West Seattle, Washington
04 Saturday
One relatively simple, but hugely important, home-improvement action you can take in honor of Disaster Preparedness Month: Secure your water heater, since it can supply you with fresh water for quite a while if trouble interrupts your access to the main system. The sketch at right is from a how-to page on the state Department of Health website – which points out that plumber’s tape is no longer the preferred method for securing water heaters, because “so many tanks burst through this strapping” during the 1989 Bay Area and 1994 Southern California quakes. To see how to secure your water heater, check out the state how-to here. Got yours secured already? Send us a photo so we can show the world your awesome preparedness! And while we’re talking earthquakes – a reminder that the statewide drill, recommended for everyone (work, home, school, etc.), is coming up at 9:45 this Wednesday morning. Till then, make sure you’ve completed the basic preparedness steps we’ve been reiterating each night: Take the “3 to Get Ready” challenge (city campaign, sponsoring WSB this month); explore the West Seattle Be Prepared website and memorize your Emergency Communication Hub; and if you’re on Facebook, join the West Seattle Be Prepared group.
(L-R, Lt. Norm James, WSCPC president Dot Beard, secretary Betty Wiberg, VP Richard Miller)
There was so (relatively) little crime to talk about at tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, it didn’t even last an hour. In his meeting-opening update, Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Norm James began, “Everything’s been reasonably quiet.” And he said that is particularly good news for one neighborhood, Highland Park, where burglaries have “dropped off the charts” – recent arrests seem to have ended the latest series (described in this April 1st report). More of his toplines on current West Seattle crime trends, plus a surprise presentation at the meeting, and more, ahead:Read More
For better or for worse, through richer or poorer … through rain or shine … Mark shared that photo taken over the weekend after he spotted the truck on Alki.
(Photo courtesy Nature Consortium – a West Duwamish Greenbelt pond that’s home to red-legged frogs)
Thursday is the official celebration of Earth Day – the 40th anniversary of the first one on April 22, 1970 – and just one day later, you can get an up-close-and-personal look at our city’s largest remaining contiguous forest, the West Duwamish Greenbelt, by joining the free monthly guided eco-hike (mild terrain) presented by the Nature Consortium, the West Seattle-based nonprofit that’s devoted to restoring the WDG. RSVP by calling 206- 923-0853 or emailing lisa@naturec.org; then meet at 1 pm Friday at the 14th SW/SW Holly (map) trailhead. P.S. Even if you’ve already seen our Duwamish Alive! coverage from Saturday – don’t miss the comments on this report – they include reports that two key participants added just today.
(WSB photo from Thursday)
From Wednesday through Saturday last week, we brought you the story of the gray whale that stranded and died at Arroyo Beach on the southwesternmost end of West Seattle. Cascadia Research has posted some early results from the necropsy done on the whale’s remains yesterday. Here’s their full writeup. No definitive cause of death, they write, but:
The animal had more than 50 gallons of largely undigested stomach contents consisting mostly of algae but also a surprising amount of human debris including more than 20 plastic bags, small towels, surgical gloves, sweat pants, plastic pieces, duct tape, and a golf ball. The debris while numerous, made up only 1-2% of the stomach contents and there was no clear indication it had caused the death of the animal. It did clearly indicate that the whale had been attempting to feed in industrial waters and therefore exposed to debris and contaminants present on the bottom in these areas.
The whale died shortly after Arroyos residents first spotted it off their beach on Wednesday afternoon; researchers towed it away Saturday, bound for the South Sound beach where the necropsy was done, and where it will be left to decompose, with the bones eventually to be collected and displayed by marine researchers from Highline Community College‘s Marine Science and Technology Center.
