West Seattle, Washington
23 Tuesday
One month after SDOT reported tweaking the Admiral/California signal timing, some drivers say it’s still not right. Acemotel brought this up in the WSB Forums today – not long after we got the following e-mail from Ted:
Whatever timing changes the city made a few months ago to the light at Admiral Ave SW and SW California, it is much worse than it used to be. Today I was again frustrated with long backups going east on SW Admiral toward California Ave. The backups on Admiral go beyond the yellow flashing light at Waite Street, which is already an extremely dangerous intersection. The backups make it hard to pull out on to Admiral from Waite St. and then there is a five, six, seven cycle wait to get through the first light at California. This causes people to make all kinds of dangerous moves. They bypass the queue on Admiral by driving for blocks up the left turn lane, etc. I find the problem to be bad in the afternoons on weekdays, but even much worse on weekends. Today I drove through the back up at 10:30 AM Saturday morning.
I imagine someone at the city thinks they improved things at the intersection. I think they need to get away from their desk and their computer and get out on the road and see what they have done. /with the changes, it is SLIGHTLY better going west on Admiral in the afternoons on weekdays and SLIGHTLY better going north on California and turning left onto Admiral. I make both moves regularly and used to have a two cycle wait during busy times. Now I SOMETIMES get a one cycle wait. Usually, it is still two cycles. But these minor improvements are not worth the big delays and safety problems that have been created. We do not need another serious accident at Admiral and Waite St. because of this!
Please go back to the way things were . . . .
The city suggests two ways to report traffic-signal problems – the overall hotline 206-684-ROAD and/or traffic.signals@seattle.gov; more background about the signal system on this page.
Tons of fun today – if you’re not out and about tonight, it’s time to think about tomorrow. One of the most spirited celebrations will be at 12th SW and SW Holden, as the Highland Park Improvement Club celebrates one decade short of a century. Here’s its official announcement:
Friends and neighbors are invited to attend a ninetieth anniversary party at the Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden, on Sunday, November 15, from 2 to 5 p.m., to celebrate the club’s past, present and future.
The non-profit was established in 1919 to bring improvements to the community while providing a social center. Since then, the club has worked on projects ranging from securing a streetcar line that came up Highland Park Way, to fostering a WPA sewing group, to sponsoring playgrounds and baseball teams, all the while hosting dance parties and other entertainments. More recently, the organization has persevered through uncertain times, as the membership had difficulty attracting new members, and considered dissolution. Despite their discouragement, the long-term members continued to reach out to the neighborhood, and today the Club has a steady and growing membership. New members have presented gala events for the Club and the community: the Day of the Dead dance last year, the Inauguration Day celebration in January, the popular Wine for Our Times event this spring, and the Second Annual Rummage Sale this summer.
(WSB note: That’s the one where we found this scene:)
The Highland Park Improvement Club hosts several neighborhood groups, including the Highland Park Action Committee (HPAC), which is dedicated to community issues, and meets at the club monthly. The Club is also home to on-going dance and yoga classes.
This historic neighborhood hub, at the corner of 12th and Holden, is becoming vibrant again- just in time for its 90th birthday.
It’s a humble old building that just got some new trimmings – including curtains and paint – before the big bash. Here’s where to find HPIC; online, they’re at www.hpic1919.org.
Two girls’ soccer updates: First, Bil Hood from Seattle Lutheran High School reports that the Saints beat Mount Vernon Christian 5-0 today, advancing to the Class 2B/1B final four next weekend in Sumner. Also, Madison Middle School will play Eckstein at 3 pm Monday (Memorial Stadium downtown) for third place in the middle-school tournament.
