West Seattle, Washington

28 Thursday

64℉

Spotlight Stories


  • Art

    DEMOLITION: What’s up after this comes down

  • Block Party

    ADMIRAL BLOCK PARTY: Video, photos

  • Hiawatha

    SEE INSIDE: Long-closed Hiawatha CC

Opening night for new West Seattle hangout The Bridge: Snow? So?
February 24, 2011 8:35 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
You still have a few hours to be part of opening night at The Bridge, the new hangout/bar/eatery at 4439 35th SW (map), not far from the Fauntleroy entrance to its namesake. WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen visited shortly after The Bridge officially opened its doors and started to pour – 4 pm today. Of course proprietors Rita Dixson and Trevor Garand were greeting their first customers:

This day/night will be memorable for them for more than the obvious reason – for one, as mentioned in our preview last week, today is also Rita’s birthday. And then – there was the snow shower that moved through the area right around opening time – Trevor was a good sport about posing on The Bridge’s 1,800-square-foot patio:

Inside, the big brick fireplace was waiting to warm everyone up:

The Bridge is online here, and on Facebook here. P.S. They tell us they’re planning on Wednesday karaoke. Per their FB page, they’re opening at 4 pm weekdays, 1 pm weekends.

Share This

West Seattle snow: Thursday pm weather, traffic, transit…
February 24, 2011 3:25 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(This story will stay atop the home page through the evening commute – until then, other news, even newer stories, will appear beneath it)

3:25 PM: We photographed that plow-blade-equipped DOT truck across from Cactus on Alki about an hour ago, while we took a drive around many of the peninsula’s main roads, all of which were bare, and dry, with even the roadsides revealing little evidence we’d had notable snow overnight (in some areas). Since then, though, we’ve been in the midst of a semi-serious snow shower for about the past 15 minutes.

(Snow-shower video added)
So we’ll be keeping close watch on the roads, the forecast, etc., as you prepare to come home, just in case.

(Refresh for latest images: From left, ‘Walking on Logs’ area, WS Bridge east of 35th, west entrance ‘low bridge’)
3:35 PM: Adding traffic cameras. Metro just sent an update, saying its Southwest, Southeast, and East bus routes “will continue on snow routing. Buses in other areas are on regular routing at this time, but that could change. … Temperatures are forecast to be extremely low overnight throughout King County, so icy roads are expected again Friday morning. Snow routing will likely continue for many bus routes through the day and evening on Friday.” You can check the status of your bus route here. As for the forecast – the National Weather Service just issued a “short-term” alert saying this “isolated” snow shower might leave half an inch of new snow before it’s done.

4:34 PM: Though the snow hasn’t stopped yet, the roads are still in good shape, “bare and wet” even up here atop a hill.

5:44 PM: All’s still well. The snow has stopped, even a bit of a break in the clouds to the southwest, though to the west-northwest, still murky.

5:55 PM: … then came another shower, icy this time, in Morgan Junction/Fairmount Springs. Watch out for slick streets.

Share This

West Seattle wildlife: Coyote in the snow
February 24, 2011 3:20 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

As another snow shower moves through the area (weather/commute updates coming up) – we have the most detailed coyote photos we ever recall receiving for WSB. Karen photographed this coyote at West Seattle Golf Course this morning.

Share This

West Seattle snow scenes: Lowman Beach’s swinging snowman
February 24, 2011 1:46 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

A few memorable photos have come in on this snowy day – including two separate photos of a snowman in a swing at Lowman Beach Park. The top photo was shared by Eve; but the snowman originally had a cap, according to unsigned e-mail from the people who actually created it, sending the smaller photo below and explaining it was “a little something from our family to everyone. Enjoy. Go Sounders FC!!”

More snowy-day photos to come!

P.S. Wondering about the forecast? We are no longer under any advisories or alerts. Flurries/snow showers are still possible, but the most notable forecast feature now is an overnight low possibly into the teens tonight (and tomorrow).