The City Council just sent its official announcement about passing the so-called “aggressive solicitation” law proposed by Councilmember Tim Burgess, who promoted it during a speech to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce at West Seattle’s Southwest Precinct last month (WSB coverage here). The vote was 5-4; voting “no” were Councilmembers Bruce Harrell, Nick Licata, Mike O’Brien and Tom Rasmussen. But five votes aren’t enough to override the veto promised by Mayor Mike McGinn (as reported by our citywide-news partners at the Seattle TImes). Read on for the council’s announcement:Read More
Barely a block from High Point Playfield (subject of our previous story), construction is finally about to start for the park atop newly buried Myrtle Reservoir. It came up in the WSB Forums last week; now Cindi Barker of Morgan Community Association has confirmation from Parks’ project manager Virginia Hassinger that the project’s going out to bid, with bids to be opened May 12th, construction to follow. (This’ll be on the agenda at MoCA’s quarterly meeting Wednesday night, 7 pm @ The Kenney.)
(WSB photo of High Point Playfield, taken this afternoon)
A few days ago, the city circulated a news release seeking name suggestions for three parks around Seattle. One is High Point Playfield. The news release didn’t explain why a not-new park was in the market for a new name, but we followed up, and just got the answer – it’s the first step toward potentially naming the playfield in honor of trailblazing former Parks Superintendent Walt Hundley. Read on for more:Read More
Shortly after the date was announced last month for the upcoming closure of the 1st Avenue South ramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge — part of the city’s Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project — Metro provided WSB with its bus-rerouting plans (3/5 story here). They haven’t changed, but with the May 17 ramp closure less than a month away, Metro has now sent an official news release, so in case you missed the news before, here’s the full text:Read More
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
When the city-convened West Seattle Triangle Advisory Group gathered for its first meeting (WSB coverage here), developer Denny Onslow of Harbor Properties pronounced Triangle parking “the 500-pound gorilla in the room”: It wasn’t on the official agenda, but it was on almost everyone’s mind.
When the group gathered again this past Wednesday night at the Senior Center of West Seattle for meeting #2, the “gorilla” was at centerstage, with four potential Triangle “streetscape” concepts presented, each one including information on how it would affect the area’s street-parking inventory.
The other major headline from the meeting: While local property owner and advisory-group member Steve Huling wasn’t in attendance this time, several other Triangle business and property owners were represented in the audience, including Alki Lumber, Tom’s Automotive and Doyle’s Automotive.
Their concerns and what happens next – as the story continues:Read More
A little while ago, a note came in asking about a big cloud of dust or smoke on the east end of Alki Beach. If you’re seeing it from a distance, here’s what it’s all about: Road-resurfacing work at the 53rd Avenue Pump Station site, final phase of the two-year-plus project. Thanks to Bob Bollen for sharing the photo – he wrote, “At last a finished road is in sight!”
(Sunday photo from Lincoln Park, shared by Gabe)
EAGLE-EYED CRIMEFIGHTERS: The intrepid West Seattle Crime Prevention Council has moved its meeting for this month only; it’s TONIGHT at the Southwest Precinct, 7 pm.
DINE AT DUKE’S, HELP KIDS SKATE: Tonight if you dine at Duke’s on Alki between 4 and 10 pm, a portion of the proceeds go to Lafayette Elementary to help buy new rollerskates for the PE program.
FEEDBACK LOUNGE BIRTHDAY WEEK BEGINS: This week, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) celebrates its first anniversary, with nightly specials, new rock ‘n’ roll art exhibits and more. Today’s special: $3.65 sliders and fries, open till close.
KNIT NIGHT: Seattle Yarn invites knitters to begin the week with a night of needle arts, crafting, food and drinks, starting at 6:30 pm at Endolyne Joe’s.
ZERO WASTE: That’s the topic for Sustainable West Seattle‘s monthly community forum, 7-9 PM, Senior Center of West Seattle.
KITTY CATS IN PIRATE HATS: It’s the first-ever comedy showcase tonight at Shipwreck Tavern, 8:30 pm, presented by the “Uh-Oh Dudes.”
COUNTDOWN TO GARAGE SALE DAY SIGNUP DEADLINE: Continuing the last week of registration for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, which is 9 am-3 pm May 8 – go here (registration deadline is this Thursday night, 4/22, 11:59 pm).
