West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
From the WSB Forums: Someone who’s been participating in WSB comments for almost as long as the site’s been around – then the forums when they opened – and e-mail news tips too — is now making a little news himself. Mike, aka “miws,” revealed in this forum post that he’s being treated for a rare form of leukemia. It’s very treatable, he explains, but quite a shock – he went into the hospital with what he thought was severe asthma, and instead doctors discovered “hairy cell leukemia.” He’s hoping to be home in his West Seattle apartment soon. We asked if there’s anything he needs – Mike says the “good thoughts” are it – he’s got several other great support networks that already sprang into action. Mike’s positive attitude (and lively WS memories) have enhanced many a comment/forum thread, so we’re sending profuse “good thoughts” from here and hoping you’ll do the same.
Went down the hill to Thriftway in Morgan Junction a short time ago; as we got out of our car, the gentleman you see in the photo above was a few steps ahead of us, heading for a spot outside the store’s southwest-facing door. He identified himself as a paid signature-gatherer for petitions pursuing a referendum to cancel the 20-cent disposable-bag fee (and foam ban) just approved by the City Council (original WSB report, with 60+ comments, here). He said he wasn’t sure who’s sponsoring the referendum (we’ll be looking that up shortly), just that he’s got a contract to get paid to gather signatures. And from a quick look at the petitions (photo at left) after he’d been in business just about 15 minutes, he seemed to be having a success rate of almost one signature per minute. MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: Still trying to figure out how to find out who’s behind this. Found the city rules for referendums, and they note that you do not have to file anything in advance to circulate petitions – and you’re not supposed to bring them in till you think you have at least the required number (almost 15,000) – so this wouldn’t necessarily be on record anywhere.
Several new job openings have appeared in the past few days in the WSB “West Seattle Jobs Offered” forum, so we wanted to remind you it’s there as a FREE service, for businesses to post West Seattle jobs, and for jobseekers to browse WS jobs. Our only requirement is that the job(s) must be physically located in West Seattle, and please let us know when the job’s filled so we can remove your listing (otherwise, there are no artificial limits so far like “posting good for a week only”).
The Highland Park Improvement Club (NOT the same as the HP Action Committee, though HPAC meets at the HPIC’ historic facility) is having its big annual rummage sale right now, 12th/Holden, under way till 3 pm. (If you live in the area, you can also join in its potluck starting at 1 pm, but everyone’s welcome to come browse/shop!) HPIC, by the way, is the oldest community club in Seattle – founded in 1919, which is why its web address is hpic1919.org. We stopped by the sale site a little while ago to get some pix and found one that already had a story behind it, two hours into the sale:
Becca told us a man asked her how much she’d sell the bear hat for. She said, three bucks. He said, here’s five – gave her the money – and said “Just keep wearing the hat.” So who knows what you might find there; tere’s a map to the sale’s location.
Thanks to Kate for e-mailing to share news of a project that’s about to begin in the area on the map above:
I have received a “Bridging the Gap” door flyer from SDOT announcing that it will start construction this Monday, August 11, of a paved walkway on the north side of SW Forest Street from Walnut (Hiawatha Park) to Fairmount (top of Fairmount Ravine) to 39th SW. Here is the flyer’s text …:
– Location of work: SW Forest Street between Walnut Ave. SW and 39th Ave. SW
– Beginning on August 11, 2008, our crews will be working to install a new walkway with a concrete curb in your neighborhood.
– We will be placing temporary no parking signs in various areas.
– This project should be completed within 2 weeks, weather permitting.
– If you have any questions or concerns please call the asphalt paving crew chief at 206-233-2512.
– Thank you for your patience and understanding during our construction phase.
Kate also sent along the attached specs for what’s being built; click here to see them. It’s a $70,000 project, according to this city document (page 14).
It’s our Sunday morning tradition – this week’s “fresh sheet” for citywide farmers’ markets, including West Seattle (10 am-2 pm today, 44th/Alaska) – here’s what’s on it right now:Read More
We close the night (barring breaking news, of course, which we’re always watching/listening for) with another photo from David Hutchinson — though the summer storm dropped the curtain on tonight’s West Seattle Movies on the Wall plans, it also provided this spectacular sight.
(December 2007 photo by “H,” shot long-lens from a distance)
We mentioned it when the Seal Sitters announced it a week ago, and since it’s happening tomorrow, here’s a reminder: The first volunteer-training session for the Seal Sitters – who keep watch when baby seals turn up on West Seattle shores, to make sure mom/pup reunions aren’t threatened by people or other animals who get too close – is 3-5 pm tomorrow at Hiawatha Community Center (map). After that, your next chance is 9/9 – but baby-seal season could start at any time, so the Seal Sitters may need you ASAP.
Just in from the state Transportation Department: “WSDOT crews have closed the two left lanes of southbound I-5 just south of the West Seattle Bridge for emergency road work. Drivers should expect delays and use alternate routes.”
