West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Five years ago this month, Cottage Grove Commons opened at 5444 Delridge Way SW.
In December 2013, homelessness was not as ubiquitous or contentious a topic in Seattle. But the 66-unit “supportive housing” building that has changed ~100 people from homeless to housed rose from a bed of controversy anyway.
The building’s owner/operator, DESC (the acronymic name comes from its start as the Downtown Emergency Service Center), didn’t throw a five-year anniversary party nor send out an announcement. We noticed the five-year mark while looking through WSB archives for something unrelated. So we requested an interview with the organization’s executive director, Daniel Malone. We sat down with him and CGC project manager Colin Maloney recently.
First – the backstory.
First, the final sunset of the year:
Thanks to Chris Frankovich for that photo. Next one is from Susan Romanenghi:
As we observed while tweeting a different view earlier, looks like Mount Rainier is wearing a party hat. And speaking of party:
West Seattle Junction venues with New Year’s Eve specials have gold balloons outside to entice you in – see the list here, and have a great (safe) celebration! Thanks again to everyone who shared photos, tips, reader reports, and more this year … 206-293-6302 or westseattleblog@gmail.com any time!
With just hours remaining in 2018, here’s this year’s edition of our one traditional year-in-review story – the year’s 10 most-commented-on WSB stories. Again this year, there are 11 on the list, with a tie along the way:
#10 – ANTI-SEMITIC VANDALISM IN SUNRISE HEIGHTS
November 26, 2018 – 138 comments
Anti-Semitic slurs painted behind Sunrise Heights homes drew regional attention, and a support rally in The Junction a week later. No arrest reported so far.
#9 – DEADLY STABBING ON ALKI AVENUE
June 2, 2018 – 140 comments
22-year-old Jonathan Pecina was stabbed to death near Anchor/Luna Park. No arrest reported so far.
#8 – HEAD TAX
May 14, 2018 – 141 comments
This story looked at the “head tax” passed by the City Council – which later repealed it.
#7 – NOVEMBER POWER OUTAGE
November 30, 2018 – 145 comments
This outage affected about 3,000 West Seattle homes and businesses for an hour and a half.
(WSB photo from December 19)
In the first week-plus of a dozen-plus West Seattle Junction merchants hosting in-store donation boxes to help raise money to keep the four free-to-shoppers parking lots in The Junction, they’ve collected $690, according to Junction Association executive director Lora Radford. More than a third of that ($245) was from Husky Deli customers; other participants reported two-digit tallies from $12 to $70. In a note to participating merchants, Radford says, “It’s heartwarming to see our community helping all of us pay for the parking lots” and reiterates that it’s “one of many ways we’re going to raise funds.” Her note also recaps that the cost of renting and operating the four lots “has skyrocketed from $90,000 (2016) to over $245,000 (2019).” Next update, mid-January.
(Last rainbow of 2018? Sunday photo by Donna Benaroya)
Happy last day/night of 2018! What you need to know for the next 12-plus hours:
LIBRARIES: Seattle Public Library locations are open today, regular hours – closed tomorrow. King County Library System branches are closing today at 5 pm.
NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER AT ITTO’S: Itto’s Tapas (WSB sponsor) is taking reservations online for 5 pm and 9 pm seatings with a special prix-fixe dinner tonight. (4160 California SW)
OTHER RESTAURANTS: Our holiday list now contains the West Seattle restaurants that told us they would be open New Year’s Eve and/or New Year’s Day. See it here, and please remember that it was compiled in advance, so there’s always a chance an establishment has changed its plans – 206-293-6302, text or voice, if you have an update to share; thank you!
NEW YEAR’S EVE WALKS: Emerald City Wanderers invites you to walk a 5K or 10K route from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church – start any time between 4 pm and 7 pm:
The New Year’s Eve 5 kilometer route winds through the holiday lights in the Admiral neighborhood and Junction. The 10 kilometer route also enjoys neighborhood holiday lights, heads down to Alki and features the lights on and around Puget Sound, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle. Flashlights helpful.
This event is hosted by the Emerald City Wanderers and St John the Baptist Episcopal Church, and is sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association. Information about volkssports will be available.
No fee; hot soup and snacks! Noncompetitive. (3050 California SW)
NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT PARADE: All welcome to the traditional neighborhood noisemaking parade in Highland Park – meet outside HP Improvement Club at 6 pm. Optional – stay for the New Year’s Eve party inside HPIC afterward! (1116 SW Holden)
NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY PARTY: Want to celebrate 2019 early? You can do it at South Park Hall:
We are having our 6th annual Family Party at South Park Hall from 7-9 pm. $10/person over 2 years old. Each kid gets access to the hot cocoa bar and a gift bag. We will have a countdown on the big screen with the East Coast, and music.
(1053 S. Cloverdale)
BAR PARTIES: See the listings in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide; some require tickets. (Anything to add? Let us know ASAP!)
REMINDER – FREE NEW YEAR’S EVE RIDES ON METRO: 7 pm-4 am. Details here.
NEW SPACE NEEDLE LIGHT SHOW 2 HOURS BEFORE THE FIREWORKS: If you’re planning on spending part of your New Year’s Eve looking at the Space Needle – as noted here over the weekend, there’s a new 10 pm laser light show this year in addition to the midnight fireworks.
PREVIEW 2019 … via our complete calendar!
Another West Seattle church has new leadership. This announcement is from West Side Presbyterian Church:
West Side Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce the arrival of their new Senior Pastor, Laurie Brenner, MDiv, Ph.D.
Rev. Dr. Brenner will begin her pastoral leadership with an installation service Monday, January 7 at 7 pm. The public is welcome.
West Side Presbyterian, an intergenerational congregation where families grow together in faith, has been active in the community of West Seattle and passionate about spreading the love of Jesus Christ for more than 100 years. West Side is proud to serve their growing community in many ways throughout the year. Regular outreach programs include: Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), free community lunches and West Side Wednesdays (an after-school program for elementary students).
Laurie Brenner will make a welcome addition to the staff as she leads us in a new era of ministry. She is a gifted leader and teacher who has a deep love of Jesus Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit has been evident in her life over her twenty years of ministry. Prior to joining West Side, Laurie was an Associate Pastor at the American Church in Paris and University Presbyterian Church, Seattle. For the last several years, she has also been an adjunct Professor at Seattle Pacific University and Fuller Theological Seminary.
Laurie was born in Woodinville but served overseas in ministry for eight years, splitting her time between Scotland and France. Five years ago, she married her husband, David, and became a stepmom to two grown children. Her formal education includes University of Washington (BA), Durham University, Durham England (PhD) and Fuller University (MDiv).
When asked why she feels called to West Side Presbyterian, she says that “in addition to the match up of gifts and mutual dedication to mission… I’m curious what can happen when the good news of Jesus is both announced and embodied through a family of believers who are embedded in the community. By God’s grace, I expect that curiosity to turn to wonder…”
There will be an installation service for Rev. Dr. Brenner at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California Ave SW) on Monday, January 7 at 7 pm. The public is welcome to attend. For more information: www.wspc.org or contact the church office, 206-935-4477.
WSPC’s previous senior pastor, Dr. Paul R. Smith, retired in 2016 after leading the church for 35 years.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning! We’ve checked around – so far, no incidents reported in our area.
METRO TODAY: Running again today on “reduced weekday” service.
METRO TONIGHT: Reminder that Metro will be free to ride 7 pm tonight until 4 am tomorrow.
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