West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
Nine days till Thanksgiving, and even fewer days till local food banks’ holiday food pickups – so now’s the time to figure out how to help. The White Center Food Bank, which also serves southern West Seattle, is looking for volunteer helpers as well as food and money – plus, note that there is a turkey-dropoff opportunity in West Seattle this weekend, if you can’t get to White Center:
Do you have time next week to pass out food to clients at the White Center Food Bank at .10829 8th Ave SW. We need volunteers on the following shifts:
Monday, November 19 (9:30 to 12:30)
Tuesday, November 20 (9:30-12:30, 12:30-3:30 & 3:30-6:30)
Wednesday, November 21 (12:30-3:30 & 4:00 to 8:00)
If you can help, contact Audrey Zemke at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org or 206-762-2848. Families and kids welcome.The Food Bank also needs donations of the following foods or money to buy them.
Turkeys
Canned Pumpkin
Canned Sweet Potatoes or Yams
Pickles
Cake Mixes
CrackersDonations are accepted Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 to 5:00 at 10829 8th Ave SW [map].
WEST SEATTLE DROPOFF: Turkeys can be dropped off on Sunday, November 18, at Fauntleroy UCC [9140 California SW], starting at 11 am. We will be onsite with our refrigerated van to accept donations.
We are checking with the West Seattle Food Bank regarding their holiday needs, and will publish that when we get the info.
(Autumn-leaf carpet at 36th/Hanford; photo shared by Myrtle)
Before Tuesday gets much further along – calendar highlights for today/tonight:
SENIOR CENTER ‘SALUTE TO VETS’ LUNCH: Not too late to call to see if there’s still room – 11:45, lunch that’s free to veterans, reasonably priced for others. Info here.
AIRCRAFT NOISE/FLIGHT PATTERN CONCERNS? The rescheduled meeting for Seattle’s southern neighborhoods, with the FAA and Port of Seattle, is at 6:30 tonight at Cleveland High School on Beacon Hill – info and map here.
TUESDAY TUNE-UP, BENEFITING WESTSIDE BABY: Tonight’s “good time for a good cause” is the Tuesday Tune-Up at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), benefiting WestSide Baby. Cocktails, appetizers, live music, 6:30-8:30 pm.
NEW BLOCK WATCH: The California/Myrtle vicinity of southern Morgan Junction/western Gatewood is forming a Block Watch, and if you’re anywhere in that area, you’re invited to the organizational meeting at 7 tonight, lower-level meeting room at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s church, 7141 California SW.
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Neighborhood crime trends are part of the agenda tonight at 7 pm, lower-level meeting room at Admiral Congregational Church (California/Hill), everyone welcome.
DEADLINE NEAR FOR ORDERING HOLIDAY TREES, WREATHS: Just a few more days to get in on this:
The Parent Association of Seattle Lutheran High School is offering Christmas trees, wreaths and other holiday greenery for sale, until Saturday, Nov. 17. Preorder a Noble Fir tree of up to 8 feet for just $45, and wreaths are available in 22-, 24-, and 30-inch sizes. A perennial best-seller is the 25-foot garland for $28. Wrap up your decorating by ordering the $100 special, which includes a wreath, garland, tree and centerpiece.
Pickup will be on Friday, Nov. 30, at Hope Lutheran School; delivery in West Seattle is available for $10. See seattlelutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Christmas-Greens-2012.pdf
Music and more for tonight and beyond, on the calendar!
FiveSix reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch – car prowls and vandalism, package and other theft, plus a bicycle sighting – (11:18 am update) and brazen break-in attempts – read on:Read More
(No Bridge camera working right now, so here’s the Viaduct! See other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Apologies for the delayed appearance of the daily traffic/transit tracker – no major trouble so far this morning; we’ll keep watch for the rest of the day. For bus riders, note that today is the scheduled start of more evening changes – additional RapidRide runs, and changed “schedule instructions,” as announced last week – so we’ll be interested to hear how the commute home goes.
