West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Start your Saturday with a neighborhood good deed. Admiral Neighborhood Association president David Whiting says the quarterly Adopt-a-Street is on:
This Saturday, December 5th, is our final Adopt-A-Street cleanup for the year. I’ve heard back from the manager of Metropolitan Market and they will be ready for us with coffee and snacks at 9:00 am in front of the store. We should be done by 12:00 noon.
If you’ve never participated before, ANA provides gloves, safety vests, bags and long-handled tools to grab litter. All you need to do is show up and sign up. We divide up into small groups and cover the streets around the junction. In case you need to ensure you’ll be on Santa’s “nice list,” volunteering this Saturday is a timely opportunity to make a good impression.
The market’s on SW Admiral Way between 41st SW and 42nd SW.
(Photo courtesy Kerry Hughes)
A whole lot of volunteer power is involved with Seattle Parks – and some of those who give their time and talent are honored every year at the Denny Awards. This year’s recipients included one big group – everyone who served on the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee over the levy’s six-year life. West Seattleites who served included Pete Spalding, who chaired the committee in its final years, as well as Cindi Barker, Bruce Bentley, and Dorsol Plants. Spalding was among those who accepted awards in person at this year’s Denny Awards celebration at the Museum of Flight this past Tuesday – that’s him at the podium in the photo above. The PGS levy was the predecessor to the Park District levy passed by voters last year and was in effect 2009 through 2014. Projects funded with levy money are indexed on this page – in West Seattle, they range from playfield improvements at Delridge and Walt Hundley, to the recently opened Westcrest Park expansion atop West Seattle Reservoir, to West Seattle’s first and only spraypark at Highland Park, and more. Seattle Parks has presented Denny Awards since 2003 – this fact sheet explains the criteria.
The factors that led to water-discoloration trouble in West Seattle earlier this fall (September coverage here, October coverage here, November coverage here) aren’t factors any more – Myrtle Reservoir is back in service, and the city’s well field is no longer being tapped to make up for drought-related supply shortages. But this week, we’ve received scattered new reports of oddly colored water – from Genesee Hill to, tonight, Sunrise Heights. We had checked with Seattle Public Utilities earlier, after several reports here and there yesterday, and they reiterated that nothing operationally should be causing this – in the Genesee Hill area, maybe the aftermath of the water break earlier this week. Wherever you are, SPU reiterates, if you do see a water-color problem, please call them ASAP, at 206-386-1800.
Whatever you’re facing – you can overcome it. That’s the message shared at Denny International Middle School this afternoon by Seattle-based best-selling author Sherman Alexie. With humor and honesty, he spoke to Denny students in a special all-school assembly at the end of the day, telling them about challenges he faced growing up on the Spokane Tribe of Indians‘ reservation in Eastern Washington on his way to becoming an acclaimed author (dating back to his first novel, “Reservation Blues,” which won an American Book Award in 1996.
Thanks to everyone who messaged about what was initially a sizable police response at 42nd/Oregon in The Junction. Here’s what our crew found out at the scene: Police were called about possible intruders in the house on the southwest corner, which is slated for demolition to make way for a mixed-use building. They found two men inside and took them into custody for suspected trespassing. A property manager was going through the house at last report to check for damage/theft.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes – starting with a Grinchy theft in Admiral. From Sara:
Some total GRINCH just stole the 10-foot-tall blow-up Bumble Snowman decoration in our yard (about an hour) ago … in the Admiral neighborhood.
Keep a look out for this guy … we really love him and want him back.
Plus, a car prowl in the Alki area – from MWM: “Three bags of hand tools and a backpack stolen from my pickup truck at 2700 block of 56th Ave. SW at 5:15 AM, this morning.”
(In case you missed it – our Wednesday Crime Watch report included car-prowl and package-theft deterrence advice from SPD.)
