West Seattle, Washington
04 Friday
We know we’ve shown you the Harbor Ave Canada geese over and over again … but this afternoon, we just happened to be working in the car at Don Armeni for a short time, and there they were, and we were powerless to resist the desire to pull the camera out of the laptop bag, and … Besides the two little guys shown with the adults here, there were also two — elder siblings? — in the group (and note the aft end of the Magnolia-docked cruise ship at left):
ADDED 11:28 PM: David Hutchinson, who has shared excellent photos of the Harbor Ave goose families, says he and wife Eilene have been observing them all and he happens to have a lot of backstory:
The 2 older goslings were hatched on one of the pilings near Salty’s the thirdweek of April. Their father is the larger adult with the large indentation in his feathers on the right side of his chest. Based on our observations, he is the “alpha male” goose along Harbor Avenue. When he and his family approach, everyone else leaves very quickly – even the 4 adults with the 19 goslings.
We have observed him and his mate since last year when they had 4 goslings. Only 1 lived to adulthood – 2 disappeared and we took the 3rd to PAWS with a badly injured leg (it later had to be euthanized because the injury led to a severe infection). This year there were originally 4 again but 2 of those disappeared. The 2 smaller goslings you photographed were “adopted” by this family on Mother’s Day, May 10th. That morning they showed up at Don Armeni with a different family and by afternoon, they had joined their adoptive family and their parents had left. From what we have read, very young goslings have not “imprinted” on their biological parents and will go off with other goslings of similar size. Once this happens, the adoptive parents will not allow the biological parents near.
We’re at the Senior Center of West Seattle, where more than 50 people are gathered as The Kenney‘s 
$150 million redevelopment project is back before the Southwest Design Review Board. Architect Gene Guszkowski has just announced that the cupola-topped Seaview building was formally nominated today for landmark status (not listed yet on this page, though), which triggers a separate city process that, as he noted, will proceed in parallel. Much of this presentation should duplicate what was shown at the community meeting we covered last week (here’s our report; here’s the official presentation packet), but we will add to this report with anything else new that’s disclosed tonight, as well as first word of the SWDRB’s decision – whether the project will advance to the next step in the process – once it’s in (not likely to be before 8 pm). 6:44 PM UPDATE: Guszkowski just announced the long-requested (and ultimately required) tree survey will be done at the site next Monday. 8:09 PM UPDATE: The board has unanimously agreed to let the project move on to the next phase of Design Review, which could be the final phase. Most public concerns involved the massing of the large square “donut” shaped building at the heart of the project – board members suggested perhaps “eroding” its western side and building up its eastern side, to allow more sunshine in the courtyard. They’re also asking architects to look at whether they really want the potentially relocated Seaview building to be the complex’s main entry – they’re asking to see entryway options when the project comes back for the “recommendations” round.
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Susan Rosenthal was all smiles this afternoon at City Hall as she was recognized and honored as Seattle’s first woman firefighter to rise to the rank of assistant chief (first reported here yesterday).
She called it “the best day of my life.”
Rosenthal, who recently bought a house and moved to West Seattle after years of living in Wallingford, was one of the first few women hired by the Seattle Fire Department in the 1970s. (On the card in the photo atop this story, she is the firefighter in the front, with the hose.) “We were told it would require strength and stamina. Now I know that meant more than just muscles,” she said.
We promised a followup on the hot-dog cart controversy: As reported here yesterday, we had learned that the Hot Dog Joes cart which set up outside Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction in late February didn’t just go away because its trial period ran out, HDJ’s Joe Jeannot told WSB he’d been cited by the city twice and was having trouble working the situation out. Part of the problem is a city ordinance saying vendors aren’t allowed within 200 feet of parks, but as we noted yesterday, Jeannot acknowledged there was more to the story, though he declined to discuss details. Today, SDOT has some details in this statement sent to us by communications director Rick Sheridan:
The cart’s operator, Hot Dog Joes, was cited by SDOT for vending without a permit in the right of way. They did not have a health certificate or insurance to serve at that location. While cited for being within 200 feet of a park, the health and safety issues were the overriding reasons for the citations. The permit, health certificate and insurance are common requirements for food vendors, to prevent folks from getting sick or being injured, and can be easily obtained.
