West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
6:45 PM: Thanks for the tips. A big police response at 35th/Fauntleroy this past hour; one resident tells WSB they were told to stay in their apartments while police were in search of a robbery suspect. We have a crew on the way to find out more.
6:57 PM: Police tell WSB’s Christopher Boffoli that they’re seeking a suspect in the robbery of a salon at the Aura Apartments building on 35th just south of Avalon. They are still there talking with victims/witnesses. No description made public yet.
7:06 PM: More info from SPD: The salon was robbed at gunpoint. Description only – so far- “white male in a black jacket and blue pants, silver gun, small umbrella.”
FIRST REPORT, 6:38 PM SATURDAY: Just over at Sammamish High School – a slowdown offense did not serve the West Seattle High School boys well in their district-semifinal match against Ingraham, which took the victory, 57-46. The WSHS boys play again here at 11:45 am (correction) Monday, vs. either O’Dea or Rainier Beach. More later.
ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: A frenetic, strange start for this game, before it moved to a pace so slow that the halftime score was only 18-17 (West Seattle with that one-point edge).
Just two weeks until the Highland Park Elementary School PTA hopes to see you at its 2nd annual auction – a good deal for a good cause, $40 gets you food (including dessert) on Saturday, March 2nd, with an “Alice in Wonderland” theme:
Your grin will rival the Cheshire Cat’s after scrumptious nibbles and games that may make you lose your head! Don’t be afraid to go a little mad bidding for items to raise vital funds so students can continue to get curiouser and curiouser!
Buy your ticket(s) here. The even is set for 6-9 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden).
That’s a video tribute produced by Northwest Kidney Centers in memory of Bill Peckham, a West Seattle resident known for his advocacy on behalf of dialysis patients – himself included. With his Celebration of Life planned one week from tomorrow, we received this remembrance to share with the community:
Bill passed away on January 18, 2019, at the far-too-young age of 55, surrounded by his friends. He died at Swedish Cherry Hill from complications relating to sepsis. Having survived a heart attack, several strokes, and staph infection in November, Bill was never able to fully fight off the blood infection.
Bill was born August 30, 1963, in Evanston, Illinois, to James and Susan Peckham. He joined his proud brothers Charlie and Jimmy and lived his pre-college years at the family home in Wilmette, Illinois.
Bill graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in accounting and marketing. After graduation, he was ready to take on the world – both in business and in travel. But a diagnosis of kidney failure in his early 20s radically changed the course of his life. Bill received a transplanted kidney from his brother, Jimmy. However, the transplanted kidney soon failed and Bill knew it was only a matter of time before he needed to start dialysis.
Before going on dialysis, however, Bill travelled for several months around the world, thinking that this would be his only opportunity to do so. That travel adventure was cut short when he contracted dysentery while trekking in Nepal.
For many years, Bill thought kidney disease was the end of his life as he knew it. But with the incredible support of the staff at Northwest Kidney Centers (NKC), Bill learned to take charge of his own life. He soon learned to dialyze at home, where he did so successfully for nearly 20 years. In total, Bill lived well on dialysis for 28 years – a remarkable achievement.
Even with his kidney disease, Bill lived an incredibly full life. He worked full time making signs for Triumph Expo and Events and continued to travel, visiting 34 countries and dialyzing in 23 of them. He considered dialysis a back-door look into other cultures.
Bill inherited his love of travel. John Ledyard, Bill’s ancestor and namesake (middle name Ledyard), sailed with Captain Cook and attempted to traverse the USSR, among other great travel adventures. His grandparents also were inveterate travelers, having sailed around the world twice for months at a time, leaving delightful diaries of their voyages. Bill also traveled often with his family growing up.
In addition to his love of travel, Bill had a passion for dogs. One of his college dogmates was Tyler, an Australian Shepherd. Smitten by the breed, all of Bill’s dogs were Aussies: Brainy, followed by Cairny, and finally Banjo.
Bill was also a fierce advocate for patient care. He was an active volunteer for NKC and served on their Board for many years, including a term as Board Chair. Many know Bill through his advocacy work at NKC, from his blog “Dialysis from the Sharp End of the Needle,†and from his lobbying efforts in Washington State and Washington, DC.
Bill was pre-deceased by his parents, Jim and Sue Peckham, and his brother, Jimmy Peckham. He is survived by his brother Charlie, his dog Banjo, and many friends.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held Sunday, February 24, at 2:00 at Northwest Kidney Centers – Seattle Kidney Center – 548 15th Ave (corner of Cherry and 15th). All are welcome.
