The flip side of dry fall sunshine is the lack of snow – there’s still time, though, and the kids at Explorer West Middle School are getting ready for it. Amy French sent the above photo and this report on what it was all about:

Explorer West Middle School kicked off their winter outdoor program yesterday when the school’s 6th grade students had the opportunity to work on a snowshoe construction project with Lee Getzewich, MSR Snowshoe Product Manager for local outdoor gear manufacturer Cascade Designs, Inc.. This was the first step in designing and building the snowshoes that the students will use for several outings to Snoqualmie Pass this winter. Mr. Getzewich helped the students think about the design and then work out solutions with the materials. The 2008-09 snowshoe program has evolved to use local, native willow as the main framing material instead of PVC frames, so the students are now building snowshoes with even more natural materials.

We love school news, big and small – send yours any time to editor@westseattleblog.com! (WSB coverage of local schools and school-related issues is all archived here, newest to oldest.)

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At your community centers: Free food; holiday bazaar

November 19, 2008 9:53 pm

| Comments Off on At your community centers: Free food; holiday bazaar

| Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

HIGH POINT COMMUNITY CENTER: (map) Free (early) Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night – turkey, veggies, rolls, door prizes! 6 to 8 pm.

SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTER: (map) They’re still accepting vendors for the Holiday Bazaar coming up 9 am-5 pm December 6th. Call 684-7438.

ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: (map) Free spaghetti dinner 6-9 pm December 11th, a chance to “come see what programs we have to offer and fill out a questionnaire for future programs” according to a flyer we picked up while speaking to a group there today.

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West Seattle Gas Price Watch: First $2.0-something sighting

November 19, 2008 9:02 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Gas prices | West Seattle news

First sighting of $2.0-something gas in West Seattle – Delridge Arco within the past hour, right after we left the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting at nearby Southwest Precinct. Exactly 24 hours earlier, after we left the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting at SWP, it was $2.13, which was a two-cent drop from when we drove by during the daytime Tuesday. (We did one price check in November of last year, at which time the same station came in at $3.05; the AAA pricetracker also has the current citywide average at exactly a dollar less than this time last year.)

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Update: Local food banks get more help (and still need more!)

November 19, 2008 7:26 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

Tonight we’re at the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council‘s monthly meeting, chaired by Pete Spalding of Pigeon Point, who also leads the West Seattle Food Bank board – he has mentioned the success of last weekend’s various fundraisers for WSFB (including the Beer Church, CoolMom.org, and Rocksport events) in tandem with the relentless ongoing increase in demand for WSFB help. We have a few more to mention: This Saturday, 8 pm-midnight at Kenyon Hall, a community dance with Rick Berinato and the Paperback Riders will benefit WSFB ($20 donation suggested). Also, we’ve received word that the 18th annual food drive at Java Bean Coffeehouse on Avalon is under way, continuing through this Sunday; bring nonperishable foods to drop off – preferably “Thanksgiving-type food,” according to the flyer (which you can see here) – the food’s going to Northwest Harvest, which supplies various area food banks. One more note: We have been reporting on partner site White Center Now about the multi-ton potato donation that’s just arrived at the White Center Food Bank; see today’s video coverage here – here’s a photo of WCFB executive director Rick Jump, Blaine Hirai from the donating farm (Hirai Farms in the Moses Lake area), and 11th District State Rep. Bob Hasegawa (whose district includes part of White Center) with some of the potato sacks:

You can donate $ online to both local food banks, any time – WSFB’s site is here; WCFB’s site is here. ADDED 9:30 PM: Celeste e-mailed us (thank you!) to say that Jefferson Square Safeway is still promoting “buy a turkey for $5 to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank,” so check that out when you grocery-shop.

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Weekend traffic alert: Lane closures on The Bridge

November 19, 2008 3:57 pm

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| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

If you travel The Bridge this Saturday night into Sunday morning, you’ll likely see city crews and encounter lane closures. Here are the details.

