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What’s ahead for your West Seattle Wednesday
December 14, 2016 9:58 am
|    Comments Off on What’s ahead for your West Seattle Wednesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Bewick’s Wren, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

CRAFT FAIR: You’re invited to today’s Craft Fair at the Salvation Army, 10 am-6 pm. (9050 16th SW)

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am-11 am, for ages 3-5, at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)

LOCAL BIZ MEETUP: Entrepreneur? Proprietor? Wannabe businessperson? Noon-1:15 pm, come to this week’s free meetup at West Seattle’s only coworking center, Office Junction. (WSB sponsor; 6040 California SW)

DINE OUT BENEFIT FOR WSHS SOPHOMORES: 2-9 pm, Shelby’s in The Junction is donating a percentage of proceeds to the West Seattle High School sophomore class. (4752 California SW)

DINE OUT BENEFIT FOR ALKI ELEMENTARY: 3-9 pm at Chipotle in The Junction, a percentage of the proceeds benefit the Alki Elementary Learning Garden project. (4730 California SW)

FOOD DRIVE AT SOUTHWEST POOL: As we noted on Monday, you can bring in nonperishable-food donations during pool hours and/or bring in 3 items to get discounted prices for specific swims this week. Tonight – 7:30 pm public swim! (2801 SW Thistle)

BUILD A GINGERBREAD HOUSE: Free Gingerbread House Building Event for the community – Delridge Community Center, 6-7:30 pm. Must pre-register, barcode #158853, so call the center ASAP to register, 206-684-7423. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

CHRISTMAS PARTY: Trinity West Seattle hosts a free West Seattle Christmas Party for the community, 6 pm. Dessert bar, free photos with Santa Claus, Santa’s workshop for kids, live music. (7551 35th SW)

SANTA AT PEGASUS: Come get your Santa photos at Pegasus Pizza on Alki, 6-9 pm. Images free with any purchase. (2770 Alki SW)

‘GET FIT WEST SEATTLE’ INFO NIGHT: A new couch-to-half-marathon training program is about to start at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), and tonight at 7 pm, you’re invited to the store to find out about it. (2743 California SW)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ HOLIDAY PARTY: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, this month’s meeting is a holiday celebration. (9131 California SW)

AND THERE’S MORE … for today, tonight, and beyond, on our complete calendar.

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Celebration of Life on Sunday for Bette Markley, 1918-2016
December 14, 2016 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Celebration of Life on Sunday for Bette Markley, 1918-2016
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather on Sunday to remember Bette Markley, 98. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Bette Markley, born in Seattle on June 6, 1918, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2016 – a full 98 years of life. Bette grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1936.

Working with her Dad in Roullard’s Public Market, she met and married Bob at the close of World War II and together raised their family after returning to West Seattle. She returned to work as a medical receptionist and stenographer to support the family when Bob fell ill. Additionally, she served as secretary to the King County Academy of Family Physicians.

She was always positive, supporting and encouraging others and extending a genuine kindness and concern for neighbors, friends and most especially her family.

She loved to travel. She and Bob toured Europe numerous times in their camper van through their 80s, and she celebrated her 87th birthday on safari in Africa with her brother.

Bette is survived by her brother Richard Roullard (Shirley); her daughter Shannon, sons David (Jeanne) and Scott (Sally); and grandson Galen.

A celebration of her life will be held at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW) on Sunday December 18, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to The Kenney Foundation, Resident Care Fund; 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136-2008.

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

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER TODAY: Wednesday watch
December 14, 2016 6:48 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(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)

6:48 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. But it’s at or below freezing out there, so ice is possible here and there. The National Weather Service‘s “forecast discussion” says flurries are possible tonight but nothing major.

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BIZNOTES: HomeStreet, Lodge, Cactus
December 14, 2016 6:40 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle biznotes:

LEADERSHIP CHANGE AT HOMESTREET BANK: Change at the top for West Seattle’s branch of HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) – vice president Melodie Van Houten has left to lead the Federal Way branch, and Nam Le is West Seattle’s new branch manager. They posed with Santa during last Friday’s open house in West Seattle:

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Van Houten was active with many West Seattle community organizations during her time here, including the Chamber of Commerce. Federal Way is much closer to where she lives. P.S. Another holiday event is coming up Friday at the Junction branch of HomeStreet (4022 SW Alaska) – which marks its third anniversary this month – a mini-bazaar noon-5 pm, with local vendors plus cocoa and cookies for visitors.

