The former Alki Mortgage building at California/Myrtle (map), a few steps south of Caffe Ladro, will soon house The Little Gym of West Seattle. Owner Birgit Obrietan tells WSB, “We can’t wait to become part of the West Seattle community!” She and her husband own The Little Gym operations in Bellevue and Issaquah, and Birgit says that “having a gym in West Seattle has been a dream of ours for many years.” They are hoping to open in early November for regular classes and birthday parties; ultimately, she says, “We will have parent/child classes, preschool gymnastics, grade school gymnastics, birthday parties and summer camps.” Their classes are for ages 4 months to 12 years, and you can find more about what they offer at thelittlegym.com. (They’re also reachable at 206-937-0311.) We asked if they’ll be occupying the entirety of the building; Birgit says no, “there is some back office space that will be rented to another tenant.” Side note — The Bellevue branch that Birgit and her husband own was the very first The Little Gym, opened in 1973; they’ve run it for nine years. (By the way – and thanks to Robert for spotting this – they’re advertising for a director.)
30 hours to go till the vote-counting begins. We have profiled candidates, covered forums and endorsement meetings, and now it’s in your hands – if you haven’t voted already, get your ballot in the mail or into a dropbox (no stamp needed for that option!) – there’s still time to prove the “low turnout” predictions wrong. Our pre-election coverage is all archived here, with contributors including veteran West Seattle-based journalists Kathy Mulady and Jack Mayne. Kathy looked into the latest campaign-spending information, with a West Seattle hook, to bring you this report:
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
West Seattle residents have already contributed nearly $121,000 to an election season that is shaping up to be one of the most expensive ever.
So far, candidates for mayor, city council, and city attorney have raised $2.4 million and spent $1.9 million.
Mayor Greg Nickels and challengers for his office have already spent more than $1 million, according to the Seattle Ethics and Elections website.
The Seattle City Council’s Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m. at Blanche Lavisso Park located at East Yesler Way and 22nd Avenue South.
It will discuss proposed changes to the mid- and high-rise sections of the multifamily code. The updates are designed to provide more affordable housing and open space, along with greater flexibility in building design.
The meeting is open for public comment following a committee briefing and discussion. The public is encouraged to arrive early as free ice cream* will be served starting at 5 p.m.
Who: Seattle City Council’s Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee
What: Special meeting to discuss proposed mid- and high-rise building codes
When: Tuesday, Aug. 18 – ice cream served at 5 p.m., meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Blanche Lavizzo Park, E. Yesler Way and 22nd Avenue South, Central Area
*Ice cream purchased with Sally Clark’s personal fund.
Published at partner site White Center Now — County Executive Kurt Triplett has proposed “mothballing” 39 King County parks — 6 in the North Highline (including White Center) area — to save $. It’s a developing story; we’ll continue posting reaction/details there.
Here’s followup information from the city on two things we’d inquired about: First, yesterday’s power outage in the Admiral area (thanks to Jamie for the photo above and for one of the first reports when it happened): Seattle City Light‘s Scott Thomsen says it was caused when a utility pole’s crossarm broke (that may explain the “loud noise” reported yesterday), and affected almost 200 homes and businesses (including Admiral Safeway and West Seattle PCC). Repairs were complete about three hours after the outage started just before 2. Now, to Beach Drive:
We took that photo a few days ago after receiving a note from a concerned neighbor who saw extensive vegetation removal at Weather Watch Park (map), which he described as “clearcutting,” wondering if it had been authorized and, if so, by whom. First we checked with Seattle Parks, which reminded us that Weather Watch Park is SDOTproperty since it’s a “street end.” Here’s the information we received from Marybeth Turner at SDOT today:
A contractor hired by SDOT cleared away invasive weeds and dead plants and removed litter. The only tree-related work was the removal of suckers from a sweetgum tree. This maintenance work at the street-end area was done at the request of neighbors. Although this turned out to be legitimate activity,we appreciate the vigilance of residents who report what might be illegal activity. For more information about the street end, residents may call Patti Quirk, SDOT Street Use office, (206) 684-8501.
