West Seattle, Washington
15 Friday
(Photo courtesy Robin Lindsey)
We ran that photo a week ago with the announcement of Seal Sitters‘ first volunteer-training session of the season – and now that the meeting’s a few hours away, hard to resist running it again. Alki UCC, tonight at 7. Puget Sound’s baby seals need YOU to protect them when they’re on the beach taking a break while their moms are off finding food. Read more about them at sealsitters.org.
SDOT has just sent one of its periodic updates on the Spokane Street Viaduct (basically the stretch between the high-rise bridge and I-5) widening (etc.) project – which incidentally is considered to be one of the components in the overall Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement work. Among the toplines: Bids are in for the actual widening work, and SDOT says three of the bids were less than $62 million – for a project that was estimated to cost up to $80 million. Read on for the full update:Read More
(photo courtesy Ken, added 4:46 pm)
Got a note from a West Ridge Apartments (map) resident wondering what we know about why their power’s been out since early this morning. Checked with Scott Thomsen at Seattle City Light, who replies, “Crews are working on repairs. They have not been able to identify a cause yet. They are about to try re-energizing. It might hold or it should give us a more accurate indication of what went wrong.” He says 87 customers (which can mean homes/businesses, but that area’s all residential as far as we know) are affected. 4:47 PM UPDATE: Power’s still out but Thomsen says they’ve traced it to a transformer failure and are estimating the power will be back around 7:30 pm.
Five prominent supporters of the plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep-bored tunnel and other road/transit projects summoned reporters to Ivar’s Acres of Clams on the downtown waterfront today, saying they needed to correct “falsehoods,” “confusion” and “mis-impressions” that they say are circulating. They blame the “falsehoods” in particular on some political campaigns, specifically citing the campaigns of two anti-tunnel candidates, mayoral hopeful Mike McGinn (who calls the tunnel “unnecessary”) and council hopeful Mike O’Brien (whose tunnel concerns are detailed here). First, the group pointed to the numbers in the graphic you see above: While opponents refer to it as a “$4 billion tunnel,” they note the tunnel itself will cost about half of that total transportation package. State Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, a sponsor of the legislation that made the tunnel plan law, says there’s a “sizable built-in contingency” for the estimated $1.9-$2.2 billion tunnel cost “so cost overruns will be very unlikely and if any minimal.”
She also reiterated that the controversial amendment saying Seattle property owners would have to pay for overruns would almost certainly not hold up in court, if there was any attempt to apply it. And she stressed it was “not an easy feat” to get the tunnel plan through the Legislature in the first place. Briefing participants also stressed that they believe this is the only plan that will “keep traffic flowing” while it’s built. We asked about some West Seattleites’ concerns that accessibility will be hampered by the fact there are no downtown exits in the tunnel:
(note that’s a 2008 parade photo – this year’s drive is THIS SUNDAY, JULY 19)
You’ll see them again in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade – and then the very next day, this Sunday, you are going to want to show up at the bus at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market with an armload of diaper packages, to help “Stuff the Bus” on behalf of the hundreds of local families who get help from WestSide Baby every week. WSB is proud to be among the co-sponsors of this year’s diaper drive, and we just got the official news release – read on for the full details of this Sunday’s event, plus a note about a way you can participate right now (with a freebie attached!):Read More
Starting today, every Tuesday from 4:30 pm-7 pm through October 6th, the Seattle Market Gardens Program will present a weekly farm stand at the Juneau Market Garden in High Point, 32nd SW and SW Juneau, selling fresh produce and flowers, grown locally! Here’s a map.
Tomorrow night, the Morgan Community Association has a long list of big items for its quarterly meeting – many of which will interest even those living outside Morgan Junction – president Deb Barker provided the rundown – read on: Read More
We’re just back from another event on the downtown waterfront (call it the “tunnel defense” media briefing, story in the works) and didn’t know about this one till we found out on Twitter: A change of command ceremony is under way at US Coast Guard District 13 HQ at Pier 36 right now – with a 15-gun salute. Here’s a news release – but even better, you’ll find links to photos (like the one above) and running commentary from the District 13 public-affairs staff on Twitter at @uscgd13.
