West Seattle, Washington
26 Wednesday
(Mount Rainier, photographed from Don Armeni Boat Ramp by David Hutchinson)
Welcome to Sunday! Here’s some of what’s up in West Seattle today. First, from the WSB Holiday Guide
FAIR TRADE SALE: Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale in Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center, 9:30 am-1 pm. “In addition to Fair Trade items, you’ll find: holiday cards from Noel House (a Catholic Community Services shelter for homeless women), knitted goods from the Young Ladies’ Institute, tasty treats sold by the Pre-K and 3rd grade classes to benefit WestSide Baby, Tanzanian rosaries and batiks items from Maryknoll, and a new vendor… Catholic Balm (beard and lip balms, lotion bars)! … While you browse, be sure to sample free Fair Trade coffee provided by Pura Vida.” Full details here. (35th/Myrtle)
‘GREAT BIG BAZAAR’: Holiday bazaar continues noon-3 pm at Peace Lutheran Church.Silent auction and bake sale, too. Full details on the church website. (39th SW/SW Thistle)
STUFFING/CRANBERRY SAUCE TASTING: 3-6 pm at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor), try their housemade stuffing and cranberry sauce. (41st/42nd/Admiral) *4:01 pm, reader says that despite the listing on the store’s calendar, this isn’t happening today; sorry*
And from our year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE: West Seattleites interested in helping memorialize people killed in traffic incidents are invited to gather at Ampersand Café on Alki at 10 am. Volunteers will fan out to place silhouettes at the sites where people were killed. Other groups are meeting at other sites around the city; background info here. (2536 Alki SW)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Last one before Thanksgiving! 10 am-2 pm in the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
BOOK DONATIONS: 10 am-2 pm at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth at the south end of the Farmers’ Market, Key Club members are continuing to collect donated books for reading levels K-4th, for the African Library Project – details in our calendar listing. (California SW/SW Alaska)
MEET THE GREYHOUNDS: 11 am-1 pm at Mud Bay in The Admiral District, Greyhound Pets Inc. invites you to meet some of their adoptable hounds. (2611 California SW)
JUNCTION SCULPTURE CELEBRATION: Join in the celebration of “Transpose,” the kinetic sculpture newly installed at Junction Plaza Park, today at noon. Artist Troy Pillow will be there as will community groups/members who worked on making it happen. (42nd SW/SW Alaska)
SOUTHWEST STORIES: Hear the story of ArtsWest from its founding executive director Edie Neeson:
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society-co-sponsored presentation starts at 2 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)
SEE MORE FOR TODAY … and beyond, on our complete calendar.
12:47 AM: After Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday … there’s Giving Tuesday. This year, that’s the day WestSide Baby will launch its annual JOY drive to “help keep more kids safe, warm, and dry this winter.” Here are 3 ways you can help them meet (or exceed!) their goal to distribute 80+ car seats, 600 bags of clothing, and 110,000 diapers this holiday season:
*Organize a donation drive to launch on Giving Tuesday (November 29th) – here’s what you need to make that happen
*Give a few hours on Giving Tuesday to “clear out and donate lightly used items and equipment for children aged up to 12 at one of WestSide Baby’s dropoff sites across the city”
*Volunteer at WS Baby’s HQ in White Center on Giving Tuesday – contact volunteer manager Shana Allen – shana@westsidebaby.org – to find out how to help
P.S. If you organize a drive that’s open to public participation/donation, let us know (editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can add it to the “donation drives” section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!
ADDED 9:22 AM: Here’s a drive that’s already under way … bring diapers and/or cash to C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to donate to WS Baby, “and we will buy you a coffee!” says co-proprietor Cameron.
(“Wally,” photographed by Mark Ahlness)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
Spawning season on Fauntleroy Creek closed on Friday with a total of seven coho spotted by salmon watchers.
The season began several days earlier than in years past, near dusk on October 20. Five vigorous fish entered the spawning reach across Fauntleroy Way SW from the ferry terminal, but darkness fell before any redd-building or spawning could be observed.
No more arrived until a single male on November 5 and another single male the following day. The 50 area residents who took advantage of four hours of “open creek” that afternoon with salmon watchers got to see “Wally” lazing in the fish ladder.
Watchers gave him a name because he defied the spawn-and-die-within-24-hours pattern that has been the norm. A week after entering the creek, he still had the energy to make a run up the fish ladder and was visibly deteriorating when last seen last Monday (November 14).