We tried to work with the cart operator so they would be in compliance with the law. Our Street Use inspector, who helps regulate right of way areas like sidewalks, warned the onsite vendor in person and sent a follow-up e-mail about the violations well before writing the citations.
Hot Dog Joes was aware of the requirements as they started the permit application process but never completed it. Given that they had received several warnings and refused to follow the law, the department was forced to write the citations. However, we are happy to work with Hot Dog Joes and help bring their hot dogs and bratwursts back to West Seattle.
So will they be able to work it out? Jeannot is a West Seattleite and told us in our initial conversation that whether it’s outside BPP or elsewhere, he would love to have a cart here. We’ll be contacting him for an update on whether there’s progress in working out the situation with the city. Meantime, we also contacted Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s office regarding the 200-foot rule, since he runs the Parks Committee, and he promised to look into the rationale for it, and to see if it might merit changing.
WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli got that photo of Taku River salmon at Seattle Fish Company in The Junction this morning – he says that while everybody’s talking about the Copper River season right now, Taku has already arrived and is “not as well-known but is less expensive and has a fat content similar to the famed Copper River salmon. This fish comes from Southeast Alaska’s largest salmon producing river with up to 2 million salmon returning annually.” Meantime, if you haven’t already heard, bacon fans have a new reason for Westside pride — we somehow missed this earlier in the week (thanks to MargL for alerting us today): Seems the storied Swinery is apparently now going to be based in West Seattle, per this Slog report.
That’s one of your two State House members, Rep. Sharon Nelson, briefing last night’s 34th District Democrats meeting about the legislative session just concluded – note that she explained she is expecting word sometime today about the ultimate fate of her “payday lending” legislation. With her, the 34th District’s other two legislators – State Sen. Joe McDermott gave the longest briefing, including updates on education-related legislation:
And since health care issues are a focus for Rep. Eileen Cody, that’s where her briefing focused:
The 34th DDs also heard last night from a long list of people running for local office this year, primarily Seattle City Council candidates (all of whom we will be profiling here on WSB in the weeks ahead) – although mayoral candidate James Donaldson was there too. The meeting ran nearly three hours and included a somewhat contentious vote (background here) on the group’s rules for candidate endorsements – which they plan to make at their meeting in July. Announcements at the meeting included a reminder of the June 1st King County Executive candidates’ forum, sponsored by inSPIRE, to be held at Fauntleroy Church (more info here).
It just might get into the 70s by tomorrow. So if you’re free in the afternoon, join the Nature Consortium‘s free monthly hike in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, 1 pm tomorrow (14th/Holly; map), RSVP to Lisa Corbin (lisa@naturec.org), who tells WSB, “There has been a lot of work done recently with the trails and an entire hillside has been cleared of blackberry and planted with natives, not to mention the spring growth of skunk cabbage, trillium, etc. A great time to see the greenbelt.” Then on Sunday at Alki, you can join the 5K to help fight lupus, a chronic auto-immune disease:
To be specific, Sunday’s event is the Seattle/Puget Sound Walk with Us to Cure Lupus Walk-a-thon (photo above is from last year’s event). The ALR Walk with Us to Cure Lupus event will be a 3 mile (5K) walk, starting at Alki Bathhouse at 9 am To be part of it, call Laurie Gray at 206.919.6270 or visit walk.lupusresearch.org/seattle (where you can also pledge to support walkers, if you can’t be there in person).
From e-mail just sent out by King County Sheriff Sue Rahr:
During the past several months we have seen an increase in the number of
burglaries throughout King County. … Despite having to cut many property crime detective positions this year due to our budget being reduced, I am still doing everything I can to keep you safe. I am teaming up with other local law enforcement jurisdictions, crime analysis teams and representatives from the King County Prosecutor’s Office to form a burglary task force. Much like the very successful task force created to reduce auto theft, we will be focusing on the most serious repeat offenders. We reduced auto theft by more than 30% through this coordination and focus. It is my hope we will achieve the same results with burglaries.
KCSO does not have jurisdiction in West Seattle, of course (but does, in unincorporated White Center) – however, we hadn’t heard of this task force before, so we’re checking to see if SPD is part of it. (And of course, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office handles cases for the entire county, cities as well as unincorporated areas – we covered PA Dan Satterberg touting the auto-theft task force during his recent Rotary Club of West Seattle speech – and who could forget the video he showed?)
TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: Why wait for the Bite of Seattle when you can try the Taste of West Seattle? It’s happening tonight, benefiting West Seattle Helpline, 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, with participating food/beverage providers: Alki Bakery, Bakery Nouveau, Beveridge Place Pub, The Bohemian, Cafe Revo (WSB sponsor), Cupcake Royale, Eats Market Cafe, Elliott Bay Brewing, Endolyne Joe’s, Husky Deli, Lee’s Asian, Metropolitan Market, Prost, Salty’s, Starbucks, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, West 5, West Seattle Cellars. $40/door. P.S. Helpline executive director Anna Fern also tells us, “We are also having a raffle of 24 donated gift certificates from local restaurants and business. And an auction for four items: Beecher’s Cheesemaker of the Day, Crowley Tug Ride at Maritime Festival, Art of the Table Supper, and Health through Hypnosis.”
DESIGN REVIEW FOR THE KENNEY: On the heels of last week’s community meeting to unveil the newest design proposals (WSB coverage here), comes tonight’s Southwest Design Review Board meeting – 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle. These meetings always include ample opportunity for public comment, so if you have something to say about The Kenney’s $150 million redevelopment proposal, be there.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: The weather’s supposed to get better as the day goes on, but even if it doesn’t, note that the dozens of venues are indoors, with amazing art everywhere. Many displays are spotlighted on the official Art Walk site; one highlight is the opening reception for the student art show in the ArtsWest gallery. The Art Walk happens 6-9 tonight; get your map here.
FOOD BANK BENEFIT CONCERT: Also in The Junction, tonight’s the night that the junior high youth group at Holy Rosary is presenting Dennis Zender in concert as a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank – admission is free, just bring a nonperishable food item. 7 pm.
Other events for tonight – including a discussion of the Duwamish River’s health, the West Seattle High School musical and the tango at Endolyne Joe‘s! – are on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.
From today’s edition of the twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin: The city has approved “administrative design review” for the seven-unit project across the alley from Cactus at 3008 63rd SW (map). The decision can be read here; the deadline for appeals is May 28, and the online notice explains how they can be filed.
Not far away, AT&T Wireless is seeking approval to replace two rooftop antennas at 6609 Admiral Way (map), the apartment building overlooking Bar-S Playfield, which has been the site of fights over other antennas (including last year’s appeal of a different application) and has long been the site of other installations. The city is accepting comments on this application; the link is at the top of this notice page.
The West Seattle CoolMom chapter is getting the word out about both the Environmental Protection Agency hearing on climate change one week from today in Seattle and plans for a rally outside the hearing. They’re hoping West Seattleites — CoolMom families and everyone else who’s interested — will join in the rally; they’re also noting that CoolMom co-founder Kirsten McCaa is planning to testify during the hearing. Seattle is one of two cities the EPA is visiting for public hearings on its “proposed finding” that climate-change-related pollution is a threat to human health. Here’s EPA info (including how to pre-register to testify) about the hearing, set for 9 am-8 pm May 21 at Bell Harbor on the downtown waterfront; the rally is set for noon (here’s its official infopage).
It’s been a few weeks since Earth Day, but in the “EVERY day is Earth Day” spirit, we have one more story to share, this one — accompanied by the art shown above — from students at West Seattle’s Tilden School:
As is our tradition, Tilden School students spent time on Earth Day cleaning up garbage around the neighborhood. This year, all classes together gathered about 15 large garbage bags full of trash. Several students found it encouraging that this was less than they found last Earth Day! Students who collected near the Junction reported cigarette butts as the most common item; students who collected north on California reported more candy wrappers and beer bottles. Some of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders wanted to share their reflections on the experience:
Adrian: When my class and I went to pick up trash … it was horrible! There was garbage everywhere!!…
Mallih: … On Earth Day, Tilden School went out and about to the post office, and oh, my, there was so much trash in one little parking lot!…
Sam: It was a dim day, and the sky was full of gray clouds. We mostly picked up cigarette butts and pieces of paper. I mainly collected plastic and rubber. This year there wasn’t as much garbage as last year. In my opinion, people are thinking more about the environment…
Just in from King County – tonight’s “blue ribbon panel” meeting resulted in two candidates – as per plan – recommended for the position of interim County Executive, till a new one’s elected this fall. Here’s the official announcement:
Blue-Ribbon Committee recommends Royer and Triplett for appointment as King County Executive
King County Council will interview all four candidates on Monday and may make final appointmentA Blue-Ribbon Selection Committee empanelled by the King County Council tonight interviewed four candidates for King County Executive and recommended two for the short-term appointment — former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer and interim County Executive and former Executive Chief of Staff Kurt Triplett.
