Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
Just last night, we told you about the Admiral Theater’s latest efforts to broaden the offerings at the historic venue, and tonight we welcome one of them as a new WSB sponsor: 
The Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, with a schedule involving screenings at the Admiral later this month. Here’s what the festival’s organizers want you to know: “Three Dollar Bill Cinema is thrilled to bring the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival to West Seattle¹s Admiral Theater, Oct 24-25. There¹s something for everyone in the slate of programs we¹ve lined up for our first-ever foray into West Seattle, from features focusing on family values (THE SENSEI and THE NEW WORLD) to engaging documentaries (EQUALITY U and THE KINSEY SICKS) and edgy short films (TOUGH GIRLS). From dancing zombies to trick-or-treaters, the Halloween spirit is sweeping West Seattle during our weekend at The Admiral, and we¹re joining the celebration with several spooky programs, including: CAMP BLOOD, a fun collection of creepy and comical short films; the slasher classic with a queer subtext A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY¹S REVENGE; and a very special edition of a long-running West Seattle tradition, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. We hope to make this first of many years that the festival finds success in West Seattle. For more information on all programs and a complete guide to the entire festival, including screenings, parties and events all over town, visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org.” Thanks to the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival for joining the WSB sponsor team; the full list is on this page along with information for anyone interested in becoming part of it; we also thank everyone for their strong support of all the WSB sponsors who make it possible for us to bring you West Seattle news 24/7.
Two stops tonight on the West Seattle Art Walk
That’s some of what we found in the Art Lending Library at Youngstown Arts Center, which opened tonight as part of the monthly West Seattle Art Walk. The folks there tell us they plan quarterly Art Walk open houses, so the next one’s expected in January. Youngstown is among the newest of the recordsetting 43 participating venues; the Art Walk started in The Junction but now has moved far beyond, adding Delridge venues like Youngstown as well as Alki participants and, in Admiral, participants include Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), where we caught up with photographer Karen Derby:
We interviewed Karen for this story last month about her long and challenging recovery from injuries suffered when her motorcycle collided with a minivan in Westwood almost four months ago. Turns out she used to work with Click! proprietors John and Frances Smersh. She’s got two more months left to wear a cast; because of reconstruction work on her mangled right leg, she’s had to wear loose clothing like skirts most of the time, but during the Art Walk, she happily told us, “Today is the third time in four months I was able to wear jeans!” You can see her photography at Click! all month; it’s being sold commission-free to help Karen raise money for her continuing medical expenses. Meantime, mark your calendar for the next West Seattle Art Walk, November 13th.
Sorry for the downtime
Please forgive us for the unexpected hour and a half or so of downtime. You may recall we moved to a bigger and better server recently – but that didn’t mean much when tonight the company that manages it (and others) suffered some kind of trouble. (Update: The hosting company says it was a DDOS attack.) Meantime, please remember the backup site we set up during that transition:
westseattleblog.wordpress.com
We started posting there (as well as on Twitter, which you can access at twitter.com/westseattleblog even if you don’t want to sign up for your own account) once it was clear this wasn’t fleeting – please bookmark both of those, because their servers are with different companies so any time something goes wrong over here (hopefully not again for a long time), we’ll be there posting the latest news as well as updates about the site. So again, sorry about that, now we’re going to get busy copying what we posted on the backup site over to this one.
Quick update: 35th/Graham advances to next Design Review round
(Originally posted at WSB backup site) Short version just so we can get you the headline while we deal with tonight’s technical trouble: The 35th/Graham mixed-use project (see the presentation here) is advancing out of “early design guidance” after its second EDG meeting, tonight at Hiawatha Community Center, but not without a whole lot of suggestions by Southwest Design Review Board members, who all but redesigned it during an extensive session that sent tonight’s meeting into overtime. Lots of public comment tonight, too, though it mostly focused on pedestrian concerns and hopes/dreams for the project’s retail spaces, remarks targeted more at the developers and managers who were in attendance than the design reviewers looking at the project’s looks. More later.
