West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
Sorry for the subpar photo – some equipment challenges for a while on Monday night. But even if it had been taken by the most talented photographer with the most fabulous equipment, the point of this display would be the same – it’s not brilliantly light-laden, but we love the tree atop the beautiful old brick Alki Apartments building at 2348 Alki SW – you can see it from quite some way away. The entire beachfront drive is worthwhile for light-lovers, as many condo- and apartment-dwellers deck their balconies, and some of the remaining single-family homes do, too (one of the fabled Flower Houses has some cute lights). We happened onto this during a late-night scouting trip after discovering the home we had hoped to photograph elsewhere was already “off” for the night. Keep the tips coming – editor@westseattleblog.com – and check out our Google Map of all the spots we’ve featured, including this one, viewable on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
We’ve just confirmed a change in plans for this week’s work on the Fauntleroy Expressway Seismic Retrofit Project – which is entering a new phase as the contractor gets ready to lift the bridge deck to add special quake-resistant pads. SDOT had announced that the expressway – the southwestern end of the West Seattle Bridge, between Delridge and 35th – would be closed three nights this week for that phase of the job to begin, starting tonight. But when we checked in with SDOT communications consultant Josh Stepherson, who has briefed more than a few local community groups about the projects in recent months, he told us there was a late-breaking change in plans: “A couple of hours ago the contractor made the decision not to raise the Expressway this week. They still intend to close the Expressway tonight to survey the structure. They will not close it this Tuesday or Wednesday. Their current plan is to raise the Expressway, for the first time, Monday the 19th. They also plan to close the Expressway on Tuesday and Wednesday the 20th and 21st.” Look for more information from SDOT later this week; meantime, tonight’s closure, again, IS still on – scheduled roughly 10:30 pm to 5 am. (We’ll check on its status once that time frame kicks in.)
More than 40 people gathered at the Pathfinder K-8 cafeteria tonight for a Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting that primarily served as the annual holiday potluck – the first year the community party wasn’t at the home of the late community activist Vivian McLean, who died this past spring.
There was a bit of business for the group to handle, before they got down to serious revelry: The recent rash of burglaries, which has hit Pigeon Point hard, as well as several other parts of West Seattle. The group was briefed by Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. (second-in-command) Pierre Davis, who didn’t have news of any new arrests, but did answer questions, and provided a general update.
3:21 PM: We are in the 900 block of SW Spokane, where protesters have just arrived.
Police have stopped eastbound traffic. They are still heading west on Spokane, as Guardian One and tv choppers hover. So far, no conflicts that we have seen. No word how long eastbound traffic will remain stopped.
(Photo by Torin Record-Sand; substituted for cameraphone pic that was originally here)
3:44 PM: Traffic still stopped. Police appear to have made at least one arrest. Reinforcements have just arrived. (added) Some scuffling was visible from our vantage point (photos later from our crew elsewhere in the crowd) – watch the left side:
4:09 PM: Sorry for the lag – we have a photographer on the scene and your editor here got stuck one truck back from the front lines while dropping him off. Adding images shortly. He says traffic has resumed westbound across the low bridge – but it’s advisable to completely avoid the area till this is clear some hours from now (after 6 pm).
4:27 PM: Metro is rerouting some West Seattle (etc.) buses via the 1st Avenue South Bridge: 21, 22, 56, 118 & 119. Also keep in mind that we’re now an hour away from the Seahawks game, further complicating the traffic picture.
4:43 PM: The low bridge may technically be open to traffic but still worth avoiding. As of right now, one of the bridge cams is focused on the protest scene. You can see all our traffic cams here.
5:43 PM: From WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli, a recent overview of the scene where most of this unfolded through the mid- to late-afternoon:
Via Twitter, SPD confirms “multiple arrests.” They also say they have “contacted” the driver involved in the hit-run incident noted in comments below this story.
6:52 PM: A closer look, from earlier. A group of West Seattle activists gathered at the Chelan Café to walk to join the protesters who marched from Westlake:
And as the marchers arrived around quarter past three:
For the 6 pm rally, demonstrators moved to Terminal 5, according to our partners at the Seattle Times, who also report that the arrests so far have numbered more than a dozen.