Read on to see what happens next, and who else was involved with this phase of the process:Read More
Another excuse to think “sunny … warm …” in the middle of today’s drippy chilliness: The virtual suggestion box is now open for the West Seattle Junction Outdoor Movies on the Wall series, which draws hundreds of people to the courtyard (seen above in a photo from last summer) between Dr. Wolff and Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) for six summertime Saturday nights. As announced by Hotwire’s Lora Lewis, this year’s dates are:
Saturday, July 18th
Saturday, July 25th
Saturday, August 1st
Saturday, August 8th
Saturday, August 15th
Saturday, August 22nd
The movies should be family-friendly, though that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be G-rated. Send your suggestion(s) to westseattlemovies@gmail.com. (If you don’t want your e-mail address attached to a suggestion, alternatives also include leaving a comment at the official website, westseattlemovies.blogspot.com – or even send a tweet to @wsmovies – or leave a comment here.) Lora’s also looking for series sponsors for the bargain-basement rate of $150; interested businesses can e-mail her at lora@hotwirecoffee.com.
Want to avoid a rerun of last year or the year before? Here’s last year’s list; here’s the 2007 list. So – what do you want to see On The Wall this summer? (By the way, no rainouts this year – if rain happens, the movie will move indoors to nearby West Seattle Christian Church‘s events center, where the winter movie series was held.)
That’s one of the photos White Center Now‘s Ricardo Guarnero (of Cafe Rozella fame) posted today – following up on sightings of a raccoon and two alley-dwelling ducks. A WSB’er in fact e-mailed us today about a horse-and-officer sighting (not far from Westcrest, where, as Ricardo points out on WCN, SPD’s horses are based) so we thought you might want to see the pix.
We’ve updated you a few times on the KIRO TV online “High School Spirit” poll – the first round matched up West Seattle and Chief Sealth High Schools; CSHS got the most votes, then beat Renton in the next round, and now has beaten its next “opponent,” Liberty – which means it’s in the Final Four, and voting is already under way. It’s Chief Sealth vs. Inglemoor in one matchup, Auburn vs. Interlake in the other; you can vote for CSHS right now by going here.
All three of our area’s state legislators are speaking here tonight, so we’re opening a post to add any news nuggets pending further coverage later. First reminder – June 1st King County Executive candidates’ forum sponsored by Inspire, happening at Fauntleroy Church (right across the street from where the 34th DDs are meeting right now at The Hall at Fauntleroy) – here are full details. More to come as it happens. 7:44 PM UPDATE: The legislators have just given their briefings – most interesting tidbit, Rep. Sharon Nelson says she’ll know by tomorrow night if a major part of her payday-lending bill is going to be stricken before it’s signed. (She didn’t elaborate further, will be checking into that.) She also had the most notable behind-the-scenes tidbit, about the “underground” group of Dems called the “Blue Greens.” 8:05 PM UPDATE: Nobody asked about the viaduct/tunnel bill. LATER NOTE: We’ll publish a separate item in the morning including video of the legislators’ remarks, plus a few other news notes from the meeting.
Just got a note asking why a Coast Guard helicopter is circling near Alki Point. Quickly found this, thanks to the local USCG Twitter feed – search/rescue demonstration:
A Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration is scheduled for Elliott Bay, here, Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
An HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Astoria, Ore., MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Port Angeles, Wash., and a small boat crew from Station Seattle will conduct hoists and drop rescue equipment during the exercise. This demonstration will include low flying aircraft along the Seattle waterfront.
Attendees will get a look at some of the techniques used by the Coast Guard to rescue persons in distress.
RAINOUT: How rainy is it, you ask? West Seattle Little League just announced via Twitter that all games for today are rained out.
TEACHERS: When we reported about this time yesterday that Seattle Public Schools confirmed teacher layoffs had begun, we also said SPS expected to release more details today on how many people would lose their jobs. Spokesperson Patti Spencer now says that district HR is reviewing the information to “ensure that (it) is totally accurate”; no new timeline for when it will be made available.
PARKING: The agenda was just sent out (see it here) for next Tuesday’s City Council Transportation Committee meeting at which the Restricted Parking Zone changes — which have sparked concern in West Seattle community groups — may be voted on. Two of the three agenda items have to do with RPZs, and public comment will be taken toward the start of the meeting, which is at 9:30 am Tuesday in the council chambers at City Hall downtown.
From the city e-mail list updating what’s up with the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project work beneath and alongside the easternmost stretch of the West Seattle Bridge – several updates, including the latest on that “temporary closure” near 6th/Spokane on the surface; read on:Read More
Just received that invite to share, on behalf of Cooper Elementary, whose program is closing at the end of this school year, after the School Board voted to move Pathfinder K-8 into the building so its longtime “temporary” location on Genesee Hill could be shuttered. Cooper students are going to several schools, including Gatewood Elementary, which is reaching out in this invite (which also applies to the entire community) to a festival coming up later this month:
I’d just like to share with the W. Seattle Community that Gatewood Elementary is holding their annual Family Fun Fair, Saturday May 30th from 12-3pm.
Address: 4320 SW Myrtle ST. Most events in parking lot off of California Ave SW & SW Frontenac ST.
Inflatables, Carnival Games with prizes, Food, Pie Toss and Cake Walk (supports 4th & 5th Grade end of year camp to Warm Springs) Above events had a nominal charge. Free activities include: Bubbles, Face Painting and Sidewalk Art.
Please join us for this wonderful community event. We would like to especially extend an invitation to the Cooper Families that will be joining us next school year. Come and check out what a fabulous place Gatewood Elementary is!!
The Seattle Fire Department‘s newest Assistant Chief is not only the first woman to achieve that rank in the department, but also a West Seattle resident. A reception tomorrow will honor Assistant Chief Susan P. Rosenthal – read on for the official SFD announcement about her promotion and what she’s accountable for:Read More
Back in late February (original WSB story here), a Hot Dog Joes cart set up shop outside Beveridge Place Pub. Within weeks, it was gone. A few people e-mailed us wondering why; we recalled hearing that the cart was set up for a trial period, so didn’t look further until a recent tip that led us to get in touch with Hot Dog Joes proprietor Joe Jeannot (not pictured – photo shows the staffer on duty when we took the pic in Feb.). In a phone conversation, Jeannot told WSB, there is indeed more to the story. He says they folded up after two city-issued citations ($500 each): “City ordinances are making it tough for us to be there.” Street vendors usually deal with the Seattle Department of Transportation, but in this case, there’s a complicating factor – the new park next door. Vendors aren’t allowed to be within 200 feet of parks (here’s the specific Seattle Municipal Code section), and Jeannot says that rule puzzles him: “You can have bars next to a park, but hot-dog carts can’t be there?” He says that’s not the only problem, though, claiming a “lack of communication” from the city but not wanting to disclose full details. “We thought we’d resolve it quickly – I’ve opened carts all over Seattle and this is the first time it’s become this serious … I’ve been doing this with the city for 11 years, but this time it’s been a very long process,” said Jeannot – who by the way lives here in West Seattle, where he says he’s been trying to acquire a location for a long time: “I can’t believe I can’t get a hot dog cart in my own neighborhood.” We’ll keep following up on this to let you know what happens next. (And if you have another idea for what might be a hospitable West Seattle location without conflicts such as park proximity, Jeannot says he might be interested, observing that street vending would seem to be right in line with the Seattle philosophy of trying to encourage more walking, less driving.)
ADDED 1:35 PM: Side note from a discussion in comments – The city did issue a “request for proposals” this year for vendors INSIDE several of the city’s largest parks; in West Seattle, that included only Alki and Lincoln Park (Colman Pool), but no provision for vendors in OR near all the other parks. On a side note to the side note, we asked Parks who won the Alki/Lincoln vending contracts; Dewey Potter says both went to “The Cowboys, who will provide soft-serve ice cream, snacks, and drinks.”
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