West Seattle, Washington

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month : 09/2020 325 results

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Park search; prowler report
September 4, 2020 11:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

PARK SEARCH: Right now police are searching the Roxhill Park vicinity, with K-9, after a report of gunfire – called in as someone saying they were shot at. No injuries reported, and we don’t yet know if police have found evidence of gunshots. We’re continuing to monitor this.

PROWLER: Emailed by C:

Today 9/4 at 6:15, I caught a sketchy guy sneaking in the garage door at my apartment building on the 3600 block of aw Avalon way. He was a light build, white male, about 5’7”, dark baseball hat, dark long sleeve shirt and dark pants, dark bandana (facial hair underneath). He was carrying a black duffel bag. He hid in the garage for a bit then tried leaving out a locked door. When confronted, he tried some dumb story about delivering medicine to a relative in the building, then got defensive and left. Called the cops.

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CORONAVIRUS: Friday 9/4 roundup
September 4, 2020 10:35 pm
|    Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Friday 9/4 roundup
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

27 weeks ago tonight, King County announced its first case of COVID-19. Here’s what’s new:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily summary (which, by the way, has a new format – check it out – more charts):

*20,073 people have tested positive, 158 more than yesterday

*732 people have died, 2 more than yesterday

*2,249 people have been hospitalized, 7 more than yesterday

*376,642 people have been tested, 3,358 more than yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 19,361/719/2,223/354,713.

YET ANOTHER 98116 DEATH: In a little over a week, the 98116 death toll has doubled, from 3 to, as of today’s count, 6. Though no specifics are available, the changes to the King County dashboard pages also now include a “census” geographic breakdown, and looking at deaths that way, the 98116 deaths are not in the census tracts containing the zip code’s coastal section.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 26.5 million cases, 873,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.

FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL: Today was the first day of starting-remotely Seattle Public Schools, and it started a bit slowly – literally. Meantime, some independent schools started in hybrid style, like Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), which sent this photo:

As we reported earlier this week, each grade at EWMS has one day on campus – outdoors – and four days remote.

‘KEEP MOVING STREET’ EXTENDED: Alki SW/Beach Drive around Alki Point has been closed to motor-vehicle through traffic for four months, and SDOT announced late today that will continue at least until we’re in Phase 4.

NEED FOOD? Food Lifeline has ceased offering emergency food boxes at its South Park HQ. Meantime, Highland Park Improvement Club continues its food-relief work for neighborhood families on Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 am-1 pm, and Seattle Public Schools has made some changes in its meal service starting today, as detailed here.

GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Where those ‘redeployed’ Seattle Police patrol officers will come from
September 4, 2020 9:08 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB file photo)

More news released by the city just before the holiday weekend: From SPD Blotter, we learn that the question we and others asked earlier this week has been answered – in part, anyway. When interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz announced that about 100 officers would be redeployed to patrol/911 response, he didn’t offer specifics, though he noted that many would come from “similar” responsibilities – like the Community Police Team and Traffic Enforcement. Later that day, SPD explained it couldn’t offer specifics until all the affected personnel had been notified. Now, that’s been done, so here’s the citywide breakdown:

Precinct CPT [Community Police Team] officers/sergeants – 29
Traffic and TCI [Traffic Collision Investigation] Detectives/officers/sergeants – 21
Precinct Burg/Theft Detectives/sergeants – 20
Community Outreach officers – 2
Crisis Intervention/SHA [Seattle Housing Authority] Liaison officers – 4
Drug Court Detective – 1
DV Unit Detectives – 5
Intelligence Unit Detectives – 5
Narcotics Detectives – 1

In addition to these 88 officers resuming responsibilities in Patrol, the department is also forming the Community Response Group, made up of 100 officers and 10 sergeants whose priority will be to address the increased response times to 911 calls throughout the city.

The announcement did not include any precinct-by-precinct numbers, so we won’t be able to follow up on that until next week. There are five precincts citywide, including the Southwest Precinct in West Seattle (which also handles South Park). Also of note, this reallocation does not resemble the list of units from which the City Council wanted to see cuts, as specified in the budget-rebalancing plan that the mayor vetoed. (Whether the council will vote to override the veto has not yet been announced – it’s not on their agenda for Tuesday, when they meet for the first time following a two-week recess.)

