day : 12/01/2019 10 results

Hundreds of friends and supporters from the Hope Lutheran church and school community gathered on Saturday afternoon to honor the memory of Natalie Gulizia, the 14-year-old former Hope student who passed away tragically last month.

The memorial service included stories and memories shared by teachers, friends, and family.

“This is a brutally hard day that should not be,” said Peter Mueller, pastor at Hope Lutheran, “but we are thankful to gather and celebrate Natalie’s life with laughter and tears.”

Those sharing memories at the service recalled Natalie as a “bright and shining light” and a “true hero,” and “extremely smart” with a passion for ballet, music, drama and theater, gymnastics, volunteering, and horseback riding.

Memorial gifts in Natalie’s memory may be given to The Service Board and March For Our Lives.

-Jason Grotelueschen for West Seattle Blog

Share This

VIADOOM UPDATES: First day of #Realign99

January 12, 2019 8:59 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

Notes from the first day of the Highway 99 viaduct-to-tunnel-transition closure:

(WSDOT photo)

VIADUCT RAMP DEMOLITION: WSDOT keeps stressing that this is NOT the start of the full demolition – that six-month process won’t launch until next month (with some of the debris to be used in the Battery Street Tunnel decommissioning). But the ramp to the remaining elevated Viaduct is coming down this weekend, to clear the way for the intersection that will be used by (among others) West Seattleites getting off NB 99 to head into downtown.

WSDOT’S UPDATE: That demolition work comprises most of the update posted by WSDOT, which also notes that traffic and transit were “similar to average weekend conditions.”

METRO’S NEW ROUTES: Remember that the closure means new routes for the buses that previously traveled the Viaduct, and that started last night. The maps are here and here (that last one shows the “interim” pathways that buses then will use for up to a year after the tunnel opens).

WATER TAXI’S EXTRA BOAT: As we reported last night, the San Juan Clipper will join the Doc Maynard on the West Seattle Water Taxi run. The Water Taxi is NOT running on weekends (though the county has said the “celebration” weekend February 2-3 will be an exception), but Jennie spotted the SJ Clipper at Seacrest today:

Here again is the which-vessel-on-which-run is planned starting Monday:

And the extra-parking info (among other details for water-taxi riders) is available here.

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE PARTY: In addition to the helicopter video we featured last night, here’s a bit of video of what it was like in the midst of the final cruise, linked in a WSB comment by Mike Russell:

Regional media reports people were walking on the viaduct at sunset tonight. Remember, an official chance to say goodbye is coming up the first weekend of February, just before the tunnel’s expected opening – info here.

TRAFFIC WATCH: Quiet today but we’re continuing to watch the outbound and inbound routes. If you encounter an incident we haven’t reported yet, please alert us at 206-293-6302 when you can do so safely/legally (after calling it in to authorities if they’re not on scene yet). And our collection of SDOT/WSDOT traffic cameras is here.

Share This

UPDATE: Police investigation at Hamilton Viewpoint Park

January 12, 2019 7:36 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle police

7:36 PM: Police are at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, reportedly closing it off while they investigate an incident. We’re on our way to find out more but we’ve heard via radio communication so far includes that an injured man is getting treatment, and that police are looking for a vehicle last seen heading downhill northbound from the park, possibly a white Dodge SUV. The injured man will be taken to Harborview Medical Center. Just as we published this, the incident was described by the dispatcher as an assault. More when we get it.

8:05 PM: Police haven’t been available to talk with us so far but firefighters tell us the injured person was a man in his 20s who likely had been hit with some sort of blunt object.

ADDED 9:59 PM: The only additional detail we were able to get from police is that the initial report is that someone saw a man down on the ground, being hit by someone. We’ll see if we’re able to get the report on Monday.