ADDED 10:54 PM: More images from tonight and this afternoon. First – Christopher Boffoli was there as more demonstrators were arrested tonight:
According to SPD Blotter, “Eleven adult subjects were arrested for various violations including Failure to Disperse and Assaulting an Officer.” Some if not all of them were processed at the Southwest Precinct here in West Seattle, according to SWP Operations Lt. Pierre Davis, with whom we spoke while he visited tonight’s Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting to talk about the recent increase in burglaries. As the evening events wound down, Christopher got these scenes on video:
Here’s how Occupy Seattle’s website chronicled the afternoon/evening.
(WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)
If you live in Sunrise Heights, you may get a visit tomorrow from youth volunteers. Their mission: Getting the word out about what you see in the top photo – fruit and vegetables that are a brand-new addition to John’s Corner Deli at 35th/Webster. Yes, that’s the store known even by passersby as “the store with the cow on the roof.” Now it’s also the store with brand-new banners announcing what’s fresh inside:
Freshening up the John’s inventory, so to speak, is part of the city-and-county-sponsored Healthy Foods Here program, which currently also includes High Point Mini-Market, Delridge Deli Mart, and the High Point Walgreens. Tomorrow, members of FEEST – the Food Education/Empowerment/Sustainability Team – will be seeking out neighbors by canvassing the neighborhood, according to an announcement sent to WSB today. They’ll be equipped with coupons and information about John’s new produce offerings, meant as healthier options for those who live nearby and have no supermarket within walking distance. The volunteers from FEEST – who meet weekly at Chief Sealth International High School to cook with and learn about healthy food – are scheduled to gather at the store at 3:30 pm tomorrow before setting out.
Two updates on tonight’s roster of neighborhood meetings: First, thanks to Pete for pointing out that we had omitted a mention of the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council‘s meeting tonight; it’s their holiday potluck, Pathfinder K-8 (1901 SW Genesee), 6:30 pm. On the agenda is an update from Seattle Police on the rash of burglaries lately in that area (several of which have been included in West Seattle Crime Watch reports). Also – if you are going to tonight’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting (agenda here), thanks to Diane for reminding us that the location has changed; it’s not at the usual spot, but instead at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
Just in case you were wondering – the resurfacing work along three blocks of California SW between Alaska and Morgan Junctions is NOT closing the road. We went out this morning to get a look at the work zone; crews were starting on the north end – at SW Findlay – and heading south toward SW Graham. One lane is open in each direction for the entire stretch. No parking on California on those blocks, though (and we saw what appeared to be one car getting towed from that zone). As SDOT announced last week, they found enough money in the “Rubble Yard sale” proceeds to add these three blocks of repaving work, which is scheduled to happen 9 am-5 pm daily through Thursday.
Need help wrapping your presents? “Wrap It Up” gift wrapping with Furry Faces Foundation and AARF is back:
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Added the latest from Occupy at 10:48 am, after the port news release; also added 1:11 pm, photo tweeted by WSB partner Seattle Times’ Mike Lindblom from Westlake)
As first previewed here last week, the Occupy movement’s “West Coast Port Shutdown” actions today include planned rallies/protests in Seattle, close to the lower West Seattle Bridge. The Port of Seattle has just sent a statement saying it’s “working closely” with authorities to “ensure that port facilities remain open”:
As you may have heard, the Occupy Seattle movement is planning a protest at Port of Seattle seaport facilities later today. The action is a part of a coordinated effort at ports along the West Coast.
Nearly 22,000 men and women work in jobs created by the cargo that moves across the port’s docks. Just one day’s wages for those jobs total $1.9 million – dollars that can’t be earned if they can’t go to work.
Money is tight for many of us, particularly at this time of year, and those who work the port’s docks must be able to do their jobs.
(Photo by Annika Bowden – Christmas Ship & fleet off Seacrest on Saturday)
The Christmas Ship is back for an encore tonight – but before and after that, we have major road-work alerts, planned protests that could affect the “low bridge” and vicinity, and a big football game of note to commuters:
CALIFORNIA SW RESURFACING: As announced by SDOT last week, three blocks of California SW are scheduled for resurfacing today through Thursday. Businesses in the area are reminding their customers that means no parking out front – for example, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) will offer “Stop and Go” parking in the alley behind the shop (between Findlay and Juneau).
