West Seattle, Washington

16 Saturday

38℉

Spotlight Stories


  • Snow aftermath

    POST-SNOW PICKUPS: Sat. trash/recycling plan

  • Light rail

    LIGHT RAIL: Your new chance to have a say

  • Ramp

    HIGHWAY 99 RAMP: Snow-delay update

10 for your West Seattle Saturday
February 16, 2019 7:59 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Another “snowbird” photographed by Mark Wangerin – varied thrush)

Happy weekend! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION: 9 am; details in our calendar listing. (5601 California SW)

FREE TRASH DROPOFF: 10 am-3 pm at West Seattle Stadium, the city will accept garbage dropoffs because of the pickups missed during the snow. (4432 35th SW)

WSHS ALUMNI FUNDRAISER: 10 am-6 pm, CAPERS in The Junction is donating part of today’s proceeds to the West Seattle High School Alumni Association – you can support them just by shopping.

WEST SEATTLE MOMENTIA MIX: 10:30 am-noon at Camp Long, “free social event for community members with memory loss and their families and friends.”

(added) TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: 3-5 pm at Delridge Library, drop in and talk with Seattle Public Schools board president – and West Seattle/South Park elected rep – Leslie Harris. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

BASKETBALL: After Friday victories, West Seattle High School‘s basketball teams are in the district semifinals today, both games at Sammamish HS in Bellevue: The boys vs. Ingraham at 5 pm, girls vs. Garfield at 6:30 pm. (100 140th Ave. SE)

GUSTER AT EASY STREET: Signing and free in-store concert at Easy Street Records, 6 pm. Details here. (California/Alaska)

NATASHA STRUELENS: Solo artist at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘ONCE ON THIS ISLAND – THE MUSICAL’: Second night for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new show, directed by Harry Turpin, with Faith Bennett Russell as Artistic and Cultural Adviser. 7:30 pm curtain at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

ABBAGRAPHS & DJ DISCO ROYALE: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. Wear your best ’70s threads! $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP …browse our complete calendar!

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BASKETBALL: Victory sends West Seattle HS boys to district semifinals
February 16, 2019 12:16 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team has advanced to the district semifinals after Friday night’s overtime win over Mercer Island. Playing at Sammamish HS, the Wildcats came from behind to defeat MIHS 50-44. Next up for head coach Keffrey Fazio and his team, Ingraham HS at 5 pm Saturday, also at Sammamish HS (100 140th Ave. SE, Bellevue).

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WEST SEATTLE SNOW AFTERMATH: Here’s where the trash/recycling/etc. situation stands
February 15, 2019 10:14 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(Photo tweeted by @seattlespu and @mayorjenny accounts, unidentified location)

To recap before night’s end, here’s the newest info from Seattle Public Utilities, via its newest update and questions to which we obtained answers via email:

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SATURDAY: If you are a Monday, Thursday, or Friday customer, and you haven’t been picked up yet, keep your garbage bins out tomorrow. SPU adds, “We will also attempt to collect Thursday and Friday customers’ recycling and food/yard waste” continuing on Saturday.

Tomorrow, you can also drop off trash (no recycling or food/yard waste) 10 am-3 pm at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW).

And all weekend, delayed-pickup customers can also take one carload or truckload (420 pounds maximum combined weight) of trash/recycling/yard waste to a transfer station. The nearest is South, 130 S. Kenyon, and it’s open 8 am-5:30 pm Saturday and Sunday.

IF YOU’RE A TUESDAY CUSTOMER: If your recycling was missed this week and wouldn’t normally be picked up again until a week from Tuesday, SPU’s Sabrina Register told us in response to our question – put it out anyway: “Tuesday customers whose recycling was not picked up last week should set out their recycling cart this coming Tuesday, Feb. 19th. Crews will attempt to pick up all recycling that was not picked up from Tuesday customers last week.”

ABOUT THAT CREDIT: If you missed two pickups, whether you’re a Monday or Tuesday customer, you don’t have to report it to SPU to be eligible for the $10 credit, Register says.

