West Seattle, Washington
14 Thursday
Another Christmas lights double feature tonight – first, West Seattle’s own Charlie Brown Christmas:
Don Rice sent the photo of his long-running display in North Admiral (last featured here in 2013), and notes:
For over 40 years, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang have come to this location in West Seattle, to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
You’ll find them in the 2100 block of 47th SW.
Meantime, another display we showcased a while back – 2011, to be precise – is still shining bright, we found out tonight:
The classic Santa with his sleigh and reindeer are in that yard on 39th SW between SW Andover and SW Bradford.
Still welcoming suggestions, with or without photos, as Christmas Eve and Day approach! editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you! Lights already featured are archived here, newest-to-oldest.
Family and friends will gather next month to celebrate the life of Roberta C. “Bobbie” Healy. Here’s the remembrance being shared with her community:
Roberta (Bobbie) Carol Healy of Seattle passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Swedish Hospital, Edmonds, with her family by her side. She was born July 17, 1940, in Grants Pass, Oregon. She was the youngest daughter of Gordon and Cora Carline.
Bobbie lived her childhood years in Ellensburg until her family moved to Bellevue, where she graduated from Bellevue High School in 1958. She married Duane Healy in 1960 and soon welcomed their two sons Patrick and Michael. Duane’s work took them to California for a few years; then they returned to Washington State and later settled in their West Seattle home. The family enjoyed camping in their travel trailer and frequent trips to the ocean in the boys’ younger years.
Her favorite outings throughout her childhood years were those spent with her parents and Sister Jackie at Mutiny Bay Resort on Whidbey Island. The beach, salt air, and camaraderie of the resort were everlasting. During the boy’s school years, they purchased a place in the resort. It became a sanctuary away from the city life, a second home to her boys, and a world of lifelong friends and extended family.
Bobbie was exquisitely creative and had a love for design and craft. Over the years she enjoyed candle making, ceramics, driftwood collage, dried flower arranging, sewing, and scrapbooking, to name a few. If something was new and trending, you could bet that she was already making it! She especially loved doing projects with her boys and nieces, and loved making gifts for family and friends. The digital age opened up a completely new avenue and prompted her passion for document design and desktop publishing.
Bobbie’s career in the towing industry spanned decades. As a dispatcher for many of Seattle’s major towing companies, she was highly recognized as the best dispatcher in the city throughout her career. Her wit and charm reached thousands over the radio waves, and although some had never met her face to face, they knew her well. After leaving the towing industry, she went to work as the friendly operator at Honda of Seattle.
Bobbie was a dedicated member of the Business and Professional Women /WA, which she joined in 1988. Throughout her membership, she served in many capacities including Totem BPW President, BPW/WA State Corresponding Secretary (1993-94), and was instrumental in obtaining appointments with State Senators and Legislators for the BPW/USA Lobby Days in Washington D.C. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Washington State Business & Professional Woman’s Foundation for over 10 years. Additionally she served on many minutes approval committees, worked on the State Roster, and developed many newsletters, publications, flyers and programs for the organization. She was also involved (estimated time: 1990s to 2015) in the National Association of Parliamentarians, Washington State Association of Parliamentarians and the Point of Order Parliamentary Law Unit. She was instrumental in providing support for the 2005 National Convention held in Seattle, providing endless hours working on publications, signage, and materials for the 450+ convention attendees. While not a member of the National Ataxia Foundation, she did lend her expertise in support of the 2009 National Convention held in Seattle.
Bobbie cherished gatherings with family and friends and surrounding herself with love and laughter. She was a loving mother, sister and aunt. Her pride and joy were her sons and nieces, and she never passed a chance to hold a new baby in her arms.
She had a contagious laugh, quick wit, and a great sense of humor. Bobbie never met a stranger! Bobbie loved collecting old world Santas and displaying them at her favorite time of the year. She was a caring, compassionate person who touched many lives. Remember her laugh, her touch, her smile. Her love for family and friends will never be forgotten.
Bobbie is survived by her son Michael Healy; step sister Sandy Poolman; nieces Nancy (David) Brooks; Julie Griffin and Becky (Bob) Eilert, and their dad, Roger Griffin; her “Great nieces and nephews” R.J. Brooks (Kryss); Madison Brooks, Erin Grifka; Camis Eilert-Davis (Bill) and Todd Eilert; and “Great-great nephews and neice” Carter and Rylen Brooks; Hudson, Beckham, and Sailor Davis; her Griffin Family and giant circle of friends.
Predeceased by her parents, Duane Healy, Sister Jackie Griffin, and son Patrick Healy.
A Celebration of Bobbie’s Life is planned for January 27th, 2018 at Bahama Breeze Southcenter, 15700 Southcenter Pkwy, Tukwila, WA 98188, 1-4 pm. Share memories of Roberta on the online guestbook at www.emmickfunerals.com
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(WSB photo)
Thanks to Highland Park Action Committee co-chair Michele Witzki for the tip: SDOT crews have been out today finishing the installation of pedestrian-activated flashing-beacon signs for crosswalks on 16th SW – the one in our photo, at 16th/Trenton, as well as 16th/Thistle, 16th/Kenyon, and 16th/Webster. Along with the recently installed speed humps on Trenton, these are related to the Highland Park Greenway project, as detailed on this SDOT mailer, which includes a map of the project zone.
P.S. The beacons aren’t active yet – we learned while reporting on an unrelated project elsewhere in West Seattle recently that it takes a separate crew, with electrical specialists, to do that part of the work.
3:01 PM: It’s the day before Christmas Eve and package deliverers are busier than Rudolph and friends. In some cases, the wrong package is going to the wrong person. This happened to Summer – who got a package from UPS, addressed to her residence, but in the name of Tiarra H. If that’s you – or if you know Tiarra – let us know so we can connect you. Otherwise, Summer will be taking the package to the UPS Store in the morning, which so far is the only option she’s come up with for getting it to the correct person.
5:24 PM: Found.
10:54 AM: The video is from Heather, one of several people who have messaged us this morning with word of brown water in the West Seattle Junction area. As noted here before, it’s important to report brown water to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800 – Heather’s family did and reports that SPU says it’s because of fire-hydrant testing in the area. Here’s the general SPU advice about what to do if your water is discolored; you might recall SPU’s West Seattle flushing operations last year, an effort to get rust out of the pipes before it’s stirred up by hydrant use or pipe breaks.
12:28 PM: Despite the initial report blaming hydrant testing, it now seems there’s a water break – both Eddie via e-mail (including the photo below) and TTT via comments are reporting it.
We have a call out to SPU.
1:14 PM: Just talked to SPU’s Andy Ryan. He says they’re still working to figure out exactly where the break is – so far they think it’s possibly an 8-inch water line, and they’ve “throttled” water in the area so that what’s coming up at 48th/Alaska should be down to a trickle. In addition to the people reporting discolored water, he says six customers in the area are without service right now.
(Junction Plaza Park trees, photographed by Leda Costa for WSB)
Saturday highlights from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
SANTA AT CAPERS: Last chance for Santa photos at CAPERS in The Junction, 9 am-noon. Donations benefit the West Seattle Food Bank. (4525 California SW)
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: 9:30 am-3:30 pm, mobile blood drive at Westwood Village. The holiday season is always a challenging time for donations, and the Pierce County train derailment earlier this week meant a major demand, so donations are more welcome than ever. Details here. (2600 SW Barton)
CHRISTMAS MUSIC AT THRIFTWAY: Gary Benson will play Christmas music live at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) from 11 am-2 pm. (4201 SW Morgan)
HOLIDAY GET-TOGETHER: The Christmas People present a special Holiday Get-together for volunteers, sponsors and service club members – refreshments, carols, and special guest pianist Mike Smith. 1-3 pm, West Seattle Masonic Hall. Free. Bring homemade cookies if you are able – TCP are continuing to collect them for Saturday’s Christmas dinner. (4736 40th SW)
SANTA AT THRIFTWAY: Find him at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) this afternoon, 2-5 pm. (4201 SW Morgan)
CAMP SECOND CHANCE HOLIDAY PARTY: The sanctioned encampment on the southeast edge of West Seattle invites you to a holiday party this afternoon, with music and refreshments, 2-5 pm. Donations of warm clothing welcome. More info in our calendar listing. (9701 Myers Way S.)
TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL-BOARD REP: Seattle School Board president Leslie Harris, who represents West Seattle and South Park on the board, has her next community-conversation drop-in meeting 3-5 pm at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
CARTOONING SANTA: Find him at Luna Park Café, 5-8 pm. (2918 SW Avalon Way)
DON’T ASK: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
CLOSING NIGHT: Final performance for ArtsWest’s Holiday Cast Party, Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 pm. Hosted by Mathew Wright. A few tickets remain as of this morning. (4711 California SW)
AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Welcome Strangers with Andy Coe, 9 pm-11 pm: “Local Americana rock trio adds a guitarist for the night. A not-too-shabby addition to the sweet harmonies and tight songwriting that Welcome Strangers bring to the stage.” $8 cover; 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
More holiday info – from restaurants/bars-with-food open Christmas Eve/Day, to New Year’s events – in our Holiday Guide! Last-minute addition or change? editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
Just a friendly reminder, since Christmas is on the other side of the weekend: The Christmas People are offering a sit-down dinner Monday to anyone who is in need, doesn’t want to be alone, etc., noon-4 pm. As part of that effort and their distribution of 1,600 meals to people without homes, they are welcoming donations of home-baked cookies – more than 3,000 needed! So if you can do a little baking, a dozen, a hundred, whatever (not store-bought), your donation would be more than welcome, and you can drop cookies off at the Alki Masonic Hall in The Junction (4736 40th SW) 9 am-1 pm tomorrow, Sunday, or Monday. (That’s also where the Christmas dinner will be served.)
On this Christmas Eve-Eve-Eve, two more stops on our ongoing Christmas-lights tour of the area – above, the photo is from a reader who points out that their neighbors in the 10700 block of 22nd SW have yard decorations including the Nativity, six wise men, and Santa pulling a sled with Woodstock from “Peanuts.” The decorations, they add, come from 10 years of yard-sale shopping. Meantime, we checked out Fauntlee Hills, which usually has a multitude of brightly lit homes, and found this one on 39th SW just north of SW Barton:
Looking right across the street, these happy little faces were twinkling along a railing:
More lights nightly at least through Christmas! Suggestions welcome, with or without photos, at editor@westseattleblog.com. Our previous spotlights are archived here, newest to oldest.
5:54 PM: A “full response” of Seattle Fire crews is headed to a possible house fire in the 5000 block of 38th SW [map]. More as we get it.
6 PM: Units on scene report it’s a kitchen fire and it’s out.
6:07 PM: Update: Firefighters are still tackling a few “hot spots.” No injuries reported.
6:16 PM: Photo added. Our crew at the scene confirms that the fire was in the kitchen; firefighters are wrapping up and say everyone is unhurt.
We’re continuing to track high-profile West Seattle cases making their way through the justice system, and today a pretrial hearing was held for Ryan Cox, the repeat offender charged with stabbing a man in Gatewood back in August. While Cox’s trial date remains set for January 29th, Superior Court Judge Dean Lum ordered a pretrial mental-health evaluation, to see if Cox is competent to stand trial. Cox remains in the King County Jail and that’s where the evaluation will take place, according to the court order, with results due back before another pretrial hearing on January 22nd.
More mayoral announcements about who’s staying, going, including news that former West Seattleite Christopher Williams will be acting Parks Superintendent again. Here’s the announcement:
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced several new department leaders in her administration, including many with a focus on economic development and City planning.
With the previously announced resignation of Jesús Aguirre, Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation, Mayor Durkan announced that Christopher Williams will serve as Acting Superintendent, effective January 13, 2018, as a search process for a permanent head begins. Williams currently serves as the Deputy Parks Superintendent.
With the resignation of Susan Coskey, Director of the Seattle Department of Human Resources, Mayor Durkan announced that Melissa Beatty will serve as Acting Director, effective January 3, 2018. Beatty currently serves as Chief of Staff at Seattle Department of Human Resources. Durkan will launch a search process to find a candidate for the permanent position.
“Both Susan and Jesús have served our City well for years, and I want to thank each of them for their dedication and vision,” said Durkan. “I have a bold agenda for Seattle, and our department leaders across the city will work closely with me to deliver results on our most urgent challenges of housing, homelessness and transportation and to ensure our City is striving for workplace equity. Through every department, our administration will be focused on tackling the affordability crisis from all angles, delivering services to our residents and businesses, and continuing to seize opportunities to build a better future for all of Seattle.”
In addition, Mayor Durkan announced that Lily Wilson-Codega will serve as the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations, subject to confirmation by the City Council, effective January 8, 2018. Wilson-Codega is currently the Political Director of Teamsters Joint Council 28, the parent body of twelve Teamster Locals representing Union members across Washington State, Alaska, and northern Idaho. Chris Gregorich will continue working in the Durkan administration as an advisor at Department of Finance and Administrative Services focused on major projects including expansion of the Washington State Convention Center.
As Mayor Durkan evaluates the City’s approach to solving homelessness, she announced that George Scarola has moved into a role as a strategic advisor for homelessness response at the Department of Finance and Administrative Services, which also aligns with the 2018 budget passed by City Council.
Additionally, Mayor Durkan announced several officials who will continue to serve in their roles including:
• Sam Assefa, Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development
• Kate Becker, Director of the Office of Film + Music
• Randy Engstrom, Director of the Office of Arts and Culture
• Jessica Finn Coven, Director of the Office of Sustainability & Environment
• Ben Noble, Director of the Budget Office
• Marshall Foster, Director of the Office of the Waterfront
• Glen Lee, City Finance Director
• Nathan Torgelson, Director of the Department of Construction and Inspections“Our City has many unique opportunities as we are continuing to grow and plan for the future. Working together, we will work to keep our economy thriving, our businesses growing, and our neighborhoods affordable,” concluded Durkan.
Last week, Durkan announced many department leaders and previously announced a number of public safety and utility officials who would serve in her administration.
Thanks for the tips! Orcas have been seen northbound past West Seattle in the past half-hour – Bretnie reported one off Fauntleroy, Amy saw four off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook.
(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
While some sites on the north/west side of Avalon Way that once were proposed for apartments have turned into townhouse projects instead, the south/east side seems to be a different story. In an early-stage proposal that just turned up in city files, the Golden Tee Apartments complex on the southeast corner of Avalon and Genesee is proposed for demolition and replacement by a building with ~160 units and ~100 offstreet-parking spaces. Golden Tee spans two buildings at 3201 and 3211 SW Avalon Way, with 28 units, according to King County Assessor’s Office records, which say they were built 50 years ago. The preliminary site plan on record is by the prolific multifamily-project specialists at NK Architects. NK also designed 3039 SW Avalon Way, a 71-unit project about a block away, still making its way through the permit system after passing Design Review earlier this year.
(Photo by Robin Sinner)
Half a dozen ways to spend the rest of your pre-holiday Friday, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
ILLUSIONS OPEN HOUSE: Until 5 pm, it’s the annual holiday open house at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) – light snacks, holiday treats, and more! They’re also having an “ugly sweater” contest,
so if you have one, you’re invited to wear it to the open house (not required!) and they’ll photograph you for a contest that launches tomorrow. (5619 California SW)
CAROLING AT EASY STREET: Dude York carols at Easy Street Records, 5 pm. (California/Alaska)
BUY YOUR CHRISTMAS WINE: The tasting room at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm. Have a glass, buy some bottles. (5910 California SW)
DAVID ROBERTSON DESIGN OPEN HOUSE: At David Robertson Design Studios, 5-9 pm, “an evening of creative, artful design and refreshments,” with men’s and women’s apparel from Idea Lab and FeelGood, and discounts on home furnishings and textiles.(3800 California SW)
HOLIDAY REVUE FEATURING JOE ROSS & FRIENDS: 8 pm-11 pm at Parliament Tavern: “Let’s Get Together at Christmas – It’s Better Than Drinking Alone.” West Seattle legend Joe Ross (the Bird Watchers, Haggis Brothers, Green Pajamas, etc., etc.) brings his eclectic musical friends out for a night of x-mas tunes and merry good times. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
AT THE SKYLARK: The Brodcast, Something Witchy, and Coulee, 8 pm, $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Something for the calendar or Holiday Guide? editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
More closure info as we go into the holiday weekend: Besides schedule changes for some Seattle Parks facilities on Sunday, and closures on Monday – as listed here – the lodge/visitor center at West Seattle’s Camp Long has an extended closure starting tomorrow. Parks says the building will be closed December 23rd through January 1st, for maintenance work as well as the holidays, and is scheduled to reopen Tuesday, January 2nd.
Many asked early today about the sizable police response outside an apartment building in the 3200 block of SW Avalon Way for a few hours late last night/early today. It was eventually clear that someone had died – they were reported to be receiving CPR, and then an area of the sidewalk was taped off and the Medical Examiner arrived – but we were unable to find out more until this morning. Police tell WSB the person was a 28-year-old man who died by suicide.
If you or someone you know is contemplating self-harm, please contact the Crisis Clinic, which has a local 24-hour hotline at 206-461-3222.
8:26 AM: A sizable Seattle Fire response in the 3000 block of 61st SW for an “assault with weapons” call. More as we get it.
8:43 AM: The last SFD and SPD units were leaving as our crew arrived. Police tell us this turned out to be an argument that got out of hand but no one was injured or otherwise in need of treatment.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:11 AM: Good morning. No snow – not cold enough – and so far, no incidents in/from West Seattle.
TRANSIT ON CHRISTMAS DAY: On Monday, Metro will be on a Sunday schedule; the Water Taxi won’t run. Sound Transit Route 560 will be on a Sunday schedule.
(Photo by David Hutchinson -Olympics, Puget Sound, and vehicle carrier Midnight Sun on Wednesday)
We’ve seen the snow on the mountains – and maybe as soon as tonight/early tomorrow, we might see some here in the lowlands. So says the National Weather Service, and if not this round, maybe Christmas Eve/Day – and/or maybe after that. The big word is “maybe,” as the newest Forecast Discussion explains, and there’s a Special Weather Statement too. They are NOT talking major snow – maybe just a “dusting” – but still … if and when you see snow, our 24-hour hotline, text or voice, is 206-293-6302 – thank you!
In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
STOLEN SHOP KEEPSAKE: Just in from Sam, proprietor of Fleurt in The Junction, the photo and report:
I wanted to let you know that late this afternoon/ maybe early evening an iconic vintage (early 1900s) watering can was stolen from the outside front of Fleurt. Sadly we didn’t see who stole it as the shop has been busy today and filled with customers getting last-minute gifts.
This is an item we placed outside everyday since we opened in 2010. This breaks my heart. I am saddened to think that a person or people would be so low to steal from us. And at Christmas time.
I’ve had the watering can for 20+ years. The watering can stood over 2 feet tall. It is made from a very heavy metal. The color is galvanized and rusty looking. The watering can has special sentimental value to me. I would like to offer a reward for its return. If anyone saw someone take it, or have information on its whereabouts, please contact Sam at Fleurt: 206.937.1103.
CONDO-BUILDING BURGLARS: The report and security-camera image are from Sharon, who says this happened last Saturday at 35th/Roxbury:
Two men with a screwdriver entered our condominium building and attempted to pry open 2 locked doors. They were unsuccessful in getting in, but damaged one door and broke the door handle. The police have been notified.
SUSPECTED CAR PROWLER: From Rich:
At 5:45 PM I saw a person looking into cars with a flashlight near 59th and Stevens, across from Alki Elementary. He was white, bearded, a bit short (5’ 6” – 5’ 8”), wearing brown suspenders and a green shirt. When he noticed me he walked off to an alley. After a couple minutes (presumably waiting for me to leave) he walked out of the alley and got into a small red car and drove away. FYI in case anyone reports something missing in that area.
ALSO ON ALKI: Thanks for the text about a police response a short time ago. According to scanner traffic, they were headed to a fight situation on Alki, which has since been declared under control. Meantime, at a different location, police have found a stolen car in an alley off 60th SW – we don’t know the make/model.
POSSIBLE PACKAGE THEFT: From Dana:
I’m pretty sure a package was stolen off of our front porch at 41st & Graham on Tuesday around 1 pm. Unless it was misdelivered. In which case, everyone check your packages! :) Either way, a reminder to all to keep an eye out.
Also note that package delivery in these days before Christmas is continuing late at night – we’ve heard of multiple cases of 10 pm-ish deliveries.
At Solstice Park late today, the mountains showed up, the holiday cheer showed up, more than 40 people showed up … but the sun was a no-show for Alice Enevoldsen‘s winter-solstice sunset watch. Nonetheless, she led attendees through what she jokingly called “solstice yoga,” as part of her explanation of the solar-system phenomenon that brings the change of seasons:
(Added: For a longer version, see Scott Scowcroft‘s video here.)
There was also a bit of cloud observation due to the formations in the south sky:
Thanks to @WestSeaWx for informing us via Twitter that those were Undulatus Asperatus. Alice has led more than 30 solstice/equinox sunset watches as part of her commitment as a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador:
She always schedules them for the same date the equinox or solstice arrives in our time zone, so it’s easy to remember – that means you can plan to join her at Solstice Park for the arrival of spring on Tuesday, March 20th, 2018. Watch her website alicesastroinfo.com for more info on that and other things you might see in the sky.
With Christmas so close, we’re stepping up the featured lights to at least two per night. Above, the 3400 block of 41st SW includes lights and sound designed by 10-year-old Sawyer – thanks to Lisa for the photo and tip! – below, we happened to be driving southbound in the 3700 block of Beach Drive and spotted two very brightly decked decks on the side of the Harbor West over-the-water complex facing Cormorant Cove Park:
Christmas lights to suggest, with or without a photo? editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you! Our archive so far (including previous years, if you keep scrolling) is here; we also have a list of the annual biggies in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, including West Seattle Lights (3908 SW Charlestown), where, as we mentioned last night, you’ll find local Brownies with hot cocoa for West Seattle Food Bank donors, 6:30-8 pm tonight.
In case you missed last week’s community meeting about the recent Arroyos/south Arbor Heights power outage and related trouble – what you see above is the slide deck explaining what Seattle City Light has planned for the area. A project spanning multiple blocks of South Arbor Heights is expected to last about a year and scheduled to start next March. (The slide deck includes a map you can also see here.) SCL says it’ll be putting in “new electrical conduit and cables” to replace “underground, direct buried cables (that) are approaching the ending of their life.” Besides this month’s outage, the area’s relatively recent outages included last April, August 2016, and May 2016.
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