PROTESTS PLANNED: Possible afternoon protests near the east end of the “low” bridge (details here) as part of the Occupy movement’s “West Coast Port Shutdown” day. Their schedule, as detailed in our link, starts with a 1 pm march from Westlake Center downtown, and includes 3 and 6 pm rallies at the Spokane Street Fishing Bridge.
FAUNTLEROY EXPRESSWAY OVERNIGHT CLOSURE TONIGHT: Though you probably don’t call it that, Fauntleroy Expressway is the official name of the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge, and the quake-safety work enters a new phase requiring some overnight/weekend closures. The first one is tonight, as explained here (with a map), 10:30 pm-5 am.
SEAHAWKS GAME TONIGHT: They’re facing St. Louis in the Monday Night Football game, 5:30 pm (more from our partners at the Times), which of course means traffic challenges in the stadium zone.
We will be tracking all of the above throughout the day and evening, so check back here for updates on traffic effects, etc. (as well as WSB on Facebook and on Twitter, if those are more convenient). As for everything else – the highlights:
LIFE’S JOURNEYS: 1-2:30 pm at West Seattle Senior Center. From organizers: “This group will explore the territory we find ourselves in when involved in a significant transition. Are you in a changing time – relationships, housing, health, mobility, losses, retirement, etc? Are you looking for ways to make new connections?” Facilitated by Laurie Becharas, Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, and D’vorah Kost, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Cost: $20/month donation; no one turned away for inability to pay.
WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB West Seattle Cooking Club! Today’s theme: Holiday cookie exchange! 2:30 pm, Beveridge Place Pub.
TINY TIGER GAME DEMO: As previewed earlier this morning – 3-6 pm at Cupcake Royale in The Junction.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT STREET TREES? Street tree ordinance public-input meeting, High Point Community Center, 6:30 pm, details here.
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting, 6:30 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – different location than usual.
WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES? 7- 9 pm in the Community Room at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 7125 Fauntleroy Ave SW. Meeting and conversation with West Seattle neighbors and elected officials, hosted by the West Seattle Unit of the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County. Hear from West Seattle neighbor and City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and others about major issues facing our community as well as their priorities. Ask questions, and engage in conversation. Free and open to the public.
CHRISTMAS SHIP VISITS ONE MORE TIME: Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship in West Seattle one more time! 8:40-9 pm at Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
LOOKING FOR HOLIDAY INFO? Christmas lights, Christmas tree sales, and upcoming events … all on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
Two West Seattleites have just developed and released a new iPad/iPhone game for children, and are inviting families to drop by Cupcake Royale in The Junction this afternoon to give it a try – with free cupcakes and book giveaways for the kids. The game is called Tiny Tiger and Friends; its developers are Aaron Hedquist (left) and Steven D’Amico (right). According to the online notes, Hedquist’s firm The Curio Dept. developed it with the intent of not talking down to kids – “Children are way smarter than we adults give them credit for!” Here’s a kid-presented trailer for the game:
The game’s developers have serious pedigrees: Hedquist has been an interactive designer for a decade, with past projects for clients from the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum to the BBC. He is a partner at Curio Dept. with Fremont resident and software-industry veteran Scott Dierdorf. D’Amico is the illustrator of the “Ella The Elephant” picture-book series, for which he says a TV series is now in development. He’s also produced illustrations and designs you might have seen on websites for PBS Kids, Nick Jr., and the Disney Channel. Just bring your would-be game-tester to Cupcake Royale between 3 and 6 pm today (during CR’s regular “DIY” decorating party) to give Tiny Tiger a try.
Sports notes to share this morning from the weekend: First, congratulations to the two West Seattle Soccer Club‘s teams that the club says won statewide championships over the weekend, the BU-11 (boys) and GU-15 (girls) teams both named the Crush.
Second, in high-school basketball: Friday night, West Seattle High School‘s boys-varsity team beat Bainbridge 68-53 on the road, while the varsity girls lost 69-24. Chief Sealth International High School‘s girls-varsity team beat Rainier Beach at home, 54-12, while the varsity boys lost 83-52. And on Saturday, Seattle Lutheran High School‘s boys won at Shoreline Christian 58-46, while the girls lost 46-44. The Sealth games were at home, and we covered them; photos and summaries ahead:Read More
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