Eric just e-mailed to share this report — and an alert:
Yesterday, Monday 7/14, our house was broken into, sometime during the day. They kicked in a back door and took only small valuable things. When we spoke with a police officer last night, he said there has been a string of similar incidents in our area, within a six-block radius. We live on 35th and Brandon [map]. Maybe by putting the word out we can save our neighbors from experiencing this.
Just in from Betsy Hoffmeister, as North Delridge residents – with hundreds of volunteers helping – get ready to build their new playground at Delridge Community Center later this week – they’ve got most of what they need lined up for the build-a-thon but now need what she calls “a minor miracle”:
Life has gotten a little extra complicated for the Delridge Community Center playground. We have an amazing, thrilling number of volunteers lined up for Friday’s event, food is in place, and we’re good to go, except for one exciting detail. When the hole was excavated, more and more concrete was found. The hole is now much, much deeper than anticipated. We are getting 30 cubic yards of gravel delivered Wednesday afternoon, and we need to move it into the hole and spread it evenly. We do not currently have heavy equipment or a heavy equipment operator lined up to do this task for us. We know that if we had a skid steer, it could be done in a few hours. If humans need to do this, it is a monumental task. So, we are looking for a skid steer and skilled operator, or a contingent of Marines. Or neighbors with shovels and rakes. Please, neighbors, when we have asked for food, you’ve provided food. When we’ve asked for cash, you’ve given cash. When we’ve asked for time, you’ve given time. A mere skid steer and operator seems like a minor miracle to us – but you may have the answer sitting in your back yard. Please, friends, contact helpdelridgeplay@gmail.com or call Betsy at 206 353 9334. Thank you!!
American Legion Post 160 has finished the lineup for the West Seattle Grand Parade this Saturday – and “Patches Pals” will be pleased to hear that the legendary JP Patches is back! He’s been fighting cancer and wasn’t in the parade last year (our photo above is from 2007), but the lineup says he’ll be riding with Bill and Cynthia Reid again this Saturday just like old times. Speaking of clowns, the Seattle Seafair Clowns announced they’ll have a special guest:
That’s West Seattle’s own Jim Dever from Evening Magazine, clowning around, upside down, in a behind-the-scenes video he posted to his Twitter feed (@jimdever) – Calling Jim “a clown in his own right,” the Seafair Clowns’ news release also notes, “Although not substantiated, Dever claims to be an accomplished concert cellist, foot model and president of the National Association of Male Contortionists.” The Seafair Clowns themselves also have a brand-new vehicle – thanks to West Seattle-residing “Officer Lumpy” for sharing the news (and this link to a look at the vehicle). As for OTHER officers in the West Seattle Grand Parade — with almost 80 entries in all this year, as always, they start with not one but TWO motorcycle drill teams – the Vancouver, B.C. Police right after Seattle’s finest:
As we reported here a month ago, the parade’s Grand Marshal is designer/artist Blayne, known both for his “Project Runway” season and for his work at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor). The parade starts at California/Lander (by Lafayette Elementary) at 11 am Saturday and continues south on California to the end of the main Junction business district, so stake out your spot anywhere along the way. And all kids are invited to be in the Rotary Club of West Seattle-presented Kiddies’ Parade, which starts at 10:30 from California/Genesee (shorter route and plenty of time to get back to your spot to see the “other” parade!).
Will it be a night for romping – like last year, when the music even had the littlest concertgoers on the move? The forecast promises clearing skies by showtime for tonight’s free West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park, 7 pm on the east lawn outside Hiawatha Community Center – b/y/o chair(s), blanket(s), picnic, friends/family … As always, the West Seattle Big Band is front and center. This year, a special feature: During the performance, the first West Seattle Volunteer Recognition recipients will be announced and honored — from dozens of nominations received, six were chosen (the committee says there were so many GREAT nominations, it was a tough job!). WSVR is a new program presented by the Southwest and Delridge District Councils and WSB, and another round’s coming up later this year. See you tonight at Hiawatha (which is also where the Hi-Yu Junior Court Coronation happens this Friday – and TODAY is the deadline to enter – details and application here).
Though the event’s not in West Seattle, the Young Shakespeare Workshop‘s director Darren Lay lives here, so here’s the word on what’s coming up next month:
“Assist me some extemporal god of Rhyme, for I
am sure I shall turn Sonnet.” — Don Armado, Love’s Labor’s LostA marathon performance of poetry will grace Seattle stages this summer. All 154 of William Shakespeare’s sonnets — short poems which he wrote for his friends and loved ones — will be performed on Saturday, August 1st to mark the 400th anniversary of their publication.