Remembrance donations can be made to Northwest Kidney Centers, PO Box 3035, Seattle WA 98114-9900 – or via www.nwkidney.org/give.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
At center of the photo provided by Sound Credit Union is Madison Middle School librarian Stacia Bell. We got a tip that she had received their Educator of the Month award, so we requested the photo and news release:
Sound Credit Union selected Madison Middle School Teacher-Librarian Stacia Bell as February’s Educator of the Month.
Ronnie Applewhite nominated Bell. He explains “Since she took over the library a few years ago, it has become the most popular place in the school. Mrs. Bell personally engages with each and every student and tries to find out what inspires them and what kind of stories they like, while at the same time encouraging them to step outside their comfort zone and try different reading genres.â€
According to Applewhite, Bell transformed the library this past summer, making it a comfortable place to congregate and quietly socialize, by adding new shelving and furniture, most of which she purchased herself.
“Now, a student can come in after lunch, grad a book and plop down on a couch or a giant beanbag,†Applewhite says.
“We are humbled to be able to support our local educators. By helping students develop a desire to read, Mrs. Bell is opening a whole new world for them. We’re pleased we have the opportunity to help recognize educators who are connecting with students and making a difference in our community,†says Sound Credit Union VP of Public Relations Jennifer Reed.
The Educator of the Month program recognizes the tremendous impact educators make in a community. Winners receive a $500 classroom scholarship and treats for their class. To nominate an educator to be recognized as Sound Credit Union’s Educator of the Month, visit soundcu.com/educator.
That’s the big dumpster you’ll find on the west side of the West Seattle Stadium parking lot until 3 pm, if you just can’t wait for snow-delayed garbage pickup any longer. As announced by the city, you can bring your trash – no recycling or yard/food waste, just trash – here (4432 35th SW) for free dropoff, today only. Seattle Public Utilities has people there to help if you need it – otherwise, drive/ride up, drop off, leave, no waiting while we were there. Residents with delayed pickup are also welcome to bring a carload or truckload of trash, recycling, and/or yard/food waste to South Transfer Station (130 S. Kenyon) until 5:30 today or 8 am-5:30 pm Sunday, for free.
(Another “snowbird” photographed by Mark Wangerin – varied thrush)
Happy weekend! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION: 9 am; details in our calendar listing. (5601 California SW)
FREE TRASH DROPOFF: 10 am-3 pm at West Seattle Stadium, the city will accept garbage dropoffs because of the pickups missed during the snow. (4432 35th SW)
WSHS ALUMNI FUNDRAISER: 10 am-6 pm, CAPERS in The Junction is donating part of today’s proceeds to the West Seattle High School Alumni Association – you can support them just by shopping.
WEST SEATTLE MOMENTIA MIX: 10:30 am-noon at Camp Long, “free social event for community members with memory loss and their families and friends.”
(added) TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: 3-5 pm at Delridge Library, drop in and talk with Seattle Public Schools board president – and West Seattle/South Park elected rep – Leslie Harris. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
BASKETBALL: After Friday victories, West Seattle High School‘s basketball teams are in the district semifinals today, both games at Sammamish HS in Bellevue: The boys vs. Ingraham at 5 pm, girls vs. Garfield at 6:30 pm. (100 140th Ave. SE)
GUSTER AT EASY STREET: Signing and free in-store concert at Easy Street Records, 6 pm. Details here. (California/Alaska)
NATASHA STRUELENS: Solo artist at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘ONCE ON THIS ISLAND – THE MUSICAL’: Second night for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new show, directed by Harry Turpin, with Faith Bennett Russell as Artistic and Cultural Adviser. 7:30 pm curtain at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
ABBAGRAPHS & DJ DISCO ROYALE: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. Wear your best ’70s threads! $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP …browse our complete calendar!
The West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team has advanced to the district semifinals after Friday night’s overtime win over Mercer Island. Playing at Sammamish HS, the Wildcats came from behind to defeat MIHS 50-44. Next up for head coach Keffrey Fazio and his team, Ingraham HS at 5 pm Saturday, also at Sammamish HS (100 140th Ave. SE, Bellevue).
