West Seattle, Washington
02 Saturday
(WSB photo from October, site currently planned as temporary off-leash area at Westcrest)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It was the lowest-key proceeding we’ve ever covered in the city Hearing Examiner‘s room downtown.
On one side of the table in the windowless room on the 40th floor of the city’s Municipal Tower, West Seattleite Inge Anderson, making the case for her appeal of the “determination of non-significance” regarding the upcoming drainage work that will close West Seattle’s only off-leash area, at Westcrest Park, for up to six months.
On the other side, Seattle Parks‘ David Graves.
At the head of the table, Hearing Examiner Ryan Vancil and assistant Galen Edlund-Cho.
Under the table, Anderson’s service dog.
In the gallery, no one but your editor here. In some cases, the table is full – with lawyers and witnesses – and spectators fill the seats. Not this time.
We previewed the hearing last Sunday. Anderson contends that the city’s plan will be a hardship on the hundreds of dogs and owners who use the park each day, because Parks intends to open only a much-smaller arra of Westcrest as its replacement. But that wasn’t the only point she argued.
Vancil expects to issue a written ruling “after the holidays.” Here’s how the hearing went:
Thanks to Emily for sending tonight’s photo! These lights are on 50th SW, between SW Hudson and SW Edmunds, a block we last featured five years ago.
To see other lights we’ve featured, scroll through this archive. If you have tips – your own lights or someone else’s, with or without a photo – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
After 3+ inches of rain today alone, you might be saying it’s weather fit for a fish. Or – a mermaid! Just in time for Garland the Holiday Mermaid‘s scheduled appearance tomorrow in West Seattle, 2-5 pm Saturday (December 21st) at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW). From the announcement:
Come meet Garland, pose for pictures, share your holiday wishes, and enjoy a delectable craft beer while you wait. Kids and pets are welcome.
Professional photography available, with digital images delivered to your inbox ($15 for 2 images). Suggested donation of $10, for images taken on your own smart device.
Garland is appearing via Seattle Mermaids.
With midweek holidays the next two weeks, this might be helpful: Here’s how city trash, recycling, and yard-waste pickups will change because of Christmas and New Year’s Day. If you have Monday/Tuesday pickup, it’s normal. But starting with Wednesday both weeks, everything slides a day – Wednesday customers will see Thursday pickups, Thursday customers on Fridays, Friday customers on Saturdays. Then with the week of January 6th, everything gets back to the regular schedule. Seattle Public Utilities recaps it all here.
As you’ve probably heard, the rainfall this past day-plus is record-setting, 3+ inches. Besides ponding on roads and sidewalks, and turning the ground spongy, there’s one other effect of note: Waterway pollution. The framegrab is from this online map that tracks whether county and city outfalls are experiencing “combined-sewer overflows” – and the ones marked in red were doing just that when we checked just after the top of the hour, including outfalls south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, along Harbor Island, and on the Duwamish River. The combined-sewer system refers to rainwater draining into the sewer system at such a volume that it overwhelms the system’s capacity. Both the city and county have built projects in recent years – like the Murray Wet Weather Facility across from Lowman Beach Park – to try to reduce the frequency and amount of overflows, but some still happen. In addition to facilities like the one at Lowman that store water until it can be released into the system without an overflow, other projects have sought to relieve the burden on the system by other means such as raingardens and retention ponds.
P.S. Though you can’t stop the rain, you can lessen the effect of stormwater pollution – both CSO-related and the kind that drains directly to local waterways – by following advice like this.
(WSB photo of group gathered for 2017 Christmas Lights Run)
By Sunday night, the forecast suggests, the rain will likely be past, just in time for this year’s Christmas Lights Run! It’s a West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) tradition. Everyone’s welcome on this fun run. Be at the shop (2743 California SW) by 6 pm Sunday night (December 22nd) – “wear reflective, headlamps, and festive garb!” WSR’s Lori McConnell adds, “We are still hoping to have a caroler in the bunch so someone can lead us in jingles as we go. This is a leisurely paced run and we will go over the route before heading out so folks who want to walk are welcome to join as well!” No charge, but if you can bring a nonperishable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank, that’s appreciated. Then: “We will serve nog and sweets back at the shop for fellowship and fun post-run.”
Just yesterday, SDOT announced it would not close the 35th/Alaska intersection again this weekend after all, tentatively rescheduling the closure for a week later. Now that’s off too. Just in from SDOT:
Due to continued rainy weather, we will not be closing the intersection of SW Alaska St and 35th Ave SW the weekend of December 27 – 30. The second closure is tentatively scheduled from Friday, January 3 at 9 AM to early on Monday, January 6. Please note that this work is highly weather-dependent and may be rescheduled.
