We reported late yesterday that the project is set to start next Monday. Now, the city’s sent more details, including how long it will last – and as SDOT’s Sam Woodsspeculated last week, the Beach Drive end will indeed be the starting point for work crews — read on:Read More
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: The map/info link will be in the sidebar at right till the event’s over tonight, but if you missed it: 6-9 pm tonight, 40 venues all over West Seattle, and many offer treats and special deals for Art Walk-night visitors and shoppers. Artists highlighted here; printable venue map here.
PARKS BOARD IN WEST SEATTLE: The regular twice-monthly meeting of the Seattle Parks Board (whose chair and co-chair are both West Seattleites) is coming here tonight: West Seattle Golf Course clubhouse, 7 pm. The agenda includes two items of WS-specific interest — the city’s Golf Master Plan and the Seacrest dock renovations for the Elliott Bay Water Taxi (which starts its season April 5). Briefing papers are all linked from the Parks Board page.
GENEALOGY AT SOUTHWEST LIBRARY: A genealogy librarian is coming to Southwest Library at 5:30 tonight to show you how to use the Internet to find out more about your family history. It’s free but you have to call to register; number, and more info, all here.
Tonight could be the last Design Review session for Conner Homes‘ two-building, 7-story project at California/Alaska/42nd, and that means potentially one of the last in-person public-comment opportunities on the first major redevelopment project in the heart of The Junction. If you missed our report Tuesday, here’s the link to the presentation that’ll be shown tonight; the meeting’s at 6:30 pm at High Point Library (map). Lots of other major events tonight too – please check the WSB West Seattle-wide Events calendar for the full list.
Today we welcome one of our newest sponsors, Brunette Mix in The Junction. Brunette Mix is both a salon and a retail space featuring art — as owner BJ puts it, “creating an atmosphere of the senses.” She features lotions, scents, and clothing that’s comfortable and easy to wear. The idea comes from the first salon she worked at back East. She’s wanted to pursue the idea of a shop and salon since then, but she was only able to put both together at this West Seattle location. BJ explains that the “atmosphere of the senses” in Brunette Mix is a natural outgrowth of how she and her staff interact with their customers. They’ve learned their clients’ likes and dislikes, and that in turn gives way to gift suggestions, for example, like this past Christmas, when BJ said many of her clients’ husbands were able to come in and pick out just the right gift! BJ says that helping customers with personal gift-suggestion touch gives her as much satisfaction as receiving a gift herself. Whether you’re there to buy a gift or get your hair done, BJ says her goal is to be able to not only make you look better, but also feel better as well when you leave. Brunette Mix is also a stop on the monthly West Seattle Art Walk. For this month’s Art Walk – happening TONIGHT, 6-9 pm – the featured artist is Ruth Mikos (ruthmikos.com). Brunette Mix will display Ruth’s photos of old circus dolls. You can find Brunette Mix at 4306 SW Oregon (just west of California; here’s a map); phone 206-932-2401; online at brunettemix.com. Thanks to Brunette Mix for joining the WSB sponsor team, all shown here with info on how to join them!
That one-of-a-kind quilt is hanging near the door of the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church – but it’s in the market for a new owner. Your WSB co-publishers got the story behind it Wednesday night while talking to Little Pilgrim School director Lorrie Cook after our guest appearance in the church’s “Re-creating Community in Our Day” series:
Thanks to Kevin McClintic for the photo, and thanks to everybody who came out to share in the chat, and to Rev. David Kratz and his church for inviting us; next Wednesday at 7 pm, Diane Shiner speaks on “The Interplay of Environment and Community.” Now back to that quilt: School parent Krista Withers designed and crafted it, and it has a square for each student in Little Pilgrim School, designed in consultation with the students – each one met with her to choose fabric, designate an animal, and apply their “signature.” It’s in the tradition of signature/friendship quilts dating as far back as the Civil War, created as raffle items to raise money for soldiers — now, it’s being raffled to raise money for the school, and the raffle happens May 3rd at the Little Pilgrim Spring Parent Workshop. Tickets are just $1 each, six for $5, and if you don’t have friends/family at the school from whom you can buy ’em, contact Lorrie Cook at lorrie@fauntleroyucc.org or 932-5600.