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ELECTION 2020: West Seattleites design, sell ‘Find the Light’ signs
September 4, 2020 8:24 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If you are supporting the Democratic ticket for president, and considering a yard sign, these West Seattleites have a project that might interest you: “Find the Light.” In the photo above are Roger Steiner and Sindy Todo. They explain on the project webpage that the exhortation on their signs was inspired by Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s recent convention speech:

I was hit hard by Joe’s opening sentence from Ella Baker and further moved as he clearly led all Americans to see where we have been forced to dwell and where we need to go.

“Ella Baker, a giant of the civil rights movement, left us with this wisdom: Give people light and they will find a way.”

It slammed into my spirit hard, that we must act now to make change, we must fight until all the problems are solved in this country and worldwide. We must stop this fear, paranoia, and anxiety driven darkness.

“It’s a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward, and love for one another.”

This inspired me, my pod of friends, and family with the help of some local businesses in our community to create a yard sign to continue this powerful message.

The profits from the sign sales will be split – half to the West Seattle Food Bank, half to the Biden/Harris campaign. They’re offering online ordering as well as in-person pickup/purchasing, starting tomorrow (Saturday, September 5th) at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 2-4 pm.

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FOLLOWUP: City extends Alki Point ‘Keep Moving Street’ status
September 4, 2020 5:48 pm
|      68 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, Beach Drive “Keep Moving Street” in May)

While the city has long since declared that most of its “Stay Healthy Streets”.- closed to vehicle through traffic – would remain that way permanently, the status of a few similar stretches dubbed “Keep Moving Streets” because of their proximity to parks remained unsettled. Late today, that changed. The Alki Point “Keep Moving Street” – Alki SW west of 63rd SW and Beach Drive SW west of 63rd [map] – has an end date of sorts, for now:

This Keep Moving Street will remain through Phase 3 of reopening in King County. We hear you asking us to consider permanent closure and sharing your associated concerns, and we’ll be reaching out over the next few months with more conversation on possible future configurations.

(If you’ve forgotten, we’re still in Phase 2.) The announcement was made in conjunction with more-firm end dates for two of the three other “Keep Moving Streets” in other parts of the city. SDOT’s post also summarizes feedback it’s received, including this regarding the Alki Point stretch:

What we heard:

=A desire for permanent closure! Over 1,000 of you signed a petition to keep this Keep Moving Street open permanently
-This street was especially helpful for wheelchair users, because the sidewalks are too narrow for wheelchairs
-Concern about “privatization” of the beach by limiting car and parking access
-Concern that the Keep Moving Street limits the capacity of people who cannot walk, bike, or roll to enjoy the view by driving by
-Concern about the shifting of speeding/noise south between Mee Kwa Mooks Park and Jacobsen Drive

On this “Keep Moving Street,” SDOT says, “We’ve seen an average of 415 cars per day, with a median speed of 17.5 MPH.” It was closed to through traffic four months ago.

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DELRIDGE PROJECT: Overnight work ahead, and what to expect next week
September 4, 2020 3:33 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

The Delridge project paving the way for the RapidRide H Line conversion continues, and SDOT has just sent highlights of what’s ahead in the next week:

In general, roadway demolition and paving will continue in Zone A of the project. We are also preparing for some overnight work at SW Brandon St and SW Juneau St beginning as early as the week of September 14. We are planning this work now and a more solidified date will be shared next week.

In addition to that work, we will resume active construction near the Longfellow Creek Green Space again (near the 24th Ave SW/SW Graham St area on Delridge Way SW) next week.

We’ve also recently reopened SW Hudson St to through traffic.

We will not be working on September 7 in observance of Labor Day.

For zone-by-zone specifics on the week ahead, see the full update here.

