West Seattle, Washington
05 Friday
Thanks to Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark for sharing the photo from South Park’s big event today. He reports: “The Denny International Middle School scholars did an outstanding job today marching in the Fiestas Patrias parade! I am so proud of our scholars, staff, and families for representing our school in such a dynamic way in this important community event. Go, Dolphins!”
The parade and accompanying community fiestas that followed comprise a combined celebration of independence for multiple Latin American countries; the South Park fiesta is on until 6 pm, the one at Seattle Center until 11 pm and again tomorrow – details here.
Two crime-prevention meetings ahead that you might want to check out:
DENNY, SEALTH PRINCIPALS @ CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: The special guests have been announced for Tuesday’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting:
We will have Chief Sealth International High School principal Aida Fraser-Hammer and Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark; they will discuss safety and security in their schools and the surrounding area. We will also discuss if having a combined campus has presented any unique safety problems.
Fears of such problems were amply voiced six years ago, before the new Denny was built adjacent to a renovated Sealth; the new school year is the third one of full co-location. The WSCPC meeting is at 7 pm Tuesday (September 17th), Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster).
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY SAFETY: The Fauntleroy Community Association found out via its recent community survey that crime prevention/safety is a topic of intense interest in their area, so FCA is hosting a special forum on Thursday, September 26th. It’s at The Hall at Fauntleroy in the historic schoolhouse, and will start with an ice-cream social at 6:30, meeting at 7, including presentations by Southwest Precinct police, and community Q/A.
After three months of demolition and excavation at the 4730 California project site, the crane is going up today, as first reported here a week ago. Spectators included mom Lisa and daughter Annika, talking with construction superintendent Peter Davidson of Compass, the general contractor:
While much of the equipment for the project has been brought in from the alley, this had to come in from California SW, which is why it’s happening on a weekend morning:
The project’s high-profile spot – long home to the Petco store that has since moved to Capco Plaza at 41st/Alaska – has drawn spectators for weeks, often kids fascinated by the process, too young to be caught up in the debate over development and density:
Our photographer had to go through a safety briefing earlier in the week to get close enough to see the detail work required to make sure a high-flying project like this goes off safely:
This is the second crane in the area, after the one installed in June for “The Blake” about two blocks south at 5020 California SW. This project, meantime, is planned for seven stories and 93 residential units, including 15 ground-level live-work units, plus retail; it passed its final design review in November.
The crew expected this to take only a matter of hours – so the road should be clear this afternoon, long before it closes 6 am-6 pm tomorrow for this year’s West Seattle Car Show.
4:05 PM NOTE: We went back to The Junction to check on the crane’s progress and wound up staying through the lifting and placement of the horizontal section – an even-bigger spectacle – will add those photos when we can (check back!). But first, here’s video of the hoist, shared by Larry Murante (thank you!):
Even after that went up, two parts remained – including the cap, which required crew members to walk all the way out to the tip of the piece you see lifted in that clip.
ADDED: More photos, from the final stage of Saturday’s installation – perhaps the most dramatic:
With shopping opportunities including the Second-Time Sale in Fauntleroy (our photo above is from the Friday prep), work parties, sports, Yom Kippur observances, a free fashion show, and much more – what a day/night this will be, in and around West Seattle! Lots going on … starting early:
TRAFFIC ALERT: If you are heading northbound on 99 this morning, please note that it’s down to one lane across the Aurora Bridge until 11 am today (and again 5 am-11 am on Sunday).
RIDE AROUND THE SOUND: Starting as early as 6:30 am, bicycle riders taking part in this American Lung Association benefit will get going from the starting line (which is also the finish line) at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). See the schedule here. (6000 16th SW)
CONSTRUCTION CRANE ARRIVAL: It’s not always a pre-announced event when a construction-project crane arrives, but this one is in the heart of The Junction, so here’s a reminder (details in our story from a week ago): The crane for 4730 California, the ex-Petco project, is scheduled to arrive around 7 am and will be put into place over the ensuing few hours.
VASHON SHEEPDOG CLASSIC: 7 am-5 am, explained in our calendar listing. Just a ferry ride away! And here’s a dog to root for:
West Seattle’s Lien Animal Clinic shared the photo of Mojo Hickman, a nationally ranked herding dog they treated with stem-cell therapy for arthritis. Lien vets will be at the sheepdog event noon-3 pm – stop by and say hi.