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BIZNOTE: Payless ShoeSource reported to be closing its stores
February 15, 2019 7:53 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

Westwood Village apparently will soon have yet another vacant storefront: Payless ShoeSource, which has a store on the shopping center’s south side. National news outlets including NBC, Reuters, and CNN quote Payless tonight as saying it will close all 2,100 of its U.S. stores in the months ahead, with liquidation sales starting as soon as this Sunday. (Thanks to the readers who’ve sent tips on this.)

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls’ first 2019 postseason win
February 15, 2019 5:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Added: WSB photos by Patrick Sand. Above, WSHS #11 Jasmine Gayles with the basketball)

The West Seattle High School girls have just wrapped up their first postseason win, 55-49 over Holy Names Academy in a district-tournament game at Chief Sealth IHS. The Wildcats led the entire game; the Cougars came close in the final quarter – just three points back with less than three minutes to go – but not close enough, never recovering from West Seattle’s strong start.

The Wildcats’ first points came barely a quarter of a minute in, on a basket by #32, senior Meghan Fiso (above), who scored the next basket too. But HN only had a foul-shot point on the board until 3:12 was left in the first quarter, when the Cougars snagged a basket.

Shortly thereafter, a quick three-pointer by WSHS #4 Kelsey Lenzie (above) had WSHS up 15-3 with 2:35 to go in the first. 21-9 was the score going into the second quarter. That’s when Holy Names got hot with three-pointers, but they were still a dozen back, 29-17, at the half.

ADDED 8:46 PM: More photos are above and below, and here are the leading scorers: Jasmine Gayles with 18, Grace Sarver (#20, above) with 15, Meghan Fiso with 13, Kelsey Lenzie with 9.

(Head coach Darnell Taylor)

NEXT: The WSHS girls play either Juanita or Garfield in the district semifinals tomorrow (Saturday, February 16), 6:30 pm at Sammamish HS.

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BIZNOTE: B’s Po Boy on Alki won’t reopen
February 15, 2019 3:25 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(Photo courtesy Tod)

Multiple readers have sent photos of the sign that just went up in the past few hours announcing the permanent closure of B’s Po Boy on Alki. We know the time frame because we were in the area around midmorning, at which time the sign was still the one that had been up for about a week, saying the restaurant was still closed because of the weather. Previously, an early February opening was promised when B’s Po Boy closed just before Christmas, citing vacation time; the business has also been listed for sale for some weeks. B’s opened a year and a half ago, run by a couple who had moved here from Indianapolis, where they had a restaurant of the same name (which closed in late 2017). The 2738 Alki Avenue SW spot had previously been the site of Fatburger, from fall 2013 to early 2017, following Bada Bistro‘s less-than-five-month run, after two years for the Beachside Café, which in turn was the successor to Alki Bakery, a corner fixture for 25 years, until November 2010. Other Alki food/beverage closures in the past year include, west to east, Marée Bistro, Sushi Samurai, Phoenecia, Tully’s Coffee (which, as first reported here almost two weeks ago, will become Harry’s Beach House), Saigon Pho.

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CORRECTION: Delridge/Myrtle bus shelter
February 15, 2019 2:13 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL FRIDAY REPORT: Thanks for the tip! We photographed the replacement shelter at the northbound Delridge/Myrtle bus stop today, after a tip that a Metro crew was there installing it. It’s been a week since a driver took out the previous one.

SATURDAY CORRECTION: If it sounded too good to be true … it was. Our photographer took a picture of the wrong bus shelter. This one is a bit further north. The bus stop immediately north of the Shell station is still shelterless. Thanks to Craig for pointing out our error; we are sorry to have screwed up. We’ll check on the status with Metro next week.