Sad irony that the showing of a movie set almost entirely underwater has to be postponed BECAUSE of water … but … well … wouldn’t be too pleasant with soggy equipment, moviegoers, and concessions. So we’ve just confirmed that tonight’s showing of “Finding Nemo” is CANCELED. Philip Borgnes of Sidewalk Cinema tells us “Nemo” is being rescheduled to Thursday, August 21st; meantime, “Ghostbusters” is scheduled next Saturday (8/16) and “Galaxy Quest” the Saturday after that (8/23).
Still waiting for official word on the status of tonight’s Movies on the Wall showing of “Finding Nemo” – will replace this post with the official update as soon as we get that word.
10 months to the day after we mentioned a store called Fresh Vitamins had filed for various permits indicating a plan to move into a Westwood Village storefront (original WSB report here) – it’s finally open. Noticed this during a detour through WV this afternoon; the “open” sign (not pictured) forced us to stop and scamper in to ask when they’d opened — answer: last Tuesday. A quick peek at the inventory (shelves aren’t fully stocked yet) reveals some natural-food items as well as vitamins and other supplements; the ad circular tacked up on a board by the door confirms the same company owns Natureway in The Junction. Posted hours for Fresh Vitamins (just west of Bed Bath and Beyond) are 10 am-6 pm, Mondays-Saturdays.
(3/26/08 WSB photo)
He vowed he would rebuild, and now he has: Four and a half months after the arson attack that shut down locksmith Michael Dein‘s business, Puget Sound Key and Lock on the north edge of Morgan Junction, he just sent word the shop is about to reopen – and planning to offer a special service:
Just wanted to let everyone know that I am re-opening my shop on Monday!!!
I got my keys back yesterday, and am taking this weekend to set up the shop, so i just wanted to take a second to thank everyone for their support in helping me to reopen my shop. I look forward to being able to continue to serve the community, which I have truly grown to love.
Many of you may not be aware of how serious a problem domestic abuse is in modern society, and in an effort to do our share in making the exit of an abusive relationship safer, we will provide, free of charge, rekeying services to the victims of domestic abuse who have obtained “no contact,” “restraining” or other such lawful decrees. This is an open-ended offer, and we are available 24/7.
Thanks again,
Mike Dein – Puget Sound Key & Lock
206-933-8882
To this date, no arrest has been made in connection with the March 21st early-morning fire that gutted Dein’s shop (6016 California SW); tips are still welcome at 800-55-ARSON. Dein told us the day of the fire that he had no insurance, and that moved WSB Forum Community members to action; a month afterward, they put on a well-attended fundraiser (WSB coverage here).
Thanks yet again to David Hutchinson for another update on plaza progress — along with that panorama of how the site looked as crews wrapped up work at the end of the week. (Panoramas are hard to appreciate in our formatted sizing, so click the image to see a full-size version.) He adds:
Forms are in place for the final pouring of cement on Monday. Work is in progress to drill holes for the hand railings for the steps. Scheduled for next week are the installation of the bench plaques and the beginning of the installation of the inscribed pavers.
The scheduled dedication ceremony for the new plaza – by which time the statue will be back, too – is four weeks from today. And looking ahead to that ceremony, Plaza Project co-chair Libby Carr is trying to track down any of the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, or Sea Scouts who were present at the 1952 dedication of the original statue. If you were among them, or know how to reach one or more of them, she can be reached at libby@carrbiz.com or 206-938-8721.
If you decide to stay inside this Saturday morning, doesn’t mean you have to stay home. From the West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Another presentation of the popular “Wii Gaming for Adults” sessions at Delridge Library. 10:30 am-noon, free, no registration required.
Thanks to Karen Berge for sending pix again this week from the outdoor concert series at Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) — Friday night’s featured performer was Maia Santell, and we caught a video snippet of Maia and her backup band:
Two more outdoor concerts during the monthlong Friday night series — next Friday, it’s the West Seattle Big Band (get a video preview in our Hi-Yu Concert in the Park coverage from last month). The fun all happens in the courtyard/parking area on the south-central side of The Mount, with dinner and beer/wine going on sale at 5 pm, the free tunes starting at 6.
