West Seattle, Washington

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day : 09/12/2015 10 results

Senior Center of West Seattle launching fundraising campaign to compensate for what it’s not getting from United Way
December 9, 2015 11:56 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

The Senior Center of West Seattle‘s end-of-year pitch for donations isn’t your everyday end-of-year pitch.

This year, the center is trying to make up for $60,000 it’s not getting from United Way of King County.

That was the West Seattle center’s share of $700,000 that UWKC gave Senior Services last year.

Next year, SS isn’t getting that at all, because UWKC has decided not to fund general-purpose organizations – instead, a spokesperson told us, they’re focusing on a new strategic plan with missions such as helping end homelessness and raise graduation rates.

General funding of services for senior citizens, for example, just doesn’t fit, explained United Way of King County spokesperson Jared Erlandson when we called to ask the reason for the cuts. He said the organization is focusing on spending that can have a direct effect on problems and challenges, rather than spreading the dollars thinly. But Senior Services points out that the elder population is swelling, and, SS spokesperson Karen Bystrom points out, seniors are also a vulnerable population. (SS is not the only organization affected – in all, $1.7 million in funding that goes to 30 organizations is being redirected by UWKC, and they’re not all senior-focused organizations.)

In the meantime, the West Seattle center is trying to raise $25,000 for starters by year’s end. The theme is “keeping the Senior Center thriving.” Center executive director Lyle Evans says WSSC is “responsible for raising 75 percent of the nearly $800,000 annual budget. This loss hits hard since we have counted on this stable income.”

The center is a 501(c)3 organization, so contributions are tax-deductible. Its programs include feeding dozens of local seniors every day in the center’s “Junction Diner.” The center also offers programs that help seniors deal with challenges such as finding affordable housing. And they offer fun, too, from dances to bingo to movies. Right now, they’re just hoping to rustle up the funds to keep all that going.

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Crashes on both sides of West Seattle Bridge; 17th & Henderson blocked
December 9, 2015 6:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:35 PM: A crash response on the eastbound bridge has closed the exit to Highway 99, according to scanner traffic, a reader report, and an SDOT tweet, which adds that the right lane is blocked at that spot too. Metro says Routes 120, 125, and the C Line are routed off the Viaduct as a result.

6:56 PM: Haven’t heard yet if that has reopened – Seattle Fire units have cleared – but now there’s word of a crash on the westbound bridge by the Delridge exit.

7:17 PM: SDOT says the eastbound crash scene is now clear.

7:20 PM: Also just checked out a report that a police car had blocked off 17th SW and SW Henderson. We talked to the parking-enforcement officer who is with that car; utility lines are down in the area and they’re waiting for Seattle City Light to come determine if they’re power lines or some other utility, but they don’t want to run the risk in the meantime that a passing vehicle might snag the lines.

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UPDATE: About Wednesday night’s West Seattle water woes…
December 9, 2015 6:33 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

6:33 PM: We don’t know if these two events are related, but just in case one affects you, we’re mentioning them: Kevin asked via Twitter about a lack of water service near 36th/Edmunds, without notice. One reply came in from a 36th SW resident who said their building had been notified the water would be off 6-8 pm tonight “for repairs.” Meantime, we have heard via Twitter from someone near 35th/Charlestown that their water is discolored and Seattle Public Utilities told them it’s an emergency-repair situation.

7:13 PM: Though there was no original tweet about a “water-main break,” SDOT tweeted this a short time ago:

UPDATE, 2:41 PM THURSDAY: Seems the shutoff and the “water-main break” were one and the same. From SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin:

SPU did not have any planned work yesterday near 35th and Avalon. However, there was a water main break yesterday afternoon near 4435 35TH AVE SW. As a result of this break, water was shut off for a couple of hours between about 6 pm and 8 pm to repair the pipe. Customers in the surrounding area experienced some discoloration in their water throughout the evening and night as a result of sediment being stirred up when the water was turned back on. Sometimes when working an emergency repair, our crews are able to verbally tell customers in advance when they will need to turn off the water. If they have time and crew resources to provide customers with a verbal warning that their water will be shut off soon, they will do so and will seek out businesses and multi-family buildings first as a courtesy.

4435 35th SW is the address of Luna, the mixed-use building under construction across from the stadium.