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West Seattle food news: Barbecue signage; Greek additions

November 19, 2008 3:32 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Triangle | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

The OK Corral barbecue joint (4417 Fauntleroy in the Triangle; map) opened two weeks ago without even switching signage (here’s our post-opening chat with owner Otis Austin) – but now that’s been remedied – first spotted it last night, got a pic while passing at noontime today. (The “grand opening” sign, however, is legacy from the previous tenant, who didn’t last long.) Also, just got word from West Seattleite Tracy Dart that Christo’s on Alki has added new menu items:

I wanted to pass along some info from my friends (and next-door neighbor) who own a
restaurant down on Alki. The Fotopoulos Family, owners of Christo’s on Alki, are starting their new Greek Menu tonight featuring Mama & Papa Fotopoulos’ traditional recipes from their home village in Pelopnese, Greece. Featuring Lamb Chops, Dolmathes, Moussaka, Pastitsio, Flamed Saganaki, Lemon Oregano Chicken and Potatoes – as well as Gyro & Souvlaki platters. They will continue to have their original menu (pizza’s, pasta, sandwiches & salads, etc.) available as well.

I’m excited to have another option for Greek Food in West Seattle, especially from a family who has been serving food in West Seattle since 1996. The entire family runs this place, and mama and papa live over the restaurant. Almost makes you think it’s how it would be back in the old country.

Tracy, by the way, is one of the West Seattle-residing blog authors whose sites are featured on our Blogs page – always the latest 100 entries from a pool of 100 West Seattle-based writers (we’ve been catching up with the latest requests to have sites added to this continuously, automatically updated page – please let us know if we’ve missed yours).

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Junction update: Stop ‘n’ Shop reopens Saturday

November 19, 2008 1:20 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

The remodeling work at Stop ‘n’ Shop on the ground floor of the Senior Center of West Seattle was supposed to be done in time for a grand reopening last Saturday – but it took a little longer than planned, so this Saturday is now the plan (just in time for it to be part of your Junction holiday shopping plans!). The Christmas items in the photo above are in the window now, and will be waiting when the shop reopens. Here’s the word from Cindy Gwinn:

The newly remodeled Stop and Shop will open its doors this Saturday at 10 AM. We would like to invite you all to join us. The new hours are 10 am to 4 pm, 7 days a week.

We are also receiving donations. We are looking for clean, working items. If you have large furniture you can not deliver, we can pick it up. West Seattle only, please. Please call Cindy Gwinn at 206 915-5595 for pickup time.

All donations can be left in the back of the store, or by the front door after 4pm or you can always come by during open hours.

Thank you West Seattle, for all your support

Speaking of seniors – thanks to the seniors’ group at Alki Community Center that invited us to come talk to/with them this morning – anyone who has the outdated opinion that the Internet’s mostly just for “young” people should meet folks like them (we were thrilled to learn that just about everyone in the room was familiar with WSB!) – and of course, you can be “young” at any age, anyway (heaven knows, your WSB co-publishers have more than a few years in the rear-view mirror).

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Obama cabinet’s West Seattle link: Daschle nomination report

November 19, 2008 11:47 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Cherisse for spotting this while we were offline for a bit: Former Sen. Tom Daschle, brother of Southwest Youth and Family Services director Steve Daschle, is reported to be President-Elect Obama’s choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Here’s one report. Tom Daschle was here in West Seattle just two months ago as keynote speaker for the SWYFS breakfast at Salty’s; here’s our report from that event.

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Mayor and SDOT boss: Fauntleroy paving WILL happen

November 19, 2008 10:33 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(video no longer available due to blip.tv shutdown)

(the Fauntleroy stretch targeted for paving, “dashcam” view as we drove northbound to the briefing)
We’re just east of downtown, at the McGilvra Place pocket park, where Mayor Nickels, SDOT director Grace Crunican (also a West Seattleite), and others have just wrapped up a media briefing to talk about citywide paving plans for 2009. We came to seek clarification on the status of the Fauntleroy Way (Alaska to California) paving proposal, which lost some of its funding in late budget moves by the City Council (as we reported two days ago) and was said to be in jeopardy. Here’s what we’ve learned: The mayor and SDOT say there WILL be repaving next year on Fauntleroy – the city just has to figure out how much it can afford. Crunican told us just before the briefing that they are looking for other sources to make up the $1.5 million (almost a third of the estimated cost) that the council moved to a long-overdue project elsewhere in the city (Linden) — and some of that may come from other bids that are out right now, potentially coming in for less than was originally budgeted (given the current construction/economic climate). So they’re moving forward with plans for the project, including the proposed restriping we’ve been reporting on – the open house for information and comments on that remains set for December 1st, High Point Community Center, 5:30-8:30 pm. ADDED 1:36 PM: Adding a couple video clips – this one is the mayor giving a shoutout to communications assistance, with regards to road work, from sites like WSB (we got a shoutout by name since we were standing 10 feet away with our video camera, next to one TV station and the Seattle Channel):

