West Seattle, Washington
15 Friday
Seattle Public Schools is out this morning with new reports on every school in the system. Our partners at the Seattle Times have gone through the documents already and report that Lafayette and Schmitz Park Elementaries in West Seattle are among twelve schools citywide receiving the highest rating possible. Here’s the Times story; here’s a link to the page from which you can access all the school reports.
Could be an omen, or not. Last year, when SDOT invited the media to its Charles Street yard to discuss its revamped and beefed-up snow plan, it was a brilliantly sunny day. Today, the same event happened on a day graced by a regional rainstorm. Mayor McGinn was there for the briefing; the photo above is from WSB contributing photojournalist Ellen Cedergreen, who’ll be sending more information and photos we’ll add to this report soon – snowplows and sand were part of the snow-fighting arsenal that was to be shown off. (Photo added – salt, too:)
In the meantime, SDOT has said that the revamped plan from last year — which never had to be deployed — is the basis for what’s in place this year; you can check out its Winter Storm information online here.
ADDED 2:25 PM: Just in, SDOT’s news release with highlights of the updated plan discussed today (including other city agencies, plus weblinks and phone numbers to keep handy in case of weather trouble) – click ahead:Read More
(Monday photo by David Rosen of SlickPixPhotography. Read more about West Seattle’s latest pup sightings at Seal Sitters‘ “blubberblog” site)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: 2 neighborhood meetings tonight, both at 7 pm – Fauntleroy Community Association at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9141 California SW), and Admiral Neighborhood Association at Admiral UCC Church (California/Hill) … After the grand-opening-eve celebration, today’s the real opening day for Tuscan Tea Room and Romanza Floral in The Junction (4521 California SW) …. Fall sports banquet at Chief Sealth International High School tonight, 6 pm … Free remodeling/custom-home workshop tonight at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), 5458 California SW, RSVP to 206-932-3009 … High Point Library (35th/Raymond) invites you to a Poetry Workshop at 6:30 tonight, call 206-615-1637 to register … Special workshop tonight at SoundYoga (WSB sponsor), Restorative Yoga with Milo Minnis, 6:30 pm … At Senior Center of West Seattle, “Matter of Balance” begins weekly classes at 1 pm – reduce the risk of falling – free but call 206-932-4044 ext #1 to register … We’ve reported multiple times lately on the new Duwamish River cleanup-alternatives report; learn more about it in a workshop tonight in South Park, SP Neighborhood Center (8201 10th Ave. S.), 5:30, RSVP to contact@duwamishcleanup.org, since dinner’s included.
On the first Hometown Holidays Sunday in The Junction (December 5th), the next West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards winners will be honored. But before anyone can be honored – they have to be nominated! The deadline is less than a week away – November 15th. The Southwest District Council and Delridge Neighborhoods District Council team with WSB to sponsor the awards twice a year, and volunteers from those two groups review the nominees before choosing the winners. There are four categories: One individual volunteer each in community, environment, and youth work; the fourth is a group award. Just use the online form you’ll find here – and, whomever wins, make plans to come applaud them the afternoon of 12/5 in the heart of The Junction.
Tonight our partners at the Seattle Times report that the mayor’s made his choice for the site of a permanent homeless camp, and it’s not either of the West Seattle sites that were on the list revealed last month. The Times quotes Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith as saying the choice is the former Sunny Jim peanut-butter plant site on Airport Way (map) that was gutted in a September fire; the site’s been owned by the city since the early ’90s.
Tea time tonight for Aimee Pellegrini and daughter Nina on the eve of tomorrow’s official Grand Opening for Aimee’s Tuscan Tea Room and Romanza Floral in The Junction (4521 California SW). Dropping in for a few photos during the special preview, we also got to see more of the fully remodeled space:
That’s of course from the tea room side – and here, the floral side:
The tea/coffee bar opens at 8 tomorrow, the dining room (where lunch and all-day “afternoon tea” will be served) at 10:30. (As noted in our June report with first word of Tuscan/Romanza’s Junction plans, Aimee is one of the founders of West Seattle’s La Rustica Italian Restaurant.)
ADDED 1:26 AM: Thanks to Cozbi Hultz of ZZPhotography & Design for sharing a couple more scenes from pre-grand-opening night – like this view of some of the food!
