West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(WSB file photo: Portable bound for West Seattle Elementary in 2012)
School may be out for winter break, but that doesn’t necessarily mean an absence of activity at local campuses. West Seattle Elementary School is expecting a big delivery this week, for example: Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tom Redman tells WSB that a one-classroom portable is to be delivered to WSES this Wednesday (December 21st). He adds, “SDOT has determined the schedule for delivery to be during the day between the morning and afternoon rush-hour time frames.”
From the “just in case you were wondering” file: After hearing about a water problem in south Arbor Heights late today, we checked with Seattle Public Utilities. Spokesperson Andy Ryan tells WSB,”We had a 4-inch water main break this afternoon (in the 10800 block of) 37th Ave. SW. Water was back on at 5:15.” Just a reminder – if you have a water problem, the SPU number to call to report it is 206-386-1800. (And then let us know! Unlike electricity outages, water outages don’t have an online map.)
Tonight’s featured Christmas lights are in that video clip sent by Jonathan, who says, “My 9-year-old neighbor set up a whole impressive light setup to music, pretty much all by himself. It’s something to see, for sure. They don’t always have the music going, but when they do, it’s really cool.” You’ll find this house in the 3400 block of 41st Ave SW, between Hinds and (updated) Manning.
Let us know about your favorite lights! editor@westseattleblog.com – and see our archive here.
4:47 PM: This has long been in the works, and the official announcement is just in from SDOT:
On Tuesday, December 20, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will lower the speed limit on Delridge Way SW as part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to enhance transportation safety and save lives. Reducing the posted speed limit improves safety for everyone; especially people walking and biking.
The speed limit will be changed to 30 mph for a 3.5-mile stretch of Delridge Way SW between SW Henderson Street and the West Seattle Bridge. The speed limit is currently 35 mph on this segment of Delridge despite mainly single family homes and the presence of parks and schools adjacent to the corridor. This change will create a consistent 30 mph speed limit for the entire Delridge corridor.
Data collected on this section of Delridge shows most drivers are currently driving slower than the existing 35 mph speed limit. In fact, the 85th percentile speed at SW Trenton Street has been measured at exactly 30 mph so this should not be a significant change for people that drive this roadway often. The speed limit change will help reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions. This is especially true for vulnerable users like pedestrians since lower speeds significantly increase the survivability of crashes.
“The Delridge speed limit adjustment will help enhance safety on this corridor where more than 300 crashes have occurred in the last three years resulting in 148 injuries, six serious injuries and one death,” said SDOT Director Scott Kubly. “These changes will significantly help people walking and biking to schools, parks, transit and other destinations.”
Travelers on Delridge Way SW can expect to see new speed limit signs installed this week. SDOT will also deploy the Speed Watch Trailer to the corridor to provide feedback to drivers about their speed and highlight the new speed limit.
ADDED 5:49 PM: Some background links – the original announcement (now linked in the introductory line at the start of this story) was in February 2015, and even in November 2015, SDOT was saying it still hoped to implement the reduction by the end of that year. Last time we checked was this past September, when SDOT’s Jim Curtin said it would happen by year’s end, and mentioned some other features: “… edge lines, flexible posts for the existing bike lanes in the vicinity of SW Orchard St, and enhancing the existing crosswalk at SW Juneau Street with rapid flashing beacons (the work at Juneau may not occur until early 2017 due to equipment supply issues).” We’ve seen the posts by Orchard, but will be checking in on the other two (and if you see crews installing signs later this week, please let us know – we’ll be looking, too).
Alina Guyon just received approval for her Girl Scout Gold Award, and is hoping you can help with the project:
I’m building a library in a refugee camp in Uganda. It’s a big undertaking and requires planning, organization and the coordination of a team of people. My goal is to collect 3,000 books and create a library that many refugees have access to.
So far, Fauntleroy UCC and Hope Lutheran School have kindly donated many books, which add up to over 2,300 collected for the library. But, I would love your help so I can reach my goal of 3,000 books!