This sonnet marathon is hosted by Young Shakespeare Workshop, a company of talented teenagers gathered from Seattle and beyond who spend their summers steeped in Shakespeare’s words. Instead of swimming, camping and playing soccer, these teenagers are learning to fence, to speak with authority, and to interpret and express the multiple layers of meaning embedded in Shakespeare’s text. Their hard work culminates in a first year recital performance and a touring production presented by returning students each summer. Many of the participants return to Young Shakespeare Workshop year after year to perform in the summer production or to mentor younger players.
This summer’s Young Shakespeare Workshop production is the beloved romantic comedy, Twelfth Night. It continues through mid-August at various venues. Young Shakespeare Workshop’s sonnet marathon will take place on Saturday, August 1 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Chapel Performance Space in the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford, 4649 Wallingford Ave. N. The audience is invited to not only “sponsor” a sonnet for $30 but to step up and speak or read a sonnet aloud if they wish. The money will be used to support Young Shakespeare Workshop, which is entirely funded by grants and donations and charges no tuition. Young Shakespeare Workshop was created in 1992 by distinguished stage director Edward Payson Call, who wanted to encourage young people to develop a love of the English language by immersing them in the words of its greatest practitioner. Since 1998 it has been directed by Darren Lay, a professional actor, director and teacher [and West Seattle resident] whose scholarly research on Shakespeare has been published in the Times Literary Supplement (UK).
For several years, Young Shakespeare Workshop has been nationally recognized as a Coming Up Taller semifinalist by the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities (www.pcah.gov/cut.htm). It has also received the Mayor’s Race & Social Justice Award twice from the city of Seattle for its aggressive outreach to Spanish-speaking youth.
Monday news release from the King County Council:
The Metropolitan King County Council today cut positions in its own staff and those in Executive-branch agencies, and froze hiring for non-essential County services, to help preserve most of the critical human services “lifeboat” programs in the 2009 King County budget. This budget amendment, sponsored by Councilmembers Bob Ferguson, Dow Constantine, and Larry Gossett, enables the County to fund $1.5 million in lifeboat programs without spending any of the reserves set aside to help close the anticipated shortfall in the 2010 budget.
“With sales tax collections in decline and the prospect of more hard times ahead, we must take immediate, decisive action to protect critical public services,” said Council Chair Dow Constantine, a co-sponsor of the plan. “Last year’s budget used the ‘lifeboat’ concept—granting only partial-year funding to some programs to encourage the state Legislature to approve new revenue sources. The Legislature didn’t provide any new funding, so this proposal shifts existing revenues to maintain key human services programs.”
“Preserving the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens is critical, as is fiscal responsibility during this budget crisis,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, also a co-sponsor of the plan. “By making cuts in various agencies, including the Council, we reprioritized our funding and met both goals.”
“We were able to work with our colleagues to create a solution that preserves the out-year reserves necessary to help with the county’s projected 2010 budget shortfall,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, Chair of the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee and a co-sponsor of the plan. “This plan allows us to continue providing vital services to the neediest members of our community.”
In the 2009 budget, many health and human services programs were placed in a six-month “lifeboat” that – without new revenue sources – was set to be eliminated on June 30.
Earlier this summer, the Executive proposed using more than $2 million in out-year reserves, set aside to help close the 2010 budget shortfall, to fund many of these lifeboat programs. However, with no identified future funding source for these programs and a projected $50 million general fund budget shortfall for 2010, many Councilmembers expressed concern about the Executive’s proposal.
Councilmembers Constantine, Ferguson and Gossett today introduced an alternative that has two goals: 1) to fund the most critical elements of the human services safety net and 2) to maintain the reserves that will be needed to close next year’s budget gap. Their proposal, which was adopted by the Council, achieves these goals by making deep cuts throughout the general fund and reprioritizing these dollars for the human services safety net.As part of the plan, the County Council will cut $875,000 from its 2009 budget allocation by not filling vacant positions and transferring unspent funds reserved for two council-initiated programs. Also filling the gap will be $110,000 in unspent funds from the Elections Office and Department of Assessments, and $900,000 in cuts to Executive branch agencies. The Council also prioritized funding for those lifeboat programs that provide direct services to vulnerable populations and reduced the lifeboat funding amount for all programs by approximately one-third.
