West Seattle, Washington
30 Tuesday
That white van parked outside Gatewood Elementary School this morning did triple duty — helping bust speeders along Fauntleroy a few hours earlier, helping city leaders put drivers on notice, and underscoring a political point about a statewide ballot initiative you’ll be deciding between now and November 4th. Full details (including how the van works, plus video from this morning’s event, at which Gatewood Elementary’s principal spoke too), just ahead:Read More
Just back from the big Gatewood Elementary event about the speed-camera van (photo above; much more on the van show-and-tell shortly, including the ballot-initiative underscore to the whole thing) – while speaking at the news conference, the mayor announced that the Seneca offramp from the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct is currently closed because a “20-foot chunk of concrete fell.” TV report says it was a guardrail section, knocked down by a truck. (Speaking of The Viaduct, SDOT is still checking for us on why the closure-warning lights didn’t work for hours on Saturday morning.) 1:17 PM UPDATE: SDOT’s Rick Sheridan clarifies, the Seneca ramp “is soon to be closed. SDOT will need to close it for 6-8 hours to safely conduct the repair work.” We’ll let you know when we get the exact time frame. 4:25 PM UPDATE: The ramp’s open again, says SDOT.
When King County Elections HQ closes today at 6 pm, that’s it, 
absolute end of your chance to register to vote, if you’re not already registered in this state. You have to go there to do it in person; Elections HQ is in Renton – here’s a map. If you are registered and you’ve received a vote-by-mail ballot, two notes: 1. Info on key state/local races and candidates is all in one place on our Election page; 2. If you feel a little hinky about putting your ballot in the mail, you can drop it off in person any time, around the clock, between now and 8 pm Nov. 4, at the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center, 5405 Delridge; here’s a map.
Whatever you do on Thursday, November 13th, might just wind up making history. Southwest Seattle Historical Society/Log House Museum director Andrea Mercado has word of a plan that not only will commemorate the anniversary of the Denny Party‘s landing (this year, it’ll be the 157th anniversary), but also will fill the time capsule that is to be buried next year at the new Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza. According to Andrea, SWSHS plans to collect photos and other items 
from all over Seattle — NOT just WS — to create a collection of items showing life in Seattle as it’s lived on November 13, 2008. That could include almost anything – minutes from a meeting that’s held that day, a photo of parents walking to school with their kids, a list from someone’s grocery-shopping trip that day, something a class of schoolchildren works on that day … This plan is the result of brainstorming that included a meeting this past weekend to plan the time-capsule effort. Lots of details remain to be worked out, including exactly how/when the items will be accepted, once November 13, 2008, is in the books. But right now, Andrea adds, they need help in a couple of ways: One, spread the word. We’ve asked some of our fellow neighborhood-news site operators around Seattle to help get the word out; anyone you think might be interested in participating, let them know (you can use the “Share This” link below this post to share this item a variety of ways, including e-mail). Two, Andrea’s looking for more people to be part of a committee to set the guidelines for submissions, and more people to work on outreach to get word of this to schools and others around the city — just e-mail amercado@loghousemuseum.org to volunteer. You’ll hear more about this as November 13, 2008, gets closer – we’ll bring you followups – but for starters, think about what might help tell the story of that day to people looking back on it a half-century later, and get ready to be part of the time-capsule creation.
(Above-right photo courtesy David Hutchinson)
Two quick previews: The Design Team (with school and community reps) helping shape the future of the Denny Middle School site (once the new Denny is built on the Chief Sealth HS campus nearby) meets at 3 pm today, Denny library (map). All welcome; here’s our report on the last meeting. Then tonight at 7, Sustainable West Seattle meets at the Camp Long Lodge – with the agenda including a look at both sides of Sound Transit Proposition 1. ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: We are also reminded that the Departure Advisory Committee for the Denny/Sealth project, which is reviewing the district’s request for less parking and more building height than zoning would allow, meets at the Denny library at 7 tonight.