“Seven spawners isn’t a lot but it’s seven more than last year,” noted veteran watcher Dennis Hinton, “and during our watch, nearly 70 people got to see these amazing fish close to home.”
The season’s robust return of coho to Puget Sound defied the state’s warning that not enough eggs would be available for this school year’s Salmon in the Schools program. Most of the 71 participating schools in Seattle rear coho – and will start doing so again in January. Thanks to the return, the Fauntleroy Watershed Council was able to freeze carcasses from the Soos Creek Hatchery so that many fourth- and fifth-graders in West Seattle can have a captivating lesson in biological systems during classroom dissections this winter.
Family and friends will gather next Saturday for a funeral Mass in memory of Patricia B. Werlech. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:
Patricia B. Werlech, born December 20, 1932, youngest of 12 children, died November 5, 2016, in Seattle.
Raised in Chelan; parents Carl and Ethel Fels. Patricia is survived by her husband Donald; children Donita, Deena, Michael, and daughter-in-law Mary-Jo; grandchildren Daniel (22), Joseph (20), Michael (19) Werlech, and Anthony (21) and Alexander (18) Parker; and brother Wilbert Fels. Patricia lost a 2-year battle with cancer, passing away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.
Patricia was a homemaker and worked in a family business. She had a passion for reading, gardening, hummingbird watching, cooking, entertaining, and celebrating life. Patricia’s greatest joy and happiest times were with her 5 grandsons, doing things for them – cooking something special, cheering at their sporting events, and attending school functions – so that they would always remember Grammy. And they did. She was so proud of her grandsons.
Patricia will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, special grandmother ‘Grammy,’ and friend. Her smile and love will forever live in our hearts.
Donations can be made in her memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, November 26, 2016, at 10 am, 7000 35th Ave. SW, West Seattle. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Seattle.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
5:09 PM: Seattle Fire has just dispatched a “full response” for a possible fire in a multifamily building at 2115 California SW in North Admiral. Updates to come.
5:13 PM: First unit on scene reports it’s a “smoking bathroom fan.” Most units have been dismissed.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this evening – both requesting your help:
STOLEN ELECTRIC BICYCLE: The theft victim’s co-worker sent the notice on her behalf, saying the bike was stolen in the Admiral area last night:
My bike was stolen last night on California Ave. Please Please keep your eyes peeled for it. This bike is very important to me. It has black saddle bags that say Rad Power Bikes, a green Army bag on the handlebars, a silver handlebar behind the seat and it’s missing the front fender.
Please help me find it so I can again be as happy as I was in this picture! If anyone has info they can contact Freshy’s West Seattle, (206) 937-4316.
QUADRUPLE HIT AND RUN: From Fawn:
I’m writing you to report an incident that occurred this morning while our 11 year old son was playing soccer at the EC Hughes Playfield. Our vehicle along with three other family vehicles were side swept by a silver sedan. The car was driving erratically when it crashed into the side of the 1st car and continued to drag along the 3 other cars. A witness was able to snap a quick photo of the silver sedan as it sped away without stopping. The driver is possibly a male, but the witness did not get a good look of identifiable features. Luckily no children or adults were struck as this a busy playfield and playground for families. The incident occurred at 29th and Holden around 11:30. Attached is a photo of the getaway vehicle, but unfortunately it is too blurry to make out the license plate.
From the photo, you can see the car is a silver sedan with a rear spoiler. The car will have obvious body damage with blue/black markings from hitting the parked cars. Any help from the West Seattle community would be greatly appreciated in helping the police identify the hit and run suspect.
Please contact officer Garth Lindelf from the Southwest Precinct Patrol and reference incident #16-418443. Thank you and I appreciate any help in bringing this dangerous driver to justice.
West Seattle Nursery‘s holiday open house – on until 5 pm – is your first chance to get a look inside its just-completed greenhouse building, full of plants and gifts just in time for the holidays. The nursery’s outdoor grounds are especially festive, too:
The first trees – mostly Noble fir – arrived a few days ago.
But back to the new building: Shortly after walking in, we found its architect, Parie Hines of LD Arch Design (WSB sponsor), who demurred that it was an “easy” project.
Here’s an Instagram-video spin around inside:
Go see for yourself and enjoy treats and presentations – California/Brandon, until 5!