We’ve received two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning to share with you – one vehicle break-in, one home break-in. Both victims have advice for you based on what they’ve learned about what happened to them – read on:Read More
Thanks to Chas Redmond for that photo from Seacrest Pier. It’s a reminder that this week includes August’s lowest tides – not nearly as low as the ones enjoyed earlier this summer, but still good enough for shore appreciation. Tomorrow and Wednesday mornings have the lowest tides (here’s the chart), around -2.0, 9:44 am Tuesday and 10:34 am Wednesday. Chas also sent this sunrise photo from Seacrest:
TRAFFIC ALERT: The southbound 1st Avenue South lane closures announced (then revised) by SDOT last week start today; details here.
DELRIDGE PRODUCE CO-OP “MOBILE MARKET,” DAY 4: Today’s the finale for the first of four 4-day, 4-stop weeks in the Mobile Market trial period — 3:30-7 pm at Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge; map), 3:30-7:30 pm. Go get free fruits/vegetables and help shape the future of fresh food in Delridge. (Here’s our Friday story; here’s seattletimes.com coverage today.)
SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE BARBECUE/POTLUCK: Bring something to share and/or grill, and join SWS in celebrating summer at the shelter behind Camp Long Lodge (5200 35th SW; map), 7 pm.
COMMUNITY KAYAK TOUR ON THE DUWAMISH: Should be a beautiful night on the river. The semiweekly tours only have a few more sessions before summer’s end – to see if there’s room tonight (leaving from South Park at 6 pm), go here for RSVP info.
With 8 pm tomorrow your deadline for voting in King County’s first-ever all-mail primary, we have been wrapping up our close-up looks at candidates in races including the threeSeattle City Council contests you’ll find on the primary ballot. Bobby Forch is the final council candidate in this series. Previous stories are in the WSB Politics archive.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Bobby Forchis running for Seattle City Council Position 4 with knowledge of city government from the other side – as a manager for the City of Seattle, specifically a strategic adviser in SDOT.
Forch, a 53-year-old Central District resident, says, “I am running because I believe the Seattle City Council can do more to turn around our economy while supporting the values we believe in as a city.”
He’s one of six candidates running for Position 8, held for more than a decade by Councilmember Richard McIver, who decided not to run again.
(Photo by Robert Sorbo)
Thanks to Barefoot Wine‘s PR folks for sharing that photo from Saturday’s Alki Beach cleanup. They say more than 100 volunteers showed up for the “Beach Rescue Project” held as part of Barefoot’s partnership with the Surfrider Foundation. We found their video highlights on the Barefoot website, too (ending with a group photo at the Statue of Liberty):
At left, that’s Susie Drake, a local nurse, with people she has helped in the African nation of Senegal. She and fellow nurse Sydnie Phelps are going to Senegal (map) this fall, and friends are helping them raise money and collect donations to take along to an orphanage and mission – you can help too, at a fundraiser in West Seattle one week from tonight. Their friend/co-worker Shanna Mosher shares the news (and the photo above, from Syd and Susie‘s website):
*Two remarkable nurses, three rocking bands and a troupe of belly dancers will be at the Bohemian in West Seattle on Sunday August 23 for a fundraiser benefiting the less fortunate in West Africa. *
*This is a unique opportunity to have a direct impact improving the quality of life for those in need in Senegal. Your much-needed donations of medical supplies, funds and other necessities will be personally delivered directly to the LaPouponniere Orphanage and the Kahone Mission in Senegal, assuring that your donations will be utilized by the people who need them most. In addition to delivering your donations, they will be providing unconditional love and care for orphaned infants, and assisting the nuns at the Mission with their medical expertise. *
*Senegal is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita income of $500 per year. Nearly 1 in 160 women in the rural areas die from child birth. Nearly 1 child in 7 dies before the age of five, and 1 in 4 suffers from chronic malnutrition, malaria and upper respiratory infections. Still, the government of Senegal is committed to keeping health a priority and is striving to create a forward thinking medical community. *
*Thanks to generous nurses like Syd and Susie, and to supporters like YOU, we hope to help bring supplies and equipment so local trained health care practitioners can implement their skills.*
*The show starts at 5:30 pm and is free, but donations will be greatly appreciated. There will also be a raffle for tickets to see the Sounders FC in** action.***
The Bohemian is at 3405 California SW (map). More on the trip, here.
