West Seattle, Washington
17 Thursday
In a basement meeting room at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library, it’s about as low-key as public meetings get – several SDOT employees are here at two tables with simple drawings of Admiral Way as it will look if the new “rechannelization” proposal is approved – you can see those drawings here. (If you’re missing this meeting, SDOT says another open house is likely.) There’s some spirited discussion under way as well as basic Q/A – one man is challenging an SDOT employee about why bicycles should get what he considers a lot of accommodation, resulting in what he expects will be a lot of motorized-vehicle congestion.
This plan does include bike lanes uphill and downhill, and after staring at the drawings, it’s easier to summarize what’s being proposed: For vehicles, on the “downhill” side, Admiral Way would be one lane, with the outside southeastbound lane becoming a required right turn onto SW Olga before it ends; then, a right-turn-only lane returns most of the way down the hill, channeling people to the under-bridge connector to SW Avalon Way (which WILL remain open). There is a “buffered” bike lane in both directions, downhill and uphill; the uphill bike lane is separated from vehicle traffic not only by that buffer, but also by a parking lane (for the top half of the uphill section – some parking is being removed south of City View). Vehicles have two lanes uphill. Another key point: With traffic narrowed from the current four lanes, SDOT is proposing restoring the crosswalk at SW City View (map) that was removed in 2007. No signals, though.
Cost? An estimated $75,000. How much time to restripe? About a week. Decision? Not till public comments are received, which is part of what’s going on here tonight (you can fill out a hard-copy survey), as well as via e-mail or phone (walkandbike@seattle.gov or 206-684-7583). The plan also is on the agenda at the Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, starting less than a mile away at Admiral Congregational Church, right when this one ends, at 7 pm. ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: Notes from that discussion, ahead:Read More
Tonight, Mayor McGinn will officially announce what’s being called the Seattle Nightlife Initiative. According to advance word from the mayor’s office, it has eight key points:
1. Code compliance enforcement
2. Flexible liquor service hours
3. Noise ordinance enforcement
4. Security training requirements
5. Precinct community outreach
6. Professional development
7. Late-night transportation alternatives
8. Targeting public nuisances
In advance of the announcement, the mayor’s office has put the details online – read them here. And the city plans to take comments through mid-September, including via an online survey you can access here.
HIGHLAND PARK SUNDAY MARKET: That’s where we found Jolie Blue with comfrey and herbal creations last Sunday. Got word this afternoon from organizer Tiffany Brace-Silver that she’s canceling this Sunday’s edition because many vendors will be at White Center Jubilee Days. And when it resumes on Sunday, July 25, the hours will be 11 am-3 pm. More vendors welcome, says Tiffany – e-mail her at highlandparksundaymarket@gmail.com.
LOCOL UPDATE: In a comment on Monday’s biznotes, Sage wondered what’s up with Locol, the future wine/beer bar in Sunrise Heights. We checked with Locol’s Kyle Duce, who responded to us and also updated the Locol page on Facebook. Their project is more complicated than some because it’s a “change of use” – as was Spring Hill in The Junction, which you may recall took a year and a half – and they’re now looking at “late summer/early fall.”
FOOD TRUCK HEADS-UP: If you’re at Don Armeni this Friday night, you will see the new burger truck Buns on Wheels. They asked us to let you know that it will NOT actually be open – they’re taking photos as part of a “friends-and-family” soft-open event. There was a momentary stir last night when a citywide website said the truck would be giving away food to anyone who RSVP’d – we even had that link in the WSB Forums for a short time – but Buns on Wheels says not so.
RED CROSS BOARD MEMBERS: Congratulations to West Seattle residents Colleen Murphy and Angelynn Talcott, who are among 10 new board members for the American Red Cross chapter that serves King and Kitsap Counties, according to an announcement we received today – and Deborah Haug, also a West Seattleite, is the new chair of the board, after eight years as a member.
