West Seattle, Washington
23 Monday
We’ve been telling you over the past month (stories here, here, and here) about the Parks Department‘s plan to seek proposals from would-be operators of West Seattle Stadium, in hopes that someone would come forward to make about $4 million in needed improvements at the stadium, in exchange for a longterm contract to operate it. Last night at Parks HQ downtown, the Board of Park Commissioners was briefed (see the briefing document here) on the Request for Proposals (RFP) that the department plans to put out, and members of the public were invited to comment too. Parks Board vice chair Jackie Ramels of Alki, who led the meeting, tells WSB about a dozen people spoke at the hearing, including West Seattle-residing Olympic runner and retired SPU track coach Doris Heritage, two UW track and field athletes/coaches, and representatives of several private high schools and track and field clubs, all of whom wanted to reinforce their interest in the stadium’s value as a track-and-field venue. Ramels says Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher told the meeting that this process is aimed at using the property more — of a potential 5000 hours of usage each year, it’s only being used about 900 hours — and taking care of significant, needed capital improvements, while protecting historic users. That includes guaranteed public access, according to what the board heard from Rebecca Salinas, Seattle Parks Director of Partnerships, and the point was stressed repeatedly as people voiced concerns during the hearing. The RFP draft is to be finished next week; then the Parks Board will make a recommendation to the superintendent at its November 13th meeting, with the RFP going public November 17th.
Tonight, three reports have come in from people who want to share their stories so you can be more alert and aware — including the case of the stolen “stinky skates” plus an unfortunate reminder to lock up when you’re out doing yard work — read on:Read More
Detailed report to come. Bottom line, though, after two hours laden with thoughtful public comments and concerns about the major redevelopment project at The Kenney – the Southwest Design Review Board (with only two of its five members in attendance) asked The Kenney to come back for a second round of “early design guidance” — that means at least two more meetings before it passes all the way through Design Review.
DESIGN REVIEW: We’re midway through tonight’s Southwest Design Review Board meeting. First project, a mixed-use building proposed for what’s currently a sloped, treed site at 4106 Delridge, is being sent back for a second round of “early design guidance” – board members said they weren’t seeing enough distinct options for the site. The Kenney‘s redevelopment project is next up. More details on that, and the Delridge review, later. (The Delridge writeup will be later Friday, after we can get some on-site photos of points raised during the review.)
PARKS BOARD: Meeting at Parks Department HQ downtown tonight, the board is taking public comments on its “request for proposals” that will soon be issued to seek a private operator for West Seattle Stadium. 
According to Morgan Junction‘s Cindi Barker, Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher also had another West Seattle note in his informal briefing at the start of the meeting – artists who are being displaced by the Magnuson Park redevelopment project might be moved to the Hughes School site (photo left; it temporarily housed South Lake High School for the past few years but is vacant this year). We’ll be checking to find out more on the status of that proposal.
FIRST IN-STORE TASTING: The two photos below are from the first wine tasting Thriftway in Morgan Junction hosted as part of its participation in the state’s pilot program of beer and wine sampling in grocery stores. We dropped by just as the event was starting at 4 pm. Thriftway charged $5 for the tasting plus snacks from the lavish appetizer spread you see below; the tasting’s theme was “Washington vs. Italy – Taste the Difference.”
Coincidentally, we’re at Madison Middle School (for tonight’s Design Review Board meeting) as we’re reading the news release sent late today by Seattle Public Schools: Madison is one of five SPS schools (the only one in West Seattle) honored as a “School of Distinction” for making dramatic improvements in reading and mathematics achievement. Madison, led by principal Jill Hudson, cited several reasons for its improvement, including low turnover in recent years, professional development time during the regular workday, intervention programs for struggling students, and “engaging afterschool programs.”
We’re continuing to cover the trial of the Alki 18-year-old charged with murder in the 10/13/07 shooting death of 33-year-old Francisco Bailey-Ortiz, killed inside a car at 59th/Admiral. The week’s proceedings concluded (the trial’s not in session Fridays) with prosecutors resting their case. Ahead, our courtroom correspondent’s full report:Read More
Just out of the WSB inbox from WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland: They need people-power as well as diaper donations, in order to help West Seattle and White Center-area families:
As you can expect, we are experiencing an incredible increase in requests for the items we distribute. This week we have orders to fill for 300 children! This is double what a normal week was just in September. We are also down approximately 12 hours of regular volunteer time from those who commit time each week to this task.
WE NEED HELP TO FILL ORDERS!! Ever wanted to be a personal shopper for a child who really needs the items you find? This task is one level higher than sorting clothes and requires about ½ hour of training before we let you loose.
WE WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW, FRIDAY OCT. 24 (10-2) AND SATURDAY OCT. 25 (10-1) AND INVITE ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED TO COME IN TO HELP FILL THESE ORDERS. THIS IS AN ADULT OR “ENTHUSIASTIC TEEN” REQUEST. If you can join us, just show up.