Share This

No foreclosure sale for West Seattle’s ‘Hole’ tomorrow, after all
February 24, 2011 1:22 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of “The Hole,” taken last month)
We’re back at the King County Courthouse, where the foreclosure sale originally planned tomorrow for “The Hole” – the long-stalled West Seattle development site at 39th/Alaska (map) – is now off, or “stayed” in legal terms. That’s the result of multiple hearings over the past week, concluding with the decision this morning.

But the party that sought the stay, the site’s current note-holder 3922 SW Alaska, did not get the other big thing they wanted in seeking the stay. They were denied their request to be allowed to proceed with their own foreclosure sale so they could take possession and, they said, start working on the site, even while their appeal of Judge Susan Craighead‘s original ruling proceeded through the Court of Appeals. (Her original ruling, last November, was simply to determine whose lien against the stalled project came before whose – she ruled that the two construction companies and another contractor had precedence before 3922 SW Alaska.)

Today, Judge Craighead said no to the proposal for 3922 SW Alaska’s own foreclosure sale, even while making it clear she doesn’t want to keep the site idle. In fact, during this morning’s hearing, as she has done before, the judge repeatedly voiced concern about the West Seattle community’s desire to see something done with the property, which that was going to be a Whole Foods store, a Hancock Fabrics store, and apartments, over a big parking garage, till the project fell apart two and a half years ago and turned into a multi-party legal fight.

The judge instead declared that the way to bring about a resolution sooner was to push the Court of Appeals to speed up its consideration of the appeal (even as the fight over the collapsed project moves toward another trial this summer). In the meantime, 3922 SW Alaska – which is associated with Madison Development‘s owner – has put up $7,714,799, to protect the interests of the three lienholders in line ahead of it. (The money was in the form of a cashier’s check brought to court this morning.)

Bottom line: The Hole remains The Hole at least until the Court of Appeals decides on the challenge filed by 3922 SW Alaska LLC. We’ll be watching to see if it does indeed get sped up (the judge noted one case of hers once made it through the appeals court in a month).

Share This

Attention, Alki area: Anyone seen the Joy D. Smith Wildlife Raft?
February 24, 2011 12:55 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

We’ve featured it before – and it’s disappeared before, too – this time, Guy Smith hopes once more that someone’s found his family’s raft/buoy, missing from just east of Alki Point:

The big winds and waves last Saturday were too much for our buoy. A few days later it was gone and the Joy D. Smith wildlife raft went with it. We’re hoping someone will spot them and let us know at 206-937-8742.

You can see the raft in this WSB story.

Share This

3 Spokane Street Viaduct closures in the next 5 nights
February 24, 2011 12:23 pm
|    Comments Off on 3 Spokane Street Viaduct closures in the next 5 nights
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

You might have seen the portable warning sign on your approach to the West Seattle Bridge – we spotted one at the 35th/Fauntleroy eastbound entrance this morning – regarding these closures. The eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5) will be closed Friday night overnight; the westbound direction will be closed Sunday night and Monday night, both overnight. That affects some of the ramps to and from that section of the bridge. Read on for full details in the SDOT announcement we just received:Read More

Share This

West Seattle Water Taxi adding more trips starting Monday
February 24, 2011 11:45 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox, news that the West Seattle Water Taxi will “offer an expanded sailing schedule” starting Monday – read on for more details:Read More

Share This

West Seattle Thursday, besides the snow: Orca talk RESCHEDULED, The Bridge opens, more…
February 24, 2011 9:45 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Mushroom in the snow, photo by Machel Spence)
The weather’s expected to get colder but not much snowier (though it’s flurrying as we write this), which should mean all’s well in getting to at least some of the great things happening around here today/tonight, though we have one major postponement so far. Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

‘TUCKER AND THE ORCAS’ RESCHEDULED TO NEXT THURSDAY: Just got word from Donna Sandstrom at The Whale Trail that tonight’s talk at the Duwamish Longhouse is rescheduled to NEXT Thursday, March 3rd, 7 pm.