About an hour ago, that ribboncutting marked the official grand opening of the High Point Neighborhood Center, the $13 million “heart of High Point” community facility that we’ve been chronicling since even before its August 2008 groundbreaking (WSB coverage here, and here’s the tour we took during construction). Hundreds of people at the celebration this afternoon – which started with an hour of tours before speeches and the ribboncutting ceremony – here’s just one small cross-section of the crowd:
Speakers included executive director Mark Okazaki of Neighborhood House, the organization that led the project, which is already famous for its solar array and LEED Gold certification – he listed some of its other environmental attributes too:
We’ve got other scenes and speeches to add later. If you haven’t been to HP Neighborhood Center yet, you can check it out during Sustainable West Seattle‘s “Money-Free Shopping Spree” pre-holiday gathering, which’ll be happening there 6:30 pm Monday – we also published a detailed preview story last Monday, with photos of some of its amazing art. ADDED SUNDAY: More photos – click ahead!Read More
So busy around West Seattle today, you’d think it was a midsummer Saturday. Continuing till 6 tonight, Catsino at Beveridge Place Pub is a fundraiser for Furry Faces Foundation, with fun games and more – and once again this year there’s an “afterparty” of sorts tomorrow, the Morgan Junction Pet Stroll. Till 4 pm, there’s a craft fair at Bridge Park – vendor Anna sent this photo before we dropped by for a few of our own:
She says, “We’re having fun selling funky knit hats and fabulous finger mustaches! There are lots of other beautiful and original wares like the Loteria onesies and handmade market bags.” And continuing till 7 pm, grand opening day 1 at Dubsea Coffee on 8th SW in Greenbridge, about a block south of Roxbury:
LOTS more happening this weekend – including several big events tomorrow, like the Highland Park Improvement Club‘s 90th birthday party – check the West Seattle Weekend Lineup for the full list.
It’s all over – Bob Warden went into Southwest Community Center with his concealed weapon (backstory here), a parks security staffer came up to him and asked him to leave, he left, now he says he’s got grounds to sue. Big media circus, of course, including TV, newspaper and new-media crews. Here’s the TV contingent (photo added 12:58 pm – sorry we didn’t get the photojournalists’ names, but at left and right, reporters Theron Zahn from channel 4 and Chris Daniels from 5):
Adding more shortly, video and photos. The reason Warden said he chose SWCC at noon was because they were having the Dogs in the Hood show; as of 12:30, the people and dogs who showed up for the show left when they saw all the commotion. (Photo above – TV reporters asked to see his gun, after he’d been asked to leave; when he entered the center, it was under his jacket.) ADDED 12:55 PM: Here’s video as we followed Warden entering the center, after spending about 15 minutes talking with the media outside, then leaving as he’d said he would if asked:
(Despite what you heard him say there toward the end of our clip, he had sent a letter to the city Parks Department informing them he’d had a gun, so you could say they DID know.) Police were standing by inside the center but did not get involved at any point.
With Warden was one of his young-adult children, Casey. A few people showed up to support him, including a man who worked the media sidelines handing out pamphlets for the Museum of Flight, where he said he was a docent. We asked Warden if he’d be going home and starting to draw up legal papers immediately; he said, no, he’d probably watch some sports.
Got a note about an outage in Gatewood that’s been under way since about 8 this morning. Just checked with Seattle City Light‘s on-call media rep – no estimate yet when it’ll be fixed; they say it’s affecting about 53 customers, in the northern Gatewood Hill residential area east of the Morgan Junction business area so far as we can tell from the boundaries.
(Added: Toy Swap photo from about 10 am)
SAVE MONEY, SAVE THE EARTH: That’s the slogan for CoolMom‘s second annual Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale, 9 am-1 pm. CoolMom’s Terri Glaberson tells us some deal-hunting earlybirds were even waiting when the doors opened last year. This time it’s at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW; here’s a map). 9 am-1 pm, proceeds benefit WestSide Baby as well as CoolMom. On to another of today’s many sales:
(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
ALL THAT GLITTERS … HELPS SEAL SITTERS: Neptune the seal pup is just one of many helped by Seal Sitters in their few short but acclaimed years of existence. Today is their first-ever fundraiser – and in addition to more than 500 pieces of estate jewelry on sale, there are a few additions to the plan – Seal Sitters founder Brenda Peterson — an acclaimed author — will sign books purchased between 11 and 2; a framed photo by Robin Lindsey and a specialty Italian wine basket will be offered for silent auction; and they’ll be raffling items including plush toys and what’s described as “an amazing artisan seal bread.” Cash, credit and debit, 10 am-2 pm at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), 2326 California SW, across from the Admiral Theater. Now on to an outdoor highlight:
GET OUT AND GET GREEN: Thanks to Cindi Barker for forwarding a photo from last Saturday’s Orchard Street Ravine work party during Green Seattle Day. This morning, like most Saturday mornings, you have multiple chances to get out and dig in during volunteer work parties – Delridge Natural Area, West Duwamish Greenbelt and Roxhill Park, this time around, details in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup along with MULTIPLE other events today/tonight!
