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From Tilden School students: Why West Seattle forests need help
October 21, 2010 8:39 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(We hear from Tilden School’s fifth-graders from time to time. Tonight – they explain their recent forest-restoration project.)

By Tilden School’s Fifth Graders
Special to West Seattle Blog

On October 8th, our fifth-grade class joined Nature Consortium’s Restoration Project Director Mark Tomkiewicz (aka Buphalo) and Restoration Project Coordinator Lizzie Petrin in the West Duwamish Greenbelt here in West Seattle. Nature Consortium is a nonprofit organization “whose mission is to connect people, arts, and nature,” and Buphalo and Lizzie spent a whole day teaching us how to be stewards of the environment through hands-on habitat restoration activities. Even though the word “green” is in “Greenbelt,” and it is green, this West Seattle forest is unhealthy and needs our help.

The West Duwamish Greenbelt is covered with both invasive and native species. Common invasive species include Himalayan blackberry, evergreen blackberry, and English ivy. Our class picked up trash and ripped out invasive species, so we could plant native species, specifically western red cedars. When native species grow near invasive species, they can be killed, but we can save native species by removing invasive plants and planting native ones.

The western red cedars we planted are young coniferous trees. Mature coniferous trees are not currently in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, but if they were, we would gain many benefits. One of them is carbon reduction. You might ask why, and the answer would be under the bark. Coniferous trees do a great job of capturing the carbon dioxide we produce. The Pacific Northwest actually holds the top ten carbon-storing forests in the U.S., according to the Wilderness Society. If you cut down the trees that hold the carbon, it is released into the atmosphere to contribute to global warming as greenhouse gas.

Even though the West Duwamish Greenbelt has few evergreen trees, the forest is still green. It’s a common misconception that since it’s bright and green, it’s healthy. That’s not the case. Invasive species can be green, and they kill off the more important coniferous trees! Also, most of the green, mature trees in the Greenbelt are short-living and deciduous, thus not storing much carbon and allowing invasive species to take over. Coniferous trees are long-living (some over 1,000 years), store much more carbon, and stay green and oxygen-producing all year round. So, here’s the proper conception of a thriving forest: if it’s a green forest in winter, chances are it’s a healthy forest!

The West Duwamish Greenbelt is a large watershed whose naturally-filtered water should drain right into the Duwamish River, one of the most polluted rivers in the U.S. However, because West Marginal Way and industrialized land stand between the Greenbelt and the Duwamish River, the healthy water from the Greenbelt cannot flow directly into the toxic river. If it could, it would help clean up the river, creating a healthier, salmon-filled waterway.

Even though we may have only made a small dent in the giant wall of ecosystem-destroying forces, our effort to stop the reign of pollution and invasive species will lead to a better world. We have begun to improve our future and that of generations to come. With year-round opportunities to volunteer with Nature Consortium, we all can save the West Duwamish Greenbelt by fighting for native species and against invasive species.

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Sewer-overflow facility at Lincoln Park? Community meeting set
October 21, 2010 4:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

The citizens’ advisory group set up at the suggestion of neighbors upset about the possibility of a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control facility digging up Lowman Beach Park has finished its months-long work to suggest and review other options. At its last meeting three weeks ago, the consensus was that its preferred alternative would be a storage facility under the south parking lot at Lincoln Park. It didn’t come without controversy – that’s technically outside the Murray Pump Station-feeding “basin,” for which the county had originally proposed three other options, and the advisory group rep from Fauntleroy, Vlad Oustimovitch, removed himself from the voting, saying his area wasn’t truly represented, with everyone else who was voting living outside the area they were targeting. The county doesn’t have to accept the recommendation, but wants the community to hear about the proposal, so a meeting is now set for November 1st. Read on for the official news release, which also mentions the group’s four runners-up:Read More

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Followup: State confirms Junction liquor store will move
October 21, 2010 4:06 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

Four months ago, we reported that the state liquor store in The Junction might move. We’d checked back a time or two since then, only to be told, no further progress on decisionmaking. But now that’s changed. After e-mail from Kyle, who spotted a “for lease” sign (which we subsequently photographed), we checked back with the Washington State Liquor Control Board, whose spokesperson Anne Radford now confirms the store WILL move:

The lease at the current location expires in the spring. We plan to relocate the store to a nearby location at that time.

Dates and the new location are currently under negotiation, so I don’t have any additional details at this time.