No other changes that we know of – but please call or e-mail if you know of something!

GRAND OPENING FOR ‘THE BRIDGE’: 4 pm, the new drinks/food place in the old Redline (etc.) opens its doors. Here’s our sneak-peek story from last week.

RON ANGELES CELEBRATION: 6-8 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, come wish the longtime district coordinator a happy “retirement” (though of course, he won’t be idle) – here’s the story we published last night about Ron’s thoughts looking back and looking ahead.

JEWISH KIDS IN THE KITCHEN: Challah Baking event, 3 pm at the West Seattle Torah Learning Center, ages 5-10. Call 206-852-6418 or gitifredman@gmail.com to see if there’s still room.

TALK TIME: New English conversation group for those learning English. It meets weekly on Thursdays at the High Point Library, free, call 206-684-7454 with questions.

‘THE CHANGING HOUSE’: Lidunn Øverdahl Cain at the Southwest Library, 6:30 pm, exploring the possibilities of modifying a home to meet your changing needs.

BURLESQUE AT SKYLARK CAFE AND CLUB: New monthly event – 9 pm!

More on the calendar; and check back for more weather updates and other news all day long.

Share This

West Seattle snow: Thursday morning commute, school info
February 24, 2011 5:48 am
|      53 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(TOPLINES, UPDATED 8:41 AM: City says it’s getting crews out to handle icy Fauntleroy between Morgan & Triangle; some schools closed/starting late, see below)

(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge & 1st Ave. S. Bridge cams, more on the WSB Traffic page)
ROADS: No reports of major problems in our area so far. An overnight commenter says The Bridge was fine, even after the biggest round of snow. From SDOT:

Most city streets are bare and wet this morning. Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation are treating major arterial streets to guard against the formation of ice in advance of the morning commute period. Snowfall last night was highly variable around the city. Beacon Hill, southern Rainier Valley, and higher parts of West Seattle appear to have had the most snow.

Via FB, though, we have one report “48th SW is a sheet of glass” in Admiral – so street conditions may vary. Via e-mail, SW Edmunds between California/Fauntleroy is reported to be treacherous. Fauntleroy Way between Morgan Junction and The Triangle also is reported to be icy and dangerous. (8:41 AM UPDATE – SDOT just told KING 5 they’re sending crews out to take care of that.) The arterials near WSB HQ, California/Thistle, are both bare, though the feeder side streets have some snow coverage – here’s a video look from just before 7 am:

Please let us know via comments (or e-mail) what it’s like where you are. Photos appreciate, too. (8:41 AM – Here’s one from Rebecca on Charlestown Hill heading down toward Alki:)

BUSES: Some Metro buses are on snow routes; here’s the current list.

SCHOOLS: (latest update 7:24 am)
South Seattle Community College is opening LATE at 10 am, according to schoolreport.org
Holy Rosary School is opening LATE at 10 am, per Twitter
Seattle Lutheran High School in West Seattle is CLOSED (update) per its Twitter feed
Our Lady of Guadalupe is CLOSED, per its website
Holy Family School is CLOSED
Hope Lutheran is CLOSED
EuropaKids preschool reported CLOSED
West Seattle Christian Preschool reported CLOSED
Kennedy HS in Burien CLOSED
Seattle Public Schools were already closed for midwinter break, but an SPS online note adds that West Seattle Elementary enrichment programs are closed today because of the weather.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Update from the City of Seattle, which just deactivated the Emergency Operations Center (8 am) but says SDOT is still on snow/ice patrol:

Seattle Parks and Recreation is following normal schedules and operations. Seattle Parks Child Care Winter Break Camps are operating today as scheduled. The Amy Yee Tennis Center is Open for business. Community Centers, Pools, and Environmental Learning Centers will open at their regularly scheduled times today.

