West Seattle, Washington
30 Tuesday
Meet Sophie. We found out about her from Michele at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor):
This is such a touching story that I wanted to share it with you.
This young lady’s name is Sophie in the photo attached. She and her mom Tami stopped by our BBQ for the West Seattle Food Bank on Saturday. On West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, Sophie had a lemonade stand that was for charity. She wished for her proceeds to help the food bank and donated them to us.
I remember when I was that age… $20 may as well be $100! I wanted to commend Sophie’s thoughtfulness and say thank you again.
It’s nice to see young people with such a good spirit – not to mention the parents that instill such good morals in ther kids. Good job, Tami!
The proud mom adds, “Sophie’s Girl Scout Troop #45180 is looking forward to doing great community service this year.”
SIDE NOTE: Thriftway has regular summertime Saturday barbecues raising money for charities – the Food Bank was last Saturday’s beneficiary; this Saturday, they’ll be raising money for the Morgan Community Association while MoCA presents its free annual Community Festival nearby. (Festival details here – see you there!)
Another followup to transportation news from Monday: After the city announced it’s giving the county money for extra Metro hours on certain routes, including 21 and 120 in/through West Seattle, we asked for any and all specifics, and this afternoon, we finally have them. If the current plans are finalized, the service changes on September 28th will include:
ROUTE 21: On Saturdays, extending 15-minute frequency until 8 pm outbound
ROUTE 120: Three additions –
*Weekdays – Extend 30-minute frequency until 11:04 p.m. inbound and 12:09 a.m. outbound
*Saturdays – Extend 15-minute frequency to operate from 7:12 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. inbound and 8:53 a.m. to 7:23 p.m. outbound; Extend 30-minute frequency until 10:48 p.m. inbound and 11:24 p.m. outbound
*Sundays – Extend 30-minute frequency from 6:32 a.m. to 10:18 p.m. northbound and 6:09 a.m. to 11:24 p.m. southbound
(Hat tip to Bruce at STB for sharing first word the specifics had become available, and thanks to Rochelle at KCDOT for tracking them down for us to share here.)
4:26 PM: Just published on our partner site White Center Now: The King County Sheriff’s Office says a burglary attempt this past Sunday night might be linked to the attempted kidnapping two weeks ago. Both happened in the same block, 3rd/104th vicinity, and in both cases, fast-acting family members intervened. Here’s the newest story; here’s the previous story from early June. P.S. If you noticed helicopters in Arbor Heights/Shorewood/White Center this afternoon – those were TV choppers responding to this new information.
ADDED 5:39 PM: We asked KCSO Sgt. Cindi West if there was any more descriptive information about the suspect/s – unfortunately, she says, what’s in the story is everything they know.
(WSB photo, November 2011)
Tomorrow morning, when the City Council’s Government Performance and Finance Committee considers mid-year budget changes/additions, they will include half a million dollars for a traffic signal long sought by the Admiral Neighborhood Association and other neighborhood advocates. The dangers of the top-of-hill, on-a-curve intersection got a tragedy-borne spotlight when 26-year-old Tatsuo Nakata was hit and killed in November 2006. Some safety improvements have been made, but getting a full signal has proven elusive – though the ANA has continued to push, including with the November 2011 demonstration shown above.
The new proposal is an major upgrade from just one month ago, when Mayor McGinn announced a plan for a “flashing pedestrian beacon” at the intersection, and the start of a technical study for a full signal, as part of a list of projects to be pursued with savings from the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project. Yesterday, the council issued its own announcement about a “re-alignment” of midyear transportation spending – including some changes from the mayor’s May proposal; most notably for West Seattle, the “full traffic signal” for 47th/Admiral.
We’ve been seeking additional details since then, and obtained them today from Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s office. While the documentation for tomorrow morning’s meeting is not finalized yet, we’ve seen a draft version of the 47th/Admiral proposal, which would explain that “Councilmember Rasmussen proposes to add $480,000 in additional funding (on top of $20,000 in the Mayor’s initial proposal) for SDOT’s more comprehensive approach of full signalization of the intersection, which would place each of the 10 entering side streets into full traffic control; possibly adding an additional crosswalk on Admiral …” As soon as the official document is available, we’ll share it. Tomorrow’s council committee meeting is at 9:30 am at City Hall.
(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
The two City Council members who did not sign last week’s letter calling for the Nickelsville encampment’s closure by September 1st were among three councilmembers who came to West Seattle last night for a forum on homelessness.