“Nearby” location certainly opens a lot of possibilities. We’ll keep checking back; thanks for your help keeping an eye out, too. The state previously had said the lease was set to expire next February, if not renewed. As you’ll likely recall, West Seattle’s other state liquor store moved relatively recently too; after closing in Morgan Junction in September 2008, it reopened on the north side of Westwood Village this past March.

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Traffic alert: Westbound Spokane St. Viaduct closure ahead
October 21, 2010 3:27 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

(SDOT photo of Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project work, taken and provided last week)
Early warning just in from SDOT:

The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation to widen the Spokane Street Viaduct (the raised roadway that connects I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge) tentatively plans to close the westbound lanes of the viaduct on Wednesday night.

Crews plan to work from 10 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27 to 5 a.m. on Thursday, October 28 to stripe the roadway and install a temporary barrier in preparation for widening the easternmost portion of the Spokane Street Viaduct.

During this work, traffic from southbound I-5 that would otherwise take the Spokane Street Viaduct will instead be directed to the Forest Street exit to access surface streets. Traffic from northbound I-5 and westbound traffic from Columbian Way will be detoured to surface streets at Sixth Avenue South.

At yesterday’s Alaskan Way Viaduct project-related South Portal Working Group meeting, SDOT reiterated that the Spokane Street Viaduct project is on schedule. The next key component to open will be the new 1st Avenue South on-/off-ramp on the westbound side, expected to be done by next fall.

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Lafayette class gets a magical field trip to Pacific Science Center
October 21, 2010 2:45 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

When Pacific Science Center downtown had a media sneak peek for its new “Harry Potter” exhibition today, some local students got a preview too – Dano Beal‘s second-graders from West Seattle’s Lafayette Elementary School were front and center. Their teacher is known for classroom themes, and we’re told it’s currently decked out as Hogwarts. PSC’s Stan Orchard shared the photo. The exhibition officially opens this Saturday (here’s the info page on the PSC site).

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Heads-up about POSSIBLE wind
October 21, 2010 11:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Heads-up about POSSIBLE wind
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo of this morning’s fog just over The Bridge, courtesy Rick)
Even famous forecaster Cliff Mass cautions, in bold type no less, “I don’t want to get anyone excited.” But there’s a possibility of noteworthy wind in the forecast this weekend, he and other weather experts say, and since that sort of weather has been known to lead to trouble around here, we just want to give you a friendly heads-up; even if this possibility doesn’t pan out, it’s not a bad idea to make sure you’re ready just in case, as we get further into the fall. Here’s what Cliff wrote about the POSSIBLE wind; the National Weather Service‘s forecast discussion mentions it too.

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New ‘how fast you’re going’ sign on Arbor Heights stretch of ‘I-35’
October 21, 2010 11:29 am
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to MargL and Todd for the tip – a solar-powered sign showing approaching vehicles’ speed has just gone up on southbound 35th SW (which has been dubbed “I-35” along much of its length) near 100th (map). Signs like this are part of SDOT‘s Arterial Traffic Calming Program – read more about it here.

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West Seattle food: Heavenly Pastry closes Admiral retail storefront
October 21, 2010 8:11 am
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Just 5 months after adding a retail storefront to their wholesale/catering operations, West Seattle’s Heavenly Pastry and Cake has decided to go back to wholesale/catering only. Co-owner Michael Stein e-mailed this morning to say this note is now up on the door of their location on California just south of Admiral:

Dear friend;

Heavenly Pastry and Cake is making a few changes. Our retail shop will be closed as of today.

We will continue baking here, however, for your special orders and our catering and wholesale customers.

Ordering our delicious Pretzels, Cakes, Scones, and other treats is easy, at (206) 420-2780; or online, at www.heavenlypastry.com

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Team Heavenly

One new enterprise that’s under way – Stein points out they’re making pretzels for Dante’s Inferno Dogs, the popular hot-dog purveyor that’s best known in more-northern Seattle neighborhoods.