From Wednesday night’s 34th District Democrats meeting, Bill Schrier sent that photo with word that West Seattle’s largest political organization “overwhelmingly endorsed” King County Council Chair Dow Constantine in his run for King County Executive (which is now officially a nonpartisan position), and contributed $3,434.34 to his campaign. Earlier in his political career, Constantine served as 34th District State Senator and Representative. We interviewed him the day he announced his Executive candidacy (see the story here); we have since interviewed his major opponent (so far), County Councilmember Larry Phillips, and plan to publish that story later today. P.S. from tonight’s 34th DDs’ meeting: They also heard from two other West Seattleites who you’ll see on the ballot this fall, City Council candidates David Ginsberg and Dorsol Plants. And the group endorsed a resolution to rename the West Seattle Bridge in honor of former City Councilmember Jeanette Williams (we first told you about the naming campaign back in January).
He’s said it before (we found a 2005 reference) and now he’s apparently saying it again; Duke’s Chowder House restaurant chain owner Duke Moscrip (whose locations include one on Alki) says he’s thinking about a mayoral run. Here’s part of a group e-mail he sent:
I have recently been encouraged to run for Mayor of Seattle and I am seriously considering the idea. Many of you have said that I have “always acted like the Mayor so might as well give you the job.” All kidding aside, my interest and motive in doing so will be clear to you when you begin to see my writings on the issues in our City and State. Please take this opportunity to go take a look on the page created at Facebook. I encourage you to comment on my ideas and/or my potential campaign.
Here’s the Facebook link; there’s a Twitter account set up too (so far, just pointing to two links on the FB page). So, is he truly serious? We put in a call; Moscrip called back late Wednesday night and left voice mail saying he’s “inclined” to run but hasn’t made up his mind yet. We hope to chat with him more in-depth soon. Those who HAVE filed their intention to campaign, besides incumbent Mayor Nickels: James Donaldson (the former Sonic also is on the council-candidate list) and Norman Sigler.
That’s the trailer for the ORIGINAL “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” a family fave that’s FREE on the big screens in the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center this Saturday night, for the second of three Winter Movies on the Wall – that’s INDOORS, mind you – presented by Junction merchants (and co-sponsors including WSB). Movie’s at 7, doors open at 5:30, bring a chair and a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank.
Meantime, Saturday night’s also showtime at the Admiral Theater, not just for the singalong edition of “Mamma Mia,” but also for this couple to say their vows onstage for real:
(photo courtesy Melodie Anderson) We’ve been telling you aboutMelodie Anderson and John Babcock‘s wedding right before “Mamma Mia” at The Admiral, 7:30 pm Saturday – Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein McClellan put out the call for couples after she and her team thought it might be fun to enhance the movie’s romantic theme with real-life love. She’s providing the nondenominational minister; Sugar Rush Baking Company is providing wedding cake and mini-cupcakes; Cafe Revo‘s donating a wedding dinner for four; and a secret donor’s throwing in a Chelan vacation-home stay. (Anything else for the happy couple or the fun festivities? Let Dinah know at dinah@admiralentertainment.com) You don’t have to bring anything but good cheer – it’s all part of the $8 ticket price for the “Mamma Mia” singalong (song list here; we’re thinking “Take a Chance on Me” is particularly apropos). Tickets are available online.
Thanks to two photographers for sharing scenes that bookended today: Above, Colby‘s photo from Lincoln Park at sunset tonight; below, Tracy White‘s photo looking at this morning’s moonset behind north Vashon Island:
(WSB photo from February 13 SDOT-led tour of Alki Point sidewalk-project site) We broke the news last Thursday that the Alki Point sidewalk/traffic-calming project would definitely start this month. Now SDOT has just sent word that Monday, March 16, is the official start date. As the city’s project page notes, no-parking signs will be in place as needed with minimum three days’ notice, so if they’re not up already, area residents should be on the lookout. As shown on the final plans (see them here) and discussed during the SDOT-led tour we covered a month ago, the city is routing the sidewalk completion along Alki Ave between 65th SW and Beach Drive so that most of the existing residential parking will remain; raised crosswalks will be installed at both ends of the project, as well as other “traffic calming” measures at 63rd/Alki to maximize the number of vehicles that head southbound on 63rd from northbound Alki – especially important since the sidewalk addition will narrow the non-arterial westernmost stretch of Alki Ave.