That’s the question members of the city Landmarks Preservation Board will want to see sorted out, as became clear during this morning’s meeting of the board’s Architectural Review Committee. This was the first public meeting at which Tom Lin, owner of the fire-damaged landmark, and his consultants have discussed its status and its future since a comprehensive presentation before the Alki Community Council two months ago (WSB coverage here). The meeting also provided a reminder of the fact the historic building’s future is of interest outside West Seattle – those who offered comments included representatives from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, which five months ago declared the Homestead among the state’s most endangered buldings, and Historic Seattle; the Southwest Seattle Historical Society was represented as well. Read on for details on what was discussed and what the landmarks board – which has jurisdiction over the site’s future because of its landmark status – will do next:Read More
As promised when a team from Seattle Fire Department Station 11 (map) visited last month’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting (WSB coverage here), HPAC put together a delegation to bring the station a home-cooked dinner tonight, and we dropped by to catch the good deed in progress. From left, firefighter Dan Peterson, HPAC chair Dan Mullins, firefighter Shane Casillas, HPAC treasurer Shawn Mazza, Colette Napoli, SFD Lt. Russ Wiseman, firefighter Sean Williams, and standing tall behind them, HPAC vice chair Nicole Mazza, who organized the whole thing. (HPAC’s also organizing a Station 11 tour a week from tomorrow.) What’d they bring for dinner, you ask? Lasagna, salad, chips ‘n’ salsa, pickles, plums, cookies, chocolate, ice cream. Hopefully they got a chance to enjoy it; it was delivered just after 6, and the 911 log shows Engine 11 didn’t have an emergency call till almost 8:30.
Last weekend, we told you about Delridge and Pigeon Point volunteers spending a soggy, breezy Saturday morning making their neighborhood nicer (here’s our story). Tonight, two notes: First, Rose Feliciano (left) will be out raking up leaves again tomorrow morning around 9 am along the bike trail by the bridge. She mentioned this on the Pigeon Point e-mail list; we asked if we could mention it here in case anyone wanted to help out, and she said OK, adding “the way to access the bike path is the north end of 22nd Avenue SW.” (Here’s a map.) Meantime, the folks at Seattle Public Utilities asked if we would publish this public thank you to Rose and everyone else out working last weekend – PLUS all the other cleanup program volunteers peninsula-wide:
I’d like to thank Nancy Folsom, Rose Feliciano, the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council-and all the other West Seattle volunteers who are making a difference in their neighborhoods by participating in Seattle’s Adopt-a-Drain and Adopt-a-Street programs. These volunteer programs continue to grow, showing that we all value the quality of life that Seattle offers. Adopting a street or a drain is a great way to get to know your neighbors. Please give me a call if you would like help getting involved: 684-7647.
Thanks again, folks!
Carlton Stinson
Seattle Public Utilities
Adopt-A-Drain/Adopt-A-Street Coordinator
Both programs have more info online, too – Adopt-A-Street here, Adopt-A-Drain here.
Just in from James Apa at King County Public Health, at the end of a week in which people lined up to get H1N1 vaccine wherever it was available (above, one of West Seattleite Brandon Nicholson‘s photos from the line Wednesday outside a Sand Point pharmacy that briefly was the only one in the county offering vaccine to babies and toddlers):
We wanted to give you a quick update on vaccine availability in King County. Due to the national delay in H1N1 vaccine production, the supplies we have in the community aren’t enough to meet the demand right now, and it’s been a challenge for many to find vaccine. With the latest deliveries this week, King County has received approximately 165,000 doses of vaccine total since shipments began, and approximately 90,000 more doses are in the process of being ordered and shipped to King County.
Given the shortage, our current focus is on getting most of the available supplies to health care providers, so that they can vaccinate patients who are most at risk. As more vaccine becomes available, we’ll continue to provide it to health care providers to vaccinate more of their patients, so we encourage people in the priority groups to continue to stay in touch with their health care providers about vaccine availability.
To provide another option for people prioritized to receive H1N1 vaccine, Public Health is also allocating a limited portion of new vaccine supplies for distribution more widely through public venues. The 15,000 doses of vaccine we made available to pharmacies this week is the beginning of our widening distribution strategy.
