West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
The Chief Sealth International High School boys-varsity team was back home tonight and added to the win column, 77-67 over visiting Nathan Hale HS. #0 Jauvan Gary-Jones led the scoring with 19 points; next was #2 Tyrell Moore (top photo) with 14, followed by #22 Elijah Jackson with 12.
The Seahawks held on for the win despite a Hale comeback in the fourth quarter; they’re 3-1 on the season so far.
Next game is at Cleveland on Friday night.
(Camp Second Chance, seen from Myers Way late Sunday afternoon)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Getting more campers out of tents and into tiny houses before winter was a recurring theme of this month’s Community Advisory Committee meeting for Camp Second Chance, the city-sanctioned encampment on the Myers Way Parcels.
At the front of the Arrowhead Gardens meeting room as the meeting began Sunday afternoon were two committee members, Willow Fulton and Cinda Stenger. Josh Castle was there for LIHI, the camp’s city-contracted operator, and one city rep was there, Tom Van Bronkhorst from the Department of Neighborhoods.
CAMP UPDATES: Speaking as an unofficial liaison for the camp, while delivering its official updates, David Baum introduced three board members as well as camp manager Eric Davis. (The presence of Davis was newsworthy in itself; he is a founder and former paid employee of the camp who was controversially booted by the original camp operator Patacara before its withdrawal.)
Baum presented what he described as “a short statistical report about activities at the camp.” That included its current camper count:
In West Seattle Crime Watch, a reader report and three summaries from police narratives. First, from the inbox:
CAR PROWLER, RECORDED: A reader who wants to be anonymous sent the photos and report:
I’m a resident in West Seattle … who had his car broken into! That in of itself probably isn’t very newsworthy, but thanks to the smart folks managing my local community, we were able to get the whole thing on tape! I’ve attached some photos from the tape, as well as a quick picture of the prowler throwing a rock to bust my car’s window, and then crawling inside.
This happened at 2 PM on December 2nd (Saturday). The perpetrator actually tried breaking into my neighbor’s car (also caught on tape) before trying to break into my car instead. This happened right across the street from the Westwood Village shopping center. I wanted to mention this to you so that other residents saw the photo and can report to the police if they recognize the perpetrator (I’ve already filed a police report, and gave officers copy of these photos).
We have asked for the report # and will add when we get it. Meanwhile, checking police files, we found three recent local burglary cases with narratives posted:
4100 BLOCK SW BARTON: A resident called police last Friday afternoon to report that someone had broken into their detached garage and stolen items including “several bikes.”
7700 BLOCK 11TH SW: A construction company working on a house in this block reported to police last Friday that it was burglarized overnight and someone had stolen tools belonging to their crew. Police found fingerprints on cabinets that had been opened to get to the tools.
9000 BLOCK 35TH SW: Last Thursday, an apartment resident reported to police that the laundry room in their building had been burglarized at least three times in the span of a week and a half. Police found evidence that the coin box had been drilled open. They also found fingerprints.
Four notes from The Junction:
WEST SEATTLE CYCLERY CLOSING: Thanks to the people who messaged us about West Seattle Cyclery‘s announcement that it’s closing. From its website:
STORE CLOSING – LIQUIDATION SALE THIS SAT/SUN DEC. 9-10!
After 4.5 years we have decided to close the shop. It is a mixed bag of emotions but found I was not able to spend as much time as I need/want with family and friends riding my bikes and enjoying life.
All sales will be final. 30-60% off all bikes. 50% – 90% off Accessories, Components and Apparel
The shop at 4508 California SW opened in summer 2013. This is the second Junction closure announcement in less than a week, after Merryweather Books.
We also have two openings to note:
THE ESCAPE ARTIST: Today is the first day of business for this “escape room” venue that’s filled multiple spaces at 4517 California SW. We had more backstory about proprietor Kristine Atri‘s business back in May.
CAFE MIA: If you haven’t tried it yet, you might be interested to know that the bistro replacing Fiddlehead Fine Foods at 4310 SW Oregon is open, quietly segueing from a soft open into full operations.