Last night at theFauntleroy Community Association meeting, board members expressed concern about the possibility Sound Transit might be dropping the West Seattle leg of its Route 560 bus service (as discussed in a recent WS open house). Even before we could write our wrapup of last night’s meeting, we got word from FCA president Bruce Butterfield of a new development – and Bruce Gray from Sound Transit just confirmed it to WSB:
The idea of removing all West Seattle service from the 560 route is off the table.
During the course of our usual public outreach process that’s been going on since early January we’ve heard loud and clear that there are many in the area who value this route and its service to/from West Seattle.
Right now we’re taking a close look at which times this route has the highest use. Eliminating some of the runs with very low ridership could be an option we would recommend to our Board. None of these would be during rush-hour trips.
We encourage riders to contact us at fastride@soundtransit.org or 866-940-4387 to let us know their thoughts about proposed changes to the 560. We will also host a public hearing in the Sound Transit Board room on Thursday, April 2, at noon to hear feedback on proposed service changes. The full Board is expected to take up the matter at their April 23 meeting.
Gray encourages everyone interested in Sound Transit to take an online survey about the 560 and other proposed service changes ST has been considering – find that survey here.
Just in from Detective Brian Ballew at the Southwest Precinct: “Could you please post the attached photos … and see if anyone recognizes the property. The items were recovered during a burglary investigation in the West Seattle area.” Here are the photos:
If you have any idea whose these are/where they are from, please call Detective Ballew at 206-233-7836.
Patti Mullen of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce tells us it’s OK to share the just-revealed news that Elliott Bay Brewery has been chosen the Chamber’s Business of the Year – so, congratulations, EBB! The award will be presented at a special breakfast event at Salty’s on Alki at 7:30 am April 8th, at which time Robinson Newspapers founder Jerry Robinson also will be honored with the Chamber’s Community Service Award. For tickets , contact the Chamber – 932-5685 (and wschamber.com) – and be sure to look out for copies of the shiny new Chamber-published West Seattle Community Resource Guide!
As was reiterated again last night by Lt. Steve Paulsen in the crime update at the JuNO meeting (WSB report here), car-related crime is one of the worst West Seattle problems at the moment, even with crime down overall. That photo came from Scott, who says:
This morning I woke up to discover that thieves had stolen the front of my Honda Civic. I live on 37th between Dakota and Andover [map] and the car was parked in the alley behind our house. They took the hood, lights, front bumper and the front side panels. They also broke a small triangular window towards the back of the car for some reason. It didn’t seem like got inside the car, there was nothing in there to take. Whoever did this knew what they were doing – other than the window there wasn’t any other damage.
We also have a short note from yesterday regarding a window-smash situation – this report was from Michale, who saw it while driving by:
I just wanted to report a car break=in (Tuesday) morning on the corner of 40th Ave SW and Holly [map]. I live just a block away and on my way to work, I noticed a car with a smashed-out window and glass all over the street. From what I could tell, the thieves only hit the one vehicle. This is the first time I have seen a smash and grab in the neighborhood. I would like to just put the word out there for people in the area to be on the lookout.
From the WSB West Seattle-wide Events calendar – first, two events tonight across the street from each other in Fauntleroy: The 34th District Democrats are at The Hall at Fauntleroy (old schoolhouse) for their monthly meeting at 7 pm, with the agenda including City Council candidates David Ginsberg and David Bloom (who’s already spoken twice in West Seattle in the past week, here and here); across the street at Fauntleroy Church, the ongoing “Re-creating Community in Our Day” speaker series features your WSB co-publishers tonight at 7 pm (after an optional “simple supper,” for which the church will accept donations, at 6). In Delridge tonight, anyone applying for Seattle Public Schools during this month’s open enrollment period is welcome to go to the Delridge Library 5:30-7 pm for in-person application help (more here). And tonight, Junction Idol continues at Rocksport, 9 pm.