Update: 6016 California SW fire ruled “accidental”
We just followed up with the Seattle Fire Department regarding the investigation into this morning’s small-but-scary fire at 6016 California SW, same building as the Puget Sound Key and Lock arson last March. Spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen tells WSB it’s been ruled accidental – “a box pushed up against a heater caught fire.” As we reported earlier, nobody was hurt. Vander Houwen goes on to say it’s an unfortunate but important reminder for all of us at this time of year as we’re turning our heaters on again after they’ve been idle all summer – be sure to keep a safe space between heaters and furniture or other objects – this past weekend, in fact, she notes there was a big fire in another part of the city that started in a couch that was too close to a heater. 4:05 PM ADDENDUM: Following up on our phone conversation, Vander Houwen sent along these specific tips for us to share with you:
With the approach of cooler weather, the Seattle Fire Department would like to remind residents of the need to heat their homes safely. Here are some tips:
All types of heaters need space. Do not put anything that can burn near a heater.
Baseboard heaters are very efficient, but they can be a serious fire hazard if used carelessly. Check baseboard heaters often to make sure that nothing has fallen or been placed near the heater, including drapes, furniture and bedding.
Keep all portable heaters at least three foot away from anything that can burn.
Additional information is available on the Seattle Fire Department website: seattle.gov/fire
Parking alert: Much of Alki/Harbor Aves off-limits Sunday
Thanks to Chris for e-mailing about the no-parking signs that are lining Harbor and Alki Avenues almost the entire way from The Bridge to The Beach: This Sunday (10/12), 5 am-3 pm, no parking. After driving the stretch to investigate, we’re 99.9% sure it’s being done so crews can stripe the parking lane as a follow-up to the new sharrows; we have a message out to SDOT to double-check. But in the meantime, make a note – if you’re heading that way this Sunday morning/early afternoon to enjoy the beach, take the Water Taxi, etc., you’re going to have to find side-street parking in most areas. 3:52 PM UPDATE: Marybeth Turner from SDOT confirms, this indeed is because of striping work Sunday.
Update: Road open again after small fire at 6016 California SW
(photo added 11:58 am)
ORIGINAL REPORT: Big callout to 6016 California SW (map), just north of Morgan Junction. We’ve got someone on the way; more to come. 11:34 AM UPDATE: Address is the same as Puget Sound Key and Lock, hit by a still-unsolved arson back in March. AVOID THE AREA – co-publisher Patrick is stuck in traffic heading there from the north – he can see fire crews on the building’s roof. Scanner traffic monitored here at HQ confirms California is COMPLETELY closed at the scene, between Raymond and Graham, and at least three Metro buses are “stuck in this mess” as one person termed it. 11:42 AM UPDATE: It’s not the locksmith storefront (which just reopened this summer) – it’s apparently West Seattle Digital’s office, adjacent to the south side of PSKL, according to locksmith Mike Dein, who just talked with Patrick at the scene. (clip added 12:19 pm) Here’s how he told us he noticed the fire:
11:45 AM UPDATE: Patrick just talked with the incident commander, who says some boxes were on fire inside an office, but it’s out now, no major damage, nobody hurt. California may still be blocked for another half-hour or so at the scene, though, so if you have to get between The Junction and Morgan Junction, take alternate routes like 42nd for now. 12:07 PM UPDATE: No word so far on how those boxes caught fire. Here’s a closer photo from the scene – the WS Digital door is the open one on the right of the locksmith window:
12:18 PM UPDATE: California SW is open again past the fire scene; only one truck left, parked out front.