The Council today also approved a hiring freeze proposed by Council Chair Constantine as an emergency measure. Savings from the hiring freeze through the end of 2009 help fund the remaining costs associated with the “lifeboat” so that no reserves earmarked to deal with next year’s budget gap will have to be spent.
The hiring freeze will not affect County employees whose jobs directly impact public health and safety, including Sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers, health care providers, and employees of the courts and prosecutor’s office. It also allows the County Executive to approve new hires in specific cases where a department can show that keeping a position vacant would actually increase costs to the County.
From Ron Angeles, Delridge Neighborhoods District Services Coordinator for the city, announcing this Wednesday’s Delridge District Council meeting, to which you are invited:
In the City of Seattle, citizens are encouraged to participate in city government and one of the most effective ways of getting involved in through your Delridge District Council.
In 1987, the Seattle City Council established the District Council system as a way of soliciting input and advice from citizens on city-sponsored programs and initiatives.
It is also a regular monthly forum where residents, community leaders, neighborhood groups, and community agencies, can network, gather support, recruit volunteers and share what issues, projects, programs, and community building activities they are involved.
Next Delridge District Council meeting:
Wednesday
July 15th
7 pm
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
4408 Delridge Way SWThis month’s Guest Presentation:
The Seattle Green Bag Campaign, which is an educational campaign formed to
-Inform voters about Referendum 1 on our Aug 18th Seattle Ballot
-Encourage them to vote “yes” for Ref 1 and
-Encourage more public participation in bringing reusable bags to the grocery store.The Green Bag Fee ordinance referred to in Ref 1 would require grocery and drug stores to charge consumers 20 cents for every disposable plastic or paper market bag they use, instead of embedding the cost of such disposables in the general cost of products, as has been the common practice. The purpose of this fee is to reduce waste created by making shoppers more aware of the cost of disposable bags. The ordinance was passed in July of 2008 by Seattle’s City Council, and was suppose to take effect Jan 1 2009. It has been postponed until a vote of Seattle citizens because of a paid signature gathering effort funded by the ACC (American Chemistry Council).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
West Seattle Blog has learned that Seattle Public Utilities has ordered waterproofing work dug up and redone at two newly covered city reservoirs — Myrtle Reservoir here in West Seattle (photo) and Beacon Hill Reservoir — because of hundreds of leaks discovered in the “membranes” applied to both projects.
To get to the membranes, the grass, dirt and “drain rock” over the reservoirs must all be removed, which is happening right now. SPU says it has not finished calculating the costs of the additional work but will front the money to the contractor until it is decided – potentially in court – who is to blame for the leaks, which SPU emphasizes do not pose any health risk.
In the case of Myrtle Reservoir, the transfer of part of the site to the Seattle Parks Department, for construction of a park on the newly created open space has been delayed a year already — we reported delays here and here — in June of last year, in fact, the site was seeded, the same month we were told “final acceptance testing” was planned.
Now, though, SPU says that because the waterproofing is being redone, the transfer to Parks may not happen before the end of November.
The waterproofing problems recently came to our attention because of questions from neighbors who live near Myrtle Reservoir. Several e-mailed WSB in the past week to ask why the Myrtle site was being “dug up again.” Today, SPU spokesperson Andy Ryan confirmed the problem to WSB and provided more information on what happened, how it was discovered, what’s being done and what happens next. (We also have spoken with another SPU manager and with the state Health Department.)
That’s the trailer for “The Princess Bride,” which kicks off the West Seattle Summer Outdoor Movies on the Wall series (co-sponsored by WSB) this Saturday night in the courtyard between Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) and Dr. Wolff. Bring your own chair/blanket and a few dollars for concessions and the raffle, all benefiting nonprofits, but otherwise, this movie and the five that follow are FREE! This 1st showing is sponsored by Dr. Wolff, Dr. Horowitz, Lady Di Pet Chaperone (WSB sponsor), Hands to Paws Animal Massage and Dream Dinners (WSB sponsor), which is serving Barbecue Pork Sliders before the movie and providing a $100 gift certificate for the raffle. Also: BACHELORS STILL NEEDED! Each movie this summer has a pre-show activity and this Saturday it’s a Dating Game – two more bachelors needed to play along with bachelorette Kerry (originally explained here). Movie starts at dusk – you’re welcome to come early and stake out your spot, enjoy concessions and meeting your neighbors. Full movie-series lineup here!
