West Seattle, Washington
05 Saturday
While out in The Junction covering the car-on-side crash Tuesday afternoon, we noticed a forklift in action over by West Seattle Bowl. Further investigation revealed that, like nearby Fauntleroy Way, West Seattle Bowl is embarking on midst of lane-resurfacing work. Materials arrived yesterday and were moved into place, and prep work will continue for the rest of the week. West Seattle Bowl’s Jeff Swanson tells WSB that over the next three or four weeks, they’ll resurface two lanes at a time – all the others will be open, so no change in hours or operations expected.
Since West Seattle is home to city parks big (Alki and Lincoln) and small 
(California Place, Morgan Junction), not to mention more than a few inbetween (like Fauntleroy, at left), these are meetings you’ll want to know about: First, Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher is wrapping up a round of “hear from the public” events, and the closest he is getting to West Seattle is a gathering tonight at the South Park Community Center (map), 7 pm. Meantime, the city Parks Board (chaired by Alki’s Jackie Ramels) – meets tomorrow night downtown, and the major topic of West Seattle interest will be the board’s recommendation on whether to change some parks’ operating hours. Read on for toplines of the West Seattle-specific recommendations (all detailed in this briefing paper) …Read More
For months now, Galena White and volunteers have toiled to get the Delridge Produce Cooperative off the ground. As reported previously, they’ve received a city grant for what was first billed as a “mobile produce market” but is really a trial run of a “community-supported produce stand” – which will be handing out free, fresh, healthy produce at various locations this summer. However, that takes people power – as Galena explains:
We’re a group of volunteers in the Delridge Neighborhood of West Seattle who want to open a community-run produce store to provide affordable, sustainably-grown freshfruits and vegetables to the people of Delridge by 2010. Delridge is a healthy food “desert,” and our goal is to increase the health of the residents by increasing the quality of food. This spring, we applied for and received an award of $15,000 from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to put on a series of demonstration booths this summer.
The goal of these demonstrations is to show the residents of Delridge what it would be like to have a community-supported produce stand, to hand out free produce and information about the importance of eating locally and staying healthy, and to build the foundations for improvement of local food systems. Please visit the project page to learn more about the project. We need help to make this project happen. … Please refer anyone who wishes to know to this list of available volunteer positions.
Though we currently do not have an official Obituaries section, when someone takes the time and trouble to ask us to publish an obituary, so that other community members know of the passing, we certainly oblige, and will continue doing so if you have occasion to seek publication of one. (editor@westseattleblog.com) This morning, Genie wrote to ask that we share news of the upcoming funeral for her sister, longtime West Seattleite Diane Casey Williams:
Born on September 28 1937, she lived most of her life in West Seattle with her husband Orval and her boys, Mark, Dale, Casey and Tom. She was a fixture at Farmers Insurance at “The Junction,” working for Ray Atwood since she was 18 when she graduated from Holy Rosary. She then moved up in the insurance world achieving the high rank of Average Adjuster for maritime claims at Frank B Hall and Fis Maritime, a feat rare for a woman. Diane was a competent, compassionate worker, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister who had care-taking down to a science. I have never met anyone who knew my “big sister” who didn’t love her. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 10:00 am, followed by a reception at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Please join the family in celebrating Diane’s life.
Since the WSB Forums launched more than a year and a half ago, originally mostly because people wanted to request and receive recommendations for local businesses and services, they’ve facilitated a lot of other connections too, with more than 61,000 posts and 5,000 members. The latest – a vanpool that’s got room for somebody new. If you commute between West Seattle and the north end of Lake Washington, check out the post here – and check out what else is new in the Forums here.
Here’s an update on the upcoming volleyball camps at West Seattle High School, from Westside assistant coach Jim Hardy:
Help Sponsor the Westside Volleyball Camp with Idaho Vandals Coach Steve Whitaker @ West Seattle HS
We are still accepting registrations for July’s Volleyball Camp for HS and Middle School age players. The camp will run Monday-Thursday July 6th-9th, 1:00-5:30 at West Seattle High School. The fee for the Camp is $120. (Some scholarships and waivers are available.) This is a fundraiser for the VB team, and more sponsors are needed! Contact Head Coach Gail Mowrer to register. Phone 206.935.3231 or 206.293.5063 E-mail: mowrerpowers@comcast.net
Registration form and flyer are on the WSHS Volleyball Web Site:
www.wshsvb.greatserve.com/WestsideCamp.htm
(photo by Christopher Boffoli, added 10:41 pm)
We’re on our way to check this out — 7700 block of 15th SW. 10:13 PM UPDATE: Just arrived, and most of the initial big callout is gone. No obvious sign of fire; going to try to find out what it was all about, but clearly NOT a big deal. 10:19 PM UPDATE: Talked to firefighters. Contents of a wastebasket caught fire. Out now, everybody OK.
