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VIDEO: From orcas to health insurance, here’s what 34th District state legislators were asked about in West Seattle Q&A
January 13, 2019 12:42 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Those are the three people who will be representing you and the rest of the 34th District (including West Seattle, White Center, Vashon/Maury Islands, part of Burien) when the Washington State Legislature starts its new session tomorrow in Olympia. From left are Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon, re-elected unopposed in November, which is also when about-to-be-sworn-in Sen. Joe Nguyen was elected. Before the session starts, the trio held an hour-plus Town Hall-style gathering Saturday morning at Delridge Community Center. Each began with a short introduction and summary – along the lines of the conversations we’ve already published (Cody and Fitzgibbon here, Nguyen here). After a few minutes, they opened the floor to comments/questions. We have it all on video, plus part of the introductions:

If you don’t have time to watch, here are our topline notes:

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AIRCRAFT ALERT: Blue Angels jet visiting Monday
January 13, 2019 10:27 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Blue Angels | West Seattle news

While we grapple with Viadoom on the ground tomorrow, there will be a summer-style sighting in the sky … the Blue Angels #7 jet flying a crew in for the annual Seafair midwinter visit. It’s an annual visit to plan the summer festival – no performances but in case you see/hear the jet on its way in to nearby Boeing Field (tentatively expected around 2 pm Monday), now you know. This year’s big Seafair weekend will be August 2nd-4th.

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What’s up for your first Highway 99-less West Seattle Sunday
January 13, 2019 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on What’s up for your first Highway 99-less West Seattle Sunday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Common Goldeneye, photographed at Jack Block Park by Mark Wangerin)

Enjoy a sunny Sunday before we truly see what transportation challenges Monday brings. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SURVIVE #REALIGN99 RIDE, THE SEQUEL: Want to join a friendly group to see what the bike commute to downtown is like? Meet West Seattle Bike Connections and Cascade Bicycle Club for the second version of this free ride – gather at 9:15 am at Starbucks in The Junction – ride starts at 9:30 am. (California/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Sunny Sunday shopping, 10 am-2 pm in the heart of The Junction – vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, baked goods, beverages, prepared food, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

GREYHOUND MEET-AND-GREET: The dogs would love to meet you. So would the volunteers working with them. 11 am-1 pm at Mud Bay in Admiral. (2611 California SW)

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE @ A CHILD BECOMES: 2 pm-4 pm, come tour A Child Becomes Preschool – details in our calendar listing. Bring your child(ren)! (4320 SW Hill)

SUMMER CAMP FAIR: 3-6 pm, Mode Music Studios and Boom Studios LLC (WSB sponsors) invite you to a summer-camp fair, with fun and discounts, and a chance to secure your space(s) in fun camps! We previewed the fair here. It’s at Mode Music and Performing Arts‘ HQ. (3801 Delridge Way SW)

LADIES’ MUSICAL CLUB: Free concert at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 3 pm:

La Voix Humaine is Poulenc’s one-act operatic monologue first performed in 1959. The opera is subtitled a “Lyric Tragedy” and follows the final conversation of a woman with her lover, who tells her that he’s leaving her for another. Arranged for soprano and piano. Performed by Emily Riesser, soprano, and Joan Lundquist, piano.

(2306 42nd SW)

DAN LUNDIN & FRIENDS: 3-5 pm, easy-listening covers and originals at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) with Dan Lundin & friends. (5612 California SW)

SEE THE FUTURE … by browsing our complete calendar!

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Hope Lutheran gathers ‘with laughter and tears’ in memory of Natalie Gulizia
January 12, 2019 11:07 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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)

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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!

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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!

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‘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:

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BASKETBALL: Victory for West Seattle HS boys vs. Ingraham
January 11, 2019 11:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

11:05 PM FRIDAY: Someone might think of it someday as the Viaduct Victory. At the exact moment Highway 99 was set to start shutting down – 10 pm – the West Seattle High School boys finished their win over Ingraham, 58-35. Aside from a short period of see-saw lead-exchanging at the start, the Wildcats (now 10-5) were ahead all the way. Photos and stats to come!

ADDED SATURDAY: Above, the floor view of the victory jubilation – that’s head coach Keffrey Fazio in the center background, and leading scorer Nuh’Kosi Roberson (#22, 17 points) at right. Below, #24 Abdullahi Mohamed, second in scoring with 11:

#9 Roman Barnet followed with nine. And on hand for the whole night, WSHS’s headed-for-state Cheer Team:

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Puget Sound’s orcas have a baby: L124!
January 11, 2019 9:44 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

If you haven’t heard the promising news yet: The endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales that visited central Puget Sound on Thursday had a brand-new visitor with them – as announced by the Center for Whale Research, L-Pod has a new calf, L124, born to 31-year-old L77. This is the third calf known to have been born to L77; the first one died in 2010, same year it was born, and the second one is L119, born in 2012. As CWR somberly points out, many calves don’t survive their first year, so everyone is watching and hoping for the best. The Southern Resident population is now at 75.