Their divergent positions on the matter were evident when all three – Nick Licata and Mike O’Brien, who weren’t part of the letter, and Tom Rasmussen, who was – responded to an audience question asking about “the plan” for the shutdown. We have that part of the discussion on video:
Ahead, the rest of what was discussed – what’s the city doing regarding homelessness in general, and what community members can do to help:
(Seattle Parks photo, taken during spraypark testing)
School’s out, the sun’s out (despite forecasts to the contrary), and West Seattle families are anxiously awaiting the opening of our area’s first-ever spraypark, in Highland Park, five years in the making. As reported here a week and a half ago, construction is done – but they can’t open just yet. First, they were awaiting a part; now, an inspection. After a reader e-mailed to ask for an update, we checked with project manager Kelly Goold, who replied: “We are now waiting on final King County Health approval. Not sure when this will occur, hoping in time for this weekend, but could be next week.”
P.S. City-run wading pools start opening this weekend – the first in our area is Lincoln Park, where the season starts Saturday (weather permitting). Here’s the full citywide schedule.
For about a week, WSB Forum members have been discussing Alki Beach volleyball tournaments and a perception that they’re taking up more of the sandy beach than past summers. Many questions were asked about matters such as permits, parking, and rules; we asked Seattle Parks for answers, and have added the reply to the Forums thread, which you’ll find here – as the discussion continues. (One thing we learned from the Parks reply: The department publishes a regularly updated list of big events coming up at its parks citywide.)
(Click image to see larger view)
Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for another bird-family photo – juvenile crows squawking at mealtime. (These were photographed in the Lincoln Park area, but we’ve heard about some apparent parent crows dive-bombing people on California SW south of The Junction – ’tis the season.) On to today’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
AMANDA KNOX CASE @ WEST SEATTLE ROTARY: Two and a half years ago, West Seattle-residing Judge Mike Heavey spoke to the Rotary Club of West Seattle about the Amanda Knox case (WSB coverage here), in which he had become personally involved as an advocate for Knox. Today at noon at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), he returns to the Rotary, and the subject, with the presentation “Amanda Knox: 100% Innocent,” billed as “discuss(ing) the concept of confirmation bias and dismantl(ing) the prosecution’s” theories and claims. (1936 Harbor Ave SW)
HAPPY 28TH ANNIVERSARY, CAPERS! The Junction store celebrates 28 years in the neighborhood with a celebration 4-6 pm today. You’re invited to stop by CAPERS for “cake and bubbly and fun.” Details on this Facebook event page. (4525 California SW)
CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Neighborhood crime concern? Bring it to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting tonight – you’ll be able to ask local SPD leadership about it, as well as directly hearing from them about current trends. 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room, right off the parking lot. (SW Webster, west of Delridge Way SW)
CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA? Providence Mount St. Vincent presents educator Teepa Snow, with the first of three workshops for those who are caregivers for people with dementia. Free of charge; no RSVP required. 7 pm in the Chapel. (4831 35th SW)
BELLYDANCING: Tonight’s nightlife listings include the Alauda bellydancing showcase at Skylark Café and Club, 7:30 pm, free/all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
As we start today’s traffic/transit watch, remember that California SW repaving between Myrtle and Frontenac is scheduled for today and tomorrow. We’ll be checking later this morning to see if the heavy equipment indeed shows up and gets going.
And the advance reminder again – if you expect to leave the peninsula on Saturday, review the closures for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon, including NB 99.
(Photo by Amanda Grove)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
While hundreds of people will be taking courses from South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) this year, we can guarantee that Georgia Mitchell will be the only one taking them while riding a three-wheeled Y Fliker scooter cross-country.
You might already know Georgia. Not just because she’s a 2009 Chief Sealth graduate; that same year, she made news by becoming Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu.
She’s been off at college in Hawai’i, and on a culinary internship in France, before transferring back to join the hospitality program at SSCC.
But first: Starting one week from today, she’s embarking on three months of human-powered travel across America, with three Brazilians and an Irishman.
The National Weather Service has a “short-term forecast” alert in effect for our area right now, and it warns of potential thunderstorms. Claire tweeted a few minutes ago that, from the Lincoln Park area, she’d seen lightning to the west. In case it heads this way, you’re forewarned! (The forecast says they’re a possibility tomorrow and Wednesday, too.)
It’s been a while since we’ve reminded you – but now we’re just four nights away from the benefit screening of “Jaws” at the Admiral Theater, so we’re reminding you again. As announced last month, it’s the kickoff of a benefit movie series (with co-sponsors including WSB) for the Mind Unwind Foundation‘s support of arts in education and for The Admiral’s renovations, and there’ll be a silent auction and art exhibit as well as the movie. 11 pm this Friday night, June 21st. Get your tickets online, here. 21+ only because of beer/wine sales. And save the dates for the second and third movies in the late-night series, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” July 27th, and “The Big Lebowski” on August 24th.
Back on Friday, we mentioned briefly on the WSB Facebook page that police had responded to a Hiawatha-area call about students burning homework papers after the last day of the school year. Turns out that wasn’t the only paper-burning call they handled that day – SPD Blotter has just published this saga of a Schmitz Park incident hours later.