One of those side things we wouldn’t usually bother you with ’cause it’s off-topic, but several people just sent e-mail and other messages so what the heck: The New York Times website has posted tomorrow’s Page 1 story about the massive delay in tonight’s Olympics-opener broadcast. Your editor here, identified as “a blogger in Seattle,” is quoted. Just because it’s an anecdote about the new world of new media, we thought we’d note how that happened, jumped off the home page so you can scroll by if you don’t care:Read More
(Providence, RI, Park(ing) Day photo by Laurencia Strauss and Kate Field)
In our coverage of the last Alki Community Council meeting, we mentioned that a Feet First rep had previewed the upcoming Park(ing) Day, which the Seattle Parks Foundation describes on this webpage as “a one-day, global event to highlight the need for more urban open space, rethink the way green space can happen, and improve the quality of urban human habitat.” Specifically, regular old parking spaces – like the one in the photo above – are turned into temporary parks for a day; this year, that day is Friday, 9/19. We’ve been waiting to hear about a specific West Seattle plan; looks like one’s in the formative stages now, and reaching out to you – here’s what we hear from Todd Burley at SPF:
… we are working with the West Seattle Junction Association to create a “park” at the Alaska Junction because of our partnership with them to create Junction Plaza Park. We’d love to raise awareness about
this opportunity for folks in West Seattle and see if anyone is interested in creating other “parks” at the Junction …
Right now, Burley says, SPF will team with WSJA to convert one parking space, but: “If we can do more, we just might. Ideally we’d like to get multiple groups from W. Seattle together to create many parks at the Alaska Junction under one street-use permit (which makes it cheaper).” If you want to get involved, this page at the SPF site explains how; a training session is coming up next week for interested participants, but the SPF would love to hear from you sooner.
august 13th
When this thread popped up in the WSB Forums from High Point residents wondering when the long-closed Lanham/Morgan intersection by the southwest corner of Commons Park will finally reopen, now that nearby construction’s done and a light’s been installed (photo above), we went to the city to look for answers. SDOT sent us to the Seattle Housing Authority, which is responsible for High Point, saying the street-reopening decision is up to SHA — and SHA just sent us this update:
Seattle Housing Authority shares the goal of opening up the Lanham-Morgan connection as soon as possible, while keeping in mind the safety of the public as well as traffic convenience. This process is not solely up to the Housing Authority — it is a collaborative effort between us and our SDOT sponsors.
The final traffic sensors in the streets are being connected and inspected next week, after which SDOT will turn on flashing yellow lights for about another week. We expect that to happen on Monday, August 18 or sooner.
Once the lights are flashing, the barrier from Morgan to Lanham can be removed to allow traffic to enter and exit with caution. After that time, the signals will shift over to green, yellow and red lights at the intersection. The pedestrian crossing signals will also be operating at that time.
We appreciate everyone’s patience as we move toward the street opening. We understand that this has been a significant inconvenience, but both Seattle Housing Authority and SDOT staff are also concerned with the safety issues.
Just got a note about the citywide “Healthy Parks, Healthy You” launch, which is happening 8/23 at Green Lake — and until we read it through twice, we almost missed this very cool related program briefly mentioned in the same announcement: “Try It for $2” is a city initiative to offer various classes and activities at community centers citywide in September/October, for only two bucks. This city webpage lists specific activities and times offered for the $2 sampler fee (scroll all the way down to $2 Trial Activities and look for “South Locations” to see what’s on tap at the community centers in West Seattle), from yoga to cooking to art to martial arts, and more.
Just in from SDOT:
Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling southbound on Highway 99, before the West Seattle Bridge exit, south of downtown Seattle. Pavement is damaged in the middle lane. Seattle Department of Transportation crews are responding to make emergency repairs. The lane will be closed until repairs are completed, later today.
2:44 PM UPDATE: SDOT says it now expects the lane closure/repairs to happen around 3:30 and to take less than half an hour. 3:34 PM UPDATE: The repairs are done, so this shouldn’t be an issue for the rest of the commute.
**SATURDAY NIGHT NOTE: THE “FINDING NEMO” SHOWING HAS JUST BEEN RAINED OUT**
In the unlikely event you’ve never seen “Finding Nemo,” there’s the trailer; it’s the next West Seattle Movies on the Wall presentation, and one of the co-sponsors, Dream Dinners (also a WSB sponsor), will be offering pulled-pork barbecue sliders … free! (Be sure to bring a West Seattle Food Bank donation, money for fundraising concessions and raffle, too.) Meantime, tonight’s highlights include the next outdoor concert at The Mount (WSB sponsor) and the 34th District Democrats‘ annual Garden Party fundraiser, then tomorrow (besides the aforementioned movie) two tribute bands team up at the Poggie in honor of the 13th anniversary of Jerry Garcia‘s passing, Sunday’s got the Highland Park Improvement Club rummage sale and the season’s first Seal Sitters training … more than three dozen events ahead:Read More
Good thing they’re not gathering at the school — since as we first reported last week, the renovations are ramping up, and the campus is closed for two years. But they’re partying just the same – all former Chief Sealth High School students from the ’60s and ’70s are invited to a gathering at West Seattle Golf Course tonight. The Class of ’73 is sponsoring it in honor of its 35th anniversary, but they want to share memories with those who came before and after. They describe it as “a free, casual event with a no-host bar and food available from the Cafe. Get-together starts at 5 pm, with music of the era until 10:30. Bring any Sealth yearbooks and memories along. No RSVP needed!”
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