From Patrick @ Sustainable West Seattle:
Help Build The West Seattle Tool Library
With two successful tool drives behind it, The West Seattle Tool Library will be meeting again on Tuesday night, April 20, 7 pm at Uptown Espresso to discuss plans to develop the rest of our collection and plan for our involvement in The West Seattle Community Garage Sale. We’ll also be reviewing our logo designs, and establishing how we’ll promote the Tool Library as our June Grand Opening approaches. All are invited and more than welcome to attend. As always, feel free to send any ideas, comments, questions, or answers along to Gary Lichtenstein at library@sustainablewestseattle.org or visit the Tool Library’s page (sustainablewestseattle.org/tool-library) for more details.
That’s Morgan Junction-based preparedness volunteer Ron Zuber, doing double duty this morning – while joining in the student-led breast-cancer walk (here’s our earlier report), he stopped for a few radio tests. If other communication channels go down, there’s a radio plan in place for the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs to talk with other neighborhoods and other areas of the city, as well as with authorities – and Ron works to make sure the system’s running, which means periodic testing. This is in addition to the ham-radio operators who are part of a formal network – we’ve reported before on some of their local tests, often headquartered at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge (site of the Communications Academy we spotlighted on Night 10). Even if you’re not part of these networks, simple 2-way radios are often advised as part of your preparedness kit – they can provide family or neighborhood communication over a short distance if needed. And there are some 2-way radios among the increasing number of hand-crank- or solar-powered options. Meantime, our nightly reminders as Disaster Preparedness Month continues:
****Join the West Seattle Be Prepared group on Facebook
****Take the “3 to Get Ready” challenge (WSB sponsor – with prizes!)
A week and a half ago, the Southwest District Council decided (WSB coverage here) to send a letter to the owner of The Hole, aka the excavated-then-stalled Fauntleroy Place development site at Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th, asking for safety and aesthetic improvements. The letter subsequently was sent, after a few changes (here’s our report with the final version). We subsequently sought reaction from the addressee, Seattle Capital. After a few days, spokesperson Mary Grace Roske sent this reply:
I have talked with representatives of Seattle Capital Corporation, managing member of Fauntleroy Place LLC, and they have received the letter from the Southwest District Council. Seattle Capital intends to respond to the letter and is reviewing the issues raised. A response will be sent as soon as reasonably possible … the property is in foreclosure and that legal process continues.
A motion for judicial foreclosure was filed eight months ago (WSB coverage here) as part of the ongoing lawsuits (consolidated into one mega-case that is currently set for trial in October).
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
6:47 PM: You can’t take the high bridge eastbound right now – it’s closed. There is a police situation at the high-rise. More as we get it. 7:01 PM UPDATE: The person police were dealing with at the high rise is now described on the scanner as “in custody/under control.” So the situation should be wrapping up – we are going back to 35th/Fauntleroy to see if the bridge is open again yet. (7:03: It’s not.) 7:12 PM: Police are saying on the scanner that they are “ready to open everything up.” 7:17 PM: If you’re waiting to go somewhere, note that there’s some residual backup from this, even though the bridge is open again – we are on Harbor Avenue right now and the bridge-bound backup stretches as far as Salty’s. 7:29 PM: Adding a photo from a distance of the police presence that was still on the bridge just before it reopened to traffic. 8:46 PM: One last note – we checked with Det. Mark Jamieson from the SPD Media Unit, and he did confirm that police negotiators safely talked the person into “coming back in”; they were headed to the hospital for an evaluation.
Those are some of the walkers who joined Evergreen High School senior Anastasia Janecke this morning for the culmination of her senior project, which has been two months in the making: A breast-cancer-awareness/fundraising walk through West Seattle. They left Keller Williams Realty in The Junction at midmorning and headed north on California SW to Seacrest, with a water stop at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in the Admiral District along the way. At Seacrest, Anastasia told us she had two special inspirations for her project:
Ready to keep supporting the battle against breast cancer? As noted here when we first mentioned Anastasia’s project, Northwest Hope and Healing – which has many West Seattle ties, though it helps breast-cancer patients all over the region – has an event coming up: the Style ’10 fashion show, with WS boutiques participating, April 28 at Showbox SODO (tickets available online).