(Photo tweeted by @seattlespu and @mayorjenny accounts, unidentified location)
To recap before night’s end, here’s the newest info from Seattle Public Utilities, via its newest update and questions to which we obtained answers via email:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SATURDAY: If you are a Monday, Thursday, or Friday customer, and you haven’t been picked up yet, keep your garbage bins out tomorrow. SPU adds, “We will also attempt to collect Thursday and Friday customers’ recycling and food/yard waste” continuing on Saturday.
Tomorrow, you can also drop off trash (no recycling or food/yard waste) 10 am-3 pm at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW).
And all weekend, delayed-pickup customers can also take one carload or truckload (420 pounds maximum combined weight) of trash/recycling/yard waste to a transfer station. The nearest is South, 130 S. Kenyon, and it’s open 8 am-5:30 pm Saturday and Sunday.
IF YOU’RE A TUESDAY CUSTOMER: If your recycling was missed this week and wouldn’t normally be picked up again until a week from Tuesday, SPU’s Sabrina Register told us in response to our question – put it out anyway: “Tuesday customers whose recycling was not picked up last week should set out their recycling cart this coming Tuesday, Feb. 19th. Crews will attempt to pick up all recycling that was not picked up from Tuesday customers last week.”
ABOUT THAT CREDIT: If you missed two pickups, whether you’re a Monday or Tuesday customer, you don’t have to report it to SPU to be eligible for the $10 credit, Register says.
Westwood Village apparently will soon have yet another vacant storefront: Payless ShoeSource, which has a store on the shopping center’s south side. National news outlets including NBC, Reuters, and CNN quote Payless tonight as saying it will close all 2,100 of its U.S. stores in the months ahead, with liquidation sales starting as soon as this Sunday. (Thanks to the readers who’ve sent tips on this.)
(Added: WSB photos by Patrick Sand. Above, WSHS #11 Jasmine Gayles with the basketball)
The West Seattle High School girls have just wrapped up their first postseason win, 55-49 over Holy Names Academy in a district-tournament game at Chief Sealth IHS. The Wildcats led the entire game; the Cougars came close in the final quarter – just three points back with less than three minutes to go – but not close enough, never recovering from West Seattle’s strong start.
The Wildcats’ first points came barely a quarter of a minute in, on a basket by #32, senior Meghan Fiso (above), who scored the next basket too. But HN only had a foul-shot point on the board until 3:12 was left in the first quarter, when the Cougars snagged a basket.
Shortly thereafter, a quick three-pointer by WSHS #4 Kelsey Lenzie (above) had WSHS up 15-3 with 2:35 to go in the first. 21-9 was the score going into the second quarter. That’s when Holy Names got hot with three-pointers, but they were still a dozen back, 29-17, at the half.
ADDED 8:46 PM: More photos are above and below, and here are the leading scorers: Jasmine Gayles with 18, Grace Sarver (#20, above) with 15, Meghan Fiso with 13, Kelsey Lenzie with 9.
(Head coach Darnell Taylor)
NEXT: The WSHS girls play either Juanita or Garfield in the district semifinals tomorrow (Saturday, February 16), 6:30 pm at Sammamish HS.
(Photo courtesy Tod)
Multiple readers have sent photos of the sign that just went up in the past few hours announcing the permanent closure of B’s Po Boy on Alki. We know the time frame because we were in the area around midmorning, at which time the sign was still the one that had been up for about a week, saying the restaurant was still closed because of the weather. Previously, an early February opening was promised when B’s Po Boy closed just before Christmas, citing vacation time; the business has also been listed for sale for some weeks. B’s opened a year and a half ago, run by a couple who had moved here from Indianapolis, where they had a restaurant of the same name (which closed in late 2017). The 2738 Alki Avenue SW spot had previously been the site of Fatburger, from fall 2013 to early 2017, following Bada Bistro‘s less-than-five-month run, after two years for the Beachside Café, which in turn was the successor to Alki Bakery, a corner fixture for 25 years, until November 2010.
Other Alki food/beverage closures in the past year include, west to east, Marée Bistro, Sushi Samurai, Phoenecia, Tully’s Coffee (which, as first reported here almost two weeks ago, will become Harry’s Beach House), Saigon Pho.
ORIGINAL FRIDAY REPORT: Thanks for the tip! We photographed the replacement shelter at the northbound Delridge/Myrtle bus stop today, after a tip that a Metro crew was there installing it. It’s been a week since a driver took out the previous one.
SATURDAY CORRECTION: If it sounded too good to be true … it was. Our photographer took a picture of the wrong bus shelter. This one is a bit further north. The bus stop immediately north of the Shell station is still shelterless. Thanks to Craig for pointing out our error; we are sorry to have screwed up. We’ll check on the status with Metro next week.
