West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(New WSHS head coach Keffrey Fazio with his players; photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
A home-court win tonight for the West Seattle High School boys-varsity basketball team against visiting-from-across-town Chief Sealth International High School.
(Sealth’s Trevor Reed, left, and Aaron Knox double-team West Seattle’s Jimi Martin III)
It was closer than the final score suggests – after a 47-47 tie in regulation, the Wildcats won 58-51 in overtime. Game details coming up later; the two schools’ girls-varsity teams face off tomorrow night.
ADDED 1:21 AM: Game details and more photos:
Seattle Public Schools staff is suggesting consideration of the former EC Hughes Elementary School in Sunrise Heights as the permanent home for K-5 STEM at Boren, once Westside School (WSB sponsor) moves out. That’s one of the capacity-management – as in, crowding relief – recommendations on which the School Board will be briefed at a work session tomorrow night, according to a document made public today. The document also says staff is NOT recommending moving kindergarteners to Boren to make room, an idea explored in earlier drafts.
Read on for more West Seattle recommendations:Read More
FIRST REPORT, 6:27 PM: We’re on our way to check out a crash reported to involve a vehicle and a bus at 26th and Barton, which is the intersection with the main south entrance to Westwood Village. Police are reported to be looking for two males who fled from the vehicle – a Mitsubishi – and were last seen headed toward Roxhill Park.
6:33 PM UPDATE: Our crew is on the scene. Eastbound Barton is blocked by the crash; westbound is still moving. We can’t tell what route number the bus is from – but it’s not a RapidRide bus; it’s a blue/yellow articulated bus.
7:10 PM UPDATE: Photo added. No word of arrests yet; we’ll be going to check the scene shortly, to see if traffic is moving again.
(September 2010 photo of Capts. Kessler & Paulsen, by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
After two years as commander of the Southwest Precinct, Captain Steve Paulsen has just announced he is being reassigned. On January 2nd, he takes over the South Precinct – and his Southwest Precinct predecessor Capt. Joe Kessler returns. Capt. Paulsen says:
I have truly enjoyed my time serving our folks of West Seattle and South Park the past few years. I can easily say that West Seattle is a great place to work and I will greatly miss my officers and residents that I have come to know and care about.
I am looking forward to new challenges with my next assignment. Just as in West Seattle/South Park, the Rainier Valley, Beacon Hill, SODO and Georgetown each has their own identity as neighborhoods and I am excited to develop those relationships as well as those with my South Precinct police officers.
He describes Capt. Kessler – who left in September 2010 after 2 1/2 years to lead the West Precinct and then moved into a special role on the department’s ethics project – as “one of the best captains on the Seattle Police Department.”
(1st three photos from Monday, by Nick Adams for WSB)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
We have just learned that yesterday morning’s highest water level – the combination of high tide and “storm surge” – wasn’t just high, it was historic – the highest level ever recorded in Seattle.
The word comes from Seattle Public Utilities, which has to track this closely because of the effects storms and high tides can and do have on their facilities – look closely to see the water coming OUT of this manhole on Beach Drive, instead of going in:
And SPU meteorologist James Rufo-Hill tells WSB it’s likely “a harbinger of things to come.” More from our interview, ahead:
Good news: WSDOT will NOT be closing a lane of southbound 99 again this weekend after all, only the Atlantic Street offramp, as work continues on the new Atlantic overpass. Here’s the announcement:
Crews working with the Washington State Department of Transportation will close the southbound State Route 99 off-ramp near Seattle’s stadiums this weekend to complete pile driving for the new South Atlantic Street overpass.
Thanks to hard work last weekend, contractor Atkinson Construction will not close a lane on southbound SR 99 as previously planned. Crews were able to drive 48 of 53 pilings last weekend. They will drive the remaining five pilings and finish welding on another 20 pilings while the ramp is closed this weekend.
Closure details
· At 4 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, crews will close the southbound SR 99 off-ramp to South Atlantic Street.· Crews will reopen the ramp at 2:30 p.m. Sunday for fans heading to the Seahawks game at CenturyLink field. The ramp will be closed again at 5:30 p.m., 10 minutes after kickoff.
· The ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.
More news in the pipeline – but first, in case you need de-stressing, a beautiful sight from underwater, just off Seacrest, at the popular dive spot Cove 2, courtesy of “Diver Laura” James, who explains: “We have big schools of baitfish all winter in Puget Sound, and it is often very hard to capture the ‘feeling’ of diving with them on film, because they are extremely skittish. This dive was done with a rebreather (so no bubbles), which allowed me to be much less ‘scary’ to the fishes.”