Share This

VIDEO: Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda starts tour with West Seattle stops

January 12, 2019 6:52 pm

| Comments Off on VIDEO: Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda starts tour with West Seattle stops

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

That chat with West Seattle Junction Association executive director Lora Radford was one of the stops for City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda on a visit to West Seattle on Friday, as she launched a half-year tour of the seven council districts, starting here in D-1. She is one of two at-large councilmembers, elected to citywide Position 8 a little over a year ago. We asked her for a quick description of the tour’s start:

She has more West Seattle stops planned on Friday, January 25th, including the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and 2:30-4:30 pm “coffee/office hours” to meet constituents at a TBA location.

Share This

About the police search in Alki

January 12, 2019 5:56 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

Several people have asked about a police search in Alki. They were looking for a missing child who has just been found, safe, minutes ago, according to the scanner.

Share This

No, that’s not a marine mammal in distress

January 12, 2019 5:08 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Again this week, Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network received reports of what someone thought was a marine mammal in distress – but wasn’t. David Hutchinson as a result shares information we’ve published in the past about “a typical behavior of sea lions that causes concerns each year,” known as “sailing.” He sent the photo, too, to help explain:

Every fall and winter, Seal Sitters’ Hotline receives calls from folks out walking West Seattle beaches who are concerned about marine mammals offshore that they feel are in distress or entangled. These reports typically turn out to be California sea lions who are regulating their body temperatures by raising flippers out of the water, referred to as “thermoregulation.”

When a single animal does this, it is called “sailing,” while if a group of sea lions is involved, it is called “rafting.” For more details on this behavior, please see the 2010 story in Seal Sitters’ Blubberblog at this link: “Sailing” sea lion sparks concern.

It is also normal behavior for a resting sea lion to just float and drift on the water’s surface without raised flippers, occasionally lifting the head to take a breath. For more information on California sea lions that visit our area during this time of year, see: About California sea lions.

Each year, marine mammals are killed by entanglement in derelict fishing gear. If you see an animal entangled in visible fishing line or net or with obvious injuries, please report this to our Hotline at 206-905-SEAL (7325).

Share This

Memorial service January 20 for Patricia Earle-Sylvester, 1933-2019

January 12, 2019 3:52 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather one week from tomorrow to remember Patricia Earle-Sylvester. They’re sharing this remembrance with the community:

Patricia Earle-Sylvester (née Rutherford)

Our mother was born in Miami, Florida, near the Everglades, on 6/15/33. Her Creator gathered her into His arms in the loving presence of her large family in the comfort of her home on 1/5/19. She died from complications caused by H.U.S. (hemolytic uremic syndrome). She was an energetic, talented, loving, and elegant lady, though in her final years she suffered mightily from arthritic pain. Despite this, she always managed a beautiful smile for her children, grand- and great-grandchildren and her many in-laws and friends.

Mom’s life was never easy. She was married at an early age to her first husband David M. Earle, with whom she had six kids in nearly as many states and many moves: Ric, Robin (husband Marc), Randy who died in 2014 (Angela), Andrew (Joanne), Kelly (Gigi), Tony (Jennifer). Despite a very difficult marriage and not very much money to spare (mom often worked nights to plug holes in the budget), those children never lacked for the basics nor for love.

In the late ’60s, David secured a job at Boeing, which brought the family to Seattle where it settled down in West Seattle. As usual, mom worked various jobs (sometimes with the help of her kids) to supplement the family’s income. Unfortunately, the marriage could not be saved and David and mom divorced in the early ’70s.

While working at Boeing, mom met and married Vincent Sylvester, who was also a skilled landscaper. When mom was laid off during the massive late-’70s recession, she began working with Vincent, who had left Boeing as well, in their new landscaping business. Together with son Randy and often the other younger kids as well, mom continued the grass-cutting operations for many years, even after she and Vincent divorced in the mid-’90s.

In the final chapter of mom’s life she formed a loving and lasting relationship with partner Mileta Radunivic, who supported her in her darkest hours with love, humility, and compassion. Together they ran an adult home for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients for 20+ years, giving comfort to those most in need.