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Your next chance to comment starts now as ‘scoping’ period begins, with visualizations
February 15, 2019 11:32 am
|      56 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | Transportation | West Seattle news

(One page from new PDF of “visualizations” linked in “online open house” for feedback)

For more than a year, the process of determining a “preferred alternative” for routing and station locations of Sound Transit‘s West Seattle/Ballard light rail has been under way. Today, your next chance to comment – and last major chance to do it before that “preferred alternative” is chosen for environmenal studies – begins. ST has just announced the official start of a month of “scoping,” which includes its next West Seattle meeting, and an “online open house” featuring new summaries and comparisons of what’s currently under consideration:

Scoping begins today! Share your comments by March 18

Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration have officially kicked off scoping for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project. Scoping is the next step in the environmental review process and provides an opportunity for you to comment on the route and station alternatives, topics to study in the environmental impact statement, and project purpose and need. This 30-day public comment period will include multiple ways for you to share your feedback and help the Sound Transit Board identify a preferred alternative and other alternatives to study in an Environmental Impact Statement during the next phase of project development.

This is an especially important time to get involved and we want to hear from you! Here’s how to comment:

Attend an upcoming open house: details below
Comment online: wsblink.participate.online
Email us: wsbscopingcomments@soundtransit.org
Leave a voicemail: 833-972-2666
Mail us a letter: West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions, c/o Lauren Swift, Sound Transit, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104

Comments must be received by March 18. Your feedback will be shared with the Stakeholder Advisory Group, Elected Leadership Group, and the Sound Transit Board prior to their recommendations on which alternatives should be studied during environmental review. The Sound Transit Board will identify a preferred alternative and other alternatives to study in an Environmental Impact Statement in May 2019.

Save the dates! Join us at a scoping open house

We’re excited to share dates for our upcoming scoping open houses in West Seattle, Ballard, and downtown Seattle. We hope you’ll join us at one of the meetings below to learn more about the alternatives being considered, ask questions and share your comments.

West Seattle on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW)
Ballard/Interbay on Thursday, Feb. 28, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Ballard High School
Downtown on Thursday, March 7, 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Union Station

Can’t join us in-person? Our online open house is now live! Visit wsblink.participate.online and submit your scoping comments by March 18.

New year, new numbers: advisory groups review Level 3 evaluation results:

The Stakeholder Advisory Group and Elected Leadership Group recently held meetings to review the latest alternatives and hear more about the Level 3 evaluation results. The three end-to-end alternatives were evaluated based on their performance with respect to dozens of qualitative and quantitative measures, such as service reliability, travel times, environmental effects, technical feasibility and much more.

Want to dig into the details to inform your scoping comments? Explore the evaluation results, then visit the online open house to comment between now and March 18. (Go here)

Other project documents, including a Scoping Information Report, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Significance, and evaluation reports, are also available for review online.

One thing we noticed while browsing the “online open house” before publishing this announcement – you can access a PDF with visualizations of the currently proposed “end-to-end alternatives” – see it here.

P.S. We’ve been covering all the other steps in the process along the way – most recently, the Stakeholder Advisory Group‘s meeting two weeks ago.

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7 for your post-snow West Seattle Friday!
February 15, 2019 9:13 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bewick’s Wren, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

As things continue returning to something resembling normal, post-snow, here are the calendar highlights for today/tonight – reasons to go out!

FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: This afternoon’s movie at the Senior Center of West Seattle is “The Fisher King” (1991), 1 pm, $1 members/$2 nonmembers, free popcorn! (4217 SW Oregon)

BASKETBALL: The West Seattle High School girls and boys teams both have district-tournament games today – girls vs. Holy Names Academy, 4 pm at Chief Sealth International HS (2600 SW Thistle); boys vs. Mercer Island HS, 8:15 pm at Sammamish HS. (100 140th Ave SE, Bellevue)

DINE OUT FOR SANISLO: They’re calling it the “Valentine Do-Over,” but really, who needs an excuse? Just go to 2 Fingers Social in South Delridge 5-10 pm and part of your dinner tab will go to the Sanislo Elementary PTA. (9211 Delridge Way SW)

BERD & LYLE: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. No cover. (5612 California SW)

‘ONCE ON THIS ISLAND – THE MUSICAL’: Opening night for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new show, directed by Harry Turpin, with Faith Bennett Russell serving as Artistic and Cultural Adviser. 7:30 pm curtain at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

