last year; you can help choose this year’s winner by buying a flight of chili during the event 11 am-1 pm on festival day. (The festival itself runs 10 am-2 pm, including the Farmers’ Market moved out into California SW for the occasion, plus a costume parade at 11:30 am, trick-or-treating at noon, and kids’ activities for the duration. See you there!)
SPEAKING OF QUADRATO … the Junction sandwich/pizza shop at 4302 SW Oregon, owned by Cary Kemp (who also owns Pizzeria 22 in The Admiral District), celebrated its 1st anniversary this week.
AND SPEAKING OF FIRST ANNIVERSARIES … also starting Year 2 is Second Gear Sports in Morgan Junction. Their announcement:
Second Gear Sports is celebrating its first anniversary this weekend! We have been so mightily embraced and supported by the entire community and we feel incredibly fortunate! On October 11, starting at 10 a.m. we will have cake, giveaways, and special discounts. At 2 p.m., Joe Albert from Bellevue’s FiveLo will be bringing a host of Seahawks-inspired gear, including their popular 12th Man ArmSox.
Second Gear is at 6529 California SW.
WEST SEATTLE CYCLERY ON THE ROAD: Actually, on the path:
Tomorrow, Thursday morning, West Seattle Cyclery will be under the West Seattle Bridge with our tent serving a little coffee, snacks and providing on the spot service. We should be set up after 6 am. We will be there until around 9-ish. We know that bike winter commuting in Seattle can be tough so we will be doing this on Thursday mornings a few times a month.
They’ll announce future dates online.
Seven West Seattle development notes:
ABATEMENT/DEMOLITION WORK BEGINS AT THE WHITTAKER: If you have driven past the site of The Whittaker (400 apartments plus retail including Whole Foods Market) at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, you might have noticed the heavy equipment beginning work. A project spokesperson confirms that they have “officially started abatement work,” adding that the “auto body shop on 40th is scheduled to be demolished sometime tomorrow.” Major demolition is about two weeks away, if all goes as planned, and construction is set to start next month.
Six smaller demolition/construction projects of note, with permits granted or applied for in the past week or so:
4101 SW OREGON: In The Junction, the demolition permit has just been granted for a project first mentioned here almost a year ago; an 87-year-old house will be demolished and replaced with a 4-unit rowhouse.
4316 SW THISTLE: The application is now in for a “lot boundary adjustment” at this corner parcel, on the books as two lots, as mentioned here in July, though holding one house for more than a century. That house is planned for teardown, and replacement with two single-family houses including “accessory dwelling units,” which means four residences in all. (For “accessory dwelling units” to be legal, the city rules say, the property owner has to live on site, either in the main house or ADU.)
6540 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW: In Morgan Junction, this 98-year-old house is proposed for demolition and replacement with a new single-family house.
9007 45TH SW: In Fauntleroy, this 71-year-old house is planned for demolition and replacement.
6047 47TH SW: In Seaview, this 71-year-old house is planned for demolition and replacement.
6470 MARSHALL SW: Also in Seaview, this 95-year-old house is planned for demolition and replacement.
From West Seattle, south along the Duwamish River, and even to a few spots southeast of where our map ends, October 18th is the fall edition of Duwamish Alive! – 11 work parties to help the river, its watershed, and everyone/everything living in/along them. You only need to commit four hours that day – registration is at 9:30, then you’ll be helping out 10 am-2 pm. Here’s where to go to choose your site and sign up.
2:30 PM: Police are at Gatewood Elementary right now investigating a report that a child threatened a teacher with a knife. No one has been hurt; we’re there and we have talked to staff. They don’t expect this to interfere with normal dismissal this afternoon. (And if you’re noticing a TV helicopter, this is the report they’re checking out.)
2:46 PM: The district has issued a short update via Twitter: “No injuries at Gatewood after teacher reportedly threatened w/knife. Special-needs student being taken to hospital for evaluation.” Per police-radio communication, the student is 9. As noted in our ongoing coverage of the Gatewood teacher-funding situation, the school has an inclusion program for EBD (emotional/behavioral disorder) students.
