West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
Grow Plant Starts for The Community Orchard of West Seattle (COWS)!
We will happily provide the seeds!
If you have a sunny window sill, cold frame or green house, and would like to consider growing plants for us we would love to hear from you!
Starts needed:
Broccoli, kales, cabbages, lettuces, squash varieties, tomatoes, Asian eggplant, onions, flowers, mustards and herbs.The Community Orchard of West Seattle (COWS) provides a home-scale model that demonstrates how much food can be grown on a city-sized lot. Our produce goes to our volunteers, neighbors and local food security programs while we provide a venue for public agricultural education and community gathering.
Contact: info@fruitinwestseattle.org
The Orchard is located at South Seattle Community College North Entrance, 6000 16th Ave SW
(WSB photo of Sherri Chun speaking to participants before last year’s 4th of July parade)
The longtime coordinator of the 4th of July Kids’ Parade, which has grown far beyond its origins as a fun little North Admiral event, is asking the Admiral Neighborhood Association to consider taking it over. At Wednesday night’s ANA meeting (a day later than usual, to avoid a Valentine-night conflict), Sherri Chun came to talk about the parade’s past, present and future. That, and other toplines from the meeting, ahead:Read More
The classic Steve Miller song came to mind as we looked at these photos shared tonight by Gary Jones, from Alki.
Finally, a close encounter with the lighthouse:
Bald-eagle factoid: They can live up to 40 years.
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Leapin’ Lizards — it’s the winning team from Sanislo!
This morning at Sanislo Elementary, 4th and 5th graders filed into the library and took their small chairs, grouped into teams of six. The instructions were given: A question about a book they read will be asked aloud; they’ll have 30 seconds to put their heads together and quietly discuss the answer. When they have an answer, they are to write it down and bring it to the front of the room for judging.
Of the seven teams, one emerged victorious.
This is the “Global Reading Challenge” — a partnership between Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Public Library to encourage reading among Seattle students.
After the Saturday debacle a few weeks ago, SDOT promised to improve its communication about closures (and other things affecting traffic). Toward that end, they have just sent an advisory summarizing everything happening this weekend in “the West Seattle Bridge corridor,” including the all-day-Sunday closure of the Fauntleroy Expressway. We’ve mentioned them all already, but one more read-through probably can’t hurt:Read More
Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore tells WSB a crane operator from Vigor Shipyard on Harbor Island is in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center after the crane collapsed into the water. You can see an aerial view in this story on KING5.com. This comes 13 days after a Kitsap County man working at Vigor was killed in a fall. We’re checking with the shipyard to see if they have additional information; thanks to PT for tipping us to this by asking why there were two helicopters over Harbor Island.
3:51 PM UPDATE: The Department of Ecology now says this has led to a spill, too:
The Washington Department of Ecology, the U.S. Coast Guard and Vigor Industrial are responding to an oil spill from a crane accident at the company’s facility on Harbor Island in Seattle today. The company has placed oil spill cleanup and containment materials on the water around the accident scene.
4:27 PM: SFD has published more information about the rescue, and says the crane operator’s injuries are not life-threatening. Here’s their report.
5:08 PM: From Steve Hirsh at Vigor, responding to our inquiry about comment from the company:
We are working with the proper authorities to try to determine what happened. We understand and are thankful that the worker operating the crane is said to be alert and in good spirits. He wants people to know he’s OK.
We have been are working with the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Coast Guard to contain any spill; our initial estimate is that approximately 10 gallons of lubricating oil may have leaked into the water off Harbor Island.
And an update from Ecology:
Oil from a crane accident today at the Vigor Industrial shipyard in Seattle left a coating on the water that was too thin for successful cleanup. Spill response crews deployed floating containment boom to prevent oil from drifting out of the immediate area.
The Washington Department of Ecology and U.S. Coast Guard are overseeing the spill cleanup and response. The containment boom will remain in place during upcoming operations to remove the crane from the water. Crews will be prepared to begin cleanup work if more oil is released.
Following up on her report from Tuesday (see it here) that Nick Parisi will open Athena’s in the former Zippy’s space at 16th/Holden, WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz photographed him and the newly painted truck today (the rolling mural is by Glenn Case). As Deanie’s story noted, Parisi plans to serve up Greek-themed food from the truck while the space is being readied – and she confirmed today that he’s planning to start tomorrow, serving 1-8 pm. She also reports that while the Athena’s truck usually will be closed Mondays, it will be OPEN on President’s Day.