As we continue to track major local projects, we have two updates on two Junction-area plans that both have been long in the works (and both on sites visible in the photo below by Long Bach Nguyen):
JUNCTION PROJECT DEMOLITION DELAY: When last we talked with Equity Residential‘s team about their two-building, 206-apartment project coming to California/Alaska/42nd, they told us they planned to start demolition right after Christmas. (The businesses that had been on the site, you’ll recall, had to clear out by July 31st, but the project team says site cleanup issues have taken more time than expected.) We just checked in again to see if they’re still planning on starting work by year’s end – and now the answer is “no.” It’ll be “early next year.” They have not yet chosen a general contractor, we also were told.
‘THE HOLE’ GOES BACK TO THE DESIGN COMMISSION: The agenda for this Thursday’s Seattle Design Commission meeting caught our eye with an item titled “Spruce Project (Hancock Fabrics).” As we first reported in July, “The Hole” at 3922 SW Alaska – formerly Fauntleroy Place – is now Spruce West Seattle, and Hancock is no longer part of it, according to the plans we’ve seen (instead, the retail space is sketched out as an L.A. Fitness outlet). So we called the Design Commission office to see if that’s the project they’re taking up, and indeed it is, according to spokesperson Valerie Kinast. The 216-apartment plan has undergone some revisions, as summarized in this city memo, which presaged the project’s return before the commission:
The final plan for the public space within the right-of-way, as required by the City Council’s preliminary street vacation approval will be reviewed by the Seattle Design Commission, with final approval by the Seattle City Council when the final alley vacation approval is considered.
The meeting is open to the public, on the lower level of City Hall downtown, and this item is scheduled to be considered at 1:30 pm Thursday (December 20th).
Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch today. First, the case of the stolen fence:
That fence used to be in front of the newly opened Duos Lounge on Avalon Way. While we were corresponding with co-owner Benjamin Jury, he mentioned their fence had been stolen: “It went missing sometime between 8:30 am and 12:30 pm on Sunday.” And, he says, some workers even were in the Duos kitchen at the time. If you have any clues, contact police.
Next – the search for a hit-run driver, or at least a witness – since the victim says there are two places this might have happened.
Kat shared the photo and writes:
My car was hit (Monday) sometime between 11 am and 12 pm on California Ave. Driver’s side door.
I was getting a mammogram at the Swedish Mobile unit (3400 California SW) and was parked behind it on the street. I didn’t notice it when I got into my car but there was a lot of traffic and I was just trying to get into my car.
I went to lunch at the Royal India Grill (2342 California Ave. S.W.) and parked across the street on California between the Admiral Theater and Mission. I noticed the damage right away as I walked toward my car. If anyone has any info, please e-mail me at shezahipchick@yahoo.com
P.S. While this would normally be the night for the monthly West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, like many community groups, they’re skipping December; school security – a topic planned long before last week’s Connecticut massacre – is on the agenda for the January meeting (7 pm Tuesday, January 15th, Southwest Precinct).
One week till Christmas – and two reminders from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (now adding more solstice and New Year’s events, plus last-minute Christmas happenings):
WORK AT HOME? COME TO THE PARTY! West Seattle Office Junction (forthcoming co-working space in West Seattle) is hosting a co-workers’/at-home workers’ Christmas party from noon to 1 at Beer Junction, 4511 California SW. Anyone and everyone is/are welcome to come. Bring your cookies, lunch and a dish to share, if you like, and show off your favorite Christmas sweater.
SING FOR YOUR SUPPER: From 5-10 pm at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor; 9261 45th SW), it’s Sing for Your Supper–Holiday Edition! Everyone is welcome to participate; you must sing a holiday carol for at least 1 minute and no more than 2 minutes, all a cappella. Singers will be awarded either a free beverage, appetizer, entrée, or dessert. Santa and his elves will be there too.
The King County Wastewater Treatment District says the Monday morning “storm surge” caused some minor damage at the Barton Pump Station expansion project north of the ferry dock. Crews repaired the chain-link fence and concrete barrier blocks, according to a news release:
The storm washed waves and driftwood through the barrier into the construction site. The repaired barrier includes an additional row of concrete blocks to protect against future storm events.
Crew members were on site Sunday to prepare for the approaching storm. All on-site liquids were properly stored and materials from the jet grouting operation were cured. There was no contamination of any materials into Puget Sound.
Crews will continue to monitor site conditions through the winter storm season and will take precautionary measures as needed to protect both the site and Puget Sound.
