West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
From West Seattle to Tukwila, hundreds of volunteers teamed up today for another productive Duwamish Alive! multi-site work party. In the West Duwamish Greenbelt at Pigeon Point Park, Nature Consortium and EarthCorps led the way – volunteers we saw there included NC founder Nancy Whitlock:
The 100-plus people at work at this site alone also included Green River Community College students. And we even met Harriet the helpful Corgi:
Eleven sites were on the list for Duwamish Alive! today. Watch duwamishalive.org for word of next spring’s edition. And watch WSB for other opportunities to help with cleanups and planting parties around the community just about EVERY weekend (for example – North Delridge could use your help one week from today!).
Not only does fall bring a new school year, it also means re-start time for many groups and activities that generally follow the school calendar, with summertime breaks. Diana shared that photo of West Seattle’s Girl Scout Troop 44032 visiting The Admiral District, “kicking off the new Girl Scout season learning to paint at Mind Unwind Art studio on California. Mind Unwind partners with the community to get art back in schools.” More about that, here; more about Girl Scouting in our region, here.
The tent is up in the Fauntleroy Church/YMCA parking lot, one of the venues for Sunday afternoon’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival, but if the forecast holds, it might only be needed for sunburn prevention! Festival events will also be happening across the street in and around historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, where you can admire the new salmon art by Shawn Bennett in the raingarden out front:
Finding out about home raingardens and cisterns is one thing you can do at the festival – look for the folks from RainWise (WSB sponsor). And here’s the full lineup, as posted on the Fauntleroy Fall Festival website:
Also – it’s not too late to bake a cake to donate to the Cake Walk (details in our previous preview – you have to drop it off tomorrow right BEFORE the festival). See you at 9131 and 9140 California SW (map) 2-5 pm Sunday afternoon for the Fauntleroy Fall Festival!
The family of William A. (Bill) Ericson is sharing this remembrance after his death this week:
Bill passed away October 13, 2014, at the age of 91.
He was the youngest of four children born to Ernest and Nellie Ericson in Star Lake, Minnesota. After being discharged from the Merchant Marines after World War II, Bill traveled to Seattle, where he met the love of his life, Olga Romei, and they raised three children.
Bill was a self-motivated entrepreneur who started his own real estate company, Ericson Realty, in the early ’60s and was immediately successful due to his hard work and diligence.
After retiring in the ’80s, his favorite pastime was socializing with friends and family, telling the best stories and jokes you can imagine and helping those who were in need. Bill never forgot a joke and something always reminded him of another story.
He is survived by his children William, Dini (Leif), Greg (Sue); grandchildren William III, Cale, Koen, Nolan, Nicole, and Noelle; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom will dearly miss his stories, jokes, guidance, and generosity. A private family memorial was held.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
This little punkin was photographed by one of the gardeners who’s at the Lincoln Park P-Patch in Solstice Park until 1 pm for the gardeners’ Pumpkin Festival, where you can buy: “Pumpkins, fresh rhubarb, fresh herbs (shiso, bay leaves, lavender, etc), homemade applesauce, plants and pottery. Behind the Fauntleroy tennis courts.”
If you’re driving, riding, or walking, turn uphill at Webster from Fauntleroy, on the south side of the courts, and you’ll find the sale.
Our daily preview starts with the weekend’s big traffic alert:
HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE: It’s inspection weekend for Highway 99, which means it’s closed until 6 pm tonight and again 6 am-6 pm tomorrow between here and the Battery Street Tunnel. But that’s not all – from the Battery Street Tunnel north to Valley Street, it’s closed ALL weekend, until early Monday. It’s all explained here – and here’s where to find bus-reroute info. (P.S. The 520 Bridge across Lake Washington is closed all weekend too, so give yourself extra time for most off-peninsula trips.)