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West Seattle Thursday: Candidates, school events, Alki, GSNC…
October 21, 2010 7:50 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Opposite of this morning’s fog – Tuesday’s sun over the Duwamish, by Danny McMillin)
Quick look at tonight’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Both candidates in both major local races (King County Council, State House #2) are expected at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council candidates’ forum at Greenbridge YWCA, doors open 6 pm … School events: Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) welcomes prospective students/parents to Open House night, 6:30-8 pm … Seattle Lutheran High School also has an Open House starting at 6:30 pm … At Chief Sealth International High School, it’s International Baccalaureate Night, 6-8 pm, to learn about the college-prep program … The big annual Bordeaux, Bites and Boogie event for West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is at Herban Feast‘s Sodo Park, 5-10 pm … The Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (WSB sponsor) screens movies tonight and tomorrow at West Seattle’s Admiral Theater (full Admiral schedule here) … Two neighborhood councils meet tonight: 6:45 pm at Westside Presbyterian Church, it’s the Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council, 7 pm at Alki UCC Church, it’s the Alki Community Council – follow the GSNC and ACC links for agenda highlights.

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Viaduct = tunnel? 2 milestones ahead, with a West Seattle event
October 21, 2010 7:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

Two major milestones are ahead next week in the move to find out if a deep-bore tunnel really will be the replacement for the Central Waterfront section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, according to presentations Wednesday to the project’s South Portal Working Group. That’s the group that has been overseeing the south end of the project, and how it ties to transportation systems feeding West Seattle and vicinity. One week from today, on Thursday, October 28th, the two companies still working on proposals to design and build the tunnel are scheduled to present their proposals, which should kick off a six-week evaluation process. The next day, Friday, October 29th, a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be out (as explained here), reviewing potential effects of the tunnel (and other aspects of the project) will come out, kicking off a similar-length public-comment period that will include an open house in West Seattle: Mark your calendar for 6-8 pm Tuesday, November 16, at Madison Middle School. Lots more new Viaduct-related info from the meeting, after the jump:Read More

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Delridge District Council: City $, Gathering of Neighbors, more
October 21, 2010 5:24 am
|    Comments Off on Delridge District Council: City $, Gathering of Neighbors, more
 |   Delridge | Delridge District Council | West Seattle news

Toplines from Wednesday night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center: As she had done earlier this month for West Seattle’s other district council – Southwest – city Department of Neighborhoods director Stella Chao came out to talk about the city-budget proposal’s potential effects on her department, and to listen to local concerns. Other agenda items included the two local projects – both in the council’s coverage area – still in the running for Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund money, and how you can show support next Monday, plus the upcoming Gathering of Neighbors – read on:Read More

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On the road and in the air: Forum tackles truck/health concerns
October 21, 2010 3:24 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Health | Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

It’s been a busy week of environmentally-related meetings for West Seattle and its neighbors. The night after Sustainable West Seattle‘s forum on the Duwamish River (WSB coverage here), a “Community Forum on the Public Health Issues of Neighborhood Trucking” was convened, primarily for the Georgetown and South Park communities, but potentially of interest to other local areas with notable truck traffic.

Held at the Georgetown campus of West Seattle-headquartered South Seattle Community College, the forum consisted of three separate panels offering information regarding diesel pollution in the Georgetown and South Park neighborhoods. Listening to the panels were Seattle City Councilmembers Mike O’Brien, Tom Rasmussen and Nick Licata as well as Port Commissioner Rob Holland, as well as an audience of approximately 40 people.

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The littlest volunteers: Little Pilgrim students at Fauntleroy Creek
October 20, 2010 10:10 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A beautiful day to be out by a creek, in a forest, and that’s exactly what students from Little Pilgrim School got to do today. They’re part of a first-of-its-kind program with EarthCorps trainees from several states and countries, installing 400 native plants along the restoration area at Fauntleroy Creek’s last degraded segment.

According to Fauntleroy Creek neighbor and steward Judy Pickens, the $52,000 project is funded by the City of Seattle, King County, the King Conservation District, and Fauntleroy Church, which owns the site. Little Pilgrim School is headquartered in the church; EarthCorps is based in North Seattle, and its team members talked with the kids in their classrooms just before they came out to plant (one group this morning, one group this afternoon).

P.S. You have a chance to lend a hand to Fauntleroy Creek this weekend – 5 pm Sunday at the creek overlook across Fauntleroy Way from the ferry terminal, it’s the annual gathering to drum, chant, and sing to call the coho home. Everybody welcome.