3 BANDS: Black Planes, Sweet Jesus, Floored Faces at The Skylark, 8 pm. $8 cover, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

CAVEMAN EGO & DUST MICE: “Eclectic double bill” at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm, $6 cover, 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

Have a great Friday!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT/WEATHER/ETC.: Friday AM updates
February 15, 2019 6:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. Things are getting back to normal but not quite there yet. This morning’s info list and updates:

METRO: Some buses still rerouted
METRO ROUTE 37: 6:18 and 7:11 am trips not running
METRO ROUTE 55: 6:48 and 7:30 am trips not running
METRO ROUTE 56: 7:33 am trip not running
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT WINTER RESPONSE MAP: See which streets city crews have treated
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SCHOOLS: Back to normal or out on break
TRASH/RECYCLING: Here’s the newest city plan

6:26 AM: Metro is continuing to announce cancellations, though fewer than yesterday. As local ones are texted/tweeted, we’re adding to the list above. … Weather-wise, it’s well above freezing, and today’s forecast is for clouds with a chance of RAIN showers.

7:55 AM: Still fairly quiet; no incidents reported in or near our area. … If you use Metro, its general manager is asking for your feedback on how things went during the snowy almost-two-weeks from which we’re emerging.

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BASKETBALL: Both West Seattle HS teams play Friday, after boys’ win tonight
February 14, 2019 10:26 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

That’s one of the photos tweeted by the West Seattle High School Athletics Department tonight, right after the boys’ basketball team won its snow-delayed first postseason game of the year – 48-42 vs., and at, Roosevelt HS. The WSHS boys (15-6) play Mercer Island at 8:15 pm Friday at Sammamish HS (100 140th Ave SE, Bellevue).

Also tomorrow, the WSHS girls (15-4) play their first game of the postseason, vs. Holy Names Academy, 4 pm at Chief Sealth International HS (2600 SW Thistle).

Both teams are now in district play; with all the snow-closure days, the Metro League canceled its tournaments, sending the regular season’s top finishers into district play, which determines who qualifies for state.

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WEST SEATTLE SNOW AFTERMATH: New city plan for missed trash/recycling/etc. pickups
February 14, 2019 5:54 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: Waste Management truck southwest of Morgan Junction late Wednesday afternoon)

5:54 PM: The city has announced new plans for residents who have missed trash, recycling, and yard waste because of the storm. Here’s the full announcement:

Following the historic series of winter storms that hit the Seattle region over the past 11 days, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) announced they will provide a $10 billing credit to residential customers who had two or more missed garbage collections due to inclement weather. The credit will be issued within two regular billing cycles for impacted customers, which are primarily customers with Monday service. In addition, any customers who have experienced delays in solid waste collection can put out additional bags of garbage, recycling or yard waste free of charge.

“Our foremost goal as a City is to deliver on essential services like garbage, water and power. Our City departments have been working around the clock during this historic weather event clearing our streets, repairing power lines and bringing our most vulnerable neighbors inside,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “We thank Seattle residents for their patience in this time, which is why we are providing a credit to our customers for their missed service.”

The series of winter storms that the Seattle region caused an 11-day stretch of weather has adjusted and delayed the collection of garbage, recycling, and compost for 150,000 residential households and 6,000 multi-family accounts. At every safe weather opportunity, drivers collected waste from as many customers as possible, including critical locations like hospitals, multi-family buildings and high-volume commercial customers.

“We thank our customers for their understanding during the unprecedented weather we have experienced over the past several weeks. We are committed to catching up completely on our collections as soon as possible and anticipate we will be back on a normal schedule next week,” said General Manager Mami Hara. “I especially want to thank our crews who have been navigating difficult roads and standing by for any windows of clear weather to collect our residents’ solid waste.”