Around West Seattle today/tonight:
WESTSIDE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, it’s an all-school open house at Westside School (WSB sponsor), for families interested in any grade(s), pre-K through 8th. Come tour the school (and find out about the new campus opening next fall) and meet the staff. (7740 34th SW)
DUWAMISH ALIVE! 10 am-2 pm, 11 locations for the twice-yearly work parties to help the Duwamish River and its watershed. Signups were requested but we’re pretty sure you won’t be turned away if you show up at one of the sites – map and more in our preview from earlier this month.
BAZAAR: 10 am-4 pm at Alki Masonic Center, go browse Westgate Court #21‘s annual bazaar! (40th/Edmunds)
SKIPPYJON AT STORYTIME: 11 am, here’s what you’ll find at the regular Saturday morning storytime at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village: “Just wanted to let everyone know that our favorite chihuahua wannabe, Skippyjon Jones, will be our special guest star at storytime Saturday. He’ll be hanging out with us and making friends with everybody before we read some of his fun stories.” (2600 SW Barton)
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HOMECOMING: 1:30 pm, West Seattle Stadium, it’s the Saints’ homecoming game, vs. Rainier Christian; barbecue at noon. (4432 35th SW)
FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS: 3 pm at SIMA Martial Arts in The Triangle, but pre-registration is required – so if you see this Saturday morning, check fast to see if there’s room! (4159 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK DINNER/AUCTION: Sold out, but we’re mentioning it as a reminder to ticketholders and/or anyone who wonders what’s up at Brockey Center on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus tonight – 5:30 pm, doors open for the auction; gala dinner follows. Didn’t buy a ticket in time? You can help the WCFB any time – here’s how. (6000 16th SW)
GRANT DERMODY AND THE LOW VOLUME HEAVY GROOVE DANCE BAND: 7:30 pm, that’s who’s at Kenyon Hall tonight, with “an evening of listenable, danceable blues and funk.” (7904 35th SW)
THE RETURN OF WEST SIDE GLORY: 9 pm, the popular queer variety show returns to The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOTS MORE … on the calendar!
12:08 AM: Multiple helicopter reports from Arbor Heights to Highland Park. Nothing on the scanner/911 log so far, which might just mean it’s a King County Sheriff’s Office case. If you’re seeing police on the ground, let us know so we can figure out what’s going on!
12:11 AM: And Guardian One just tweeted that indeed, it was a case in the county:
Just assisted White Center Deputies looking for a burglary suspect.
— KCSOAirsupport (@KCSOAirsupport) October 18, 2014
Per scanner, they are now headed over to SODO to check out something else.
It’s been three months now since the sudden ouster of longtime Senior Center of West Seattle executive director Karen Sisson brought to light a possible change in the center’s relationship with Senior Services, the citywide agency that staffs and manages it but doesn’t own its building. Tonight, we received word of a community meeting called to seek opinions on the center’s future. This is from Catherine Airola, who explains that she is working with a subcommittee of the West Seattle center’s board:
“Should we Stay or Should we Go?”
For more than the past 4 months the Senior Center of West Seattle (SCWS) has been dealing with challenges. We need your input to help us determine the direction of SCWS. Do we stay affiliated with Senior Services (SS) knowing they have proposed a different organizational model? Do we become our own entity, relying on our members and community alone?
Please attend the Town Hall and/or email questions/comments to Cing828@gmail.com . (cutoff date for emails is 11/7/14)
Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
2 sessions – 3 pm and 5:30 pm – SCWS, 4217 SW Oregon St.
The center, as has been pointed out, owns its building, unlike most of the other centers that are staffed and administered through Senior Services. We plan to follow up to find out more about what’s being proposed, by SCWS and by SS, before the meetings.
(Added: Video of Sealth players with trophy, post-game)
7:33 PM: We’re at Southwest Athletic Complex, where the rain has stopped and the first quarter of the big game has just ended. West Seattle High School has scored first in the annual Huling Bowl football battle of crosstown rivals, WSHS 7, Chief Sealth International High School (the home team, though both are sharing this field these days) 0. More to come.