Share This

West Seattle Weather Watch: Snowy early Thursday
February 24, 2011 1:51 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Snowy early Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

After that big late-night blast of snow (see the video toward the end of our earlier coverage), we have a couple inches on the ground here at WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy. Much of the rest of West Seattle got it too – the photo above is from Jennifer in Highland Park; below, from Taylor in Sunrise Heights (looking south on 35th):

That scene looks pastoral – but the roads can be treacherous – Sarel sends this view of Fauntleroy Way:

She notes at least one accident on that stretch. And we’ve just received an update from SDOT:

The Seattle Department of Transportation is concentrating snow response efforts tonight in the south end of the city where up to three inches of snow have fallen. Crews are plowing and treating major arterial streets. Continued snowfall is expected off and on through the early morning hours. Drivers are advised to use caution in areas even where there is little snow accumulation due to the possibility of ice.

And indeed, Christopher Boffoli verified the sub-freezing road-surface temperature on California SW in The Junction around midnight:

We’ll be updating frequently for the morning commute starting around 5 am, when schools make their decisions, and when the Seattle Emergency Operations Center is scheduled to reopen; in the meantime, for Metro‘s latest routing plans, check here. As for the forecast, snow showers are still possible, and very low temperatures are expected the next two nights. Meantime, thanks in advance for sharing photos – particularly showing conditions on major local roadways – and information!

Share This

Admiral sinkhole followup: Now an ’emergency’ pipe replacement
February 23, 2011 10:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Safety | Utilities | West Seattle news

That big backhoe sits tonight atop what was the traffic circle at Fairmount and Forest in Admiral – which we last visited on Friday afternoon, as neighbors and passersby became increasingly worried about a growing sinkhole (first mentioned here a week ago):

(WSB photo from last Friday)
What was the traffic circle, and sinkhole, in the center of the intersection south of Fairmount Ravine is now the site of an emergency construction project to remove and replace 50 feet of “collapsed” sewer main under the street. That’s according to a notice posted at the site, which has even more heavy equipment standing by, beyond the backhoe atop the ex-circle:

One neighbor we spoke with this afternoon says the broken pipe and water from last week’s rain backed up under the street surface, and that led to the sinkhole problem. The Seattle Public Utilities notice says the emergency work will take about two weeks and may continue through weekends. In the meantime, what would have gone through the damaged pipe will be routed, says SPU’s notice, through a temporary line, so that service isn’t interrupted to nearby homes.

Share This

About to retire, Delridge’s Ron Angeles looks back, and ahead
February 23, 2011 9:34 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Story and photo by Jack Mayne
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Tomorrow night is your chance to cheer and honor Ron Angeles, as he gets ready to retire from his City of Seattle work as a neighborhood district coordinator on March 15th.

Friends and colleagues have organized a community celebration 6-8 pm Thursday at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. But before that – time to look back, and look ahead.

Angeles is known best, and most recently, in West Seattle as the coordinator for the Delridge Neighborhoods District, before the Department of Neighborhoods‘ recent reorganization of district coordinators.

Read More

Share This

‘Perfect snow day project’: WestSide Baby needs you!
February 23, 2011 8:02 pm
|    Comments Off on ‘Perfect snow day project’: WestSide Baby needs you!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Just in from Nancy Woodland of WestSide Baby, which helps thousands of local families but can’t do it without you:

The PERFECT Snow Day project awaits you and your kids!

As you are searching for gloves and boots, many of the families we serve are in cramped living spaces with inadequate heat. Warm clothes are needed today! After filling orders this week for local children in need, WestSide Baby’s clothing shelves are extremely depleted. I hope you will consider a closet-clean out day with your kids to be a worthwhile, non-TV, do “something for other’s” way to fill a few hours if the snow or school holiday keeps you cooped up this week.

WestSide Baby provides essentials to local children (newborn to size 12) in need by collecting items from local families and distributing them through more than 90 local social service agency partners like food banks, public health and many more. Just in these 3 weeks of February, we have been unable to fill 17 Clothing Bags, 14 requests for shoes and many winter coats. We strive to meet the very real need and we need your help! In the next few days, we have existing orders to fill for many clothing articles including pants and shirts at 15 requests each. Even after a wonderfully discounted shopping spree today of larger size children’s clothes at Again and A Gain Consignment, one of our wonderful on-going sponsors, we were through those bags by day’s end.