In addition, please spread the word… diaper requests are skyrocketing and we are unable to purchase enough to fill the gap. We desperately need size 4, 5 and 6 diapers this week. Please let folks know that this is a real need. Although we gather large numbers of diapers in the summer, this need is ongoing and the need is rising very quickly.
Diaper-only dropoff locations are:
· WestSide Baby 10032 15th Ave. SW (in White Center; map)
· White Center Chiropractic 10030 15th Ave. SW (map; our wonderful landlords upstairs will take diapers only if you arrive and we are not open)
· Red Cup Espresso 4451 California Ave. SW (map)
· Eats Market Café (north-central Westwood Village, near Bed Bath and Beyond; map)
· On the Way Maternity 5446 California Ave. SW (map)Other regular dropoff sites are listed on our website at www.westsidebaby.org
As always, thank you so much for your support of WestSide Baby. We realize everyone’s situation is unique. If you can help now, great. If you cannot, we hope you’ll think of us another time!!
With regards,
Nancy
Thanks to Melissa for that photo of her window decorations on 42nd north of Fauntleroy in Morgan Junction. You’re welcome to send us a pic of yours – and/or your jack-o-lantern – westseattleblog@yahoo.com – meantime, this gives us an excuse to remind you that the big wave of West Seattle Halloween events starts TOMORROW, continuing through this weekend, and on to the “real” Halloween in eight days. On the WSB Holidays page, you’ll find the times/locations for events for all ages, including three different sessions of business-district trick-or-treating – The Junction this Saturday, Admiral and Westwood Village on Halloween. (P.S. A recent addition is the West Seattle Helpline Fall Masquerade and Wine Tasting a week from today; RSVP by tomorrow.)
Just posted on the new SPD Blotter site: A 17-year-old girl told police a 19-year-old “male acquaintance” had sexually assaulted her in his home in the 5900 block of High Point Drive SW (map) on Monday; she called police the next day, and they arrested the suspect for investigation of rape. (Reminder, the latest entries from SPD Blotter’s Southwest Precinct page are automatically posted on the WSB Crime Watch page.)
Minutes ago at Arco on Delridge. Down eight cents from a day earlier, down 28 cents since the time of our weekly West Seattle-wide gas-price check on Sunday night. (With most West Seattle stations now below $3 for regular, we’re notably below the AAA citywide average.) Anybody want to bet on whether it’ll go below $2.50? Or dare we wonder, even below $2? 2:23 PM UPDATE: Hopey just texted to say it’s $2.79 at Costco.
That and other questions about the recycling/yard waste program are posed in a survey that Seattle Public Utilities hopes you will spend a moment taking. We just ran through it; a few possible slogans are offered, including Waste Not Seattle, Everyday Green, Recycling Matters, and Routine Green (or you can suggest your own). The survey starts here.
From the Chief Sealth PTSA, a confluence of events this Saturday that they’d like you to know about:
• Our adoption of Delridge Way SW, from Orchard to Brandon, through the Seattle Public Utitlies Adopt-A-Street program, which is part of our outreach efforts to the North Delrdge community while Sealth is located at Boren. In addition, we will plan to pick up litter on the school grounds and on other neighborhood streets within a 1-2 block radius of the school
• Make a Difference Day – We would like this to be a new PTSA tradition that we participate in each year
• The Teacher & Staff Wishlist program that we launched this school year. We are midway through fulfilling their request to make the teacher & staff lounge at Boren more friendly. Phase 1 was a furniture placement re-design in the space; Phase 2 is painting the walls (part of our event on 10/25); Phase 3 is decoration & finishing touches. We are working with a wonderful West Seattle designer, Gwen Williams of Space Transform
Volunteers are still needed for the Saturday 10/25 event, which starts at 10 am and finishes with a free lunch for volunteers when the work is done (around 1 pm). Chief Sealth students who participate will earn service learning hours. All materials and equipment will be provided. Contact PTSA president Leslie
Menstell: president@chiefsealthptsa.org
See the flyer here. Side note: Friday night is the big annual Chief Sealth vs. West Seattle HS “Huling Bowl” football game; we’ll be live-tweeting it (and reporting afterward) as we did with WSHS-Rainier Beach last week.
It’s all on the WSB Events calendar, but for extra emphasis, a few highlights: West Seattle Democratic Women lunch; first in-store wine-tasting at Thriftway; Design Review for The Kenney and 4106 Delridge; city Parks Board looks at West Seattle Stadium private-operator search; South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition; WS Ministerial Association’s Initiative 1000 forum; Alki Idol; West Seattle Pins and Needlers. Plus two open houses: Family Promise (previewed here) and Explorer West Middle School. For times/places/links, just go here. ADDED: Seattle Lutheran High School has an open house tonight too, 6:30-8 pm in the gym, on Genesee east of 42nd.
