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Happening now: West Seattle girls’ bake sale to benefit animals
July 27, 2013 12:29 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Volunteers and givers are awesome, at any age. Two West Seattle kids are out this afternoon helping raise money for animal advocacy, and you can support them – Carey sent the photo and info:

Two Schmitz Park incoming 4th graders putting their love of animals to work through a bake sale to benefit the Humane Society, corner of 36th and Dakota. Gwen and Muriel are selling brownies, cookies, cupcakes, popsicles, and beverages!

Carey says they decided to stay out as long as they have something to sell – possibly as late as 4 pm.

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City offering free trees! Get your request in, starting Wednesday
July 27, 2013 11:53 am
|    Comments Off on City offering free trees! Get your request in, starting Wednesday
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news

Want free trees for your yard? Starting Wednesday, you can apply for up to four free trees from Seattle reLeaf‘s Trees for Neighborhoods program. The program also provides free watering bags for each tree, plus training on proper planting and care.

The application can be found on the program website starting Wednesday (July 31st), and program managers say the trees go quickly, so you shouldn’t wait to apply. Different species of trees are offered, including both large and small varieties that are well-suited for urban areas. This year’s offerings include Galaxy Magnolia, Emerald Sunshine Elm, Cascara, and mountain hemlock. Find the full list here.

Since 2009, Trees for Neighborhoods has helped Seattleites plant more than 1,000 trees each year. According to Seattle reLeaf, these trees help to absorb storm water, replace carbon dioxide with oxygen, and calm traffic. Learn more about the benefits of trees in urban areas, and how to take care of them, at seattle.gov/trees.

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West Seattle Saturday: ‘Devil Wears Prada’ at Outdoor Movies tonight – and more
July 27, 2013 9:36 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

That’s a trailer for “The Devil Wears Prada,” with Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, on the big screen tonight for the second Saturday of this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies (with sponsors including WSB). That’s the highlight atop our list for today/tonight:

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Tonight’s event includes a silent benefit auction of donated women’s shoes – bring yours to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW, next to the movie courtyard; WSB sponsor) any time today before the movie, new or gently used. The movie’s at dusk, which was around 9:30 pm last week and will be a few minutes earlier this week, but the gates are open in the early evening for staking out your spot with chair/blanket. Go get takeout dinner from a nearby Junction restaurant and make a picnic out of it! Movie’s free; bring $ for charity-benefiting concessions.

Also today/tonight:

OPEN HOUSE AT SSCC: The Culinary, Pastry, Baking programs at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) have an open house 9:30-11 am – find out about the educational options! Details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

NORTHWEST FIGHT AND FITNESS COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE: It’s not just about NWFF, it’s about half a dozen-plus other community businesses too. Stop by 10 am-3 pm – see our preview from Friday. (5050 Delridge Way SW)

GOING INTO KINDERGARTEN AT LAFAYETTE? Playdate on the school playground, 10 am-noon today; details here.

CAR WASH BENEFITING WSHS CHEER: Need your vehicle washed? Go to West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) between 11 am and 4 pm and the West Seattle High School Cheer Squad will get it done! Details in our calendar listing. (35th/Webster)

ORGANIZE FOR AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE: Public meeting, 11:30 am at Delridge Library – details in our calendar listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

HEY, SUNRISE HEIGHTS! Your neighborhood picnic and street dance is tonight, 5-10 pm, details here. (30th SW between Myrtle and Othello)

LAST NIGHT FOR ‘CHESS’: Last night for the ArtsWest Summer Apprenticeship Program’s presentation of the musical “Chess,” onstage at 7:30 tonight. (4711 California SW)

AT KENYON HALL: Josh Harty and Andrea Peterman perform onstage at Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm – read about them in the calendar listing. (7908 35th SW)