Two road-work alerts we’ve discovered since today’s traffic watch:
35TH SW: Big lighted signboard advises road work is scheduled for 35th SW between Cambridge and Roxbury tomorrow and Friday, 7 am-7 pm. No SDOT announcement otherwise, so we have a message out to find out more, and will add the details when we get them. 2:24 PM update: SDOT says it’s paving and is about to send out this announcement:
Paving crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will work on 35th Avenue Southwest between Southwest Roxbury and Southwest Cambridge streets on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 9 and 10. They will grind and repave the asphalt part of the street. (The street is part concrete and part asphalt.) One lane will remain open in each direction. Work hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SDOT tells us there is also a tentative plan, weather permitting, to pave 35th between Morgan and Juneau the week of October 21st.
(back to original report) ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT INSPECTION CLOSURES: Found in the fine print of the weekly Construction Lookahead, the next Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closures are penciled in for 6 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday, October 18-19.
(1:44 PM UPDATE: SPS says in a statement that “Gatewood teaching staff will remain intact” because of the fundraising campaign – full statement is at the end of this story)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
They’re raising the money, but they’re angry about it.
While one group of Gatewood Elementary parents filled the chairs at School Board director Marty McLaren‘s regular community-conversation meeting last night, another led a fundraiser at a private home, toward their goal of raising $90,000 – described by some as “ransom” – to keep Seattle Public Schools from removing a teacher from their school.
Though they learned about the planned cut less than a week ago (here’s our original report), their fundraising campaign – including a hastily organized Saturday bake sale – has brought in $52,000.
That impressed McLaren, who opened last night’s meeting by saying, “I just want to acknowledge the extraordinary show of force that the Gatewood community has made … my sense is that many people from West Seattle proper have really invested in this. It’s really something.”
But also really something the parents can’t believe they have had to do.
“I am outraged,” declared one attendee. “I am just outraged that a major-city school district would try and pull a stunt like this … I cannot believe we are being asked to pay for a teacher salary. This is a major city, I cannot imagine this happening anywhere else in the country.” She drew applause.
“We’re being held for ransom for someone else’s mistake … and it feels precedent setting,” said another. “I don’t want a single dime of that money to go to the district that has a record of poor judgment and misuse … I feel it’s going to happen to another school.”
(West Seattle Water Taxi and wildlife, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE/SOUTH PARK LIBRARIES CLOSED: Today only, it’s an in-service day for the staffs of Admiral (West Seattle), Delridge, High Point, South Park, and Southwest branches of the Seattle Public Library, so those libraries are closed; they’ll reopen tomorrow.
HOME OFFICE AND CO-WORKING MEETUP: Noon-1:15 pm, get out of the home office and come join a meetup with other nontraditional workers/entrepreneurs at West Seattle’s only co-working hub, WS Office Junction (WSB sponsor). More info in our calendar listing. (6040 California SW)
EARLY DAYS: Noon-2 pm, weekly drop-in support group for expectant parents and those with babies up to 1 year old, now meeting at Limber Yoga in north Morgan Junction. Details in our calendar listing. (6019 California SW)
GET YOUR FLU SHOT: 4-7:30 pm, Chief Sealth International High School hosts a flu-shot clinic, but it’s NOT just for people with ties to the school – everyone is welcome, says Sealth nurse Alison Enochs. Adults must have proof of insurance (they’ll bill yours) or the $28 cost, but no student will be turned away for lack of insurance. Our original preview is here, including information on another one coming up at WSHS if you miss this one. (2600 SW Thistle)
FEEL LIKE SINGING? 5-6:30 pm, it’s your monthly chance to do exactly that at the Senior Center of West Seattle. All welcome, as explained in our calendar listing. (Oregon/California)
SCHOOL-BOUNDARY-CHANGE MEETING: 6:30 pm in the lunchroom at Fairmount Park Elementary, tonight’s your chance to ask questions about the boundary changes next school year for some Seattle Public Schools. The district says all affected families should have received direct notification, but if you didn’t see our original story on this last week, you might want to check the maps just in case. (38th/Findlay)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy; the agenda includes an update from King County Executive Dow Constantine. (9131 California SW)
NIGHTLIFE, NIGHTLIFE, NIGHTLIFE! Lots of options tonight – see the individual listings on our calendar.
(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Foggy again in some spots, though the bridge/99 views look clearer today than they did at this time on Tuesday.
LANE CLOSURE REMINDER: Today’s the day SDOT plans to close the Spokane Street Viaduct‘s inside eastbound lane 10 am-2 pm, between 4th and 1st, for repairs.
VICE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to arrive this evening and stay through early tomorrow afternoon. The Boeing Field advisory indicates he’s arriving in the 6 pm hour tonight.