That video’s from a tour of West Seattle’s historic Fire Station 37, part of a WSB story first published last February. We’re bringing it out again because word just arrived via e-mail that the process of selling the city-landmark facility has begun – as its replacement a few blocks south gets closer to completion. According to the informational note from the city, it’s a 5,300-square-foot building on a 9,400-square foot lot:
(February 2010 photo by Nicholas Trost)
* Fire Station No. 37 was constructed in the 1930’s and designated a landmark January 2005.
* The architectural style is considered Mission / Colonial Revival with Neo-Classical elements.
* Reuse of the building would need to comply with DPD requirements, L-1 zoning and preservation controls
* The disposition process may take in excess of eighteen months to complete
* Value of the property has not yet been determined but will be based on an independent appraisal.
The county assessor put the value at $295,000 most recently, the note says. First word of the impending sale process is going out to neighbors as well as those who’ve expressed interest before, and the city is asking for comments before making a recommendation to the City Council regarding the building’s future:
Comments are requested by August 13, 2010. You may write or send a fax with your comments to the Fleets and Facilities Department, Attn: Louis Webster, PO Box 94689, Seattle, WA 98124-4689; FAX number (206) 684-0525. You may call and speak with Louis Webster at (206) 684-0357, or reach him by e-mail at the following: Louis.Webster@seattle.gov.
You can also see the official flyer here.
If you see somebody under a car/truck – that might not be roadside repairs – read A’s report, after the jump:Read More
That’s the view southwest to Vashon Island, from Lowman Beach about an hour ago, during the last -3 tide of the year – not quite as low as yesterday, but low enough to expose a wide stretch of this rocky beach just north of Lincoln Park. As this cool state infopage reminds us, please take care while you’re out at low tide – leave the beach the way you found it. (Maybe even bring a small bag for trash; we encountered a plastic bottle and tennis ball that are now both in the shoreside trash container, rather than awaiting high tide to carry them to the mid-Pacific garbage patch.)
Three and a half months after first word that Westside School had found a new home – leasing the former EC Hughes Elementary in Sunrise Heights from Seattle Public Schools – the sprucing-up is heating up, and some major moving is ahead this week. Westside’s David Bergler shares the above photo with this update:
Westside School parents and staff have been busy preparing to move to the new campus located in the former E.C. Hughes building on 34th Ave SW. The inside of the building is getting painted and polished, the playground is being upgraded and the landscaping is receiving the “spa” treatment. A real community effort is afoot with parents taking on a variety of tasks. Recently a crew of parent volunteers began work on the front gardens of the school. All of the upgrades should be completed by Labor Day. Westside School administrative offices are being moved on the 14th of July and the full campus move is planned for the first week of August
Westside had been headquartered on Highline Public Schools property just west of the West Seattle line; as noted here last month, the school with which it had shared that site, Explorer West Middle School, is planning to sublease the now-empty space so it has room to grow.
That photo is from a sunny day in April, when volunteers from Rebuilding Together Seattle swarmed an Admiral District home to provide its owner with much-needed but unaffordable repairs. That’s what RTS does. And it’s putting out this call to see if anyone else in West Seattle could use their help:
Rebuilding Together Seattle, a nonprofit organization, is currently accepting applications from homeowners in need. Rebuilding Together Seattle (RTS) provides donated repair services for low-income homeowners, through the support of sponsors and community volunteers.
To qualify for the program, homeowners must be low-income and unable to complete the work independently. We assist those who are elderly, disabled, veterans, and/or families with children. RTS also assists non-profit or community organizations in need of facility repairs.
RTS is connecting with health facilities, government agencies, shelters, senior centers, and community centers to inform others about our program. RTS is need of community leaders to share the word about our program to those in need, with a goal to assist more clients each year.
RTS recently began a Veterans Program, in an effort to bring veteran community members together to help low-income veteran homeowners and their families. RTS also launched an Annual Repair Program that will focus on helping qualified homeowners with quick safety fixes around the house. These fixes include installing grab bars, handrails, skid strips, and updating to energy efficient light bulbs.
Interested parties can call our office to request an application, or view and print our application online at: www.rtseattle.org/forms.php. For more information, check out our blog at rebuildingtogetherseattle.blogspot.com!
