West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
If you’re still confused about this Sunday’s plan for Alki-area road closures in connection with the West Seattle 5K (online registration till 6 tonight!) and Seattle Summer Streets – a shorter all-day distance than previous years, as we first reported on Monday – SDOT has sent out a letter to residents that has been shared with WSB by the Alki Community Council (which discusses the event again during its monthly meeting tonight). Read on for the excerpt detailing the closure zone (also, added at 2:53 pm, Metro’s alert for the 56 reroute):Read More
Arbor Heights Elementary‘s principal Dr. Carol Coram is leaving her job at the end of the school year, according to a letter she has sent to members of the school community. Dr. Coram cites health reasons as deciding to take a different job, that of assistant principal at Denny International Middle School. No word on her replacement at AH. Read on for full text of her message (thanks to those who tipped us on this):Read More
The near-perfect weather is expected to continue for tomorrow’s Bike to Work Day around the area. One of the 41 “commuter stations” set up for the occasion 6-9 am will, as usual, be at the west end of West Seattle’s “low bridge,” according to the map set up by the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation. Its official announcement of the event also includes word of two regional events: a morning rally 7:30-8:30 am outside City Hall, 600 4th Avenue downtown, and an “after-party” in Ballard, along 22nd NW between Market Street and Ballard Avenue (part of Seattle Summer Streets, which closes Alki from 56th-63rd SW on Sunday, 11 am-5 pm, after the 9 am-11 am closure from 63rd to Don Armeni for the West Seattle 5K).
In case you passed by and wondered what happened – not a major crash but certainly an unusual sight: In the past half-hour, WSB contributor Katie Meyer checked out this crash outside the pawn shop at Fauntleroy/Edmunds. As the top photo shows, close call for the store. Katie reports neither driver was hurt; too soon to say how they wound up in this side-by-side crash formation. Tow trucks were on the way.
(Disclosure: We have blurred the license plates in the top photo.)
2 notes this morning with more evidence of West Seattleites’ generosity, plus a chance to help out with an upcoming event:
NUCOR ‘TOUR FOR THE CURE’ FULLY BOOKED: As announced here yesterday, Nucor’s Relay for Life-West Seattle team is raising money by offering three plant tours on June 4th. This morning, Nucor’s Tricia Sweat sends word they have already booked all the spaces! (The cancer-fighting Relay, with WSB among the co-sponsors this year, is June 10-11.)
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER UPDATE: Tuesday night’s Endolyne Joe’s dinner/raffle fundraiser brought in more than $2,000 (a third of the festival’s budget), according to Judy Pickens – $1,189 from restaurant proceeds, and $975 for four raffle baskets – $975. She adds, “Many thanks to everyone at Endolyne Joe’s, all donors to the raffle baskets, and the community volunteers who invested many hours for the love of the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (Oct. 16)!”
ATTENTION, WEST SEATTLE BUSINESSES – ALKI ART FAIR NEEDS SPONSORS: As we’ve reported, the fair is on, even though Alki Community Center‘s staff and operations have been curtailed by city budget cuts – the Advisory Council and the fair’s Organizing Committee are moving forward, and the fair is set for July 23 and 24. However, community support is needed in a BIG way, and they are calling now for sponsors. Read on for the full announcement:Read More
(Boat-topped barge in Elliott Bay on Saturday – photo by Tom Marx)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: Bigger than ever, with dozens of local food/beverage enterprises participating, tonight is the Taste of West Seattle, fundraiser for the West Seattle Helpline, at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 6-9 pm. Online ticket sales are closed but Helpline says a few tickets will be available at the door – go early if you want to try for those.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Sunday’s Summer Streets party plans (remember – different closures this year) and Seal Sitters are part of tonight’s Alki Community Council meeting agenda, 7 pm, Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds).
SEAVIEW SPEED BUMPS?: Tonight is SDOT‘s community meeting to discuss four potential sets of speed bumps on 48th SW between SW Brandon and SW Graham. 7 pm at Seaview Methodist Church – details here.
WESTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE: If you’ll be driving back toward West Seattle overnight, take note of this closure (and a couple upcoming) – details here.