Denny Middle School site’s future: Design Team report
That posterboard propped up at last night’s meeting of the Design Team for the Redevelopment of the Denny Middle School Site (yes, that’s its official name) spells out the school district’s baseline priorities for the 6-acre site (map) even before the Design Team process gets going in earnest: The softball and tennis facilities are replacements for what will be lost when the new Denny is built on the Chief Sealth campus; the “potential elementary school” is something that has recently emerged and is now being discussed more loudly — we first heard it from West Seattle school-board rep Steve Sundquist at Westwood Neighborhood Council meetings; earlier in the year, he mentioned the district might have to build another school on the site; then at Monday’s WNC meeting focused on the Denny site (WSB coverage here), he said it was likely to be an elementary-school site. Last night, Don Gillmore from the school district elaborated that a new elementary school might be built there with the closure of three (unspecified) others, and noted that the closed Hughes site also is a “prime candidate” for a future new elementary school. Way down the road but keep your ears up. Meantime, on to what happened last night and what happens next with the Denny site plan, plus an update on construction status at the Chief Sealth site, just ahead:Read More
Tonight: West Seattle Art Walk; 35th/Graham design review
Lots happening today/tonight, per the WSB West Seattle Events calendar – here are two highlights: A record 43 venues all over West Seattle (here’s the map) are joining in tonight’s monthly WS Art Walk, 6-9 pm, listed here (participants include WSB sponsors Hotwire Coffee, Dream Dinners, M3 Bodyworks, Seattle Wellness Programs, Skylark Cafe & Club, and Click! Design That Fits, where as we mentioned Tuesday, you’ll find the photography of Karen Derby). Also tonight: The second Southwest Design Review Board public meeting for the 35th/Graham mixed-use project (presentation previewable online here), 6:30 pm, Hiawatha Community Center.
Bulletin: Major milestone for Fauntleroy Schoolhouse purchase plan
Just last week, we checked in with Kevin Wooley of the Fauntleroy Community Service Agency for this update on the longrunning talks to buy the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and some or all of its land from Seattle Public Schools, which put it up for sale as surplus property. Tonight, he just forwarded this announcement sent out by Kim Sheridan of Fauntleroy Children’s Center, which is based at the schoolhouse:
We are very pleased to announce that the Fauntleroy Community Service Agency has reached agreement with the Seattle School District on a term sheet for the purchase of the Fauntleroy School Building. The details of the term sheet were presented to the School Board Wednesday morning.
The purchase price for the school building and an additional 32,500 square feet in the existing paved parking lot and playground area is $1.825 million. We expect to secure the funding for the acquisition from a combination of City and State funds. The deal will close no later than August 31, 2009.
We have also agreed to continue discussions on an option to purchase the remaining playground space, as well an exploration of concepts for joint efforts for redevelopment of the back lot.
There are many steps still to come, but we wanted to take a moment and share this exciting news with you. Thank you for all your support.
Denny/Sealth update: Meeting tonight; results from last night
Reminder that the school-district-organized Design Team charged with helping settle the future of the current Denny Middle School site meets 7 pm tonight at Denny, two days after the Westwood Neighborhood Council‘s meeting to discuss the community’s hopes for the site (WSB coverage here), once the school is demolished after its replacement is built on the Sealth campus. Meantime, the Departure Advisory Committee tasked with reviewing the district’s request for code “departures” as part of the Sealth/Denny consolidation — to enable less parking and more height — settled on a recommendation last night. Member Monica Kenny says the committee recommended approving the “departures” with a fairly sizable list of conditions, including signage, some street-parking restrictions in nearby neighborhoods, angle parking on the east side of 27th between Thistle and Kenyon, and providing neighbors with a “master calendar” of major events planned at the school. They’ll meet again Oct. 20th to make a final decision.
Southwest Pool update: Still on track for Nov. 1 reopening
Almost four months after Southwest Pool (map) closed for major renovation work, it’s almost done. We took you behind-the-scenes for a preview of the work back in June; then in August, we reported the original reopening date had been pushed back about a month, to November 1st. This week, we checked back with Parks Department project manager Garrett Farrell to see if West Seattle’s only indoor municipal pool was still on track for reopening then – short answer, yes; long answer follows:
We are making great progress toward the November 1st opening and we still have a lot of work to do.The rains last month had some impact but the contractor has made up a little of the lost time.
The main pieces of equipment are in place (you can see the big gray box has moved from the parking lot to the roof) and we are busy connecting wiring, piping and ductwork so everything can be checked out. The next three weeks will be critical as we basically take the wrappers off everything and make sure fans turn the right direction, boilers boil, and pumps pump.
In the meantime, West Seattle has private indoor pools at the WS Family YMCA (WSB sponsor) and Allstar Fitness. There’s a county-operated pool in White Center, Evergreen Pool.