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FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Fauntleroy backup starts early; Southworth terminal reopening
September 4, 2020 1:54 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

1:54 PM: In many ways, this will not be a typical Labor Day weekend. But in at least one way, it’s starting in typical fashion. Fron Washington State Ferries, “There is an estimated one-hour wait for drivers departing the Fauntleroy terminal.”

5:59 PM: As pointed out by commenters, the Southworth terminal is currently out of commission.

There will be no set time on sailings for the Fauntleroy and Vashon route at this time until further notice.

The Southworth terminal is closed to all sailings until further notice due to mechanical issues. Alternative routes include the Seattle/Bremerton, Seattle/Bainbridge Island and Pt. Defiance/Tahlequah routes. Sailings between Fauntleroy and Vashon will resume as scheduled. Updates will occur as more information becomes available.

WSF also says, though, the “extended wait” at Fauntleroy is over.

8:01 PM: The Southworth terminal is reopening, WSF says.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: New location list, times for Seattle Public Schools meal pickup
September 4, 2020 12:10 pm
|    Comments Off on BACK TO SCHOOL: New location list, times for Seattle Public Schools meal pickup
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | West Seattle weddings

Though teaching/learning is happening online as Seattle Public Schools‘ 2020-2021 year begins today, you’ll still see some activity at local school buildings because of what can’t be done online: As previously noted, school health clinics are open. And meal pickups continue, though with a new schedule and list of locations. 11:15 am-1:15 pm every weekday (except holidays), 40 SPS locations are offering meals as described here. Here on the peninsula, two schools where meals had been available until yesterday are no longer offering them – West Seattle High School and West Seattle Elementary. But others have been added – Arbor Heights Elementary, Louisa Boren STEM K-8, Highland Park Elementary, Madison Middle School, Roxhill Elementary. Continuing local meal sites are Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School. There’s also one bus route in north West Seattle making meal deliveries.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: First day, online, off to a slow start for Seattle Public Schools
September 4, 2020 11:02 am
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

Thanks to the Seattle Public Schools employee who asked us to let students/families know that if they’re having connectivity trouble, it’s not their issue – it’s the district’s. We’ve confirmed this with SPS, whose spokesperson Tim Robinson replied with this statement:

We are currently experiencing slow internet and learning platform access due to the high volume of traffic this morning. This has resulted in disruption of service on district issued laptops. Our technology teams are actively working the issues. We will update this alert when we have a resolution.

– Department of Technology Services

Our tipster had a suggestion for families: “Please reassure your kids that this has nothing to do with their devices, or your home network. Tell them to do the best they can, SPS is working on it.”

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Submarine, headed northbound
September 4, 2020 10:28 am
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Submarine, headed northbound
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to James Tilley for the photo of an outbound U.S. Navy submarine, seen from West Seattle as it headed north in Puget Sound this morning. MarineTraffic.com shows it’s now off Whidbey Island, but as usual, identifies it only as “a submarine.” Last similar sighting reported by WSB readers was in June, and the general consensus in a lively discussion was that it was a Seawolf-class submarine. Three of them are homeported at Naval Base Kitsap (Bangor); the Kitsap Sun noted in June that the USS Jimmy Carter had been undergoing work at the Bremerton naval shipyard. (The other two are the USS Connecticut and USS Seawolf; the former completed work at Bremerton a year ago, while the latter was recently seen in Norway.)

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MUSIC: How to sing with Endolyne Children’s Choir, virtually!
September 4, 2020 9:39 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | WS culture/arts

As school starts virtually, so do some other activities – even choir! That video from Endolyne Children’s Choir shows a virtual performance from this past summer. Here’s the announcement of how to join this fall:

Endolyne Children’s Choir – West Seattle’s community choir since 2003 – kicks off their 2020-2021 season with our Fall Session beginning on Tuesday, September 8th. Sessions will be held virtually on Zoom this session, so it is a great opportunity for new singers from all over Seattle and beyond, from kindergarten to High School, to join our fun and welcoming non-audition choir. Singers in kindergarten through 2nd Grade rehearse from (updated) 5 to 5:45 PM, 3rd through 5th graders rehearse from 5:45 to 6:45, and singers 6th through 12th grade rehearse from 7:00 to 8:30. Registration is open right now! For more information and to register, visit endolynechoir.org.