TRANSPORTATION NEWS: What’s happening with SDOT‘s proposal to change RapidRide C Line routing in the heart of The Junction? Here’s the latest …
7:44 AM: Regular user of the low bridge? Just another reminder that SDOT now has a separate Twitter feed for bridge closures around the area (and tweeted just a few minutes ago that the low bridge is closed) at @SDOTbridges.
(WSB file photo of West Seattle Club)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
New information tonight from the ongoing proceedings related to the proprietor of the West Seattle Club (formerly the West Seattle Athletic Club). When last we wrote about this on September 3rd, the property’s owner was trying to reopen the most recent “unlawful detainer” complaint – an action that can lead to eviction – which had been put on hold when club proprietor Sam Adams filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy organization in June.
On September 3rd, Adams, landlord John Pietromonaco, and their respective lawyers were in federal bankruptcy court downtown to argue over whether that hold (technically a stay) could be lifted. Adams hadn’t paid even the partial rent owed, his landlord’s lawyer David Tall argued, and had had enough time to do so. Judge Marc Barreca agreed the stay on the “unlawful detainer” proceedings could be lifted.
Though that case had been closed for lack of activity since the June stay, Tall filed to reopen it, and a King County Superior Court judge granted that request in mid-September. A hearing subsequently was set for yesterday morning in the Regional Justice Center courtroom where such cases are heard on Monday mornings if things haven’t been worked out before the hearing date. (When a similar action was scheduled for a hearing in February, it didn’t happen, because Adams had made a payment.)
This time, there was a hearing, albeit a brief one. The property owner’s lawyer Tall was there; no one was there on Adams’ behalf. But in these types of hearings, the documents usually say much more than the words actually spoken in court, so we waited to see them before writing this update, and by late today, they were available online.
Bottom line to the main document, an “agreed order”: If the landlord gets $1,150,000 by October 24th, the “unlawful detainer” case will be dismissed. According to the “agreed order,” that money is “being procured by financing to be extended to Hollystone Holdings Inc. pursuant to a loan contract already executed by Hollystone Holdings by its officer, Sam A. Adams.” The “agreed order” did not include any further details of that financing, but as noted in our last report, Adams’ lawyer told the bankruptcy judge in September that his client was pursuing a $3 million loan.
The “agreed order” also says that any and all “liens against the premises” must be paid with the expected loan money. Meantime, as this plays out in state court, Adams’ Chapter 11 case continues; documents in the federal file say one of the upcoming matters to be decided is the future of the club lease.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports tonight – starting with Dawnee‘s bicycle, stolen near 18th/Trenton:
Another day, another stolen bicycle. Mine was taken from our locked garage sometime between 8:30am – 3:30 pm today. It was there this morning when I fed the chickens (I keep their feed in the garage), and when I went out this afternoon to feed them again I noticed the back garage door wide open and my red 2010 Marin Larkspur hybrid (valued at $450) was gone. Police report #14-335901. The bike was in great condition, recently tuned up, and was my secondary transportation (I haul my kiddos in a trailer with it) and my workout buddy. A big loss, as I can’t afford to replace it.
Also –Kathrine‘s 2009 Honda Fit was hit by thieves:
I just wanted to let you know two wheels and tires were stolen off my car overnight [Sunday to Monday]. I went outside to leave for work … and they were gone. It must have happened overnight. The two tires that were left, all the lug nuts had been removed but the car was too close to the curb and the thieves could not get them out. Just wanted to let people know in case it happened to others. I am at 40th between Oregon and Alaska. Police report has been filed.
P.S. The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council will meet this month – 2 weeks from tonight, Tuesday, October 21st, 7 pm, at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster).
6:24 PM: If you’re heading this way from north of downtown – note that a crash has closed the southbound Battery Street Tunnel. Traffic is being diverted off at Denny Way, just before the tunnel.
7:18 PM: SDOT says a tow truck has arrived and the scene should be cleared soon.
7:40 PM: The tunnel has reopened.
