West Seattle, Washington
02 Wednesday
Also from last night’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting: There’s more to the future of The Junction than the big issues of big development projects – it’s also about the details: How will landscaping, sidewalks, streets be improved? That was the crux of the discussion with Junction-based architect Brandon Nicholson, who’s been involved for about two years with discussions about what the area can, and should, look like. Rather than presenting a specific plan, he said the key thing is to get neighbors and neighborhoods talking about what they would like to see. He and JuNO members agreed that they’re hoping for consistency in how landscaping and other features look along rights of way. That includes wider sidewalks, as density increases in The Junction. And the discussion included The Triangle, which as discussed here – and reported citywide – with Nicholson noting that differences include the fact that The Junction has significant retail development, while The Triangle does not but will inevitably head that way. Asked about the once-proposed tree-lined boulevard concept (reported here 13 months ago), he said it’s still under discussion, but repeated that there’s no particular plan being forwarded now – just an intent to spark discussion. JuNO president Erica Karlovits observed that consistency can only come with advocacy – as new developments are proposed, neighbors need to be prepared to advocate for right-of-way features staying consistent, block to block.
(34th District Democrats’ champagne toast tonight to last week’s election wins)
7:10 PM: We’re at The Hall at Fauntleroy for the first 34th District Democrats meeting since the election, and planning a few as-it-happens updates: First, even before we entered the hall, flyers expressing concern about the new Seattle Public Schools assignment plan were being handed out by a volunteer on the sidewalk. Second, on the tables is text of a proposed resolution supporting the appointment of State Sen. Joe McDermott as Dow Constantine‘s successor on the King County Council. Third, the meeting started with a tribute to veterans, twinned with a memorial bell rung 12 times for the victims of the Fort Hood massacre last week. More as it happens. 7:28 PM UPDATE: The group just heard from County Executive-elect Constantine, who got 34th DDs support early on and expressed major thanks for that. He says he’s planning to move the swearing-in ceremony outside County Council chambers so more people can attend – around 4 pm on 11/24 at the First United Methodist Church downtown, which he had fought to change from demolition. 8:17 PM UPDATE: Before the three 34th District state legislators present a preview of what’s ahead in the new session, Sen. McDermott told the group he’s hoping to win the County Council job. 8:50 PM UPDATE: The 34th DDs have just approved a resolution urging that McDermott be appointed, and promising that members will start calling County Councilmembers to voice their support. The resolution makes a point of saying that the 34th District has a majority of the 8th Council District’s population (a reference to what’s been mentioned several times here tonight, that 11th District State Rep. Zack Hudgins is another potential candidate for County Council; even if he is appointed, 34th DDs chair Tim Nuse declared, Hudgins would find himself running against Sen. McDermott, and losing, in a year). 9 PM UPDATE: As the meeting draws toward a close, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen was introduced, and from the sidelines, he said, “I look forward to working with County Councilmember McDermott.” (A few minutes later, the meeting ended; look for breakout stories to come.)
At last night’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting, president Erica Karlovits told WSB she’d heard from the office of City Councilmember Bruce Harrell – 
who leads the Energy and Technology Committee — saying the proposed Seattle City Light rate hike will be discussed at the Budget Committee meeting tomorrow morning. She says that if you’ve got anything to say about a possible rate hike, you’re urged to get your comments to Harrell ASAP: bruce.harrell@seattle.gov. That’s echoed by Patti Mullen of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, who passed along this link to Harrell’s website, where he spells out the possibilities – anywhere from 7 percent to almost 14 percent, under a variety of scenarios. (He discussed rate-hike scenarios at a WS Chamber brownbag in July, where we took the photo at left.) Mullen points out that it’s important for businesses to pay attention to this as well as residential ratepayers: “Local businesses are barely able to claim ‘recovery’ mode at present, and this level of increase could be devastating to West Seattle ’s small business community.” She attended a City Hall discussion yesterday and heard a variety of viewpoints, including businesses saying they’d like to see City Light’s strategic plan first, and workers saying the utility needs money to pay for infrastructure upgrades.