No big splashy announcements of this closure yet but it hit our radar when Robert asked a question on the WSB Facebook page: The Alaskan Way Viaduct will close for much of Saturday because of this area’s first-ever Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. Specifically, it’s slated to close 4 am-4 pm northbound, 4 am-1:15 pm southbound; the times are listed on The Viaduct’s website.
ORIGINAL 8:39 PM REPORT: Robin e-mailed to share this information:
In the interest of alerting our neighbors: our car (in our driveway, in the back yard – but fence gate was open) was rifled through sometime between 3 pm Monday and 10 am Tuesday (today). I think it must have been kids, or at least a “kind” burglar, because they took maps, our tire warranty, hand sanitizer, and a wind up cell phone charger; as well as the case only to my GPS – which they tossed in the alley at the end of the driveway, but left the satellite radio ???? I noticed the passenger door was ajar so I looked in and saw napkins, salt pkgs, and straws on the floor. Our dogs didn’t even bark, or if they did we were bad dog owners and told them “It’s OK.” Anyway, no real harm, just an FYI to folks near Thistle, 22nd, and Delridge [map]. We did file a report with the police.
Worth noting here that the South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meets this Thursday night – both Seattle Police and King County Sheriff’s Office law enforcers are usually on hand, since this group’s coverage area is on both sides of the line – 6 pm Thursday, St. James Place, 9421 18th SW (map).
ADDED 8:50 PM: We just got word from Justin of a home break-in at 32nd/Trenton (map) that he says police are investigating right now. The burglar/s broke in through the kitchen window and stole items including a laptop.
(photo added 5:44 pm, thanks to Dubster)
ORIGINAL 5:09 PM REPORT: On our way to check. Update: A car is on its side by the Bank of America. Alaska is blocked both ways. 2nd update: 2 cars are involved. At least one person is in a medic unit. Alaska is blocked between 41st and Fauntleroy.
(photo by Christopher Boffoli, same car after it was righted, added 5:56 pm)
5:34 PM UPDATE: The man driving one of the cars involved is unhurt – the woman driving the other car suffered only a minor arm injury, according to police. The wreckage is being cleared but there’s enough broken glass in the road that it may be blocked for a while. We have someone at the scene and will update when it reopens.
(added 6:06 pm — Christopher’s photo of the other car that was involved, whose driver wasn’t hurt at all, according to police
5:36 PM UPDATE: That was fast – Alaska is now reopened westbound.
5:46 PM UPDATE: And Alaska is now open in both directions. So far, no word on how exactly this crash happened, but we’ll be following up. (6:10 pm) Adding one more photo – thanks to Miss Courtney for this one, showing some context on where the crash happened:
Some of the discussion and questions following yesterday’s update on the Fauntleroy Way repaving project — which has now moved on to the California/Fauntleroy intersection — was noticed by SDOT, so Marybeth Turner has sent us this explanation to share:
There are three different types of repair work happening on Fauntleroy.
On the west side, SDOT is replacing some of the most damaged concrete panels. This is what crews have been doing most recently from north to south. This reconstruction began on June 22, and is expected to last five days (weather permitting). The west side doesn’t have an asphalt surface like the center and east side. The concrete work on the south side of the intersection will begin on July 6 and also is expected to last five days.
In a few weeks, crews will begin working on the east side of the street, grinding off the old asphalt, then replacing sections of concrete. (This part of the street has a concrete base with an asphalt overlay.) The east side will progress from south to north.
Finally, in the last phase, crews will completely rebuild the center section of the road (middle two lanes) working from north to south. The resurfacing (asphalt) on the east and center sections will happen towards then end of the project in September. The rechannelization (lane markings) will be installed after the paving has been completed.