Out of the WSB inbox, from John, who says this happened between noon and 1 pm today:
Just a warning to other West Seattleites. My wife and I were both home (Oregon & 39th) [map] with the front door open letting the sun in. Someone walked into our house and stole my wife’s purse from a chair close to the front door. Didn’t see anyone suspicious around. Everyone be on the lookout for weirdos.
John, of course, called the police, and says they “mentioned an incident yesterday in the same area.”
Thanks to those who’ve sent notes about a power outage in the Admiral District. One report says it followed a “loud bang” – and Diana says that Admiral Safeway has been without power for about half an hour. Seattle City Light says that the outage is within these boundaries: Admiral to Hanford, 42nd to 50th, but they’re not sure how long it will take to fix. A tipster has just sent the photo you see above, showing crews with what he describes as a downed line, south of Lafayette Elementary. 2:52 PM UPDATE: The tipster says the crews on the scene just told him they’ll need about an hour to splice the line. (Early Monday note – Jamie says their power came back on around 5:30 pm. We’ll be checking with City Light today regarding the official cause and how many homes/businesses were involved.)
Separate incident but also involving City Light: Crews have been working on a utility pole hit in a crash this morning; SW Morgan has been closed a few blocks up the hill east of West Seattle Thriftway as a result. We just went back to check (and to take the photo shown above) and they tell us they should be done, and be able to reopen the road, within an hour or so. (Thanks to Dasi for the original report on this, and Tom for the update that the road was still closed.)
(Members of theFeedback Lounge crew – from left, Tony, Todd, Matt, Bradi, Nell & Drew)
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, The Feedback Lounge in Morgan Junction, home of “the best drink you never had.” Each week co-owner Matt Johnson comes up with a drink whose recipe might go back 100 years — or just a month or two. Starting today, Matt will shop at the West Seattle Farmers Market each Sunday and uses those fresh ingredients in a drink that evening. We followed him around this morning on his shopping trip:
Matt wound up buying those peaches and adding some sage. Here he talks about how he’ll mix those together:
(Update – since we first published this, The Feedback has tweeted that this drink’s being called “The Morgan Street Monk.”) The Feedback opens at 4 pm; Sundays feature jazz from KPLU. While the Feedback isn’t a venue for live music, it does showcase the best that rock, jazz, the blues, and outlaw country have to offer. Dinner is served from 6-10 pm daily and there’s two happy hours, the first from 4-6, and the second from 10 pm-1 am – seven days a week. It’s at 6451 California SW (map).
That’s Richard with Lulah, who he’s entered in West Seattle-headquartered CityDog Magazine‘s Cover Dog Search, continuing at West Seattle Thriftway till 3 pm. (On the other side of the camera is J. Nicole Smith of Dane + Dane Studios.) CityDog’s Brandi Ahlgren tells WSB they’ve had a big turnout – last year they got 50 dogs total; this year as of 1 pm they already had 70 signed up. And as noted here earlier, they are collecting pet-food donations for West Seattle Food Bank, too:
Also at Thriftway till 3, the Seattle Humane Society MaxMobile with adoptable pets. Meantime, in The Junction, we stopped by to say hi to Team Tracy – that’s namesake and breast-cancer survivor Tracy Dart at right:
Their booth accepting donations for Team Tracy’s Breast Cancer 3Day fundraising is set up outside West 5 till 5 (inside, at least two servers are donating tips to the cause – 12 women doing the walk next month). Then tonight at 8 down the block at Easy Street Records, local bands Bend and Stevedore perform, with the $7 cover charge (21+ only) plus beer sales (donated by West 5 and Georgetown Brewery) going to Team Tracy. (If you can’t make it to the tent or the concert, you can donate to Team Tracy online – go here. We’ve got a video clip to add here later too.)