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Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival: Final WSB ticket giveaway
October 20, 2010 8:53 pm
|    Comments Off on Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival: Final WSB ticket giveaway
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Tomorrow and Friday, the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (WSB sponsor) returns to West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater. We’ve given away tickets, courtesy of festival organizers, the past two nights, and tonight we have one last giveaway: Two tickets to the 6 pm Friday screening of “The Sleeping Beauty of East Finchley,” described as an “uplifting drama shot at the Various Voices Festival, a 4-day festival of gay and lesbian choirs from all over the world.” First person to e-mail us with SLEEPING BEAUTY TICKETS in the subject line, westseattleblog@yahoo.com, wins (be sure to tell us the name you want the tickets held in at the box office). Once the tickets are won, we’ll post an update here; no more giveaways after tonight, but you can go here to check out all the Admiral showings over the next two days.

9:19 PM UPDATE: The tickets have been won.

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Heavy-rescue call off Beach Drive; one person hurt
October 20, 2010 6:14 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

We’ve just arrived at the “heavy rescue” call on SW Chilberg, just off Beach Drive, north of Me-Kwa Mooks Park. That’s what you’re hearing helicopters about. As you can see in our photo, there’s a vehicle on its side – just to the left, a short but steep embankment.

UPDATE: Authorities at the scene say the driver of the red vehicle is hurt, though not life-threatening – he’s being evaluated right now. The blue car was not involved, despite how the scene looks in our photos. Authorities suspect the red vehicle’s driver just had trouble negotiating the turn which is immediately south of this scene. A tow truck’s on the way; they also need to get a fuel spill cleaned up.

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Trial under way in tussle over West Seattle site dubbed ‘The Hole’
October 20, 2010 3:46 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

(View of The Hole, photographed in September from atop the unrelated Link project)
We’re in King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead‘s courtroom downtown, after finally confirming today that what’s on her calendar as Ledcor Vs. Aero Construction is indeed the trial for the major legal fights over the stalled Fauntleroy Place development – aka The Hole. Judge Craighead’s staff told us by phone earlier today that the trial – two years in the making – was projected to take about two weeks, though they also noted that, after two days, it was running ahead of schedule. On the witness stand right now: Dan McTaggart from BlueStar, the original developer of the project, which was supposed to bring a Whole Foods Market and new Hancock Fabrics store, plus residential units and underground parking, to the 39th/Alaska spot that had previously held the old Hancock and a Schuck’s Auto Parts store.

Though we’ve just parachuted into the ongoing testimony, we’ve been following the paperwork online since the first two lawsuits were filed in March 2009 – as of right now, online records show 417 separate filings since the cases were consolidated in April of last year, some with triple-digit page counts, like the 100-plus-page list of evidence filed just before trial. One of the key points of contention – did construction work really ever start on the site, and who owes what to whom? (There was a ceremonial groundbreaking in June 2008; demolition work began weeks later – but work idled on the site later in the year, and it was finally revealed that the project had fallen apart and was headed for court.)

Meantime, the site’s future ownership – and ostensibly, future development – is linked to the outcome of this; a potential new owner has been seeking “judicial foreclosure” for more than a year, but as we understand it (at least pending a review of all the latest court docs), nothing will change till some of the key issues are settled – particularly liens for key project figures who say they’re owed money. We’ll track this as best we can during the trial (and of course, beyond).

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Fairmount Playground update: Expected to open October 29th
October 20, 2010 3:20 pm
|    Comments Off on Fairmount Playground update: Expected to open October 29th
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

As reported here on Monday, renovated Fairmount Playground is almost ready to open – and we just got a note from Seattle Parks saying, “There are a couple of minor items to be fixed before we can open the site, but these should all be completed by next week and we anticipate opening the playground on Friday, October 29th.” Project manager Kelly Davidson had told WSB on Monday that the “punch-list” inspection was set for today.

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New West Seattle recycling business: Bed Be Gone
October 20, 2010 1:40 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photos/interview by Ellen Cedergreen)
Got a mattress you don’t need any more and can’t find anyone to take? Your solution may lie with Matt Althauser, who recently opened Bed Be Gone, a mattress-recycling company, based at ActivSpace on Harbor Avenue north of the West Seattle Bridge. He’s been a man of many potential-startup ideas over the years, but this one just made sense: “I started researching and realized there’s nobody doing it for individuals in Seattle, so I thought it’d be a great service and it’s a pretty straightforward business model.” How does it work? Read on! Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary suspect nabbed; groper sought
October 20, 2010 11:53 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

At last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen mentioned the ongoing search for a suspect believed to be responsible for at least half a dozen recent local burglaries. Just got word from Lt. Ron Rasmussen that the suspect is now in custody:

Through the excellent work of the Southwest Precinct Detectives and Patrol Officers, we arrested a juvenile male last night who we believe is responsible for the series of burglaries that have occurred in West Seattle area over the past couple of weeks. The investigation continues as detectives continue to follow-up on leads developed during the investigation.