SEAFAIR TORCHLIGHT PARADE, AND ENTRIES OF NOTE: Going downtown for the big parade? Stake out a spot early! West Seattleites you’ll see, according to the parade lineup distributed to the news media by Seafair, include King County Executive Dow Constantine and of course the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Float. Right before the parade, we’ll find out if either West Seattle participant in the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women is crowned Miss Seafair or a princess – they are Hi-Yu’s Kayli Schulz and Admiral Neighborhood Association-sponsored Victoria Ferrulli. Parade-participating bands that were here last night for the pre-parade Band Jam include the Pacific Northwest Drumline, Sumner High School, Calgary Round-Up, and of course the Seattle All-City Band. (Though they weren’t here last night, you can also root for the Kennedy Catholic High School Band from nearby Burien.) Parade starts at the Seattle Center end of 4th Avenue at 7:30 pm and heads south to the International District.

LIVE AT THE FEEDBACK: Delaney Davidson from New Zealand at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)

And LOTS more on the calendar!

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Traffic/transit reminder for tonight: NB Highway 99 closure and other Seafair Torchlight Run/Parade effects
July 27, 2013 8:16 am
|    Comments Off on Traffic/transit reminder for tonight: NB Highway 99 closure and other Seafair Torchlight Run/Parade effects
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from a north-facing Highway 99 camera, one of the views on the WSB Traffic page)
One more reminder if you’ll be outside West Seattle tonight – or headed outbound: Tonight’s Seafair Torchlight Run and Parade bring some road closures you might need to know about:

*Northbound Highway 99 closed for the run, West Seattle Bridge to Western Ave. exit, approximately 5:30-8 pm
*Other street closures tonight for the run and the parade that follows: Listed in the city’s weekend lineup
*Bus reroutes were listed in this WSB preview

More parade information coming up in our West Seattle Saturday daily preview, since as usual, there are local participants!

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In case you thought you were hearing fireworks again …
July 26, 2013 10:32 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

… you were. From WSB HQ, this past half-hour, we heard what we were certain was the rumbling of a fireworks show in the distance, and guessed something was happening in Kitsap County, maybe on Vashon. Various web searches finally yielded the answer: Kitsap indeed, for Silverdale Whaling Days.

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Video: Torchlight Parade eve ‘Band Jam’ in West Seattle
July 26, 2013 7:17 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
7:17 PM: The first of more than half a dozen marching bands is on the field right now at Southwest Athletic Complex across from Chief Sealth International High School, for this year’s Band Jam – something the Seattle All-City Band and its director Marcus Pimpleton (photo below; he’s also music leader at Sealth and adjacent Denny International Middle School) came up as a way for ACB and visiting bands to have fun and tune up the night before the big Seafair Torchlight Parade.

Good crowd already in the stadium stands, but still lots of room for you to drop in – no admission charge, but if you buy concessions/merchandise from ACB volunteers, that’ll benefit their ongoing operations. The Junior All-City Band, which Pimpleton explained as a “two-week camp” – including its performance in last Saturday’s Rotary Kiddie Parade before the West Seattle Grand Parade – is up first. Others to come include not only the ACB but also the Calgary Round-Up Band (seen in the WS Grand Parade as was the ACB), Pacific Northwest Drumline (video below), Sumner High School Marching Band (top photo), and more.

9:07 PM: Over after two high-energy hours.

Surprise of the night, Chaotic Noise Marching Corps (photo above), a self-described ‘renegade marching band’ – wow! (Video added:)

11:05 PM: We’re adding photos and video now, some inline, some in this last section. Here’s our video of how the night ended – with members of all the bands getting back out on the field for what was indeed a band jam:

Aside from that, Calgary put on what was literally the biggest show:

It was a field-wide, theatrical presentation with a circus theme, including acrobatics, and even, as shown in our photo above, a few costumes. Video:

Shadows fell on the field as dusk approached, but spirits and sound blazed brightly:

Some of the hosts’ choreography:

All-City Band has been practicing at SWAC this year instead of their traditional site, Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center.

ADDED SATURDAY: Thanks to Steve White for the view above of the stands from the field’s south end!