SECOND-TIME SALE: Fauntleroy Church‘s big sale has its first of two days today, 9 am-3 pm – details in our calendar listing. (9140 California SW)
(added) CROSS-COUNTRY AT LINCOLN PARK: The Sundodger Invitational is happening at Lincoln Park all day – perhaps the biggest meet of the year in the park. Here’s its website; no West Seattle schools are listed as participating, but the 29 schools who are, come from all over the state.
YOM KIPPUR WITH KOL HANESHAMAH: You don’t have to be a member to join in today’s events with Kol HaNeshamah (WSB sponsor) – here’s the schedule:
8:45 am-9:15 am Children’s Service
9:30 am-1:30 pm Morning Service
** Please bring your own Chumash (Book of Torah) if you would like to follow the Torah readings. **
2:00 pm-4:00 pm Afternoon Workshops
4:00 pm-6:45 pm Afternoon Service (Yizkor, Ne’ila)
It’s all happening at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, California/Hanford.
YOM KIPPUR WITH WEST SEATTLE TLC: Today’s Yom Kippur schedule for the West Seattle Torah Learning Center:
Morning Prayer Service 8:45 am
Torah Reading, Yizkor 10:30 am
Neilah final service) 6:45 pm
Light break-fast (snack) served at the conclusion of the fast at 8:09 pm
ADMIRAL ADOPT-A-STREET: This morning, join the Admiral Neighborhood Association for a cleanup along nearby streets/sidewalks. All ages welcome; treats provided at the start and finish – tools and bags provided too. Meet outside Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) at 9 am. (41st/Admiral)
PAINTING PARTY AT K-5 STEM: Time to repaint the playground and add some playcourts, as well as some other work, now that the portables are gone and a new school year is under way. Join the K-5 STEM at Boren community and lend a hand, starting at 9:30 am today. Details in our original preview. (5950 Delridge Way SW)
BICYCLE SALE: West Seattle Cyclery (WSB sponsor) invites you in to check out deals this weekend. From proprietor Brad: “”West Seattle Cyclery is having a sale on all 2013 bikes. Save 20-45% off all 2013 bikes in stock. We have Road, Mountain, Commuter and Recreational bikes in stock. Every bike purchased comes with a FREE Basic Fit and 1 year of FREE adjustments.” (4508 California SW; hours here)
FIESTAS PATRIAS PARADE: Who doesn’t love a parade? This one is unique in our area, spotlighting Latin American cultural pride and traditions in a parade winding through nearby South Park, followed by a fiesta. Parade starts at 11 am; see the route and fiesta locations here. (P.S. West Seattle Bike Connections is participating with helmets/fittings/bike info.)
STORY TIME AT BARNES & NOBLE: Melissa says, “Fall is in the air (93 degree days notwithstanding…), so we’ll be reading ‘Fall Ball,’ a story for our football fans, and ‘Leaf Man.’ We’ll also be making our own leaf people! 11 am. (Westwood Village, south side)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: 1:30 pm at West Seattle Stadium, the Seattle Lutheran High School Saints host Lake Roosevelt. (4432 35th SW)
BARBECUE POTLUCK AND BIKE RIDE: Unicycle, bicycle, tricycle ride around Alki Point after a barbecue potluck at Lincoln Park – it all starts 1:30 pm, informal and fun, annual tradition among friends old and new, and you can join in – details here. (Shelters 53-56)
FIELDHOUSE CELEBRATION: In nearby White Center, King County Parks is celebrating the ~75th anniversary of the historic fieldhouse at Steve Cox Memorial Park with a 2-5 pm event today, including a 3:30 pm program – details on our partner site White Center Now. (1321 SW 102nd)
MAC FASHION HOUSE RUNWAY EXTRAVAGANZA: As part of the city’s Work Readiness in the Arts Program (WRAP), the West Seattle-based Unified Outreach arts nonprofit presents a Fashion Show Extravaganza, produced and modeled by youth, starting with a 5 pm meet and greet before the 6 pm fashion show. We stopped by during rehearsals on Friday:
Admission is free; 50 custom outfits shown on the runway will also be offered at silent auction. Comedian Nate Jackson emcees, with musical performances by Tyrone. (WSC Activity Center, 4400 42nd SW)
And even more in our calendar …
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Though it wasn’t a home game, the West Seattle High School Wildcats varsity football team, cheer squad, and fans weren’t far from home on Friday night. They faced Seattle Prep at West Seattle Stadium:
(#12: Sophomore Carter Golgart)
Prep got the victory, 50-13. The Wildcats’ next game is also on the road – this time, they’ll play downtown at Memorial Stadium, 7:45 pm Friday (September 20th).