You can also call 206-682-1231 or e-mail info@rtseattle.org.
(Hummingbird photographed Saturday night by Mark on Marine View Drive)
Highlights today/tonight: Just one week ago, SDOT announced it’s proposing rechannelization – also known as a “road diet” – for the stretch of Admiral Way between The Bridge and the viewpoint. Tonight, your chance to find out more about it, and tell SDOT what you think about the idea, comes with an open house at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 5-7 pm. Immediately afterward, it’s the monthly Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, 7 pm, Admiral UCC Church. Two other neighborhood groups meet tonight: Junction Neighborhood Organization, 6:30 pm at Ginomai (42nd/Genesee), has Real Change vending and Triangle planning on its agenda (here’s our Monday preview), and the Fauntleroy Community Association has issues to discuss including its ongoing concerns about RapidRide, 7 pm at the schoolhouse. Also tonight:
CONCERT AT ALKI PLAYFIELD: First of 3 free Alki outdoor concerts in the next month and a half. Anzanga Marimba Ensemble, 6 pm. Bring nonperishable food as a food-bank donation.
WONDER OF WELLNESS HEALTH FAIR: Hosted by Merrill Gardens at West Seattle (WSB sponsor) 4611 35th Ave. SW, 3-6 pm, including food and freebies.
‘A DRINK FOR THE KIDS’ AT WEST 5: This traveling benefit for the Vera Project youth-arts venue stops at West Seattle’s West 5 tonight.
BLOOD DRIVE WITH REWARDS – besides the life-saving satisfaction: Check out the Pint for Pint Blood Drive & Spaghetti Dinner that the White Center Eagles are hosting this afternoon/evening, 2-7 pm (more info here)
VOTE FOR WEST SEATTLE’S MISS SEAFAIR REP: The year after each West Seattle Hi-Yu Queen serves, she represents WS in the Miss Seafair program. This year, that rep is Margo Femiano, and you’re invited to join in a unique part of the program tonight: The candidates’ Community Service and Creative Expression presentations are happening 6:30 pm-8:30 pm at the Museum of Flight, and it’s a $1-per-vote fundraiser (explained here).
(EDITOR’S NOTE: With two weeks till ballots are mailed for the August 17th primary, we’re taking a closer look daily at the candidates in two contested local races. This week, we are bringing you stories about WSB conversations with the four contenders for 34th District State House, Position 2. We begin with Joe Fitzgibbon.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Joe Fitzgibbon is running for the State House of Representatives seat that his recent boss, Rep. Sharon Nelson, is leaving to seek a State Senate spot, and he has her endorsement.
Sound like a shoo-in? Nope. This year, for the first time in 18 years, the 34th District (map) has an open seat and a spirited race, with Fitzgibbon running against two other Democrats – one of whom has the official party nomination and district endorsement – plus an Independent.
So what’s Fitzgibbon, a 23-year-old Burien resident, doing to set himself apart in the race to succeed Rep. Nelson in State House Position 2?
First, as we sat down in a White Center coffee shop to talk for an hour (the same time we allotted each candidate conversation), we asked what he had been up to earlier that day.
Another media interview, a news release about endorsements, and the “daily grind of doorbelling and taking phone calls,” Fitzgibbon replied. As of this past weekend, when we talked with him at West Seattle Summer Fest (photo below), he estimated he had knocked on about 5,000 doors – more than half the 9,000 he hopes to hit before the August 17 primary.
Thanks to Diane for spotting this one: According to a Craigslist help-wanted ad, the new restaurant at West Seattle Bowl, replacing Terrace West, will be called Highstrike Grill, and it’s set for a September 1st opening. The ad mentions highstrikegrill.com – but as of right now, that site’s not working. We’ll check with WS Bowl tomorrow to see what more we can find out; owner Andrew Carl confirmed to us a month ago that there would be a change in the bowling center’s restaurant operation. We’ll also check on the Terrace West closing date, which two WSB’ers have e-mailed to say is later this week. P.S. The new restaurant’s name/logo is on the WS Bowl website too, but no additional details.