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West Seattle weather: What’s next; plus, morning video views
December 9, 2015 5:03 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

After this morning’s lightning, thunder, wind, and rain (WSB coverage here), you might wonder: What’s next? Answer: Another alert, this time a “coastal flood advisory” for tomorrow, 2 am-6 pm (read it here). As explained by the National Weather Service, “High tides augmented by unusually low atmospheric pressure will likely flood very low-lying areas next to the inland waters. Flooding is expected to be minor and will last only a few hours around the time of high tide.” Here’s what the approaching “unusually low … pressure” looks like:

As for the times of possible flooding – tomorrow’s high tides in our area (see the chart here) are 11.2 feet at 5:05 am and 10.8 feet at 3:14 pm.

P.S. Since the storm that passed through in the 6 am hour, we’ve received two reader videos recorded as it happened. Molly caught the hail that left an almost-snowy-looking aftermath in some spots:

Al was bicycling to work when the storm hit – distant lightning flashes and not-so-distant hail is part of what his helmet-cam recording captured:

And if you’re missing a rainbarrel – this one went astray near 46th and Hanford, and Chris sent a photo:

Chris has checked with nearby residents already and says it’s not theirs.

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WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION BIZNOTE: Midwives’ move
December 9, 2015 3:52 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION BIZNOTE: Midwives’ move
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Baby boom = business boom for these West Seattle entrepreneurs/health-care providers. From left are Christine Tindal, LM, CPM, MSM, and Taylor Hamil, LM, CPM, MSM, co-proprietors of In Tandem Midwifery, “thrilled” to have just moved into a bigger new location in The Junction. It’s not far from their old one but it’s at streetfront, street level, three times the space, at 4522 44th SW. They’ve just settled in and we were able to catch them for a photo this afternoon. They’re adding something new, too: Childbirth-education classes will be offered at the ITM office soon, with Alise McAllister and Beth Doyle from There’s No Place Like Home Birth Services. “Both were our clients and are great about teaching our families about home and birth-center birth,” Hamil says.

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West Seattle development: Next Design Review for 9021 17th SW
December 9, 2015 2:28 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle development: Next Design Review for 9021 17th SW
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

A development note from South Delridge: The second Early Design Guidance meeting for the proposed apartment building at 9021 17th SW now has a date – January 7th. That will be less than three months after the Southwest Design Review Board took its first look at the building on October 15th (WSB coverage here), sending it back for a second round of EDG after saying it seemed too much like a “fortress” . The building is still proposed for four stories and 31 units, according to the city website, which shows that a revised design “packet” for the next meeting is not yet available. The review meeting is set for 6:30 pm January 7th at the Sisson Building (California/Oregon) in The Junction.

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YOU CAN HELP! Just 2 more days for this Giving Tree at Hiawatha Community Center
December 9, 2015 1:38 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Just 2 more days for this Giving Tree at Hiawatha Community Center
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Though Christmas is still more than two weeks away, some donation/gift drives have to wrap up early so there’s time to get gifts and other items to the people who will have happier holidays because of your generosity. Among them – the kids who will be helped by the Giving Tree at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW). The photo is from Tiffani on the center’s staff; as the poster says, they’re collecting unwrapped gifts until this Friday at 6 pm – just two days away – and they’re hoping to have something for all the kids under 17 who will be at the South Park Community Center holiday party on Saturday.

Your chance to be a real-life Santa continues past then, of course – please scroll through the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide for a long list of giving opportunities, including many local businesses where you can drop off a toy or a coat or other items, large and small.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Christmas Ship; benefit wine tasting; Highland Park Bookfair; more
December 9, 2015 12:18 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Christmas Ship; benefit wine tasting; Highland Park Bookfair; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(No, it didn’t snow! Hail/slush on stairs – shared by Gina via the WSB Facebook page)
As post-storm cleanup continues – we look ahead to the rest of the day/night. First, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

BAZAAR AT ADMIRAL BIRD: 5-8 pm, second and final night of local arts/crafts holiday-gift bazaar at Admiral Bird. (California/Admiral)

GINGERBREAD-HOUSE MAKING: 6 pm at Delridge Community Center – details in our calendar listing. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

CHRISTMAS SHIP AT SALTY’S: The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship makes its first West Seattle visit of the season, as previewed here a few nights ago. 9:15-9:35 pm, it’ll be serenading Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), with Choir of the Sound on board. (1936 Harbor SW)