Our Music Director Megan McCormick and Staff Instructor Janelle Maroney have planned a fantastic session of virtual music education, building on the success and lessons learned from our (unexpected) online Spring Musicals session. They will provide engaging, challenging online instruction, coupled with interactive opportunities for singers to build friendships and have fun together. We are working on opportunities for our singers to spread cheer throughout the holiday season with virtual performances and other ways of connecting remotely with our larger community.

Quality musical education is so important and essential for children, and we want every child to have the opportunity to benefit from our program. One benefit of virtual rehearsals: no commuting, so singers from anywhere in Seattle, the greater Puget Sound region, Washington State and beyond can join us for this session.

We are offering several tiers of tuition pricing, from full tuition to full scholarship, so anyone can participate regardless of their financial situation. Simply select your payment tier when registering at https://form.jotform.com/202324865760052.

Fall session begins Tuesday, September 8th. Registration ends on September 6th. Please visit endolynechoir.org for more information.

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TRAFFIC WATCH: Friday 9/4 notes, heading into Labor Day weekend
September 4, 2020 6:07 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: It’s Friday, the 165th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

*Here’s the newest Delridge project bulletin showing where work is focused right now; we should get next week’s update later today.

*1st Avenue S. Bridge: 3 more NB overnight closures are planned Sept. 8-10 (next Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Here’s the 5-way intersection camera (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Here’s the restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here’s that camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s that camera:

Going through South Park? Don’t speed.

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT, INCLUDING HOLIDAY CHANGES

Metro – Still reduced service and distancing, with some changes starting September 19th, and the potential return of fares on/around October 1st. (Sunday schedule on Labor Day.)

Water Taxi – Still on its “winter” schedule, with the 773 and 775 shuttles running – see the schedule here. (No service on Labor Day.)

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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READER REPORT: Tree trouble in Admiral
September 4, 2020 12:34 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

Thanks to Blake O. for the photo from Stevens/44th, just west of PCC. Blake was parked nearby and saw this upon return: “A giant branch had fallen off an old tree, landing on nearby cars. I was parked one car length away. I don’t know any information other than, it had happened around 8:50 pm today, 9/3. Neighbors think it was just an old tree No one was hurt. There was no wind or any other outside force that they know of.” We heard a related dispatch, so authorities are aware; we don’t know whether the tree’s been cleared.

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VIDEO: Lincoln Park’s underwater forest
September 3, 2020 10:10 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

In the 360-degree videos above and below, “Diver Laura” James takes you into the kelp forest off Lincoln Park.

Laura has been doing some informal research on the kelp, which was reported to be far denser along Puget Sound shores decades ago, before various man-made/-caused changes to the shoreline. If you’ve been observing the area – walking, boating, even diving – over the past 20 to 30 years, she would love to hear from you – info@diverlaura.me is the email address.

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CORONAVIRUS: Thursday 9/3 roundup
September 3, 2020 9:31 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

As we wish you a safe long holiday weekend, we present tonight’s toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:

*19,915 people have tested positive, up 96 from yesterday

*730 people have died, up 1 from yesterday

*2,242 people have been hospitalized, up 3 from yesterday

*373,284 people have been tested, up 5,803 from yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 19,177/717/2,222/349,291.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 26.2 million cases worldwide, 6.1 million of them in the U.S. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.

KING COUNTY DEATHS ANALYZED: The county has just released a report analyzing all the local COVID-19 deaths so far. Just part of its findings:

The analysis did not find an increase that would suggest unrecognized COVID-19 deaths in the weeks leading up to identification of the first COVID-19 case in King County in late February.

Also, based on an analysis of the total number of deaths this year, Public Health did not find evidence suggesting that large numbers of COVID-19 deaths are going unrecognized in the official death counts.

The full 16-page report is here.

CELEBRATING: Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor) celebrated after everybody tested negative.