The construction work is scheduled to continue until late 2014.
(Live view from east-facing WS Bridge cam; see west-facing view, other cameras on our Traffic page)
After some brief overnight snow sightings, it looks like Seattle is back in the snow shadow and likely to have a relatively normal – if cold – morning commute, so we’re going with the usual style of ongoing morning update unless something changes. Wondering about the forecast? Windy, and another chance of snow showers tonight.
1:49 AM: First snow sightings – Westwood, Sunrise Heights, Highland Park. Forecast still does not suggest anything major, though.
6:12 AM: Nothing on the ground where we are. And Seattle is still in the (small) “snow shadow” zone on the National Weather Service map you can see here – meaning no alerts/advisories/warnings right now.
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Anyone seen a dock? After the big-surf day on Beach Drive, Kathleen is missing one from the 5400 block. She says: “I’m certain we are not the only ones, but if you end up with an unfamiliar dock on or near your beach, please post a pic or give me a call at 206-734-5992.”
That’s just one of today’s many storm stories. We covered the high wind, high waves, and high tide as it all unfolded this morning – see our morning coverage here for as-it-happened video and photos – but tonight, we have one more look at a day that won’t soon be forgotten. WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams captured the fierce beauty …
… and the hard work:
That’s Rhonda Porter and son Taylor carrying water-pump hoses to a neighbor’s home. It was a day for neighbors helping neighbors, and for the Seattle Fire Department to be called in here and there:
The water caused some electrical trouble here and there.
Eight more photos ahead:
Next year, two young playwrights who attend Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) will get to see their work produced – as will audiences. The school shares the photo and the announcement:
Explorer West Middle School has received a second round of accolades from the Young Playwrights Program presented by ACT Theatre. More than 300 students from 16 schools (mainly high schools) in Seattle, Bellevue, Bainbridge Island, and Burien participate in the program. Out of hundreds of submitted plays, only eight are chosen to be produced as part of the Young Playwrights Festival in March.
One week ago, two of Explorer West’s seventh-grade, student plays won the opportunity be produced by regional companies as part of the festival. Lizzy Sutherland’s 10-minute, one-act play entitled, “Journey to a Journey to Earth,” will be produced by Ghost Light Theatricals. Sam Hoyt’s 10-minute, one-act play entitled,”The Play,” will be produced by Macha Monkey Productions.
Plays written by Marvin Hernandez and McKenzie Carlson received honorable mentions in the contest, and Mia Bilick’s play was featured at the awards ceremony and performed by professional Seattle actors.
Explorer West works with a playwright in residence from ACT Theatre. They help each seventh-grade student write a 10 minute, one-act play over the course of 10 weeks.
This is the second year that students from Explorer West have been honored. Last year, Finnley Kafer received the top prize and her play was produced at ACT Theatre.
(SIDE NOTE: The Young Playwrights Program is coming to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center next month, in partnership with Arts Corps, with an afterschool class for teens Mondays and Wednesdays from January 14th-March 20th. If interested, e-mail Kristina.Sutherland@acttheatre.org.)
(WSB photo of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, from February 2012)
City Council President Sally Clark and Councilmember Nick Licata were among the guests at this month’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting – the holiday edition, held at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center instead of the usual Delridge Library – and Youngstown’s new manager was on the agenda too.
(The Olympics seen Monday morning from Beach Drive, by Nick Adams for WSB)
The mountains today – your place tomorrow? Here’s the latest on whether we might see some snow early Tuesday morning (and beyond). The newest forecast includes the possibility of rain/snow showers after midnight – and pegs the snow level at 400 feet (West Seattle’s highest spot is 512′ by Myrtle Reservoir); the chance of snow showers continues throughout the day, but the snow level is expected to rise to 500 feet in the afternoon.
Weather analyst Cliff Mass just published a late-afternoon update, and says he does not think the lowlands will see much if any – he believes the city will be in a snow shadow. But, as with this morning’s wind, waves, and high tide, we’ll be tracking the weather again overnight and into tomorrow, so stay tuned.
5:12 PM: Crews are checking out a house-fire call in the 5200 block of Beach Drive SW. It’s a small fire, reported to be under control, and some of the units are being dismissed.
5:28 PM: The call has closed.