And from our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:

HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY BOOKFAIR: 6-7:30 pm at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village, you can support Highland Park Elementary during its Bookfair. Readings and other activities are planned, and a percentage of purchases benefits the school. (2800 SW Barton)

BENEFIT WINE TASTING: 6-7:30 pm at Bin 41, to benefit Cara, a co-worker of co-proprietor Jon, in her fight against a rare cancer. Details in our calendar listing. (4707 California SW)

‘FINDING KIND’: Film screening for Madison Middle School parents as MMS embarks on its “Choose Kind” program, as previewed here. 6:30 pm. (45th SW & SW Spokane)

AWARDS PRESENTATION: 7 pm annual awards are part of the 34th District Democrats‘ annual holiday party at The Hall at Fauntleroy – not a business meeting. (9131 California SW)

ROO FORREST & FRIENDS: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), “an eclectic mix of originals and covers.” (5612 California SW)

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Headed for West Seattle High School in 2016? Info Night tomorrow
December 9, 2015 11:28 am
|    Comments Off on Headed for West Seattle High School in 2016? Info Night tomorrow
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you’re planning to, or thinking about, sending an incoming 9th grader to West Seattle High School next year, they would love to see you there tomorrow (Thursday) night – both parents and students. The Information Night will start with staff/student panels at 6:30 pm in the WSHS Theater, continuing with student-led tours at 7:30, and Q&A at 8. Our calendar listing has the specifics.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT/WEATHER: Wednesday starts with lightning/thunder
December 9, 2015 6:18 am
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | West Seattle weather

(SCROLL DOWN for newest weather/traffic/power info)

(Above: 2 live cams; you’ll find more on the WSB Traffic page)
6:17 AM: Lightning and thunder are accompanying the next storm band headed this way – so we’ll be tracking that as well as watching the roads and buses. If you’re headed out on foot/bike, obviously, wait a bit! Wind is roaring through with this, too.

(Added: Lightning from ferry Hyak, video tweeted by @zargoman)
6:36 AM: The lightning/thunder/wind appears to have moved on, for now. Left some hail behind in spots too – thanks for this texted photo from an Alki alley:

Michelle sent this closeup look:

(added) WSB’s Christopher Boffoli said some of what fell at his house was even nickel-sized:

6:48 AM: The City Light map shows one pocket of power outage, 114 homes/businesses in Westwood (added – also 25 in Fairmount Springs, near Fauntleroy/Raymond). If you have power and/or road trouble, please let us know (once you’ve notified authorities!) – comment here or text/voice to our 24/7 hotline 206-293-6302.

7 AM: Via Twitter, @janaobscura says bridge traffic is worse than usual for this hour, too.

7:29 AM: Breezy but at least here near Lincoln Park, the rain is taking a break. Keep in mind that after all that rain, trees can be at risk – Peter sent the photo of this one down against a house in Seaview:

We’re checking out one in Arbor Heights too. No reports of road blockages so far.

7:46 AM: That may be changing – we’re off to check out a possible tree-over-road near Lincoln Park. Meantime, if you have to report a road emergency such as a tree, as explained here earlier this fall, SDOT says THE number is 206-386-1218.

8:03 AM: The aforementioned tree is across 44th SW south of Southern – and a couple of guys were working to clear it, but if you use the “switchbacks” between California and Fauntleroy, that might be a trouble spot for a bit.

8:46 AM: Another post-storm hazard for drivers/bike riders/walkers in neighborhoods – lots of branches, small and large, blown off trees. We noticed this on 41st SW west of Fairmount Park, from which Peter sent this updated photo of tree vs. house:

If you haven’t been out yet – still breezy but lots of blue sky; if we didn’t have the photographic evidence (thanks to everyone who has contributed!) you’d never know how this day began!

9:39 AM: More storm aftermath – thanks for the tips! Another toppled tree – this one in Arbor Heights:

And on 41st, not far from the house shown above, a big branch is down on the street, taken off this tree, which has a blackened spot almost as if it had a lightning strike:

Thanks also to G for the info that the Westwood-area outage mentioned earlier is affecting some (but not all) of the businesses at the center – you might want to call ahead if you’re heading that way.

10:08 AM: Some branches brought down this morning are themselves the size of trees.

Joe Szilagyi shared the photo of an 18-foot branch down at his house in Arbor Heights.

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