Looks like we resumed the end-of-weekend gas-price survey runs just in time – driving around West Seattle 
a few hours ago, we discovered some stations had dropped prices for regular gas by 30 cents (or more) in the past week. At left, you see the lowest price we found (at the station that made news this past week for a different reason); at right, the highest. The full list, with April and June prices for comparison, ahead:Read More
Two incidents under way right now: Thanks to Brad and Brian for the tip about police at the Money Tree at 41st/Alaska; scanner traffic points to a search for an intruder. Police also are in the 29th/Thistle vicinity, with scanner traffic reporting a medic crew responding to assist with a report of an assault victim. 1 AM UPDATE: Fire truck L(adder)-11 is at the 41st/Alaska scene to help. 1:21 AM ADDITION: Still monitoring the scanner … now, somewhere on 45th SW, police have been called after three people broke a car window and took off running. Missed the block #. 1:36 AM UPDATE: Sounds like the 41st/Alaska intruder may be in custody; police were reported to be talking to him, and then searching to be sure no one else was in the building. 1:53 AM UPDATE: Now officers are checking out a report of shots heard in 19th/Thistle vicinity. RELEVANT SIDE NOTE: This month’s meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council is at 7 pm Tuesday night — different location — Denny Middle School (30th/Thistle; map).
From Jerry at JetCityOrange, who is hanging ten on the digital edge: Barcodes for Obama. (That link includes a video demonstration.) P.S. Whoever you’re for, Monday’s the drop-dead voter-registration deadline. 
ADDED EARLY MONDAY MORNING: Another unique campaign-related video from a West Seattleite came in a few hours after we started this post with the barcodes — this time, Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area volunteer steward Stevo sent the link for “Bassets for Obama.” A must-see, even if you are voting for somebody else. At right, you see the stars of his video – Buddy and Barkley — who have their own trailer to travel with Stevo via motorcycle!
Who says pumpkins have to be orange? Those creations were made by kids attending the Fauntleroy Community Association-presented Fauntleroy Fall Festival this afternoon – which enjoyed a terrific turnout by all accounts, with lots of other activities spread across three venues, Fauntleroy Church and YMCA (both WSB sponsors) and the schoolhouse; volunteers helped get people safely back and forth across the street:
Behind the schoolhouse – pony rides:
More scenes from the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, including a video clip from the Seattle Civic Concert Dancers‘ mini-performance of their fall ballet “Magical Doll Maker,” just ahead:Read More
(spring 2008 site photo, before new BPP was complete)
Two major updates on the Morgan Junction park site immediately north of the new Beveridge Place Pub location — the latest timeline, and an art project proposed for the sidewalk at the site. The updates came from Parks Department and Transportation Department reps who appeared at last week’s Morgan Community Association meeting – read on for the details:Read More
Just got word from WSDOT that the Alaskan Way Viaduct has reopened – 5 hours earlier than it was expected to reopen after its weekend inspection (results due in a few days).
(April 2008 coyote sighting across the street from WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy)
For months, we have catalogued “reader reports” of coyote sightings (archives here) only because they were so numerous – and so many people were unsure whether to be frightened, fascinated, both, or something inbetween. The questions are always many, the answers aren’t always easy to find in one place. And of course, coyotes aren’t the only wild animals who share our neighborhoods:
(August 2008 photo shared by Jenny, taken near Lincoln Park)
Raccoons also tend to inspire endless discussions – are they a nuisance, a blessing, what do you do if they’re fouling your yard, what do you do if they’re in your attic … Anyway, to the point: We wanted to remind you today that this Tuesday night, you have a great chance to get your questions answered, myths debunked, etc., when experts from various government agencies and nonprofit advocacy groups host a Living With Wildlife presentation in the Camp Long Lodge. Over the past year, they’ve been held from time to time in various spots around the city — we covered one in Magnolia in February (see our report here) because it happened at a time when wildlife questions were running rampant here – but this is the first one this year in West Seattle. Absolutely free, definitely worth your time. 7 pm, Camp Long Lodge (turn at the sign on 35th – here’s a map; the wonderful old lodge is the first building you see, and there’s lots of parking off to the right).
That Gatewood garden was one of the stops on this summer’s West Seattle Garden Tour. Think your garden will be a great stop for the tour next year? Not too late to let the WSGT Selection Committee know – Nancy Evans says the committee is still reviewing 2009 possibilities and would like to hear from interested gardeners ASAP: E-mail nancyellenevans@comcast.net with information on how they can contact you. (If you missed this year’s tour, WSGT pictures and descriptions are here.)