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls over Ingraham
January 11, 2019 8:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Ingraham High School is visiting West Seattle High School tonight to play the girls’ and boys’ basketball games, and the girls’ varsity matchup ended with the Wildcats winning, 58-37. They lead their division and are now 11-1, the best overall record of any Metro League team. Tomorrow afternoon you can catch them at home again, playing Port Angeles, at 4 pm. More photos and stats later.

ADDED SATURDAY: Grace Sarver (#20, above) led scoring with 18; next was Meghan Fiso (#32, below) with 12.

Kelsey Lenzie (#4) was right after her with 10, including two three-pointers.

Head coach Darnell Taylor and the Wildcat girls have only one regularly scheduled home game after today’s aforementioned Port Angeles matchup – next Friday (January 18th) vs. Roosevelt, 7 pm.

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Farewell, Alaskan Way Viaduct: What happens tonight, and the latest on what’s ahead
January 11, 2019 7:46 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle news

7:46 PM: A day full of Alaskan Way Viaduct nostalgia ended with a colorful sunset.

Now, it’s almost closure time.

No big briefing today but we have new information including responses to reader questions. First, a reminder of the timeline:

-10 pm, Highway 99 officially closes between the West Seattle Bridge and south end of Battery Street Tunnel. WSDOT says the Columbia Street onramp will be the first section closed, around 9:45 pm.

–Here’s how work begins after that.

–Here again is the full timeline.

WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: Two-boat service begins Monday (January 14th). While seeking answers to readers’ questions, here’s what we have learned:

-Second boat on the run will be the San Juan Express, capacity 245 passengers, which is close to the size of the regular boat MV Doc Maynard. (The much-smaller Spirit of Kingston will remain available as a backup.) From spokesperson Brent Champaco:

The schedule – which is subject to change – has the San Juan Clipper starting the day’s service with the 5:55 a.m. sailing out of Seattle followed by the 6:15 a.m. sailing out of Seacrest. The Doc Maynard will follow with the 6:15 a.m. sailing out of Seattle and the 6:30 a.m. sailing out of Seacrest. The two vessels will alternate until the 9:25 a.m. sailing out of Seacrest.

We’ll use the Doc Maynard for the midday service between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Both boats will resume service beginning with the 3:25 p.m. sailings out of Seacrest (Doc Maynard) and Pier 52 (San Juan Clipper) respectively, until the final sailing at 7:05 p.m. out of West Seattle.

Please note that the 5:05 p.m. sailing out of Pier 52 in Seattle has been moved up to 5 p.m. This is a slight change to the expanded schedule that’s in our printed brochures.

Here’s the planned schedule including the Sally Fox on the Vashon route, which is not adding capacity:

WATER TAXI SHUTTLES: In response to questions about whether larger buses will be used, spokesperson Torie Rynning says no, they’ve just doubled up here too: Two 19-passenger shuttles on each of the two routes during peak hours, one during the added midday hours. The Pier 2 parking shuttles will use a 19-passenger bus and a 33-passenger bus.

ONE MORE WATER TAXI NOTE: King County Executive Dow Constantine plans to be at the dock for a while Monday morning.

RIDE2 CONTINUES: We asked Metro about the Ride2 usage so far: It averaged 26 passengers a day during last week’s non-holidays. If you missed the original announcement a month ago, this is an on-demand service you can use provided your starting or ending point is either The Junction or the Water Taxi dock. Find out more here.

POLICE OFFICERS DIRECTING TRAFFIC: The plan to have police assigned to certain intersections has been in the works for a while. Now, SDOT has provided the list and maps of where – part of this new post on the city’s recently launched traffic-info website. Here for example is the map showing the plan for 4th/Spokane:

TRAFFIC COVERAGE ON WSB: It’s been a priority for a long time and you can count on us to step it way up during the Highway 99 closure and beyond. Your help is always important – now more than ever. If you see a problem and we’re not reporting it, please let us know when you can (once of course you have reported it to authorities, if they’re not on the scene either) – safely and legally – 206-203-6302, text or voice, 24/7. Meantime, we’ll update later tonight once the closure’s officially in effect. And we’ll be adjusting our standard resources (like the cameras page) to reflect “the new normal.”

10:05 PM: The closure has indeed begun – after a crowd of drivers took to the Viaduct to travel it one last time! Separate report to come, but for starters:

11:30 PM: We haven’t published a separate update yet because it’s still not fully closed – it’s taken an hour and a half so far to clear the last vehicles off!

12:07 AM SATURDAY: Finally cleared, says WSDOT.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Hit-and-run; followups on Roxbury Safeway deputy assault, High Point gunfire cases
January 11, 2019 4:36 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch, one new incident plus two followups:

HIT-RUN DRIVER DAMAGES 2 CARS: P reports this happened on Halleck SW:

Yesterday morning, Thursday, January 10, approximately 615 AM, an off white Jeep Wrangler, probably in the early 2000s era, with hardtop and KC off-road lights mounted on top, smashed mine and my neighbor’s cars while apparently trying to navigate getting out of a parallel park situation. My neighbor heard the sounds and was able to make it outside to see the end of the incident, but was unable to get a license number because of darkness and rain. The driver of the Jeep sped off erratically. Drunk/drug induced driving is suspected because this was no small bumping of cars. My back left quarter panel and bumper is bent in, my fender was completely ripped off, my exhaust was bent entirely vertically down, and my back left wheel is bent in, most likely making the entire rear suspension out of alignment and rendering the car un-drivable. My neighbor’s car was also damaged in a similar way, with easily 1k in damage. A police report was filed yesterday afternoon.

Any help identifying the car/driver would be most appreciated! Most likely the Jeep will have damage to its front, probably more specifically the front right.

We have asked for the police report # and will add it when available. (UPDATE: 19-012991) Now, the followups:

(WSB photo, Monday)

ROXBURY SAFEWAY SUSPECT CHARGED: Charges are now filed against 18-year-old Khalia I. Wimberly, who as reported last night has been arrested in connection with Monday’s incident that sent a King County Sheriff’s Office deputy to the hospital. She is charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and hit-and-run. Bail on these charges is set at $300,000. The court documents include this:

(Wimberly) committed this offense while on a deferred disposition in Juvenile Court for charges of Taking Motor Vehicle Without Permission in the Second Degree and Trafficking Stolen Property in the Second Degree … Based on the probable cause certification for that case, the defendant and three other females approached a 72-year-old, 5’3’’, 130-pound victim in a Kirkland library parking garage. Without provocation, they attacked the victim, throwing her to the ground at least twice and causing injuries to the victim’s face, arms, and hands. The females then robbed the victim of her car, and also stole her purse, cell phone, and financial documents. According to the Victim Impact Statement, the victim’s daughter and grandchildren were in a car just feet away when the victim was attacked. Originally charged as Attempted Robbery 1, the defendant entered into a deferred disposition to the reduced charges. The defendant has done poorly while on the deferred disposition. The defendant was ordered to participate in “Restorative Mediation,” but repeatedly failed to do so.

The charging papers say Wimberly also has a juvenile conviction for car prowling.

HIGH POINT GUNFIRE SUSPECT’S BAIL SET: The 37-year-old man arrested on Wednesday remains in King County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail. Probable-cause documents quote a witness as saying he was targeted along with friends for unspecified reasons while they were in a car in the Walgreens parking lot at 35th/Morgan. The suspect is alleged to have fired the gun at them, from inside the car, through its windshield/window, after screaming threats.

(WSB photo, Wednesday)

Police found casings inside the damaged car, which belongs to a family member who lives where it was found near 31st/Bataan, but the suspect doesn’t live there. He was arrested after another family member reached him by phone in South Seattle and talked him into giving up. The probable-cause documents also say he is facing an unlawful-gun possession charge for two reasons – one, he is a convicted felon, having been found guilty of assault in 2016, and two, he is the subject of a protection order that bars him from gun possession.

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New eastbound left-turn signal installed at Delridge/Andover
January 11, 2019 4:08 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Pigeon Point | Safety | West Seattle news

Thanks to Pigeon Point’s Pete Spalding for the photo and word of SDOT work at Delridge/Andover today. We confirmed with SDOT’s Dawn Schellenberg that they were installing a turn signal for people turning east onto Andover from Delridge: “The Delridge/Andover intersection was identified through our Bike and Ped Safety Assessment as a priority location. We evaluated the location in 2016 and determined a protected left-turn phase was warranted to reduce potential vehicle and bicycle; and vehicle and vehicle collisions. This Vision Zero project was completed today.”

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Boom Studios, LLC: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!
January 11, 2019 2:12 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Today we welcome Boom Studios, LLC as a new WSB sponsor! Here’s what they’d like you to know about what they offer:

Boom Dance Studios has spent the past 3 years working in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation and the community centers in West Seattle. We have provided a variety of classes locally and have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know you all!

We are excited to announce that starting January 14th, 2019, Boom Studios, LLC (formerly Boom Dance Studios) will have a new home at Mode Music & Performing Arts, 3801 Delridge Way SW, next to The Skylark.

Boom Studios encourages learning in a non-traditional environment through an inclusive, engaging, safe, body-positive and fun atmosphere. Our Boom Team inspires our students to be creative, innovative, explorative and energetic.