The Thursday announcement included other project updates – see it here.
(Downy Woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
TALK WITH YOUR CITY COUNCILMEMBER: Final district office-hours session of the year for City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, 2-7 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Walk-ins welcome. (4217 SW Oregon)
POP-UP SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING: Gifts Revisioned Holiday Pop-Up at Carpe Diem Collective, 2-8:30 pm. Fair-trade, handmade, and eco-friendly gifts. (3834 California SW)
GRAND OPENING FOR OUTER SPACE SEATTLE: As previewed, it’s Grand Opening day for the new indoor playspace on Alki, 4-8 pm. (2820 Alki SW)
HOLIDAY SINGALONG & 16MM FILM SHORTS: One-of-a-kind holiday event, 6:30 pm at South Park Hall. Cider, hot cocoa, popcorn. $7 admission. (1253 S. Cloverdale)
UEHARA-BINGEN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SHOW: Second-to-last chance to catch this on Alki! Be there at 6:15 pm for 6:30 pm show running about 25 minutes. (1736 Alki SW)
JOE ADAMI: At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 7-9 pm, “eclectic mix of blues, pop, folk, fun originals and jazz standards.” No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
KELLEY JOHNSON: Award-winning jazz vocalist, live at the Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 8 pm. (2808 Alki SW)
SEATTLE GIRLS CHOIR: Concert at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 8 pm – details here. Online ticket sales are over but the choir says tickets will be available at the door. (42nd/Genesee)
PRE-HANUKKAH MUSIC: The Festival of Lights starts Sunday. But tonight at 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, “Celebrate Hanukkah w/horns featuring Hot Damn Scandal, and Shpilkis.” $10 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING … by browsing the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
We’re still adding to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide so we’re making one last request for Christmas Eve/Day info from businesses, churches, etc. – if you’re open for last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve, if you haven’t sent us your Christmas Eve service(s) schedule yet, if your coffee shop/restaurant is open for a while on Christmas Day (or closing early Christmas Eve), please let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/call 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning After heavy rain overnight, lots of reports of roadway ponding.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Two-week winter break starts after today – 1-hour early dismissal.
CLOSURE POSTPONED: No 35th/Alaska closure this weekend – SDOT is tentatively planning it for next weekend (UPDATE: first weekend of January) instead.
LAST DAY: Today is the final day of the Ride2 shuttle service
“If he is out of custody, he is committing violent crimes. If he is supervised, he is committing violent crimes.” That’s how prosecutors describe 19-year-old John Leota, a West Seattle resident, in the robbery charge just filed against him. Leota is one of the additional potential suspects under investigation in the recent robbery “spree.” He was jailed a week ago in connection with warrants on other pending cases, then charged today with one of the holdups in that “spree,” at a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop downtown in September. Others who allegedly participated in the holdup include the 17-year-old recently arrested by SWAT officers at his High Point home and charged in the Lucky 5 robbery in West Seattle. Other cases pending against Leota include a street robbery in North Seattle, domestic violence, and shoplifting thousands of dollars in merchandise from grocery and music stores. His bail was set today at $300,000 and he remains in the King County Jail.
After we featured Ken Arkills‘ house at 39th/Trenton in Fauntlee Hills two weeks ago, he suggested we return to the neighborhood to check out neighbors’ brightly lit homes. We did that tonight, and this one stood out, at the corner of 40th/Donovan. But there are others nearby – explore the streets that stretch north and uphill from SW Barton.
To see other lights we’ve featured, scroll through this archive. If you have tips – your own lights or someone else’s, with or without a photo – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photos)
There’s a new place for West Seattle kids to play! Tomorrow (Friday, December 20th) is the official opening day for Outer Space Seattle, an indoor playspace at 2820 Alki SW. Co-proprietors Caitlin Huertas and Jeff Hammock, both West Seattleites, have been working a long time to make this happen.
It’s been two years since we first mentioned the plan for Outer Space Seattle. Then back in March, the location was revealed.
Caitlin stresses that Outer Space Seattle is a playspace for kids of all abilities. Part of what makes it that way – a sensory room:
But it also has ways for kids of differing needs to play with everybody else – there are also accessories to address sensory needs elsewhere in the space, as well as an entry point for mobility-challenged kids to play in the equipment.