(video no longer available due to blip.tv shutdown)

Other interesting tidbits from today’s briefing included the fact that more than 800 intersection signs citywide have been replaced so far this year. Here’s the official news release from the briefing.

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42nd/Admiral spaces – long slated for demolition – up for lease

November 19, 2008 8:41 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

View Larger Map

Once upon a time — actually just about three years ago — 4200 Admiral and 4210 Admiral (regular map here; Google Street View image above) were to comprise the site of a new mixed-use building; the application is still technically “open” on the DPD website, including the original vision of a 14,000-square-foot grocery store, once speculated to potentially be the long-yearned-for Trader Joe’s. With this development long on the drawing board (and a demolition permit even applied for), some businesses in the buildings closed or moved (like Auto Buff a year and a half ago). Most of the first rush of activity played out before WSB launched three years ago, so we don’t have much archived coverage, but we knew of the applications and kept an eye on the project pages. Now, something new — spaces up for lease; this CL ad covers the TNT tavern space at 4210 Admiral, this CL ad covers “office space plus warehouse” right on the corner at 4200.

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Happening tonight/tomorrow: Delridge, Alki, Admiral Safeway

November 19, 2008 6:07 am

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| Delridge | Development | Safety | West Seattle news

Two nights of major meetings — you’re invited, indeed encouraged, to attend any and all:

7 PM TONIGHT: Southwest Precinct meeting room — Delridge District Council with a busy agenda including a jail-site update from Highland Park Action Committee and the latest on the Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership (whose online survey will be available shortly).

6:30 PM TOMORROW: West Seattle (Admiral) Library branch — the next Southwest Design Review Board meeting (first mentioned here 10/30) for the proposed Admiral Safeway rebuild (here’s our report on the last one in September).

7 PM TOMORROW: Alki Community Center — the Alki Community Council‘s agenda includes a Block Watch presentation by SW Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Benjamin Kinlow.

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Crime Prevention Council meeting: West Seattle crime trends

November 18, 2008 11:43 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news

From tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting (last one of the year – the group won’t meet in December), not only the latest crime-trend toplines from police, but also citizen reports – including a store reportedly selling troubling merchandise – read on:Read More

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From the “in case you were wondering” file: Tree takedown

November 18, 2008 10:38 pm

| Comments Off on From the “in case you were wondering” file: Tree takedown

| Environment | Safety | West Seattle news

That was the scene this morning near 37th and Lander (map). We stopped by after a call from city arborist Nolan Rundquist, who thought some passersby might be interested in why the trees were coming down: He says six big trees there had to go because of Dutch Elm disease — three were dead; the other three were dying and in danger of infecting others if not taken down. (We published a city warning about this disease, with some explanatory details, last August.) Rundquist told us a crew had a two-day window open during work being done for City Light, so they got busy in this neighborhood, at no cost to the homeowners. He added that some Bridging the Gap money might be available to replant in the neighborhood as soon as next spring.

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The other “triangle”: Fauntleroy ferry route, dock plans change

November 18, 2008 8:17 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Gary Dawson with the Fauntleroy Community Association, who is the group’s lead on ferry-related issues, reports big changes in the Washington State Ferries plan for the future of not only the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth “triangle” route, but of the Fauntleroy terminal itself. He writes:

Monday, the 17th, the Washington State Legislature Joint Transportation Committee met in Seattle in the Puget Sound Regional Council conference room.

The entire agenda was dedicated to Washington State Ferries Long Range Plan, Legislative bill ESB5328, Ferry Finance Study, Customer Survey report, and other items related to WSF.

Of note to West Seattle was the portion of the LRP related to the Vashon/Southworth/Fauntleroy route, known as the triangle.