(October 2011 photo of Amanda Knox and mom Edda Mellas, by STEVE RINGMAN/Seattle Times, used with permission)
Four months after her West Seattle family and friends welcomed her back from four years in prison in Italy, the number four seems to have resurfaced in the saga of Amanda Knox. The long-expected announcement of her book deal is out; here’s the Associated Press story published by our partners at the Seattle Times. It quotes an unidentified source as saying the book deal is worth $4 million. The book is expected to be published by HarperCollins early next year. While local media has kept their promise to keep their distance since her return after the Italian courts overturned her murder conviction, national/international tabloids have been publishing sightings and gossip, and (in case you wondered) most would seem to indicate she is not living in West Seattle.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Last night was a big night for West Seattle Cub Scout Pack 793, families, and friends – the annual Blue and Gold Dinner at Holy Rosary. Enhancing the night, a high-profile guest: Former Cub Scout Dow Constantine, better known these days as King County Executive.
Not only did he talk about his Scouting past while at Schmitz Park Elementary, he also mentioned that his family goes way back with Scouting – his grandpa was a Scout leader and his uncle was an Eagle Scout. He talked about leadership and civic participation, something the Scouts are learning early:
(Thanks to Pack 793’s Jon Gerhardt for letting us drop by on the big night!)
(Aerial of Alki – note the Bathhouse – by Long B. Nguyen)
Alki’s got two events on the calendar for tonight – a school open house and neighborhood-council meeting. Here’s what else, and where else, are on the list from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
BRIDGE CLOSURES AND OTHER ROAD WORK, AGAIN TODAY/TONIGHT: Same reminders as the past three days: In the Morgan Junction/Lincoln Park area on Fauntleroy Way SW and part of California SW north of M-Junction, Day 4 of work on the “transit corridor” project to facilitate this fall’s launch of RapidRide bus service. Details in our on-scene report from Monday. … Avalon Way again is scheduled for restrictions/detours today, 9 am-4 pm, explained here … Two overnight West Seattle Bridge closures: Eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, east of the 1st Avenue South offramp, 9 pm-5 am (details here); the Fauntleroy Expressway (southwest end of the bridge) has an overnight closure those same hours, detailed here. Reminder, THIS SUNDAY is the all-day Fauntleroy Expressway closure, 9 pm Saturday till as late as midnight Sunday night).
LIBRARY STORY TIMES: There’s Toddler Story Time at Southwest Library at 11 am and at High Point Library at 11:30 am, and Delridge Library has Preschool Story Time at 11:15 am. More info on the Seattle Public Library Calendar of Events.
COLMAN DOCK’S FUTURE – WITHOUT A PASSENGER DOCK? As reported here on Tuesday, Washington State Ferries is having a downtown hearing (Sound Transit board room, 401 S. Jackson, 3:30-6 pm) to talk about Colman Dock’s future, which might not include a passenger-ferry dock, though it’s where the King County Water Taxi and other foot-ferry services dock now. Public testimony welcome.
CHINESE LANGUAGE/CULTURE INTRODUCTION – FREE! We previewed it here yesterday; today’s the debut of Chinese Corner at the Seattle Chinese Garden, 6000 16Th AVE SW. 4-6 pm. Eight sessions every other Thursday; learn basic Mandarin Chinese conversation words, learn about Chinese culture, join easy all-ages games and activities.
ZUMBA FUNDRAISER AT WSHS and other dates: West Seattle High School ASB is raising money for the Class of 2012 with a 5 pm Zumba class in the WSHS gym, today, Feb. 28, and March 1st. $7 each class or 2 for $10, public welcome.
METRO ROUTE-RESTRUCTURING OPEN HOUSE: 6-8 pm at Chief Sealth International High School, open-house format (no presentation), ask questions and offer comments about the latest version of the Metro route-restructuring proposal scheduled to take effect this September.
WSHS INFORMATION NIGHT: At West Seattle High School: Information Night, 6:30-8 pm
ROXHILL OPEN HOUSE: Roxhill Elementary open house, 6:30 pm
ALKI ELEMENTARY TOUR: Alki Elementary tour, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
ARBOR HEIGHTS PTA MEETING AND CHARTER-SCHOOLS FORUM: Arbor Heights Elementary PTA meeting at 6:30 pm, followed by a forum on charter schools at 6:45 pm.
WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS WITH BABIES: “Good Eater 4 Life,” 6:30 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, south classroom, from the announcement: “Good Eater 4 Life is a workshop for parents of babies who are about to begin eating solid food. All the basics will be covered regarding how and when to start feeding baby solids, but special emphasis will be put on how to raise a baby and then toddler to become a good eater. Appropriate not only for first-time parents, but also for those with older fussy eaters and a new baby.”
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Alki Community Council, 7 pm, Alki UCC.
That’s only about 2/3 of the overflow crowd that filled the Schmitz Park Elementary cafetorium – and the hallway outside, and even the stage and its stairs – for tonight’s first meeting about K-5 STEM at Boren, the new “option” elementary that Seattle Public Schools plans to open in West Seattle this fall. The district officials who led the meeting, executive director of West Seattle schools Aurora Lora and head of planning and enrollment Dr. Tracy Libros, repeatedly expressed surprise at the turnout. Many questions were asked, many suggestions offered, and additional details emerged. We are heading to HQ, where we will write the full story and also upload video of the entire hour-and-a-half meeting. Lora promised that there will be another meeting soon, “someplace bigger.”
ADDED 11:31 PM: Here’s our video of the entire hour and a half meeting, which began with a short PowerPoint, followed by Q/A:
ADDED 2:57 AM: Now, the key points:
First, one more mention of the crowd. Every seat was full, and more chairs were brought in. People stood against the walls, sat on the stairs to the cafetorium stage, even sat on the floor. From the reactions of Lora and Libros, you might have thought they expected to see about 50; instead, our rough estimate would surpass 300.
6:05 PM: The first of three Metro meetings/presentations in West Seattle this week, to provide information/answer questions/accept comments about the revised September route-restructuring plan, is under way. It’s at Madison Middle School (45th/Spokane), and our understanding is that it’s open-house format, so drop by any time, no presentation scheduled. We’ll be there shortly and will doublecheck.
6:40 PM UPDATE: At Madison now. Metro reps confirm it’s open-house format, so just drop in. You have the opportunity to ask questions at a variety of “stations” in the commons area (parking in the south lot, walking into the south entrance and walking down the stairs is how we generally get in), have your comments written on butcher paper = just a handful of comments so far, but two of them are about the concern that South Seattle Community College will be left without direct service to downtown on weekends – or write them on a sheet of paper you can leave behind as you go. They’ll be here till about 8. If you miss this – there’s another one tomorrow, also 6-8 pm and also open-house format, at Chief Sealth International High School (in the Galleria).
Seattle Public Utilities sent this late today:
Nearly 4300 single-family West Seattle residences – whose garbage, yard waste or recycling collection day is Monday, February 20 – will receive a recorded phone message on Thursday afternoon, February 16, reminding them that collections are on a normal schedule for the President’s Day holiday on Monday, February 20.
The automatic phone message is an opportunity for Seattle Public Utilities to use its outdialer system during a non-emergency event while still conveying valuable information to its customers. From information gathered from using the system, Seattle Public Utilities will be better prepared to convey critical information to members of the public during emergency events.
We think this is a first, but we’re checking.
ADDED 9:49 PM: SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin confirms to WSB that this is a test of sorts:
Yes, this will be the first time SPU is using its new outdialer system. At this point, we haven’t determined if it will be used for regular outreach messages, like holiday garbage pick-up, or if it will be used primarily for emergency communications. That’s something we’ll be evaluating from feedback we receive from our customers and other sources
One week after our in-depth update on the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project – which has been closing the east end of the West Seattle Bridge most weeknights lately – there’s a milestone of sorts: Crews are starting to install long-delayed steel girders that SDOT said had been holding up the new 1st Avenue South on/offramp. Brad tipped us off via Twitter:
@westseattleblog You might already know this, but … they’re re-starting work on the 1st ave s onramp. A sight for sore eyes.
— brad nelson (@bradnelson) February 15, 2012
Before stopping nearby for the photo you see above, we sent an inquiry to SDOT, asking if the resumption of work meant those girders were finally arriving. Spokesperson Rick Sheridan‘s reply:
You are correct. The installation of the steel girders for the First Avenue S on- and off-ramp is now underway.