(WSB photo, September 2014)
That’s the Baby Pantry at the White Center Food Bank – using space that was home to a King County Public Health clinic before it moved to Greenbridge, where it was about to be closed until the county found a private partner to help keep it open. Partnerships are a big part of the WCFB’s operations – the Baby Pantry, for example, is in partnership with WestSide Baby. And the food bank couldn’t serve thousands of West Seattle and White Center (and a bit beyond) residents without being in a partnership with you and so many other community donors. Now they’re inviting you to what’s both a celebration and fundraiser, a week and a half away:
The White Center Food Bank’s 10th Annual Harvest Dinner and Auction is taking place this year at 5:30 pm on Saturday, October 18 at the Brockey Center at South Seattle College. In addition to the festivities of a dinner, drinks, and live music, there are plenty of incredible items up for auction, including Seahawks tickets, many different theater tickets, a three stone diamond ring from Wyatt’s Jewelers, roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines, a week at a condo in Hawaii, and so much more.
This is the White Center Food Bank’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and allows us to continue doing great work for this community. In 2013, White Center Food Bank served more than 60,000 people in the White Center, West Seattle, and Burien community, and we count on this auction to continue serving even more people next year. We are grateful to every one of our donors for making it possible to do this important work, and we count on your continued support to continue serving our community.
Tickets are available online through Brown Paper Tickets for $75 each (here), and more information – including daily updates about items available at the auction – is available (here).
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our Development Director Kristina Dahl at (206) 762-2848 or email kristina@whitecenterfoodbank.org.
Back in August, following up on a reader tip, we reported that SDOT is considering moving the RapidRide C Line route in The Junction onto California between Edmunds and Alaska. At the time, SDOT told us “outreach” was planned in the fall. Now that it’s fall, what’s the status? we asked SDOT’s Marybeth Turner, who replied:
SDOT staff is scheduled to meet with the West Seattle Junction Association on Oct. 22, and the SW District Council on Nov. 5 about California and Alaska, including the needs of cars, buses, and pedestrians.
In November they will mail information to some of the nearby businesses and residents, and talk in person to some of the businesses.
Turner says the recent re-sequencing of the California/Alaska signal (reported here Saturday) is NOT related to this – she describes that as having been done to improve “safety,” and is still working to get us more information from department engineers.
UPDATED P.S., CORRECTING MEETING INFO The aforementioned WSJA briefing is for the group’s membership (businesses in The Junction), but the Southwest District Council meeting is open to everyone, 6:30 pm Wednesday, November 5th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (Oregon/California).
(Photo by Peter West Carey, shared via Twitter)
On Thursday, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce hosts Port of Seattle co-president Stephanie Bowman at its monthly lunch meeting. Questions about the future of shuttered Terminal 5 were already expected – and now there’s something new: Today’s announcement that the Seattle and Tacoma ports are forming a “single Seaport Alliance.” Here’s the news release from the Port of Seattle:
The Seattle and Tacoma port commissions plan to unify the management of the two ports’ marine cargo terminals and related functions under a single Seaport Alliance in order to strengthen the Puget Sound gateway and attract more marine cargo for the region.
The Seaport Alliance will manage marine cargo terminal investments and operations, planning and marketing, while the individual port commissions will retain their existing governance structures and ownership of assets.
This unprecedented level of cooperation between the state’s two largest container ports is a strategic response to the competitive pressures that are reshaping the global shipping industry.
Most of what you’ll see today regarding the lunar eclipse will refer to Wednesday. Technically, that’s correct, but conversationally, it’s more like “tonight” – starting after midnight. In case you missed Alice Enevoldsen‘s latest “Skies Over West Seattle” update on WSB, published here on Saturday, it’s full of helpful info if you’re interested in staying up late tonight to eclipse-watch (or maybe, getting up VERY early – the peak is at 3:25 am). The October SOWS has the schedule, and a look ahead to the partial solar eclipse later this month.
P.S. Wondering about the forecast? “Mostly clear” tonight!
