West Seattle, Washington
26 Wednesday
Thanks to Lauren for the photos of, and report about, damage done in a crash early this morning outside Westcrest Park: She reports a driver knocked down mailboxes as well as the street signs and park sign in the photos:
She adds, “We spoke to a neighbor who was at the scene just after the driver drove over her mailboxes and ended by the edge of the Westcrest ravine with a head injury … she said the driver was taken to the hospital.” Today’s real-time 911 log shows a “motor-vehicle-incident/medic” response just before 2 am at 8th SW and SW Henderson [map].
From Ina:
Just wanted to alert people that we just saw a coyote walking down our street on 37th between Willow and Myrtle. [map] It’s a busy walking area but fortunately no one was out at that specific moment. It was walking southward and into someone’s driveway towards the greenbelt area.
If you see a coyote, best thing to do, for your sake and the animal’s sake, is to do your best to frighten it away. Authorities advise yelling, waving your arms, even throwing rocks. They live among us (and vice versa); you can read the state Department of Fish and Wildlife‘s “Living with Coyotes” advice here.
The final games are just under way as the National Wheelchair Basketball Association‘s Seattle Jam 2016 wraps up in the West Seattle High School gym. We caught part of the two games just before lunch break, Seattle Sonics vs. Albuquerque Kings, above, and San Diego Wolfpack vs. Rogue Valley Scorpions, below:
Those four teams are among the six Division 1 wheelchair-basketball teams from around the West who are participating in Seattle Jam this weekend, along with seven Junior Division teams.
Sponsors include Seattle Adaptive Sports, always looking for volunteers to help with events like this.
As first reported here three weeks ago, SDOT is circulating the “Delridge RapidRide Expansion Survey.” It’s set to close tomorrow (Monday). But it’s not only about buses – you’re asked for your thoughts on Delridge, featuring the graphics below, showing its current configuration:
The survey wants you to prioritize transportation options on each of those Delridge Way sections – including transit, walking, biking, and/or parking. It’s meant to look ahead to the RR route expected on Delridge within the next few years; the survey intro says, “Delridge Way SW is one of the corridors on which we’d like to make bus service better. We also have an opportunity to make it safer and more comfortable for people walking, biking, driving, and delivering goods.” If you haven’t already taken the survey, go here ASAP.
(Photo by Alan Robertson. Red-breasted Sapsucker?)
The “winter weather advisory” doesn’t kick in until 4 am Monday, so don’t worry about snow for your Sunday. Here are the highlights of what IS happening – first, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
SANTA AT CAPERS: 9 am-noon, CAPERS in The Junction is open early for bring-your-own-camera Santa photos. Free but a monetary donation to the West Seattle Food Bank is suggested. (4525 California SW)
HOLIDAY STUDIO OPEN HOUSE/ART SALE: At Brace Point Pottery in Arbor Heights. 10 am-5 pm. (4208 SW 100th)
HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR: At Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), promising “a beautiful and unique selection of hand-sewn items, stocking stuffers, crafts, Seahawk, Cougar & Husky fan items, gift baskets, and baked goods available for sale at our Holiday Craft Bazaar. Sip on a hot beverage while you choose the perfect gifts for special people in your life: children, teachers, bosses, friends, family members. This event is immediately following the Worship Service and will be held in the Parlor from 11:30 am till 12:30 pm.” Enter @ the front entrance. (3940 41st SW)
HOLIDAY POP-UP: West Seattle Moms’ Holiday Pop-Up, 2-6 pm at Fit4Mom West Seattle. Handmade goods & more. (2707 California SW)
POP-UP SHOP: Featuring Lolly Clothing, Jillianmade, Twink Louise, 2-6 pm. (2932 Walnut SW)
WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS FUNDRAISER: Cash donations accepted again tonight, during the 5-9 pm light shows, for the family of fallen Tacoma Police Office Jake Gutierrez. (3908 SW Charlestown)
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And from our regular year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL: 9 am to 2 pm, the Seattle Jam Wheelchair Basketball tournament continues at the West Seattle High School Gym. (3000 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round, 10 am-2 pm in The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
GAME DAY AT OUNCES: Noon-5 pm pre-game tailgating at Ounces; 5:30 pm, watch the game (TVs inside and outside); 2-8 pm, Anchor End Pretzel Shoppe food truck. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