The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation on the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project began this week installing the steel girders necessary for constructing the First Avenue S on- and off-ramp. The installation is taking place during the night.
After much delay, half of the girders required for the ramp arrived from their source in Montana and the contractor expects it will take several weeks to install these. The other half of the girders has not yet arrived. With the full installation of these girders, the remaining construction of the ramp can proceed.
The ramp is expected to be available as an offramp sometime this spring – but not as an onramp from 1st until the project is virtually complete, probably late July. Meantime, construction closures continue – the newest update is here – and keep in mind, this is SEPARATE from the project at the WEST end of the WS Bridge, which is the Fauntleroy Expressway Seismic Retrofit Project, responsible for closures of its own (including all day this coming Sunday). That project too should be complete this summer.
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Using a concept that originated in China, where people would gather in park corners or on street corners to practice their English, the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north side of the South Seattle Community College campus is hosting a 
series of “corner” gatherings to teach Chinese language and culture.
The first one is tomorrow.
According to Julia Freimund, program director of the Seattle Chinese Garden, this series is a collaboration between the garden, Chinese Language Teachers of Washington, The Confucius Institute of Washington and Chief Sealth International High School. Instructors from each organization (Freimund, Chunman Gissing, Donna Tang, in photo at right, and Pollyanna Wang, who took the photo) have been creating a curriculum meant to teach Chinese culture and language in a fun, hands-on way.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The newly announced principal of K-5 STEM at Boren, the new “option” elementary that Seattle Public Schools intends to open in Delridge this fall, won’t be at tonight’s informational meeting.
But we learned more about Dr. Shannon McKinney‘s background, hopes, and plans, by interviewing her hours after the district announced she had been hired.
While she hasn’t led a STEM-focused school, she feels this is the culmination of much of the work she has done in her career, including a decade as a teacher of mathematics – “Not a math teacher,” she corrects. “I taught students mathematics.”
More from our conversation, ahead:Read More
A former college football coach will take over Chief Sealth International High School‘s football program. Three months after announcing the school was looking for a new head coach, Sealth athletic director Sam Reed just sent this news release:
Chief Sealth International High School has selected Luther Carr III to be the Seahawks newest head football coach. Carr comes to Chief Sealth with over 18 years of coaching experience, the last 10 in Division I college football.
Most recently, Carr held the position of Wide Receiver Coach at the University of Idaho, and before that served on coaching staffs at both University of Montana and University of Washington. During his time in the college ranks, he has coached and recruited numerous all-league and academic all-American players.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Brittney:
Someone hit our parked camper van last night at the top of Erskine Way by the 7-Eleven (in the Junction). It was a pretty bad hit, with the entire front driver’s side being dented from the fender up and the driver’s side mirror being torn off. There must be significant damage to the car/truck that hit our vehicle. The van is an old 1987 GMC camper van, old but low mileage, very nice and very loved/used by our family. We do not insure it in the winter because we don’t drive it, so this damage hits hard. We would very much appreciate someone coming forward and taking responsibility, not necessarily to fix it to new but to at least make it driveable again.
(West Seattle Helpline photo from a 2009 WSB story)
A local nonprofit that helps people in crisis is now in urgent need of some help – so it can keep providing one of its signature services. West Seattle Helpline executive director Tara Byrne says the Clothesline needs a new place to hang its hat (and coats, and so on), ASAP:
The West Seattle Helpline is looking for a new home for our clothing bank. The building we are currently in is being sold therefore, we must find a new location by the end of February in order to continue serving West Seattle families with clothing during financial hardships. People visiting the Clothesline get 3 outfits, a coat, and a pair of shoes at no cost to them. This free service has been provided by the Helpline for many years and we need help with finding a new location. Ideally, it would be donated or low-cost rental space that is around 800 square feet, on or near a bus line, and located within the West Seattle community. Please contact Tara Byrne at wshelpline@gmail.com with any opportunities.
Read more about Clothesline (and other WS Helpline services) here.