Thanks to Claire for pointing out this story on the Seattle Fire Department‘s Fire Line site: You’ll see fire crews at 2206 California SW (map) over the next four days. They’ll be setting and fighting fires to train more than a dozen recruits: “There will be sixteen fires ignited over the course of the week. Each day the fires will grow more intense and provide more challenging situations for the recruits.” According to the city website, live/work units and townhomes are planned for the site (after what is described there as “deconstruction”).
Thanks to our friends at KING 5 for sharing their tale of Cosmo, the West Seattle dog who dined on donations … $300 cash, three times as much in checks. Read about it here, and/or view the video above.
(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
Big news from the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge – a milestone for the Seattle Chinese Garden! The visiting Chinese artisans will be returning to China on Wednesday after spending three months on site completing the “Knowing the Spring Courtyard.” Here’s its formal entrance:
The artisans originally weren’t expected to be finished for a few more weeks, but their work is done ahead of schedule, and they say it’ll be exciting to go home and see their families. They lived on site in trailers, which will be relocated to an upper hill now, to make room for a larger visitor’s information trailer. Here’s the interior of the courtyard:
And here’s the south entrance to the courtyard.
A central sculpture in the interior courtyard is located in the southwest corner. The rocks were brought over from China, guided in with cranes and intricately placed by the artisans.
WSB contributing photographer Ellen Cedergreen, who took these photographs today, reports she learned, all that’s left to do is some grading on the grounds, move some trailers around, and complete some landscaping. er.This first phase of the garden is set to be complete by 12/31 in time for it’s soft opening and will be open to the public 12-4, Wednesday-Sunday thereafter.
You might have missed this tidbit of news, since we rolled it up along with a semi-update on the future West Seattle Trader Joe’s: The former Redline Music and Sports on 35th south of Avalon will become The Bridge. As noted in our brief mention Friday, we sent out an inquiry to its proprietor. And we’ve now heard back from Rita Dixson, who says she and her business partner hope to open in mid-December, depending on how renovations go:
Trevor and I are both longtime West Seattle residents and are relishing the opportunity to breathe new life into an underutilized West Seattle feature.
I’m currently working at Talarico’s. Taking over the old Redline building gives us both an opportunity to put our own (hopefully) unique stamp on the nightlife industry.
Some key features of the Redline will remain, such as on-site parking and a large outdoor patio. We aim to add a satellite bar and fire pit in the summer months. Inside we are looking to to create an intimate, welcoming environment with an emphasis on good drinks and good, simple food.
We’ve received more than a few notices about holiday giving campaigns – a roundup with some of the newest ones is in the works, in fact – but we don’t know the definitive answer to this question from Gayle, so we’re putting it out in hopes that, if there *is* such a campaign, you’ll share the info:
In the spirit of helping folks locally, I wonder if you are aware of any West Seattle ‘adopt a family’ programs for the holidays? I’ve contacted the WS food bank about it but thought I’d check with you as well.
I think it’s such a great way to make a difference in these difficult economic times and can also be a meaningful way to teach children the spirit of giving.
Let us know – in the comment section, preferably – if you know of one!
Before rainy season really kicks in, the city has advice for people on “landslide-prone” property – steps you can take immediately, as well as a free landslide-awareness workshop here in West Seattle in a few weeks (in addition to one in North Seattle). Read on for the city’s full announcement:Read More
Festive green balloons mark the now-open door to High Point Mini Market, the small grocery that has just opened at 3413 SW Graham (map), next to Hans’ VW Repair. Its sign announces halal meat and spices – halal means slaughtered/processed in accordance with Islamic dietary laws (explained here) – and it’s also offering a selection of other foods, as you’ll see on the shelves inside:
The store’s hours are 9 am-9 pm daily for starters, according to its cards; they’re at 206-932-4003.
Big announcement from Westside School (WSB sponsor) today – as they had hoped would be possible once they moved into the former EC Hughes site in Sunrise Heights (here’s our coverage of the dedication 2 months ago), they’re expanding to add middle-school grades. It’ll be an incremental expansion – Westside will add 6th grade in fall 2011, then 7th grade in fall 2012, and as of fall 2013 will be fully preschool through 8th grade. The school says it’ll be organizing Middle School as a unique “rigorous, high-school-preparatory curriculum,” not just adding classes; we’re scheduled to talk with Head of School Jo Ann Yockey momentarily to find out more, and will add to this report later.
