West Seattle, Washington
14 Thursday
High atop the heights of northeastern West Seattle, signs like that help get the word out about the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council‘s meetings – like the one we covered last night at Cooper School. The impending transition at that school was one of the topics – as was something a little further into the future, Night Out block parties (not that far away – August 4th is the date – and registration just opened) – and more immediate concerns about crime-fighting – plus the saga of the buried bunker! – read on for the highlights:Read More
Back in March, when we checked on the status of work at Myrtle Reservoir, which has now been “covered” — with a park coming to the new open space that was created – park project manager Virginia Hassinger told us she was hopeful the site would be turned over “this fall.” Today we’ve received an update from the city, saying the rest of the work on the reservoir site will start later this month – so nearby residents should watch for a return of construction activity – to be complete “by the end of October.” Hassinger has said that once the site is turned over to Parks for construction, the park should take about three months to “build.” (Here’s the approved design.)
June 25, the Seattle City Council‘s coming to The Hall at Fauntleroy for a Town Hall meeting – focused on youth violence, public schools and tree protection. Thanks to Ron Angeles for sharing the announcement (which also includes word of similar meetings elsewhere in the city) – read on for details:Read More
Is another showdown ahead at the “Nickelsville” homeless-camp site on the eastern edge of West Seattle (2nd SW and Highland Park Way, as reported here Saturday morning)? We happened to get a photo of the “trespass notice” earlier today (above) and had been checking into its implications – now we’ve received an update from Nickelsville spokesperson Revel Nt:
TODAY Washington State Department of Transportation posted an undated trespass notice at the Nickelsville encampment.
Governor Gregoire’s Senior Adviser Ron Judd visited Nickelsville and talked with campers.
Wa State Attorney General Rob McKenna said state law does not allow temporary agreements regarding state land.
At this time, Governor Gregoire hasn’t decided what is possible or not yet regarding their stay on that site.
Ron Judd is coordinating a meeting between the Mayor’s Office, Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis and Nickelsville. We don’t know whether Mayor Nickels will meet with them directly.
Nickelsville asks that everyone please contact Governor Gregoire at (360)902-4111 or e-mail: govcommoffice@gov.wa.gov, and ask the Governor for negotiations for their stay.
We know several people who’ve done this and they say it’s an unforgettable experience – here’s the official announcement from Seattle Police:
Seattle Police now taking applications for the Community Police Academy
Want to learn about the role of police officers? What is CSI (Crime Scene Investigation)? How about having the opportunity to ride-along with a police officer while patrolling Seattle streets and neighborhoods?
The Seattle Police Department is now taking applications for the fall Community Police Academy to begin Thursday, September 17, 2009. Classes are held once a week for 10 weeks from 5:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
The Community Police Academy is designed to provide Seattle residents an opportunity to learn first hand about how the Seattle Police Department works. Classes focus on patrol operations and procedures, the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA), the criminal justice process, crimes against persons/property, bias crimes, narcotics, SWAT, CSI, use of force, officer safety and defensive tactics, firearms/mock scenes, domestic violence, elder abuse, arson/bomb, traffic, K-9, and arrest procedures, along with criminal law. Opportunities include ride-alongs with patrol officers. Graduates benefit from the facts and best practices of policing, and receive a program certificate upon completion of the course.
Space is limited, so all are encouraged to apply early. The deadline to submit your application is Friday, July 10, 2009. To apply, go to:
seattle.gov/police/programs/policeacademy/default.htm or call 206-684-8672 for more information.
Pete Spalding forwards word of an event that Verity Credit Union is putting on in two Puget Sound communities – Beacon Hill’s not that far away:
Every year we host a Shred-A-Thon, or two, to aid our branch communities in safe disposal practices of confidential and sensitive information. This year, Beacon Hill and Alderwood will be hosting a Shred-A-Thon at each of their branch locations on Saturday, June 13th from 10 am-2 pm. A shred truck will be provided at each location for the disposal of sensitive paper waste (anyone is welcome) which, as we all know, aids in the prevention of fraud and identity theft. In addition to this once a year benefit, BH and AW will be asking for minimum $5 donations or non-perishable food items to donate to the Beacon Hill and Lynnwood food banks. Not only are we aiding in the prevention of fraud and identity theft, we are helping our local communities in need.
The Beacon Hill branch of Verity Credit Union, by the way, is at the VA hospital at 1660 S. Columbian Way; here’s a map.