(WSB photo: Barton St. P-Patch)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The city’s P-Patch community garden program is maxed out for now and not expecting to grow in the near future – but not all P-Patches have waiting lists, contrary to popular belief.
That’s just some of what the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council learned Tuesday night from visiting city Department of Neighborhoods reps – including director Kathy Nyland – who came to answer questions and provide updates about some of the department’s programs.
First, as is often the case with neighborhood meetings, an update from police:
12:34 PM: Thanks for the tips about the police presence near 44th and Dakota on the north side of The Junction. Our crew went to the scene and found out it’s actually King County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a warrant service – NOT any incident that has happened or is happening. That’s all we know so far. Will add whatever else we find out.
12:43 PM UPDATE: KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West can only confirm so far that it’s a combination search warrant and arrest warrant. More details might be available later.
(Trailer for “Finding Kind,” one of the films to be shown at Madison)
A new campaign to “motivate kids to spread kindness” is launching at Madison Middle School. While the announcement includes a message for parents, it’s of interest to, with a potential impact on, the wider community as well. From Madison librarian/teacher Stacia Bell:
We are very excited to announce that, during the week of December 7th-11th, Madison Middle School will launch the start of its Choose Kind campaign, an endeavor to educate and inform students on various aspects of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) and motivate kids to spread kindness to improve our school climate and increase student achievement. Throughout the week, teachers will introduce the Choose Kind campaign and conduct lessons on HIB in advisory. These lessons will lead us into a documentary film viewing on Friday of that week. Female students will watch the film “Finding Kind,” while male students will watch age-appropriate excerpts from two films — “Bully” and “The Mask You Live In.” Thank you to the Madison ASB and PTSA for making this viewing opportunity possible for Madison students and families by purchasing the site licenses for our school.
We would like to invite Madison parents/guardians to an advance screening of these films on Wednesday, December 9th from 6:30-8:30 in the Madison library and commons. This advance screening will not only give you an idea of what your child will be watching on Friday, but it will also help you start or keep the conversation going with your student. We’ll break into two groups to watch the films (parents/guardians can choose which film they’d like to watch) and then end with a moderated discussion to debrief the films. Parents/guardians only for this advance screening, please. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Anita Roberson at abroberson@seattleschools.org so that we can plan accordingly.
Our hope is that educating around these issues will spark a larger conversation around empathy, self-advocacy, and mindfulness that will continue beyond this week.
(Photo by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
As we write and publish this, we don’t know whether the stormy forecast for this afternoon/evening will come true or not, so all we can do is list the scheduled events, and if there’s any word of weather-related cancellation(s), we’ll update you as part of our storm coverage. For now, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar, here are the highlights:
KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: Free weekly sessions for 2-to-5-year-olds at Delridge Library, 11 am, explained in our listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
DENNY BOOKFAIR: “Denny International Middle School is having a Bookfair tonight at Barnes and Noble-Westwood Village from 6 pm-8 pm. There will be music performances, open mic, gift wrapping, fun and small prizes! A portion of the proceeds from book and café sales will go to support Denny programs. Can’t make it to the bookfair? The bookfair code still will be vaild in store, December 3rd-5th and online at Barnesandnoble.com from the 3rd-10th!” (2800 SW Barton)
ORCA TALK: How are our resident orcas doing – particularly the half-dozen calves born in the past year? Get the latest direct from an expert during tonight’s Orca Talk presented by The Whale Trail at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – more info in our calendar listing. 7:30 pm. (5612 California SW)
SHOP LATE THURSDAY: ” target=”_blank”>Many West Seattle Junction stores are open until 9 pm tonight (and the next two Thursdays).
‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’ : Opening night for this year’s holiday show at ArtsWest in The Junction. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)
Family and friends will gather on Monday (December 7th) to remember Anthony C. “Tony” O’Keefe. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing:
Smiling, laughing, and with twinkling Irish eyes … that is how Tony came into this world on September 8, 1969. He and wife Linda shared 13 years of marriage, and their love shows through their daughter Lauren and son Conner. They were his love and joy and he was incredibly proud of them. Lauren and Conner’s love of life, huge hearts, and shining souls resonate with Tony’s warmth and perpetual desire to share the very best of himself with the ones he most dearly loved.