7:38 PM: Wildcats score fast in the second quarter, now leading 14-0 with 10:14 left until halftime.
#22 Fynniecko Glover has scored both TDs for WSHS. And a few minutes later – the rain has returned.
8 PM: Halftime, still WSHS 14, Sealth 0. Marching bands take the field!
8:19 PM: First, it was West Seattle, under the direction of Ethan Thomas:
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Then Sealth, directed by Marcus Pimpleton:
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We’ll be adding longer clips, plus game photos, later, of course. And now the teams are back on the field, getting ready for the second half. It’s Senior Night for Sealth, so its players ran out through a “We (Heart) Our Seniors” banner held by the cheerleaders, wearing pink because it’s breast-cancer-awareness night. (Added: Photo of Sealth cheerleaders giving gift bags to their WSHS counterparts:)
P.S. Sealth won this game the past two years, after a long WSHS streak.
8:39 PM: There’s a medic call over on the street north of the stadium. Don’t know yet what it’s for; we’re checking.
8:50 PM: Third quarter over, still 14-0 WSHS.
Meantime, the emergency situation outside the stadium involves a 29-year-old man hit by a car. Does not sound like life-threatening injuries. Very busy on Thistle tonight, with the orchestra concert across the street at Sealth and the game here. (Added: Police tell us the man was crossing the street at 27th/Thistle with a child, who is OK. They hadn’t yet figured out which way they were crossing.)
8:52 PM: Touchdown Sealth.
By #11 Daron Camacho, who dedicated the game to his godmother, who’s fighting breast cancer:
With the point-after kick good, it’s now WSHS 14, Sealth 7.
9:26 PM: Dramatic few minutes with turnovers and a penalty just led to a Sealth touchdown by #12 Weston Reed, followed by 2-point conversion.
It’s now Sealth 15, WSHS 14 – the Seahawks’ first lead of the game – with 4:12 left in the game.
Shortly thereafter, Sealth intercepted the ball.
9:37 PM: Field goal Sealth with :16 left. Score 18 CSIHS, 14 WSHS.
9:39 PM: And that’s the final score. Sealth wins third consecutive Huling Bowl.
Carrying the trophy triumphantly aloft, the players ran off the track, then came back to gather by the end zone. It’s their third win this season, the first season for head coach Simon Iniguez.
CAR PROWL: Reported via text: Somebody smashed the window on that car along 36th SW between Raymond and Juneau. They also found evidence of a battery-theft attempt inside.
FOUND BICYCLE #1: Scott writes, “Anyone missing this bike? Showed up in my alley in Sunrise Heights”:
FOUND BICYCLE #2: Thanks to WSB Forums member Metrognome for pointing out this – a post about a bicycle found at Alki Elementary, and destined for city pickup.
Two traffic alerts right now: First, according to scanner traffic, police are blocking off the Delridge Way onramps to the West Seattle Bridge because of a medic response on the bridge. That’s all we know so far. Also, @mjs1980 tweets that there’s a police car and tow truck with a vehicle on the uphill side of the Highland Park Way hill, so if you’re headed that way, be careful.
Ongoing transportation/traffic concerns in Fauntleroy will get an airing in front of city reps including SDOT’s new director in three weeks: Thursday, November 6th, is the time/date just announced by the Fauntleroy Community Association for its long-in-the-works community conversation about issues from speeding to sidewalks to parking, and beyond. FCA president Mike Dey says SDOT director Scott Kubly, DPD director Diane Sugimura, Mayor Murray’s transportation adviser Andrew Glass Hastings, and City Council reps have all confirmed they’ll be there, 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
Halloween is exactly two weeks away – and yes, West Seattle’s own Skeleton Theatre is back, according to ST’s Maia Low, who tells WSB, “It’s a brand-new show called ‘Beyond the Pale.’ It’s the story of a skeleton super-spy, Mason Tanner.” The ~20-minute show will run multiple times between 6 pm and 9 pm on Halloween (Friday, October 31) and the night after, Saturday, November 1st, at 36th/Hanford (map). Visit the ST website for behind-the-scenes info, cast details, more (including backstory if this is the first time you’ve heard of Skeleton Theatre!).