THE LODGE IS OPEN: Also in The Junction – thanks to the commenters who’ve pointed out that The Lodge Sports Grille has opened its West Seattle location (4209 SW Alaska), a year and a half after first word that it was on the way. We last wrote about it November 25th, noting that proprietor Shawn Roten said it would be opening despite the parent company’s Chapter 11 filing, which continues to make its way through the court system; all Lodge locations remain open.

CACTUS REOPENS TODAY: As mentioned here December 4th, Cactus at 2820 Alki SW has been closed for a little over a week for a “10-year refresh.” General manager Darin Kawabata tells WSB the work is on schedule, and that Cactus will reopen today, as expected.

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TIME-LAPSE VIDEO: See road-building inside the Highway 99 tunnel
December 13, 2016 9:55 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

That time-lapse video shows road-building inside the under-construction Highway 99 tunnel, and it accompanies WSDOT’s latest update on tunneling progress. The tunneling machine is now more than 70 percent of the way along the 9,270-foot route, according to WSDOT, which included the video in this update published today. It’s the second update of the week – this one details progress at the tunnel’s “south portal.” It’s been almost a full year since tunneling resumed on December 22, 2015, two years and two weeks after the machine stalled.

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UPDATE: West Seattle shooting investigation after victim brought to Fire Station 37
December 13, 2016 7:01 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WS breaking news

7:01 PM: Avoid 35th/Holden – SPD and SFD are dealing with an “assault with weapons” response right now. More to come.

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(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)

7:11 PM: Awaiting word from our crew headed to the scene, but so far we’re hearing this is reported to be a case of someone shot elsewhere and taken to Fire Station 37 (which is what’s at the address on the real-time 911 log, 7700 35th SW).

7:27 PM: At Station 37, SFD tells WSB’s Christopher Boffoli that an 18-year-old man showed up there with a gunshot wound and has been taken to Harborview. No information on his condition. Police have left FS 37 and Christopher is off to the second scene, reported to be at or near the small commercial center on the northeast corner of 35th/Roxbury.

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7:52 PM: Police there were leaving but Christopher did find out they suspect the victim was NOT shot near A Pizza Mart as reported; the store’s owner told Christopher he’s been there since 11 am and there have been no disturbances, let alone shootings, nearby. Meantime, SPD tweeted that the victim’s wound is not life-threatening.

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FOLLOWUP: Metro going ahead with plan to remove two bus shelters in Junction
December 13, 2016 4:58 pm
|      50 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Metro has just announced its final decision on two bus shelters in The Junction: They’re going, not staying.
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(WSB photo from October; shelters set for removal are the two on the right)

The original announcement of a removal plan for the two shelters on the west end of the south side of SW Alaska between California and 44th was made via signage that appeared on those shelters – and two NOT proposed for removal – on October 22nd; then concerns arose that the announcement, part of a Junction problem-solving plan, had been made without a chance for comment. So a comment period was opened up, until November 18th, and Metro told us at the time its decision would be made within “weeks.” Now, it’s here:

As part of an effort to address customer comfort and access to Metro bus service as well as to address non-transit use including illegal and uncivil behavior at the Alaska Junction, Metro is moving forward with the retention of two of the four oversized “double” shelters at one of the six transit bays in the area of California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street as soon as December 20.

The decision to remove two of the shelters was finalized after several weeks of public feedback and further analysis of rider usage. With this change, the remaining two double shelters at Bay 2 will continue to provide a weather-protected area sufficient for the riders who use these facilities. Metro also provides two RapidRide shelters at Bay 1 for transit riders. The removed shelters will be reused at other bus stops that are in need of shelters, and the artwork will be relocated to bus shelters within the Junction.