Tony’s constant search for fun in life took him from learning to roller skate for a pack of LifeSavers, to riding BMX bikes, to competing in wrestling and football, to bringing friends together to celebrate just being in each other’s company.
Tony graduated from Bellarmine High and WSU with a degree in Marketing, and while at college found another family. His brothers at Beta Theta Pi lifted him up and joined in his celebration of life. Through the years they have always been there for him.
His Irish gift of gab, his smarts, and quick wit saw him excel in medical sales after starting Orthocon, Inc. He connected with and was supported by many professionals from the medical community during that time.
Linda, Lauren, and Conner continue to honor his zest for life by bringing laughter and cheer to family and friends. Brother John and sisters Helen, Kathy, and Bebo continue to celebrate life in his name as he joins his parents Tony, Sr. and Kathleen in a warm, heavenly embrace.
Tony took great pride and joy in his Irish heritage. His twinkling eyes and deep belly laugh were the trademark of our Irish leprechaun. So today go forward in honor of Tony, raise a little mischief, and carpe diem!
Tony was passionate about his children’s education, and an Educational Fund for them has been set up at youcaring.com/lauren-conner-o-keefe-478592.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, December 7, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 7000 35th Ave SW. Reception immediately following on site at the Parish Life Center.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
A memorial service is planned at The Mount this Saturday for Gilbert “Gil” Madrid, who died the day before Thanksgiving. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing:
Gilbert Benedetto Antonio Madrid, 85, passed away on November 25, 2015, at European Senior Care in Seattle.
He was born on March 21, 1930 in Seattle to Julio and Norina Aquino Madrid. Gil grew up in Seattle, then attended St. Martin’s High School in Olympia, St. Bonaventure University in New York, and graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane. Gil was also a proud US Marine who served in the Korean War.
Gil is survived by his former wife Gail Madrid; his sister Elvira Madrid; his son John (Kate) Madrid; his daughters Christine (Steve) Wynecoop, Katie (Tom) Cunningham, and Terese (Adam) Kietzer; and his grandchildren Katelyn, Emily, Ally, Kara, Meg, Cami, Caroline, Will, and Cooper “Coopies.”
A memorial service will be held at Providence Mount St. Vincent, 4831 35th Ave SW, at 10 am on Saturday, December 5th. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Humane Society to honor Gil’s love of animals. Please share memories of Gil on our online guestbook @ www.emmickfunerals.com.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:30 AM: Good morning – rainy morning, with wind expected later – most likely during the afternoon/evening commute hours – but no incidents in or from West Seattle right now.
SATURDAY NIGHT REMINDER: SW Alaska will be closed between 42nd and California for the West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting, approximately 4-8 pm. While that will reroute the C Line and 50 buses, they won’t miss any stops, Metro says.
8:17 AM: From Mike via Twitter, “Stalled semi truck in the right lane West Seattle Bridge just before getting onto I-5 north.”
10:50 PM WEDNESDAY: Forecasters are now expecting strong wind in our area tomorrow too; earlier today, warnings were primarily for outside the city, but now Seattle’s been added. The National Weather Service‘s “high wind warning” is in effect for 2-10 pm Thursday, with south wind expected to “increase to 25 to 40 mph late Thursday afternoon or early evening, then turn southwesterly before easing late in the evening. Gusts to 60 mph are possible.”
9:17 PM THURSDAY: The wind didn’t show up, and the warning is now canceled.
Just a few nights until the tree in Junction Plaza Park will be lit as part of Hometown Holidays, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association with co-sponsors including WSB. And tonight, we have the lineup, so you know how it’ll unfold – with more room this year because of the SW Alaska street closure between 42nd and California (as first reported here two weeks ago), you won’t have to worry as hard about getting there early to get a space.