(UPDATE: The bid just awarded will include Delridge all the way to Roxbury, but not 16th)
Roads, raingardens, greenways, beautification, and elections comprised the topics tackled at Monday night’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting – starting with an update on the big paving project in the works for the south half of Delridge Way:
Featured at tonight’s Soundgarden “King Animal” album-release party at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), co-presented by Easy Street Records, that’s the tribute band Bleed Together (named after a Soundgarden song). Party’s on right now; no, Soundgarden’s not there – they’re in New York to guest on the Late Show With David Letterman. But you can hear and buy the new album:
And raffle tickets for a guitar autographed by Soundgarden, donated to raise money for the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival:
Still time to get to the Feedback – 6451 California SW. P.S. Soundgarden has two Seattle gigs on its tour schedule – February 7-8 at the Paramount downtown.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of two detailed reports from the Southwest Design Review Board’s two-project meeting last Thursday night.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
4724 California – the 7-story mixed-use building planned for what used to be the Junction’s Petco store (among other things) – could start construction as soon as April 1st.
That is, if the rest of the planning/permitting process goes as smoothly as the project’s second and final session before the Southwest Design Review Board.
We reported the result shortly after the meeting last Thursday night at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Our report ahead, for those interested, runs through the details of what was shown, discussed, and recommended, from the board and the public:
Though the BEX IV school-building levy won’t go to voters till next February, the process of designing its first potential projects is starting now – including the creation of a community/district Design Team for the new school that’s currently described as Schmitz Park Elementary at Genesee Hill. That school will be built on the site where the closed ex-GH Elementary now stands. The Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council is announcing its hopes for the site – looking ahead to a community conversation next week:
GSNC is pleased to announce that Kerrie Schurr, the group’s Communications Chair, has been selected to represent the council on the Seattle School District’s Design Advisory Team for the new Genesee Hill school building (future location of the Schmitz Park program, if the capital levy passes in February). This is a great opportunity for the community to have input into the design considerations, either via the council or directly to the district at the Community Conversation for this project.
The Community Conversation will be held on Monday, November 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Schmitz Park Elementary School. A second Community Conversation will be held during the week of January 21 (details forthcoming).
At the short (1-hr.) GSNC meeting last Thursday evening, those in attendance came up with the initial list below of desired features for the new Genesee Hill school. Additional ideas may be submitted to gsncouncil@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Sunday, November 18.
The GSNC requests, after the jump:Read More
(Photo courtesy Gil White)
This Thanksgiving weekend, instead of going over the hills and through the woods to Grandma’s house, a West Seattle five-year-old will be going over the hills … and other challenges … of a Bicycle Motocross (BMX) race course in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And Hudson White won’t “just” be racing – he’ll be going for the #1 plate at the Grand Nationals.
Hudson’s already pretty close, with the #4 plate, according to his dad Gil White, who shared this video of Hudson from the Canadian Grand Nationals last month – Hudson is on the white bike:
We asked Hudson’s dad how his son got involved. Dad says he too was a BMX racer in his childhood days. So that led to a little interest after he himself became a dad:
We happened by the North SeaTac track on a race day in October 2011 and stopped to watch. While watching the other kids race, Hudson said, ‘I can do that,’ and he’s been doing it ever since.
Hudson joined Sonic BMX, a local developmental BMX team under the tutelage of Carmel Schimmel (a West Seattlelite) and Jamie Stenson, and he competed well enough on the National circuit to be currently ranked #4 in the 5 & Under age group. The trip to the Grand Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the granddaddy of all nationals – if you’re in contention for a national plate, you attend. In Hudson’s age proficiency, he anticipates competing against approximately 25 racers. Numerically, Hudson is still in the hunt for the #1 plate since points awarded are worth double.
Hudson is a pretty active kid; between attending school, Mandarin classes, baseball (he played on the West Seattle T-ball Menashe team) and riding his bike, he finds time for his other passion – Legos. He’ll tell you he wants to build things when he grows up. Probably the Lego influence. His favorite activity at school is recess – go figure.