Bay 2 is served by routes 50 (Alki to Othello Station) and 128 (Admiral to White Center and Southcenter). Route 50 generally operates every 20-30 minutes and Route 128 every 30 minutes. Metro staff were sent to the location to observe how riders were using the stops at different times and days. Staff observed between zero and five customers waiting for buses at any one time under normal conditions, based on recent observations during peak and off-peak hours.

Metro solicited comments between October 28 and November (18th) and received feedback from both riders and non-riders, some opposed and some supporting the change. The majority of comments opposed to the removal were based on the misconception that Metro intended to remove all shelters at this location.

The change is expected to reduce non-transportation use of Metro facilities, and to better match transit facility supply and demand.

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Pay by the mile, instead of by the gallon? Testers sought for state experiment
December 13, 2016 4:43 pm
|      68 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Should road-usage charges replace gas taxes? The state is looking at the idea, and looking for volunteers to help figure it out. Here’s the announcement, just out of the WSB inbox:

Drivers will have a chance to “test drive” a proposed system that would charge them by the mile, rather than by the gallon of gas for their road usage. The Washington State Transportation Commission today approved a plan to conduct a Road Usage Charge pilot project in fall 2017 that will simulate how this system might work.

“As the fuel efficiency of vehicles increases, gas consumption decreases and this equates to a reduction in gas tax revenues over time. The gas tax serves as the major source of funding for building and maintaining our state highways and ferries,” said Commission Chairman Jerry Litt. “Under the direction of the state Legislature, the commission has been assessing a road usage charge as a possible replacement for the gas tax in the future.”

The commission’s Executive Director Reema Griffith added, “During the commission’s evaluation over the past four-plus years, we’ve determined a road usage charge is feasible and that it could produce the revenue needed for Washington’s roads well into the future.”

The commission’s next step is to test the concept with the public and see what people think of it based upon actual experience using it. Recruitment will begin in spring 2017, with up to 2,000 volunteers needed from across the state to participate in the year-long test. Individuals who want to learn more about the project and have an interest in participating can visit the Road Use Charge website at www.waroadusagecharge.org.

Pilot project participants will choose different ways to participate and report their vehicle’s mileage. Some options do not involve any technology, such as manually reporting odometer readings; others do involve technology utilizing smartphones or in-vehicle technology. Because this is a simulation, participants will not be charged for any miles driven.

A 25-member steering committee has guided this work since 2012. The steering committee includes representatives from: auto and truck manufacturers, ports, environmental groups, trucking industry, cities, public transportation, business community and state agencies. The committee also includes three transportation commissioners and eight legislators.

A key finding from the work of the steering committee is that the gas tax is becoming more and more inequitable. Under Washington state’s current gas tax system, drivers pay widely different amounts for roadway use, depending on their vehicle’s fuel efficiency; those driving older, less efficient vehicles fill up more often and therefore, pay more in taxes. This inequity is expected to grow each year as vehicle fuel efficiency continues to rise, and as more alternative fuel vehicles that don’t use gas at all come onto the market.

Currently, 14 other states are evaluating a shift from the gas-tax revenue model to a road use charge. Funding for this work stems from a $3.8 million Federal Highway Administration competitive grant received earlier this year.

Here’s the slide deck that accompanied this agenda item, on the first day of a two-day meeting for the WSTC. Tomorrow morning its topics include tolling updates, one of which will focus on the future Highway 99 tunnel (see the agenda here).

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MYERS WAY ENCAMPMENT: City Council committee briefing tomorrow; WWRHAH letter, post-meeting
December 13, 2016 12:55 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Myers Way | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Two updates related to the city’s plans to change a Myers Way encampment from unsanctioned to sanctioned, one of three new authorized encampments announced almost two weeks ago:

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING TOMORROW: When the council’s Human Services and Public Health Committee meets at 2 pm Wednesday (City Hall, downtown), its agenda includes an update from the city’s director of homelessness George Scarola on the interim plan that includes three “new” authorized encampments, including one on Myers Way in southeast West Seattle. Here’s the slide deck just added to the meeting agenda:

(If you can’t read it via the embedded document, here’s a direct link to it on the city website.) Two notes of local interest – one, it says the city is still talking with potential operators of the Myers Way encampment, which suggests that Camp Second Chance, which has been there without authorization since July, might not be the operator after all. Second, it mentions showers open for use at Delridge Community Center “since December 1st”; our understanding is that they’ve been available longer than that. Tomorrow’s meeting, by the way, as with most Council meetings, has a public-comment period, and will be live on Seattle Channel (cable 21, seattlechannel.org).

COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Following up on last week’s meeting at Greenbridge about news of the authorized encampment (WSB coverage here), Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council chair Amanda Kay Helmick has sent Scarola this letter voicing community concerns. We were copied and are publishing it in its entirety below: Read More

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West Seattle development: New apartment building proposed for Junction
December 13, 2016 11:22 am
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

42nd Avenue SW continues to be the busiest street for West Seattle Junction redevelopment. Newly filed documents show the local developers who built Junction Flats at 4433 42nd SW have a new early-stage proposal on the same block, between SW Genesee and SW Oregon. We just found the “site plan” for 4417 42nd SW in the city Department of Construction and Inspection files. The site plan filed less than a week ago proposes a four-story building with 55 apartments and an unspecified number of underground parking spaces. The site plan shows the new building replacing what county records say are three 1930s-built houses at 4417, 4421, and 4423 42nd SW, separated from Junction Flats by a parking lot owned by the West Seattle Eagles. No formal application filed yet, but this will have to go through the Design Review process.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Holiday concert, neighborhood meetings, discipline discussion, more…
December 13, 2016 9:01 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Holiday concert, neighborhood meetings, discipline discussion, more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Downy woodpecker – our state’s smallest woodpecker! – photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

FOOD DRIVE AT SOUTHWEST POOL: As we noted on Monday, you can drop off nonperishable-food donations during pool hours and/or bring in 3 items to get discounted prices for specific swims this week. Tonight – 8:30 pm water exercise. (2801 SW Thistle)

BABY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library, for 4- to 12-month-olds and their parents/guardians/caregivers. (35th SW/SW Henderson)

DINE OUT FOR OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE: 2-9 pm at Shelby’s Bistro and Ice Creamery, 10 percent of the proceeds today/tonight go to Our Lady of Guadalupe School. (4752 California SW)

COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON SCHOOL DISCIPLINE: 6-8 pm at the Salvation Army in West Seattle, families and students are invited to this dialogue, presented by the Southwest King County Discipline Coalition, to help shape how schools in our state handle discipline. Whether you can or can’t be there, you’re also invited to take this survey. More info here. (9050 16th SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building/Senior Center, it’s the meeting that had to be postponed when the city booked the big “open house” for last Wednesday. (Added) The agenda includes:

6:40 P.M. Election of 2017 Southwest District Council Officers

· Nominations for Chair and/or Co-Chairs: David Whiting, Eric Iwamoto
· Nominations for Vice Chair (see Co-Chairs)
· Nominations for Secretary: Vicki Schmitz Block
· Nominations for CNC Representative:

6:50 P.M. Discussion on changes to SWDC Bylaws

7:10 P.M. Proposed Rezone Changes

· Recap on last week’s HALA Mandatory Rezone Meeting(s) in West Seattle
· Overview of proposed changes

7:40 P.M. Southwest District Council Business

· CNC Update
· Announcements
· Other business

(4217 SW Oregon)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral, with an agenda – as previewed here – including a citywide proposal for a “renters’ commission.” (42nd SW/SW Lander)

COMMUNITY MEDITATION: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center: “Meditation instruction offered at the start of each evening, with tea and open discussion following group meditation for any who wish to participate.” Free. More info in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

HOLIDAY CONCERT: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 12 & Warm Holiday Classics. West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ final concert of the season. “Our Intermediate Orchestra will perform familiar works by Bizet and Dvorak as well as a contemporary treatment of ‘Hatikvah,’ an Israeli traditional folk song. A special treat is the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 12, featuring the orchestra’s own piano prodigy, Vincent Pham, age 12. The Wind Symphony will follow up with classical wind ensemble pieces and holiday favorites including Leroy Anderson’s ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘A Christmas Festival’.” 7 pm, Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. FREE! (donations appreciated, of course!) (2600 SW Thistle)

CLASSIC COUNTRY: That’s what The Rolling Blackouts play, and they’re at Parliament Tavern 8-11 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch; Sounders march/rally
December 13, 2016 6:51 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch; Sounders march/rally
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(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)

6:48 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. Also, no snow, though you might encounter some showers if you are heading north out of the city.