(Thanks to Teresa for sharing that photo on the WSB Facebook wall, where meteorologist Patrick then explained: “Post-frontal shower activity, Virga visible in this pic and cold air aloft streaming in behind the front”)
Something to say – and/or ask – about the latest route revision proposal from Metro? Tonight you have TWO chances. That’s part of what’s on the list, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
BRIDGE CLOSURES AND OTHER ROAD WORK, AGAIN TODAY/TONIGHT: Same reminders as the past two days: In the Morgan Junction/Lincoln Park area on Fauntleroy Way SW and part of California SW north of M-Junction, it’s the third day of work on the “transit corridor” project to facilitate this fall’s launch of RapidRide bus service. Here’s our on-scene report from Monday, with more details. … Avalon Way again will have restrictions/detours today, 9 am-4 pm, explained here … Two West Seattle Bridge closures overnight again tonight: The eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, east of the 1st Avenue South offramp, 9 pm-5 am (details here); the Fauntleroy Expressway (southwest end of the bridge) has an overnight closure those same hours, detailed here (and don’t forget that this coming Sunday, THE FAUNTLEROY EXPRESSWAY WILL BE CLOSED ALL DAY, 9 pm Saturday till as late as midnight Sunday night).
JAPANESE-AMERICAN DAY OF REMEMBRANCE: A special event with author Mary Matsuda Gruenewald is scheduled at South Seattle Community College, 11 am-1 pm today (as previewed here), as part of a week of remembrance leading up to this Sunday’s 70th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066. (Read more about the guest speaker in this story from our partners at the Seattle Times.)
METRO’S 1ST WEST SEATTLE OPEN HOUSE: Open-house format meeting about the newest version of the Metro restructuring proposal, 6-8 pm at Madison Middle School (details here)
SWAT TRAINING: If you haven’t yet seen the alert we published earlier this morning – SPD’s SWAT team will train inside the vacant Genesee Hill School, 6 pm-3 am.
K-5 STEM AT BOREN, 1ST INFORMATIONAL MEETING: One day after Seattle Public Schools announced a principal for this new public school opening this fall in West Seattle, the first informational meeting about it is set for 7 pm at Schmitz Park Elementary. (Our followup interview with principal appointee Dr. Shannon McKinney will be published later this morning.)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, ONE NIGHT LATER THAN USUAL: Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, 7 pm, Admiral Congregational Church.
METRO BRIEFING AND MORE AT NDNC: Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meets at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 7 pm, agenda includes presentation by Metro planner Jack Lattemann as well as a discussion of the Seattle Public Library‘s future and city reps talking about the Seattle Comprehensive Plan and Community Technology.
Neighbors have received a flyer (see it here) about this, we’re told, but just in case it’s noticed by passersby, here’s advance notice: The Seattle Police SWAT team will be training inside the closed Genesee Hill school tonight, from 6 pm till 3 am. SPD trains from time to time on the campus, which was home to Pathfinder K-8 before that school moved to Cooper on Pigeon Point two-plus years ago, and may be the site of a new school within a few years, depending on what the district proposes in the forthcoming BEX IV levy.
(Photos courtesy National Grocers Association)
Though he didn’t make the top 5 at the national championship, Washington State’s “Best Bagger,” Andrew Borracchini from Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral, is a winner just the same. The national bag-offs were Monday in Las Vegas, during the National Grocers Association convention, and a 30-year-old woman who works at a Piggly-Wiggly in Wisconsin brought in the bacon (the $10,000 grand prize). Andrew had quite the cheering section (as noted in our preview before his departure), T-shirts and all!
And MM spokesperson Torie McIntyre says that “out of 24 contestants, (Andrew) made it until the Top 5 were chosen. He competed well and represented Metropolitan Market and West Seattle (and Washington!) well.” (Here’s coverage from the Las Vegas Sun and from the Las Vegas Review-Journal – Andrew’s in one of their pix.)
The biggest news at last night’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting came from guests: Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association reps told the council they may have to sell the three DNDA-owned units in Brandon Court because they won’t be able to make the next mortgage payment. (They’re already listed.) One of those units is empty – DNDA itself vacated last year, consolidating its offices in Youngstown Cultural Arts Center a mile away – and the other one is about to be vacated by the City of Seattle, moving its Neighborhood Service Center to the former Southwest Community Center (as finalized in last month’s budget vote). DNDA’s Patty Grossman and board chair Willard Brown told NDNC – meeting in the Delridge Library, near the units under discussion – that they were hoping to convince the city to change its mind, and that they believed they were getting at least a few months reprieve.
However, our followup conversation with the city today indicates otherwise. More on this, and other topics from the NDNC meeting, ahead:Read More
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