This Thursday night, 6-8 pm – whether or not you’re already in The Junction for the monthly Art Walk — the owner of Curious Kidstuff (WSB sponsor), Ann Walker, invites you to drop in for the grand opening of Curious Art Kids (photo above) and Curious Party Kids (photo below). She explains:
The Little Artist Studio has closed after years of giving children a place to enjoy, learn and create. We say goodbye to Penny Bellemans Smith and wish her well; we will miss you. (We) have worked hard to remodel and get prepared to teach toddler, preschool, summer camps and art for older kids as well as birthday parties.
We have created a festive room to celebrate birthday parties that include an art class and quality birthday favors. We even have Nail Time, who will provide a group of tweens with fingernail painting and a class on fashion design. I feel very fortune to have Rachel Jensen, Christina McDonell and Maria Esztergalyos as teachers for these classes. They have worked diligently to pull all this together; I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
Please come Thursday, June 11th, from 6 pm to 8 pm to celebrate the opening of the studio and party room. You can sign up for classes if you would like or just have a cupcake and chat. Art Walk will be going on that evening as well. We have programs available now for art classes and birthday parties at the bottom of the stairs in Curious Kidstuff. Call and register – pay by phone if you’d like. Classes will fill up fast, so don’t wait too long.
Curious Kidstuff is at 4740 California SW (map), 206-937-8788.
Just received this announcement from teen-services librarian Dennis Carlisle:
Hands-On Henna!
Monday June 15, 3 p.m.
High Point Library
3411 SW Raymond St.Create and wear great-looking art! Discover this beautiful form of body adornment
and learn about the fascinating history and traditions of henna with artist Krysteen
Lomonaco. This is a free Summer Reading Program event for teens only (12 – 18 yrs.
old). Not suitable for large groups such as summer camps. Registration is not
required but registration guarantees a seat. For more information, please call
206-684-7454
That’s Clinton, one of the six finalists in the latest round of “Alki Idol,” which has been rocking Bamboo Bar and Grill on Thursdays. You can go to the Alki Idol YouTube channel to see the other five finalists – Jennifer, Angela, Anders, Robert and Janie – and/or be at Bamboo this Thursday night (9:30 pm).
As we’ve reported in coverage of the upcoming court hearing on the challenge to the Cooper Elementary School closure, those who’ve brought the case are asking for supporters to join them in court this Friday. Joy Anderson just sent their flyer with information on two buses that have been arranged to offer transportation downtown – see it here. The hearing on the “motion for summary judgment” is at 10:30 am Friday, King County Superior Court Judge Greg Canova‘s courtroom. (Previous stories, with links to legal documents from both sides, are here and here.)
If you have an iPhone (or Android), the county Health Department has come up with an app(lication) you can add to it to have handy in case of emergency – apparently it’s been out for a while so you may have it already, but if not, read on for the newly issued reminder:Read More
Even with graduation coming up Thursday night (5 pm at Memorial Stadium) and summer vacation around the corner, things haven’t slowed down at West Seattle High School, where local professionals answered the call again to judge competition among Michelle Sloan‘s marketing students. This time, the competition on Monday included photography and fashion merchandising as well as marketing. Gatewood’s own New York Vinnie brought the video camera to show the scene, and Highland Park’s Dina Johnson shared a whole gallery of photos (see them here) – including these two:
Some of the volunteer judges also helped out two weeks ago (here’s our followup on that). Thanks again to those who stepped forward, and speaking of volunteers, be sure to get in your nomination for recognition of West Seattle’s unsung heroes – deadline June 17!
It bears saying again: With all the centennial celebrations in the past year or so, it’s clear something amazing was going on here on the peninsula in 1908-1909. Next to celebrate, Villa Heidelberg Bed and Breakfast this weekend, and you’re invited – we received this from KatieRose Oliver:
The Villa Heidelberg was built in 1909, and has been a Bed and Breakfast for several years, owned for the last 10 by Judy Burbrink. There will be an open house this Saturday, June 13, 2009 from 1-4pm. A cream tea will be served by the West Seattle Lions Club for a donation. Judy would also appreciate it if anyone with memorabilia, old photos etc., would bring them over to display.
Villa Heidelberg is at 4845 45th SW (map).
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS: Both at 7 pm – the monthly meetings of Fauntleroy Community Association (at The Hall @ Fauntleroy) and Admiral Neighborhood Association (at Admiral Church).
DELRIDGE PRODUCE COOPERATIVE: 6 pm tonight at Pearls on Delridge, it’s the next meeting for anyone and everyone interested in jumping into this truly growing effort. As we reported during the Delridge Day festival, DPC is getting a $15,000 city grant for its summer project “Mobile Market” — visit tonight’s meeting to help plan the next steps toward making it happen.