David Hutchinson from the Seattle (Alki) Statue of Liberty Plaza Project sends an update on the “brick legibility problem” (previous report here): He says the city Parks Department has been investigating methods for “safely removing the calcium deposits that have formed on about 100 of the 1,500 inscribed pavers.” The photos at left show the results of a white-vinegar cleaning method that was tested – for spot-cleaning, it looks “encouraging,” but an evaluation by a professional cleaning company subsequently suggested it wouldn’t be appropriate for the large-scale plaza cleaning Parks wants to do initially. He explains, “It is not possible to use many of the standard cleaning methods for ordinary masonry products in this situation due to the nature of the engraved inscriptions.” So the tests continue – as do the sales of additional pavers (through 12/31/08; order info is available at sealady.org) to be placed next spring or summer, probably “in the east and west paths and in the brick landings of the stairs.”
Today was the first full day of testimony in the trial of the Alki 18-year-old charged with second-degree murder in the 10/13/07 59th/Admiral shooting; WSB start-to-finish courtroom coverage continues – here’s who testified today, what they said, and what happens next:Read More
Drury shares the “nerve-rattling” story – read on:Read More
Just posted by the P-I. Not a big surprise since he opposed putting it on the ballot at all, but given his role in recent West Seattle park dedications, like Orchard Street Ravine, still notable he’s publicly declared he’s voting no on the parks levy (text). We have reported previously on West Seattle projects included in the measure (and on its path to the ballot); the easiest-to-navigate list is the map on this page of the pro-levy site. (You can also find a text list, broken out by region, here.)
Friday-Saturday, SLGFF (WSB sponsor) has its first-ever West Seattle showings, at the Admiral Theater; again tonight, we’re giving away two tickets – read on for the how-to:Read More
That was the scene in the 2100 block of Alki SW (map) earlier this evening – and though it looks bad, nobody was badly hurt. This happened in the northbound lane — according to police and a witness, the motorcycle had stopped to let a woman walk across the street, in the crosswalk, when the red car came up from behind and plowed right into the stopped motorcycle. Its rider, a man, was hurt, but not seriously, and was taken to the hospital in a private ambulance; the woman driving the car wasn’t hurt but was clearly badly shaken up. The woman walking across the street wasn’t hurt at all – she’s the witness who talked with us. Traffic was being allowed around the scene.
While Election Day is technically still 13 days away, 
so many people vote by mail that it’s become more like Election Weeks. The presidential and governor’s races are getting lots of play, but you’ll be making other meaningful decisions too – particularly when it comes to several state and local ballot measures. One of the state initiatives, I-1000, “Death With Dignity,” will be explored at a forum tomorrow night at West Seattle High School, sponsored by the WS Ministerial Association, with speakers expected from both sides, 7:30 pm. Meantime, the most-debated local measure on the ballot — Sound Transit Proposition 1, raising the sales tax half a cent — got a thorough airing at this week’s Sustainable West Seattle meeting. If you’re guessing it was a warm, friendly pro-Prop 1 crowd since sustainability and transit seem to go together — not entirely:Read More
From Mary at Twilight Art Collective (west of Easy Street in The Junction), who usually e-mails us about openings and parties (like their Halloween gala), but is reporting something much different today:
Sad news from us this time. My motorcycle that I often park in front of the gallery was stolen from right in front of my house on 32nd and Holden last night 10.22.08. It’s a German-made MZ 125 sm. Very rare in these parts. I’ve made a flyer with two similar bikes. Mine is black with grey logos exactly like the ones on the lower picture. Please help!!
Here’s that flyer (Wednesday night update, Mary sends word that the reward is up to $500):
We told you last week about a vanpool open house that a West Seattle woman is organizing, coming up this Sunday. Just got word that its scope is now expanded – she started off with a plan to look for other vanpoolers interested in getting to Bellevue, but now, all would-be West Seattle vanpoolers are invited to come and find out about this commuting alternative and potentially make some commuting connections, whatever your destination happens to be. The open house is 4:30-5:30 pm at Uptown Espresso in The Junction. It’s not an official Metro event,, but you’ll meet some current vanpoolers there too, in case you have questions on how it really works. (If you can’t make it on Sunday but are interested in finding out more, e-mail the get-together’s organizer, Lisa: l.rough@comcast.net.)
(Left to right, Swedish West Seattle Rehabilitation Services’ Adrienne Tews, patient rep; Elisabeth Tomere, DPT; David Esquinasi, PT)
This afternoon, we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Swedish West Seattle Rehabilitation Services. It’s become a theme lately in so many things we write about: Services and businesses that are available right here in West Seattle, no need to leave the peninsula to find them. That goes for myriad services offered by Swedish West Seattle Rehab: You can see a detailed list of their services here. Their methods include diagnosis of musculoskeletal impairment and disability, manual therapies, complete postural analysis, specific exercise programs, biofeedback (S-EMG), and home programs. Those methods are used for areas of care including general orthopedics, ergonomics, headache treatment, women’s health, men’s health, sports/performance injuries, and post-operative care. You can find all these services at the West Seattle Rehab clinic in Swedish’s WS building at 3400 California SW (map); call them at 206/320-5510. Thanks to Swedish’s West Seattle Rehab team for joining the roster of WSB sponsors, all listed on this page along with information on how to join them.
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