P.S. More backstory on the new building and its sustainability-focused features is on the LD Arch Design website. The builders also are from West Seattle – Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor).
Thanks to Lisa @ CAPERS in The Junction for the photo and report:
West Seattleite Cynthia Nims is signing her newest release “Crab” today until 3. Recipes from the book will be served all afternoon. CAPERS is celebrating their annual Holiday Open House until 6 pm.
CAPERS is at 4525 California SW.
Junction True Value (WSB sponsor) is the Christmasiest place in West Seattle right now, and not only because of their extensive stock of lights and decorations. It’s their Holiday Open House until 2 pm – treats, gifts, drawings, good cheer…
Even caroling:
Caroling at @truvalue open house. pic.twitter.com/cWnnMpZ2ms
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) November 19, 2016
You’ll also find Judi from West Seattle Food Bank by the front door accepting $ for turkey-buying:
Junction True Value is at 44th and Edmunds.
P.S. While you’re out – MANY places to stop (other open houses, bazaars, more) for one-of-a-kind local holiday gifts … see the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
9:58 AM: An annual pre-Thanksgiving tradition is happening right now outside Eastridge Church at 42nd SW and SW Oregon – free turkeys, bags of groceries, and clothing available to anyone in need, no questions asked, just comeby.
Eastridge has been doing this for more than a decade – at its Issaquah campus as well as the one here in West Seattle. Community volunteers help out, including these Girl Scouts from Troop 42553:
Above, Stephanie, Luarena, and Mallory helped hand out socks and gloves; below, Sierra and Maryn assisted with coats.
This continues until supplies run out; the line stretched down 39th to the Trader Joe’s parking entrance when this began at 9 am, but we’ve seen it move fast in the past. We’ll be checking back in an hour or so to see how it’s going.
11:35 AM: Went by – no line, still some turkeys left!
(Downy woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Huge day of happenings. First, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
TURKEY/GROCERIES GIVEAWAY: Starting at 9 am at Eastridge Church, turkey and groceries for anyone who shows up, while supplies last (hundreds will be available) – details on the church website. (39th SW/SW Oregon)
HOLIDAY BAZAAR IN THE JUNCTION: Alki Masonic Hall Holiday Bazaar, sponsored by Alki Court 21, Order of the Amaranth, 9 am-4 pm. (40th SW/SW Edmunds)
HOLIDAY BAZAAR AT TIBBETTS: Holiday Bazaar at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 10 am-2 pm, promising a “beautiful and unique selection of hand-sewn items, stocking stuffers, crafts, team spirit wares, gift baskets, and baked goods.” (3940 41st SW)
JUNCTION TRUE VALUE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Holiday Open House, Food Drive, & Ugly Sweater Contest at Junction True Value, 10 am-2 pm. “Sing along with the Christmas carolers. Enjoy homemade cookies; hot apple cider; free popcorn; free gifts; and spin-to-win prizes. Enter drawings for a Weber gas grill and a boys’ bike and girls’ bike.” Bring nonperishable food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank. (4747 44th SW)
POP-UP HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Seattle-Made Pop-Up Event at Sound & Fog Coffee/Wine Bar, 10 am-3 pm. (4735 40th SW)
HOLIDAY BAZAAR IN GATEWOOD: Holiday Bazaar at Peace Lutheran Church, 10 am-4 pm. Silent auction and bake sale, too, and lunch available 11 am-1 pm. Full details on the church website. (39th SW/SW Thistle)
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT NW ART & FRAME: Holiday Open House at Northwest Art & Frame in The Junction. “Live artist demos, open house specials, lots of free drawings throughout the day, product demonstrations, all the latest in holiday decorations, FREE samples and of course … FREE treats & goodies! Products that are being demonstrated will be 20% during their demos. The demos will change every 2.5 hours!” 10 am-5:30 pm. (4733 California SW)
WINE RELEASE: Final day, 1-7 pm, it’s fall release time at Northwest Wine Academy on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus.
That’s “Well Read,” a red wine that’s brand-new at NWWA. (6000 16th SW)
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE & NEW GREENHOUSE’S DEBUT: West Seattle Nursery Holiday Open House, 2 pm-5 pm, with your first chance to get a look inside WSN’s new greenhouse building, plus wreath-making demonstrations, talks, and Santa photos. (5275 California SW)
And from our regular West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
HOUSING EQUITY CONFERENCE: At the Senior Center/Sisson Building, registration 9:30 am, conference 10 am-3 pm, on LGBTQ housing equity in Seattle – details in our calendar listing. (4217 SW Oregon)
CARMILIA’S TURNS 14: The Junction boutique Carmilia’s is celebrating the shop’s 14th anniversary, with one more day of specials. 11 am-6 pm, discounts from 14 percent to 56 percent, and proprietor Linda Sabee promises “Bubbly and snacks served all day.” (4528 California SW)
HOW TO CREATE A WRITING GROUP: 2-4 pm, free workshop as part of “Seattle Writes,” at Southwest Library – details here. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
HIGH SCHOOLS’ DINNER/AUCTION EVENTS: Both West Seattle High School (5 pm at Metropolist in SODO) and Chief Sealth International High School (5:30 pm at SSC’s Brockey Center) have their annual fundraising dinner/auctions tonight.
FIVE-BUCK BAND: ’60s and ’70s music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
GEORGIE BRIGHT KUNKEL: The 96-year-old performer/writer/activist takes the stage at 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
‘EXTRA-SENSORY SOUL’: 9 pm, This Blinding Light, Casey Chisholm, Heron Moon perform at Parliament Tavern. 21+. $5 cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MUMFORD & SONS FILM: See the concert film at 11 pm at the Admiral Theater – details in our calendar listing. (2343 California SW)
7:35 AM: If you’re headed this way via I-5 or Beacon Hill any time soon, you might not be able to get onto the westbound West Seattle Bridge for a bit – Seattle Police are shutting down access toward the east end so they can get that semi-truck safely off the bridge. Somehow, it wound up on the westbound bridge, facing east. This probably won’t take too long but we’re making note of it just in case.
8:01 AM: As expected, SPD made short work of this, and the bridge is fully open both ways.
If you saw the big police response in the 4700 block of California SW this past hour – here’s what happened: A “person in crisis” situation inside Talarico’s, according to Seattle Police. The man was subdued by the time officers arrived, and the private ambulance in our photo was called to take him to Harborview Medical Center for an evaluation.
No injuries otherwise, police said.
Four biznotes tonight:
CARMILIA’S TURNS 14: The Junction boutique Carmilia’s is celebrating the shop’s 14th anniversary, with one more day of specials. 11 am-6 pm tomorrow, discounts will range from 14 percent to 56 percent, and proprietor Linda Sabee promises “Bubbly and snacks served all day.” (4528 California SW)
ITTO’S TURNS 1: On the north end of The Junction, Itto’s Tapas (WSB sponsor) celebrates its one-year anniversary on Monday (November 21st). Here’s the plan for this weekend and Monday:
To honor their beginnings, they will have brunch specials this weekend, as well as reverting to their first menu on Monday the 21st; Basque eggs, Charmoula Prawns with Candied Sage, as well as others will be highlighted. If you had any old favorites that you’ve been missing, Nov. 21st through Dec. 1st will be the time to dive into them. Thank you, West Seattle, for being such an amazing community! We can’t wait to celebrate together.
Brunch is 9 am-2 pm Saturday and Sunday at Itto’s, which is on the northeast corner of California and Genesee.
JUNCTION TRUE VALUE OPEN HOUSE: From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, which is full of open houses and bazaars for this weekend and beyond, one of the biggest is tomorrow at Junction True Value (WSB sponsor). Christmas carolers, homemade cookies, hot apple cider, free popcorn, free gifts, spin-to-win prizes, drawings for a Weber gas grill and kids’ bikes. Plus – an ugly-sweater contest. Bring nonperishable food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank. And shop the huge selection of Christmas lights/decorations, among everything else JTV offers. (4747 44th SW)
WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER KICKS OFF THE HOLIDAYS: One big event down, one to go for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce:
We photographed Melanie, Stephanie, and Curt from Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) during the Chamber’s After-Hours event last night at Westwood Village, which started at Wyatt’s.
Next up for the Chamber is the holiday party Mix, Mingle, and Jingle, 5:30-8 pm on December 8th at The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd SW/SW Lander) – plenty to eat, drink, and bid on. Tickets are available now via this page on the Chamber’s website.
If you’re planning to go to the Admiral Theater tonight, you might be among the first to see a film on a brand-new screen. Via reader tips/questions, and then confirmation with theater management, we learned that the Admiral is debuting the first of its new auditoriums tonight – one of the two it’s been working on for the past few months, as the landmark moviehouse is transformed into a four-screen theater, with stadium seating and other state-of-the-art touches.
We stopped in for photos after confirming with the Admiral that they plan to launch the first new auditorium tonight, with the 6:30 pm showing of “Fantastic Beasts.” This is the one where old “applique murals” were uncovered during renovation work:
With the new auditorium coming online, The Admiral is back to showing two movies at a time (“Doctor Strange” is continuing right now – see the schedule here). We’re told the other new auditorium should be ready sometime next week. Once the two new ones are both in operation, then work can begin on dividing the remaining older one.
3:24 PM: Late last night, we reported on a medical emergency that left a RapidRide C Line bus stalled on the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct and sent its driver to the hospital. As promised, we followed up with Metro this morning. The driver, they just told us, did not make it. Here’s the full news release that resulted from our inquiry:
A Metro Transit operator suffered a fatal heart attack late Thursday while driving a RapidRide C Line on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, just south of Columbia Street. Passengers on board were able to help bring the bus to a safe stop and call 9-1-1. No passengers were injured.
The incident was reported about 11:17 p.m. The driver, Sam Williams, 63, was traveling south when he said he was experiencing a heart attack and became semiconscious. Passengers noticed the bus swerving at slow speeds and quickly rushed to Williams’ aid. One passenger was able to help bring the bus to a stop in the outside lane – about six inches from the viaduct’s guardrail. Other passengers helped unbuckle the driver and remove him from his seat, and began performing CPR. A retired Auburn police officer who was driving behind the bus stopped his vehicle and helped provide aid until first responders arrived.
Williams was pronounced deceased after being transported to Harborview Medical Center.
“Those who ride Metro Transit know there is a sense of community on the bus, between passengers and drivers,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “When an incident occurs, people step up to help one another. The passengers on Sam Williams’ route exemplify the best of who we are as a region.”
“Our drivers care deeply about their passengers’ safety and comfort. We are grateful to the passengers who rushed to help Sam as soon as it was clear that he needed medical help. Sam will be missed by his friends, family, coworkers, and those who rode on his bus each day.”
“Many of us are grieving today over the loss of Sam Williams, a dedicated Metro operator for the last six years,” said Metro General Manager Rob Gannon. “I thank the passengers whose quick action to safely stop the bus prevented this from becoming an even greater tragedy.”
Williams started as a part-time operator in 2010. He achieved full-time status in 2014.
4:32 PM: We’ve learned more about Mr. Williams thanks to commenter Kelly, who informs us he was a juggler with the famous Flying Karamazov Brothers troupe. We’ve been researching his background and among other things found this podcast interview published earlier this month.
9:50 PM: Photo of Mr. Williams added above (courtesy John Cornicello). There are more tributes to him in the comments below, as well as a link to this video of a memorable TV appearance one commenter mentioned – Mr. Williams and the other Flying Karamazov Brothers teaching “Mister Rogers” how to juggle. On the group’s Facebook page, this tribute:
We are heartbroken to tell you that Sam Williams, aka Smerdyakov Karamazov, has gone on and joined the choir invisible. It was never publicly admitted, but we can all admit that he’s always been the funniest K, and his passing leaves a major hole in the world. Today is a very sad day. RIP.
Give someone a hug and tell them you love them.
Earlier this week, we noted the West Seattle/South Park-specific items that City Councilmember Lisa Herbold still had in play as the council approached its close-to-final budget votes.
The council’s votes on more than 150 changes to the mayor’s budget played out over a long day, with some items debated separately, most considered in groups. We lost track along the way. But in her newest online update, Councilmember Herbold provides this recap, in this order, of what made it through. (For the items that were voted on this week, we’ve linked the titles below to the download links from the budget meeting.)
Fauntleroy Boulevard Project – City Light has revised the description of the project to allocate $1.5 million for the street light improvements and utility pole relocations recommended by community members as integral to the revised design.
West Seattle Bridge studies – This will continue work the work begun by former Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, by adding $100,000 to complete the two studies called for in a budget action last year to carry out the evaluations called for in the West Seattle Bridge/Duwamish Corridor Whitepaper to improve safety, incident management, and traffic flow.