SAFE GATHERINGS: A reminder from the state Department of Health:

Here is a short list of things to remember when it comes to gathering together in the time of COVID-19:

Outside is safer than inside.
Small groups are safer than large groups.
Less time together is safer than more time together.
Within six feet, face coverings are better than no face coverings.

So, while a Zoom happy hour might be your safest choice, an outdoor barbecue with one other family, with the chairs set up six feet apart, where the hand sanitizer flows freely, and everyone goes home early, is a less risky option, as far as these things go.

NEED FOOD? Tomorrow, 2-5 pm, free boxes of food are available at Food Lifeline (815 S. 96th).

GOT PHOTOS/TIPS? 206-293-6302, text or voice, or westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Our Lady of Guadalupe’s plan
September 3, 2020 8:17 pm
|    Comments Off on BACK TO SCHOOL: Our Lady of Guadalupe’s plan
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Before we get to the end of the week, we have a few more West Seattle schools’ plans to report. Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School in High Point started preschool/prekindergarten in person this past Tuesday, while K-8 will start remotely, after in-person orientation conferences, which wrap up tomorrow. Teaching/learning for K-8 starts next Tuesday (September 8th).

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Holiday weekend update (+ photos!)
September 3, 2020 6:45 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by James Bratsanos, this morning)

The sun, moon, and sky continue their late-summer showing off, so we’re featuring more reader photos along with this holiday-weekend weather update.

(Texted photo, moon & osprey nest)

Still no hint of rain any time soon – the sky will be clear (aside from that wildfire smoke that appears to have arrived) at least into next week.

(Photo by David Hutchinson, Wednesday’s sunset)

After the holiday, the newest “forecast discussion” observes, we might even see record highs.

(Photo by Jim Borrow, Wednesday’s sunset)

But until then, the forecast looks more or less seasonably warm, as it was this time last year. (But unlike, say, the Southwest U.S., with a heat wave that could go 20+ degrees above normal.)

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CELEBRATION: Daystar Retirement Village’s ‘COVID-free’ party
September 3, 2020 5:40 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | Westwood

The photos and report are from Eva Thomas at Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor) in Westwood:

Daystar Retirement Village is having a “crazy hat” party today, to recognize that all residents and staff have tested negative for COVID-19. This is a huge accomplishment. We could not have done it without the support of every single staff member, resident, and residents’ family members. These have been very trying times and every single individual involved with Daystar Retirement Village have gone above and beyond to keep our residents safe. We want to send out a HUGE thank you to everyone for keeping our residents safe.

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BIZNOTE: Bikram Yoga West Seattle saying goodbye
September 3, 2020 4:37 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

For almost 20 years, the West Seattle Junction storefront at 4747 California SW has been a hot-yoga studio. But that’s about to come to an end. Nally Berg bought Bikram Yoga West Seattle two years ago and just announced it will permanently close. Not because of the redevelopment project that will be built in that spot eventually (more on that in a moment), but because of other factors: “The bridge, COVID, and mandated restrictions have made it impossible to continue, unfortunately,” she tells WSB. Bikram Yoga WS will be open through the end of this month; Berg does not currently have plans to open a new studio elsewhere, but promises to let us know if that changes.

Before it was a yoga studio, the building held Junction Feed & Seed for almost 80 years; the site will eventually be part of the new home of Husky Deli. With news of the closure, we checked on the status of the site’s future redevelopment, inquiring with Ed Hewson, who is working with Husky owner Jack Miller on the project. Hewson tells WSB, “COVID has clearly slowed down the permitting with the City (and the bridge closure certainly doesn’t help), but we are still slowly proceeding because it is such a special project. The New Husky will be a labor of love for all of us. We don’t have a definitive start date we can give you, but we are very much still working diligently with our architects and consultants and moving forward.”

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FOLLOWUP: Contest-winning West Seattle Bridge T-shirts have arrived!
September 3, 2020 2:48 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

In The Junction today, volunteers are working – at a safe distance – to package the new contest-winning West Seattle Bridge T-shirts for mailing to everybody who ordered one! The orders followed the announcement four weeks ago of the three designs that won the community vote, “Accidental Island,” “Mind the Gap,” and “So Close Yet So Far.”