FLAMENCO WORKSHOP: 12:30 pm-2 pm at West Seattle Performing Arts (WSB sponsor) – info in our calendar listing; check to see if there’s still room! (4210 SW Edmunds)
TRANSFORMING PAIN, FEAR, AND ANGER INTO ACTION: 1:30-4:30 pm at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, this workshop is presented by Hate-Free Delridge with other organizations co-sponsoring. Full details in our calendar listing. (7141 California SW)
OPERA PREVIEW: Free lecture at West Seattle (Admiral) Library previews Seattle Opera‘s upcoming “La Traviata,” 2 pm. (2306 42nd SW)
FAMILY DANCE: You’re invited to this afternoon’s Family Dance at Duwamish Cohousing on Puget Ridge, 3-4:30 pm – info in our calendar listing. (6000 17th SW)
DENNY BOOKFAIR: Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village fundraiser continues through tonight for Denny International Middle School PTSA. Portion of proceeds will benefit Denny if you mention at checkstand – or buy online via bn.com/bookfairs and enter (UPDATED NUMBER) Bookfair ID 12049292. (2600 SW Barton)
Got an event to list on our calendar or in our Holiday Guide? Please send it ASAP – our regular guidelines are, at least a week in advance. Don’t worry about having a poster or “press release” … just send us the basic info, plain text in the body of your e-mail, so we can let everybody know. editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
The weather-alert level for tomorrow is now up to “Winter Weather Advisory.” While that was announced early this morning, it doesn’t take effect until early Monday morning:
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO NOON PST MONDAY MAINLY ABOVE 500 FEET…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SEATTLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO NOON PST MONDAY.
* TIMING…MONDAY MORNING BETWEEN 4 AM AND NOON.
* SNOW AMOUNTS…UP TO 2 INCHES MAINLY ABOVE 500 FEET.
* SNOW LEVELS…MAINLY NEAR 500 FEET.
* IMPACTS…HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE ON MONDAY MAINLY ON THE HIGHER HILLS.
For an elevation check, note that the highest point in Seattle, 520′, is in West Seattle, near Myrtle Reservoir.
P.S. If you didn’t familiarize yourself with these links when we published them the other day – here’s SDOT info including a link to the snow/ice-route map; here’s Metro info.
That’s how tonight’s West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting ended – with the countdown and the switch-on. That’s how it ends pretty much every year. But the celebration preceding it is not always the same-old, same-old. This year brought a first-time emcee who lit up the stage more brightly than the tree – self-described “7-foot-4 drag queen” Dolly Madison:
Dolly debuted with a show-stopping lip-synch of “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which you’ll see in our next clip, after a short introduction by West Seattle Junction Association executive director Lora Swift, followed by the Endolyne Children’s Choir and featured speaker Nancy Woodland of WestSide Baby:
You can help WS Baby assist local families by being part of this holiday season’s JOY campaign. Meanwhile, the tree-lighting celebration featured even more music – the West Seattle High School Marching Band took the stage at the start:
The WSHS musicians also performed a lively streetcorner set as the crowd dispersed. Also featured, cast members from “Peter and the Starcatcher,” the current production at ArtsWest:
Aside from a few waves of light rain, the weather was reasonable (anyone remember the sub-freezing chill in 2013?), and the hundreds of tree-lighting-goers were still enthused by the time local entrepreneur Jack Menashe and his grandchildren ceremonially lit the tree around 5:30. That’s at the end of this next clip, which begins with jazzy duo Sundae + Mr. Goessl, and includes more of Dolly too:
Also new this year, along with emcee Dolly – who performs weekly at OutWest Bar – was a Night Market featuring local vendors in the street next to Junction Plaza Park (here’s our report on that). More photos to come. Meantime, this is just the start of Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB), with a long lineup of events you can see here (and in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide).
Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
STOLEN PICKUP TRUCK: Above, that’s Paul‘s pickup, “from the alley behind my house in the Sunrise Heights neighborhood of West Seattle, presumably in the early hours of 12/1. It’s a Red/Burgundy 2005 Toyota Tundra V8 4wd, WA plate# C73302C. SPD Incident report #16-432136.” If you see it, call 911.
BICYCLE FOUND: G – whose recently reported stolen truck was recovered – contacted us today about this bicycle:
G explains, “There was a car prowler arrested on our street last night; we found this bike on street dumped in the bushes. 7100 Block 47 Ave. SW.”