For our mother, the most important thing in her life was her relationships with those she loved. For these she was generous to a fault. She extended that love and support not only to her immediate family, but also to the families of her in-laws, and certainly to the children and grandchildren of Mileta. She had a special fondness for her many grand- and great grandchildren, and for Mileta’s three children and grandkids. In her final days, grandson Jesse was a particular guardian angel to her and he was rarely absent from her and Mileta’s side.

Besides her children, grand- and great-grandchildren, mom is survived by her siblings Kathy, Anne, Bill, and John.

There will be a non-secular service and celebration at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial Park & Mortuary, Sunday, January 20, at 1:00.

We would also like to thank the expertise and kindness of the Swedish hospital and staff in mom’s final hours.

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

Share This

West Seattle weekend scenes: Fog on the water

January 12, 2019 12:10 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scenes: Fog on the water

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Did you get to see the fog moving across the water this morning?

James Bratsanos shares the view above; Susanna Moore shares the view below:

Sunny days through Tuesday, says the National Weather Service!

Share This

6 for your Highway 99-less West Seattle Saturday

January 12, 2019 8:27 am

| Comments Off on 6 for your Highway 99-less West Seattle Saturday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Male Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

You don’t want to leave the peninsula! Not just because of the Highway 99 closure (check cameras here) – but because there’s always plenty to do. The full list is on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. Here are five highlights:

THEY MAKE THE LAWS: Your 34th District (West Seattle, White Center, Vashon/Maury, part of Burien) state legislators – Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon, and Sen.-elect Joe Nguyen – invite you to a “town hall”-style gathering this morning. 10 am at Delridge Community Center. They’re about to get busy in Olympia, but want to hear from you first. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSES: We have three listed on our calendar, all starting at 10 am – Admiral Co-Op (at Tibbetts United Methodist Church [WSB sponsor], 10-noon, 3940 41st SW); Community School of West Seattle (10 am-noon, 22nd/Roxbury); White Center Co-Op (10 am-noon at Mount View Presbyterian Church, 10806 12th SW).

WETLAND BLOCK PARTY: Perfect day to get outside – and here’s one way to do it – the Delridge Wetland Block Party, 11 am-2 pm. Explore this semi-hidden gem. Music, food, and art! (23rd SW/SW Findlay)

VIABOOM SALE: So you don’t have to cross the bay, Clementines – which moved from West Seattle to Pioneer Square a while back – has teamed up with, and at, Carmilia’s in The Junction for a “Viaboom Sale.” Carmilia’s is open 11 am-6 pm today. (4528 California SW)

LANE NORBERG, LIVE: Acoustic pop/folk with Lane Norberg at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. (5612 California SW)

RED RIBBON, LIVE IN-STORE: 7 pm, live and all-ages, Easy Street Records invites you to see Seattle band Red Ribbon perform live in-store. (California/Alaska)

MUCH MORE ... on our complete calendar!

Share This

‘The viaduct is clear’: Highway 99 closure begins, 2 hours later than planned

January 12, 2019 12:21 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

(WSDOT photo via Twitter)

12:21 AM: While the Columbia Street onramp closure happened just before 10 pm as planned, the process of fully closing the Alaskan Way Viaduct took two more hours because of an impromptu farewell party. Guardian One recorded this unique view of people driving, dancing, walking, waving, and more:

Though an officially “goodbye, Viaduct/hello, Tunnel” event is planned in three weeks, those people decided to say farewell on their own terms. Finally, just after midnight, WSDOT tweeted that “the viaduct is clear and the #Realign99 closure is officially underway!” So Highway 99 is now closed for ~3 weeks between the West Seattle Bridge and the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel. Much more coverage to come, starting later today.

8 AM: Uneventful night since then. Reminder that our traffic-cam page is here (we’ll be adding and subtracting a few this weekend, but they already have the biggies for West Seattle in/out flow). And here’s a “live” look at the eastbound bridge: