West Seattle, Washington
20 Wednesday
(Photos courtesy SDOT)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tomorrow starts the first full week of realigned traffic on the Spokane Street Viaduct – the official name for the easternmost section of the West Seattle Bridge, between Highway 99 and I-5.
After two weekdays with the SSV’s newly built north side handling all four lanes of bridge traffic, during the final phase of three years of work to widen the bridge, project-team leaders promised “tweaks” to the signage for one aspect of the realignment that caused more upheaval than expected – the new restrictions on the eastbound onramp that deposits vehicles on the bridge right before 99.
Those vehicles are now only allowed to go to northbound 99, rather than onto the SSV, but as WSB commenters noted, some semi-trucks, either out of surprise or defiance, were running through the upright lane markers on Thursday. SDOT asked the contractor to bring in some “double-collared” orange barrels on Friday, but that didn’t deter everyone, acknowledged project manager Stuart Goldsmith; project engineer Darin Stephens even got video of one truck driving on through.
We talked with Goldsmith, Stephens, and community-relations rep Paul Elliott during the second meeting of a community task force that’s getting periodic briefings on where the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project stands in its final months. Friday afternoon’s meeting was scheduled before SDOT knew it would be making the lane switch on Thursday, but the timing proved fortuitous for discussing the changeover, as well as other updates.
Management at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge says this has never happened before – and they hope you can help make sure it doesn’t happen again:
Hello Neighbors – I am sad to say that your neighborhood Cultural Arts Center, Youngstown, has been the victim of two break ins in the last week. The SW Precinct officers have responded to our calls quickly and dusted for fingerprints while taking our statements.
Youngstown is the home to several well known and respected non-profit organizations, two of them, Power of Hope and Nature Consortium, both have been broken into this week.
In the six years since Youngstown opened we have not experienced anything like this. As anyone who has been a victim themselves understands, our sense of security has been shaken.
We suspect that these break-ins have happened between midnight and 5 am. If anyone living or working in the neighborhood noticed anything out of the ordinary recently, especially the nights the break-ins occurred (Monday night into Tuesday morning and/or Friday night into Saturday morning) please report it to the SW Precinct immediately.
Thank you.
Margaret Way, DNDA @ Youngstown
And if you see anything suspicious *in progress* – there or elsewhere – call 911.
Northwest gardening guru/broadcast personality/author Ciscoe Morris drew more than 100 people to Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) this afternoon, which meant big smiles all around, especially for him and Village Green’s Vera Johnson:
In our 8-minute clip below, Vera introduces him by explaining how they met, and then after showing off prizes he planned to give away during his talk, he explained his trademark phrase “Oh-la-la”:
The quiz questions that netted attendees the prizes, by the way, centered on hummingbirds. We’ll have video of his entire talk linked on partner site White Center Now later; one major topic, the trouble these past three winters have caused with many Northwest gardens, including his own.
This is spring break week for Seattle Public Schools, but we have news from two local schools:
PATHFINDER K-8 WORLD TRAVEL PROGRAM: Amy Daly-Donovan shares the report and photo:
This group of 17 Pathfinder middle-school kids, and chaperones (teachers Ami Pendley and Patrick Wildermann, principal David Dockendorf, and parents),
left this morning for a trip to Belize! Attached is a photo of the group at Sea-Tac at 4 am. The itinerary include excursions to learn about and experience ancient Mayan culture, explore the natural wonders of the area (jungle hikes, snorkeling, wildlife sanctuaries),and complete a service project in the village of La Democracia. Pathfinder’s World Travel Program requires participants to attend a weekly after school class to learn about the history and culture of the destination and to conduct an extensive research project, which will be completed and presented upon their return.
GATEWOOD’S FIRST-EVER ‘SCIENCE FAIR-PALOOZA’: On Thursday, Gatewood Elementary had two sessions to show off the projects from its first-ever event:
(Photos courtesy Sheree Fantz-Gut)
Gatewood principal Rhonda Claytor explained, “Every student in grades 2 through 5 (contributed) some scientific writing for display, and about 50 students (chose) to present their findings from a home science project.” In this next photo, for example, Marlee researched “The Veins of Flowers”:
When spring break is over, the school year will have two months to go.