YARD THEFT: From Andrew: “Our yard was burgled overnight. We live just off Lander, as it goes down the street from Admiral to the beach. They took a BBQ propane tank and a cooler full of beer, in case anyone encountered any drunk kids that smell like steaks. Reported to police.”
“WHITE-GLOVE CAR PROWL”: And from Matt:
I just noticed this morning that somebody clearly went through my Jetta near 36th and Andover. No scratches anywhere or signs of forced entry, so I’m guessing I accidentally left the car unlocked or the intruder was a magician. The few things of value (registration, gloves, first aid kit) were left, with only loose change missing. Rather decent as far as these car prowls seem to go, but disconcerting no less. I’m in the process of filing my report with the police, and figured neighbors might want to know. I don’t drive all that often, so unfortunately all I know is that it happened sometime in the past week.
P.S. No West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting this month – we talked with president Richard Miller at an unrelated meeting two nights ago, and he is planning for the next one, January 17th (7 pm, Southwest Precinct).
4:07 PM: It’s on! The West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Night Market is happening on one closed-to-traffic block of SW Alaska – between 42nd and California – until 8 pm; the “live” traffic-cam image above shows the vendors’ tents. This is meant to enhance the fun of the Junction Tree Lighting (4:45 pm-5:30 pm in Junction Plaza Park, above right). See the vendor list, and the lighting-ceremony lineup, here. More to come!
4:25 PM: Santa’s here too, by the way:
Merchants/vendors include David Groves of Seattle Logo Pro (whose shop is in Morgan Junction):
We’ll be checking with WSJA to see if they plan to do this again next year.
That’s Shandon Graybeal, proprietor of Alair (“Latin for ‘happy’,” she explains), which opened today at 3280 California SW (part of the ex-Curves space). It’s been just under two months since we reported on her plan for a “neighborhood gift shop“; late last night, she sent word the shop would open today. We took a quick look around and noted an eclectic lineup of merchandise – she calls it “girly” but we noted some things that you could give anyone – mugs, for example. Stop in and see for yourself; she’s open until 7 tonight – 10 am-7 pm will be her hours Tuesdays-Saturdays for starters, 11 am-6 pm on Sunday, closed Mondays, re-evaluating depending on how things go.
The National Weather Service is still staying relatively low-key about the possibility of snow heading our way. The current alert level is “Special Weather Statement” – read it here. Topline: Late Sunday night, early Monday, Monday night are possibilities … but that could change. The NWS updates its “forecast discussions” four times a day, so the next potentially revised outlook will be at mid-afternoon.
Haven’t had breakfast/brunch yet? Still time to get to the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s 70th annual holiday-season Pancake Breakfast, on until 11 am in The Junction. The flapjacks are flying as fast as the volunteer chefs can cook them up:
It’s happening at the Masonic Center (40th SW/SW Edmunds), festively decorated for the occasion, with Scout Troop 284, Key Club, and Venture Crew 760 members volunteering…
Also – US Marines are accepting new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots, and Santa Claus standing by for photo ops:
$10/door, kids under 10 eat free (with a paid adult), and breakfast includes juice and Husky Deli ham. (WSB is among the event’s co-sponsors.)
(WSB photos/video)
Long before dawn, Christmas arrived early for almost 100 local kids, thanks to about 200 volunteer Santas turning the annual Rotary Club of West Seattle Children’s Shopping Spree from plan to reality:
Cheers and high-fives as the first kids, from Arbor Heights Elem, arrive for Rotary Shopping Spree pic.twitter.com/XZITUuAXwF
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 3, 2016
First to arrive, kids from Arbor Heights Elementary, a few minutes before 7 am. The Rotarians had just finished a rousing briefing for volunteers before the first bus pulled up at Southcenter, where the Shopping Spree had to move starting in 2014, after the SODO Sears shut down.
Kids from five schools are participating this year – along with AHES, they are from Highland Park, Sanislo, and West Seattle Elementaries, and Louisa Boren STEM K-8. Each one is paired with a volunteer to share breakfast – this year, at BJ’s Restaurant – before the “spree,” which focuses on practical items like coats and shoes.
As the first group settled down to breakfast, the second arrived, from WSES, also to raucous cheers:
Second group, from West Seattle Elementary. Spree moved to Southcenter in 2014 after SODO Sears shut down. pic.twitter.com/JQz7BbuRPl
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 3, 2016
They were followed by Sanislo, STEM, and Highland Park, the last group to be greeted, as the sky just outside the mall entrance brightened to gray. Volunteers and students got to know each other as they paired off and headed to breakfast. “What grade are you in?” was the icebreaker question heard time and again.
Following breakfast, shopping time.
Here’s Arbor Heights principal Christy Collins helping supervise:
And just as that got going, we had a Santa Claus sighting:
Santa arrives at West Seattle Rotary Shopping Spree. pic.twitter.com/aqBULBk5w0
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 3, 2016
A chat and pic with St. Nick is part of the plan too:
West Seattle Rotary raises money for this each year through a variety of events including a benefit breakfast featuring a guest speaker (this year, weather analyst Cliff Mass). And the volunteer help, from within the club ranks as well as other groups around the region, is priceless. The groups/businesses participating today included:
Grace Gospel
Sigma Gamma Rho
Zeta Phi Beta
Kappa Alpha Psi
Alpha Phi Alpha
Phi Beta Sigma
Epsilon Epsilon Sigma (and chapter Omega Psi Phi)
Ferguson Plumbing Supplies
Paula’s Choice Skincare
The Shopping Spree continues on into the morning, with Santa visits and more, and memories that will last a long time – for the adults as well as the kids who are going home with much-needed gifts.
WSB COVERAGE OVER THE YEARS:
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
(Photo by Mark Ahlness, from the WSB Flickr group)
This is definitely one of those early-bird days! The fun starts early and lasts until late. First, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: 7-11 am, get your Saturday going with a hearty breakfast and a good time! Pancakes, Santa photos, and more at the West Seattle Kiwanis Club‘s annual Pancake Breakfast at the Masonic Center in The Junction – details here. (40th SW/SW Edmunds)
‘CAMPOUT FOR A CAUSE’ FOOD DRIVE: Continuing all day at the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse courtyard – details in our story from Friday night. Stop by with nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank! (4410 California SW)
WHERE YOU’LL FIND SANTA TODAY/TONIGHT: See the Holiday Guide for the full list of times and places, all season long! (added) Here he is at CAPERS:
CAPERS times and dates are on our list.
OPEN HOUSE @ WYATT’S: Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) open house @ Westwood Village, 10 am-6 pm. “20 percent off your entire purchase at the event. Come for holiday cheer and desserts!” (2600 SW Barton)
FAUNTLEROY BAZAAR: Holiday Bazaar at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 10 am-5 pm: “Come support the Historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse as well as more than a dozen local businesses and individuals. There will be face painting and other kid-friendly activities.” (9131 California SW)
CSWS BAZAAR: Holiday Bazaar at Community School of West Seattle, 11 am-4 pm, “features handmade gifts, treats, and toys from local artists and craftspeople.” (9450 22nd SW)
HOT CHOCOLATE SATURDAY: Open House at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, 11 am-4 pm: “We will be playing holiday music all day. Enjoy hot chocolate or tea while sitting around our beautifully decorated tree. Still shopping? We have lots of choices under $25 & $15. Artist Katrina Lane is featured in the Art Gallery. Enjoy a walk along the Duwamish River …” (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
ARBOR HEIGHTS BAZAAR: Arbor Heights Elementary is hosting a Winter Artisan Bazaar, 2 to 6 pm: “This will be a family-oriented community event, sure to have something for every member of the family.” (3701 SW 104th)
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS TREE LIGHTING AND NIGHT MARKET: This is the big night in The Junction! Everyone’s invited to the West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting (4:45-5:30 pm) and Night Market (4-8 pm) at Junction Plaza Park. One block of SW Alaska will be closed between 42nd SW and California SW for the festivities. See the full lineup for both events in our preview. (42nd SW/SW Alaska)
IMPROV CELEBRATION: St. Johnʼs ‘Taproot Theater’ “Improv In a Pear Tree” Holiday Celebration at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. “Please join us 4 pm to 7 pm in the Parish Hall. It will be a joy-full and fun evening, featuring the hilarious Taproot Theater, buffet hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, sodas, plus the quilt raffle and a silent auction. $30/adults; $25 for seniors 70+. Raffle tickets for the beautiful quilt made by Johnnie Comeau are being sold for $1 each or 6 for $5.” (3050 California SW)
12 BARS OF CHRISTMAS Junction/Admiral pub crawl, starting at 4 pm at Elliott Bay Brewing Company and concluding at Parliament Tavern at 12:30 am – full details in our calendar listing. 21+. Here’s the lineup as of Saturday afternoon:
Stop 1: Elliott Bay Brewery Co. at 4pm
Stop 2: Beer Junction at 4:30pm
Stop 3: Puerto Vallarta at 5pm
Stop 4: Talarico’s at 5:30pm
Stop 5: Poggie Tavern 6:30pm
Stop 6: Pecado Bueno at 7:30pm
Stop 7: Maharaja at 8:00pm
Stop 8: West 5 at 9:00pm
Stop 9: Shadowland at 9:30pm
Stop 10: Prost at 10:30pm
Stop 11: Vidiot at 11:30pm
Stop 12: Parliament Tavern at 12:30am
Buy a wristband as you join the crawl – $ raised goes to local nonprofits.