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Community open house tomorrow at West Seattle Fight & Fitness
July 26, 2013 5:06 pm
|    Comments Off on Community open house tomorrow at West Seattle Fight & Fitness
 |   Delridge | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

No big festival or parade in West Seattle tomorrow – but fun events abound just the same. The video’s from the WSB sponsor where you’ll find one of those events – a community open house at West Seattle Fight and Fitness in North Delridge. Tomorrow from 10 am to 3 pm, you’re invited to stop by to tour the facility, where more remodeling is under way, and meet seven community vendors, including Roxbury Spine and Wellness Clinic (also a WSB sponsor), plus there’s word a food truck will be there too. Here’s the Facebook event page; WSFF is at 5050 Delridge Way SW.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen car; stolen GPS; two ‘suspicious’ sightings
July 26, 2013 1:44 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four reader reports to share in West Seattle Crime Watch, starting with a stolen car to watch for:
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Happening now: From Utah to Las Vegas to Admiral – installation under way for prefab green-built home
July 26, 2013 12:49 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

As mentioned in today’s West Seattle Friday calendar preview, a home-building project in West Seattle is creating a stir today. It’s more like “home-installing.” A North Seattle company called Greenfab built the 2,300-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom house in Utah, trucked it to Las Vegas for a show during which 7,000 people toured it, and then brought it here, where cranes are installing the home in five pieces on a lot in North Admiral.

Go here to see what it will look like – more classic than modern, built to a stringent sustainability standard – “LEED Platinum ready,” according to the official brochure. Greenfab’s Johnny Hartsfield says once it’s installed – the last piece might not be added until Saturday morning – there will be at least a month more work, and then it will go on sale, for a price likely around $785,000.

This is Greenfab’s first project in West Seattle, and might be the last one for a while, with its next few projects slated elsewhere in the city; Hartsfield explained that they acquired this site because of a relationship with its out-of-state (former) owner, who had contacted them about a custom project elsewhere. The previous home on this site was torn down more than a year ago. Greenfab welcomes visitors as this project proceeds today and even has an info tent set up across the street (50th SW, which is closed south of Waite because of the crane and truck activity). Meantime, we’ll be adding a few more photos – and you can see progress reports on Greenfab’s Facebook page; they’re also shooting a time-lapse of the installation and expect to have it done within a week or so.

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West Seattle schools: 2 chances to talk about boundary changes, ‘other big district decisions’
July 26, 2013 11:53 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

West Seattle’s representative on the Seattle School Board, Marty McLaren, has just announced the dates for the informal meetings she promised to set up over the summer, to get your thoughts on boundary changes and other big district decisions later in the year:

The decisions about Seattle Schools Growth Boundaries in West Seattle will be very important for our community, and I’ve scheduled two informal West Seattle meetings so that community members can gather to discuss the issues:

Saturday, August 3, from 10 to 12 noon at the Southwest Branch Library, 9010 35th Ave SW

Wednesday, August 14, 6 to 7:45 PM at the West Seattle Branch Library, 2306 42nd SW (behind the Metropolitan Market)

Related district documents are linked from this page on her website.

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West Seattle Friday: From Admiralty House to prefab house; Band Jam; more
July 26, 2013 9:29 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Josh for the photo of the line outside the Admiralty House Antiques liquidation sale, one of today’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (and elsewhere):

SALE STARTS: As noted again yesterday in our story about its now-retired owner Fred Dau, the Admiralty House Antiques liquidation sale is on, until 4 pm today, 9 am-4 pm each of the next two days. Online previews are here. (2141 California SW)

‘LOVE PARKS’ DAY: Big work party at Lincoln Park, 10 am-2 pm. Pre-registration was requested but we suspect they won’t mind if you just show up. Here’s our preview.

HOUSE INSTALLATION: Maybe you’ve seen the trucks in the Admiral area this morning:

Thanks to Dave and Jane for sharing the photo. We just learned about this last night (thanks to a neighbor who visited our table at the first Hiawatha concert) – the North Seattle company Greenfab is installing a three-story pre-built home near 50th and Waite, where some side streets will be closed as a result, and that’s what’s been trucked in.