The sport of BMX has been a great life lesson for Hudson – he’s been able to comprehend that some days he may not have it and finish last, or he may have it and finish first – either way, we drive home and follow the same routine – stop for ice cream. As he prepares for the Grand Nationals and a run at the #1 plate – the question is, will he have it? – I guess we’ll have to wait and see. However, you can bet we’ll have ice cream in Tulsa.
Good luck to Hudson! By the way, Gil notes that BMX “is an Olympic sport and a really fun activity for people of all ages – locally, 41-45 years (of age) tends to be some of the more competitive races. The Pacific Northwest has a tradition of really good riders and well-run tracks nearby.”
Voting is open today in the latest online contest for school grants – and there’s a West Seattle entry in this one. K-5 STEM at Boren – aka West Seattle STEM Elementary – is in the running for a $50,000 prize in the “Power a Bright Future” contest. WS STEM is partnering with Arbor Heights Elementary and Schmitz Park Elementary in hopes of getting the money for projects such as a tablet-computer lending library. Voting will continue till December 19th, and you can vote by text and online once (each way) per day – as explained on the STEM PTA website. You can vote online (but note, you will have to register) by going here; easiest way to vote is via text message – just text 2646pbf to 95248.
(2010 WSB photo: Busy in the kitchen before the Fauntleroy Thanksgiving feast)
If you’ve been wondering – yes, The Hall at Fauntleroy is opening the doors again this year for its free Thanksgiving dinner. We just received the official announcement:
Join us for a free Community Thanksgiving meal at the Hall at Fauntleroy in West Seattle on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22th from 12 noon to 3:00 PM. All are welcome for a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings prepared by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering Executive Chef Michael Chase.
This is the 14th year that Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes owners Meg and David Haggerty and David Meckstroth have hosted this wonderful dinner. They are joined by a wonderful group of volunteers who help greet our welcome guests and serve dinner.
We will gladly accept donations for desserts. They can be dropped off at the Hall the day before Thanksgiving between 10 and 4 or on Thanksgiving Day after 10 am.
We are located at 9131 California Ave SW in the Fauntleroy Community Schoolhouse, across the street from the Fauntleroy YMCA. Call us at 206-932-1059 if you have any questions.
Lots of traditions are returning to West Seattle this holiday season – and this year, there’s a chance for at least one new tradition too – “Santa’s First Magical Ride,” a new locally written/produced holiday musical that will premiere at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Here’s the announcement, now that tickets are available:
“Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” is a new tale about why Santa took that first magical ride and his life with the North Pole Elves.
It features original music, songs and lively dance numbers, and was written by Ricky Gene Powell and Paul S. Carr III. The new musical is being performed at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in Seattle the three weekends just before Christmas.
The musical is based on the book, “Santa’s First Magical Ride,” written by Paul S. Carr III and first published in December 2011. The book, written entirely in rhyme, tells the story of Santa’s birth and adoption by the North Pole Elves, his magical upbringing, and the story of his first magical sleigh ride. Ricky Gene Powell and Paul S. Carr III are both professional singers and musicians who combined Paul’s story with Ricky’s expertise as a playwright and director to create a charming new musical story with original bluegrass, celtic, and folk music that will make you want to dance along with the Elves. Bring cameras, since children can visit with Santa afterward and parents can take a free picture.
Tickets are $15 and are available through Brown Paper Tickets by calling 1-800-838-3006 or at brownpapertickets.com. Interview arrangements and other information is available at www.yulestory.com, or by contacting Libby Carr, Executive Producer, at libby@yulestory.com; 206-938-8721.
‘Santa’s First Magical Ride’ has a Facebook page if you’d like to follow the progress toward the premiere.