2:54 PM: Heads up if you’re headed to or from Highland Park, among other affected areas: A crash at West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way (map) is leading police to close West Marginal at the scene and for at least a few blocks north.
3:18 PM: Our crew at the scene says a car hit a pole and hydrant (though there’s no water flowing from the latter) on the west (southbound) side of the road a short distance north of Highland Park Way. While the car will be towed soon, the pole and resulting suspended wires have to be taken care of by City Light. P.S. Just added a cameraphone photo but because of the sun and tree cover, the pole hit by the car is hard to see – we’ll substitute clearer photos when our crew gets back. The driver was not seriously hurt.
3:35 PM: Via radio, police are saying City Light can’t get there for another hour or so because it’s shift change.
Meantime, the closure is requiring semi-trucks to turn around as well as smaller vehicles, since they are heavy users of this road. So we do advise avoiding the area entirely TFN.
4:01 PM: Substituted a clearer photo. West Marginal at that spot is still closed off, be forewarned.
5:20 PM: Open both ways, but City Light repair crew has outside southbound lane blocked.
(TUESDAY UPDATE: The full “packet” for next week’s hearing is now available here.)
(Click image for larger view)
Next time the Southwest Design Review Board meets, on June 27th, its second round of “Early Design Guidance” for 3210 California SW will be on the agenda (as noted here last month). That’s the proposed South Admiral building with a face longer than a city block, the first development proposed for the area upzoned in 2010. Taking into account the feedback from members of the board and the public at the first meeting two months ago (WSB coverage here; official city report here), they’ve come up with a new plan that, along with other changes, breaks the building into three parts rather than two – as seen in the new “massing” image above (the colors are NOT representative of any final look – they are just used in the rendering as highlights). We talked about the new proposal with Lis Soldano from Intracorp, the project’s Seattle-based developer:
11:39 AM: We don’t have the specifics yet, but two Metro routes in West Seattle – 21 and 120 – are on a list of eight bus routes for which the city plans to give Metro $750,000 to buy “more than 5,000 hours of added service per year through early 2016.” The money comes from “savings from the voter-approved Bridging the Gap Levy,” according to a news release from the office of Mayor McGinn, who made the announcement today with Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond. It says the money will “help Metro increase evening and weekend frequency on high-ridership routes from 30 to 15 minutes or from 60 to 30 minutes.” The announcement also makes a point of noting that the State Legislature has yet to reach a deal on the transportation-funding proposals that would help Metro avoid having to make $75 million in cuts when two types of temporary funding start running out next year.
11:52 AM: The mayor’s spokesperson Aaron Pickus says the extra hours are set to take effect in September. We’re asking Metro for any other details available.
12:53 PM: County spokesperson Rochelle Ogershok tells WSB the “service change” that’ll bring the added hours is on September 28th. So far, she has no additional details regarding exact number of hours, etc., but we’ll add anything more we find out.
Two quick notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:
STOLEN CAR: Taylor asks you to keep an eye out for his girlfriend’s car, stolen last night on 10th SW in Highland Park. It’s a black 2000 Honda CR-V, with plates ending in WLO. Call 911 if you see it.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Since the WSCPC doesn’t meet in July and August, this is your last chance to get a guaranteed SPD audience for a neighborhood concern. In fact, that’s what tomorrow’s meeting will be devoted to, along with updates and followups (including a discussion of the recent Lincoln Park safety walk). 7 pm Tuesday (June 18th), Southwest Precinct – parking lot entrance is off Webster, west of Delridge Way.
(Click image for larger view)
Thanks to Long Bach Nguyen for sharing that recent view looking toward the Olympic Mountains over northern West Seattle. On to three highlights for today/tonight:
SUMMERTIME SWIMMING: Two notes for our area’s city-run pools today: Colman Pool is now in 7-day-a-week operations on the shores of Lincoln Park (schedule here), and Southwest Pool has added daytime swims now that school is out (2801 SW Thistle; schedule here).
LONGFELLOW CREEK WALK: 6:30 pm, join Sustainable West Seattle on a hike through the Longfellow Creek Watershed. Details in our calendar listing. (Meet at 26th/Yancy)
WESTSIDE INTERFAITH NETWORK: This group of 20+ congregations works “to provide a ‘network’ of help and services for people in need throughout our community.” Tonight, it’s invited city officials to join in a meeting so the network can learn more about ways to help meet “the challenges (they) face in providing human services … the goals or plans (they) would like to implement … and the ways (WIN) can be a working part of any solutions.” The public’s welcome at the meeting, 6:30 pm, Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Pastoral Life Center. (7000 35th SW)
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Summer is now officially here – well, traffic-wise, anyway, since school’s out. Otherwise – we start with traffic alerts for later this week:
*California SW repaving Tuesday-Wednesday between Myrtle and Frontenac
*Saturday closures for Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, including NB 99
3:44 PM UPDATE: West Marginal Way is closed north of Highland Park Way because of a crash – ongoing coverage here.