The West Seattle High School Marching Band, directed by Ethan Thomas, is the opening act, playing by quarter till 5. At the top of the hour, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse proprietor Lora Swift takes the microphone, and will then introduce emcee Josh Sutton from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). By 5:05, Josh will introduce the Endolyne Children’s Choir and director Amy Stagno Bokanev. Quarter past, you’ll be hearing from Jack Menashe of Menashe and Sons Jewelers; then ArtsWest has a mini-performance, followed by a few words from West Seattle Hi-Yu, and then at 5:30 pm you won’t want to miss the special poem by local writer Lori Hinton. Jay Cates and the Big Boss Band will play, with the tree scheduled to be lit around 5:38 pm. Before and after all this, it’ll be the Junction Holiday Party – with many merchants serving up holiday specials and treats.
P.S. Get in the mood for all this two nights early with the first Shop Late Thursday, tomorrow night! And preview the rest of the weekend and the season in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – still adding more events daily.
(As always, we disclose whenever we mention sponsors: Three are in this story – Hotwire, the Y, and Menashe & Sons)
Going to a home basketball game at West Seattle High School this week? Bring along warm clothing for homeless women and their kids. Donna from the West Seattle Booster Club shares word of the donation drive:
The West Seattle High School women’s and men’s basketball teams are hosting a warm clothing drive to benefit the YWCA homeless shelter.
This shelter helps homeless women and their children who range in age from 1 to 12 years old.We are asking for new or gently used hats, scarves and gloves. Other items that would be helpful are 2016 calendars so they can keep track of their appointments, as well as bus tokens and diapers in any size.
We will be collecting these items at the door of this week’s home basketball (tonight and Friday). Please come support West Seattle basketball as well as the women and children of the YWCA.
Tonight, the WSHS boys’ varsity team plays Kennedy Catholic HS at 7 pm; Friday (December 4th), the opponent is Roosevelt, girls’ varsity at 6:30 pm, boys’ varsity at 8 pm, all at the WSHS Gym (3000 California SW).
4:11 PM: If you are about to head home via the westbound West Seattle Bridge – you might find things slower going than usual for a while, because of a stalled vehicle in the center lane just west of the 99 overpass. Thanks to Eddie for the original tip; SDOT is tracking this too.
4:33 PM: This is now reported to be clear; thanks to Manuel for the update.
(September photo by Carolyn Newman)
When the new West Seattle Water Taxi, M/V Doc Maynard, was dedicated back in September, it was expected to take over the route this month. So we just checked in with the King County Department of Transportation to see how soon that’ll happen. Spokesperson Rochelle Ogershok tells WSB that installation of the “new boarding ramp and other improvements to accommodate the larger vessel” are expected to start at Seacrest Pier this Saturday (December 5th) and are likely to last about two weeks. Then, she adds, “After the work is completed, our crews will begin testing and training on the route. That will take about two weeks. So we would expect the Doc Maynard to start operating the West Seattle run in early January.” Ogershok says the installation work will not affect regularly scheduled Water Taxi operations; this time of year, the route runs weekdays only, am and pm commute times.
The West Seattle Food Bank does a lot more than collect and distribute food.
Are you doing some pre-holiday cleaning in your children’s book shelves? The West Seattle Food Bank’s Bookcase Program is in need of all kinds of gently used children’s books, especially for ages 5 years old and younger. Our Bookcase Program is growing tremendously, having distributed more than 14,000 adult and children books through generous donations from individuals and business in our community. Our clients are very appreciative of the program, where they can take home up to 10 books to keep. With the holidays here, you can imagine the demand we are feeling in the children’s book area. Donation hours are Monday-Friday 9 am – 3 pm and we are located at 3419 SW Morgan St. on the corner of 35th & Morgan. Enter through our garage on Morgan and come in through the double doors. Our volunteers will be glad to help you with your donation. Thank you so much.