(Video: Sili Savusa of SWYFS discusses how the utility-bill-help changes will be used in their work)
Just back from Mayor Nickels’ brief media op at Southwest Youth and Family Services in North Delridge. Two big items: First, he publicly congratulated Police Chief Gil Kerllikowske for the official announcement this morning of his nomination as federal “drug czar” (White House news release here); the mayor says he will announce his plans for interim SPD leadership on Monday. His Kerlikowske quote: “Our loss is the nation’s gain.” He would not comment on a possible short list for interim and permanent chief, although he hinted quite strongly that the permanent chief could well come from within SPD – here’s video of what he said about that:
Second, the main reason for the briefing: He announced — with the help of SWYFS staffers Rosario Nava and Sili Savusa (Rosario is at the microphone in the top photo) — a new streamlined program for offering utility-bill help to families making 70 percent or less of the local median income. Bottom line on that: The city will now use the same eligibility standard for Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light help – currently, that’s an annual income of $53,124 or less for a family of four, which makes you eligible for a 50 percent reduction in utility bills for up to 18 months. You can get an application and more information by calling 206-684-0268. Full details in this city news release.
Thanks to Anne at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) for e-mailing to ask “what’s up with all those cars and car carriers?” at the vacant ex-Huling lot south of the 76 station. We went over to check it out and here’s the deal: The traveling cast and crew of “The Lion King” are about to move on to their next stop, and they needed a place to rendezvous, so the vehicles that the cast and crew have been driving can be transported to the next stop (Michigan, they said). Why here? “Big empty lots are hard to come by!” was the reply.
Thanks to Beel for pointing out that the items Seattle Public Schools will auction here in West Seattle this Saturday are now catalogued and shown on the auctioneer’s website (even musical instruments!). Here’s the starting page. The auction starts at 9 am Saturday (with preview time at 8 am) at the currently vacant EC Hughes building, 7734 34th SW (map).
By Charla Mustard-Foote
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Tuesday night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association (ANA) meeting at Admiral Congregational Church was billed as a “Political Night”, and the main topics were transit, spending priorities, neighborhoods (and their residents) and money (the subjects of most local political discussions these days.)
16 people braved the cold to hear David Bloom and Highland Park’s Dorsol Plants tout their Seattle City Council candidacies. King County Executive candidate Dow Constantine was a surprise addition to the agenda.
If you follow what’s happening in the Middle East, you may have heard about an international aid delegation, sponsored by the women’s peace group Code Pink, that made it into Gaza from a long-closed Egyptian border crossing. Turns out a West Seattle woman is with the group. Dr. Amal Sedky Winter‘s daughter, Miriam Yovetich, e-mailed to share her mother’s story. In e-mail to family and friends, Dr. Winter described the delegation as “almost 60 women with sleeping bags and tents” as they camped out hoping the border crossing would open so they could fulfill an invitation from the United Nations Refugee Agency to be in Gaza for International Women’s Day last weekend. (Her e-mail can be read in its entirety on this website.) Dr. Winter is an Egyptian-born psychologist who has been in the U.S. since her teen years, and has long advocated on behalf of Arab women’s rights. The delegation’s visit is scheduled to end today, according to this story about a B.C. woman who also is with the group. Dr. Winter’s daughter also tells us her mother has been developing this website to share information about Egypt.
The moon was officially full right about the time it rose tonight. WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli captured this memorable moonrise. Crystal-clear night, already into the 20s at this writing.
Brunette Mix is both a salon and a retail space featuring art — as owner BJ puts it, “creating an atmosphere of the senses.” She features lotions, scents, and clothing that’s comfortable and easy to wear. The idea comes from the first salon she worked at back East. She’s wanted to pursue the idea of a shop and salon since then, but she was only able to put both together at this West Seattle location. BJ explains that the “atmosphere of the senses” in Brunette Mix is a natural outgrowth of how she and her staff interact with their customers. They’ve learned their clients’ likes and dislikes, and that in turn gives way to gift suggestions, for example, like this past Christmas, when BJ said many of her clients’ husbands were able to come in and pick out just the right gift! BJ says that helping customers with personal gift-suggestion touch gives her as much satisfaction as receiving a gift herself. Whether you’re there to buy a gift or get your hair done, BJ says her goal is to be able to not only make you look better, but also feel better as well when you leave. Brunette Mix is also a 
stop on the monthly 
Last night at the 
Patti Mullen of the 
Amal Sedky Winter‘s daughter, Miriam Yovetich, 
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