(ADDED SATURDAY: The burned boat, the “Silly Goose” from Craig, AK, out of the water)
If you’re in Highland Park and other points east, you might have noticed the Seattle Fire response headed eastbound for this – a boat caught fire at a marina in South Park this past hour; we’re there covering it for our partner site The South Park News – updates here.
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Spirited crowd tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex as the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks took on Cleveland, who left with the win, 25-20. It was a hard-fought game:
Sealth scored first, with a TD just a minute into the game, per the school’s live tweets, and led 20-19 in the fourth quarter before Cleveland moved ahead.
The Seahawks host Rainier Beach at SWAC next Friday, 7 pm.
Police and fire crews have responded to what the Seattle Fire log categorizes at an assault-with-weapons call in the 8400 block of Delridge Way. Our crew at the scene is being told it’s a “medical call” – not a crime scene – at this point. One person is being taken to the hospital by private ambulance.
Thanks to the multiple WSB’ers who tipped us on this – hard to miss the big signage that has just gone up at 1513 SW Holden, which had been the bricks-and-mortar home of Athena’s since May of last year. It was the original home of Zippy’s Giant Burgers before that, and now burgers are returning to the space, along with teriyaki, according to the signage for Wanna. Nobody was around when we followed up on tips by heading over to look, so we inquired at neighboring Seamart, and were told the proprietor is a relative of Athena’s owner Nick Parisi – we’re following up to try to find out more.
Athena’s has actually been closed for several weeks; as noted here in late August (after we’d received several questions), a post on its Facebook page mentioned it would be closed “for construction” until early September.
(Photo added 5:08 pm; by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
3:49 PM: If you’ve noticed a big emergency response headed toward Harbor Avenue – it’s for a powerboat reported to be taking on water off Jack Block Park. Some of the responders have already been canceled, but others are continuing on. More as we get it.
3:55 PM UPDATE: Via scanner, the boat’s now been assessed as a 1960s-vintage wood boat, about 22 feet long, nobody on board, and they’re trying to figure out if it’s a “derelict vessel.” The fireboat Chief Seattle is on scene, per MarineTraffic.com; we have a crew headed that way. Scanner also indicates this is likely abandoned and the boat will be impounded if possible; the fireboat’s crew is reported to be doing a “stability survey.”
(WSB photo taken from Upper Fauntleroy this morning – ferry heading toward Vashon)
From today’s edition of Washington State Ferries boss David Moseley‘s weekly newsletter:
Starting this Sunday, Sept. 15, WSF will display our Seahawks pride on home game days by flying the #12 flag on some of our vessels in the system. Thanks to the Seattle Seahawks for graciously giving us the flags to use for this purpose. Go Hawks!
We’re checking to see if Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth will be included. In the meantime, if you see one Sunday, share a photo!
Hit the streets! Tomorrow (Saturday) morning, 9 am-noon, the Admiral Neighborhood Association would love to have your help with their Adopt-A-Street cleanup in the Admiral/California area. Treats provided before and after by Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), which is also where you will meet ANA members to get started – equipment and bags provided, of course. Look for them outside the store’s main entrance, off 41st/Admiral.
We’re always happy to hear about young West Seattleites’ achievements – whether the news comes from proud parents, coaches, teachers, or from the youth themselves. This announcement might be a first – a news release about a trio of Denny International Middle School students who are performing on the Skylark Club and Café calendar this Sunday, written by a proud dad who happens to work in PR. What really sells the story is the video – that’s Jet City Metro performing the Nirvana classic “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in their only previous onstage performance, the Denny 6th-grade talent show. And they rocked! Here’s their news release:
Twelve-year-old Jackson Spenser, a student at Denny International Middle School, founded a garage grunge band, Jet City Metro, earlier this year with two 12-year-old friends and fellow students. Their band has never performed in public, or even had an audition, but already they’ve landed a spot on the bill of an Americana-themed “All Ages Solo Show” this coming Sunday afternoon, September 15, at West Seattle’s Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW). [See details at end.]