With Veterans Day officially observed today, here are the major holiday-related changes/notes:
*Transit changes: Metro “reduced weekday service”; no Water Taxi
*Schools are closed
*Banks are closed
*Most government facilities are closed – with one notable exception:
*Seattle Public Library branches are OPEN (they observed the holiday yesterday)
*Free on-street-parking day for city neighborhoods with pay stations/meters
*Trash/recycling/yard-waste service is normal if you have Monday pickup
*No USPS delivery; post offices closed
FREEBIES FOR VETERANS TODAY: Writer David Nelson e-mailed to let us know that West Seattle businesses are included in his roundup of places offering something free for veterans, today only. See the full regional list here. We also heard directly from Celtic Swell (61st and Alki), which is offering free appetizers today for veterans AND active-duty military. And WSB sponsor C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW) is offering free coffee for veterans today.
Other calendar highlights for today:
WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: The theme this time is vegan – so bring a vegan dish to Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) at 3 pm.
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Monthly meeting tonight at 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon). Here’s the agenda.
RELAY FOR LIFE 2013 VOLUNTEER MEETING: Get involved now, to help out with the cancer-fighting overnight event next June. Volunteers and potential volunteers meet at 6:45 tonight, Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor; 2326 California SW).
SOUNDGARDEN ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and Easy Street Records co-sponsor the big event tonight at The Feedback (6451 California SW). Starts at 7 pm and includes not only the chance to hear and buy “King Animal,” but also live music by Soundgarden tribute band Bleed Together, Soundgarden videos on the big screen, and the raffle of the Hi-Yu-benefiting autographed guitar (see this WSB story) – you can still buy $5 raffle tickets at tonight’s event before the drawing.
More on our calendar!
Cindy Craig was on a ferry from Southworth to Fauntleroy on Sunday when she met the three veterans shown in her photo, which was taken as they walked off the boat at Vashon, carrying flags. She explains:
They were invited by the Vashon Island VFW to come for dinner in honor of Veterans Day. They started walking (Sunday) morning from the base at Bremerton and will be walking from Vashon to Joint Base Lewis/McChord (today, Monday). They are all veterans (one young man removed his sunglasses to speak with us and he is missing his right eye from a combat injury) and their goal is to raise awareness of and support for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among veterans and others affected by major trauma.
Cindy didn’t get their names, but we found a Vashon Beachcomber story about their visit online. Chess Johnson, Andy Britt, and Will Carroll are the trio. Johnson’s story was told in a documentary called “Exit Wound” – you’ll see and hear from him in this trailer:
Cindy last saw them as they continued walking onto Vashon.
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She said the men hoped to spend time today talking to people they meet while walking south on Vashon, where another ferry will take them across to Tacoma.
(WSB photo from last Wednesday)
After the five days of intensive volunteer work that built the Roxhill Castle play area, volunteer organizer Mat McBride mentioned that a work party would be scheduled for finishing touches. Tonight we just got word of the date – Denise Nelsen writes they are looking for “anyone wanting to help out with the final steps,” particularly “experienced craftspeople and volunteers,” this Tuesday (November 13th), 10 am till dark. “Just show up in warm clothing….they have tools, and gear. It is a great opportunity to help the community and do something different. The kids will love it for years and years!” Scroll through this archive to see previous WSB coverage, including the announcement that the grand opening is expected to be on December 22nd.
10:17 PM: If you’re in eastern West Seattle, you might have noticed the big emergency response headed toward South Park earlier tonight. A car carrying five people crashed into a pole there, killing the driver, sending the survivors to the hospital, and closing a stretch of 8th Avenue South for an investigation likely to take a few more hours. The full story’s on our partner site The South Park News.
10:49 PM UPDATE: SPD has tweeted that one of the survivors died at the hospital.
MONDAY MORNING UPDATE, 7:46 AM: Everyone in the car was a teenager, according to an update on SPD Blotter this morning which says the driver was a 16-year-old boy; the passenger who died at the hospital is described as a girl, no age listed.