That’s 4-year-old leukemia patient Hannah Grage and mom Carrie, in a photo shared by Kathy Henderson, the West Seattleite who had originally e-mailed WSB about last Saturday’s bake sale/yard sale/lemonade stand to help Hannah (WSB coverage here and here). Tonight, Kathy e-mailed again, asking if we could publish a big thank you to everyone for the heartwarming response on Saturday:
It was a huge success and far surpassed our expectations of what we would raise to help this family. … We were just astounded by the generosity of this community in helping this little girl and her family. … we really do want to send out a heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this event a big success. …
I also wanted to mention that the fundraiser would not have been possible without the help of an amazing group of women: West Seattle Moms of Tots (WSMOT – meetup.com). This group collected, sorted and priced all the items for the sale and also baked lots of goodies in some crazy hot weather. The sale would not have happened without the help of these moms, most of whom don’t know Hannah directly.
The baked goods even included an adorable cake – here’s a photo we took Saturday but had only previously shared via Twitter:
Kathy also points out that Hannah’s mom published a thank-you note on the website they are keeping about their journey; you can read it here (scroll down past the photos). We also found a link you can use to make donations any time.
That photo is courtesy of Alice Haury, who shared it along with this report:
This sailboat, the Gypsy Woman, owned by Rick of Brace Point, just south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, broke its buoy anchor and drifted aground early this morning. No one was aboard when she broke her anchor. Rick is waiting for high tide at 7:00 pm to get her back in the water. My sister in law Jeanne James, my granddaughter, Mikki Haury and I walked the beach to get this picture around 2:00 this afternoon.
A few more West Seattle business notes this afternoon: 2 months after we reported Cellular World was moving into the former Tully’s spot at California/Fauntleroy, they’re now open. Also open: A brand-new outdoor patio – which goes beyond “a few tables and chairs” – at Alki Crab and Fish at Seacrest Pier:
Thanks to the tipsters who told us about that one, including Alki Crab and Fish’s neighbor Greg Whittaker from Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters. (You can check it out if you’re going to Tuesday night Stand-Up Paddleboarding tomorrow – here’s our recent story on that.)
Meantime, two notes about and from West Seattle-headquartered Prudential Northwest Realty: West Seattleite Irene Stewart, director of the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens, tells us that Mike Gain and Don Bereiter from PNW Realty have stepped up to underwrite coffee and baked goods for Senior Coffee Hours – no longer in the city’s budget. Read the city’s announcement here. Plus, Prudential Northwest is celebrating their ranking as one of the Top 50 Prudential companies – the Prudential “Gilbraltar Circle.” Read their news release here.
That’s the staff at Tom’s Automotive Service in The Triangle, one of our newest WSB sponsors. Tom’s Automotive Service is run by Tom Smith and Kandie Jennings, who say their success has been built on treating people like family and talking to their customers in a plain, straightforward way. Tom says his whole staff works at making people feel comfortable by knowing that each car will get only the work it needs, and nothing more. Tom’s Automotive first opened up in 1971 at a location near Morgan Junction and moved to their current location near the West Seattle YMCA (also a WSB sponsor) a couple of years later. Their current building was completed in 1994. Over time, Tom’s has assembled a staff that’s stayed put for many years, so when you come to Tom’s, you can get the same service from the same people who have been taking car of your car and who have come to know you as well. Tom and Kandie belong to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce; Tom’s was the Chamber’s 2008 Business of the Year. Tom and Kandie are on the South Seattle Community College Automotive Technical Education Advisory Board. They’ve been longtime sponsors of teams for West Seattle girls’ pee-wee softball, and supporters of both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in West Seattle. Next time you take your car to Tom’s Automotive Service, bring three or more cans of food as a food-bank donation, and you’ll get $20 off. You’ll find Tom’s Automotive Service online at tomsautomotive.com, or call 206-973-0737.