STAIRCASE WORK UNDER WAY: The SW Spokane stairway over Beach Drive is being rehabbed and prep work is under way now, according to this advisory just published by SDOT.
LOW-LOW TIDE: Low tides (vicinity of minus three feet) again today in the noon hour (here’s the chart).
SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: SSCC Garden Center on Puget Ridge open again today; details here.
‘OKLAHOMA!’ BENEFIT: Tonight’s West Seattle High School performance of “Oklahoma!” at the WSHS Theater is a special benefit, with the musical at 8 pm. More info at westsidedrama.com.
LIVE MUSIC: Singer-songwriter Jim Page plays at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California Avenue SW), 6 – 8 pm.
‘GREAT WATERFRONT’: Not in West Seattle, but potentially of interest, is tonight’s “Toward a Great Waterfront” public event, initial design directions for the downtown waterfront, Pier 66, 5 pm-8:30 pm (starts with food and music on the pier, presentation at 6:30 pm). If you plan to attend, please e-mail rsvp@waterfrontseattle.org.
Thinking of taking the Water Taxi today, after what commenters say has been a steadily worsening Highway 99 commute post-lane reductions? Here’s the schedule. The county tells us that through the first three days of the week, ridership has been consistently higher than the previous week, particularly on the afternoon runs. We stopped by Seacrest for photos on Wednesday and counted 31 people disembarking around 4:30 pm. We’re expecting official numbers in a week-one wrapup on Monday.
With three months till the primary, and candidate forums and campaign kickoffs starting to intensify, we’re stepping up coverage of the 2011 election. Last night at the Admiral Theater, West Seattleite Diana Toledo launched her second campaign for King County Council District 8 (which includes West Seattle and White Center), with an all-ages party, friends and family chatting in the theater’s loft, while little ones brought by partygoers romped down on the main floor. Toledo says she chose the venue to support a local business that could use more patrons.
Among those at the party was Tim Fahey, one of the three other candidates that ran for the office last year. You’ll see him in our clip from the short speech Toledo gave last night:
Toledo is a former King County employee who says her experience inside county government will help her reform it (here’s her online bio). The candidate to whom Toledo lost in last year’s general election, now-King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, is the only other declared candidate so far; he has a kickoff party scheduled next week. The official filing period opens this Friday for candidates filing by mail. (Wondering why there’s another election so soon after the last one? That was for the remainder of the term that had been won by Dow Constantine before he moved up to King County Executive two years ago, so this time a full 4-year council term is up for grabs.)
Just in case you’re wondering: K-9 is helping with a police search that is related to at least two complaints in the Fairmount Park/Fairmount Springs area. WSB contributor Katie Meyer heard the early scanner traffic and reports that two people were reportedly seen in at least one backyard, one possibly with a ladder; the 5400 block of 41st SW was mentioned. There has also been a report of someone suspicious seen east of the park. We’ll add more information when/if we get it.
1:47 AM UPDATE: We haven’t heard back from police yet, but we have it from a neighborhood source that one suspect was taken into custody, believed to be the man spotted going through a car.
2:07 AM UPDATE: Confirmation from Lt. Alan Williams at the Southwest Precinct: “At about 11:54, a citizen who lives in the 5400 block of 42nd SW [map] saw someone inside his (unlocked) car. The suspect ran when the victim yelled at him. The victim called 9-1-1. Several patrol units and one K9 unit responded. The dog and handler were able to locate and detain a possible suspect in the 5600 block of 41st SW. The victim identified the suspect as the person he had seen inside his car. The suspect, a 20-year-old man, was booked into jail for Car Prowling.”
Got a calendar? Plenty of dates worth noting, in the toplines from tonight’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting – plus discussions about business and crimefighting – read on!Read More
(WSB photo from 2010 West Seattle 5K)
Organizers of the third annual West Seattle 5K tell WSB tonight that almost 1,000 people are signed up for Sunday’s walk/run, with a few hundred more expected in the typical last-minute surge. Two-thirds female, one-third male so far, and while the vast majority are from Washington, there are also two from California, two from Hawaii, and even two from … Wisconsin (!?). Online registration closes at 6 pm tomorrow (Thursday) – here’s where to do that – and if you miss that deadline, you’re invited to last-minute signup at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor as well as, like us, a race co-sponsor) 1-4 pm Saturday, which is ALSO when you can pick up your packet, no matter how you registered. Then there’s one last chance, at Alki Bathhouse starting at 8 am on race day. But why procrastinate? Sign up now. (Kids 6 and under are free, incidentally.)