RETIREMENT PARTY: Another school is losing a popular longtime staffer: Schmitz Park Elementary‘s longtime librarian Judi Lybecker is retiring, and students past/present are invited to join in a celebration 3:30-4:30 pm at the school library (more info here).
When a sponsor joins WSB, we traditionally offer them the chance to let you know something about their business: Today we welcome 
My Family Doctor, Dr. Terrill Harrington, whose office is at 3623 SW Alaska [map] in the Triangle area. Dr. Harrington’s practice is truly for the whole family – children to adults. He’s ready to talk to you about your medical questions, and to provide care that’s open to everyone, regardless of age. Dr. Harrington is proud that some of the babies he’s delivered are still coming to him years later for their regular care. He says that can be attributed to how people feel about the care they receive from him. While there are many options out there, Dr. Harrington believes people want to come to a place that treats them with the respect and dignity they deserve. Dr. Harrington says he has worked for some of the largest medical providers in the area and while he practiced with people who were well-trained and intelligent, he says there’s no substitute for a neighborhood doctor who can provide personal attention, which even includes the occasional house call. Dr. Harrington has had a practice in West Seattle for the past several years; he has served as team doctor for the Seattle Lutheran High School football team, and has provided hearing tests and other medical screening for elementary and middle schools in West Seattle. My Family Doctor is ready to be your family doctor; you can call 206-362-8674, and find out more online at myfamilydoctorws.com. We welcome Dr. Terrill Harrington to the WSB sponsor team; the latest lineup is here along with information on how to join them!
It’s a popular program around Puget Sound, and now there’s a West Seattle site:
Mark your calendars! Starting in late September, Pathfinder School will be a program site for Girls on the Run of Puget Sound. This exciting, non-competitive program combines training for a 3.1 mile walking/running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the program are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development for girls. The program is offered to girls entering 3rd through 5th grade next fall of ALL fitness levels. The program will start the week of September 28th and culminate with the 3.1 mile event on December 12th. Practices are Tuesdays and Thursdays for 11/2 hours right after school (exact times to be determined). Registration is open from June 1st through June 12th and then again briefly in September. Scholarships are available for the registration fee which is on a sliding fee schedule. See registration packet for more information. This program is open to girls from other schools as well as Pathfinder. Maximum enrollment is 12 girls so don’t wait to sign up! For more information on the program contact:
Amber Swim, Program Coordinator at 206-528-2118 or amber@girsrun.org
Celia Thomas, Pathfinder parent at 206-933-1363 or thomasandhanney@comcast.net
Dropped by the Southwest Precinct tonight to leaf through reports for the past few days. Most notable trend – four attempted car thefts. There was one actual theft, too – Sunday morning just after 10:30, a man told police his 1993 Acura Integra had been stolen sometime overnight, from its parking spot in front of his residence in the 5200 block of 46th SW. But before that, four attempts elsewhere – read on:Read More
Thanks to JayDee for sharing that photo of tonight’s sunset. We saw the amazing color after leaving the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting (report to come) and wondered “where’s the fire” … JayDee’s note said “BC”; we found this link (where’s that, you ask? here’s a map). Also out of the inbox, thanks to David Hutchinson for sharing a new photo of the Canada geese he’s been chronicling this spring:
David writes:
The large family of Canada Goose goslings that have either entertained or irritated those using the strip of parks from Salty’s to Don Armeni, have made their inaugural journey from the western shores of Elliott Bay to the larger world of Puget Sound along Beach Drive. They have returned to Elliott Bay a number of times since then. At the age of just over 2 months, they still are unable to fly, so they make these trips by water. It’s getting increasingly difficult to tell the 19 young adults from the 4 adult geese that have been watching over them. Their favorite spot seems to be the fresh water source that enters the Sound at 63rd Ave SW and Beach Drive SW.
Here’s what we posted a month ago, with April and May photos.