P.S. The WSB Halloween page – with this event and lots more over the next 2 weeks – should be up tonight; if you still haven’t sent us your listing (including bar parties), editor@westseattleblog.com ASAP – thanks!
(Spot of color seen this morning in The Triangle, looking north to Fairmount)
The full list is on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – but for a quick look ahead, here are five highlights for your West Seattle Friday afternoon/evening:
BEER/CIDER TASTING: 4-6 pm at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)
FREE MOVIE: Movie Night at Highland Park Improvement Club – free admission; concessions available for purchase; BYO chair/blanket, or find a chair there. Doors open at 6:30, movie at 7 – it’s a “family” movie in more ways than one, as the plot hint here reveals. (12th/Holden)
SEE THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY FOR FREE! And the West Seattle Community Orchestras – all in one big community concert – as previewed here Thursday:
(Added: WSCO-provided photo of Friday afternoon rehearsal with the Symphony)
7 pm tonight in the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School. (2600 SW Thistle)
HULING BOWL: That’s the official name of each year’s West Seattle HS vs. Chief Sealth IHS football game, with a trophy for the victors, and tonight’s the big game, 7 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex, as previewed here on Thursday. Come cheer for either or both! P.S. It’s a “pink-out” for breast-cancer awareness – so whomever you’re cheering for, wear some pink. (2601 SW Thistle)
NOT DEAD YET, 5 YEARS OLD: The popular West Seattle band marks its fifth anniversary with a show at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.
(WSB photo from 2008: One of many safety rallies/demonstrations on ‘I-35’)
Just in from SDOT: Two meetings are now planned to kick off the 35th SW safety-improvement program. The 6:30-8 pm meeting next Wednesday (October 22nd) at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center was announced back in August; now, they’re adding a meeting on Tuesday, October 28th, 3:30-5 pm at Southwest Branch Library. Plans for the “multi-year” safety project were first announced back in February, after years of crashes and concerns along what’s been dubbed “I-35.”
A month and a half into the new school year, we had the chance to check back with the Chief Sealth International High School Link Crew as its members – freshmen and their mentors – crisscrossed the peninsula by bus for an afterschool “Road Rally” on Thursday.
First, they gathered in the Galleria for signmaking and strategy-plotting. You might have seen them in action after that – teams taking photos by West Seattle landmarks and businesses. Points were awarded for photos involving any of more than 40 locations and activities. Bonus – sunshine!
Activities included “picking up litter” and “best Superhero pose”; locations were near the school – Longfellow Creek – and far, including Walk All Ways in The Junction.
That’s Lincoln Vuong, and we thank him for the alert about what he called “pretty much a massive scavenger event around town.” He and the rest of this year’s Link Leaders are resolved to keep the community updated on their work with the Class of 2018:
If you use the Instagram app on your smartphone, you can see the photos by searching for the hashtag #sealthlinkcrew. The Road Rally wrapped up after about two and a half hours with an optional gathering for hot chocolate and snacks back at the Sealth Galleria.
P.S. The Link Crew program – explained here – also is used at West Seattle High School and elsewhere across the country.
(Starting at :15 in, you’ll see some whales – sorry for the shakiness, very long zoom!)
8:59 AM: If you’re anywhere near the water today, keep watch for orcas! Just before nightfall Thursday, the Orca Network had southbound sightings in the north Sound – first sightings that far south in quite a while. Then this morning around 7:30 am, according to West Seattleite Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales, sightings were reported off Vashon Island – still southbound, but at some point, they will have to head back this way, so we’re sharing the alert. If you see whales, please let us know (text/voice 206-293-6302 is our breaking-news hotline, and this qualifies); we’ll update with any reports.