Out of the WSB inbox, from Melissa:
We just wanted to alert our neighbors that we had our house broken into on Thursday 10/16 during the day. We live around Thistle and 17th Ave SW in Highland Park (map). They came in through the cat door and stole small items. The next day, there was also some odd behavior when a white mini-van with 2 guys in it lurked in front of our house. They stared at the house for awhile and then came up to the front door and knocked. I did not answer the door but made a police report of suspicious behavior. I just want everyone to be aware, alert and to look out for each other!
We asked Melissa a followup question about the cat-door method of entry – she said the burglar(s) reached through it to unlock the main door, either by hand, or with a tool. SUNDAY AFTERNOON ADDENDUM: A few hours after we published this, Gretchen e-mailed the following:
I just read about the cat door burglary. The author mentioned a white minivan with two guys driving slowly in the neighborhood. I was putting my daughter in the car the other day and a white minivan with two guys stopped to ask me if there were any rentals in the area. He said, “I’m looking to rent in the area.” I was distracted and said, sure, look for the signs. He asked me to clarify which blocks. I told him to drive around. They went on but I got a weird feeling. I was thinking they were into real estate since we have had real estate investors roam door to door in the past. These guys were young though, maybe late 20’s. Anyway, after reading the other note, I thought it was worth mentioning. I live on 30th between Webster and
Othello (map).
FARMERS’ MARKET: Goat chops and “fried chicken” wild mushrooms – just two of the items on the long list of what’s fresh at West Seattle Farmers’ Market today (10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska) – see the list here.
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: One of the biggest events of the year, in the neighborhood that’s got a lot more going on than a ferry dock and megapark. As the FFF page on fauntleroy.net puts it, “free activities, cheap eats, and beautiful fall weather – guaranteed!” Pony rides and a dance performance are among the activities. It’s all happening in three close-together venues – Fauntleroy Church and YMCA (WSB sponsors) and the schoolhouse across the street. 2-6 pm; here’s a map.
That’s not all that’s going on today – more West Seattle events (including the AfterGlow shopping extravaganza and West Side Presbyterian‘s open house), in the Weekend Lineup.
Saturday morning at Camp Long, Chas Redmond (right) led the kickoff event for the West Seattle Wayfinding and Kiosk Development program. There’s no denying West Seattle is a great place to walk; the goal of this program – which has received a $100,000 matching-funds city grant — is to make it better, with kiosks and signs to help guide the way. Exactly where they should go — that’s part of the job that starts now; attendees focused in on the south side of western WS, perhaps Fauntleroy. Another meeting is expected in November, no date set up, but even if you couldn’t make it to Saturday’s kickoff, you can still jump in to help; e-mail Chas at credmond@mac.com. Speaking of helping – that’s what hundreds of people did by showing up at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center for the White Center Food Bank‘s annual Harvest Dinner and Auction, with donated auction items like these:
Fundraisers like this have never been more important — just a few weeks ago, WCFB executive director Rick Jump told us the number of people served this September was up 50% from a year earlier. If you couldn’t make it to the event, you can still help the White Center Food Bank — which also serves part of West Seattle — by donating online here. (The West Seattle Food Bank accepts online donations too – start here.)
Those spotlights in front of the Admiral Theater tonight were NOT for the West Seattle debut of the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (WSB sponsor) — screenings are under way elsewhere in the city right now but the Admiral showings aren’t till next Friday and Saturday (schedule here; watch for WSB ticket giveaways starting Monday). Tonight, the Admiral was closed to the public, rented out for a private event, spotlights and all. As for PUBLIC special events coming up – three weeks till the Frances Farmer’s Revenge extravaganza (here’s the official site).
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH ADDITION: You may have heard that Seattle Police have launched a website with short summaries of major crime incidents around the city, SPD Blotter. They have made RSS feeds available, separated by precinct, so we have added the Southwest Precinct feed from SPD Blotter to the WSB Crime Watch page (automated links, similar to the format you’ll find on our Blogs and More pages).
HOLIDAYS PAGE UPDATES: Thanks to everyone who’s sent word of more West Seattle Halloween events since we announced the WSB Holidays page, which starts with Halloween happenings (lots next Fri-Sat-Sun plus of course Halloween night itself) and continues through the winter holidays. If you’re planning something to which West Seattleites are welcome, please e-mail us the who/what/when/where, editor@westseattleblog.com, any time.