(One page from new PDF of “visualizations” linked in “online open house” for feedback)
For more than a year, the process of determining a “preferred alternative” for routing and station locations of Sound Transit‘s West Seattle/Ballard light rail has been under way. Today, your next chance to comment – and last major chance to do it before that “preferred alternative” is chosen for environmenal studies – begins. ST has just announced the official start of a month of “scoping,” which includes its next West Seattle meeting, and an “online open house” featuring new summaries and comparisons of what’s currently under consideration:
Scoping begins today! Share your comments by March 18
Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration have officially kicked off scoping for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project. Scoping is the next step in the environmental review process and provides an opportunity for you to comment on the route and station alternatives, topics to study in the environmental impact statement, and project purpose and need. This 30-day public comment period will include multiple ways for you to share your feedback and help the Sound Transit Board identify a preferred alternative and other alternatives to study in an Environmental Impact Statement during the next phase of project development.
This is an especially important time to get involved and we want to hear from you! Here’s how to comment:
Attend an upcoming open house: details below
Comment online: wsblink.participate.online
Email us: wsbscopingcomments@soundtransit.org
Leave a voicemail: 833-972-2666
Mail us a letter: West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions, c/o Lauren Swift, Sound Transit, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104Comments must be received by March 18. Your feedback will be shared with the Stakeholder Advisory Group, Elected Leadership Group, and the Sound Transit Board prior to their recommendations on which alternatives should be studied during environmental review. The Sound Transit Board will identify a preferred alternative and other alternatives to study in an Environmental Impact Statement in May 2019.
Save the dates! Join us at a scoping open house
We’re excited to share dates for our upcoming scoping open houses in West Seattle, Ballard, and downtown Seattle. We hope you’ll join us at one of the meetings below to learn more about the alternatives being considered, ask questions and share your comments.
West Seattle on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW)
Ballard/Interbay on Thursday, Feb. 28, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Ballard High School
Downtown on Thursday, March 7, 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Union StationCan’t join us in-person? Our online open house is now live! Visit wsblink.participate.online and submit your scoping comments by March 18.
New year, new numbers: advisory groups review Level 3 evaluation results:
The Stakeholder Advisory Group and Elected Leadership Group recently held meetings to review the latest alternatives and hear more about the Level 3 evaluation results. The three end-to-end alternatives were evaluated based on their performance with respect to dozens of qualitative and quantitative measures, such as service reliability, travel times, environmental effects, technical feasibility and much more.
Want to dig into the details to inform your scoping comments? Explore the evaluation results, then visit the online open house to comment between now and March 18. (Go here)
Other project documents, including a Scoping Information Report, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Significance, and evaluation reports, are also available for review online.
One thing we noticed while browsing the “online open house” before publishing this announcement – you can access a PDF with visualizations of the currently proposed “end-to-end alternatives” – see it here.
P.S. We’ve been covering all the other steps in the process along the way – most recently, the Stakeholder Advisory Group‘s meeting two weeks ago.
(Bewick’s Wren, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
As things continue returning to something resembling normal, post-snow, here are the calendar highlights for today/tonight – reasons to go out!
FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: This afternoon’s movie at the Senior Center of West Seattle is “The Fisher King” (1991), 1 pm, $1 members/$2 nonmembers, free popcorn! (4217 SW Oregon)
BASKETBALL: The West Seattle High School girls and boys teams both have district-tournament games today – girls vs. Holy Names Academy, 4 pm at Chief Sealth International HS (2600 SW Thistle); boys vs. Mercer Island HS, 8:15 pm at Sammamish HS. (100 140th Ave SE, Bellevue)
DINE OUT FOR SANISLO: They’re calling it the “Valentine Do-Over,” but really, who needs an excuse? Just go to 2 Fingers Social in South Delridge 5-10 pm and part of your dinner tab will go to the Sanislo Elementary PTA. (9211 Delridge Way SW)
BERD & LYLE: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. No cover. (5612 California SW)
‘ONCE ON THIS ISLAND – THE MUSICAL’: Opening night for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new show, directed by Harry Turpin, with Faith Bennett Russell serving as Artistic and Cultural Adviser. 7:30 pm curtain at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
3 BANDS: Black Planes, Sweet Jesus, Floored Faces at The Skylark, 8 pm. $8 cover, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
CAVEMAN EGO & DUST MICE: “Eclectic double bill” at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm, $6 cover, 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Have a great Friday!