9:40 AM: Still southbound, south of us, per this ON commenter – off Point Robinson on Maury Island (across Puget Sound from Des Moines) about 20 minutes ago.
10:44 AM: Now at least some of the whales are reported to have turned and headed northbound.
12:14 PM: Jeff just texted to say that whales believed to be from all three resident pods are “trending northbound” past Three Tree Point south of West Seattle.
(Added: Photo by Greg Snyder)
1:28 PM: In view! Passing Blake Island.
1:58 PM: The research boat is visible off Blake Island – binoculars definitely needed – if you are near Me-Kwa-Mooks on Beach Drive as we are now. Some whales are ahead of it, some behind.
5:38 PM: Continuing to add visuals from today’s sightings as we get them. Above and (added) below, photos by Gary Jones, as the orcas passed Alki Lighthouse.
(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! This weekend’s big traffic news will be the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct closures, so we’ll get right to that reminder:
HIGHWAY 99/ALASKAN WAY CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: The multi-part closure is explained here. The main parts you should know about: (1) From the Battery Street Tunnel north to Valley Street, Highway 99 will be closed all weekend, from late tonight until early Monday. (2) The stretch from the West Seattle Bridge to the BS Tunnel will be closed for its semiannual inspection, 6 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday.
OTHER WEEKEND ALERTS: SDOT‘s citywide list is here, including another major closure this weekend – the 520 bridge.
TWO UPCOMING LOCAL ALERTS: Both published here Thursday – one for 26th SW in North Delridge, one for two FYI’s related to the Fauntleroy ferry dock.
10:42 AM: Julia tweets that the 35th/Roxbury signal is out. We’re heading out to check.
Two West Seattle food-biz notes:
FIREFIGHTER WITH A NOT-SO-SECRET IDENTITY: Embedded above is the recent Evening Magazine profile of Chef Michael Poole and his artisan candy business, Hot Chocolat Artisan Firehouse Chocolates. Even if you saw the profile on TV, you might not have realized Chef Poole is based in West Seattle. His day job, as the TV feature shows, is as a lieutenant in the Seattle Fire Department dispatch center; in his “spare time” he has space at one of the commercial kitchens in The Triangle, making his Hot Chocolat creations. (We met him there earlier this year.) His culinary career started out with a more general line of catering, but he eventually went on to study and work with master sweets-crafters in France. He sells his chocolates online and also has some retail outlets, including Chaco Canyon Organic Café in The Triangle, where you can buy his vegan chocolates.
COASTLINE CROWDFUNDING ADDS PUNCHCARDS: It was suggested by WSB commenter Goodgraces, and now it’s part of the crowdfunding campaign for Coastline, the “burger joint” that is taking over the ex-Shoofly spot in The Junction. One of the partners, Aaron Shepherd, sent this update tonight:
Responding to community feedback in regards to their hopes for participation with the Kickstarter campaign, we have Upgraded our Rewards. We’ve added a new category of “Punch Cards”:
4 Burger Punch Card for $25
6 Burger Punch Card for $35
9 Burger Punch Card for $45
12 Burger Punch Card for $55
15 Burger Punch Card for $65We hope people are excited about the Upgraded Rewards, and look forward to seeing everyone at Coastline ASAP.
Shepherd says they hope to open in about a month.
These two advisories are from different agencies but both are potentially of interest to Fauntleroy ferry-dock users.
POSSIBLE TEMPORARY SERVICE REDUCTION: From Washington State Ferries:
Starting Saturday, Oct. 18 through Tuesday, Oct. 21, customers travelling on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route are advised to prepare for longer than usual wait times due to a possible vessel downsizing and a two-boat schedule. The temporary downsizing and 2-boat schedule may be needed in order to maintain a full, system-wide sailing schedule while the Wenatchee is out of service for its annual mandatory U.S. Coast Guard safety inspection. Updates will occur as more information is known.