A complete and detailed list of the clothing items we currently need can be found on our How to Give section of our website. Our facility is open for donations again on Saturday from 10-1 but we also have many drop-off locations throughout West Seattle and Burien if you can reach them easier. We also have many unfilled requests for items such as car seats, strollers, portable cribs and toddler beds (not twin) but we are slightly overstocked on toys. Feel free to leave the toy purge for another day!

Share This

West Seattle snow: Late-night shower, despite downgraded alert
February 23, 2011 5:31 pm
|      63 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge & 1st Ave. S. Bridge cams, more on the WSB Traffic page)
5:31 PM: We are in Admiral, heading south, and it’s snowing, though not too heavily. You?

6:02 PM: Back at HQ in Upper Fauntleroy, it’s very, very light. Moving the bridge cameras from our morning preview to this story for anyone who still has to hit the road(s).

6:18 PM: Steady, still not heavy. Meantime, an update from the city Emergency Operations Center just arrived in the WSB inbox, including:

19 plow trucks with salt spreaders are pre-positioned around Seattle. Snow routes have been pre-treated with magnesium chloride salt brine, emphasizing elevated structures. The department has been working 12-hour shifts for 24-hour operations since 9 a.m. this morning.

(We noticed pre-treatment marks on arterials including SW Thistle when we headed north pre-sunset.) The city also says that so far, Thursday is expected to be “a normal day for garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collection,” so please have everything out by 7 am.

(Video added 6:53 pm)
7:38 PM: Bigger flakes. Meantime, the city reports it’s closed the EOC until 5 tomorrow morning, at which time it’ll monitor the morning commute.

8:18 PM: Cars are coated in snow up here in Upper Fauntleroy, after two-plus hours of steady snowfall. Yards/planting strips are frosted too. Not the street, so far, but temps are close to freezing. Note that while it’s not so bad around here, to the north and to the south, different story, so if you have to drive into Snohomish or South King County (among other areas) … be forewarned.

9:04 PM: Metro has now announced all its Southwest King County buses are on snow routes. Some of them go through White Center. West Seattle is mostly still on regular routes, though, but keep an eye on the Metro map/list.

9:51 PM: The weather experts are in with their late-night thoughts. About an hour ago, Cliff Mass warned “it’s not over yet.” But the National Weather Service has downgraded the “winter storm warning” to a “winter weather advisory” for Seattle. As you have likely seen elsewhere, there’s been major snow to the north, and to the south, but ours hasn’t amounted to much more than a hearty dusting.

10:43 PM: And suddenly we’re having the heaviest shower we’ve seen all day/night – with some sticking to the road. Perhaps Cliff Mass was right. (video added 10:59 pm)

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Open letter,’ stolen car, 2 more reports
February 23, 2011 3:57 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The latest West Seattle Crime Watch reports from the WSB inbox include an “open letter” from a theft victim to the thieves, whom she believes were at an unauthorized party at her house, asking that two items with keepsake value be returned; plus, a stolen car to watch for, and more:Read More

Share This

Chief Sealth portrait now gracing his namesake school
February 23, 2011 2:13 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

After days of installation work (you’ve seen it in progress if you’ve driven SW Thistle this past week), the front of Chief Sealth International High School‘s auditorium is now graced by a portrait of its namesake, in the school colors, in a two-sided louvered style – red if you’re looking west, blue if you’re looking east.

Before it was repainted during the two-year renovation project, that section of the auditorium’s facade simply bore the lettering “Chief Sealth High School” – here’s the previous look, and here’s an even older view. (The story of Chief Sealth/Seattle himself is told here, at HistoryLink.org.)