MARIJUANA POLICIES: The City Council committee briefing we mentioned earlier this week is at 2 pm today. If you can’t be there, Seattle Channel (cable or online) will be live as usual.

BAND JAM: Big show tonight with at least five marching bands at Southwest Athletic Complex, getting ready for tomorrow night’s Seafair Torchlight Parade. Here’s our most recent preview from early today. Free, but bring money for treats and merchandise that’ll support ACB! (2801 SW Thistle)

SHAKESPEARE AT CAMP LONG: Greenstage presents “King Lear” outdoors at Camp Long, 7 pm – details in our calendar listing. (5200 35th SW)

CHESS AT ARTSWEST: Second and final weekend for the ArtsWest Summer Apprenticeship Program’s presentation of the musical “Chess,” onstage at 7:30 tonight. (4711 California SW)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates, notes
July 26, 2013 6:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates, notes
 |   Announcements

(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:01 AM: We’re starting this report off the main page because of the motorcycle crash we’ve been covering since the 3 am hour; our ongoing coverage is here. Traffic/transit effects because of the investigation:
*California is closed from Genesee south to Alaska
*Oregon is closed between 42nd and 44th
*Four bus routes are detouring around that area – 22, 50, 55, 128

8:21 AM UPDATE: Metro says the area has reopened.

BACK TO ORIGINAL REPORT: Meantime, we’re going into a busy 3-day weekend of traffic/transit effects around the area – here’s the full roundup from SDOT, including the northbound Highway 99 closure for the Torchlight Run tomorrow night. And here’s the full bus alert related to that:

Riders should plan ahead and prepare for rerouted bus service and potential delays on Saturday, July 27, from about 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., as Metro Transit shifts 35 bus routes in the Seattle Center, downtown Seattle and Alaskan Way Viaduct areas for the Seafair Torchlight fun runs and parade. Other transit and traffic delays can be expected Saturday as a major event at Key Arena lets out, the Capitol Hill Block Party rocks on and the Mariners are in town.

Ride transit to Torchlight

While most buses that operate on surface streets in the Seattle Center and downtown Seattle areas will be rerouted, riding transit is still the best way to get to these events, as traffic will be congested and parking downtown will be limited. Rerouted buses go to within one or two blocks of the parade route.

Friday-Sunday: Pine Street weekend bus service revisions

Part of the impacts start Friday evening, July 26, when Pine Street bus service is rerouted until midday Sunday due to the grandstand placement at Fourth Avenue.

Saturday evening bus service revisions
While the parade begins at 7:30 p.m., transit service changes begin earlier. From about 6 p.m. Saturday, July 27, until the end of the parade, the entire length of Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle will be closed, and nearly all east/west streets will also be blocked at Fourth Avenue. Many buses will be rerouted and there will likely be schedule delays. Delays in one area can cause delays at other points along a bus’s routing.

Buses with reroutes include RapidRide C and D lines, Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 24, 26, 28, 33, 36, 40, 43, 47, 49, 66, 70, 83, 84, 99, 120, 125, 131, 132, and Sound Transit routes 522, 545 and 554. Refer to the posted information for each route to see what stops might be missed.

During the Seafair Torchlight Run events, starting prior to the parade at about 5:30 p.m., the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed for about one hour until the runners clear that area. Northbound Viaduct buses will operate via I-5 during this time. The southbound Viaduct is not affected and will remain open.

Starting at 6 p.m., while the Seattle Center area is affected by parade activities, Metro will operate a Route 4 shuttle about every 20 minutes to and from Nob Hill Avenue. At Seattle Center board the Route 4 shuttle northbound on First Avenue North, just south of Republican Street. It will serve all regularly posted bus stops along its route.

Also starting at 6 p.m. – and until traffic and crowds clear afterward – Metro bus routes 120, 124, 125, 131 and 132 will serve a temporary bus stop southbound on Third Avenue between Pike and Union streets, instead of their usual stop between Pine and Pike streets. South of Union Street they will serve their regularly posted stops along Third Avenue.