(1/1/12 West Seattle Polar Bear Swim on Alki, photo by Henrik via WSB Flickr group)
Half a dozen times in the past week or so, we’ve received inquiries about whether the annual Alki Polar Bear Swim is on for New Year’s Day as usual. So we e-mailed organizer Mark Ufkes to ask – and he has now formally announced the event for Tuesday, January 1, 2013:
The annual West Seattle Polar Bear swim starts at 10 am sharp on January 1 each year. It is a great way to wash away the complexities of the previous year, and celebrate the unlimited potential that awaits each of us in the new year. Year after year, Polar Bear swimmers declare that this ritual creates a sense of renewal, and helps make the new year stronger and more positive.
On January 1, 2013, West Seattle will attempt to reach 1,000 swimmers participating in a Seattle-area January 1 Polar Bear swim. We meet at Alki Beach across from Duke’s and Christos restaurant’s on Alki. Last January, we had about 325 swimmers on January 1, 2012. Swimmers gather at 9:45 am, fan out into a long line along our beautiful Alki beach, hold hands, and then, with a loud cheer, run together into Puget Sound sharply at 10:00 am. Swimmers should bring a towel, good water shoes and dry clothes to change into. Traditionally, Dukes restaurant generously provides free clam chowder and local families bring hot chocolate for the crowd. Afterwards, Alki beach is full of hundreds of smiling swimmers and their families and friends. Come join the fun. Do the West Seattle Polar Bear swim. You will have a great time!
We’re adding it now to the list of other New Year’s Day (and Eve, and Christmas Eve/Day) events/activities in the WSB Holiday Guide, which we’re continuing to update daily as the season continues.
Next Saturday at 5 pm, you are invited to gather at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza for a candlelight vigil honoring the community of Newtown, Connecticut, as it grapples with last Friday’s massacre. The vigil has been organized by local entrepreneur Casey Ann Rasmussen, who created a flier for the event that says:
We have a responsibility to humanity not to forgot or pretend that the horror we have witnessed this last week hasn’t happened but rather to join hands, raise the collective consciousness and increase the worldly compassion toward peace and healing during this difficult time. Please join us for a non-political evening of love, remembrance and hope for a better future.
PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS TO:
Sandy Hook School Support Fund
c/o Newtown Savings Bank
39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470DONATIONS FOR EVENT PROVIDED BY:
Friends and Family of Violent Crime Victims
Husky Deli
Sugar Rush Baking Company
She adds, “Rain or shine; people should bring a light source as our supply will be limited.”
(EARLIER COVERAGE: Our as-it-happened morning storm coverage with video and photos is here)
With all of West Seattle’s west/northwest-facing shoreline getting pounded by this morning’s high-tide/high-wind double-punch, and Lincoln Park has suffered some damage, shown in photos by Trileigh Tucker:
That hole in the top of the seawall was being checked out by Seattle Parks workers while Trileigh was there:
Parks’ media liaison Dewey Potter is checking for us to find out if any damage has been officially tallied in local parks so far. Meantime, Scott Bessho also shared photographs from the north side of Lincoln Park:
That was the most striking view – debris all over the north end of the waterfront trail, just before the park makes way for the south end of residential Beach Drive. We’ll add any information we get later about park damage. we also have another set of photos coming up that shows how it went at Constellation Park – this area’s most-popular wave-watching spot – this morning.
If you have a child at Chief Sealth International High School, you might hear of an extra security measure principal Chris Kinsey decided to take this week = closing the campus (which mostly means no students leaving to have lunch or take breaks off-campus). We heard about an announcement made this morning, and asked Seattle Public Schools‘ communications team if it was a districtwide decision or just Sealth. SPS spokesperson Teresa Wippel replied that “in light of last Friday’s [Connecticut] tragedy, [Sealth’s principal] has decided to close the campus as a precautionary measure designed to keep everyone safe and accounted for this week. It will only last until this Friday and Chief Sealth will return to the school’s regular routines when school resumes in January. Students are strongly discouraged from leaving campus during school hours, including lunches, and the cafeteria staff is ready to serve all students this week.”
That’s Justin. He works at 35th/Avalon Starbucks. When he’s not directing traffic – which he decided to do today because the 35th/Avalon signal got stuck again, second time in less than 24 hours, and last night wasn’t the first time, either. We found him directing traffic when we arrived following multiple texts (thank you!) about the signal woes – SDOT’s crew had arrived, but no police in sight. We asked SDOT about the chronic problems, and spokesperson Rick Sheridan explained that it has to do with the bus-favoring “transit signal priority”: “A component that supports transit signal priority has been malfunctioning. We disabled that component to ensure the signal operates appropriately. We’ll work to reinstitute the transit signal priority at this location in the near future.”
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