Of all the volunteers who helped make this afternoon’s Democratic precinct caucuses happen around West Seattle and beyond, they might have had the best job – hanging out in the sunshine to help people find their way into the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria. Inside, it was a little lonely – one woman asked the check-in-table volunteers, “Am I the only one?” She wasn’t the only one there – we counted more than 30 before the caucusing officially began at 1:30 pm – but she might have been the only one from her precinct. Each precinct had a table, and some tables were empty. But that made it a convivial gathering – Chris Porter rallied everyone around as he read the introduction and rules:
As is usual for caucuses, this was the first step in a process that could lead a determined delegate all the way to the Democratic National Convention in September in Charlottesville. Unlike 2008, when the caucuses were packed because the party hadn’t settled on its nominee yet – today was more about trying to rally the party to look ahead to November, including a pitch for support, monetary and volunteer. “What a difference four years makes,” someone observed, looking around. The bright side of low turnout: High odds of getting elected as a delegate; Porter extolled the virtues of moving on to higher-level caucuses and making an impact on the party platform.
Things were buzzing at our second stop, West Seattle High School:
Most balloon-festooned tables had lively conversations going on – the official business part of the caucus was scheduled to “start no sooner than 1:30, and end no sooner than 2:00,” per the rules. 34th District Democrats chair Tim Nuse was circulating; former State House candidate Mike Heavey told us he had counted about 100 people on hand, and our informal count tended to agree. And while at Sealth, we’d seen just one candidate sign – for President Obama – as well as an advocacy table (for marriage equality), WSHS had campaign signs galore, not just Obama/Biden, but also for governor candidate Jay Inslee and U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott. WSHS also is where West Seattle Republicans caucused on a gray day six weeks ago (WSB coverage here), with a packed house, but that was their sole spot for the entire peninsula (today the D’s also caucused at Madison Middle School, West Seattle Elementary, and Highland Park Elementary). Next step for the Dems: The district caucuses on April 28th.
On the WSB Facebook page, we shared the Orca Network‘s report of orcas between north Vashon Island and West Seattle, closer to the Vashon side, but hadn’t heard any other reports – till FB commenters confirmed the sighting. They’re reported to be southbound past south West Seattle (but of course that means they’ll eventually have to head back this way).
At the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is back in its booth on the KeyBank side of the market site, getting the word out about two big things – first, the Eliminate Project:
With The Eliminate Project, Kiwanis International and UNICEF have joined forces to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). This deadly disease steals the lives of nearly 60,000 innocent babies and a significant number of women each year. … To eliminate MNT from the Earth, more than 100 million mothers and their future babies must be immunized. This requires vaccines, syringes, safe storage, transportation, thousands of skilled staff and more. It will take $110 million – and the dedicated work of UNICEF and every member of the Kiwanis family.
Members of the West Seattle Kiwanis has pledged support for more than 600 vaccines and will be collecting contributions at the West Seattle Farmers Market to help get closer to the goal to eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus.
And they’re also reminding you about their One-Day Food Drive next Saturday to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank – you’ll see Kiwanis and Key Club volunteers at grocery stores around the area 9 am-3 pm on April 21st, including WSB sponsors Metropolitan Market, PCC Natural Markets, and West Seattle Thriftway. Their announcement notes, “These activities are being held as part of Kiwanis ONE Day, a global volunteer action day uniting the entire Kiwanis family, including Kiwanis, Circle K, Key Club, Builder’s Club, Aktion Club, K-Kids and Kiwanis Junior.”
The family of longtime West Seattleite Angelina Marie Fuda shares this remembrance, on the eve of her memorial:
Angelina Marie Fuda passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and close friends, on 4-8-2012 of a cancer-related illness. Memorial Services will be held on Monday, 4-16, 10:30 am at Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle. There will be a private burial at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle.
Angelina was born 1-21-1930 in Brookside, Colorado, to James and Mary Madonna. She moved to Seattle in the early 1940s, went to St Mary’s grade school, and on to Immaculate Conception for high school. While there, she met the love of her life, Felix Fuda, who she married in 1951. She left her job at the Mission Macaroni Factory in the early 1950s, when she was expecting her first child.
As the family expanded, they moved to West Seattle, to the same residence that they’ve been in for the past 56 years.
During last month’s World Water Week at Chief Sealth International High School, students and staff worked on a campus garden project; one of our photos showed a KING 5 crew there to cover it. This morning, CSIHS teacher Noah Zeichner, who coordinated World Water Week again this year, sends word that KING’s story has just appeared online, as one of the newest clips for “Gardening with Ciscoe“; the show’s namesake (who’s in our area today) narrates.
(Reflections on Longfellow Creek; photo by “old desolate” via the WSB Flickr group pool)
Happy Sunday! (The sun IS expected to appear later.) From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Langley Fine Gardens from Vashon Island is scheduled to return today with their popular plants; Grain Expectations is a new vendor with baked goods. 10 am-2 pm (44th/Alaska)
ANNIVERSARY SALE: Third and final day for the second-anniversary sale at West Seattle Runner (3727 California SW; WSB sponsor), open 10 am-5 pm. (And while you’re there, register for the new West Seattle Float Dodger 5K, coming up July 21st.)
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: The WSUFF season begins! You’re invited to join in at Fairmount Playfield, 11 am. (Fauntleroy Way SW/SW Brandon)
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUSES: Local Democrats are invited to gather at 1 pm with others from their precincts at locations around the 34th Legislative District; the 34th District Democrats‘ website has a special page with information including a lookup to find where your precinct is meeting.
CISCOE AT VILLAGE GREEN: The famous Northwest-gardening guru comes to Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) today, 1-2 pm. As noted in our Saturday preview, the nursery is also hosting a beekeeping seminar and Master Gardener clinic. (10223 26th SW)
DUBSEA BIKES: White Center’s ongoing program for free minor repairs to get bicycles back on the road has its next session today, 2-4 pm, White Center Food Bank (8th SW/SW 108th)
LIVE MUSIC: At C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Jamtime plays, 1-4 pm; at Skylark Café and Club, all-ages show with God-des & She and Clutch Douglass, 4 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW).
More on the calendar!
This month, Rebuilding Together Seattle volunteers are doing work inside and out at a home in the Charlestown/Genesee area, and today about 50 Safeway workers joined the project, as part of their company’s monthlong campaign focusing on disability awareness. They spent the day providing free labor at the home that belongs to Shawn, who is living with multiple sclerosis, and Katy, who works with special-needs students at a Seattle elementary school in addition to being caregiver for Shawn.
RTS describes the work at Shawn and Katy’s home as including “a new stove and range hood, updating the bathtub to a shower, installing grab bars and hand rails, replacing kitchen flooring, repairing and staining the back deck, repairing the fence, painting several rooms, organizing and removing clutter, and completing yard work.” The Seattle affiliate of Rebuilding Together is one of 200 coast-to-coast; its website includes info on how to seek help from, or offer help to, the nonprofit.
West Seattle dad John e-mailed to share the story in hopes it might be “useful” to others – especially other families with children:
My two 8-year-old daughters and I went to Constellation Park this afternoon bringing our lunch and planned on staying for 2 or 3 hours.
Just shortly after we ate our lunch I turned around and saw my one daughter with a syringe in her hands. I told her to immediately put it down and she did. But I asked her if she had poked herself with it and she said yes – in her finger – and it did indeed appear that she had upon closer inspection.
So I grabbed the syringe (it still had its cap with it) and went back home and called the Swedish nurse hotline. They recommended that I take her to the emergency room immediately and bring the syringe with me.
Things will be buzzing at Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) tomorrow. Not just because West Seattle beekeeper Brian Allen is leading a seminar at 11 am. Not just because Master Gardener Jeff Daley and colleagues will be on hand for a clinic 10:30 am-1:30 pm. The headliner arrives at 1 pm – 
the man you could call the Northwest’s “laughing gardener,” Ciscoe Morris is headed this way to visit VGPN (10223 26th SW, and proprietor Vera Johnson is excited to play host to a fellow perennials enthusiast (at right is Grevillea we photographed at VG last week – Vera says it’s a Ciscoe fave because it blooms in the cool season). Forecast looks good for tomorrow afternoon, but then again, real gardeners know there’s nothing wrong with a little cloud cover.
If you have been following the saga of the Delridge Supportive Housing building that the Downtown Emergency Service Center plans to build in the 5400 block of Delridge, you know that DESC has committed to include a commercial space on the northwest side of the building, and that the Delridge Produce Cooperative is considered to be the likely tenant for that space, to open a “greengrocer”-type food store, as DPC describes it. But as DPC reps have been saying, it’s going to be a long road between now and the potential opening of that store in early 2014, and they can’t go it alone – they would love to have YOUR help. The community meeting mentioned by a DPC rep at last week’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting (WSB coverage here) is now two nights away, and DPC sent out a reminder about it today, – it’s part of the meeting’s listing on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar (see the full announcement here). The DPC has been working for more than 3 years on a mission near and dear to many hearts in eastern West Seattle – more fresh food. They hope to enlist local residents to help toward that goal – from the meeting announcement:
We plan for a large part of our produce purchases to come from the Delridge community itself, and so we have a great need to reach out to neighbors to find and recruit members and growers. If we connect gardeners to the food hub that we are growing, we can all eat healthy, local food without paying the high prices that we are all used to seeing for organic produce at the grocery store.