Most transit service will return to its regular routing and stops at 10:30 p.m., except Pine Street service will remain rerouted until about midday Sunday when the parade grandstand is removed.

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Update: Motorcycle rider killed in West Seattle Junction crash
July 26, 2013 3:40 am
|      75 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(SCROLL DOWN for newest information)

3:40 AM: We are at California and Oregon, where a motorcycle rider is dead at the scene of a crash that happened just after 3 am. Police at the scene are not able to say much yet, but a Jeep Liberty also was involved in the crash; its driver was not seriously hurt. The intersection is taped off and likely to be closed for hours.

4:10 AM UPDATE: The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad, which investigates crashes with deadly and/or life-threatening injuries, is here. They’re expanding the closure of California northward to Genesee; Oregon is closed between 42nd and 44th. The motorcycle, and victim, are on the west side of the street just north of California, and the collision took out a big planter. SPD describes the victim as a man in his 60s. The SUV driver, also male, had a dog in the vehicle, and someone has come to pick it up. TV stations are here too and gearing up to report on this during morning newscasts.

5:02 AM UPDATE: Metro says Routes 22, 50, 55, 128 are being rerouted around the crash scene until it’s cleared.

6:16 AM UPDATE: We’re checking back at the scene.

Investigators think they will be there a few more hours, so please note that if you go through that area in the morning, you will need to detour.

8:05 AM UPDATE: Open again, per Metro alert that buses have returned to their regular routes.

9:48 AM UPDATE: SPD has just posted this update:

Just shortly after 3:00 a.m.,a patrol officer was stopped facing southbound on California Av Sw at Sw Alaska St. The officer noticed a red Jeep Liberty turn left from SW Alaska onto northbound California Av Sw. Moments later, the officer heard a loud crash behind him; he made a u-turn and came upon that same Jeep Liberty involved in a collision with a motorcycle at the intersection of California Av SW and SW Oregon St. It appears the Harley Davidson motorcycle was travelling west on Sw Oregon St and was struck in the intersection by the northbound Jeep Liberty.

On scene patrol officers initiated CPR on the 62-year-old male motorcycle operator; Seattle Fire resumed life saving efforts when they arrived, the male was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene shortly thereafter. The King County Medical Examiner responded and took custody of the male.

As is routine, a DUI unit responded and evaluated the driver of the Jeep Liberty; no signs of impairment were detected.
The investigation continues.

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One more reminder: Band Jam tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex
July 26, 2013 2:35 am
|    Comments Off on One more reminder: Band Jam tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If you didn’t see the All-City Band last Saturday in the West Seattle Grand Parade, our video clip features their first song after entering the parade route by Hiawatha. This Saturday night – as in tomorrow – they’re in the city’s biggest parade of the year, the Seafair Torchlight Parade. So tonight, it’s time for one last practice, and that will be before as big a crowd as cares to come out and cheer them on. As we’ve been telling you for the past few weeks, it’s the annual Band Jam, and this year it’s right here in West Seattle, home to All-City Band director Marcus Pimpleton, at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm. Along with the All-City Band, at least four other bands will perform; the lineup could change up to the last minute – check the Facebook event page. Admission is free; merchandise and food will be for sale, with proceeds benefiting the All-City Band.

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Followup: Benchview neighborhood wins key ruling in lot-split fight
July 25, 2013 8:52 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(UPDATED FRIDAY MORNING with comment from City Attorney’s Office – scroll down)

(WSB photo taken tonight: Original house at right, under-construction house at left)
8:52 PM: King County Superior Court Judge Mariane Spearman‘s ruling is in, following last Friday’s hearing (WSB coverage here) on the Benchview neighborhood’s fight over boundaries for three potential home sites where one house had stood for decades. We’ve just downloaded the court documents, after getting e-mail with this link to the neighbors’ report on the ruling. While Judge Spearman ruled for the city on two technical points, she ruled against the big point the neighborhood had challenged – the configuration the city had approved for the “lot boundary adjustment” to create three building lots on the site at 55th and Manning, shown in this graphic enhanced by neighbor David Allen:

We’re going back through the court document for more details and will add to this followup.