Even dessert had a patriotic theme tonight in The Triangle at American Legion Post 160‘s free spaghetti dinner for veterans. We stopped in to see how it was going (answer: nicely!), and talked with Post and Auxiliary leaders:
From left – Post 160 Chaplain Mike Daversa, Vice Commander Joe Connery, Auxiliary Unit 160 President Shannon Connery, and Commander Kyle Geraghty. Joe is a U.S. Army veteran, two deployments to Afghanistan; Kyle, a U.S. Marines veteran, including a deployment to Iraq. Both served in the military 2001-2007. (Post-photo, Mike had to step away, so we didn’t get to ask about his service.) The Post also had a donation drive for deployed soldiers; if you missed the chance to donate, you can e-mail ALAUnit160@gmail.com to find out how you can still help.
P.S. Post 160 is now on Facebook (here), as is Auxiliary Unit 160 (here).
Since the Veterans Day observance doesn’t mean a day off for everyone, here’s a reminder about tomorrow’s transit schedules:
*Metro – “Reduced weekday” schedule (explained here, route by route)
*Water Taxi – Not running
*Sound Transit – Buses are on a regular weekday schedule
*Washington State Ferries – No schedule change, but note the capacity reduction
(WSB photo: Stephanie Halcomb and Patricia Tempinski @ Kiwanis booth today)
Today and for the next two Sundays, while you’re buying fresh food at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, you can buy something else that represents both a good deed and a good breakfast: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is boothing at the WSFM, selling tickets to their 66th annual Community Pancake Breakfast on December 1st (at the Masonic Hall, 40th/Edmunds). Only $6 adults, $3 kids – including a free photo with Santa! – and if you just can’t get to the Farmers’ Market, you can buy your tickets online at kiwaniswestseattle.org. Or call 206-938-8032. The adult price is a discount from what you’ll pay that morning at the door ($7). For the story behind the pancake breakfast – including what you get besides pancakes! – read on:Read More
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents 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?”:
*A Highland Park family’s car has been damaged for the second time recently. Previously someone cut the brake lines; this time, someone entered the fenced yard, disconnected the rear brake line, punched a hole in the oil filter, and poured oil into the gas tank. A member of the family is on kidney dialysis and needs the car for regular transportation to treatment.
*Thursday evening, in the 5200 block of 37th SW, a couple left their home to walk the dog. Twenty minutes later they returned to discover that someone had stolen computers, assorted electrical items and a wallet from inside.
Ahead, more details on an early-morning break-in earlier this week, plus five other summaries:Read More
Thanks to Mark and Jeanne for sending the photo and raising the flag about a sinkhole on Pigeon Point. They explain:
On the 3800 block of 19th Ave SW, there has been an existing crack/depression in the street for some time. It worsened recently, and yesterday it broke through to expose a void between the street and the ground. A truck traveling down the street sustained damage to tire and axle and required a tow. Seattle Police and SDOT responded late yesterday and put up barriers. I spoke with the SDOT responder and was told SDOT would return to fully diagnose and address the issue.
Note (that) 19th Ave SW has been used starting this school year by school buses traveling to and from Pathfinder K-8 … school buses will have a very difficult time turning around on the corner of 19th Ave SW and SW Charlestown.
Here’s a Google Map aerial grab they also shared to show where this is (19th just south of Charlestown – top of the image is north, bottom is south):
The concern might be moot if the sinkhole is fixed by Tuesday morning (no school tomorrow because of Veterans Day), but they fear that’s unlikely, so they’re sounding the alarm. Sometimes – as was the case in Admiral last year – these problems run a lot deeper than you’d think.
Today is the traditional Veterans Day, though many observations await the federal holiday tomorrow. THANK YOU to everyone who has served, and to all the loved ones who support/ed them. Here’s one big event today – donation drive at the American Legion Hall (37th and Alaska), and free spaghetti dinner for veterans:
As for the rest of the day/night: Forecast says rain will return later today. Here’s what’s up:
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY CLOSURE: One exception to “holiday observed tomorrow” – SPL branches are all closed today.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round! 10 am-2 pm today and every Sunday, 44th and Alaska; the newest Ripe ‘n’ Ready list is here.