Capt. Paulsen said last night that a search warrant had been served even before the suspect’s arrest, and stolen property had been recovered. Meantime, he also said police are actively looking for a suspect in connection with two recent “indecent liberties” incidents involving females walking alone, and he suggested extra precautions – read on:Read More

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Big turnout for West Seattle Library’s firefighter visit
October 20, 2010 11:29 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

If you noticed Seattle Fire Department Engine 29 out front of historic West Seattle (Admiral) Library in the past hour – don’t worry, no fire, no rescue, no medical problems – as mentioned in the WSB morning preview, it was Firefighter Story Time!

That’s Matt Saunders from Engine 29 and Leslie Sumida from the library. Big turnout this morning – dozens of kids! It’s part of special Fire Prevention Month activities presented by SFD.

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Traffic (etc.) alert: Presidential visit starts tonight
October 20, 2010 10:12 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just in from SDOT, a general traffic alert about President Obama‘s impending Seattle visit – he’s campaigning for local Democrats tomorrow, but arriving tonight:

Seattleites should be prepared today and tomorrow for occasional street closures or traffic slowdowns as President Obama arrives at a local airport, travels to various events, and departs on Thursday. Little information on the routes and times of his movements are announced for security reasons.

The President arrives tonight, so travelers can expect a possibility of rolling closures on the freeway or major arterials leading from a local airport. There will be street closures to provide security near the Westin Hotel tonight and tomorrow.

Tomorrow morning there will likely be closures on local streets as the president attends an event at a private residence, and then attends an event at 11 a.m. at the Edmundson Pavilion on Montlake Boulevard NE next to Husky Stadium.

Rolling closures are again likely on the freeway or major arterials as the President travels to an airport when leaving the city after the event at the Edmundson Pavilion.

The aforementioned “local airport” is usually Boeing Field, just east of West Seattle. President Obama, you will probably recall, last visited just two months ago (a day that’ll be long remembered, particularly for The Sonic Booms).

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West Seattle businesses: New 7-11 owner plans ‘grand opening’
October 20, 2010 9:47 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The Avalon Way 7-11 is now under the same ownership as 2 other West Seattle 7-11s (Admiral Way and Harbor Avenue). What makes that particularly notable is that the owner is throwing a “grand opening” party in a couple weeks (though he took over last spring); here’s the announcement sent to WSB to share:

Grand Opening: Meet Chintu the owner

November 6th, Saturday – 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Free Hot Dogs – Fresh Bakery Chips, Balloons & much more! Bouncy House for kids

7-Eleven 22561, 3280 Avalon Way SW

Bring your kids and have fun

We asked Monti, who e-mailed the announcement, for a little more information:

Chintu took over the store on May 19, 2010. He does not live in West Seattle, but he has been running two other 7-11s in West Seattle for the last 14 years. Chintu wants to have a grand opening for this store because he wants to connect with new friends and families in the West Seattle community … he knows if he connects with the community, he can improve his store to serve the customer better. We believe with this grand opening we can bring the West Seattle community together. AND HAVE FUN TOGETHER!!

The store’s at 35th and Avalon; here’s a map.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Delridge, Morgan, Viaduct, more…
October 20, 2010 8:39 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Delridge, Morgan, Viaduct, more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Two community-council meetings tonight, both starting at 7 pm: Morgan Community Association at The Kenney and Delridge Neighborhoods District Council at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (our calendar page has agenda highlights for both) … The South Portal Working Group for the Alaskan Way Viaduct project, which includes 3 West Seattle reps, meets at the Sound Transit board room downtown, 4 pm … West Seattle (Admiral) Library hosts Firefighter Story Time at 10:30 this morning … Teens are invited to “Bowling for Peace” at Roxbury Lanes at 4 pm, as part of Week Without Violence … 6:30 tonight, the Sanislo Elementary PTA meets .. That’s also when the first-ever cooking class at Highland Park Improvement Club meets – ravioli-making – call 206-459-9050 to see if there’s room left … And tonight, the long-awaited Seattle premiere of “Evil Dead: The Musical” opens at ArtsWest in The Junction, running through Nov. 13th.

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