ADDED 9:31 PM: Here’s the 13-page ruling (PDF); embedded, below:

Judge's ruling in Benchview neighborhood challenge to city-approved lot split


Do note, this case was NOT a lawsuit – it was a challenge brought under the Land Use Petition Act.

From the ruling – the two points on which Judge Spearman sided with the city: One, that it was proper for the city to say the “historic lot exception” applied here; though only one home sat on the corner for 60 years, the land technically was four lots, platted at 2500 square feet. The city had already ruled that one of those lots could not be considered separate because part of it “is needed to satisfy the current rear yard requirement for the existing house.” Two, that it was OK for the owner/developers’ application to have been treated as a Lot Boundary Adjustment case that did not require more public involvement.

The point on which the neighborhood won involves a deck whose presence, as the judge sees it, consolidates three of the four “lots” into one because it juts over the line, and therefore requires the city to change its calculations for the minimum allowable lot size. As a result, one of the three newly boundary-adjusted lots is too small, the judge ruled.

The question now is whether the city will challenge the judge’s ruling. We’ll be seeking comment tomorrow. We originally reported in January on the neighborhood’s concerns.

ADDED 1:23 AM: We asked Benchview’s Dave Allen for comment:

We are thrilled that Judge Spearman made a key ruling in favor of the Benchview neighborhood. By reversing the City’s approval of part of the lot boundary adjustment, the rest of the LBA falls apart and is nullified.

We trust the City will comply with the judge’s decision. The developer can submit a fresh LBA application. But according to City law, the house he is building on the property now disqualifies him from claiming three total lots. Now he only has two.

Two houses on these two lots has always been the fair and reasonable solution. Now it’s the law.

ADDED 10:03 AM FRIDAY: As promised, we contacted the City Attorney’s Office. From spokesperson Kimberly Mills: “We are considering the judge’s ruling. As always, the options include doing nothing (accepting the ruling), seeking reconsideration from the judge, or appealing to the Division One of the Court of Appeals. We have not yet resolved which option to pursue.”

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Happening now: Swingin’ night on the lawn as Summer Concerts at Hiawatha begin
July 25, 2013 6:56 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

It’s the first night of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, and swing/jazz seems perfect for this warm summer night on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center, where Glenn Crytzer and His Syncopators are playing for a crowd we estimate to be at least 300 so far, with people still drifting in:

And some are already dancing, both near the stage and on the edges of the crowd:

The concerts are presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, led by president David Whiting:

He introduced tonight’s emcee, Victoria Ferrulli, who is representing ANA in the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women (one of two West Seattle representatives in this year’s competition, along with Hi-Yu‘s Kayli Schulz):

We’ll find out Saturday night, before the Torchlight Parade, who gets crowned as Seafair royalty. Meantime – concert sponsors are here at Hiawatha, including us, and some have special freebies – next to our table, Merrill Gardens (WSB sponsor) has coloring books, and over under the canopy, Metropolitan Market (also a WSB sponsor) has mini-brownie bites with coupons for a discount on more:

The music continues until about 8 pm, and it’s a big lawn, so bring your chair/blanket if you’re not here already, bring a picnic if you want – it’s a really casual environment and a great place to be outside on a midsummer night. Next week (Thursday, August 1st, 6:30 pm) it’ll be The Dusty 45s – and if you want a dinner option, there’ll be a barbecue benefiting Hiawatha.

7:49 PM UPDATE: ANA’s estimate of tonight’s peak crowd (starting to dwindle now), 400 people.