Another photo from today, at the northeast corner of California/Fauntleroy:
Here’s the official city project page, which also explains the “rechannelization,” if you missed all our previous coverage dating back to first word last November that it was being proposed.
(From left: Anthony Coats, Alex Coats, Coach Steve Meehan, Alex MacKenzie, Coach John Coats, Kevin Simmons, David Meehan, Cameron Slader, Griffin Bills, Cameron Paskett, Morgan Higgins, Austin Hall, James Morrison, Coach John MacKenzie)
Yesterday, we previewed the big championship game; today, the results and the victory photo, courtesy of West Seattle Little League‘s John MacKenzie:
The West Seattle Little League Majors Division D-Rays dominated the District 7 Tournament of Champions championship game on Monday by defeating South Highline National LL 15-0 in 4 innings. After winning the West Seattle Little League title, the Rays represented WSLL in the T.O.C. at Normandy Park City Hall fields. The T.O.C features the winners of all 8 of the District‘s leagues in a single-elimination tournament. The other teams are Seattle Central LL, Rainier LL, Renton LL, Pacwest LL, South Highline American LL, and the 2nd place South Highline National LL.
The Rays scored 26 runs and allowed 0 in the 3-day tournament. “The offense was amazing, with 4 home runs and several extra-base hits, the defense made some great plays and didn’t commit an error, and the pitching was overpowering with 4 pitchers combining to allow only 3 hits and 5 walks while striking out 28. I couldn’t have imagined a better finish to an incredible season” said Coach MacKenzie.
The D-Rays finished the season 21-1-1 and several players will be representing WSLL in the upcoming All-Star tournaments. For more information on the All-Star tournaments and WSLL, check out www.westseattlelittleleague.com.
The Rays’ coaches and players want to thank everyone who has supported them throughout the season.
If you went anywhere near Alki Point for low-tide exploring, you might have seen this for the first time – part of the new sidewalk along the northwesternmost curve of Alki Avenue, one section of the Alki Point sidewalk-completion and traffic-calming project. Taking the long way back to WSB HQ from low-tide photography, we noticed most of the work appears complete, and Therese Casper from the city’s Neighborhood Street Fund, which paid for this project, confirms that: “We have a few more things to button up but the contractor anticipates being complete in the next week or two.” She also sends along part of a recent multi-slide presentation on NSF projects – see it here; it’s the section with before-and-after views along the Alki stretch, which starts at the new “calming” feature at 63rd/Alki (our photograph is from earlier this month, as work on that was wrapping up) …
… and ends with the second of two raised crosswalks (like the ones in The Junction), at Alki Ave/Beach Drive, where the sidewalk previously ended. This project sparked some controversy and even a threat of legal action; some waterfront residents had concerns including the potential loss of their unusually configured street parking, but the city designed it in a way that preserved most of that parking (with a loss of some spots at the southwest end of the project) as well as working around some other features, like this:
Along much of the stretch, the new sidewalk was built in what was part of the road, which is now narrower as a result, a fact that’s expected to further discourage speeding through-traffic. This project was bid as part of a package, so Casper says the final cost total won’t be tallied till after the work’s all done. The work’s taken about a month longer than was projected right before it started.
It would take us all day, maybe all week, to list just some of what’s been made possible by the city Neighborhood Matching Fund, in West Seattle alone – so we want to pass along word of some “mid-year changes” – all detailed here, where you’ll also find word of a workshop in West Seattle, 10 am July 25 at Youngstown Arts Center, for those interested in future applications, and more info on the changes.
That’s from our favorite low-tide-viewing spot, Seacrest Pier, where the receding water reveals the colonies on the pilings. Hazy sunshine and lots of tidewalkers all along West Seattle’s saltwater shore as the tide bottomed out just before noon. Here’s a wider shot with perspective on how far down the water level fell (the round item near the top of the photo, by the way, is one of the gourds placed out for purple martin nesting):
ADDED 4:29 PM: Our video from the same spot:
We’ve also received some photos that we’ll be adding later – thanks!!!!
This topic has come up at some of the candidate forums we’ve attended – the unpopularity of the so-called “head tax,” formally known as the “employee hours tax,” requiring Seattle employers to pay a $25 annual tax for each employee. Now, there’s word of a formal proposal to repeal it – read on for the city news release:Read More
Just in from Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor):
ANTIQUE CAR SHOW – Saturday, June 27th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights, 2326 California Ave. SW. We’ll take a step back in time as far back as the Roaring 20’s! These beautiful cars can be viewed from the alley side of the building. Hot dogs and pop available for a $2 donation. Proceeds to benefit the Senior Center of West Seattle.