FROM PARTNER SITE WHITE CENTER NOW: After two and a half months, White Center Now continues to update White Center news and information seven days a week, with multiple updates most days – like today: Here’s news of a new men’s salon coming to White Center; and here you’ll find new photos from the ongoing pier-removal work at Hicks Lake (now there’s a MASSIVE crane on the job).
As mentioned earlier, one of the doorbelling campaigns under way today in West Seattle, as by-mail voting gets into full swing, is for Sound Transit Proposition 1 (aka “Mass Transit Now!”). This one may be a tough decision for West Seattleites, as it’s mostly about projects in other parts of the region (with some money for studying West Seattle). We have the full text, plus the pro and con websites, linked from the WSB Election page, but if you would rather talk about it in person – here’s the perfect chance: Monday night’s Sustainable West Seattle meeting, 7 pm at Camp Long; Andy Silber from SWS’ transportation team says speakers will be there “representing both the pro and con positions.” Meantime, we recently asked pro-Prop 1 spokesperson Alex Fryer what supporters would say to West Seattleites who are asking “why should I support it – what’s in it for me?” The answer, ahead (and then we’d love to hear what YOU think):Read More
As mentioned in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup (and elsewhere), the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is tomorrow – with activities spread out among the Fauntleroy Church and YMCA (both WSB sponsors) and schoolhouse for four jampacked hours, 2-6 pm. Among the entertainers: Seattle Civic Dance Theatre, which is presenting a series of miniperformances of its ballet “The Magical Doll Maker,” starting with one during the Fall Festival, 4:30 pm tomorrow in the church Fellowship Hall. (The full “Magical Doll Maker” performance is set for December 21st at Highline Performing Arts Center; more info at civicdancers.org or 206/938-3062.)
Just about every time we talk here about West Seattle’s growth and current/future changes, somebody voices worries about losing our sense of history. There’s something you can do right now to help make sure local history’s not lost: Get involved with the Log House Museum and its parent organization, which work to celebrate, caretake, and even unearth it. Here’s the scoop from Judy Bentley:
Are you new to Seattle and curious about its past? Are you a native who would like to brush up on local history? Are you interested in serving an organization that needs your financial, fundraising, community organizing and management skills?
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which operates The Log House Museum on Alki, is looking for volunteers, committee members, and board members. Participation in our board will be challenging and rewarding, stretching your skills and abilities. You will also gain experience in the meaningful work of preserving the history of Southwest Seattle, making new friends in the community and the pride of knowing you’ve contributed to a vital organization.
Board member terms are for three years, beginning in 2009. Volunteer and committee work begins at any time. If you are up for the fun and challenge, please send a letter of interest.
The postal-mail and e-mail addresses for the Log House Museum can be found on this page of its website. Also note two big events coming up, and there’s time for you to be part of them: The annual membership meeting of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is coming up at 10 am November 15th at Youngstown Arts Center – join now and you can join in that important event; a week later, it’s the Anniversary Gala Dinner and Silent Auction, 5 pm November 22 at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center (more info here).
Thanks to those who have e-mailed to point out that though the Alaskan Way Viaduct has been closed since 6 am and is scheduled to remain closed till 6 tomorrow night, the warning signs are NOT flashing, at least as of a short time ago. We spotchecked Admiral, Fauntleroy, and 35th (photo at left shows the sign next to West Seattle Stadium, around 12:15 pm) – all out. We’ll be checking with SDOT to see what the problem is. P.S. Just got a call from Scott C, who says traffic on The Bridge, eastbound, is running at a snail’s pace right now. 4:15 PM UPDATE: The lights are on now.
Just back from The Hall at Fauntleroy, where U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell headlined a pep rally before hundreds of Democrats hit the streets of West Seattle, White Center, and beyond in a weekend blitz of Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) doorbelling. (That first clip shows the end of the rally, with Sen. Murray offering a few last words, then inviting two local D’s — State Sen. Joe McDermott and County Councilmember Dow Constantine – up to the stage; McDermott is on the ballot but, like the two other 34th District state legislators, running unopposed.) Local Republicans were fanning out from Westwood Village at about the same time, and supporters of Sound Transit Proposition 1 are also on the street (came home to find one of their doorhangers). This weekend is considered crucial because many people who vote by mail have just received their ballots and will be voting long before the official Election Day on Nov. 4. ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: More from this morning’s rally — and why it wasn’t just about the presidential race:Read More
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