How can you help? Please bring any books and educational supplies, that you would like to donate, to VAIN (4513 California Ave SW). VAIN is open from 10 am-6 pm on weekends, 12-8 pm on Monday, and 10-8 pm Tuesday – Friday. The box for donated books will be at VAIN until December 28th.
Why Refugees? There are currently 65 million refugees in the world – more than in any time in our history since World War II. These are people who are forcibly removed from their homes and flee for their safety; half are children under the age of 18, according to the United Nations (UNHCR http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html) The average time a person spends in a refugee camp is over seven years, and the children lose access to schools and education. Without education, the opportunity to improve their situation is minimal. Refugee children without access to reading and an education represent a lost generation.
Why Uganda? While Syrian refugees have received attention in the news, there is also a huge refugee crisis in Africa. Uganda has the fastest-growing refugee population in Africa, accepting over 100,000 new refugees in 2016 alone.
Their neighboring countries of South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are war-torn. While Uganda doesn’t have many resources, they are compassionate to the plight of their neighbors.
Uganda is home to many languages, but English is the common spoken language. So books in English are perfect! I am partnering with an organization in Uganda that serves refugees and has a small school. The organization is called Hope of Children and Women and they are very excited to receive the library.
Contact information: AGuyon19@holynames-sea.org
1:30 PM: New weather alert – the National Weather Service has a “High Wind Watch” set to kick in very late tonight. The NWS says, “West to Southwest winds are expected to increase to 20 to 35 mph, with local gusts to around 50 mph, early Tuesday morning and then continue through most of Tuesday.”
6:01 PM: The alert has been reduced to a “Wind Advisory” for 4 am-6 pm Tuesday. The potential wind speeds are the same as above.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
At 24, Levi Gryniewski had already been working hard for five years to build up his landscaping business in West Seattle.
Now a hit-and-run driver has left him in the hospital, seriously injured, in danger of losing everything he’s worked for, says his father Bruce.
The crash almost cost Levi even more … his life.
He is the driver who was hit – at high speed, witnesses say – around 1:30 pm last Wednesday (December 14th) at 16th SW and SW Thistle. As reported here that afternoon, firefighters had to cut him out of this crumpled car:
(12/14/2016 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Today Levi’s family is putting out a public call for anyone who saw anything that might lead police to the driver who ran from the scene after the crash.
That driver left the other car (2000 white 4-door Honda Accord) behind, and police impounded it. Detectives have not yet been able to trace him through the car, SPD tells us, because it had been reported as sold, and, according to Det. Mark Jamieson, “there’s no accurate record of who owns it.” Investigators are tracking down previous owners in hopes of finding a clue.
The only description police have of the driver seen fleeing is white, male, 20s, about 6 feet tall, wearing a purple shirt.
Levi, meantime, remains in intensive care. His dad says, “He suffered many traumatic injuries from the crime and his recovery will be long and painful.”
The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case – contact SPD and refer to 2016-448519, if you have any information.
ADDED TUESDAY: Levi’s family has set up this GoFundMe account, after suggestions from community members who wanted a way to help.