(2008 Summer Fest photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Just two and a half weeks till West Seattle Summer Fest (WSB sponsor), the July 10-11-12 three-day street festival in The Junction (almost a 4-day event, with the West Seattle Art Walk happening after the streets shut down the night before) – and Susan Melrose at the West Seattle Junction Association has just sent word of a money-making opportunity that might interest you:
The Junction Association is offering community groups an opportunity to earn some money while providing a public safety service at West Seattle Summer Fest. Your group can earn a stipend of $300 for a half day of work at the festival. Groups can sign up for multiple shifts to earn more money. This is a great opportunity for youth teams and booster clubs.
What: Act as cross walk guards at intersections at Summer Fest. Festivalgoers might accidentally walk into the street and the guards will remind people to stop at lights.
When: Shifts are: Friday 10-3, Friday 3-8, Sunday 11-3, or Sunday 3-7
How Many: Each shift requires 8-10 volunteers at all times. Your group must be able to fill the entire shift.
Who: Must be 16 years old to volunteer. Safety vests provided.
Shifts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Liz Schroeder with the Junction Association at liz@wsjunction.org.
As noted here previously, this year’s music lineup is all set (see it here); more online info about the festival’s offerings is in the works but we’ve also had a sneak peek (WSB story from 6/8) at some of this year’s improvements, including the “kid zone” moving to California SW by Curious Kidstuff and one of the music stages moving to SW Alaska near Junction Plaza Park (where you’ll find a park-fundraiser beer garden) from its old location at the south end of the festival zone.
Catching up on commercial real-estate listings, we note that Admiral Chevron is up for sale. According to the listing, they’re asking $1,050,000 — “Best corner in West Seattle and first time on the market” – and saying it grosses more than $5,000,000 a year. The listing does not appear to include the land; county records say the entire parcel, land and business, is appraised at $2.6 million.
Our report last Friday on the sentencing of the three teenagers convicted in connection with the attack that left Southwest Precinct Officer Jason McKissack with serious head injuries included a fact that emerged in the courtroom late in the hearing – that one of the defendants had been arrested for alleged residential burglary a month before the May trial. Today, Seattle Times reporter Christine Clarridge, the only other journalist in court for Friday’s sentencing, has a few more details on that arrest (which happened in the University District) and reports that the 17-year-old boy found guilty of assault in the McKissack case was arrested that same day, in that same area, for alleged underage drinking. Here’s her story.
(Photo by Dina Johnson)
The three most recent chairs of the Highland Park Action Committee — from left, Blair Johnson (2006-2007), Dan Mullins (current) and Dorsol Plants (2008, now running for City Council) — were all on hand as HPAC led a “mini-summit” last night on what Mullins called “one of the city’s jewels”: Nearby Westcrest Park. Westcrest is known for many things, good and bad – right now, for the Seattle Public Utilities project to cover its reservoir:
Also, for the fact it’s got the only official off-leash area in West Seattle:
(2008 WSB photo)
And, infamously, for “illicit activity” – drugs and sex – though Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officer Adonis Topacio reiterated at last night’s meeting what he told the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council last week, that the “activity” has dropped dramatically in recent weeks, thanks in no small part to citizen patrols and some clearing of overgrown vegetation. But, Officer Topacio said, the park needs to be used more, to keep the unwanted activity at bay; making Westcrest more usable was one of the themes of the night.
(Photo by Dina Johnson)
Those sticky notes contain dozens of suggestions and concerns that the meeting’s 50-plus participants wrote down – not just thoughts about how to make the park better now (including safety enhancements like cameras and lighting), but also their ideas for what to do with the park space that will eventually be created once the reservoir-covering work is done; many hoped for P-Patch community-gardening space; others envisioned more play equipment for kids (“big swings for big kids/adults too,” read one note). A Parks Department manager in attendance said that the design process for the park space likely will start before the end of this year, once a project manager is appointed in the fall. But the ideas ultimately must resonate with the community, stressed City Council President Richard Conlin, who spoke and took questions for about 20 minutes as the meeting began:
One attendee asked what advice he could give HPAC in terms of pursuing its ideas for Westcrest Park: “Parks staff can be great resources – tap into them, find out about the realities of the issues they’re dealing with. (Also), work to build win-win consensus … it’s very difficult if (the community is split).” The many ideas voiced and written during last night’s meeting will be turned into an official document and presented to city leaders; a draft form might even be available, Mullins indicated, by this Thursday, when the full City Council comes to West Seattle for a Town Hall meeting (6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy). ALSO ANNOUNCED AT LAST NIGHT’S HPAC MEETING: The group is officially switching its regular meeting day to the fourth Wednesday of the month (instead of the fourth Monday), so the next meeting will be July 22nd.