Early warning, since this one tends to sneak up unless you happen to be running in it: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon/Half-Marathon is next Saturday (June 22nd), and as usual, it brings road closures – most notably for our area, Northbound 99. According to the closure list on the marathon website, northbound 99 will be closed 5 am-3:30 pm Saturday from Hudson (on the East Marginal Way section) to Roy, north of downtown. Here’s a map. Full road info, from maps to parking notes, can be found here.
Four tidbits:
FINALLY CLOSER TO OPENING? There’s a sign the new restaurant planned for the former Bohemian location at 3405 California SW might finally be approaching its opening, almost two years after it was sold. The last official word was nine months ago, when our repeated inquiries via phone, e-mail, note under the door, etc., finally were answered with a postal-mail letter from the new ownership, which already has Bick’s and Saltoro in North Seattle, and explained that this too would be a “simple neighborhood dinnerhouse.” In the ensuing months, work has continued, including subtle exterior touches – and now we’ve found a help-wanted ad seeking cooks for “North Seattle and West Seattle” locations, and the application address is Bick’s. The last known working title for the WS restaurant was West City Kitchen, but no signage has appeared yet.
Speaking of ads, another one of note:
BAMBOO BUILDING FOR SALE: A new commercial-real-estate listing appeared this weekend for the building housing Bamboo Bar and Grill. The listing makes it clear the business itself is NOT for sale, just the building, which also has three residential units on the second floor, and the marketing brochure reiterates that the business has another year on its lease and wants to stay. Asking price: $1.4 million.
And changes elsewhere:
BLACKBOARD BISTRO BRUNCH: Summertime and not only is the patio open at Blackboard Bistro (3247 California SW), says Chef Jacob Wiegner, they’re also now serving Sunday brunch 9:30 am-2 pm, with current dinner hours 5-9 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and 5-10 pm Fridays and Saturdays. (We have updated the WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide accordingly.)
DIVA IN THE EVENING: This past Thursday night, Diva Espresso in The Triangle launched a Thursday night open-mike night, 7-9 pm (signups at 6). And in the announcement shared with us by Diva management, they also mentioned they’re “in the process of getting” a license to offer beer/malt beverages.
With the Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB) less than a week away, here’s an update on this free, one-day community event, including the performance schedule, with two shows by the famous Bubbleman, and open-mike spots for all ages. The festival is next Saturday (June 22nd) in the usual 3 spots just north of California and Fauntleroy: The lot west of Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), in Morgan Junction Park, and alongside Washington Federal on the other side of California. Browse the schedule here:
All well-behaved leashed dogs (over the age of 4 months) are invited to bring their owners and join the Pooch Parade and the Contests.
2:00 – Pooch Parade: A parade of pooches will line up starting at 2:00 pm north of the Morgan Junction Park on SW Eddy Street. Look for the signs. We will parade through Festival to the Washington Federal Bank Stage. Costumes are optional.
2:15 – Contests: Join us for the following contests:
1) Cutest Puppy (4 months up to 9 months),
2) Best Trick, and
3) Best Dog/Owner Look-AlikeFirst- and second-place contestants will be selected via the ‘audience applause meter’ as monitored by the MC and awarded commemorative medallions. All “Bark of Morgan” participants will receive a special prize.
Sponsors of the second “Bark of Morgan” are The Wash Dog (WSB sponsor), Pet Elements, and Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare
Then there’s the Bite of Morgan – food samples from WSB sponsors Feedback Lounge, Zeeks Pizza, and Harry’s Chicken Joint, plus other participants Kokoras Greek Grill, Domino’s Pizza, and McDonald’s. Also, you can support festival finances by buying a freshly barbecued lunch at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), with proceeds donated to festival-presenting Morgan Community Association. A few food trucks plan to be there too – confirmation’s expected within a day or two. See you in Morgan Junction on Saturday!
Thanks to West Seattle Little League for sharing the photo of their victorious Juniors, who won the District 7 Tournament of Champions today in Renton, 4-3 over the Pac-West Angels. The team is coached by Mark Terao and Mark O’Neil; pitchers in the victory were starter Grayson O’Neil (through 5) and Jacob Terao (through the 7th). Shoutout to the other players, as listed by WSLL: Jax Cramer, Chris Drake, Blue James, Jackson Oehling, Trifon Papahronis, Elijah Phouangphet, Timmy Roach, Gage Rowlands, and also, though they couldn’t play today, Zach Gerhardt and Marcus Titialii. This comes just one week after the regular season ended for WSLL. Congratulations!
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