ONE-DAY REDUCTION IN BOOTH/LANE AVAILABILITY: This is from King County Wastewater Treatment, as its Barton Pump Station project continues north of the dock:
North ferry lane entrance and toll booth closed for electrical work
October 21, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.On Tuesday, October 21, a quiet generator will be brought on site to allow for Seattle City Light crews to perform electrical work at the Barton Pump Station. Work will begin around 7:00 a.m. and is expected to be complete by 3:30 p.m. During this time, the north ferry lane entrance and toll booth will be closed.
King County has been working closely with Washington State Ferries throughout the project to ensure minimal disruption to traffic along Fauntleroy Way SW and to keep ferry traffic moving.
While the north ferry lane is closed, commuters and neighbors can expect extra flaggers to assist pedestrian, bike, and vehicular traffic.
The upgraded pump station is expected to be in operation by year’s end, the county says, with restoration work, including Cove Park on the beach, planned early next year.
Two upcoming sports events feature friendly faceoffs between our area’s two biggest public schools – both spotlighting the fight against cancer:
HULING BOWL, FRIDAY NIGHT: The Huling Bowl – trophy and all! – is the name of the annual football game between Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School, and you’re invited to this year’s edition at 7 pm tomorrow (Friday), Southwest Athletic Complex (2601 SW Thistle, across from the Sealth campus).
Sealth’s bulletin announces it as a “pink-out,” urging everyone to wear pink to show support for the fight against breast cancer. That will be especially meaningful for Sealth running back Daron Camacho, who e-mailed us overnight asking if we would let folks know that “I dedicate the game to my Godmom Margarita Vidrio, who is fighting breast cancer.” You’ll see Daron on the field wearing #11.
VOLLEYBALL, MONDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Jim Bowe for sharing the announcement:
On Monday, October 20th at 7 pm, West Seattle HS Volleyball hosts Chief Sealth in what is always a great Metro League volleyball match. The WSHS volleyball girls are making this night Cancer Awareness Night. Admission to the event is free. There will be opportunities for people to donate to cancer research if they choose to do so; however, attendance and awareness is really the goal.
The WSHS gym is on the southwest side of the school, right off the parking lot, at 3000 California SW.
In case you missed the mention when the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ new season started – tomorrow night at Chief Sealth International High School, some of their musicians will be featured in the first Seattle Symphony community performance this fall – free admission! Here’s the lineup and program for the 7 pm concert:
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
West Seattle Junction Hub Neighborhood Plan …
West Seattle Triangle Streetscape Concept Plan ..
Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan …
Seattle Right of Way Improvements Manual …
Seattle Pedestrian Retail Areas plan …
One thing was clear during last Saturday’s “walkshed” tour of the Junction/Triangle area, with Seattle Planning Commission reps listening to local community reps: There’s no shortage of plans and documents covering the area, but there’s a shortage of understanding in how they interact, interface, intersect, and what they mean.
The tour itself was linked to the Planning Commission’s ongoing work on the city Comprehensive Plan update, dubbed Seattle 2035. The next big milestone for that is the environmental-impact statement, expected to be out early next year. And this is no bureaucratic bit of wonkiness to ignore: As was pointed out at the start of Saturday’s event, this type of discussion preceded the 1990s-generated plan for “urban villages” including The Junction/Triangle – much of which is only now coming to pass, as was underscored by the current, future, and recent development sites passed (and often discussed) along the way.
But the topic wasn’t just the dense heart of the Junction/Triangle, but also its single-family zones – like a stretch of 40th south of Edmunds and the major project sites bordering it on the north.
For backstory on the tour, see our coverage of last month’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting (which included a slide deck setting the stage). To see what happened during the tour – read on:
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