And a plan to move:
BARRE BOHEMIAN: The West Seattle location of this independently owned barre-studio mini-chain has announced plans to move into a Junction space in a few months. It’s one of the spaces under construction on the southwest corner of Fauntleroy and Edmunds. “We are moving to a larger space because we’ve outgrown our cozy west Seattle studio. At the new space we will expand our yoga program, have room for more barre, offer more workshops and have child care (a huge reason for the move). The space will be just as homey and unique as our current one,” promises proprietor Tracy Drago. Meantime, they remain open in Upper Morgan at 6531 35th SW.
(Photo by David Whiting)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
SDOT crews were back today at 59th/Admiral, working on promised crossing improvements.
But more are needed, contend the Alki Elementary parents and staffers who formed a Traffic Safety Task Force to campaign for safety improvements at the intersection. On Monday, they met with SDOT managers at the school to seek answers about what’s possible, what’s not, and a timeline for what’s next.
Representing SDOT were traffic engineer Dongho Chang (who had gained some fame earlier in the day) and Brian Dougherty, who has long worked on Safe Routes to School. From the TSTF, Merkys Gomez, Barbara Ott, teacher Alia Delacour, and parent Emily Cier. Brianna Thomas from Councilmember Lorena González‘s staff was there too (a representative from Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office had planned to attend but took ill). Here’s how it went.
3:36 PM: Per the scanner and a texter, a two-car crash at Delridge/Dakota is blocking northbound Delridge. If you have to head that way, wait a while, or find an alternative.
4:58 PM: Metro has sent an alert that buses are back to normal operation on that stretch, which indicates the scene’s been cleared. We tried to get close about half an hour ago, but NB traffic was backed up past Alaska. No medic unit was dispatched, which indicates no major injuries.
Thanks to Liz for the photo from an incident at 44th/Glenn just west of The Junction this morning, involving the car shown on the sidewalk toward the left side of the photo. We missed it in real time, but several have since asked us about it, so we followed up. SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley says they took a 91-year-old man to the hospital in critical condition. SPD spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson tells WSB the 911 call came in shortly before 911, with an “unresponsive elderly man (in) his vehicle (that) rolled slowly into a telephone pole … SFD arrived and began CPR. The man was revived and transported to HMC. We believe that the man had a medical episode, and not a traffic collision.”
(WSB 2015 photo: Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship off West Seattle)
As you might already have seen in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, this Saturday brings the season’s first three West Seattle stops for the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship, after a stop in South Park. At each shop, singers on board serenade not only their shipmates but also, via amplification, those gathered on the shore. Here’s the schedule:
-3:30-3:50 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park (7900 10th Ave. S.) in South Park
-4:35 to 4:55 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor)
-8:10-8:30 pm at Lowman Beach Park (7017 Beach Dr. SW)
-8:55-9:15 pm at Alki Beach Park (60th SW/Alki SW)
Aboard the Christmas Ship, Emerald City Voices</strong> are scheduled for the first two stops, and The Dickens Carolers for the next two.
Two notes from the shore for Saturday night – as previewed last month, you are invited to “Seasonal Sounds on the Sound,” a privately hosted Christmas Ship-viewing party to raise money for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. 3-6:30 pm. Details are in our calendar listing.
And during the Alki stop, you’ll find this:
Calling West Seattle families, friends, and neighbors to gather at the Alki Bathhouse for the Argosy Christmas Ship’s annual visit. Enjoy special performances by the Seattle Lutheran High School band and Hope Kid Choir, and join in Christmas caroling accompanied by a live band. Alki Community Center and Seattle Parks Department staff will be on hand to offer hot drinks and cookies. The fun starts and ends with choirs and caroling, and the Christmas Ship will grace our shore from 8:55-9:10 pm. Dress warmly and join us in this special opportunity to share Christmas through song!
Again, all of the above is set for this Saturday night (December 9th – forecast looks pretty good). Then on the following Thursday, December 14th, one more visit – the Christmas Ship will stop off Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) 9:10-9:30 pm with the Dickens Carolers on board.
The Delridge development boom is apparently about to claim what might be our area’s most-infamous vacant house, the one at the far northeastern edge of Delridge Way itself, next to the bridge onramp, though its official address is 3804 23rd SW. After a tipster sent a photo of heavy equipment at the site, we went over for a look, and took the photo you see above. No one in view to ask, but county assessor records show it was sold again last spring (we had previously reported a tax-auction sale in 2015), and city records show that a site plan was filed in late summer for eight townhouse/rowhouses on the sloping site, 7,700 square feet, zoned Lowrise 1. The house has been the site of numerous complaints over the years, both formal and informal; it was spotlighted almost eight years ago in a “problem properties” tour organized by community leaders and attended by city councilmembers and department heads, described as a magnet for squatters. It’s also been mentioned over the years as councilmembers attempted to tweak the rules governing when owners can tear down derelict housing without having a redevelopment plan.