Now, some basics – Outer Space Seattle is opening just in time for the winter school break, so there’s a special holiday schedule, but then the regular schedule will be 10 am-7 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-8 pm Fridays-Saturdays, closed Sundays except for private parties. Babies 11 months and under are free, ages 1-3 $9, 4-12 $12. That’s a full day pass, with in-and-out privileges (though if there’s a waitlist you’ll have to get back in line on return – capacity is 45 kids at a time). They sell drinks and snacks, including pizza slices, and expect to have beer, wine, and cider for the grownups starting next month. You’re accountable for supervising your child(ren) while there – it’s not a dropoff child-care facility. Outer Space Seattle officially opens at 4 pm tomorrow, and they want to hear your thoughts once you’ve tried it!
Two east West Seattle neighborhoods have a big Seattle City Light project ahead in the New Year:
Here’s the anoouncement that SCL says “affected residents” should already have received directly:
Starting in January 2020, Seattle City Light crews will upgrade the electrical reliability of the Delridge neighborhood by replacing aging utility poles, overhead wire and equipment along SW Brandon St., 21st Ave. SW, SW Andover St., and 23rd Ave. SW. These improvements will support growth for future electrical infrastructure in the area while reducing unplanned power outages.
PROJECT IMPACTS
Crews will begin replacing utility poles, overhead wire and equipment along SW Brandon Street, 21st Avenue SW, SW Andover Street and 23rd Avenue SW.
Maintenance power outages are required to do the work safely. Notification will be provided in advance of outages. The notification will specify the date, time and duration of the outage.
Crews will reduce traffic and parking impacts by working one area at a time. Traffic will be restricted and “No Park” signs will be enforced in work zones. “No Park” signs will be removed once work has been completed.
Some noise is expected from heavy machinery.
The new poles will be placed alongside pre-existing poles, with the exemption of specific pole locations where adjustments are made to improve pedestrian mobility.
Pre-existing poles will be removed once the transfer of all wires and equipment are done by other utilities. City Light will monitor these efforts to facilitate the removal of old poles.
Construction is scheduled to start in January 2020. Daily work hours are from Mondays – Fridays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nights and weekend work may be needed. The project is anticipated to last approximately five months.
Just north of the Orchard business node on Delridge, more redevelopment – a project to replace that 93-year-old house with nine townhouses is proceeding through the system, a year after an early-stage proposal appeared. The townhouses at 7035 Delridge Way SW would have one off-street-parking spot per unit. The 9,600-square-foot site, sold this past June for $690,000, is just a couple doors down from the site where the Lam Bow Apartments are to be rebuilt.
That’s Scott‘s truck, stolen overnight from 39th/Webster in Gatewood. It’s a 1989 Ford F250. Call 911 if you see it.
Just in from SDOT, the weekly Avalon/35th/Alaska project update, headlined by a cancellation/rescheduling:
Due to an anticipated very rainy weekend, we will not be closing the intersection of SW Alaska St and 35th Ave SW this weekend. Our next intersection closure is tentatively scheduled for Friday, December 27, through Monday, December 30. We will confirm this intersection closure next week. See below for more information on what you can expect over the next few weeks.
Holiday hours
We will not be working December 24, December 25, or January 1. We wish you all a happy holiday season!
35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St:
To rebuild the concrete roadway, we have restricted left turns onto SW Alaska St. To reach SW Alaska St, please proceed north on 35th Ave SW and turn left at SW Avalon Way, left on Fauntleroy Way SW and left on 37th Ave SW. Please expect:
No left turns from northbound 35th Ave SW onto SW Alaska St
This closure will be in place for several weeks
People driving on SW Alaska St can turn right or left on to 35th Ave SW
The next intersection closure at 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St is tentatively scheduled for Friday, December 27 to early Monday morning, December 30. This intersection closure is scheduled to begin at 9 AM to minimize night work and loud noise for near neighbors as we demolish, excavate, and rebuild the road. We will send an update next week with more information about this closure. This work is highly weather dependent and the dates for the weekend intersection closure are subject to change.
Zone E (35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St):
To take advantage of predicted dry weather, we plan to work on Monday, December 23 to continue pouring and building concrete panels on the east side of 35th Ave SW. We plan to continue this work after the holidays on Thursday, December 26 and Friday December 27.
Zone F (SW Alaska St from 35th Ave SW to 36th Ave SW):
We have completed utility work at 36th Ave SW and SW Alaska St. We anticipate continuing work on SW Alaska St as soon as Monday, December 30. Please expect:
Loud noise, dust, and vibrations while we complete this work.