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4755 Fauntleroy alley spat: Development team defends its ‘public benefit’ plan; Whole Foods says, ‘We’re a good employer’
July 25, 2013 5:44 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   4755 Fauntleroy | Development | West Seattle news

In the second week since the 4755 Fauntleroy Way project – 370 apartments, a Whole Foods Market, and other TBA retailers – was catapulted into the citywide spotlight by a mayoral letter, we heard yesterday from the advocacy group rallying concerns, and now, today, we hear again from the development team and WF. Reps for Lennar Homes and Weingarten Realty tell WSB they are still hoping to engage the mayor directly in dialogue, but for now, here’s their defense of the “public benefit” they are proposing as a prerequisite for City Council approval of an “alley vacation” for the site, which would lead to the city selling the alley land in question to the developers, which the mayor says the city shouldn’t do:

… This is the first project implemented under the West Seattle Triangle Plan and is an exciting opportunity for the community to have the environmental issues on this site remediated, abandoned buildings removed, and vacant parking lots replaced with new businesses, housing and, most of all, jobs.

Early in this process, the development team reviewed the planning and zoning documents for these parcels and we were impressed with the grass-roots effort that created and implemented the West Seattle Triangle Plan.

Accordingly, this re-development fully supports the recommendations of the community as expressed in the West Seattle Triangle Plan. This vision, passed by Council and signed by Mayor McGinn less than two years ago, includes vacating the public alleyway and creating a midblock connector.

The proposal to vacate an on-site alley went through extensive vetting by DPD, SDOT, the Design Commission and the West Seattle Design Review Board. Under the City’s established process, the Design Commission unanimously recommended approval of the alley vacation and the West Seattle Design Review Board also recommended approval of the project. Strong public support in favor of the re-development was seen at all meetings and is also seen in comments posted on media websites.

The total width of the midblock connector is 51 feet on 40th Avenue and 41 feet on Fauntleroy Way. This is the normal width of a typical city street in Seattle and exceeds the minimum required standards for an alley, which are just 20 feet.

Along with providing a new midblock connector that is more than twice as wide as the requirements of an alley, this redevelopment will also create a functioning north/south alley. Currently, the existing alley that runs north and south, dead ends into a 6’-0” high retaining wall and is impassable for vehicles or pedestrians.

Although we are replacing approximately 6,600 square feet of vacated alley with a 11,000-square-foot midblock connector, which includes a public easement, the city requires us to purchase the vacated portion of the alley from the city. This transaction will occur after a post-construction appraisal is completed.

In addition to purchasing the vacated alley from the city at full-market value, we are required to provide a “public benefit” package. For this project, more than $2 million will be invested into the community by providing:

• Activation of a city-designated Green Street on 40th Ave. SW
• Creation of 5,000+ s.f. of public plazas and open space on site
• Widening of 40th Ave. SW on the north end of the block
• Creation of 6- to 10-foot-wide bands of landscaping around the project
• Addition of a 5-foot-wide bike lane on Fauntleroy Way
• Curation and installation of public art
• Funding for design of a new city park on 40th Ave SW

Another positive outcome of the re-development will be a new source of sales and property tax revenues for the city.

Through all of this and more, we are demonstrating a strong commitment to the community, and West Seattle will benefit from a blighted area being re-developed into a thriving, pedestrian-friendly business and residential district.

Meantime, Whole Foods – which is not part of the “development team” but rather a signed tenant for the project – has sent us its latest rebuttal. From regional president Joe Rogoff, from whom we first heard July 16th (in a statement toward the end of our story the day the controversy erupted):
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West Seattle road work: Delridge-area changes next week
July 25, 2013 5:14 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Though the current phase of the Delridge Repaving Project has not required detours, because the road is wide enough for one lane each way, there will be changes in the area next week, SDOT just announced – read on:

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Home broken into; gas siphoned
July 25, 2013 3:33 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two quick West Seattle Crime Watch notes to share. First, from Sue in Gatewood:

My house was (burglarized) in broad daylight (Wednesday) between 9:30-11 AM. I live on SW Elmgrove between California and 41st. They entered through a side window using a screwdriver and left through the front door. I have 2 large dogs who bark a lot but aren’t vicious who were unharmed. They took mostly jewelry, 2 cameras, iPod, small amount of cash.