A little remodeling is under way at the White Center headquarters of WestSide Baby, which serves families in need all over West Seattle as well as WC and the surrounding area: WestSide Baby’s Nancy Woodland says Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) is donating a work-week of labor, and got $500 in donated materials from Dunn Lumber, to help make their quarters safer and more organized. Nancy shared some photos – the one above is the donation-dropoff area, “before” – here’s a holding zone, “after”:
She explains, “This improvement will keep our volunteers safe from any falling towers of clothing waiting to be sorted. Rocco from Ventana Construction has been quick and professional. Getting done quickly is key so we can avoid interruptions in serving children.” WestSide Baby, by the way, is on Twitter (just started today at @westsidebaby33) and Facebook, where within the past hour, they posted “Our shelves for clothing sizes 4 – 12 are depleted. If you have items to donate, please drop them off at our facility or our dropoff locations as soon as you can. We have children requesting items, like winter coats, that we cannot fill.” (Dropoff spots include Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California SW, and West Seattle Kids’ Salon, 6965 California SW.)
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Finally some info this morning about what’s going into the space in The Junction left vacant since Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill closed in July – several people e-mailed after noticing the “For Sale” sign had come down, but we found no permit applications or other hints about what was to come. Then last night Paul e-mailed to report signs of activity inside – gone by the time we got there, but this morning WSB contributing journalist Christopher Boffoli has confirmed that a new restaurant will be opening there. He reports: “No name yet, but the menu will be a Continental/Mediterranean mix. They expect to open after the holidays.” Working on more details – but for those who’ve wondered, now you know! (And thanks for all the notes. Your collaboration is truly what powers WSB. Contact us 24/7.)
Until a short time ago, that tattered flag was flying over VFW Post 2713 in The Triangle. Sharonn Meeks of the Fairmount Community Association – the nearest neighborhood group, covering the area just south of The Triangle – organized an effort to present the post with a replacement for Veterans Day, and less than an hour ago, she and West Seattle veteran Ron Zuber went up on the roof to take down the old one and raise the new one:
(If you’ve never been there, the VFW Post is at 36th/Alaska.)
If you consulted the county’s list of pharmacies offering vaccine and were thinking of going to Katterman’s Sand Point Pharmacy in the north end today because they’re offering a “walk-in” clinic for 6 months and up – West Seattle architect Brandon Nicholson sends photos and a warning that the line is already blocks long. 10:27 AM UPDATE: Update from Brandon – they’re out for the day but (as per the county page) planning to do this again tomorrow. Brandon is dad to a 12-month-old and say his West Seattle pediatrician isn’t expecting vaccine till next month, which is why they went to check out the only King County pharmacy offering it now to babies and toddlers.
1:17 PM UPDATE: More info from Brandon for any local families thinking about doing this tomorrow. After five hours, he got an appointment to bring his son back later this afternoon. Katterman’s is not taking appointments for the rest of today but will start the cycle again tomorrow morning. He got there at 7 am today and the line was already longer than a block, but he says you do NOT need to bring your child to stand out in the cold with you to get the appointment – when you get to the head of the line, they’ll give you a one-hour window to come back later and get the vaccine. $20/vaccine and he says cash will move things faster – you can be processed outside rather than going inside to deal with insurance or credit card. Location and contact info for the pharmacy is here (they’re even on Twitter and mentioned they have 700 doses for tomorrow).
Our area’s biggest political group – the 34th District Democrats – meets tonight for the first time since the election. Lots to talk about there; they’re also scheduled to look ahead to the legislative session. Here’s the agenda; the meeting’s at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy.
It’s a day to remember and honor those who served. But as with any holiday, there are practicalities to discuss too, as follows:
SCHOOLS: Closed
TRANSIT: Reduced weekday service for Metro (detailed here), Sound Transit info here, Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferries on construction schedule
TRASH/RECYCLING PICKUP: Normal
GOVERNMENT OFFICES: Official city holiday, state and county too
CITY-RUN COMMUNITY CENTERS: Closed (including just-reopened Southwest Pool)
LIBRARIES: Closed
LIQUOR STORE: Open
PARKING: Free in the Seattle spots where you’d usually pay meters/pay stations
BANKS: Most closed
MAIL: Regular delivery, no; Express Mail, yes.
We don’t have a comprehensive list of freebies/deals being offered to local veterans today but we did get the Brown Bear Car Wash announcement – if you’re a veteran, or active duty/military spouse, check it out.
(Photo courtesy Kathy Meyers)
Another achievement for a talented West Seattle athlete: Last summer, we shared the news of Maddie Meyers‘ high placement in the Seafair Torchlight Run. Maddie, a sophomore at Northwest School, repeated with the 1A state title at the state Cross Country Championship last weekend, setting a new 1A course record – 18:01 – which was the second-fastest of the day, 3 seconds behind a 4A runner. Next up, she’s racing in Border Clash. (Just a reminder, we love to share news of achievements – young or old, sports or academics or contests or whatever, e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com!)