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Now, the non-holiday highlights for today/tonight, from our year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NEW FOOD TRUCK: El Capulin Oaxaqueño is opening this weekend behind Red Cup Espresso: “The truck is a Oaxacan-style taco truck selling tamales Oaxaqueño, tacos, and breakfast burritos. We will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 4.” (4451 California SW)
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL: 9 am-5 pm, the Seattle Jam wheelchair-basketball tournament is in action for the first of two days at the West Seattle High School Gym. (3000 California SW)
PRESCHOOL CLOSING SALE: 9 am-4 pm, “lots of beautiful wood toys. Magnatiles. Art supplies. Puzzles. All in excellent condition.” Church basement; enter via 47th SW. (4620 SW Graham)
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-11:30 am. Looking for a school for student(s) going into 6th, 7th, or 8th grade next year? Come visit Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) this morning! Details in our calendar listing. (10015 28th SW)
MEET BUTCH VIG: From Easy Street Records – this is happening at noon: “‘The Smart Studios Story’ is screening in Seattle at the Grand Illusion! In celebration, Smart Studios producer and Garbage drummer Butch Vig is in town for the events and will be at Easy Street for a meet and greet / Q&A on December 3rd at noon. Butch will be joined by Sub Pop’s Jonathan Poneman and the film’s director, Wendy Schneider. The Smart Studios Story is touring the country in support of the recent release of the film on DVD. Event is free and all-ages!” (California/Alaska)
ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE: Belli Capelli Salon is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an Open House, 3:30 pm-6:30 pm: “We couldn’t have done it without you. Please stop by.” (3902 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: Doors open 6:30, screenings start at 7. Double feature – “Consumerism & the Limits to Imagination” plus “The Story of Stuff.” Meet your neighbors; have meaningful discussions. At Neighborhood House’s High Point Center; more info here. (6400 Sylvan Way)
CHIC STREET MAN IN CONCERT: Rare solo performance by this local musician, 7 pm at Alki UCC to raise money for West Seattle Helpline – details in our calendar listing. (6115 SW Hinds)
AUTHOR/EDITOR EVENT: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), a doubleheader about publishing: Author Anna Redsand reads from “To Drink From the Silver Cup: From Faith Through Exile and Beyond,” and then will be joined by Ann Przyzycki, editor of literary journal Isthmus, to talk about the challenges and practicalities of publishing. (5612 California SW)
THE ESOTERICS IN CONCERT: 8 pm at Holy Rosary – full details, including ticket info, in our calendar listing. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
EVEN MORE … on our full calendar page!
The plaque honoring Deputy Donald A. Armeni – for whom the West Seattle boat-ramp park is named – is one of 16 on a new memorial unveiled Friday at the King County Courthouse. It honors Deputy Armeni and 15 other law enforcers from the King County Sheriff’s Office who lost their lives in the line of deputy. We covered the downtown ceremony for our partner site White Center Now, as it included a tribute to Deputy Steve Cox, the WC deputy and community leader killed exactly 10 years ago. See the WCN coverage, with video, here.
That police car with rollers going on southbound California just north of Alaska tonight was there as part of a warrant-related police operation at the Corner Pocket bar. After getting a tip, we went there and found police at the bar’s basement door; a sergeant on scene told us it was one of two West Seattle locations at which they were “coordinating” service of a warrant he described as “drug-related.” The other location, we learned, was a residence northeast of Morgan Junction. Our research into warrant and court records has not yet yielded further details; we will be following up.
You’ve probably never seen a holiday-season food drive like this one! It’s “Campout for a Cause,” happening right now in the courtyard outside Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW). The tent’s set up, a fire’s going, and they’re listening to the UW-Colorado football game. But the most important part is that bin you see in the foreground, to collect nonperishable food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank. Organizers, along with Hotwire, are Owen Wright from Wright Innovations & Design and Glenn Leimbacher of PromoShop. Stop by any time tonight or tomorrow and say hi! We’ll be checking back in the morning.