You’re also urged to walk, bike, or take transit, since it’ll be car-free day along Alki (Seattle Summer Streets – with a shorter day-long closure route than last year, as reported here Monday). If you have friends coming from the other side of the bay, they can take the 8:30 Water Taxi run, and then catch the Route 775 shuttle bus from Seacrest.
(Photo by Kevin McClintic, taken Monday evening)
Five days have now passed since the homeless encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville” returned to the eastern West Seattle site where it began almost three years ago, at West Marginal Way SW/Highland Park Way (as reported here Friday afternoon). Its first stay there in 2008 ended with city leaders sending in Seattle Police to evict the campers, but that’s not going to happen this time, according to Mayor McGinn‘s office. We had asked his spokesperson Aaron Pickus yesterday about whether the mayor would seek to remove the camp as his predecessor had done, and the answer came back a little while ago: No. Pickus’s reply in its entirety:
We will not seek their eviction. By way of context, this site was originally a candidate for a new City Jail. We recently made a long-term agreement with King County that ensures we don’t have a to build a jail, though.
Last year, we proposed a plan for a safe, city-sanctioned place for an encampment to the City Council. While the Council has decided to not act on that plan, they have committed to weigh in on an alternative location by July. And we remain open to their ideas.
The camp had been at a former fire station in Lake City prior to its somewhat-surprise move last Friday. We’re checking with Nickelsville’s media liaison for their reaction; the newest statement on their website gives no indication that they had heard this previously, as it includes the entreaty: “Please let us stay. Let us create a community Seattle can be proud of. Attached is our plan for our home. All we ask from City Government is this land, and access to nearby utilities. We respectfully ask you and your able Deputy to negotiate with us.”
10:15 PM UPDATE: Through Nickelsville’s media liaison, their official reaction to the mayor’s decision to “not seek their eviction”:
It’s a relief that we can stay. Mayor McGinn’s administration recognizes the value of an organization like Nickelsville. It’s also particularly gratifying that, after 16 moves we can stay put for awhile and people can feel some security. And now we can have the dream of Nickelsville come to reality: a safe, organized eco-village that will ultimately shelter up to a thousand people.
P.S. A WSB Forums member asked tonight about what sort of donations the camp would accept. Two other members who have been there offered detailed answers – you can see the Forums thread here.
5:06 PM: Thanks to Adam and Courtney for the tips on a car/pedestrian crash at 35th/Morgan about half an hour ago. We got there fairly quickly, but the scene was already cleared – Adam says the northbound lanes were blocked at one point – and the police cars in our photo were the only evidence left. Police confirm one person was hit by a car and injured. The victim was taken to a hospital by private ambulance, indicating the injuries weren’t major, but that’s all we know at this point – they were still talking to people to try to figure out what happened; we’ll check back later. 5:40 PM: A few more details from Bill, who says word is that the car was headed westbound on Morgan, turning onto southbound 35th, when the pedestrian was hit.
ADDED EARLY THURSDAY: According to Lt. Alan Williams from the Southwest Precinct, the driver, a 63-year-old man, was cited for “right of way at a crosswalk.” The person he hit is a 38-year-old woman who suffered “non-life-threatening injuries.”
One month ago, on behalf of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, we asked for your thoughts on priorities for West Seattle’s transportation future – what’s the #1 problem to solve here? Some have since asked, where do the resulting 70+ answers go next? Here’s one place: The Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee is coming to West Seattle for a public workshop next Monday (May 23; one of three citywide), with the City Council’s Transportation Committee chair Tom Rasmussen on hand . 5:30-7:30 pm at Southwest Library‘s meeting room (35th/Henderson) – the first half-hour is an open house, followed by half an hour of presentations with SDOT director Peter Hahn participating, and then an hour of small-group discussions. If you can’t go, here’s an online survey you can take. (P.S. The committee got results of a phone survey at its meeting last week. “Southwest Seattle” participants said our biggest problem is potholes/bad roads. We found that in its document library, which you can browse here.)