Formed in April 2013, Jet City Metro has only performed together onstage once. As the closing act, they rocked the Denny 6th Grade Talent Show, on the last day of school this past June, with their hard-charging rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
During the performance, one Denny teacher danced along to the song onstage — throwing her arms up in the air with abandon — while the panel of teacher-judges started doing the Wave.
Though the official notice won’t go out until next week, the city’s master schedule now shows October 10th as the date for the next Southwest Design Review Board meeting. One project is on the agenda so far: 4435 35th SW, a six-story mixed-use building proposed for ~160 apartments, about the same number of parking spaces, and ~16,000 square feet of commercial space. Its site (map) is on the west side of 35th SW, currently holding an empty lot and The Bridge (which is moving to under-renovation 6301 California SW). The 35th SW project has had two Early Design Guidance meetings over the span of four years – after one for the original proposal in 2009, development plans went on the back burner until this year, when a new proposal passed EDG in June. The revised design proposal isn’t available yet but should be at least a week before the next meeting, 6:30 pm October 10th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).
So pretty, we wanted to share it here on this foggy morning – Danny McMillin‘s view of Puget Sound, the Olympics, and the Foss tug Pacific Star with a barge post-sunset last night. Meanwhile, it’s the second-to-last Friday the 13th of 2013…
SCHOOL BENEFIT SALE: It’s a big weekend of garage/rummage sales, and one is already under way – until 4 pm, the first day of a 3-day sale benefiting Shorewood Christian School (but not AT the school; it’s at 56th/Charlestown)
BLOOD DONATIONS: Puget Sound Blood Center has a mobile unit at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) today until 3 pm (closed 11 am-noon), walkups welcome. (California/Stevens)
FAMILY NIGHT AT THE Y: This free event is open to the community, not just West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor) members – open swim, kids’ gym, more, 6-8 pm. (4515 36th SW)
RESCHEDULED OUTDOOR MOVIE: No chance of rain in tonight’s forecast, so the benefit outdoor screening of “Epic” at Schmitz Park Elementary is back on, as noted here earlier this week. Gates at 6:15 pm, movie around 7:30 pm. (50th/Spokane)
MAGIC SHOW AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: Come to Alki Community Center for this show and be amazed – 6:30 pm; info in our listing. (5817 SW Stevens)
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER: Bunco Night and silent auction at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 7 pm, raising money for Alzheimer’s research – details in our calendar listing. (California/Oregon)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Two games in West Seattle tonight – both at 7 pm: WSHS vs. Seattle Prep at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW); Chief Sealth vs. Cleveland at SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
YOM KIPPUR WITH KOL HANESHAMAH: Kol Nidre at 7 pm, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. Also find details of tomorrow’s Yom Kippur events on the Kol HaNeshamah (WSB sponsor) website. (California/Hanford)
YOM KIPPUR WITH WEST SEATTLE TLC: 7:15 pm prayer service – details here, including how to RSVP for location info.
Find even more on our calendar!
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
This edition of the WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled in recent days by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”
*Early Tuesday, an officer was driving past an Admiral grocery store when he recognized a car parked near the front door as being the suspect vehicle in many shoplifting incidents. The officer parked nearby and was able to watch the suspects as they “shopped” inside and as the male half of the couple loaded nearly $400 worth of stolen items into the car. Because the female half of the couple had paid for her items, she was interviewed and released; the man was booked into King County Jail for investigation of theft.
*A Shoreline resident was arrested early Wednesday after screaming in the street and damaging a vehicle in the 7000 block of Fauntleroy Way SW. He was aggressive with officers, failed to obey orders to keep his hands visible, and had to be tased. When told he was under arrest, he spit on the inside window of the patrol car. He could face charges of property damage and obstructing public officers.