Music filled the cafeteria at Chief Sealth High School/Boren last night, during the Sealth music program’s annual benefit Tamale Dinner. Above, you can see and hear a sample of one of several mariachi groups that performed – this one features Sealth alumni (of whom Sealth principal John Boyd told us at the dinner he’s “very proud”). The program featured choir music too; you can find out more about the Sealth music programs at chiefsealthmusic.org – including a page with info on how to help with financial and/or instrument donations.
On Saturday, West Seattle’s newest martial-arts studio played host to an expert teaching the Filipino art of Panantukan:
The instructor is guro Andy Wilson, who spent Saturday afternoon at Seattle Integrated Martial Arts (across from Jefferson Square, co-housed with Limber Yoga), shown in our video with SIMA’s Bob Heinemann. Another special event’s coming up at SIMA – a women’s self-defense class April 28th (info on the SIMA home page).
This is a change from its usual “third Tuesday,” so we’re mentioning it again: The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council‘s monthly meeting – a great way to hear directly from local police leadership regarding crime trends, and to ask questions – is TOMORROW, Monday 4/19, 7 pm, Southwest Precinct. Agenda highlights are on the WSCPC website.
Just out of the WSB inbox:
WEST SEATTLE HS FASTPITCH SOFTBALL BOOSTER CLUB PRESENTS . . . . .
The 1st Annual
BINGO AND WALKING TACO NIGHTMay 7, 2010
6:30-8:30 pm
First Game Begins at 6:40 pm
West Seattle HS Commons (3000 California Avenue SW)More than $300.00 in cash and other prizes
Tickets: $5.00 for 5 games of bingo
Come find out what a “walking taco” is!
The West Seattle Food Bank sends word that tickets are almost sold out for its upcoming benefit – and you’ve got till tomorrow to get yours (remember, it’s Feinstein Challenge time, so everything you do for a local food bank counts extra!). From Food Bank executive director Fran Yeatts:
There are only a few tickets left for the West Seattle Food Bank fundraiser Instruments of Change. This fun and worthwhile event is happening Friday, April 30th at 6:00 PM at the Hall at Fauntleroy. Our Special Guest Speaker is Robert V. Taylor. There will be excellent food catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, music by the Miho and Diego Duo and of course, all proceeds go to help feed families in need in this community. We are extending the deadline to buy tickets through Monday, April 19th, but there are only a few tickets left. Tickets can be bought at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/97962.
Thank you to our tremendous event sponsors!
WSB is pleased to be among them – read on, to see the full list of businesses and organizations that the Food Bank wants to publicly thank:Read More
Just announced by Cycle University, which now has a West Seattle location in The Triangle:
West Seattle Cycle University’s Bike Swap to benefit the Major Taylor Project (explained here)
Date: May 2, 2010
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Location: Cycle University in West Seattle, 4550 Fauntleroy Way SWHow to participate in the Swap:
Consignment: You can drop off your bike at the West Seattle Cycle University location April 20th – May 1. You establish a price you would like to get for the bike. We then tag the bike with the price and have it available on May 2 for the swap. There will be a 15% consignment fee deducted from all bikes sold, which will be donated to the Major Taylor Project.If your bike or equipment does not sell, you can donate it to the Major Taylor Project or pick it up at the West Seattle Cycle University .
Rent a Space: If you have a lot of bikes or bike equipment to sell, you can rent a space. Costs are $10 for a 5ft x 5ft and $20 for a 10ft x 10ft space. Register at Cycle University.
Donate: Any bike or bike related equipment can be donated to the Major Taylor Project. All donations are tax deductible. Donations can be dropped off at Cycle University in West Seattle.
Other Activities:
– Kids Learn to Ride Clinics
– Triathlon PresentationsSponsors:
Cycle University
www.CoolMom.org
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