ADDED 2:11 PM: More details, as promised! For starters, there’ll be there is now a new section on the Westside website with middle-school details. As for what we learned in a conversation with Jo Ann Yockey, read on:Read More
Out of the WSB inbox, from a Fairmount Springs resident who doesn’t want to be identified:
I … wanted to let the community know that yesterday, Sunday, 11/7/10, at about 1:45 pm, two youths drove by our home on the 5900 block of Fauntleroy Way [map] and shot a bb gun at our front window, putting a hole through both panes. A neighbor walking by with her young son and was startled by the sudden POP! She noticed the culprits were driving a gray sedan but was unable to get the license plate number. The police have been notified and a case # was assigned. Please comment here if you have any helpful information or if you hear of any similar unfortunate incidents. Thanks very much, and be safe.
The city’s My Neighborhood map, which catalogs many police responses within a few hours, does confirm a case categorized as “property damage” in that block yesterday afternoon; because the classification is so general, it’s impossible to tell at this point whether there were other similar, recent cases, but we’re checking with police – West Seattle has had past cases of serial BB-gun shooters, with people being hit and hurt.
First community-group meeting of the week is tonight, North Delridge Neighborhood Council at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge; map), short meeting starting later than usual (7 pm), agenda includes voting for the new NDNC co-secretaries … Senior Center of West Seattle (map) launches a new class today: “Breathe Well to Live Well,” 1 pm … Weekly events include Family Story Time at High Point Library (map) with children’s librarian Amy, 7 pm, and bingo night at Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds; map), 6:30 pm … LOOKING AHEAD: If you’re interested in remodeling or custom-home construction, Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) presents a free workshop at 6 pm tomorrow (Tuesday), 5458 California SW (map), RSVP to 206-932-3009.
With just seven weeks to go till Christmas, we have an update on the Charlestown lights-synched-to-music show, officially the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular: The family friend who created the show, Jim Winder, says its new website, at westseattlelights.com, is now up and running, so a banner’s up at the house too – and they’ve been working to install the display as well:
On Friday, a crew from KING 5’s Evening Magazine came over to cover the installation process; no exact date is set yet for the feature to be on TV, but the date IS set for the Opening Night Ceremony: 7 pm Saturday, November 27th. Zach Lystedt will be the special guest who turns on the lights. He’s a high-school student who survived a sports injury and now campaigns for safety:
A charity chosen by Zach’s family, Pushing Boundaries, will be the beneficiary of any donations showgoers care to make on night 1; other nonprofits that’ll benefit from donations are listed here, along with donation button. Something else new this year: Some nights they’ll do Christmas-music karaoke! More info on this page – including how to sign up in advance via e-mail.
(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
Appropriately enough, a West Seattle moviehouse with history was the place today to kick off a celebration about history – On the eve of the 100th anniversary of Washington women winning the right to vote (HistoryLink.org tells the story here), West Seattle Democratic Women screened a suffragette saga at Admiral Theater. Above, WSDW chair Karen Chilcutt, who told the audience before the screening of “Iron-Jawed Angels,” “If it weren’t for them, we — in this room, couldn’t vote.” About 75 people turned out, mingling before the film:
Afterward, Alki’s Libby Carr led a discussion – she’s at center here, with Fran Presley and Donna Stewart:
At the info table, WSDW secretary Sue Backs (left) and treasurer Beth Grieser, as the group accepted new memberships today.
On November 8, 1910, Washington became the fifth state to grant women the right to vote. That was almost a full decade before the 19th Amendment was ratified in summer 1920. The anniversary will be marked in Olympia tomorrow with Day of Jubilation activities – the schedule is on the Washington Women’s History Consortium homepage. Then WSDW has a big party at the West Seattle Golf Course on Friday night, “highlighting the success and struggle of women in Washington State history,” as their announcement puts it, with period costumes welcome, hat/dress fashion shows planned, recognition of women in politics, and more, $25, reservations at wsdwomen@yahoo.com or 206-935-3216.