The improved weather through the weekend will allow additional pickups to service customers who have been significantly delayed in solid waste pickup. Crews are prioritizing pickup for as many Monday customers as possible by deploying additional resources. Monday, Thursday, and Friday customers who have not received service are asked to put their bins and bags out to the curb beginning Friday, February 15 for pickup Friday or Saturday. Seattle Department of Transportation has also deployed their crews to assist SPU contractors by plowing streets where they encounter difficulties. Seattle Parks and Seattle Housing Authority will also assist Seattle Public Utilities as they work to resume normal pickups.

While Seattle Public Utilities will be working to pick up residential garbage, Seattle Public Utilities will also provide garbage drop-off sites on Saturday from 10 am-3 pm in the following four locations at no charge:

West Seattle Stadium-35th Ave SW & SW Snoqualmie St.
[not in West Seattle but FYI]
Lower Woodland – 50th and Whitman
Magnuson – 65th street lot, Parking Lot E
Interbay – 17th Ave. W. And W. Barrett Street

8:30 PM: The online version of this announcement ends with two more paragraphs – reaffirming a free period at the transfer stations through this weekend, and offering contact info if you are due a credit and don’t get it.

9:31 PM: As noted below in comments, we’ll seek some clarifications tomorrow. Pending that, we’ve already received one from SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register: “I want to stress that the pickup tomorrow is for garbage only, not recycling or compost. Extra crews will work hard tomorrow to get missed Monday customers but they may not be able to get all of them due to the number missed and/or continued challenging road conditions on certain streets.”

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Another SPU note about what’s happening today and tomorrow:

“I want to clarify that crews will be picking up garbage only, for Monday customers.

Thursday customers, who will be picked up today because of the one-day delay, should also set out their recycling and food/yard waste and crews will make every effort to pick up all solid waste from these customers.

Friday customers will get picked up tomorrow (Saturday). They should also set out garbage, recycling and food and yard waste and crews will make every effort to pick up all solid waste for Friday customers on Saturday.

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Scenes from the West Seattle Art Walk, Valentine’s Day edition
February 14, 2019 5:48 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

6:15 PM: Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor) shares that photo of artist Ryan McAbery, as the Valentine’s Day West Seattle Art Walk begins. Full info in our daily calendar highlights, including the venue map/list. More Art Walk coverage to come!

7:15 PM: We decided to visit a couple spots south of The Junction – above, that’s Ben Viscon pouring at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Since the snow aftermath is still rocking people’s worlds, his scheduled artist and chocolate-maker weren’t there after all, but his award-winning winery has libations for you until 8 pm.

8:49 PM: Out late? Canna West Seattle (5435 California SW; WSB sponsor) has a group show at its Canna Culture shop across the street, including the work you see above.

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SCHOOLS: Friday announcements
February 14, 2019 3:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | West Seattle weather

So far:

DISTRICTS

Seattle Public Schools – regular hours, regular bus routes Friday
Vashon Island SD – regular hours, regular bus routes Friday

P.S. Short list, with Friday included in mid-winter break for some schools, as well as the entire Highline Public Schools district.

Something to add? Text or voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 3 notes
February 14, 2019 3:20 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:

CAR PROWLS: Two at one Fauntleroy home, according to this texted report: “Both of my cars were rummaged through in the early morning hours (Feb. 12). Doesn’t appear anything was taken. This was at 45th & Director.”

SUSPECTED PACKAGE THEFT: Another reader wanted to warn North Admiral neighbors about a suspected package thief. They were out shoveling snow when an older white Toyota pickup pulled up, with a “young woman … about 5’5″, long straight brown hair, with jeans tucked into her boots” got out, walked south, returned from the north a few minutes later with a package in hand, “and quickly got into her truck and drove off when she saw me. … I reported it to SPD.
Neighbors be on the lookout.”

Some court-case delays because of the snow, most notably:

RYAN COX SENTENCING RESCHEDULED: As reported here, Ryan J. Cox pleaded guilty last month to second-degree assault for stabbing a man in Gatewood in October 2017. His sentencing was originally set for last Friday, February 8th, but courts closed early because of the snow and he’s now scheduled to be sentenced on February 22nd.