We thank Tom’s Automotive Service for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Under the noontime gray sky, the damp silver sand by Luna Park stretched much further out than usual – today marked the lowest tide you’ll see till next year. Just one more minus-three-foot low tide ahead – 12:37 pm tomorrow; we won’t even see a 2.9 again until November.
(Since the banner outside this in-the-works restaurant on Delridge originally promised a spring opening, now that it’s summer, some have asked us if we know what’s going on. So we found the owners and got the story.)
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Though the only aroma currently coming from this storefront is that of paint and varnish, the owners of this new restaurant located next door to Olympia Pizza on Delridge Way promise that in a couple of weeks, the smells of spiced meat, banh mi sandwiches and pho will be enticing customers to visit.
Owners Melinda Nguyen and Scott Dang, who have owned other restaurants including Lemongrass near Seattle University (which they sold in 2002), moved to West Seattle recently and decided they needed to open another restaurant.
Got a question/concern about Real Change vendors? Take it to the top, without leaving West Seattle, as Real Change‘s director of vendor services Tara Moss and field organizer Neal Lampi come to the Junction Neighborhood Organization‘s next meeting tomorrow night for Q/A. Also on the agenda: An update on where planning stands for the West Seattle Triangle, after a series of meetings with city planners and a local advisory group this spring. The planner who’s leading the project, Susan McLain, will talk about the progress toward creating a Street Design/Public Realm Concept Plan process for The Triangle, as well as zoning/land use. Everyone’s welcome at the JuNO meeting – 6:30 pm Tuesday at Ginomai (southwest corner of 42nd/Genesee).
Quick note for tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The North Delridge Neighborhood Council meets tonight for the first time on their new night, at their “old” location – NDNC is back at the Delridge Library, now meeting on the second Monday of the month, 6:30 pm. ADDED 12:07 PM: Agenda info here.
On this drizzly Monday morning, here’s one more photo from sunny West Seattle Summer Fest – the Rotary Club of West Seattle promoting its berry sale (advertised on WSB) in the festival’s Community Zone. This Friday and Saturday, it’s raspberry time, and you can guarantee yours by ordering online today or tomorrow. (Pickups are in the Admiral Safeway south lot.)
One of next weekend’s big events: The West Seattle Garden Tour (with WSB among this year’s co-sponsors). Tonight, WSGT organizers shared the photo above, with this report:
We had a great Garden Tour Container party today at Clay Swidler’s house, preparing magnificent Succulent containers for next week’s 16th annual West Seattle Garden Tour!
Pictured from left to right are committee members Carolyn Graye, Michelle Drewien, 2010 WSGT Gardener extraordinaire Mari Malcom, and Kathleen Kemp. See you all at the July 18th WSGT next week!
You’ll see some of those containers on the tour too. Tickets are $15 and not only represent a donation to local nonprofits, they also get you admission to the lecture/workshop by edible gardening/backyard chicken guru Willi Galloway (a West Seattleite) and wine/chocolate/cheese/pastry tasting afterward. You can buy yours online, or in person at the locations listed here.
In case you were wondering – as of a few minutes ago, the heart of The Junction was still closed for West Seattle Summer Fest breakdown and cleanup. (The permits run till midnight, so they aren’t required to reopen before then, though most of the time they do.) About two hours ago, we were heading toward The Bridge when we spotted a festival fixture alongside us on Fauntleroy Way in The Triangle:
The West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float was on its way back to the garage (being driven, not towed) post-festival. You’ll see it in action in the White Center Jubilee Days Parade next Sunday at 10 am and the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade on Saturday, July 24, at 11 am. ADDED 10:48 PM: Best hairdo spotted at Summer Fest, seen late today, photographed by ToFuGuns and shared via the WSB photo pool on Flickr:
Thanks again to everyone who shared photos, video and comments!
Though Summer Fest is over, lots of big events are still ahead for West Seattle in the weeks ahead. Among them – August 29th is the Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run to raise money for Northwest Hope and Healing to help breast-cancer patients – and though that sounds like a long time away, today’s a deadline: If you register by tonight, you get an early-bird discount on the registration fee. Here’s the link.
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