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
One week after statewide Election Night, the November meeting of the Admiral Neighborhood Association provided a bit of drama with the first-ever multiple-candidate vote for president.
The new slate of officers – whose predecessors couldn’t run again because of term limits – are president Katy Walum, vice president Jim Cavin, secretary Catherine Barker and treasurer Ann Limbaugh. (From left in our photo are Barker, Walum and Cavin.)
Walum, who organized the first-ever Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series earlier this year, ran for president against ANA vice president Jim Del Ciello. When votes were counted, there was a tie, but the group’s bylaws didn’t stipulate how to handle that situation.
This happened near WSB contributing journalist Christopher Boffoli‘s neighborhood on the east side of The Junction late Tuesday night, so he checked out the sizable police response after a resident in the 4500 block of 41st SW (map) reported an intruder at a neighbor’s home – a man who first pounded on the door, then kicked it in when no one answered, and shouted while going through the house. He fled before police arrived; they searched with a K-9 unit but didn’t find him, and weren’t certain whether anything had been stolen.
Thanks to Dan E for that view of what he describes as a “brief but spectacular” rainbow this morning, visible looking toward Blake Island.
Alaskan Way Viaduct/Battery Street Tunnel drivers, heads up. The city sent an advisory today about some upcoming maintenance closures – including an overnight closure of the northbound tunnel this weekend, and some daytime southbound shutdowns – read on for details:Read More
Cal Kinnear of Washington Lawyers for the Arts (and chair of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors) sends word of a workshop in West Seattle that may be of interest to more than a few local artists: West Seattle-residing attorney Bob Cumbow will lead “Important Copyright Considerations for Artists,” 6 pm Nov. 24 at Ginomai (42nd and Genesee). Organizers promise it’ll lead participants clearly through a lot of issues near and dear to our hearts as well: “… the basics of copyright for those working in both ‘traditional’ art disciplines and new Media, i.e. web, internet, video and two dimensional arts such as collage. You’ll learn why it makes no sense to ask ‘How do I copyright my work?’ and the answers to other frequently-asked questions, such as ‘Who owns the copyright in a work I made for someone else?’ and ‘How much do I have to change someone else’s work before I am safe in using it in my own work?'” The price is on a sliding scale and there’s a discount for registering in advance – go to Brown Paper Tickets – or if you plan to pay at the door, they still ask that you RSVP, 206-328-7053.
Linda Thielke at Metro suggested we remind you about this now – it’ll be in our official “what’s different for Veterans Day” roundup later but in case you weren’t aware, here you go: Metro will run with a “reduced weekday schedule” tomorrow. That means, she says, “On days with reduced weekday schedules, some commuter and school-oriented routes do not operate, and other routes have individual trips canceled. Many routes will have no changes. Regular fares apply on most of these days.” Looking ahead, this schedule will also be in place for several fall/winter holiday dates coming up – as well as an entire week at the end of December.
You probably won’t be surprised to hear long lines formed quickly at the two West Seattle Walgreens that offered H1N1 clinics with vaccine for high-risk people ages 9 and up starting at 11 this morning for one-day “clinics” – WSB’er Kerry, commenting on our preview from this morning, reported being told 35th (photo below shows the line inside during the first half-hour) is out, but 16th/Roxbury (photo above) reportedly did not run out as fast, and was planning to extend the clinic till 4 pm or till supplies ran out. We’ll stress again, check before you go. We were not allowed to talk with store employees while there.
We’ll continue to report on vaccine availability as we get word from the county and other sources – with stories here on the news page and also adding to the FLU tab below the header as info comes in. 2:38 PM UPDATE: Brooke just e-mailed to say 35th SW has extended its clinic till vaccine runs out and she just got vaccinated with little wait.
As you’ve certainly heard by now, the Seattle police officer gunned down on Halloween night was a graduate of West Seattle High School. The school has helped pay tribute to Officer Tim Brenton — as described by assistant principal Jenni MacDonald on her website – and now, WSHS Alumni Association vice president Chris King says there’s a campaign to present a scholarship in memory of Officer Brenton – and they’re looking for others to pitch in:
On October 31st, 2009, Seattle Police Officer, Tim Brenton (WSHS Class of 1988) was shot, as he sat in his patrol car. We (WSHS Alumni Association) would like to present a 2010 scholarship in his honor. To do this we would need a minimum of $1000. If you would like to donate toward this scholarship, please send a donation to the WSHSAA, c/o West Seattle High School, 3000 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA. 98116. Please indicate it is for the Tim Brenton Scholarship. Make check payable to WSHSAA. All donations are tax-deductible.