11:12 AM: Just in case you were wondering, West Seattle Trader Joe’s (4545 Fauntleroy Way SW) remains closed, without power for a fourth day since a suspected drunk driver rolled his car and damaged electrical equipment on the west side of the building. Seattle City Light told us on Monday that their crew repaired their part of the equipment by Saturday evening, and they’re ready to reconnect when the company finishes fixing equipment that it owns. We haven’t yet reached a company spokesperson to get more on that.
TUESDAY EVENING: The power is back on and the anonymous-but-knowledgeable commenter who has been providing updates says the store’s expected to reopen Wednesday morning.
9:59 AM: Five orcas visible from Emma Schmitz Overlook, southbound, reports Kersti Muul.
12:44 PM: In comments, Kersti says orcas are about to pass Point Robinson on Maury Island [map], so they are well south of West Seattle, and still southbound.
(Western Grebe, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Community involvement, music, and more – here are your highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
PRESCHOOL ENRICHMENT: 10:30 am at Neighborhood House High Point, work on story drama with Seattle Children’s Theatre! More info in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
HOLIDAY LUNCHEON: Senior Center of West Seattle members’ holiday luncheon. 11:30 am. If you’re not preregistered, check to see if there’s room. (4217 SW Oregon)
LIGHTS! With dry weather, it’s a great night to see the lights. Including:
–Menashe Family Lights, on at dusk (5605 Beach Drive SW)
–West Seattle Lights, synched to music, 5-9 pm (3908 SW Charlestown)
–West Seattle Yuletide, synched to music, 5:30-9 pm (east side of 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota)
JUSTIN KAUSAL-HAYES: Acoustic hits of the last four decades at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 5-8 pm. No cover/minimum. (1936 Harbor SW).
WESTWOOD-ROXHILL-ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY COALITION: New start time for WWRHAH’s meetings, 6 pm (since there’s a mandatory end time, 7:45 pm, as the library’s closing). Tonight’s agenda:
Short Community Announcements/Quick Discussion Items
6:15- 6:25 pm: Lt Ron Smith, Monthly crime stats update, recent incident discussion.
6:30-7:45 pm: Coalition Committee Planning
-Roxhill Park Wetland meeting with SPU
-Roxhill Park community programs interview with Randy Wagner, 1/9 @ 6:30 pm
-HALA, FEIS Appeal status/ community questions/ legal fundraising kickoff
-Delridge Triangle improvement grant
-DNDC meeting report back
-No WWRHAH meeting Jan 2, 2018
-Crosswalks/Pedestrian Safety YV/YC grant funding
-H line- DNDC
-Other announcements
Upstairs meeting room at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: 6 pm at Chief Sealth International High School, the Debut Orchestra and new Percussion Ensemble in a free concert!
Donations accepted. (2600 SW Thistle)
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS, LOCATION CHANGE: 6:30 pm meeting this month is at Luna Park Café! (2918 SW Avalon Way)
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND CONCERT: 7 pm in the school commons. (3429 45th SW)
BASKETBALL: 7:30 pm at Chief Sealth International High School, boys-varsity game vs. Nathan Hale HS. (2600 SW Thistle)
MORE … on our year-round Event Calendar and seasonal Holiday Guide!
5:44 AM: We start this morning’s traffic/transit watch early, with 35th SW now reopened both ways south of Avalon Way:
It’s been about 11 hours since the 35th SW water-break in the southbound lanes just south of Avalon. NB 35th reopened half an hour ago, and SB just a few minutes ago.
Now to the regular daily cameras:
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
Otherwise, no incidents so far. Watch out for slick roads – it’s in the mid-30s, and when we left to head back to 35th/Avalon before 5 am, our windshield was a bit frosty. SDOT has crews out – one with a plow and either sand or salt was standing by alongside Taco Time.
7:08 AM: After watching reopened 35th SW for a while, we headed back to HQ. Roads seemed OK but we did see a lot of windshields – even at sea level – that will need a little attention before drivers head out. Otherwise, still no incidents.
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