3 more weekend scenes to share: Kevin McClintic shared that photo after happening onto the mobile cancer-screening van at 35th and Henderson on Saturday – one of the periodic free-screening days for non-insured/underinsured women 40-65 offered by West Seattle Community Clinic. The next one is January 8th; Kevin says the clinic staff told him they’ll likely start taking appointments around the first of next month (937-9722). Moving ahead to this morning’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market:
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle not only is selling tickets to its traditional December 4th pancake breakfast (details here), it’s also loaning wagons to families to help them get around the market while they shop – so next time you go, look for Kiwanis volunteers and little red wagons! Meantime, this afternoon at Lafayette Elementary:
Lafayette parent Luckie shared photos from the Sports Swap – as reported here on Saturday morning, this is part of an intensive fundraising process in Phase 2 of the school’s playground renovations, now called the Play It Forward Project. Volunteers are working to raise $100,000 to match a city grant that’ll go away in two months if they’re not successful. Regarding today’s sale, Luckie says, “I’m not sure how we did money-wise, but we sold a bunch of stuff!”
Several West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share this afternoon, starting with this one from Cassandra:
Recently sighted three men breaking into home on corner of 10th Ave. and SW Elmgrove St. They were surprised by the homeowner¹s landscapers. The three men fled on foot heading south bound down alley between 10th Ave. and 9th Ave. Occurred approximately 1:15pm. Police have been notified.
Four more Crime Watch reports ahead:Read More
The skull you see with Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales is labeled “please touch!” – just one of the welcoming aspects of the first-ever OrcaFest, happening right now at Alki Bathhouse. KWT is a co-sponsor of OrcaFest, as is Donna Sandstrom‘s Whale Trail organization:
Jeff and Donna are both West Seattleites – and both devoted to making sure people of all ages come to know and love Puget Sound’s orcas even more than they do now. (Donna’s group has just won a matching-fund grant for more local signs to tell the orcas’ tale, as we reported here.) The tree that Donna’s standing next to in our photo, by the way, is being decorated with cut-out orcas, onto which you are welcome to write your vision for our whales as they continue their journey toward recovery:
There are lots of other interactive activities and exhibits at OrcaFest – admission free, but there are opportunities for you to donate to the nonprofits that are making this happen (other groups on hand include Seal Sitters) – you also have the chance to see whale bones in a Seattle Aquarium setup (volunteer Darcie will be happy to help you guess which human bones they correspond to). OrcaFest is scheduled to continue till 3 pm. ADDED 2:16 PM: Duwamish singing and drumming welcomed and blessed visitors in the first hour of OrcaFest:
At the Duwamish Tribe’s West Seattle home – the Longhouse at 4705 West Marginal Way – you can learn even more about orcas this Wednesday night at 7, during a presentation by NOAA’s Brad Hanson, sponsored by The Whale Trail (admission $5; tickets available online; ticket link and more info here).
One year after the murder of Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton, Saturday night’s Seattle Police Foundation awards banquet honored the West Seattle High School graduate posthumously, as well as honoring the survivor of the deadly ambush and many SPD personnel who played a role in the response and the investigation. Other officers and SPD staff with West Seattle ties were honored in the annual awards event too – read on for photos and details:Read More
The first day of Pacific Standard Time dawns to spectacular sunshine, and you have many reasons to get out of the house, among them: Celebrate Puget Sound’s resident orcas, and their traditional fall return to the central sound, at the first-ever OrcaFest presented by Killer Whale Tales and The Whale Trail, 11 am-3 pm at Alki Bathhouse … Also on the West Seattle waterfront: The WS Wildlife Habitat Project‘s native-plant demo garden at Seacrest needs some fall love, 10 am … Two extra reasons to go to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market: Among the local groups scheduled to be there are West Seattle Hi-Yu (selling these ornaments) and Kiwanis Club of West Seattle (selling tickets for the December 4th pancake breakfast) … Furry Faces Foundation has a wine and art fundraiser this afternoon, 3-6 pm, at Ola Salon – read all about it (including winery links) in the WSB Forums … Commemorate the centennial of women’s voting rights in our state with West Seattle Democratic Women, planning a movie and discussion at Admiral Theater (new start time, 4:30 pm) …
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