Share This

West Seattle Weather Watch update: Snow debuts, briefly
February 23, 2011 12:41 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

12:41 PM: Moving up from the south – we were just in White Center, where it started to snow; headed back toward West Seattle and now it’s a pretty good shower in Westwood.

12:53 PM: We’re in Highland Park and the snow shower has just stopped … no, wait, flurrying again … Speaking of Highland Park, if you didn’t see this in the WSB Forums, by the way, Zippy’s is closing at 2 pm just in case.

1:02 PM: Sunny in Fauntleroy! Seriously. So we’re moving on with the rest of the news and will bring snow coverage back to the top as warranted.

4:19 PM: Still no snow sightings since then, though the clouds have grow a bit darker.

Share This

West Seattle Weather Watch: Where’s the snow, you ask?
February 23, 2011 12:01 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

12:01 PM: Since the flake-free night gave way to a flake-free morning in West Seattle, we’re checking around to see what the weather folks are predicting for this afternoon. The popular weather analyst Cliff Mass published a “nowcast” this past hour on his website, acknowledging areas like ours have been in a shadow while other areas (like Snohomish County) have been walloped, but saying that pattern is now breaking down. However, he says in capital letters, “THIS WILL NOT BE LIKE NOV. 22ND.” As for the National Weather Service, its midmorning “forecast discussion” also acknowledges the “shadowing” but predicts for later today, “SHOWERS WILL INCREASE … AND AN INCH OR TWO OF SLUSHY SNOW WILL OCCUR MOST AREAS AWAY FROM WATER AND ABOVE 100-200 FT IN ELEVATION.” The broadcast translations of most of this are discussing mid-afternoon or later. The NWS warns that the “models” remain inconsistent, but tonight looks even potentially snowier. So don’t assume nothing’s happening because nothing’s happened yet – might, or might not. (Yes, we know, we’ve seen this all before.)

ADDED 12:06 PM: Just after we published our update, Metro sent theirs. No route changes yet, but they’re chaining up and warning they expect to move to snow routing later – info after the jump (and we’re watching for other transportation/transit agencies’ plans too; will add to this story as they come in):Read More

Share This

2 more chances to tidy up West Seattle: Admiral, & Thistle stairs
February 23, 2011 11:35 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Want cleaner streets and sidewalks? Here are two more opportunities in addition to the March 5th “Clean Up Your Act” volunteer effort noted here. First, Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum posted a reminder about their Saturday Adopt-A-Street event (free breakfast AND lunch!) as a WSB comment:

… The Admiral Neighborhood Association will be having our quarterly Adopt-a-Street cleanup this Saturday, February 26th, from 9-11 am. Any interested volunteers are welcome to meet with us at 9 am at the Admiral Metropolitan Market, and spend an hour or so picking up litter in and around the Admiral business district. We will provide safety vests, gloves, bags, and trash grabbers. Metropolitan Market will provide volunteers with fresh coffee, fruit, and pastries, and a sack lunch after the cleanup to reward you for your efforts. Please e-mail me at katy.walum@gmail.com with any questions. Hope to see you litter-busters there!

And we also got word of a cleanup along West Seattle’s longest staircase, the SW Thistle Street stairs between Upper Fauntleroy and Lincoln Park. Neighbors and other stairway users will gather at its lower end at 10 am March 5th; more details in this Facebook event invitation.