Ahead – 11 more summaries, including the case of the speeder who turned out to be wanted in a BIG way, panhandlers vs. missionaries, and sidewalk knife-sharpening:
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Fog’s back. No out-of-the-ordinary incidents affecting routes in or from West Seattle right now. On the road-work front, SW Thistle eastbound is closed between 35th and 37th for replacement of concrete panels.
Weekend reminders: On Sunday, California SW is closed from Genesee to Edmunds in The Junction for the West Seattle Car Show, 6 am until 6 pm (unless the show participants are cleared out sooner); the show itself is 8 am-4 pm. That’s one of the events on the weekend citywide traffic roundup.
(2009 photo)
You can help make a scene like that happen near the Fauntleroy Way end of the West Seattle Bridge – just join Nancy Driver and other community volunteers, one week from Saturday:
Love the Walking on Logs statues and love seeing them dressed up? Then please consider giving a few hours of your time to upkeep of the site.
The Walking on Logs Landscape Group is looking for volunteers to help with a cleanup of the Walking on Logs site on Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. We will be weed whacking, hand weeding and picking up trash . Volunteers should wear good shoes (parts of the site may be muddy) and bring their own gloves if possible, although we will have some gloves on site. If you can bring your own small hand tools, it would be appreciated. Water and snacks will be provided.
We will meet at 9:00 am at the gate on Fauntleroy Way SW near the intersection of SW Andover Street The gate is a bit north of the crosswalk that goes over the highway. A sign will be posted marking the gate. If you need further information please contact Nancy at nldriver@q.com .
Hope to see you there and we particularly hope to see volunteers from the various groups that make use of the site. Thanks.
A little time will make a big difference!
After almost half a year as interim managing director at ArtsWest, Laura Lee is now its official managing director. Board president Dawn Leverett is quoted in the announcement as saying:
“In the time that Laura has been serving as our Interim Managing Director and providing us with strategic and marketing support, we have experienced unprecedented growth. We have exceeded ticket and revenue goals for every production on our stage, hosted a record-setting annual Gala, reversed our projected deficit to end our year with a modest gain, and have started on a path of rebranding and identity strengthening. But what Laura brings to us is more than just box office successes and fundraising, she has re-energized our staff, Board and even our physical spaces. Her light and focus are leading us into a new era and we are excited for all the changes that are taking place.”
Lee is quoted as saying:
“This is a time of maturity and growth for ArtsWest and I have a firm vision as we move forward. Respecting the past, living in the moment and looking ahead to the future, we are solidifying our niche in the Seattle theatre community and reaching outward to be good business stewards in West Seattle and beyond. We are in the midst of an extensive rebranding effort and there are many exciting changes underway. We are on the cusp of turning something good into something great. I invite you to stay with us as a stronger, more contemporary mission-driven ArtsWest unfolds.”
Lee has 28 years of experience on nonprofit boards as well as being the founder of Production Sports, described as “a sports promotion/production company that has worked with U.S. Figure Skating, USA Gymnastics and the Seattle Sports Commission to bring elite, international, televised events to the Pacific Northwest.” ArtsWest’s gallery and theater are in the middle of some downtime right now, as noted here, but are close to reopening, with the new season starting October 2nd with the co-world premiere of Lauren Gunderson‘s “The Taming.” The physical box office is closed until September 26th, but online sales are happening here.
We’re starting summer’s last West Seattle Art Walk – it’s year-round, but fall will arrive by the next one – on the north end of the map, at Alki Arts (2820 Alki SW). That’s co-proprietor Diane Venti in our photo with some of tonight’s featured work; also at her gallery, MoonGirl is making music tonight for a sunny evening.
This is also Alki Arts’ final West Seattle Art Walk, since its lease ends at month’s end, after what began as a “temporary” experiment turned into a three-year adventure.
Next, we’re heading south to the Admiral District. Tonight’s venue map/list is here, and Art Walk is on until 9 pm.
6:52 PM: At Mind Unwind (2206 California SW), you’ll meet Los Angeles artist Meagan Segal:
Her art tells a story, with flowers and with the inner workings of humans. Also featured tonight, Seattle artist Robroy Chalmers, and MU proprietor Krystal Kelley has booked live music too – classical guitarist Tim Scallon. Segal and Chalmers’ work together forms the show “Torn Inside,” and is explained in exhibition notes on the WSAW website: “Both look to the body as a source of visual beauty, physical pain, sexual pleasure and intellectual discovery. The images they make reflect a deep understanding of the human form, but both come to a far different end with their rendering of the form.”