6:03 AM: Good morning. Things are getting back to normal but not quite there yet. This morning’s info list and updates:
METRO: Some buses still rerouted
METRO ROUTE 37: 6:18 and 7:11 am trips not running
METRO ROUTE 55: 6:48 and 7:30 am trips not running
METRO ROUTE 56: 7:33 am trip not running
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT WINTER RESPONSE MAP: See which streets city crews have treated
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SCHOOLS: Back to normal or out on break
TRASH/RECYCLING: Here’s the newest city plan
6:26 AM: Metro is continuing to announce cancellations, though fewer than yesterday. As local ones are texted/tweeted, we’re adding to the list above. … Weather-wise, it’s well above freezing, and today’s forecast is for clouds with a chance of RAIN showers.
7:55 AM: Still fairly quiet; no incidents reported in or near our area. … If you use Metro, its general manager is asking for your feedback on how things went during the snowy almost-two-weeks from which we’re emerging.
That’s one of the photos tweeted by the West Seattle High School Athletics Department tonight, right after the boys’ basketball team won its snow-delayed first postseason game of the year – 48-42 vs., and at, Roosevelt HS. The WSHS boys (15-6) play Mercer Island at 8:15 pm Friday at Sammamish HS (100 140th Ave SE, Bellevue).
Also tomorrow, the WSHS girls (15-4) play their first game of the postseason, vs. Holy Names Academy, 4 pm at Chief Sealth International HS (2600 SW Thistle).
Both teams are now in district play; with all the snow-closure days, the Metro League canceled its tournaments, sending the regular season’s top finishers into district play, which determines who qualifies for state.
(WSB photo: Waste Management truck southwest of Morgan Junction late Wednesday afternoon)
5:54 PM: The city has announced new plans for residents who have missed trash, recycling, and yard waste because of the storm. Here’s the full announcement:
Following the historic series of winter storms that hit the Seattle region over the past 11 days, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) announced they will provide a $10 billing credit to residential customers who had two or more missed garbage collections due to inclement weather. The credit will be issued within two regular billing cycles for impacted customers, which are primarily customers with Monday service. In addition, any customers who have experienced delays in solid waste collection can put out additional bags of garbage, recycling or yard waste free of charge.
“Our foremost goal as a City is to deliver on essential services like garbage, water and power. Our City departments have been working around the clock during this historic weather event clearing our streets, repairing power lines and bringing our most vulnerable neighbors inside,†said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “We thank Seattle residents for their patience in this time, which is why we are providing a credit to our customers for their missed service.â€
The series of winter storms that the Seattle region caused an 11-day stretch of weather has adjusted and delayed the collection of garbage, recycling, and compost for 150,000 residential households and 6,000 multi-family accounts. At every safe weather opportunity, drivers collected waste from as many customers as possible, including critical locations like hospitals, multi-family buildings and high-volume commercial customers.
“We thank our customers for their understanding during the unprecedented weather we have experienced over the past several weeks. We are committed to catching up completely on our collections as soon as possible and anticipate we will be back on a normal schedule next week,†said General Manager Mami Hara. “I especially want to thank our crews who have been navigating difficult roads and standing by for any windows of clear weather to collect our residents’ solid waste.â€
The improved weather through the weekend will allow additional pickups to service customers who have been significantly delayed in solid waste pickup. Crews are prioritizing pickup for as many Monday customers as possible by deploying additional resources. Monday, Thursday, and Friday customers who have not received service are asked to put their bins and bags out to the curb beginning Friday, February 15 for pickup Friday or Saturday. Seattle Department of Transportation has also deployed their crews to assist SPU contractors by plowing streets where they encounter difficulties. Seattle Parks and Seattle Housing Authority will also assist Seattle Public Utilities as they work to resume normal pickups.
While Seattle Public Utilities will be working to pick up residential garbage, Seattle Public Utilities will also provide garbage drop-off sites on Saturday from 10 am-3 pm in the following four locations at no charge:
West Seattle Stadium-35th Ave SW & SW Snoqualmie St.
[not in West Seattle but FYI]
Lower Woodland – 50th and Whitman
Magnuson – 65th street lot, Parking Lot E
Interbay – 17th Ave. W. And W. Barrett Street
8:30 PM: The online version of this announcement ends with two more paragraphs – reaffirming a free period at the transfer stations through this weekend, and offering contact info if you are due a credit and don’t get it.
9:31 PM: As noted below in comments, we’ll seek some clarifications tomorrow. Pending that, we’ve already received one from SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register: “I want to stress that the pickup tomorrow is for garbage only, not recycling or compost. Extra crews will work hard tomorrow to get missed Monday customers but they may not be able to get all of them due to the number missed and/or continued challenging road conditions on certain streets.”
ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Another SPU note about what’s happening today and tomorrow:
“I want to clarify that crews will be picking up garbage only, for Monday customers.
Thursday customers, who will be picked up today because of the one-day delay, should also set out their recycling and food/yard waste and crews will make every effort to pick up all solid waste from these customers.
Friday customers will get picked up tomorrow (Saturday). They should also set out garbage, recycling and food and yard waste and crews will make every effort to pick up all solid waste for Friday customers on Saturday.
6:15 PM: Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor) shares that photo of artist Ryan McAbery, as the Valentine’s Day West Seattle Art Walk begins. Full info in our daily calendar highlights, including the venue map/list. More Art Walk coverage to come!
7:15 PM: We decided to visit a couple spots south of The Junction – above, that’s Ben Viscon pouring at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Since the snow aftermath is still rocking people’s worlds, his scheduled artist and chocolate-maker weren’t there after all, but his award-winning winery has libations for you until 8 pm.
8:49 PM: Out late? Canna West Seattle (5435 California SW; WSB sponsor) has a group show at its Canna Culture shop across the street, including the work you see above.
So far:
DISTRICTS
Seattle Public Schools – regular hours, regular bus routes Friday
Vashon Island SD – regular hours, regular bus routes Friday
P.S. Short list, with Friday included in mid-winter break for some schools, as well as the entire Highline Public Schools district.
Something to add? Text or voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
CAR PROWLS: Two at one Fauntleroy home, according to this texted report: “Both of my cars were rummaged through in the early morning hours (Feb. 12). Doesn’t appear anything was taken. This was at 45th & Director.”
SUSPECTED PACKAGE THEFT: Another reader wanted to warn North Admiral neighbors about a suspected package thief. They were out shoveling snow when an older white Toyota pickup pulled up, with a “young woman … about 5’5″, long straight brown hair, with jeans tucked into her boots” got out, walked south, returned from the north a few minutes later with a package in hand, “and quickly got into her truck and drove off when she saw me. … I reported it to SPD.
Neighbors be on the lookout.”
Some court-case delays because of the snow, most notably:
RYAN COX SENTENCING RESCHEDULED: As reported here, Ryan J. Cox pleaded guilty last month to second-degree assault for stabbing a man in Gatewood in October 2017. His sentencing was originally set for last Friday, February 8th, but courts closed early because of the snow and he’s now scheduled to be sentenced on February 22nd.
Friends and family are invited to an April celebration of the life of Dennis A. Simonsen. Here is the remembrance being shared with the community:
In loving memory of Dennis A. Simonsen, 76, recently of Tomah, Wisconsin and longtime resident of West Seattle, who died on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, surrounded by his family, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Dennis was born on August 16, 1942 to Alvin and Helen (Lingman) Simonsen in Redmond, Oregon. He married Donna (Leiendecker) on September 5, 1970 in Juneau, Alaska, and together they have two children, Daphney Newtson of West Seattle and Devon Simonsen, also of West Seattle. He was also blessed with two grandchildren, Zachary Newtson of Peoria, Illinois, and McKenzy Newtson of West Seattle.
Dennis was a man of deep faith with a huge heart that cared for all those around him. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, the Knights of Columbus in both Washington and Wisconsin, and involved in many volunteer programs, including Friend to Friend, Hospice, ICYE (international youth exchange) Catholic Community Services (Foster care), and helping with Donna’s in-home day care. His outside work included purser for the Alaska Marine Highway, travel agent here in Seattle, and in recent years, medical assisting and kidney dialysis tech.
A prayer service was held on Friday, February 8, 2019 in Tomah, Wisconsin at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home. In addition, a celebration of his life will be held on April 27, 2019 at 1 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, and all that knew him are invited to attend.
Dennis is also survived by his sister, Carol (Simonsen) James of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, as well as many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
His presence in our lives will be missed, but we are assured that his love for his family and the fond memories we shared will continue on within us.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Between the first two waves of snow, the Southwest District Council held its February meeting. We were there, and just getting a chance to finish the report now that (what we hope is) the last wave of snow is melting. Two major guests at the February 6th meeting: Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold:
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