Share This

West Seattle Wednesday: Today/tonight’s scheduled highlights
February 23, 2011 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Today/tonight’s scheduled highlights
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge & 1st Ave. S. Bridge cams, more on the WSB Traffic page)
You never know when those snowy forecasts WON’T come true, so since it was a snow-free night, we’re starting the day by looking ahead to what’s scheduled as if everything will go on as planned. (If bad weather does arrive and you cancel something – PLEASE let us know, and we’ll help get the word out!) Topping the list: Highland Park Action Committee‘s monthly meeting, 7 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden) …In The Junction, West 5 – which just celebrated its own 8th anniversary – hosts the 8th anniversary party for Georgetown Brewing Company, starting at 6 pm (full details here) … PoetryBridge.net has its monthly night of poems and stories tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW, with featured poets followed by open mike, 7 pm … Looking for work? Free job-search workshop at South Seattle Community College‘s WorkSource Center, 4:30 – 6 pm, focusing on “online job search basics” … Weekly “project knitting” class meets 7-9 pm at CAPERS (questions? 206-972-6945, Marguerite) … Two WSB sponsor notes: The Westside Professionals business-networking group meets at 8 am, The Kenney; and it’s the first day for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show (reading the list of exhibitors, so far we’ve found one from here – West Seattle Nursery is part of the Container Show) … Check in with us for weather/road updates and other news, all day long.

Share This

Sustainable West Seattle explores where transportation’s going
February 23, 2011 5:58 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

Timing was perfect for Sustainable West Seattle‘s transportation-focused community forum last night – this is another pivotal time for our region, trying to envision the future through a cloud of present-day problems, like budget cuts that threaten transit even as more people try to move away from cars.

The main room at the Senior Center of West Seattle held a sizable crowd for the forum – but in case you weren’t there, we recorded the entire forum on video, two hours broken into three pieces of about 40 minutes each, all included in this story. Top clip has SWS’s Brian Allen introducing the event before introductory remarks from each panelist: West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee, moderated the forum and answered questions, as did panelists Chris Arkills, the transportation expert on King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s team; Martin Duke from Seattle Transit Blog, Brice Maryman from SvR Design, and Peter Hahn, director of SDOT. (As you’ll hear Rasmussen joke, Hahn would’ve been excused if he had been fidgety, with his department having triggered its Snow/Ice Plan.) For the second 40 minutes, the panelists quizzed each other a while, then moved on to answering audience questions:

The clash of economic reality and transportation needs was a recurring theme – Arkills, for example, had dire warnings of looming Metro cuts, if “a sustainable funding base” is not found. And then there were those who just wanted help cutting through the thicket of information to find out what’s really happening with major projects right now:

You’ll have more opportunities ahead to speak out about transportation in our area – for example, as King County’s Arkills reminded attendees, Metro will start a new process this fall of opening the entirety of West Seattle’s bus-route network for discussion – looking ahead to the RapidRide era that’ll start in fall 2012, do other changes need to be made to serve the peninsula better? As for the city, Mayor McGinn mentions a West Seattle light-rail line now and then – will that turn up on the ballot sooner rather than later? And watch the City Council – SDOT’s Hahn said part of the Transit Master Plan will go to Rasmussen’s committee this Friday (watch here for that agenda). Also watch the community-association meeting announcements we feature here, since agencies like WSDOT, SDOT and Metro often make the rounds of those meetings with presentations on current and future topics.

(P.S. We don’t know yet how soon they’ll turn it around, but Seattle Channel was on hand recording last night’s forum on video, too.)

Share This

Helicopter over southeastern West Seattle: Sheriff’s Office case
February 23, 2011 2:19 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news | Westwood

2:19 AM: We’re hearing a chopper in the distance, and via Facebook/e-mail, we have a few other reports, from Westwood to Highland Park. Checking on it. (If you are seeing ground police activity anywhere in that area, let us know – sometimes that’s the main clue.)

4:39 AM NOTE: The helicopter left shortly after we published this. As for what it was doing – no reply yet from police, but whenever we do finally get info later this morning, we’ll add it to this …

11:38 AM NOTE: Heard back this morning from Lt. Ron Rasmussen at the Southwest Precinct, who couldn’t find any evidence it was related to an SPD case. So now we’re checking with King County Sheriff’s Office, to whom the lone law-enforcement chopper in the area (Guardian One) belongs, in case it was a county case that just happened to spill over here.

4:23 PM NOTE: We finally got a bit of information, but not much. King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart says it was a KCSO case – but he hasn’t been able to rustle up the information on anything beyond, an arrest was being made. Not a big deal, he insists.

Share This