Sanislo Elementary “officially” celebrates its new sidewalks
That video clip shows one of the most crowded, and liveliest, ribbon-cuttings we’ve ever seen, and after all these years in media, we’ve seen our share. Sanislo Elementary School (map) students joined Mayor Nickels – and other city officials including SDOT boss Grace Crunican, who like Nickels is a West Seattleite, plus City Council Transportation Committee Chair Jan Drago, as well as reps from the pedestrian-advocacy group Feet First – to celebrate the new sidewalks leading up Myrtle to Sanislo. We first showed them to you as work was finishing up in August; here’s how they look today – this is the view eastward down Myrtle:
At today’s event, Sanislo Principal Debbie Nelsen introduced one of her fifth-grade safety helpers, Miles, who talked about the difference the new sidewalks have made:
None of the five schools listed this morning as getting safety improvements next year is in West Seattle, though Concord isn’t far away; here’s the official city news release with the full list. Councilmember Drago noted that the improvements along Sanislo walking routes also included the nearby staircase down to Delridge, which she took us to have a look at (note the new lighting fixture at right):
That’s the same staircase City Council members visited eleven months ago as they announced a new emphasis on pedestrian safety (WSB coverage, with video, here). Today, meantime, Drago even brought along a favorite walking partner — her 19-year-old “grand-dog” Nicky, who recently came to live with her and, she said, successfully completed his first circumnavigation of Green Lake before they came to the Sanislo event:
The mayor also announced more schools in line for pedestrian improvements next year; more on that, and more video from this morning’s event – including a student’s speech! – coming up.
“Walk This Way” Day: Alki Elementary walkers get high-level help
That’s one of many “official” photos taken as what turned out to be a crowd more than 50 strong celebrated Walk This Way Day – part of Walk to School Month – this morning with a stroll from Bar-S Playfield (map) to Alki Elementary (map) — accompanied by Mayor Nickels, in the first of two West Seattle school appearances this morning (the second was at Sanislo Elementary; more on that in our next report). The morning’s events started with the young walkers – and the mayor – learning a chant from Deb Will (a child-safety educator from Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital) representing Safe Kids, which (along with FedEx) offered raffle prizes and stickers to participants:
Nancy Woodland from WestSide Baby, which often partners with Safe Kids (including car-seat safety checks back on Stuff the Bus Day), was there too:
Then, with the crowd continuing to grow in size – including police and fire escorts (with Engine 29 alongside), they were off, led by Allison Carver of the Alki Elementary PTA:
After walking up the south side of Admiral to the crossing-guard-staffed intersection at 59th, the walkers arrived at Alki Elementary, where an outdoor assembly followed.
If you’re an Alki Elementary parent, look for safety info coming home via “kid mail” today, because of today’s activities; there’s a PTA meeting tonight too, 6:30 pm at the school, with a different kind of safety — Internet safety — on the agenda.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Does this car look familiar?
That photo comes from Helen, who wonders if anybody happens to be “missing” this abandoned car, which turned up overnight (open trunk and all):
I live in the 5900 block of 18th Avenue SW (map), and as I set out to go to work, I saw a car in front of my house this morning. Turns out that my neighbor across the street and 3 or 4 houses south of me had his van stolen around 5 am today. A police officer was there taking a report, and told me he’d run the plates on the car in front of my house, but we all felt it was highly likely that it was stolen.
No word on that yet, but we thought we’d run the pic in case you or somebody you know is looking for that car.
Libraries in the budget crosshairs again? A plea for help
Got this from West Seattleite Beth Martin Quittman with Friends of the Seattle Public Library, which is asking again for support to beat back the budget ax:
The Friends of the SPL have an urgent request for support for the library. The library’s collections budget has been severely cut in the Mayor’s most recent budget. There is a 2.2 million dollar shortfall – this in the face of registrations that are up and a growing city population. The library’s collection budget is still at less than 2002 levels.
The collections budget is what is used for putting materials on the shelves. When it takes six months to get a book that you are waiting for, the shortfall in the collections budget is the reason why!
The Friends are asking for support from the public to let City Council members know how important the library is. People can write letters, send e-mails, or best of all attend the Council meetings …
There’s lots more information about this at the Friends’ blog, friendsofspl.wordpress.com – including specifics on hearings tonight and later this month, and how to send e-mail that would be considered “official testimony” if it’s received at a certain time (more on that here).
very-long-lost pets, like Sacha the cat (left), who’s been gone almost a year and also stars in a new 
| Comments Off on Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival