West Seattle, Washington
06 Sunday
As promised, we followed up with Seattle City Light about Friday night’s brief-but-widespread West Seattle power outage. That night, all they could tell us was that they’d traced it to the Delridge Substation – also blamed for two other brief-but-widespread outages last summer – but hadn’t found out what went wrong. Today we checked with SCL’s Scott Thomsen, who says the exact cause remains a mystery: “Crews patrolled the lines that night and went out again today during daylight. They did not find any problems. They believe that a branch from one of the wooded areas could have fallen into the lines and then fallen to the ground after creating a brief short circuit.” That short circuit could have been the source of the “boom” some reported hearing, Thomsen says: “That would have been the breakers opening. They then reclose automatically. If the problem has gone away, the breakers stay closed and service is restored. That’s what happens in what we refer to as a momentary outage.”
Two more West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
STOLEN CAR: Katharine‘s green 1999 Honda CR-V EX was stolen from the Westwood Village QFC parking lot last night (Sunday, November 25th) at 9 pm.
The plate starts with BJQ and the vehicle has bumper stickers “West Seattle” and “Plant-Powered.” SPD incident #18-440904. Call 911 if you see it.
STOLEN MAIL: From Morgan:
We returned on Sunday afternoon around 1:00 pm from the holiday weekend to discover our mail had been stolen. Our mailbox is a locked box, not a great one, and it was open and our mail was gone. A few hours later a nice neighbor returned it saying they found it in the gutter by 29th Ave SW and Myrtle. We are on 34th Ave SW and Webster Street in the Sunrise Heights neighborhood. Just wanted to get the word out since our neighbors’ cars were also vandalized (windows smashed) between Webster and Othello on 34th while we were out of town.
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: We usually don’t fully show graffiti vandalism.
The West Seattle residents who found this vandalism outside their homes contacted us about it and asked that we do show it.
They wonder if it has happened to anyone else.
The vandalism appeared behind their homes along an alley in Sunrise Heights – in red paint on a garage, “JEW,” and on the pavement, “F— JEW THIEVE.”
The residents believe it was painted overnight.
The residents say they are Jewish, but they haven’t had problems or threats and have no idea who would do this and why.
Police have been to the scene and photographed the vandalism (here’s background on hate-crime laws), and they are investigating. If you have any tips, call SPD.
TUESDAY UPDATE: We talked a little while ago by phone with the neighbor who first contacted us. She wanted to convey that they are all grateful for the expressions of support and offers of help, but neighbors painted over the vandalism soon after police had been there to investigate, and there’s nothing they really need. She also wanted to convey that the neighbors directly affected by the vandalism are of multiple faiths, including Judaism.
1:59 PM: From LifeCenter Northwest, word of a special tribute to Joel Eggert, the West Seattle man killed in a Highland Park motorcycle crash in December 2016:
Joel Eggert had a lust for life. He was wildly creative, intelligent, and inquisitive. He could usually be found perched atop a Harley Davidson and was passionate about art and music playing multiple instruments including guitar, piano, and drums. Two years ago, Joel took his last ride. After sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident, he passed away at Harborview Medical Center just before his 47th birthday. His legacy of generosity lives on in the recipients of his organs, corneas, and tissue. Joel will be honored with a floral portrait, called a floragraph, which will adorn The Donate Life Rose Parade® float on January 1, 2019.
LifeCenter Northwest is sponsoring Joel as an honoree on the float. His floragraph – made of seeds and natural materials – will be completed by his family and friends on Tuesday, November 27, 2-3 pm at Harborview Medical Center in the Research and Training Building Auditorium. The floragraph will then travel to Pasadena, CA where it will be placed on the Donate Life float in preparation for the Rose Parade. Joel’s family is also traveling to Pasadena, where they will have the opportunity to meet others touched by organ, eye, and tissue donation and attend the parade in Joel’s honor.
About Joel
Outgoing from a young age, Joel made friends easily and connected with people at an intimate level that built many lifelong relationships. A sharp dressed man, he could usually be found donning his characteristic bandanna and sunglasses, perched atop a Harley Davidson-his preferred mode of transportation. Art and creativity also played a continuous role throughout his life. Drawing and metal sculpting were among his favorite hobbies.
Joel was an extremely dedicated employee, and for the last 10 years he used his artistic ability to create beautiful metal work for a luxury yacht builder in Seattle. But in his free time, he wouldn’t turn down an invitation to rock n’ roll all night. He was deeply entrenched in the local music scene, frequently attending concerts and rubbing elbows with famous musicians.
“Music – mostly rock, coursed through his veins. Wherever he was, he was surrounded by music,” said his sister Stacey.
In addition to being an artist, musician, and loyal friend, Joel was a family man. He was a loving father to his son Zak, daughter Rhiannon, and granddaughter Hayley. He was also very close to his extended family in Minnesota and Washington.
On a rainy December night in 2016, Joel took his last ride. After sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident, he passed away five days before his 47th birthday. The breadth of his life was felt immensely as his community filled his hospital room to say goodbye and share a few final songs. His legacy of generosity lives on in the recipients of his organs, corneas, and tissue.
“Giving his organs and life to others is just a continuation of the man he was, often giving to others, even if it left him with nothing,” said Stacey. “His final gift provides comfort to me and our family and friends.”
Just three months after his death, Joel’s family met Jennie, his heart recipient, who underwent transplant surgery at UW Medical Center. Through her, they are reminded that the warmth and love he gave to so many continues on, and he is still out there keeping the beat.
About The Donate Life Rose Parade® Float
Celebrating its 16th year, The Donate Life Rose Parade® float continues its mission to save and heal lives by sharing the gift of life and delivering the message of organ, eye, and tissue donation to the world. Living donors walk alongside while recipients ride atop the float and “floragraphs” or floral portraits of deceased donor honorees are incorporated into the float decoration. This year’s float is theme is The Gift of Time. For more information, go to www.donatelifefloat.org.
You can sign up to be an organ donor by going here.
ADDED LATE MONDAY NIGHT: We’ve since learned of a December 6th event in Mr. Eggert’s memory, a concert raising money for LifeCenter NW, hosted by the motorcycle club West Seattle Wrecking Crew that formed in his honor: Thursday, December 6th, at the Highway 99 Blues Club; doors at 6 pm, show at 7, featuring Bruiser Brody, Sirens Sister, Wyatt Olney and The Wreckage, Johndus Beckman, and Intisaar, tickets available online.
In case you haven’t already seen this event in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – On Friday, a variety of services will be available at Delridge Community Center during a special Seattle Municipal Court outreach event. Here’s the reminder we just received:
Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is bringing several court services to the Delridge Community Center on Friday, November 30th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to help community members resolve warrants, learn about options for addressing unpaid tickets, receive relicensing assistance, referral to a public defender, or access supportive services through the Court Resource Center. No appointment is required.
Attendees will be able to access social services onsite including: DSHS benefits (food, cash, medical), referral for a vision exam and eyeglass vouchers, Orca Lift reduced fare and other transportation passes, chemical dependency and mental health assistance, basic needs and referrals for other support services. Court partner organizations onsite for the event include: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Public Health – Seattle and King County, Navos, and the YWCA.
“We are bringing our staff and court resources into the community to provide a safe and convenient path for resolving outstanding warrants and tickets,” stated SMC Presiding Judge Ed McKenna. “Attendees will learn options to resolve their case and for those who need it, access social services and support onsite through the Court Resource Center and our partners.”
Outstanding warrants make it harder to get a job, secure housing, and generally move forward in life. Attendees will learn their options to resolve SMC warrants in a non-threatening location. Individuals with unpaid tickets will learn options to resolve their tickets through a payment plan or community service plan and how to regain their driver’s license. Court staff will answer questions about court processes, schedule hearings, and provide information on resources and support services available through the court.
Anyone who needs assistance is encouraged to attend Friday, November 30th, 2018, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW.
The event flyer is available in 5 languages here [scroll to end of page]:
seattle.gov/courts/programs-and-services/court-resource-centerThis community outreach event is a collaboration between the Seattle Municipal Court, King County Department of Public Defense, Seattle City Attorney’s Office, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and the Seattle Human Services Department.
As we head into the heart of the holiday season, here’s a reminder about what’s in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, grouped by event type (whether one-time or ongoing), including:
-Bazaars, business open houses, craft fairs, art sales, other types of special shopping events
-Gift wrapping
-Santa
-Light shows and tree lightings
-Christmas Ship visits
-Trees and wreaths
-Concerts
-Community parties
-Also a special section for West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays, which we’re co-sponsoring
And the guide has even more, such as service schedules, New Year’s Eve/Day celebrations … If your school, business, organization, etc. has something happening that’s open to the public, just e-mail us the info and we’ll get it in the guide – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for the photo of a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk! As the new week begins, here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUP: La Leche League meets at Neighborhood House High Point, 10 am. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
LINCOLN PARK SOUND STEPS: 10 am weekly walk – info here. Meet at the south end of the north parking lot. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE COUCH TO 5K: 6 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponiisor), four-week class with Running Evolution. Registration info is in our calendar listing. (2743 California SW)
VIADUCT CLOSURE INFO: Just a month and a half until the Alaskan Way Viaduct closes forever. Are you ready? Or – do you still have questions? 6:30 tonight at Delridge Community Center. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
DROP-IN PRESCHOOL ART: 6:30 pm, bring your 2- to 5-year-old to High Point Library to join guest teacher Miss Lisa with art projects. (3411 SW Raymond)
MENASHE FAMILY LIGHTS ON TV: “The Great Christmas Light Fight” visited West Seattle’s brightest Christmas lights display last season, and the episode debuts tonight on ABC (KOMO 4), 9 pm. This year’s display is expected to start this Friday – watch for a followup this week, as we’ll be checking on their progress!
Something for our calendar or Holiday Guide? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning – back to work, back to school on this rainy Monday morning. No outbound incidents reported so far but general heavy traffic is noted everywhere – Sound Transit has sent an alert that the 560 bus is “experiencing delays of approximately 15-20 minutes due to heavy traffic.”
7:50 AM: SDOT reports a crash at 35th/Holly.
8:50 AM: Stalled vehicle reported toward west end of eastbound West Seattle Bridge,
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