If you will be using lower Spokane Street 7 pm-5 am for any or all of the next five nights, note that the westbound traffic will be detoured into the currently closed eastbound lanes between 1st and 2nd (map) because of utility work related to the ongoing construction project. Police will direct traffic. SDOT adds, “Eastbound local access between 1st and 2nd will continue to be provided as needed.”
(Seattle Municipal Archives photo of The Bridge while it was being built)
As previewed here last week, the City Council voted today on a resolution to give the West Seattle Bridge a “secondary name” in honor of the late City Councilmember Jeanette Williams, who fought to get key funding for its construction. Thanks to Brian Hawksford in the office of City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen – who worked for and with Ms. Williams for many years and sponsored today’s resolution – for confirming it passed unanimously, 9-0. Williams’ son Rusty Williams, who is running for City Council this year, thanked the council for honoring his mom. Also today, a proclamation was read in honor of tomorrow’s 25th anniversary of the opening of the high bridge, six years after a freighter smashed into and shut down the drawbridge that preceded it. Read on for the full text:Read More
State Rep. Ross Hunter is the second candidate in a week to include changes to King County Water Taxi plans as part of a proposal for what he would do if elected King County Executive. Last week, State Sen. Fred Jarrett said he would scuttle plans to expand Water Taxi operations; today, according to West Seattleite Mike Seely writing in the Daily Weekly, Hunter says he would drop the West Seattle-downtown run altogether. Here’s the story. (Hunter and Jarrett are running for the open seat against Water Taxi champion and King County Council Chair Dow Constantine, County Councilmember Larry Phillips, former TV anchor Susan Hutchison and three others; the August 18th primary election will narrow the field to two – could be any two, since it’s now a nonpartisan office. Follow the links here to find out more about all the candidates.)
Out of the WSB inbox, Jennifer reports a theft at the Gatewood Elementary playground around 11:30 this morning – read on for her report:Read More
Quoting one driver’s frustrated note a short time ago on Twitter, “Seven minutes to get through Fauntleroy and California!” (map) That’s because as previewed last week, the Fauntleroy Way road-rebuilding work has revved up again today. At the aforementioned intersection, this means traffic’s down to 1 lane each way, and it also means you can’t use the north entrance to West Seattle Thriftway during work hours:
(The store’s west and east entrances are open as usual.) As per the city bulletin from last week, grinding work is also happening on the eastbound lanes further north along the road-rebuilding stretch, which runs all the way to SW Edmunds. The official city project-info/overview/updates page is here; the project is expected to continue into October, but the Fauntleroy/California work that started up again today is supposed to be done by the end of the week, “weather permitting,” per SDOT.
Today we’re welcoming a new sponsor, Michelle Babb, MS, RD, a Bastyr graduate and adjunct professor who consults on finding optimum health by improving nutrition. New sponsors are always offered the chance to share information with you regarding what they do; Michelle says, “Clients seek me out because they’re looking to change their lifestyle to address their health issues and restore vitality. They’re often very frustrated and worn out with traditional methods for weight loss and disease prevention, and they don’t know where to turn. Most people need a little information and a lot of motivation. I encourage them to make small, but meaningful changes and build up to an optimal diet and I provide support every step of the way. I also use therapeutic diets when warranted, and my patients commonly report feeling better than they have in years. Once they start seeing and feeling the results of restoring balance to the body through good nutrition, exercise and relaxation, that becomes its own motivation.” Michelle says that if you’ve been trying to lose weight or have been diagnosed with a digestive problem, she can work with you to find the right foods. She’s also in touch with naturopaths, medical doctors, acupuncturists and chiropractors to create a whole plan for better nutrition and health. Find Michelle Babb, MS, RD, online at eatplaybe.com. We welcome her to the WSB sponsor lineup, listed in full here along with information on how to become part of it.
| Comments Off on Also tonight: Seal Sitters’ first volunteer-training session