Temporary and intermittent driveway and alley closures
Pedestrian access to all businesses and residences will be maintained
As we begin work on SW Alaska St, please follow King County Metro’s Rider Alerts to stay up to date on bus stop changes.
35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way Intersection:
We have completed all roadway repairs and improvements in the intersection of 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way. We are in the process of putting down temporary striping and plan to return in the spring to paint final striping and remove the right turn from SW Avalon Way to Fauntleroy Way SW.
(American Goldfinch, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visitors in town for the holidays? Bring them to the home of West Seattle’s history, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum, noon-4 pm. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
SSC CAMPUS TOUR: Thinking about starting or resuming your college education? Visit South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) for a tour at 2 pm. (6000 16th SW)
SHOP LATE THURSDAY & ‘GIFT RESCUE’: One more chance to “shop late” for holiday gifts in The Junction. With a bonus tonight – the “Gift Rescue,” including wrapping in the Windermere lobby, as previewed here, 5-9 pm. (4526 California SW)
STEVE RYALS DUO: Live music at the Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 6 pm. No cover. All ages. (2808 Alki SW)
EARLY OUTREACH MEETING FOR ALKI PROJECT: 6 pm at Alki Community Center, meet 2330 Alki SW project team members to talk about the proposed townhouse development. (5817 SW Stevens)
‘GET FIT, WEST SEATTLE’ INFO NIGHT: Ready to “Get Fit” in the New Year? Be at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) 7 pm tonight to learn about the free couch-to-half-marathon program. (2743 California SW)
STUDENT CONCERT: West Seattle High School Band, Orchestra, and Choir winter concert at 7 pm in the WSHS Theater. All welcome, no admission charge. (3000 California SW)
BRASSY: Super Krewe at Parliament Tavern! 9 pm. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(WSB photo, December 2018)
Sunday is the first of eight nights of Hanukkah, and West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah invites you to join in celebrating its start. Again this year, Kol HaNeshamah plans a “Pop-Up Hanukkah” in The Junction. In case you haven’t already seen it in the Holiday Guide, here’s the announcement:
Everyone is welcome to celebrate community solidarity at Kol HaNeshamah’s Pop-Up Chanukah in Junction Plaza Park. Join your West Seattle neighbors as we welcome the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights. “Say NO to hate and YES to donuts!” Kol HaNeshamah is your progressive Jewish community in West Seattle, find out more at www.khnseattle.org
The event is set for 5-6 pm. The park is on the northwest corner of 42nd/Alaska.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
8:01 AM: Good morning Late start but we have reminders:
BUS STOP REOPENING: Metro says the northbound bus stop on 35th SW just south of Avalon will reopen today.
WEEKEND CLOSURE: SDOT plans to close 35th/Alaska again this weekend, starting 7 pm Friday.
LAST DAYS: And a reminder that Friday is the final day of the Ride2 shuttle service
9:55 AM: A “large white tarp” is reported to be causing a hazard on the Delridge onramp to the bridge.
After we featured the revived Gai Family holiday display last Sunday, the comment discussion turned to other longtime sentimental favorites, like this one – the yard full of “Peanuts” characters, in the 2100 block of 47th SW. So we went by tonight for a photo. We last featured this display in 2017, when Don Rice sent us a photo and noted that he’s been doing this for more than 40 years.
To see other lights we’ve featured, scroll through this archive. And if you have tips – your own lights or someone else’s, with or without photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Holiday gift shopping not done yet? Tomorrow brings the last West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Shop Late Thursday of the season – with a bonus – the Gift Rescue:
The Junction volunteers will be set up in the Windermere lobby ready to wrap! Loaded with wrapping paper, bags, festive tissue paper and ribbons, we’ll be ready to wrap gifts you’ve purchased throughout the season in the Junction. Plus, it’s Shop Late Thursday in the Junction; many of the Junction merchants will be open till 8 PM (or later). The merchants will be ready to help you hand-select the perfect gift. There’s always free gift wrapping and bags too at CAPERS, Curious Kidstuff, and Click! It’s the Junction to the rescue!
You might need an assistant with an umbrella – or at least a water-resistant shopping bag.
Thanks for the tips. If you’re just about to head this way via the high bridge, be aware that a crash is blocking one westbound lane, midspan. Police are on scene; no SFD dispatch, so apparently no serious injuries.
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