BUY KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST TICKETS: At the Farmers’ Market today, you can visit the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth and buy tickets to the club’s 66th annual Pancake Breakfast, coming up on December 1st, just three weeks away.
GO FOR A RIDE WITH WEST SEATTLE SPOKESPEOPLE: 2-(or 3-)wheeled shopping trip! Details on our calendar page; meet up at Alki Bike and Board (proprietor Stu Hennessey is leading the ride) at 11 am, 2606 California SW in The Admiral District.
(rained out) GO THROW! West Seattle Ultimate Family Frisbee is now at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point for the winter (34th/Myrtle). 11 am.
BOARD-GAMING EVENT: At Uptown Espresso in The Junction (California/Edmunds/Erskine), 1 pm. Details in the calendar listing.
‘I CAN’T REMEMBER ANYTHING’: 2 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church, a production of Arthur Miller‘s play about getting older.
MOONBOTS PRESENTATION AT MUSEUM OF FLIGHT: As featured here on WSB yesterday, two West Seattle 9-year-olds are in the second round of the MoonBots competition – and presenting their robot at the Museum of Flight today, for a live webcast that’ll be part of the judging. Go cheer them on! 2 pm.
DUBSEA BIKES: Need repairs? The community repair event happens 2-4 pm today at White Center Food Bank, 8th and 108th.
STEFANIE ROBBINS & THE STRAIGHT SHOOTERS, AND CYNTHIA MARIE, AT C&P: Live music 3-5 pm today at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW).
SUNDAY RIBS AT THE FEEDBACK: 5 pm “till they’re gone,” Sunday ribs are back for fall at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 6451 California SW.
More music and other Sunday options are on our calendar!
(Screengrab from City Light outage map when outage was at its peak, 5:50-ish am)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:37 AM: Power’s out at WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy and elsewhere in Gatewood and near Lincoln Park, per texts we’ve gotten. Investigating further.
4:44 AM: Not on City Light’s outage map, which only means they haven’t had time to post it yet. We’re getting messages from High Point, too, as well as north Morgan Junction, but WSB’ers in Admiral and Alki say they’re still powered.
4:50 AM: City Light map is updated now. 3265 “customers,” which means homes/businesses.
5:04 AM: The City Light map shows this outage isn’t one contiguous area, and that’s what our spotter crew is finding. Heading north, it’s on in part of Gatewood. On at California/Fauntleroy. But we’ve had reports further north of there.
5:18 AM: City Light has now issued an official news release but does not have an estimated restoration time. Meantime, our crew on the road says the outage zone seems to be shifting – he went past one area in the High Point vicinity that was OK a few minutes ago and now is out.
5:31 AM: Some just got power back – the lights on 35th through Gatewood/High Point are back on but in “flashing” mode.
6 AM: The City Light map just dramatically increased the number of homes/businesses affected to almost 11,000.
6:07 AM: Just got our power back (California/Thistle vicinity). Who’s still out?
6:20 AM: City Light spokesperson Mark Van Oss tells WSB that “underground equipment” caused this. If anybody IS still out, it might be as late as 11 am before it’s back.
6:43 AM: City Light map now shows 1,700+ homes/businesses still out.
7:15 AM: Down to about 700, and City Light says everyone should be back on within a half-hour or so.
8:38 AM: And they are – at least according to the map. P.S. Though the official news releases earlier capped the outage at the original 3,200+ number, SCL’s Van Oss confirms it was indeed up to almost 11,000 for a while: “In attempting to reroute power to restore a portion of customers with another feeder (major power line), that second feeder relayed out. So, a second block of customers was out for about 20 minutes. This would have included Westwood. Your numbers are correct.”
8:53 AM: That’s reflected in the final news release, which specifies a failed underground cable as the cause:Read More
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