Age-Friendly Community Innovation Fund – This funding will support a grant program for groups in each of the seven City Council districts to apply for up to $25,000 for programs and services based on improving the lives of an aging population.
South Park Family Service Center – This funding will support health and human services, a leadership program, and an education program in South Park.
T-5 Quiet Zone – Statement of Legislative Intent for SDOT that requests that they work with the Port of Seattle, the Federal Railway Administration, and the railway companies doing business at Terminal 5, to extend the quiet zone from Terminal 5 to the Delridge Way/W Marginal Way intersection.
A task force on South Park Public Safety – To formulate and report to Council recommendations regarding the public safety and vitality of that neighborhood. Including strategies that reflect the unique situations or dynamics of the neighborhood and are culturally and linguistically responsive data-driven approach to improving the City’s relations to and effectiveness with the South Park neighborhood. The report will go to Councilmember González’s Gender Equity, Safe Communities and New Americans Committee.
Herbold’s full online update includes her other budget proposals that made it through – including the $29 million housing proposal (here’s her statement after its passage) – and some that didn’t, including this one:
Community Planning Process for Myers Way Properties, Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI) – a community planning process to determine the future uses of the Myers Way Properties. In the budget process I learned that there are 5 other District 1 land-banked properties that have pending requests for planning resources. Moving this one forward would have resulted in the Myers Way property “jumping the line.”
At least three of the sites awaiting planning are in West Seattle – the landbanked park sites north of Morgan Junction Park, on SW Charlestown, and on 40th SW (where the temporary Fire Station 32 is now).
Meantime, the amended budget is due to be finalized next week.
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:
CAR THEFT: Sarah reports her 2010 graphite Subaru Outback was stolen early this morning in the 3700 block of SW Cloverdale [map]. Plate 872ZGT. Call 911 if you see it.
CAR PROWLS: We’re about four blocks west of Sarah and found that both of our cars had been prowled early this morning. The only evidence: The glove boxes were open and what few bits of trash were in them were strewn around. Apparently we left them unlocked last night because we changed our plans at the last minute regarding heading out to community meetings. Two connector/charger cords stolen; we keep them in one car because sometimes breaking-news coverage requires recharging the phones. We’ve filed a police report online – if it happens to you, here’s where to start.
ITEMS FOUND NEAR CHURCH: Stolen? Lost?
The finder, who asked to be anonymous, reports, “I found a pile of items in the alley parking lot (near Tibbetts United Methodist Church at 3940 41st SW). It looks as though maybe someone’s car was stolen or broken into and these items were thrown aside. It includes some Rick climbing gear like shoes, a harness, a clamp, etc., some clothing and several books. No names that I could see. If someone is missing these things I have given them to the office staff at the church.” You can call Tibbetts UMC (a WSB sponsor) to ask about the items, 206-932-7777.
(This morning’s sunrise, photographed by Marc Milrod)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
FALL WINE RELEASE: Again today (and tomorrow), 1-7 pm, the Northwest Wine Academy on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus is open for you to taste and buy its fall releases. Free tasting and free parking. More info in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
WINE TASTING: Try and buy wine at the Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) tasting room, 5-9 pm. (5910 California SW)
DUWAMISH RIVER CHOCOLATE FEST: 5:30-8 pm, drink beer, wine, and/or cider and eat chocolate to benefit the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse – details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
(Another view of this morning’s sunrise, photographed by Bradetta Vines)
BINGO NIGHT: Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School invites you to Charlie Brown Bingo Night, 6-9 pm in the school gym: “This is a great opportunity to help our school to buy resources while you are enjoying delicious food and winning great prizes.” (20th SW/SW Roxbury)
HPIC MOVIE NIGHT: At Highland Park Improvement Club:
Doors open at 6:00 pm with a children’s short at 6:15 and the main movie at 7. Free admission. Volunteers will be selling popcorn, candy, and other movie fare. Bring blankets and pillows or sit in our chairs. This is an all ages event. Bring your friends, family and neighbors.
Double Feature!
Short movie hint: Squeal! Fun times with some animated animals!
Feature movie hint: This 2005 PG (1 hr 37 minutes) movie features a governess who uses magic to rein in the behavior of seven ne’er-do-well children in her charge.