Our citywide-media partners at the Seattle Times are closely covering the investigation into Officer Brenton’s murder; read the latest here.
Some folks on the eastern edge of West Seattle are noticing helicopters relating to this, so if you haven’t heard, a boat partially sank at its berth on the Duwamish overnight, and authorities are handling what is described so far as a 100-gallon diesel spill that resulted. KING5‘s morning-newscast report is embedded above; the latest media update from the WA Department of Ecology says the US Coast Guard and Port of Seattle are working with the state on the incident. 2:12 PM UPDATE: The latest from the Dept. of Ecology, which says the boat will be removed from the water, among other updates – read on:Read More
The citywide Skatepark Advisory Committee got a closer look last night at those new Delridge Skatepark design renderings mentioned here yesterday. (The one above is oriented with the south side at the top of the art – the rectangle is part of the wading pool.) They incorporate comments from previous public meetings as well as a technical fix; the biggest change is the split into two bowls – the “egg-shaped” one you see various from 6 feet deep to 10 feet deep to allow for a drainage pipe that runs beneath. The revisions also fix a problem with the “drip line” around the park’s existing trees. Committee members offered their thoughts about the bowls’ vertical incline and also some concerns about stairs in the park and how they’ll affect skater traffic. Parks Department project manager Kelly Davidson is taking comments through November 20 (kelly.davidson@seattle.gov) and is hopeful the project will go to bid in March. She also says the $75,000 King County grant requested as part of the project funding has won a committee vote and has one more hurdle to clear.
(Thank you, Jillian, for the photo of Monday’s sunrise!)
MANY highlights from the WSB Events calendar for today and tonight:
H1N1 FLU VACCINE: Today’s the day both West Seattle Walgreens pharmacies are scheduled for walk-in clinics, 11 am-1 pm, for high-risk people 9+. Full details on this King County webpage (and note, it’s recommended you call before you go).
GOT A NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDING PROBLEM? Find out how to get help. Tonight, SDOT workgroup Neighborhood Traffic Operations holds a meeting at 6:30 at Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge), to help residents who are interested in working with NTO to tackle residential speeding. Find out about your options, eligibility, first steps.
GREENDRINKS: Also at Youngstown, the Nature Consortium, Sustainable West Seattle and CoolMom are hosting West Seattle/White Center’s monthly Greendrinks – a chance for sustainability/ecologically oriented networking and fun, 6-9 pm.
ADMIRAL, FAUNTLEROY, JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS: The Junction Neighborhood Organization starts the night, 6:30 pm at Ginomai (42nd/Genesee), agenda highlights including local architect Brandon Nicholson‘s presentation about envisioned Junction right-of-way improvements. Admiral Neighborhood Association, 7 pm at Admiral Church, will choose its new officers and talk about neighborhood planning. Fauntleroy Community Association’s board also meets tonight, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (are you following FCA on Facebook yet?).
CULTURE NIGHT: Pathfinder K-8 celebrates its first Culture Night at its new campus (1901 SW Genesee), 5:30-7:30 pm.
More on the Events page!
From the Alki Elementary PTA, a novel way to look at the school’s annual fund-raising dinner/auction: “Get a head start on your holiday shopping!” Fiesta is the theme, The Hall at Fauntleroy is the location, 5:30-10 pm Friday, November 20th is the time/date. Organizers note, “Proceeds support the Alki PTA, which funds numerous activities for students, families and faculty throughout the year. For example, this year’s ‘Fund-a-Need’ will support a writer’s workshop benefiting both teachers and students, and other reading and writing programs.” So far they’ve lined up more than 200 silent-auction donations, from gift cards to jewelry, and the live-auction items include a 7-day cruise. Updates at the official event website; the form to get your ticket(s) is here ($45/person) – e-mail it to alkiPTA@gmail.com – or if you have a question first, Kathy will be happy to answer, at thejoras@comcast.net.
This almost got lost in the flood of news that surged in Monday, with the vote count that settled the mayor’s race, among other things: After action taken by the King County Council sitting as the King County Ferry District Board of Supervisors, the district lives on, but with the reduced tax levy that was announced in July as a bus tradeoff – that means the West Seattle and Vashon routes continue, but there will be no “demonstration routes” elsewhere in the foreseeable future. Read on for the county’s official announcement:Read More
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