With more than 80 percent of the primary-election ballots yet to be returned, per King County’s daily updates, it looks like many voters are going down to the wire. WSB candidate-closeup coverage is concluding with last looks at the Seattle mayoral challengers (we interviewed the incumbent earlier in the campaign). We sent them five questions, 4 geared to West Seattle.
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Mayoral candidate Jan Drago knows what she is getting into. She has served on the Seattle City Council for 15 years, and worked on complex issues such as downtown and South Lake Union revitalization, transportation and economic development.
She’ll probably be remembered most for her push to build off-leash dog parks throughout the city.
Drago is firmly in favor of replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep-bored tunnel.
With more than 80 percent of the primary-election ballots yet to be returned, per King County’s daily updates, it looks like many voters are going down to the wire. WSB candidate-closeup coverage is concluding with last looks at the Seattle mayoral challengers (we interviewed the incumbent earlier in the campaign). We sent them five questions, 4 geared to West Seattle.
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
James Donaldson’s campaign for mayor plays off his three years as a center for the Seattle Sonics basketball team. He talks about teamwork, and about being the big man who can help the little guy.
Donaldson jumped into the election year as a candidate for City Council, then after a couple of months, made the switch to mayor. His main focus has been helping small business owners like himself, who are overburdened by the cost of doing business in Seattle.
Donaldson owns a string of physical therapy and fitness businesses, but said he had to close the Seattle office when it became too expensive to do business in the city.
On Friday, we reported on the debut of the “Mobile Market” pilot project that the Delridge Produce Cooperative is trying out over the next four weeks — setting up a mobile produce stand at one of four Delridge locations each Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday in that time frame, to give out free fruit and vegetables and get answers to a survey about the potential market for selling fresh produce in the area. Today, DPC is at the Delridge P-Patch, next to Cottage Grove Park (5206 26th SW; map) till 3 pm, and asked us to:
… let people know that we’ll have peaches, plums, tomatoes, squash, cherries and apples today – lots of them, that we need to get rid of before the end of Monday’s stall. We also have fresh organic carrots from Full Circle Farms today. It’s a smorgasbord!
With more than 80 percent of the primary-election ballots yet to be returned, per King County’s daily updates, it looks like many voters are going down to the wire. WSB candidate-closeup coverage is concluding with last looks at the Seattle mayoral challengers (we interviewed the incumbent earlier in the campaign). We sent them five questions, 4 geared to West Seattle.
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Joe Mallahan says he has a plan. The T-Mobile vice-president and candidate for Seattle mayor sees plenty of room to run the city more like a business. He plans to focus on the customer – citizens — providing service, accountability and efficiencies.
The Wallingford resident would put the brakes on the Mercer Street realignment project, and says the South Lake Union Streetcar diverted money for expanding Rainier Valley bus service. He opposes expanding the streetcar system.
As mayor, Mallahan says, he would cut the number of consultants the city hires, and build expertise among city workers.
With more than 80 percent of the primary-election ballots yet to be returned, per King County’s daily updates, it looks like many voters are going down to the wire. WSB candidate-closeup coverage is concluding with last looks at the Seattle mayoral challengers (we interviewed the incumbent earlier in the campaign). We sent them five questions, 4 geared to West Seattle.
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Norman Sigler says one of his best skills is his ability to bring diverse communities and groups together. If elected mayor, Sigler plans to build on his matchmaking experience to create partnerships that will work on solutions to transportation and education issues, homelessness, neighborhoods and the economy.
Sigler has lived in Seattle for about six years. He lived for two years in West Seattle, specifically on bus routes #54 and #120, he notes, before moving to the Magnolia area.
Although he preferred the surface solution for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Sigler said he won’t oppose the bored tunnel solution in the interest of moving the project forward instead of discussing it for decades. Then he wants to get to work on an elevated train down the middle of Interstate-5 between Everett and Olympia.
With more than 80 percent of the primary-election ballots yet to be returned, per King County’s daily updates, it looks like many voters are going down to the wire. WSB candidate-closeup coverage is concluding with last looks at the Seattle mayoral challengers (we interviewed the incumbent earlier in the campaign). We sent them five questions, 4 geared to West Seattle.