If you can help with that – or in some other way – or just want to know more, the DPC hopes to see you at 6:30 pm Monday, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon).
Peeking into the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center at midday today, you might have mistaken the gathering for a religious service – until you heard the auctioneers. (And if you look on the right side of the photo, there are hints alongside the rows of chairs.) This was the Greater Seattle Aquarium Society‘s annual auction – with aquarium hobbyists gathering to auction fish, plants, lights, tanks, anything someone else might be interested in.
They had held the auction at Seattle Pacific University – where the group usually meets – in recent years, but needed someplace bigger, so headed west.
That’s brew, as in coffee – the traditional free espresso at West Seattle Nursery‘s annual spring open house, continuing till 3 pm (California/Brandon). Other treats too:
Bring a tool to donate to the West Seattle Tool Library and you’ll get a discount coupon, according to their flyer; author/photographer David Perry is scheduled to be speaking now, and then at 2 pm, WSN’s Connie Wurm will explain how to turn your yard into a bird sanctuary.
(Photo by Brooke Freed)
Love the sun, but longing for warmer temperatures? Stop by Avalon Glassworks till 4 pm and again 11-4 tomorrow to watch Justin Bagley create glass plant globes – small hanging planters just right for, for example, air plants, as you can see in the photo on the AG website. They’re on Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge.
Still time to go join some of your West Seattle neighbors busy beautifying the North Delridge area right now for the annual Spring Clean. Headquarters is Delridge Community Center, but volunteers (including Jackson the dog!) were planning to fan out to a variety of locations, till noon.
Congratulations to the seven Alki Elementary 4th and 5th graders who comprise George’s Magicians Treasure! As you can see and hear in that celebratory clip, the Alki team that co-won the citywide Global Reading Challenge is now the international champion too, after the final videoconference competition, held on Friday with Alki, co-Seattle winners Adams Elementary, and two schools from Canada! Alki librarian Laurie Iba shared the video and a photo, while telling the final chapter in this exciting tale:
How do you make it to the Video Global Reading Challenge?
You begin by reading 10 books starting in November. You quiz each other on the details of each book. You read the books again and again and again. In February you win your School Challenge by getting all the answers correct. You continue to read and quiz each other.
In March you win the Semi-Final round missing only one question. You continue to read and quiz each other. In April you win the Citywide Challenge by getting all the answers correct. You continue to read and quiz each other. That leads us to (Friday).
Alki’s winning team left school (Friday) morning before school began and boarded a Metro bus bound for the John Stanford Center. Once there we waited for the other Citywide winning team, Adams Elementary. We also waited for the tech guys to get the video conference equipment working so we could see the two British Columbia winning teams.
Finally with everything working, the Challenge began. After each question was read, answers written and turned in, the answer was given and everyone was told who got the questions correct.
In the 1st round Alki and Adams were tied, with both Canadian teams missing at least one question.
In the middle of the 2nd round, Adams missed a question, which gave Alki the edge.
In the third round Adams missed a second question. With two questions left, Alki was getting nervous. Could they pull off another perfect score? Next question correct. Now no matter what, Alki has it clinched! They must have realized it as the last question they answered was not correct, but it didn’t matter. All that hard work had paid off.
Alki’s win brings the Video Conference plaque back to the U. S.. It will reside at Alki Elementary until next year’s Video Global Reading Challenge.
Thanks also to Kathleen for the heads-up last night on the team’s big win – she adds, “Nice job Alex, Alina, Carl, Georgia, Gracie, Jaylen, and Marcus!!”
(Crow and bald eagle at Alki Point, photographed by Gary Jones)
Welcome to a sunny Saturday! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
REBUILDING TOGETHER SEATTLE: All day long, RTS is fixing up the home of a local couple with the help of 50 volunteers from Safeway; you may see them at work at the project site in the Charlestown/Genesee area.
WEST SEATTLE LIONS’ PLANT SALE: Continues 9 am-3 pm today, upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (Our photo is from the sale’s first session last night.)
ALKI BIRD WALK: Who knows, you might see something like the sight in the photo atop this roundup! Free guided walk sponsored by the Audubon Society; meet at the Alki Bathhouse at 10 am.
AQUARIUM SOCIETY AUCTION: For the first time, a regional group of aquarium enthusiasts is having its annual auction at the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center. 10 am start time, no official end time – details here.
HELP CLEAN UP NORTH DELRIDGE: Join the Spring Clean event this morning – 10 am-noon, meet at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW; details here).