Above, Junction Association executive director Lora Radford is among those helping. So if you ordered one, watch the mail! And if you didn’t …

… no need to worry about a “gap” in being stylish – as originally announced, some Junction stores will be selling them, too, starting tomorrow. See the list on this page – or go there to order one (deadline September 21st for an October mailing).

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle’s police commander on staffing and more
September 3, 2020 1:27 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Hours after interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz‘s media briefing about staffing changes, Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman spoke with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, online. He said he has no further details, yet, about how the 100 “redeployments” will affect his staffing levels, but of course he’s hopeful it means more officers headed this way. Right now, Capt. Grossman said, the precinct staff is 10 percent below what it was when he started, due to attrition – retirements, officers moving to other parts of the city, or moving to other cities’ departments. In addition, this precinct and the others all have to contribute to the “task forces” that deal with some of the ongoing protests on Capitol Hill. On another note, he and operations Lt. Sina Ebinger, who also was at the meeting (as was Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner), will not be regularly attending community meetings as they have since taking over two months ago. Grossman says he wants patrol officers to attend the meetings in the areas they cover, so they can build relationships. (That was part of the reason Chief Diaz cited on Wednesday for moving more officers into patrol.) A special focus of the Kiwanis’s community work is mentoring youth, particularly via Key Clubs, so some Q&A last night focused on that; Danner will be working to set up meetings where she and officers can talk with high-school and middle-school students and hear their concerns.

P.S. Another Kiwanis note – they’re expecting this year’s Pancake Breakfast, usually the first Saturday of December, to be a “virtual” event, so stand by for more on that.

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BOOKS: ‘High Point: The Inside Story of Seattle’s First Green Mixed-Income Neighborhood’
September 3, 2020 11:40 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle books | West Seattle news

Just published – a book about West Seattle’s biggest redevelopment project, the years-long makeover of High Point. The author spent almost a decade working there and sent us the announcement:

How did a rundown public-housing project become an award-winning poster child for a green, mixed-income neighborhood? A new book, “High Point: The Inside Story of Seattle’s First Mixed-Income Green Neighborhood” answers that question.

Author Tom J. Phillips spent nine years directing the redevelopment of one of Seattle’s largest public housing projects, the 120-acre High Point neighborhood. The book chronicles the undertaking of what was a visionary and highly risky experiment and the strong leadership, grit, and determination that was required along the way to make the vision a reality.

A federal grant of $35 million kickstarted this $550 million master-planned community. High Point debuted several ground-breaking healthy and green features, including the country’s largest natural drainage system and 60 “Breathe Easy” homes for children with asthma, capturing the attention of forward-thinking local governments and developers across the country. …

Ron Sims, former King County Executive and Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, provided the foreword of the book, in which he noted, “This\ book will inspire others to act upon their dreams.”

You can read more about the book and author here, or take a video tour of some High Point highlights – produced by local journalist/historian Clay Eals – here.

P.S. Phillips tells WSB that Paper Boat Booksellers in Morgan Junction (6040 California SW) will have autographed copies later today.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Ice-cream truck fundraiser next week
September 3, 2020 9:58 am
|    Comments Off on BACK TO SCHOOL: Ice-cream truck fundraiser next week
 |   Genesee Hill | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Even with school starting remotely for most local students, supplies are still needed, and as we’ve noted before, that means fundraisers are too. The Genesee Hill Elementary PTA invites the community to be part of a tasty fundraiser it’s planning next Wednesday (September 9th):

Join us to eat ice cream at a distance!

Buy an ice cream cone from the Full Tilt Truck while it’s across the street from Genesee Hill. $6 per cone, with part of each sale going to the GHE PTA Supply Drive. All are welcome!

Check out the new GHE swag samples when you stop by!

Wear a mask. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Vegan option available.

The truck will be at 50th & Dakota, 3-6 pm that day. Looks like ice-cream weather – could be in the 90s!

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