If you missed it at the Admiral Theater two months ago – or if you want to see it again – here’s your next chance to see the education-system documentary “Race to Nowhere“: The Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA is sponsoring a screening one week from tonight at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium Little Theater. AHPTSA is inviting the entire community to come watch the film and discuss the issues it raises. Ticket details are here and organizers are offering a $5 faculty/student ticket with valid ID. AHPTSA coordinator Elise Olson explains, “The film is 85 minutes and we’ll be having a post-film discussion: How can we best prepare our youth to become healthy, bright, and contributing citizens? How do we define achievement? How can we make choices that support the healthy development of young people? How can we end the race to nowhere? We are hoping to get as many West Seattle families, students and educators there as possible to join in this important community discussion.” 6 pm Wednesday, May 25th, 2600 SW Thistle.
(4/30/11 photo by Katie Meyer from the Admiral Way Viewpoint drug-takeback dropoff)
The drug-takeback events on April 30th netted 256 pounds of prescription drugs in West Seattle alone, according to the local DEA office. But if you doubt that matters – check out the toplines from last night’s presentation to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council. While drug-abuse expert Steve Freng talked about all categories of drug abuse, over and over again, he reiterated that it’s legal drugs, not illegal drugs, causing the most problems these days.
Freng is with the team focused on the Northwest HIDTA – high-intensity drug-trafficking area. He also spoke to the WSCPC at the Southwest Precinct two and a half years ago (here’s our report from that meeting), at which time he warned that prescription-drug abuse was on the upswing. His information is not West Seattle-specific, but it’s regional and likely a good indicator of what’s happening here:Read More
We’re not putting these under the Crime Watch label because there’s no proof either person was a criminal or intending to commit a crime. But the two people who sent these reports felt concerned enough to want to share them – a man who approached a child in Lincoln Park last night, and a man who turned up in a stranger’s back yard – read on:Read More
You have probably passed its huge North Delridge facility myriad times, but unless you work at Nucor, chances are you’ve never been inside. Want a firsthand look? Here’s a chance to go behind the scenes while contributing to a cause:
For the past 3 years Nucor Seattle has participated in the West Seattle Relay for Life, raising funds for cancer research in the quest to find a cure. Last year Nucor donated $7,500 to this worthwhile cause and is currently fundraising with hopes of beating that donation.
Team Nucor would like to host a “Tour for the Cure” event on Saturday, June 4th. Nucor employees will be available to take up to 50 people on a tour of the Seattle Steel Plant in return for a suggested monetary donation of $10 (although we will happily accept larger donations). All donations received will be matched by Nucor in hopes of meeting our overall fundraising goal of $10,000. We will have 3 tours – 10 am, 10:30 am, and 1 pm.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Tricia Sweat at 206-933-2316 or tricia.sweat@nucor.com. Again, the tour is limited to the first 50 responses and will be available on a first contact, first signed up basis. Please keep in mind you must be at least 18 years of age, be capable of climbing stairs, and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes with socks.
The Relay for Life-West Seattle event is taking place on June 10th – 11th at the West Seattle Stadium. Please see its website for more information.
(WSB has joined the R4LWS sponsor lineup this year for the first time. If you would like to participate in the overnight relay itself, it’s not too late – find out more here.)
(WSB file photo of Hiawatha’s wading pool)
One brilliantly sunny day like today, and it’s hard not to think ahead to the heart of summer. We just checked the Seattle Parks wading-pools page to see if this year’s pool schedule is out – and yes, it is. The pools don’t open for another month, but in case you’re outlining summer plans, here’s the schedule (PDF). It looks a lot like last year – Lincoln Park remains the only West Seattle wading pool that will be open 7 days a week; Delridge will be open Thursdays-Fridays-Saturdays, EC Hughes will be open Wednesdays-Thursdays-Fridays, and Hiawatha will be open Mondays-Tuesdays-Wednesdays. Highland Park remains closed, with spray-park construction planned for next year (the community meeting for that project is coming up one week from tonight). As for West Seattle’s other city-run outdoor swimming facility: Colman Pool opens May 28th (for the first of 3 pre-season weekends), and its schedule is available now too.