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It seems that mayoral candidate and environmentalist Mike McGinn has one focus to his campaign – to stop the deep-bored-tunnel plan that will replace the central section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
McGinn wants to tear down The Viaduct, and let traffic flow on surface streets with a dramatically improved bus system and expanded light rail, along with more opportunities of bicycling and walking. He contends the tunnel idea is too expensive, will increase taxes too much, is guaranteed to have huge cost over-runs, and by-passes downtown without exits.
Candidate McGinn’s position is in stark opposition to Mayor Greg Nickels‘ support for the tunnel, and has sparked an overheated back-and-forth in the days before the ballot deadline.
We happened onto the mayor’s campaign stop (with wife Sharon Nickels) while covering another story at West Seattle Farmers Market this morning. With ballots due Tuesday night, we are publishing one last round of candidate-closeup coverage, focusing on the mayoral race. In Mayor Nickels’ case, we interviewed him earlier in the campaign, asking questions suggested by WSB’ers, so we’re providing links to those stories (taken from a video-recorded interview in late May):
Nickels’ website is at gregnickels.com. We also have covered multiple forums involving the candidates in this race and others; all WSB Politics coverage is archived here, newest to oldest. Be sure to vote – your ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, or dropped off in one of the dropboxes around the county (no postage needed if you choose that option – the nearest ones are in North Delridge and White Center) by 8 pm Tuesday night. (More mayoral-candidate coverage ahead.)
With more than 80 percent of the primary-election ballots yet to be returned, per King County’s daily updates, it looks like many voters are going down to the wire. WSB candidate-closeup coverage is concluding with last looks at the Seattle mayoral challengers (we interviewed the incumbent earlier in the campaign). We sent them five questions, 4 geared to West Seattle.
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Magnolia neighborhood activist Elizabeth Campbell knows she is a long shot for the mayor job. She entered the race late, hoping that a lawsuit she won against the city in the spring in connection with the Fort Lawton Army Reserve property would infuse her campaign with some momentum.
A King County Superior Court judge decided the city, which wants to put 80 units of housing for homeless people on the land connected to Discovery Park, failed to consider alternate uses for the property.
Campbell’s campaign struggled to raise money and get attention. A friend’s illness took her away from campaign appearances. She also tried to get a “no tunnel” initiative on the ballot, and she is working on her master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of Washington.
Still, Campbell is fired up over the issues and was eager to answer our questions.
30 hours to go till the vote-counting begins. We have profiled candidates, covered forums and endorsement meetings, and now it’s in your hands – if you haven’t voted already, get your ballot in the mail or 
We’ve received two 
DELRIDGE PRODUCE CO-OP “MOBILE MARKET,” DAY 4: Today’s the finale for the first of four 4-day, 4-stop weeks in the Mobile Market trial period — 3:30-7 pm at 
Bobby Forch is running for 
At left, that’s Susie Drake, a local nurse, with people she has helped in the African nation of Senegal. She and fellow nurse Sydnie Phelps are going to Senegal (
Mayoral candidate Jan Drago knows what she is getting into. She has served on the 
James Donaldson’s campaign for mayor plays off his three years as a center for the Seattle Sonics basketball team. He talks about teamwork, and about being the big man who can help the little guy.
Joe Mallahan says he has a plan. The T-Mobile vice-president and candidate for Seattle mayor sees plenty of room to run the city more like a business. He plans to focus on the customer – citizens — providing service, accountability and efficiencies.
Norman Sigler says one of his best skills is his ability to bring diverse communities and groups together. If elected mayor, Sigler plans to build on his matchmaking experience to create partnerships that will work on solutions to transportation and education issues, homelessness, neighborhoods and the economy.
It seems that mayoral candidate and environmentalist Mike McGinn has one focus to his campaign – to stop the deep-bored-tunnel plan that will replace the central section of the 
Magnolia neighborhood activist Elizabeth Campbell knows she is a long shot for the mayor job. She entered the race late, hoping that a lawsuit she won against the city in the spring in connection with the Fort Lawton Army Reserve property would infuse her campaign with some momentum.
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