The Delridge Skatepark — one year in the making, so far — gets ever closer to reality, 
and last night’s third and final design meeting was one more step in that direction. Led by Dan Johnson from Seattle Parks, subbing for ailing project manager Kelly Davidson, attendees heard project updates and offered their thoughts on the “schematic design” (first shown to the Seattle Design Commission a month ago – then fleshed out further in the version presented last night, which you can see at SeattleSkateparks.org). First: The skatepark might get to be as big as 15,000 square feet, a third bigger than originally envisioned in the design, if it gets all the funding that’s being sought. As reported here in recent weeks, Parks has gathered $750,000, from Hiawatha Playfield low-bid savings and the Parks Levy money once proposed for a Myrtle Reservoir skatespot; now, a $75,000 King County Youth Sports grant is being sought as well. 
What can and can’t be done within that space has some limitations, designer Micah Johnson from Grindline (right) stressed at the meeting, because of site challenges such as a large drainage pipe and sloping on the site. Overriding desire so far: Two separate skating bowls; many were concerned that the large bowl area in the schematic design wouldn’t work for beginners or intermediate skaters, but having two bowls would enable them to skate while advanced skaters had their own space too. Also discussed, what had been suggested at last winter’s second design meeting; West Seattle skating advocate Matthew Lee Johnston and others recalled the request that the park “reflect West Seattle” and wondered how that would be done. Micah Johnson noted the overall design is unique, and the stamped-stone look would be unique as well, but thought that the art proposed separately for the site could truly reflect its location. A community group has been working on that part of the project. Next steps: Final city approval is still needed for the basic $750,000 funding, and a decision on the county grant application is expected within about six weeks. Dan Johnson said that the ideas suggested at this meeting will go to the planners, and it’s hoped that the design can be finalized and approved in time to go to bid before year’s end.
Two days after that celebration in California Place Park (WSB coverage here), marking the end of the “design process” funded by a city Neighborhood Matching Fund grant, looking toward possible additions to the park, there’s a P.S. – Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral has an update to share, with two items that were included in our report on the weekend event, and one that is just now being announced:
At the celebration this weekend we announced a few things we are working on and also forgot to mention another. In the interest of keeping people updated and informed, here’s what’s brewing:
A Park Sign — We are working with the Parks Department to ensure a sign is installed in the park so that all who pass by know it to be a PUBLIC park, open and accessible to all. It has been ordered, and is just a matter of time before we see it in California Place Park.Buffer Plants – Based on input and community concerns, we are working to plant “buffer plants” in the right of way area along California Ave SW. This will create a natural border for the park and California Ave and help to enclose park users. This is an element of the design that Karen Kiest created. Her team will help us with placement and plant selection. All plants will be from the list of approved plants for right of way areas to make sure visibility is not impaired.
We need your help to make this happen – we’re looking for community volunteers to help install these plants and also donations to help purchase plants. If you’re interested in pledging time, money or seek more information please e-mail us at info@californiaplacepark.org. We’ll post more details on this as we have them!
Community Survey — Look for a survey from “Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral” in your mailbox in the next day or so. We are seeking feedback from the community on outdoor community spaces. This survey was sent to most residents North of Admiral Ave SW – about 1,900 households and businesses. Please take the time to answer these questions and return the survey in the enclosed envelope either by using a stamp or dropping it off at Barnecut’s Admiral Service Station (the Shell station on the corner of Admiral Way SW and 41st Ave SW.) We’ll post our analysis of the feedback as soon as possible.
The deadline for returning the survey is July 20th; the money comes from that same original $15,000 Department of Neighborhoods grant that funded the design work done to date.
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