For the last few years WSF has proposed that to accommodate population and ferry user growth in south Kitsap County, the Southworth to Fauntleroy service would be rerouted to downtown Seattle at Colman Dock sometime in the next few years. A rebuild of Colman Dock including an additional ferry slip for the Southworth operation was to be part of that plan.

Yesterday it was revealed WSF no longer plans to enhance Colman Dock for additional growth, but to continue the triangle route as is. At some time later WSF will dedicate one of their ferries to operate between Southworth and Fauntleroy only, and two vessels between Vashon and Fauntleroy.

In addition the plan calls for expanding the Fauntleroy dock holding to accommodate the equivalent of one vessel’s amount of vehicles. Also, it is planned to erect a passenger overhead walkway on the dock as well to all walk-on passengers to proceed directly to the passenger deck on the ferry.

Rerouting Southworth traffic directly to downtown would eliminate about 40% of the current ferry traffic on West Seattle streets, not including future growth that is predicted to double in 20 years. The newly proposed WSF plan forces that traffic to continually be a part of the West Seattle commute.

The plan in its entirety can be found on the WSF website, www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ click on Ferry Financing Legislation under Planning, and under Nov. 17, 2008, Preliminary Draft ESB2358. Pages 17 and 26 highlight the triangle route plan. [Editor’s note: direct link to the document is here]

The Fauntleroy Community Association will be challenging this plan, and anyone interested in finding out more or providing FCA support can contact the FCA at Fauntleroy.net or:

Gary Dawson
Chair, Fauntleroy Ferry Advisory Committee
garyann@quidnunc.net

This is also notable given that the Fauntleroy paving proposal we’ve been discussing – including a major stretch traveled by ferry commuters – is in jeopardy because of city budget changes (we should find out more about its status tomorrow morning, when the mayor officially announces next year’s paving plan at a media event). According to the WSF info page Gary points us to, public hearings on the system’s long-range plan are set for next month, before a proposal is finalized “going into the 2009 legislative session.”

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“Unique place … unique time”: Tackling the Triangle’s future

November 18, 2008 4:48 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

(from a Harbor Properties aerial map of the Triangle area, first published here in April)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We’re here tonight to start a conversation.”

That was the opening line from city DPD urban designer Lyle Bicknell last night, kicking off a gathering of more than 20 people — local leaders, developers, architects, city reps — to initiate a big-picture look at the future of the area known as the Triangle, before the onrushing wave of development drowns the chance.Read More

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One more Elliott Bay Water Taxi note: Final, final numbers

November 18, 2008 4:25 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Elliott Bay Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

For fellow numbers fans — Just got the final, FINAL Elliott Bay Water Taxi ridership numbers from County Councilmember Dow Constantine‘s office, one day after the King County Ferry District budget won approval (WSB coverage here), furthering the process of moving the WT toward year-round status starting in early 2010. The “unofficial” year-end numbers on the season’s last day put ridership at 182,000 – but the final number is actually 182,904 – almost 183,000 – with a daily average of almost 1,000 (973, to be specific). Next year’s season is due to start up again in April; before then, be sure your calendar is marked for the January 15th public meeting at Alki Community Center (7 pm) to find out about the Water Taxi’s future, including improvements at Seacrest to make that dock work till its permanent home is eventually found.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Stolen motorcycle found!

November 18, 2008 3:33 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Mary from Twilight Art just posted this as a comment on our original report last month about her stolen motorcycle (shown in that report):

Good news. I got my motorrad back. It was recovered from 102 30th ave sw in a 30 ft ditch. They took the starter and stripped the ignition, but she will rise again! Thanks for the help and support :)

We asked Mary a followup question – how was the bike found? She says she got some leads along the way but in the end:

Ultimately the police got a tip from someone who wants to remain anonymous and the bike was recovered on the 17th. The rims are oxidized, which makes us think it was in the ditch for some time. The ignition has been hacked; the body was ripped to remove parts; and it was covered in mud.

But she’s gearing up, so to speak, to get it back into shape.

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Free Thanksgiving exercise: Work out before you pig out

November 18, 2008 2:26 pm

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| Holidays

Just in from West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor) and subsequently just added to the ever-updated WSB Holiday Happenings page: “Gobble Stomp!” free exercise classes on Thanksgiving morning (just 9 days away!) at both the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA facilities. Bring donations for West Seattle Food Bank and/or WestSide Baby (especially newborn-size diapers). Times and other details here (and of course on the HH page).