He also suggested keeping an eye on the pharmacy list on the King County website – linked from our FLU tab atop all pages. We just checked again, and there’s no new availability listed in the West Seattle/White Center area right now.
We have been SO overdue for cute owl photos, ever since the charming saga of Wollet over the summer. And now, our unspoken wish is granted, courtesy of Jonathan French, who says his neighbor northwest of The Junction – proprietor of Better Coops and Gardens – has had this little visitor around all day in her carport workshop … watching her build chicken coops!
As the King County Water Taxi‘s West Seattle run sends out the official announcement of another record-setting year (which ended on Halloween), we also have word that work has begun on the expansion of its Seacrest dock – which will enable the foot ferry to go year-round starting next spring. Word from King County Executive-elect Dow Constantine‘s office is that work on the dock components already has begun offsite, and the 12-week expansion project will start onsite within a few weeks. Now, as for that recordsetting traffic – here’s the official announcement:
The King County Water Taxi West Seattle route broke the 200,000 rider mark in 2009, as the 12-year-old passenger ferry connecting West Seattle and downtown Seattle increased its annual ridership by 21 percent over 2008.
During the 2009 summer season:
—The West Seattle route served a total of 203,229 riders;
—Set individual monthly ridership records for each full operational month: May 2009 (31,557), June 2009 (33,865), July 2009 (46,861), August 2009 (43,981), and September 2009 (26,603);
—The 46,861 riders in July set the mark as the top ridership month in the history of the King County Water Taxi West Seattle route;
—August 2009 was the second highest ridership month in West Seattle route history (43,981 riders) and just the third month ever with 43,000 or more riders (43,020 people rode in August 2007), and
—Over the past five years, ridership on the West Seattle route has increased by 90 percent (from 106,316 riders in 2005 to 203,229 riders in 2009).
4:36 PM UPDATE: From the mayor’s office, which is now handling all comment on this: “If this resident plans to enter a Parks facility with a concealed weapon, he will be asked to leave. If he refuses, he will be arrested.”
ORIGINAL 12:04 PM STORY: Seems like Southwest Community Center and Pool is just the place to be tomorrow, more than usual. First we published news last night of a group renting the pool tomorrow night for a clothing-optional swim (since their first choice, Ballard Pool, is closed for repairs) – now, a man says he’s planning to challenge the city’s park/community center gun restrictions (already targeted in a lawsuit) by showing up at SWCC at noon tomorrow with a concealed weapon. He cc’d us and other media on a “courtesy” letter to the city; his entire letter is ahead – but first, a note: We asked if he chose that time and place for a particular reason; he told us he was hoping to attend the “Dogs in the Hood” show. Read on for the letter:Read More
We’re extending the deadline for nominations in the second round of West Seattle Volunteer Recognition – if you can spare a few minutes today or this weekend – the sooner the better – take this chance to tell the world about somebody you think deserves public props for making a difference. The first six West Seattle Volunteer Recognition recipients were honored last July; if your nominee last time wasn’t one of the recipients, please consider nominating them again, since we’re starting from scratch. This time, the Southwest and Delridge District Councils, along with WSB, will honor:
*2 individual volunteers from community/neighborhood-related group efforts
*2 individual volunteers from youth-related efforts
*2 individual volunteers from environment-related efforts
*1 group award
“Volunteer” means unpaid work, done for a nonprofit-type organization, facility, campaign (etc.), primarily serving West Seattle. And when you send your nomination – please remember that what you write is all the judges have to go on, so don’t hold back on describing the great work your nominee has done! The recipients will be honored in front of a big holiday crowd at the West Seattle Community Tree Lighting December 5th. To nominate someone, it’s a quick all-online process, no stamps, no cost – here’s the online form.
(Photo courtesy Seattle Parks and Recreation, from project sign installation Thursday)
From the last meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee, we reported that Seattle Parks had set a December 3rd meeting for discussion of the West Seattle (Westcrest) Reservoir park design (here’s that story). Today, the official flyer’s out, setting the meeting time for 7 pm Dec. 3, High Point Community Center. Main point of the meeting, per the announcement: “To learn what the community priorities are for transforming the 20 acres of open space” that the reservoir-covering project will create. Here’s the official flyer.