(WSB photo from past West Seattle Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast)
One more advance mention for tomorrow – the place you’ll want to start your busy holiday-season Saturday – the place where you’ll find Santa Claus, U.S. Marines, Scouts, and the community volunteers of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle – the club’s annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser (with WSB among the co-sponsors)! 7 am-11 am at the Masonic Center in The Junction, drop in for a hearty breakfast and the warm feeling you’re doing a good deed. Breakfast is $8 if you buy your ticket in advance online right now, $10 at the door, kids under 10 ****eat free****. P.S. Why the Marines, you ask? Toys for Tots – bring a new, unwrapped toy if you can! Santa, of course, is there for photos.
Grab your umbrella, or pull up your rain hood, if needed and join in the last Admiral Neighborhood Association Adopt-a-Street Cleanup of the year tomorrow. ANA president Larry Wymer sends word that they’ll be out Saturday morning – meet at 9 am at Metropolitan Market (41st/42nd/Admiral; WSB sponsor) for treats and to get your (provided) tools/bags, then head on out. Afterward, you get a free sack lunch!
P.S. ANA’s next meeting is set for 7 pm Tuesday, December 13th, at The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd SW/SW Lander). All welcome.
The photo is from Jeff McCord, a West Seattleite who has long worked for Nickel Bros., a company well-known for “rescuing” older houses by moving them to new locations. You probably recognize this house – 5458 California SW, headquarters of Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), which has to move because its landlord plans to build six live-work units on the site.
After we first reported the redevelopment plan back in April, many wondered, couldn’t the 107-year-old house be saved? McCord was among those asking that question, so he investigated, and tells WSB today that his company has obtained permission to give it a try. They’re looking for someone with a lot in the West Seattle area; the price to buy it and get it moved is listed at $69,000. The house is 3 bedrooms, 1 bath – the process, McCord explains, involves moving it to an excavated site, where the buyer then puts in a foundation, and then Nickel Bros comes back and lowers the house onto it.
“It has been one of my favorite houses for a long, long time!” he adds. “We really hope to find a nearby local recipient who can ‘adopt’ the house for us to move to their lot.”
ADDED 8:59 PM: We talked tonight with Ventana co-proprietors Anne and Clarence Higuera; they are still seeking a new West Seattle location, but they still have some time, because their lease here goes through the end of July.
The list of what the city plans to show/answer questions about/take comments about at next Wednesday’s “open house” in The Junction just keeps getting longer.
After the city announced it’s expanding the December 7th event to two locations because of capacity concerns, we started collecting more information about topics beyond the biggest one, the “Mandatory Housing Affordability” rezoning we’ve been reporting on extensively lately. Here’s more on one of the newly revealed topics: The Fauntleroy Boulevard project.
(Cross-section from city project page)
When the mayor went public with his budget proposal in September, we reported that it included money to build this long-in-the-works project on Fauntleroy Way between the end of the bridge at 35th SW and the start of The Junction at SW Alaska, as also promised by the Move Seattle levy. Now that the budget has been finalized, SDOT has announced the “re-initiation” of the project, intended to “improve mobility and make the area more comfortable for people walking, biking, and driving on Fauntleroy Way SW, in addition to enhancing Fauntleroy as a gateway entrance to West Seattle.”
SDOT says the design is at 60 percent – see that plan as a PDF here – and likely to be finished next fall, with construction starting “in late 2017.” They promise “project materials” at Wednesday’s open house (5:30-7:30 pm at both Shelby’s Bistro and Ice Creamery and Uptown Espresso, kitty-corner from each other at California/Edmunds). And project spokesperson Rachel McCaffrey says SDOT plans “our own community briefings and other events specific to the project in 2017 in order to answer questions and share updates about the design.”
That two-car crash is currently blocking the northbound side of 35th SW by SW Othello [map], near the former Fire Station 37. Traffic is getting by both ways via other lanes. No one appears to be seriously injured, but Seattle Fire is checking out one driver.
10:52 AM: Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail sends word of orcas in the area – southbound. More to come – we’re headed for the shore to see if anyone’s caught view of them here.
11:17 AM: Just found Donna on the west end of the Alki Beach Park promenade. She says they’re not in view yet.
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