Next – we continue southbound, to The Junction.
7:33 PM: Two Junction stops so far, and two more to go. Continuing the north-to-south trajectory, we dropped by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor):
That’s photographer David Atkinson, showing work including incredible natural beauty.
At Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor), as reported here earlier this week, it’s the first book signing for Christopher Boffoli since his “Big Appetites” book hit the stores two days ago:
It’s a reception, too, and Click! also is featuring the realist paintings of Ann Duffy tonight.
8:41 PM: Our last two stops for the night, also in The Junction – Twilight Gallery (4306 SW Alaska), where Kristina Griffith was speaking about her “Iconic Women” work, an “illustrative portrait series celebrat(ing) Iconic Women and their diversity”:
Like many of the exhibits that are up on Art Walk night, you can visit the venue to see this one even afterward – it’ll be up all month. (By the way, you might recall that Griffith is one of the artists who did mural work on the vacant storefronts awaiting demolition on the other side of the California/Alaska intersection.)
Speaking of Mural – the lower floor of that building is home to Wallflower Custom Framing (4735 44th SW; WSB sponsor), where Sue Danielson‘s “Circularity Series” opened:
Next WS Art Walk is the second Thursday in October, so that’s October 10th – the venue list is only locked in one quarter at a time, so there’ll be some additions by then; keep an eye on wsartwalk.com.
Last Friday night, we published an update on the slope-repair project in the slide-beset 6000 block of Beach Drive (map), and quoted SDOT as saying the followup road repair would likely happen by the end of the month. Now, we know the dates: The new edition of the city’s weekly Construction Lookahead says the work is set for 9 am-6 pm September 24-25.
(WSB photo from October 2012, 35th SW south of Avalon)
The date’s now set for the launch meeting of the new West Seattle Transit Coalition (mentioned in WSB coverage of this week’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting) – and you’re invited – 6:30 pm September 24th at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. If you’re concerned about the state of transportation in/to/from West Seattle, don’t miss it. From the official announcement:
Following discussions over several months, a multitude of West Seattle groups have made the decision to attempt to form a West Seattle Transit Coalition. There are at least three factors currently working in tandem to significantly worry a lot of people in West Seattle, that we have been talking about on and off for months in our meetings.
*The looming reduction of mass transit services regionwide with the King County Metro funding crisis coming out of Olympia. All services will face up to a 17% cut in volume.
*This is only compounded for us in West Seattle, with the equally looming end of the SR-99 Viaduct and the construction headaches that will cause for all of us soon.
*Third, the population because of increasing density (whether you’re a fan or not) in West Seattle is increasing, further straining transit — transit which may soon reduce, straining it even further.
Individually, any one of these things is a topic deep enough for a three hour meeting, or more. Put together? Again, regardless of what side you’re on about any of these issues, altogether they equal out to everyone coming out of West Seattle having a pretty awful commute very soon.
If for some reason your group is unable to attend or send representatives, this will be not a closed, finite thing. For example, several ideas for draft letters and statements are floating around under discussion. These will be reviewed and possibly finalized–with the upcoming elections, ballots will go out in the beginning of October. This makes the entire thing time-sensitive, but people will be still able to endorse if desired later. This is all very sudden, and a bit of an emergency, with so many things spinning together at once.
Read the rest of the announcement – including a plan to get elected officials and candidates on the record with where they stand – by going here. And be there September 24th to show your support; High Point Center is at 6400 Sylvan Way SW.
Another milestone for the new South Park Bridge – the south leaf of its drawspan was put into place this week, somewhat unnoticed until local community activist Bill Pease mentioned it on SP’s lively e-mail list. We went down at midday today to take a look on behalf of WSB and partner site The South Park News (more photos in our report there). In our photo above, you can still see part of the old bridge in the background; meantime, for context, here’s the rendering of what the finished bridge is supposed to look like:
Three years and three months have passed since King County closed the old bridge because of safety concerns; you might recall the farewell “wake” the night it was shut down for good. King County’s current estimate for bridge completion: Spring of next year.
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