We offer classes for all ages: Tots (as young as 6 months old), Kids, Teens, Adults, and Seniors. From Hip Hop to Ballet, Urban Sass to Burlesque, Musical Theatre to Creative Movement … we will have your entire family grooving out of the studio feeling confident, happy, and ready to take on the world!

Registration for Winter classes is open online now. Visit boomstudiosllc.com/register to get involved in out Winter classes starting January 14th, 2019. Use promo code WSBLOG5 to receive 5% off your first class registration; valid for Winter and Spring sessions only.

Make sure to check out our events page for information on our special events – especially our Valentine’s Fever Dance Party & Parents’ Night Out! That’s right, we are opening the studio for you to drop off your children for a night of crafts, dinner, movie, cocoa/popcorn, 30 minute Hip Hop class and dance party!

Want to register for summer camps early? Come visit us at our Boom & Mode Studios Summer Camp Fair on Sunday, January 13th, from 3:00-6:00 pm. Games, entertainment, snacks, and prizes will be provided as well as chances to save big on our half- and full-day camps. More information is available at boomstudiosllc.com/summer-camps.

We thank Boom Studios, LLC for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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UPDATE: Police search ends quickly in Arbor Heights, after unfounded report
January 11, 2019 1:16 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

1:16 PM: Police are arriving in Arbor Heights for a search centered at 39th SW and SW 105th. Details to come.

1:19 PM: This was an apparently unfounded report of burglars. A neighbor tells police that the people reported as potential burglars were house cleaners who had a key to enter the house. They’ve just confirmed with the homeowner by phone – per the scanner – that she was expecting new house cleaners today. They’re now making contact with the people in the house.

1:25 PM: Per scanner, confirmed, they’re cleaners. Equipment and all.

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MUSICIANS WELCOME! New West Seattle Community Orchestras season starts next week – new conductor candidate, too
January 11, 2019 1:15 pm
|    Comments Off on MUSICIANS WELCOME! New West Seattle Community Orchestras season starts next week – new conductor candidate, too
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

A new season is about to start for the West Seattle Community Orchestras – and musicians are welcome! Here’s the announcement:

West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSCO) announces the start of what promises to be an exciting Winter/Spring session!

Leading the West Seattle Symphony January through March will be Aaron Hirsch, the second of three conductor-candidates who are “auditioning” to become the group’s permanent conductor.

Ever wanted to play Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony? Here’s your chance! Hirsch has programmed the piece for the orchestra’s March 22 concert, along with a selection of vocal favorites, for “An Evening of Drama.”

Hirsch began his conducting career while working on a bachelor’s degree in organ performance at the University of Minnesota. During this time, he founded Young Musicians of Minnesota, an intensive summer program. Other groups he has conducted include the Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Oregon Bach Festival Baroque Orchestra, the University of Oregon Chamber Choir, and the Dresden Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra.

Aaron currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Orchestral Studies at Central Washington University where he is much in demand as a collaborative pianist and serves as vocal coach and pianist for the CWU opera and opera scenes programs. He is also the Cover Conductor for the Yakima Symphony Orchestra.

Hirsch holds degrees in conducting (M.M., Central Washington University) and organ performance (B.M., University of Minnesota).

Don’t forget that we have three other performing groups you can join—the Debut Orchestra, the Intermediate Orchestra, and the Wind Symphony. In addition, WSCO offers classes for adults who wish to learn (or relearn!) an instrument: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, percussion, violin, viola, or cello.

WSCO especially encourages student musicians to sign up. PARTICIPATION IS FREE for students through grade twelve.

Rehearsals for all groups and classes begin January 15. All are held Tuesdays at Chief Sealth International High School.

It’s not too late to join us! Sign up at wscorchestras.org/registration. Specific start times for the rehearsals and more details are listed on our website, www.wscorchestras.org, or you can contact info@wscorchestras.org.

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FEDERAL SHUTDOWN: West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA says, ‘We want to help’
January 11, 2019 11:34 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news

From Shalimar Gonzales, executive director of the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor):

As the partial government shutdown continues, we are concerned for our friends who are federal employees. With mounting stress that comes from meeting basic needs (food, housing, utilities) while not receiving a paycheck, we want to help. If you are a member who has lost pay, due to the shutdown, bring your government ID to either West Seattle or Fauntleroy Welcome Centers in January and we will waive one month of your dues. We want to make sure you continue your well-being journey, especially now. If you are not a current member, feel free to bring in your government ID and be our guest for free during the month of January. The Y is about creating a place where we can meet goals, make friends and find a place to belong; it is where we can lean in and find help when we experience unplanned challenges.

The West Seattle Y is at 3622 SW Snoqualmie; the Fauntleroy Y is at 9140 California SW.

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