And from Erika:

Last week, my boyfriend and myself had someone siphon gas and take our gas caps some time during the night on Alki Avenue. We live next to Anchor Park.

SIDE NOTE: We’re pitching it again – hurry up and register your Night Out block party for August 6th – and if it’s OK for us to possibly stop by for a photo, send the location (and who to ask for) to editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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West Seattle summer: 3rd annual Luna Park Block Party set
July 25, 2013 2:55 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Luna Park | West Seattle news

Just noticed this on the Luna Park marquee while passing through that business district – its third annual Block Party is now set for three weeks from today. And now we have the official announcement, featuring some new partners this year:

Ola Salon in the Luna Park neighborhood of West Seattle will be participating in the 3rd annual Luna Park Block Party, which they are leading along with Luna Park Café, on Thursday, August 15, 2013 from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm. This year’s party has more fun activities than ever, and will support two neighborhood nonprofits: Transitional Resources, a neighborhood mental health center, and Kitty Harbor, a cat rescue, rehabilitation and adoption center. Participants will also have a chance to get a preview of the new West Seattle Brewing Company’s offerings.

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New way to try to find out what that helicopter’s doing overhead: King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support on Twitter
July 25, 2013 2:08 pm
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 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

(Photo tweeted today by @KCSOAirSupport)
Sometimes when a helicopter’s hovering, it’s TV – three of the four major regional TV stations have helicopters, and staff them into the early evening hours on weekdays. But sometimes, especially if it’s after dark, it’s Guardian One, the King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter that assists other law-enforcement agencies too (including Seattle PD, which does not have its own helicopter). And now there’s a new way to try to find out what Guardian One is up to if you suspect it’s what you are seeing or hearing: A new Twitter feed, @KCSOAirSupport. Even if you are not a Twitter member, you can still access that via the Web, or better yet, we’re adding it to the mix in the Twitter box on the WSB West Seattle Crime Watch page, so that you can check there.

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Admiralty House Antiques’ closing sale: Owner Fred Dau recalls ‘wonderful, wonderful people’
July 25, 2013 11:48 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Story and photos by Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Admiralty House Antiques, the North Admiral shop that’s been open a day here, a day there, for many of its 40-plus years, opens for three final – and consecutive! – days starting tomorrow.

It’s the liquidation sale we first told you about three weeks ago.

Owner Fred Dau (above) says that at 97 years old, “I’ve worked long enough, I thought I didn’t need to go do more work.”

But what really forced the decision was the death of his wife Marjorie, the day after Christmas last year. “That stopped it all, anyhow.”

Admiralty House’s classic brick storefront is still full of what truly qualifies for some of those classic terms – knickknacks, bric-a-brac, trinkets, memorabilia.

Some of it, says Chris Foss, whose Foss Estate Sales is handling the liquidation sale, has likely never been out as inventory before.

Fred told us during a recent interview in the shop that a few special things are not for sale, though.

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Love soccer? Try futsal! 4-week kids’ clinic in West Seattle
July 25, 2013 11:05 am
|    Comments Off on Love soccer? Try futsal! 4-week kids’ clinic in West Seattle
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From West Seattle Soccer Club board member Stefan Persson:

We have partnered with Seattle Futsal to bring an August Futsal Clinic session to West Seattle.

Futsal is a fast paced and fun indoor version of soccer that places an emphasis on skill development and decision-making. It is a great complement to outdoor soccer.

The session will be held at the Madison Middle School Gym on each of the 4 Tuesday evenings in August. Registration is open to kids between U8-U13 (7 to 12 years old). The fee, which includes a Seattle Futsal T-shirt, is $65 and covers an hour-long clinic with professional training/instruction, followed by a short scrimmage. The clinic is open to individuals, so no need to register as a team. Capacity is limited and we recommend registering right away!

The registration link is on the Seattle Futsal web page.

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