(12th SW/SW Holden)
SPAGHETTI DINNER: Join the local high schools’ Key Clubs for their fundraising spaghetti dinner, 6:45-8:45 pm at West Seattle High School:
At this event, there will be raffle prizes, cake walks, a photo booth, and so much more!
Tickets to enter are $10, and everyone is welcomed! There will be a dessert potluck, so please feel free to bring your favorite sweet dish! Thank you for supporting your local Key Clubs!
(3000 California SW)
‘SWEET, SWEET MUSIC’: Trillium Soul headlines the Fauntleroy Church concert-series return, featuring Irene Stewart on violin, 7 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (9140 California SW)
‘PETER AND THE STARCATCHER’: Night two of ArtsWest‘s winter production; curtain time, 7:30 pm. Find ticket info in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)
MUMFORD & SONS CONCERT FILM: 11 pm at Admiral Theater – details here. (2343 California SW)
MORE! for today/tonight/this weekend and beyond. Browse our complete calendar!
Thanks to Jake for the report: “I spotted a coyote this morning at 35th and Hinds [map] around 7:30 am. It jumped into a bush before I could get a pic. It appeared to be in good health and didn’t seem to be in a big hurry or especially skittish. It looked to weigh about 45 lbs.”
For more than eight years now, we’ve published coyote-sighting reports when we get them as a reminder that they live among us – (especially with new people arriving, not everyone knows that!). This one-sheet from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife has info on what to do if you see one (in short: scare it away) and how else to foster coexistence.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:02 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far.
Alerts and updates:
BRIDGE WORK STARTING AT 8 AM: Announced Thursday by SDOT, the left eastbound lane will be closed on the bridge, between the 1st and 4th Ave. S. exits, 8 am-4 pm.
FERRY SPILLOVER OVER: Washington State Ferries announced last night that the Point Defiance-Tahlequah (south Vashon) run would be back in operation today, so you don’t have to worry about spillover on the Fauntleroy-(north) Vashon run.
7:20 AM: Texter sends this photo from East Marginal Way:
“Situation right now on Marginal Way S. for a half-mile to T-46. That’s three rows of vehicles all headed northbound,” they write.
7:25 PM: Also visible on this traffic cam:
11:48 PM: The emergency response that is backing up southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct traffic right now involves a C Line bus driver, according to Jon, who e-mailed us right after someone else texted about the traffic situation. He says his wife was on the bus and reported that the driver had a medical emergency, possibly a heart attack, right after the bus got onto the Viaduct from Columbia. The call is on the SFD log as a “med 7 response” (major medical situation) but there’s been no official information yet. If you are headed this way, avoid SB 99 for now.
12:06 AM: Still nothing official on this, not even a traffic alert, and nothing on the scanner, so we are not likely to be able to get followup information until tomorrow. The closest traffic cam shows traffic moving, slowly, southbound just north of the scene, with police-car lights visible.
12:38 AM: That traffic cam shows the emergency response has cleared, as has traffic.
FRIDAY, 3:30 PM: Metro reports that the driver died, and that passengers took heroic action both to try to save him, and to get the bus under control. Here’s their news release.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Even as the City Council gets closer to finalizing the city budget containing the resolution formalizing the mayor’s slashing of ties with neighborhood district councils, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council is charging forward, and even growing.
Here’s what happened at its meeting last night:
DISTRICT COUNCIL’S FUTURE: Chair Mat McBride says that so far, discussions have focused on having the group work more as a cooperative as it goes forward, centered on how the groups at the table can “assist each other” in meeting their goals for the Delridge community. Certainly the group might still seek the occasional city presentation, but those likely won’t be as common, as the focus will remain more intra-Delridge.
One member asked what engagement with the city will look like from now on. “What do you think it should look like?” asked Pete Spalding. “I think it’s up to us now.”
Other topics of discussion included where to meet – an issue now that the city will no longer be providing the ~$500 annual funding that covered costs of renting meeting venues. It was decided that at least for the first quarter of next year, the group will meet at Highland Park Improvement Club. The meetings will still be 7 pm on third Wednesdays. As per longstanding tradition, DNDC won’t meet in December, so its next meeting will be January 18th.
What about the area covered by the council? asked one member – should it be smaller? larger? Could be bigger, McBride acknowledged. Some wondered if South Park might be a good addition. In the meantime, the list of member groups/organizations/institutions grew by one last night: Read More
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