Today’s big traffic alert will be for the Sounders march and rally celebrating the MLS Cup victory. Here’s the SDOT alert. While it all starts at 11 am, heading from Westlake Park to Seattle Center, some road closures will start earlier, so be aware of that if you commute on the late side. The Sounders’ media advisory says: “All intersections along the main march route, which follows Fourth Avenue north from the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Pine Street before turning right on Cedar Street to continue north on Fifth Avenue to Thomas Street, will be closed to traffic beginning at 9:00 am PT.”

7:36 AM: Crash reported at Delridge and Oregon.

7:48 AM: That call was revised to Oregon and 23rd and then closed on the real-time 911 log, meaning SFD is no longer on the scene.

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HOLIDAY GIVING: Nucor’s 2-tons-and-more gift for the West Seattle Food Bank
December 12, 2016 9:58 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

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It’s been a holiday tradition at West Seattle’s Nucor Steel mill for many years – collecting food and money to make it a happier season for the people helped by the West Seattle Food Bank. And today was delivery day!

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Judi Yazzolino from the WS Food Bank shares the update and photos:

Employees of Nucor Steel collected food and funds over the past month for the WSFB in their annual Holiday Food/Funds Drive. The food donated by employees totaled 4,180 pounds and employees contributed $2306. Nucor matches $2 for every employee donation (pound or $1), for a grand total of $16,150. Thank you to Nucor and all of its employees for helping our clients have a very happy holiday!

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As a result of all these years of partnership, WS Food Bank honored Nucor last May with its first “Instrument of Change” award.

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FOLLOWUP: What caused Saturday’s vault fire, outage in West Seattle
December 12, 2016 9:04 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

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(Saturday photo, by Matt)

As promised, we followed up with Seattle City Light today about Saturday’s underground-electrical-vault problem that took out power for almost 4,000 homes and businesses. It happened right outside Spruce/LA Fitness at 39th SW/Fauntleroy Way/SW Alaska shortly after 1 pm; people reported hearing explosions, and then – as shown in the top photo – smoke began pouring out of the vault covers in the street. Some WSB commenters noted that there had been a “planned” outage in the area the night before, and in his response to our inquiry, City Light spokesperson Scott Thomsen confirmed a connection:

The underlying cause of the vault fire and outage was the failure of a piece of equipment called a j-box, which is essentially a high-voltage power strip.

The planned outage [Friday night] allowed our crews to install new equipment, including cable, which was spliced into an old cable. After it was energized, the j-box connected to the section of old cable is what failed. The crew isolated the damage and made repairs.

Seattle Fire’s time on scene was relatively short – all but one unit was cleared within less than an hour; we checked today with SFD spokesperson Lt. Harold Webb, who explained, “City Light was on scene when we arrived and quickly secured the vault and did not require further SFD standby.” But effects of the outage kept them busy, he added: “We had numerous elevator removals [in the area] due to widespread power outages.” No one was hurt. The last 130+ customers without power didn’t get it back, as noted in our updates, for almost eight hours.

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PHOTOS: Denny International Middle School’s Posada Navideña
December 12, 2016 8:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Photos by Leda Costa for West Seattle Blog

Piñata time.

How often do you get to take a swing at a piñata with the help of a school principal? At Denny International Middle School – at least once a year. That’s Denny principal Jeff Clark in his legendary “Denny Dolphins blue” suit at last Friday night’s Posada Navideña holiday celebration on campus. Along with games and food, music and dance filled the night:

Dancing to the Banda Vagos.

Some of the performers were students, including the Folklorico Club from Chief Sealth International High School next door:

Chief Sealth Folklorico Club

And the Denny/Sealth Mariachi Band, with alumni joining students.

Denny/Chief Sealth Mariachi band with students and almni. Beginning mid-January, Denny will start their Mariachi club for any interested students.

Denny’s Mariachi Club, by the way, starts up again in January, for any interested students. Meantime, the crowd was again delighted by guest stars Banda Vagos:

Banda Vagos

They’re a popular Seattle group performing the brass-based “banda” style of music:

Banda Vagos.

And once they got going, some Posada-goers just had to dance:

Dancing to the Banda Vagos.

It was a night for memories – Andrea LaVare snapped the Folklorico Club::

Andrea LaVare taking a photo of the Chief Sealth Folklorico Club

Thanks to Denny PTSA co-president Manuela Slye for the lineup on this year’s event, which also included activities including writing thank-you notes for teachers and, for any interested families, a chance to get clothing and supplies courtesy of Communities in Schools:

Community Schools giving free clothing and school supplies to families.

The Posada is now a longtime Denny holiday tradition – the first one was back in 2010

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Unanimous approval for West Seattle-residing City Councilmembers’ historic anti-hate resolution
December 12, 2016 7:08 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Do you know how the city’s hate-crime law works, and doesn’t work? Awareness-raising is part of what the city hopes to accomplish with councilmembers unanimously passing Seattle’s first anti-hate resolution today. It was sponsored by the two West Seattle-residing councilmembers – District 1’s Lisa Herbold and at-large (citywide) Lorena González. You can read the text here. The news release announcing the passage quotes Herbold as saying that it’s “our duty as a city to be explicit in our support and protection for our friends, our family members, our caregivers, activists, educators, social workers, and service industry employees and other members of vulnerable constituencies who are threatened by malicious acts.” González also is quoted: ““With today’s vote we unequivocally state that we will not capitulate to fear. Together, we will make it easier for people to report incidents of bias-motivated threats, harassment, and violence.” Herbold explained the inspiration for the resolution in this post last week.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen CR-V; package theft on video; more…
December 12, 2016 3:21 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN CAR: From Mark:

I want to report a stolen vehicle and ask folks to watch for it. We’ve already made a police report. My wife’s teal green 1997 Honda CR-V was stolen from in front of our house on Gatewood Hill sometime between 9 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. (December 11-12). The license plate number is ASL1972 and the VIN number is JHLRD1854VCO37773. Although I don’t have a photo of the car itself, the attached photo is of the same make/model/year vehicle and color.

PACKAGE THIEF: This one struck in Sylvan Ridge on Friday – Joey sent the clip:

UPPER MORGAN PROWLER: Jeff sent the clip:

It accompanied his message to neighbors: “We had another unwelcome visitor last night at 1:35 AM. He walked in off of the alley between 38th SW and 39th SW until enough lights went on to discourage him. If you had anything disturbed this could be the guy.”

MISSING A BIKE? No photo, but Vivian says, “Last night and again this am there are two bikes, not locked up, on the SE corner of Holden and 24th. One on the ground, the other next standing next to a tree.”

Thanks again to everyone sharing Crime Watch reports so your neighbors all around the peninsula know more about what’s happening – hope crime does NOT happen to you, but if it does, once you’ve reported it to police (911 if it’s happening now or just happened), let us know … 206-293-6302 if breaking, editor@westseattleblog.com if not — thank you.

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HOLIDAY GIVING: Southwest Pool food drive = discount swimming!
December 12, 2016 1:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Westwood

From Anthony at Southwest Pool:

Southwest Pool is collecting nonperishable food and snacks for the West Seattle Food Bank. Last year we brought in 300 pounds of donations. The food drive is now through Friday (December 16th).

To give back for community support, today through Friday, the Southwest Pool will also have specific discounted swims for persons who donate 3 or more nonperishables to the activity.

Here’s the schedule for that:

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Southwest Pool is at 2801 SW Thistle.