(From Chris W, via the WSB Flickr group)
Take a closer look at what’s happening around you! Ways to explore and get involved are on the list for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TOT TREK AT CAMP LONG: 10:30 am, explore autumn colors with your toddler(s) at Camp Long Environmental Learning Center. $4/person and pre-registration is required, so check ASAP to see if there’s room! (5200 35th SW)
AFTER-SCHOOL NATURE HIKES AT LINCOLN PARK: 3:30 pm, join naturalist Stewart Wechsler for his next Tuesday afternoon nature hike – meet by the kiosk in the northern Lincoln Park parking lot. Suggested-donation amounts and other info on Stewart’s website. (Fauntleroy/Rose)
GO PLAY (MUSIC)! Tonight at Chief Sealth International High School, varying times, it’s the first rehearsal night of the season for West Seattle Community Orchestras, which include groups for all ages and skill levels. Our preview from last month explains how to sign up and get involved. (2600 SW Thistle)
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ISSUES/CONCERNS? Bring them up with the School Board director elected to represent this area, Marty McLaren, at her next community-conversation meeting (drop-in format, so don’t worry if you can’t be there right at 6) at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library. (2306 42nd SW)
LIVE/WORK IN WESTWOOD, ROXHILL, OR ARBOR HEIGHTS? 6:15 pm tonight at Southwest Branch Library, meet your neighbors and get informed as the monthly WWRHAH community-council meetings get back to their “first Tuesday” schedule. Agenda highlights:
6:15-6:45: Introductions & Community News; New Business: Westwood / Highland Park Urban Village
6:45-7:00: Committee & Neighborhood Council Updates
7:00-7:40: Seattle Public Utilities/Parks Department, Cheryl Eastberg: Update on Roxhill Bog Rehydration Project; Q&A
7:40-7:45: Wrap Up: Break down the room; library locks up promptly at 8 pm.
The meeting has a Facebook event page, here. (35th/Henderson)
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: 6:30 pm, join WSBC for a presentation/discussion exploring on “Port Activity and Bicycle Commuting Between West Seattle and Downtown.” Details and location on the WSBC website.
(Monday sunset photo by JayDee)
PUBLIC HEALTH CAFE: 7 pm at Chaco Canyon Organic Café in The Triangle, come join the conversation about “The Quantified Self: Sharing your data for environmental-health research,” free, no registration required. The Public Health Café conversations are described as “a series of informal, interactive conversations intended to raise awareness about the fascinating and often overlooked science of public health.” Full details here. (38th/Alaska)
PINK & BLUES: 8 pm, the ongoing Tuesday night Blues To Do series at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) takes a special direction this month, starting tonight:
Throught October we’re dedicating each Tuesday night to Breast Cancer Awareness, featuring all-women hosted jam sessions in a series called Pink & Blues. This will be blues represented in all its hybrid forms, including jazz, R&B, soul, funk, roots, Americana and folk.
We’ve invited special guest ational touring artists and legacy artists, further providing opportunities for mentoring as well as representing a powerful statement with this remarkable women’s musical collective.
More info on the Blues To Do page at the Feedback website. (6451 California SW)
MORE NIGHTLIFE! Including open-microphone night at The Cask (WSB sponsor), bingo at Outwest Bar, the Starlite singer/songwriter showcase at Shadowland, two karaoke locations … see all the listings on our calendar.
(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Foggy as we head for the heart of the commute, and that’s the biggest challenge this morning, so far.
7:23 AM: For our Vashon Island friends – King County advises the Vashon Water Taxi is running up to 15 minutes late because of the fog. No advisories re: West Seattle, so far.
7:50 AM: If you’re headed toward Highway 509 via Roxbury and vicinity – note that police and fire are responding to a “heavy rescue” call at Olson and Myers. More when we get it.
7:55 AM: “Heavy rescue” means emergency responders might have to cut someone out of the wreckage – but scanner conversation says the people in the vehicle got out OK and won’t need that, so some SFD units are being canceled. A private ambulance is being called. Still likely to be affecting traffic.
8:50 AM – VICE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY: We’ll hit this again tomorrow, but note that Vice President Biden‘s visit will be Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon, at least according to our interpretation of the Boeing Field advisory.
Seattle City Light says it’s planning underground-cable work in two West Seattle neighborhoods, and that work will come with scheduled outages. These are the maps accompanying the announcement – first, sections of 20th and Webster:
Next, several blocks in Fauntleroy.
Click either image to see the full flyer with both maps. Here’s the SCL overview of the planned work:
Seattle City Light plans to increase reliability in five sections of its service
territory by injecting aging underground electrical cable with silicone.* Work: Seattle City Light’s contractor first tests and, if electric cable is suitable, injects it with silicone. The silicone fills cracks in the cable’s insulation and extends its life by approximately 20 years.
* Impacts and timeline: Up to three power outages per customer are required to do the work safely. Customer notification will happen on the Thursday before the next week’s outage. The start date is the week of October 13. All five neighborhoods are expected to be completed within eight weeks.
* Further information: The point of contact for customers, Website, and additional details are cited in each flyer.
(The “five sections” reference includes four areas outside West Seattle.)
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