Holiday shopping season is here. This weekend includes bazaars – starting this morning at The Mount — CoolMom‘s Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale on Saturday — the Sunday sale at Curious Kidstuff (WSB sponsor), the West Seattle Fashion Brunch, and more. Last year, we procrastinated, and then the snow hit – so this year, it’s all about EARLY, just in case. Also this weekend, celebrating the old and the new – Highland Park Improvement Club celebrates its 90th birthday, and High Point Neighborhood Center celebrates its grand opening! Plus you’ve got fun chances to help the people who help animals – with Seal Sitters‘ jewelry sale and Furry Faces Foundation‘s Catsino on Saturday. More than 50 events/activities in all, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
The overnight “forecast discussion” calls this a “vigorous” cold front – but the wind, with gusts up to 30 mph, is supposed to ease a bit later. One other change in the forecast overnight – that talk of possible wet snow at 500 feet (which could have included the highest hills here) has evaporated, and now it’s back to 1,000 feet, which lets West Seattle (and the rest of the city) off the hook.
(September 2009 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
… two months later, it’s a clothing-optional swim at Southwest Pool, just announced on Twitter. Seems the folks behind the bike ride also sponsor a series of skinny-dipping evenings at city pools – usually at Ballard Pool, but a closure there has just been extended, so this Saturday night’s swim has moved to West Seattle’s only city-run indoor pool. It’s a private rental, 8-10 pm (hours the pool would otherwise be closed), raising money for the World Naked Bike Ride events (like the one in West Seattle two months ago) and the Gardens Everywhere Bike Parade – more info here (ticket prices and a whole long list of rules, regulations and prerequisites) if you’re inclined to join them.
The student musicians of Chief Sealth High School not only were among the beneficiaries of tonight’s Seahawk Spirit fundraising dinner/auction at The Hall at Fauntleroy, they also were the featured performers – above, video of the Chief Sealth Mariachis outside, and here, the Steel Drum Band inside:
Attendees browsed the abundant auction offerings, including the eclectic cross-section in our second photo:
Tonight’s event sold out more than a week in advance, but there are lots of other ways to help, as noted on the Chief Sealth PTSA website.
(That’s Primo on the keys at The Kenney tonight)
Now till 9 pm, dozens of venues all over the peninsula – from Alki to North Delridge, The Junction to Morgan Junction to Fauntleroy – 
are welcoming you to stop in for this month’s West Seattle Art Walk. We previewed a few venues this morning; the Art Walk website has many more previews; and we’ve received a few more notes in the meantime, including word of a “crow” theme at Coffee to a Tea with Sugar in The Junction, with Gatewood author Lyanda Lynn Haupt signing her acclaimed book “Crow Planet” while artist Cara Granger shows crow-themed paintings.
Also, while ActivSpace artists participate in this month’s Art Walk, High Point-residing realtor Wendy Hughes-Jelen is having a reception at her new GreenWorks Realty office in ActivSpace. (Added the photo 11:59 pm – from left, Rhonda Porter of The Mortgage Porter [WSB sponsor], Wendy Hughes-Jelen, jewelry artist Delores Johnston Peck, pottery artist Michael Eric Dennett)
Here’s the Art Walk map – and send pix if you get them (we’ll be out and about too) – here’s our first one, with artist Todd Martin in his safari tent at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), just sent by Hotwire proprietor Lora Lewis:
7:48 PM UPDATE: Added video from The Kenney atop this story, and here’s art from Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), sent by co-proprietor John Smersh, observing that it seems to play into tonight’s impromptu crow theme:
That’s by Portland artist Rachel Austin, who will be at Click! for an artist reception 6-9 pm Nov. 21st. 8:33 PM: A few more photos – at Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction, it’s all about ironworkers’ art, like this equine example:
And at Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, the captivating cutouts of Wil Clark Kerner, a teenage “artist savant”:
Next month’s Art Walk on December 10th is a special holiday Art Walk, and a chance to do late-night, not-so-last-minute shopping.
2 West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share – starting with a home burglarized while its residents were asleep. We got this one thirdhand, so we checked with the Southwest Precinct, where Lt. Steve Paulsen confirmed the details: The house in the 5200 block of 35th SW (map) was broken into Tuesday night. The burglar(s) broke a basement window to get in; police say the items stolen included a camera, laptop, purse, credit card, and calling card. And one unusual detail: The burglar(s) tried to disable the home phone by jamming a button. One more case ahead – call it a backyard break-in:Read More
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