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Celebration of Life planned in April for Dennis A. Simonsen, 1942-2019
February 14, 2019 2:31 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Friends and family are invited to an April celebration of the life of Dennis A. Simonsen. Here is the remembrance being shared with the community:

In loving memory of Dennis A. Simonsen, 76, recently of Tomah, Wisconsin and longtime resident of West Seattle, who died on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, surrounded by his family, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Dennis was born on August 16, 1942 to Alvin and Helen (Lingman) Simonsen in Redmond, Oregon. He married Donna (Leiendecker) on September 5, 1970 in Juneau, Alaska, and together they have two children, Daphney Newtson of West Seattle and Devon Simonsen, also of West Seattle. He was also blessed with two grandchildren, Zachary Newtson of Peoria, Illinois, and McKenzy Newtson of West Seattle.

Dennis was a man of deep faith with a huge heart that cared for all those around him. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, the Knights of Columbus in both Washington and Wisconsin, and involved in many volunteer programs, including Friend to Friend, Hospice, ICYE (international youth exchange) Catholic Community Services (Foster care), and helping with Donna’s in-home day care. His outside work included purser for the Alaska Marine Highway, travel agent here in Seattle, and in recent years, medical assisting and kidney dialysis tech.

A prayer service was held on Friday, February 8, 2019 in Tomah, Wisconsin at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home. In addition, a celebration of his life will be held on April 27, 2019 at 1 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, and all that knew him are invited to attend.

Dennis is also survived by his sister, Carol (Simonsen) James of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, as well as many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

His presence in our lives will be missed, but we are assured that his love for his family and the fond memories we shared will continue on within us.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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From saving the orcas to city priorities @ Southwest District Council
February 14, 2019 11:43 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Between the first two waves of snow, the Southwest District Council held its February meeting. We were there, and just getting a chance to finish the report now that (what we hope is) the last wave of snow is melting. Two major guests at the February 6th meeting: Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold:

Read More

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West Seattle Art Walk, special Valentine’s Day edition, and what else is up for your Thursday
February 14, 2019 9:49 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Steller’s Jay in the snow, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Moving back toward “normal” today, we are also resuming our daily calendar highlights. Just in time for this big monthly event:

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, VALENTINE EDITION: Not just art venues and food/beverage specials, but also a “passport” event with prizes this time around – explained on the WSAW website. Here’s the venue map/list:

WSB sponsors that are among the participants:
–Canna West Seattle (5435 California SW) – group show
–Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW) – artist Ryan McAbery
–Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW) – artist Sandrina Reyes
–Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW) – artist Amy Stone plus Intrigue chocolate-truffle samples
–Welcome Road Winery (3804 California SW)

Also today/tonight (with much more on our calendar):

VALENTINE’S VOLUNTEERING: As previewed here late last night, WestSide Baby would love some help catching up from snow closures. 11 am-8 pm volunteer-a-thon. (10004 14th SW)

COUNCILMEMBER AT CHAMBER LUNCH: Today’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch is headlined by City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, scheduled to talk about HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability as it gets closer to a vote. Fee for lunch; check with the Chamber to see if there’s space. At The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 11:30 am. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

VALENTINE’S POP-UP: Need something for your Valentine? Stop by VAIN (WSB sponsor) 5 pm-8 pm:

Floral popup PLUS 25 percent off jewelry. (4513 California SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: Betsy Bell is this month’s featured author, 6 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)

POSTSEASON BASKETBALL: The interrupted-by-snow postseason finally begins. The West Seattle High School boys have a must-win game vs. Roosevelt at 7 pm. (1410 NE 66th)

OPEN MIC: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), all genres welcome. (5612 California SW)

MIA DAY & FRIENDS, LIVE IN-STORE: Free and all ages at Easy Street Records, 7 pm: “Easy Street’s very own Mia Day will be in for a special Valentine’s Day in-store performance.” (California/Alaska)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT/WEATHER/ETC.: Thursday AM/early PM updates
February 14, 2019 6:13 am
|      61 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SCHOOLS: Here’s the Thursday list … TRASH/RECYCLING/ETC.: Pickup today for Wed. customers)

6:13 AM: Good morning. The good news is that the temperature’s now above freezing. But still … beware out there. Also note there’s at least one change on our schools list – South Seattle College is now opening all its campuses at 10 am.

METRO: Some buses still rerouted; more details here
METRO ROUTE 37 – No service today
METRO ROUTE 50: Rerouted off Delridge Way SW, SW Genesee, & Avalon Way
METRO ROUTE 55 – No 6:31 am, 6:48 am, 7:30 am, 8:34 am trips
METRO ROUTE 56 – No 6:43 am, 7:33 am, 8:41 am trips
METRO ROUTE 57 – No 7:20 am trip
METRO ROUTE 113 – No 7:34 am trip
METRO ROUTE 116 – No 6:33 am, 7:13 am, 8:00 am trips
WATER TAXI: West Seattle route on 2-boat schedule
RIDE2: (update) Resumes normal WS service today
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT WINTER RESPONSE MAP: See which streets city crews have treated
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.

6:42 AM: No incidents but you’ll need to take extra care to help keep it that way. In a comment, for example, Sarah reports, “It’s REALLY slippery still on a couple of segments of the SW Dakota St. hill from 42nd down to 35th. Even in the lowest gear for engine braking.”

7:28 AM: Via Twitter, Andy reports on bicycling conditions: “It is super icy out there. Bike paths aren’t fully cleared and side roads are spotty at best. That was the diciest ride I’ve ever had. Had to walk in a few spots.” … The high bridge looks almost back to the normal jam of this time of day. Note that the snow has set back the new NB Highway 99 exit ramp, as we reported Wednesday afternoon.

7:53 AM: While we have the full list of announced local Metro cancellations/changes above, in comments and tweets, some riders are noting unannounced changes, including some 50 and 125 runs.

8:33 AM: Still incident-free – side-street slush/ice reports and spot bus woes are the morning’s main problems so far. Remember that most schools are starting late this morning, so you wlll see students, staff, and families on the move later than usual.

10:37 AM: From Seattle Parks, “Community Centers and pools are open normal hours today, and will resume lessons and scheduled programs.”

10:54 AM: From the scanner, report of “wires down” at 21st SW/SW Dakota.

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YOU CAN HELP! Show WestSide Baby some post-snow Valentine’s love
February 13, 2019 11:49 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(Photos provided by WestSide Baby, showing their White Center HQ)

The snow has affected us all in a variety of ways … especially people in need and the nonprofits who serve them. Here are two ways you can help one local nonprofit, WestSide Baby, get back up to speed:

WestSide Baby provides essential items to local families in need. We have been closed for 6 days in the past two weeks. This means volunteers, staff (mostly) and donations have not been able to get to us. At the same time, the children and families we serve are also experiencing this horrendous weather, shut in time, lost wages and the diapers continue to be needed! (Letter from Executive Director Nancy Woodland here.)

Please consider sending diapers to help the families inevitably hit hard by lost wages or donate $$ now and we will do that for you.

And please volunteer to help us fill orders for families!

Thursday: Valentine’s Day/Night Out February 14 11 am-8 pm
Saturday: Special additional hours 1-4 pm
Monday: Presidents Day 10-1 (possibly longer if interest)

Please email Volunteer@Westsidebaby.org if you are interested. It’s also super helpful if you fill out this application. If you are sending minors age 14-17, without an adult, they need to fill out a Minor Consent Form.

Although parking on the street is still a bit of a challenge (4×4 vehicles fine), we have shoveled out the parking lot; we invite anyone 9-99 yrs old who wants to volunteer to come!

Volunteer work is at WS Baby’s White Center HQ, 10002 14th Avenue SW.

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WEST SEATTLE SNOW AFTERMATH: Wednesday evening updates, from trash to transportation
February 13, 2019 7:39 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

7:39 PM: Evening updates ahead, including what we are hearing about Thursday:

Our photo of a side street near WSB HQ tells much of tonight’s story, from uncollected solid waste to slush that might refreeze by morning. Here’s the latest:

TRASH/RECYCLING: SPU says crews could not get to all Mon./Tues. customers
METRO: Some buses still rerouted; more details here
WATER TAXI: West Seattle route on 2-boat schedule
RIDE2: (update) Resumes normal WS service Thursday
SCHOOLS: Thursday announcements here

8:01 PM: Here’s Metro’s summary of the plan for tomorrow:

Metro is continuing to restore service wherever possible, with some snow reroutes still operating and delays likely, as recovery efforts move into Thursday.

Routes that will not operate on Thursday
On Thursday, the following six routes will not operate: 37, 78, 237, 243, 244 and 330.

The snow (etc.) rerouting link is in our list above. (added) Here are full details … Meantime, as also linked above, here’s the official SPU statement if you are a Monday/Tuesday residential trash/recycling/etc. customer who didn’t get picked up today:

Our trucks had significant challenges getting to all Monday and Tuesday areas today, even with chains and extra crews. If you are a Mon/Tues customer and your garbage was not collected today, it will be collected next week. You may set out additional bags for free. Customers whose collection was missed may also bring their garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste to our north or south transfer stations for free. Extended hours tomorrow and Friday-until 7:30. We know it’s frustrating when your waste is not collected so we thank you for your continued patience as we recover from the series of winter storms.

9:40 PM: The overnight forecast looks a little less frozen – lows “near 30” in the city – but the city’s out treating the roads; check out the “past hour” lines on the map.

10:42 PM: Just in, and updated in list above, West Seattle Ride2 service will resume on Thursday.

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SCHOOLS: Thursday plans
February 13, 2019 4:30 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Updated 6:07 am) The Thursday announcements are here:

(WSB photo: Gatewood Elementary, late afternoon)

DISTRICTS
Seattle Public Schools – 2 hours late Thurs., buses on snow routes, no preschool or Head Start.
Highline Public Schools – 2 hours late on Thursday. Alternate bus stops.
Vashon Island SD – 2.5 hours late Thurs. Buses on emergency routes.

INDEPENDENT/PAROCHIAL/OTHERS
Westside School – Open Thurs. at regular times – 8:15 am for Middle School, 8:30 am for Lower School, 8:45 am for Preschool/Pre-K. No buses, no before-care.
Explorer West Middle School – 10 am start Thurs., doors open/study hall 8 am
Holy Rosary – 2 hours late Thurs., no AM preschool or BASE
Holy Family Bilingual School – (update) 9:30 am start Thurs., BASE at 8:30 am
Summit Atlas – 2 hours late Thurs.

COLLEGES
South Seattle College – (updated) All campuses opening 10 am
UW – Normal operations Thurs. at Seattle and Tacoma; Bothell decision pending

PRESCHOOLS/DAY CARES
Fauntleroy Children’s Center – 2 hours late Thurs.

P.S.
Some schools start prescheduled midwinter break Thursday, including OLG, Hope Lutheran, and Kennedy.

206-293-6302 with additions – text or voice – thank you!

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HIGHWAY 99: Offramp update; Viaduct demolition plans
February 13, 2019 3:02 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle news

Two Highway 99 updates this afternoon:

(Monday afternoon view from construction-zone camera, looking south across new offramp)

REMEMBER THE RAMP? The tunnel’s been open for more than a week now, but the Dearborn/Alaskan Way offramp – to allow people traveling from West Seattle and points south to exit NB Highway 99 before the tunnel – is still under construction. The culprit, as you might expect – the snow. We asked WSDOT’s Laura Newborn today if there’s an update on the offramp’s expected opening: “There’s still weather-dependent work ahead of us. We do believe it will be next week but can’t say yet what day.”

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT DEMOLITION: This too has been delayed a bit by the snow. WSDOT now says it’ll start later this week, at multiple spots including the Columbia/1st ramp. They’ve also added webcams focused on the Viaduct so you can watch the work.

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