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Help fix the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route: Volunteer for the task force
December 12, 2016 12:50 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Live WSF webcam photo from Fauntleroy dock)

As part of the process of fixing problems plaguing the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth (aka “Triangle”) ferry route, Washington State Ferries promised last month that it would put together a task force. Today, WSF has taken the next step – calling for volunteers:

WSF is now seeking volunteers for the Triangle Improvement Task Force. The task force is the citizen advisory group that will be charged with:

· examining the situation on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth ferry route
· recommending “quick wins” to improve service by summer 2017
· coming up with recommendations for the long term

The task force will begin meeting in January and will consist of nine volunteers, three each from the Fauntleroy, Vashon and Southworth communities. For more information on the process and to apply to be a task force member, please visit our volunteer application page. Applications for volunteers are due Dec. 27, 2016.

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FOLLOWUP: Generosity decks the hall @ first West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair
December 12, 2016 10:35 am
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Generosity decks the hall @ first West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

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(Saturday photo by Clay Eals: At left, Pat Gedney talks with Southwest Seattle Historical Society volunteer Bobbie Meehan while contemplating the purchase of a blue, etched Alki Lighthouse during the Alternative Giving Fair)

Were you part of local holiday history last weekend? Judy Pickens tells WSB that many people opened their hearts and wallets during a first-of-its-kind holiday-giving event:

On Saturday, West Seattle residents dipped their toes into a different way of giving to family and friends by donating $6,895 to nonprofits during this area’s first Alternative Giving Fair. Hosted by Fauntleroy Church, the fair featured 15 local and international organizations that support elders, care for the natural world, feed the hungry, and promote healthy communities. Thanks, West Seattle, for bypassing more stuff, to give from the heart!

Still looking for holiday-giving opportunities? See the WSB Holiday Guide.

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What’s up for your West Seattle Monday
December 12, 2016 9:00 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

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(Hummingbird in Fauntlee Hills – photographed by Jamie Kinney)

Highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:

AT HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB: Afternoon and evening yoga, and then Dads’ Book Club tonight. Check the HPIC calendar for more. (12th SW/SW Holden)

WSHS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL BENEFIT: 5:30-8:30 pm all-you-can-eat taco bar at Pecado Bueno, benefiting the West Seattle High School Girls’ Basketball program via the WSHS Booster Club. (4523 California SW)

‘THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL PASSION’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest, the second of four performances of this Pulitzer Prize-winning choral work. Ticket info is in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

WAX & OIL: Live oil painting and DJ set, 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern. Details in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

CRACKER FACTORY: Live at West Seattle Brewing in The Triangle, 8 pm. 21+. (4515 Fauntleroy Way SW)

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TRAFFIC & WEATHER TODAY: Monday watch
December 12, 2016 6:48 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC & WEATHER TODAY: Monday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(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)

6:48 AM: Good morning! No new snow but the National Weather Service says there’s a chance of a little bit late today or tonight – not even enough chance for an official alert, though.

No traffic incidents in or from West Seattle so far.

One more note – it’s the last week before winter break; Seattle Public Schools will get out one hour early this Friday, and then it’s break time until classes resume Tuesday, January 3rd.

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West Seattle development: Comment time for projects in Morgan Junction, South Delridge
December 11, 2016 10:35 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Two projects in West Seattle are going through Design Review, but at the levels that don’t require public meetings, so if either or both interest you, you’ll want to send in comments ASAP. First one is in north Morgan Junction:

6016 CALIFORNIA SW: This project [map] is going through “administrative design review.” It’s proposed for 36 apartments – thirty of them “small efficiency dwelling units,” formerly known as microhousing – plus three live-work units. No offstreet vehicle parking; 28 spaces for bicycles. Through December 21st, you can comment on “early design guidance,” which focuses on the size and shape of the project. The EDG “packet” by architecture firm Hybrid is here, including this roughed-out concept:

6016

The official notice explains how to comment. We first wrote about redevelopment plans for this site back in August.

Now, the South Delridge project:

9217 and 9223 16TH SW: December 21st also is the comment deadline for this eight-unit, four-building townhouse project [map], which is going through “streamlined design review.”

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See the full “packet” by Ryan Rhodes Designs by going here. It says the project proposes one offstreet-parking space per unit. The official notice shows how to comment.

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