We’ve been talking a lot about West Seattle Summer Fest – but two more major festivals are between now and then: This Saturday, it’s the Morgan Junction Community Festival, starting with the 10 am ceremony to dedicate the new Morgan Junction Park (just north of Beveridge Place Pub), continuing 11 am-6 pm with food, music and performances; the “Bite of Morgan” food offerings include Abbondanza, Caffe Ladro, Domino’s, Feedback Lounge, Kokoras Greek Grill, Tully’s and Zeeks Pizza. Entertainment will be in the park, while booths will be in the Zeeks parking lot just south. Here’s the schedule of events:
10:00 am Park Opening Ceremonies
11:00 am The Bubbleman – fun for kids, bubbles galore
11:30 am Seattle’s Own High Country 4-piece band playing Up-tempo Classic Country and Country-inspired originals
11:30 am start of sidewalk chalk art contest
12:30 pm announcement of results of sidewalk art contest
12:45 pm Primo and Friends 4-piece band playing Rock and Blues originals
1:30 pm entertainment in the park: belly dancing by “najma”
2:00 pm Soul Machinery 4-piece band playing Chicago-style Blues
3:15 pm The Slags 4-piece band playing Punk, Rock and Reggae originals
4:30 pm 4 outta 5 4-piece band playing Rock covers
Two weeks later, on June 27th, Westwood Village is having a street fair – 11 am-7 pm, with live performances, carnival games, a fashion show and food. (The shopping center also is promoting a new website address — WhereWestSeattleShops.com — which takes you to a page on its parent company’s site, including a list of its stores.) It’s free, but they’re asking that you bring donations for organizations including the West Seattle Food Bank and WestSide Baby.
So invites Ron Angeles, the city’s coordinator for the district, with this note:
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 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.
Date: Wednesday, June 17th
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
Address: 4408 Delridge Way SW (formerly old Cooper Elementary School)This month the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council will have on its agenda a
presentation by Andrea Petzel, Senior Land Use Planner,Seattle Department of
Planning and Development on the proposed legislation to establish more backyard
cottages in Southwest Seattle. And a presentation by Erin Taylor, who is
representing the Lower Duwamish Waterway Group(LDWG), a group of partners (City of
Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle, The Boeing Company) coordinating cleanup of
the Lower Duwamish Waterway.As customary, all Neighborhood Organizations and Groups will have an opportunity to
give reports and announcements of activities, programs, and events going on in
Delridge.Please feel free to bring a neighbor, friend, student, co-worker…with you.
Ron
We reported this more than two months ago — the Ivar’s announcement that it was canceling its annual fireworks show over Elliott Bay – the one that draws thousands to West Seattle’s north- and east-facing shores. But not everybody got the word back then; we got a question today from someone who hadn’t heard, so we’re mentioning it again: NO Elliott Bay fireworks this Fourth of July. You can sort of catch part of the Lake Union fireworks from here; not quite the same. So if you’re starting to think about the Fourth of July and wondering where you CAN see fireworks – here’s the complete statewide list (including some shows NOT on the 4th).
A reminder from the city:
Seattle Municipal court continues to offer citizens the opportunity to reduce outstanding debt on delinquent parking and traffic tickets through the month of June.
Time is running out for people to take advantage of this program.
In the month of May, over 5,500 parking tickets and 400 infractions that had been in collections were paid by citizens. Many of these individuals benefited from reductions of up to 40%.
More information about the program is available online at seattle.gov/courts.
Concerned about development, quality of life, planning for our community’s future? These are two meetings you won’t want to miss. First – On June 30th, the City Council Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee chaired by Councilmember Sally Clark will meet at Youngstown Arts Center, 6 pm, for a “review and discussion of issues surrounding townhouses and other lowrise housing.” Second, just forwarded by Delridge Neighborhood District Coordinator Ron Angeles, this invite to a long-awaited Neighborhood Plan “checkup” meeting:
Please join members of the Seattle Planning Commission and the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee in the first of a series of two important community meetings.
These two citizen groups want to hear your thoughts. Come and tell us how your neighborhood has changed since your neighborhood plan was adopted. Your comments and input at this meeting will help the City of Seattle complete a status report that will look at how well your neighborhood plan is achieving its goals and strategies.
This first series of meetings will provide an opportunity to learn about your neighborhood plan, the projects that have been implemented, and growth and changes that have occurred since the plan was written in the late 90’s. We will explore issues such as growth, transportation, housing, economic development , basic utilities, neighborhood character, open space and parks, public services, public safety, and other issues.
July 28th: For Admiral, West Seattle Junction, Morgan Junction, Delridge, Westwood/Highland Park, Georgetown
6-8 p.m, Delridge Community Center Gym 4501 Delridge Way SWThe second meeting series, tentatively scheduled for October, will be an opportunity to review the status report.
Want to check out your Neighborhood Plan first (providing you live in an area that has one – there are West Seattle areas that don’t, such as Alki and Fauntleroy)? Go here and choose one from the pulldown menu.
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