It’s not happening in West Seattle, but lots of West Seattleites are involved – and organizers are hoping for more. We’ve heard from Heather and Jo, West Seattle volunteers, about the upcoming Girls on the Run of Puget Sound 5K this Saturday at Seward Park. GOTR is a coaching program for girls and has 5K’s twice a year as a “graduation” of sorts. It’s not just for program participants – Heather explains that it’s a fun run for everyone, keyword, FUN! “You can run or walk with leashed dogs, kids, strollers. It’s non-competitive, and it’s not timed – just a great way to spend a Saturday in the beautiful outdoors supporting a program that makes a difference in the lives of girls. If you have kids, it’s a great way to expose them to healthy living and positive reinforcement. PLEASE come and support this amazing organization! I hope you’ll consider running, jogging, and/or walking with us at Seward Park on May 21st. You can sign up here – girlsrun.org – you, your friends, your kids – anyone. The more the merrier, and it’s for a great cause. We also really encourage guys to come out too and support the girls. Dads, brothers – it’s not just for girls and moms. If running or walking a 5k isn’t in the cards for you, please consider participating as a volunteer. We need to recruit more than 80 volunteers to do everything from cheering along the route to photographing the event. Interested in learning more? Click the link.”
As reported this morning by our partners at the Seattle Times: The teenager who beat an Alki woman unconscious in Tukwila, while she was working as a Metro bus driver, is back in jail. Thirteen months ago, we were at Juvenile Court on Capitol Hill (story here) to cover the sentencing of the then-14-year-old boy, who wrote a letter of apology that described what he did as “touching,” and who was described by his mother as a “good kid” while she also attempted to blame the victim for not preventing what happened. We didn’t identify Solinuu Leae by name at that time, as he was charged as a juvenile; now 15, he has been arrested again, charged as an adult for a violent robbery that, like the attack on the driver from Alki, also rendered its victim – robbed while waiting for a bus in Renton – unconscious. According to the King County Jail Register, Leae’s bail is set at $200,000; he’s been jailed since May 10th. The bus driver he attacked in January of last year told WSB back in March that she was returning to work as a driver. Court documents in the new case against Leae say his sentence for attacking her was completed in January.
(Photo by Bill Bacon, who says it’s an anemone photographed during Tuesday’s low tide)
Besides today’s low tide – lowest of the month at 12:10 pm – here are other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
EARLY DISMISSAL: Seattle Public Schools classes end two hours early today (professional-development time).
DELRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
DIVERSITY DISCUSSION: Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon Street) presents the next “One World: Discussions on Diversity and Inclusion” facilitated-discussion session, looking at sexual orientation. 10:45-noon, all welcome.
CAMPAIGN KICKOFFS: West Seattleite Diana Toledo launches her King County Council campaign, 6:30-9 pm at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW), appetizers and refreshments, all ages welcome … West Seattleite Tom Rasmussen launches his Seattle City Council re-election campaign, 5:30-7 pm at the Swedish Cultural Center, 1920 Dexter Av. N.
THEATER: “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment …” begins its final week (through Saturday) at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm … West Seattle High School Drama Club and Music Department present “Oklahoma!” at the WSHS Theater (3000 California Ave SW) at 7:30 pm.
When West Seattle’s most populous elementary school begins the 2011-2012 year, the projected 550+ students will have an upgraded playground. Tonight the Lafayette Elementary Playground Committee laid out the plan for how the project will unfold this summer: After the last day of school on June 22nd, fences will go up around the construction site on the playground. Then the first of two volunteer work parties is planned, June 25-26, to remove the existing playground bark (which will be saved for future use). Sometime after the 4th of July, a Seattle Public Schools crew will go in and tear out what’s there now, and prep the area for construction – the job hasn’t gone out to bid yet, so that part of the schedule isn’t finalized. Once that phase of the work is done, the “big toy” (above) that was chosen in a vote involving the entire school community (including the students) will be built on August 27-28.
The Playground Committee needs volunteer help for both those work parties – if you have a student at Lafayette, look for the brightly colored flyer with a form you can return to the project’s mail slot at the school office. Or, anyone and everyone interested in volunteering is welcome to e-mail Holly at rhgrambihler@msn.com.
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