In West Seattle Crime Watch, an incident report from B:
At 8:45 this morning our neighbor left to go to work and noticed that someone was sitting in the front seat of my car digging around. When confronted the robber jumped in a waiting car and tried to hit my neighbor. Luckily he missed, backed up and struck the support wires for a light pole and loosened them and then sped off. I didn’t lose anything and gained new respect for LOCKING MY DOORS. I always figure that if I don’t have anything in my car no need to lock. WRONG.
We have the license number: ANB 1083 and the car was a Black Hyundai Elantra… But the police said that the license plate was stolen – and maybe the car as well. That’s why they could be so bold to be out scouting in daylight. I’m in the 2300 block of 49th SW off Waite. Please make sure people are locking their car and looking out for these creeps!
B also confirms that Seattle City Light has been notified to get the wires fixed – the pole is not leaning, so far.
Now, from the “you’ve heard it before but you need to hear it again” file – Southwest/South Precincts’ Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon is re-circulating advice on how to deter car prowls and package thefts:
CAR PROWLS
We feel we have an unacceptable number of reported Car Prowl incidents for our Precinct. The level of Car Prowls, Auto Accessory Thefts and theft of license plates for the Southwest Precinct shows a 14% increase compared to this time last year.
Car prowls are crimes of opportunity that are committed within seconds. They are expensive, inconvenient, and aggravating for victims.
Thieves are targeting vehicles of all makes and models for valuables, including:
Thanks to the person who texted us to point out that the Orca Network has two reports of orcas in the Fauntleroy/Vashon vicinity within the past hour. Seems they were headed southbound, so out of range for most of the West Seattle shore by now, but what goes south must eventually head back north, so keep an eye out, and please let us know of any sightings – text/voice at 206-293-6302 is always the quickest way to get us, 24/7, if something is “happening now.”
P.S. This also gives us a reason to remind you about The Whale Trail‘s Orca Talk event tomorrow night. Get your ticket in advance to be sure there’s a seat – here’s all the info.
(Downy woodpecker, photographed in West Seattle by Mark Wangerin)
In the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, today/tonight includes only ongoing daily/nightly events (lots of recent additions for upcoming days/nights, though!), so our Wednesday highlights are all from our regular year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)
FOOD TRUCK AT C & P: Today’s the day that Napkin Friends is visiting C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) for lunch, 11 am-2 pm on the alley behind the shop. (5612 California SW)
HOME-OFFICE/SOLOPRENEUR/COWORKER MEETUP: Grab your lunch there and head a few blocks south to the free weekly meetup at West Seattle’s only coworking center, WS Office Junction (WSB sponsor), noon-1:15 pm. (6040 California SW)
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building, join SWDC for a discussion of HALA – the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda – with a city rep. The Seattle Nature Alliance is visiting too. Here’s our preview. (California SW & SW Oregon)
TRIVIA: 8:30 pm at Talarico’s Pizza, hosted by Phil Tavel. (4718 California SW)
BE A STAR: Open-microphone night, 8:30-11:30 pm at The Skylark, all-ages until 10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOTS MORE … on our complete calendar!
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:22 AM: No road incidents so far during this morning’s outbound commute. Ferry capacity on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run remains reduced, with Tillikum continuing to replace Issaquah after yesterday’s breakdown; Issaquah is back on the water this morning but on a different run instead, serving as second vessel for Seattle-Bainbridge after a breakdown there.
Now that it’s Wednesday, a weekend reminder – Saturday, SW Alaska will be closed between 42nd and California for the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays tree lighting, This means RapidRide C Line and Route 50 will be rerouted from about 4 pm to 8 pm. According to Metro, no stops will be missed.
8:19 AM: Still relatively quiet on the local routes.
| 2 COMMENTS