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California Place Park: Landscape-architect search posted

November 18, 2008 2:05 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| California Place Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

View Larger Map

Just posted on the website for the group that obtained a $15,000 Neighborhood Matching Fund grant to explore options for California Place Park (map) in North Admiral (Google Street View above – pan around to the area behind the bus stop): The “request for qualifications” for a landscape architect who will help with that exploration. More city-facilitated meetings are planned as part of the process (WSB coverage of the first meeting, with 104 comments, is here); no dates announced yet.

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City budget-crunch casualty: Delridge Skatepark on hold

November 18, 2008 12:21 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

We mentioned here yesterday that a big cut in city “skatepark implementation” money was among the latest City Council budget actions — and that we would seek more specifics on what that meant for the Delridge Skatepark project, which blossomed to life last summer (WSB coverage here), after months of controversy about the possibility of locating a skatepark by Myrtle Reservoir. Here’s what we have learned today, after Brian Hawksford from the office of City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen (who chairs the Parks Committee) helped us seek out clarification – and the news isn’t good for skatepark supporters: The official word is that Delridge Skatepark construction “has been postponed/deferred” because of the budget cut (which involves the city’s reduced receipts of “real estate excise tax,” aka REET). The final budget vote is next Monday; West Seattle-based skating advocate Matt Johnston has posted about this at SeattleSkateparks.org and is urging messages of support (his post has e-mail address links).

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Seahawks spouses help Habitat for Humanity in High Point

November 18, 2008 11:05 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

(video not available due to blip.tv shutdown)

What’s that old sports apology, “It’s a rebuilding season”? No apologies needed for the good work being done today in High Point by the people you see in that short WSB video clip — spouses of Seahawks players, coaches, and other staffers; they’re joining folks from AmeriCorps and Lowe’s at the site of two Habitat for Humanity homes that are being built for (and by!) two HP families. Habitat says it’s building 20 homes in all in the High Point area; it has a regional volunteer orientation coming up tomorrow morning, by the way, in Kent (more info here).

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Bonus points for liveliest news release du jour

November 18, 2008 10:37 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle people | WS miscellaneous

George Howland, who used to handle City Council communications, does that sort of thing for the Seattle Channel now. He promised the city-run cable channel would be doing a better job of getting the word out about its eclectic programming (which has even included us). So this just landed in the inbox – yes, an energetically written city news release that even calls the mayor “Hizzoner” – although seriously, what would YOU ask him?:

Budget cuts? Youth violence? Winter floods? Do you have questions for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels? Want to have them answered on live TV? On Wednesday, November 19, 7 pm, be sure to watch to Ask the Mayor on SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21, streaming live at www.seattlechannel.org, and call 206-684-8821 to talk to the Mayor and host C.R.Douglas or e-mail your question now by writing to askthemayor@seattle.gov anytime the inspiration strikes you. If you are a journalist, an activist, or a city employee who has been trying to get access to the mayor to ask your question—now is your chance! Don’t let the opportunity to question Hizzoner pass you by! Last month, the Mayor said that the people living in the Nickelsville tent city weren’t homeless but were political activists. What will he say this month? Be sure to tune in and find out.

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Gateway Cleanup followup: Tree work today

November 18, 2008 8:52 am

| Comments Off on Gateway Cleanup followup: Tree work today

| Triangle | West Seattle news

(September 2008 WSB photo)
Hard to believe two months have gone by since the hugely successful West Seattle Gateway Cleanup powered by the Fairmount Community Association and more than 200 volunteers. (Here’s our wrap-up report, with links to the in-progress coverage; the work was done along the Fauntleroy “gateway” area from Walking on Logs to 35th.) Some followup work is happening today, according to Nancy Driver: “City Foresters will be spending the day doing tree work at the gateway site. We raised enough money to pay for one day’s tree work. They will be doing pruning of the understory on the trees and removal of a very few diseased or dead trees. Work should get under way around 9:30 am.” The tree work was one of the “next steps” we mentioned after the cleanup. We’ll stop by later for pix; meantime, if you’re on the Fauntleroy end of The Bridge today and you see the crew, now you know what they’re up to.

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