EUROPAKIDS INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10:30 am-noon, EuropaKids International Preschool (WSB sponsor) welcomes prospective families to their current facility at Southwest Teen Life Center/Pool (with an added area location in the works), 2801 SW Thistle, details here.
WEST SEATTLE NURSERY OPEN HOUSE: “Bees, Birds and Bouquets” is the theme for one of spring’s most popular business open houses – it’s a garden party, really, with free espresso and appetizers, as well as chances to explore and learn. 11 am-3 pm at West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon), details here.
TRUNK SHOW AT CLICK! DESIGN THAT FITS: Sarah Loertscher is back at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) two nights after the West Seattle Art Walk for a trunk show of her jewelry art, 11 am-5 pm (hot off the runway, as explained here!).
OPENING DAY AT PUGET RIDGE GARDEN CENTER: On the north side of the South Seattle Community College campus, the center is open for shoppers/visitors just once or twice a month in spring, and today’s your first chance to stop by, 11 am-3 pm.
GLASS ARTIST CREATES HANGING PLANT GLOBES: All of this weekend’s gardening-related activities might put you in the mood for this unique art demonstration, happening at Avalon Glassworks, 11 am-4 pm (Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge).
MUSICAL STORYTIME: The regular Saturday storytime at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village has special guests today: Katy Webber and Pearl Jenkins of Musikal Magik. 11 am, all welcome.
SPRING BREAK SKATE: Local football/cheer organization SWAC invites you to come skate with them 5-7 pm at Southgate Roller Rink, to help support local kids’ participation by raising money for helmets. If you register for this year, you skate free. Pizza and soda available at the event, too! Details here.
DOG SOCIAL: Saturday night out, with your canine companion! 7-10 pm at Muttley Crew Cuts, and it’s a fun(draiser) – explained here.
CANDYLANDIA: The monthly dance party, 9 pm, Benbow Room (details here).
Even more on the calendar – see for yourself here.
Organizers of this year’s Gathering of Neighbors have a reminder for you this morning – the big event is one week from today at Chief Sealth International High School:
Make connections with dozens of local businesses, community groups, non-profits, and social service providers from across the West Seattle Peninsula, discover hidden resources right in your own neighborhoods, and learn more about how you can get involved in making our community an even better place to live!
The public event kicks off at 11:00 am with our Neighborhood Resource Fair, featuring a special themed area this year on “Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Recovery.” One section of the information tables and vendors will feature children’s activities and prizes, a demonstration hub, and preparedness speakers on how your family and your home can Be Prepared for when disaster strikes.
Hear from the Neighborhood Emergency Communication Hubs, City of Seattle Office of Emergency Management, King County Public Health Reserve Corps, West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network, West Seattle Amateur Radio Club, Seattle Auxiliary Communication Service, Washington State Animal Response Team, and City of Seattle Home Retrofit Program! PLUS, other community groups, government agencies, and local businesses…
The fair continues while we feature local food and entertainment from 1:00-3:00 pm. Come gather with your neighbors and share in food trucks, dessert fundraiser tables, and fine performances you won’t want to miss! Local performers will include a world percussion group, martial-arts demonstration, and students from the Denny/Sealth Music department.
On the brink of boating season, the West Seattle Yacht Club threw an open-house party at the Alki Masonic Lodge tonight for members and friends old and new. From left, WSYC officers: Purser Jodi Thomas, Yeoman Marie Gonzales, Commodore Tammie Legg, Vice Commodore Mary Ann Lobdell, Rear Commodore Julie Ethier. West Seattle Yacht Club invites all boaters and boating enthusiasts to join us at the annual WSYC Open House. In a note to WSB earlier in the week, VC Mary Ann had written, “There is no boat too small nor too big, or lack of for that matter. We are a social club that revolves around friendships and boating. There are monthly General Meetings held at the Alki Masonic Temple in the non-summer months. We promote at least 10 boat outings each year, most of which are accessible by car and RV.” As if to underscore that, on our way out we were stopped by a couple members who in the course of conversation insisted, “You don’t have to have a boat” – you can be a “social member.” Whether you have a boat or not, find out more about WSYC here; the club just celebrated its 49th birthday.
Later tonight, we’ll have a followup on the city’s Spokane Street Viaduct work, two days after the big “traffic shift.” In the meantime, the state just sent word of ITS plans for Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct next week: Southbound between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge, overnight closures Monday night through Thursday night, 10 pm-5 am each night, “to reinforce both decks between South Washington and Columbia streets in Pioneer Square … in preparation for tunnel boring beneath this two-block section of the structure in late 2013.”
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