(Photo by Lynn Hall – another view of Alki’s “sea serpent” driftwood)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:
HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Special hours this week at your shop? Let us know ASAP so we can mention! Here are some places we know you can shop today/tonight:
My Three Little Birds (WSB sponsor) in south Morgan Junction is open today, until 5 pm. (6959 California SW)
Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) in The Junction is open today, until 6 pm. (4736 California SW)
Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction is open until 6 pm. (6529 California SW)
Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village is open today, until 6 pm. (2600 SW Barton)
Atomic Boys in Admiral is open today, until 6 pm. (4311 SW Admiral Way)
Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction is open until 8 tonight. (4540 California SW)
Meeples Games (WSB sponsor) is open today, 11:30 am-10 pm. (3727 California SW)
Also today/tonight:
AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: 2 pm at Southwest Library, all welcome. “Let the Great World Spin” by Colum McCann is this month’s book. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: The regional Camp Fire Headquarters is in West Seattle and inviting you over this afternoon/evening: “Join us for an evening of cookie decorating, gingerbread house making and snowflake cutting! Come take a photo in one of our many holiday photo booths! This is also a great opportunity to come tour Camp Fire headquarters and meet the staff!” 3-6 pm. Bring a donation for foster kids via Treehouse – here’s the wish list. (2414 SW Andover, Suite D-105)
SANTA AT THRIFTWAY Another chance to see St. Nick – West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) will get four visits this week, starting with 5:30-8:30 pm tonight. (Fauntleroy/California/Morgan)
COOKIE CLASS: Holiday Cookie Decorating Class for the whole family at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 6 pm. Reservations required – get all the info here – and call ASAP to see if they still have room! (1936 Harbor SW)
WEST SEATTLE QUILTERS: 7 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)
MONDAY QUIZ: All ages, 7:30 pm at The Skylark. (3803 California SW)
Just found out about this – adding to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
The Christmas People will host a complimentary meal for homeless, seniors, and others who need a meal on Sunday, December 25, 2016 from noon to 4 p.m. at Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Avenue SW. Marc Smason, trombonist, will provide entertainment. This event is entirely without cost as a public service.
Christmas People is a 501 (c) (3) not profit organization; we celebrate our 18th year of providing hot meals to homeless and seniors in the Greater Seattle Area. During the weekend, Christmas People will also prepare evening meals for various downtown shelters.
Donated homemade cookies are welcomed for dropoff at the Masonic Center 9 am-4 pm on December 23rd and 24th.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:02 AM: Good morning. It’s a rainy Monday, first day of winter break for schools. No major problems reported in West Seattle or on the outbound routes right now.
7:11 AM: Note that there is a weather alert through 11 am for potential coastal flooding – high tide is at 9:24 am, 12.5 feet, half a foot lower than the tide that came up over the Alki seawall back on Friday, but still high, especially with some wind in the mix.
7:42 AM: Two incidents to note – via Twitter, @klang reports a problem on the Alaskan Way Viaduct NB, just before the Battery Street Tunnel. Not on the real-time 911 log. But a West Seattle incident is – a medic response in Arbor Heights, 35th SW/SW 106th. We’re on our way to find out what’s happening there.
7:53 AM: John says via Twitter that a pedestrian was hit by a driver – the particular level of medic response in this call usually means pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist. No information on condition so far. Meantime, there also is a response right now downtown at 1st and Columbia (by the entrance to the southbound AWV) for an incident that also reportedly involves a pedestrian, and scanner traffic indicates 1st is blocked.
7:58 AM: Back to the Arbor Heights incident [photo above] – police confirm what John told us, that it was hit-run and they are looking for the driver. The victim was taken to the hospital by private ambulance, indicating non-life-threatening injuries, and SFD cleared the scene shortly after we arrived.
Meantime, yet another incident – Kevin just tweeted about a crash “just past the crest” of the high bridge, with one car facing the wrong way.
8:08 AM: That was in the right lane of the eastbound bridge when Kevin’s C Line bus passed it. Meantime, SDOT says the 1st/Columbia scene downtown is now clear.
8:12 AM: There’s no camera view of the bridge crash but a texter says that it’s causing issues with people trying to exit to 99, and that police are on the scene.
8:25 AM: New trouble report – via text, stoplight at 4th and Roxbury is reported to be malfunctioning. Remember, a broken/out signal means it’s an all-ways stop.
Finally @seattledot cam is on bridge crash scene pic.twitter.com/kBSdfKSvo8
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 19, 2016
8:30 AM: Added above – the SDOT camera was at least fleetingly on the right-lane bridge wreck and we recorded a bit of video. Tow truck now on scene.
8:47 AM: Scene clear, says SDOT. Thanks again to everyone who messaged about this – SDOT’s first mention lagged while, so tips were vital.
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