West Seattle, Washington
02 Saturday
In case you missed this Metro alert:
Beginning Thursday, December 19, Metro routes 21 Express, 21 Local, 50, 55, 773 West Seattle Water Taxi Shuttle and the RapidRide C Line will return to serve stop #22820 northbound on 35th Av SW just south of SW Avalon Way.
The Avalon/35th work has moved further south on 35th, and remember that SDOT is planning to close the Alaska/35th intersection again this weekend, starting Friday night.
Six days after a letter home to families disclosed that a staff member had been arrested, West Seattle High School‘s principal sent another message outlining some followup steps. Thanks to those who forwarded us the message sent Tuesday afternoon. Principal Brian Vance wrote:
As I mentioned last week, we are working with Seattle Public Schools(SPS) and the King County Sheriff’s office regarding the arrest of an instructional assistant, Mr. Smith. As a follow up to ensure the well-being of our students, we will be conducting safety check-in conversations with students with whom Mr. Smith may have worked with directly.
SPS central office-based investigators, who are trained to conduct conversations of this nature, will be coming to WSHS Wednesday and Thursday to conduct the safety check-ins. We will be speaking with students who worked directly Mr. Smith as part of his assignment. Parents/Guardians will be contacted with any follow-up, if needed.
If any other student has a concern they would like to report, please email title.ix@seattleschools.org, and provide your name and contact information (telephone number or email address) so a staff member may contact you.
Thank you and let me know if you have any questions.
As we reported last Friday, 34-year-old Brennan M. Smith is charged with attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor. Charging documents allege he showed up at a Seatac motel after arranging online for paid sex with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl but was really an undercover detective. Smith’s since-removed LinkedIn profile described him as a special-education paraprofessional; the district would not comment on his work aside from confirming he was placed on leave after word of his arrest last week. Smith is out on bail and due back in court next week.
That’s one of the new electric-vehicle “fast chargers” that Seattle City Light is making available for public use in SODO, just off the West Seattle Bridge, and similar to the ones it will install soon in The Junction. First, the SODO announcement:
Seattle City Light announced the launch of five city-owned electric vehicle (EV) chargers at the utility’s South Service Center in SODO, with plans for at least four additional locations in 2020. The publicly accessible stations are part of a pilot program to install 20 EV fast chargers throughout the utility’s service area and supports the city’s Drive Clean Seattle initiative, which centers on delivering community-focused transportation solutions.
“The new charging stations are part of a larger transportation electrification strategy that will allow us to leverage our clean electricity and reach the city of Seattle’s goals of reducing carbon emissions by 2050,” said Debra Smith, General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light. “This pilot will help us understand the impacts of EV charging on the electrical system as we lay the groundwork to support electrifying all modes of transportation, from passenger vehicles to buses, the Port of Seattle, heavy-duty vehicles and ferries.”
City Light also announced changes to charge fees at utility-owned public EV fast charging stations. Users will be charged $0.31 or $0.17 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in Seattle (dependent upon the time of day). Previous fees were listed at $0.43 per kWh. The cost-to-charge can change based on the charger’s location and the time of day. At a City Light fast charger, a typical electric car can charge up to 50 kWh in an hour, providing battery power for about 165 miles. This charge would cost approximately $15.88 during “Daytime” hours or $8.69 during “All Other Hours” in Seattle.
“The reduced fees come at a time when City Light is developing a Transportation Electrification Plan that will identify priorities for the utility’s investments in increasing equitable access to electric transportation, reducing carbon emissions, and bringing value to the electric grid and City Light customers,” said Emeka Anyanwu, City Light’s Energy Innovation and Resources Officer.
This new fee structure ensures City Light stays competitive with other EV charging stations in the Seattle area. The charging fees will allow the utility to recover our operating, capital and energy costs over the lifespan of the charging equipment.
Learn more about City Light’s EV programs by visiting seattle.gov/light/electric-vehicles.
Now, about the upcoming West Seattle charging stations – as reported here last spring, they’re planned on 39th SW south of SW Oregon, by West Seattle Bowl. SCL’s project map says they’re expected to be up and running in March.
The photo is from the Holy Rosary School tree lot, just north of the school, off 42nd SW between SW Genesee and SW Dakota, where the proceeds also benefit local nonprofits West Seattle Helpline, West Seattle Food Bank, and Hickman House. They want you to know they’re open through Saturday (December 21st) or until all trees (they just got a fresh delivery last Friday) are gone. They sent this pic of the price list, too. (Our full list of local tree sellers is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – let us know if you find anybody sold out so we can update – thank you!)
(Common Goldeneye, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
DINE OUT FOR LAFAYETTE: Now through 10 pm at MOD Pizza, part of the proceeds go to help Lafayette Elementary students if you mention the fundraiser. (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW)
GIVING TREE FOR TEENS: At John L. Scott Real Estate-Westwood (WSB sponsor), today’s your last day to visit the tree, get a wish from a teen, and bring the unwrapped gift back by tomorrow. (2600 SW Barton)
BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)
DINE OUT FOR ROXHILL: 4-9 pm at Proletariat Pizza in White Center, part of the proceeds will go to help Roxhill Elementary students – dine in OR delivery, just mention Roxhlll. (9622 16th SW)
SANTA AT PEGASUS PIZZA: 5 pm-10 pm, free Santa photos with a $20 order at Pegasus Pizza: “Come down early for great seats. Last year was off-the-hook fun and everyone had a great time. Enjoy great food and drinks and one of the best views on Alki!” (2770 Alki SW)
DAKOTA HOMESTEAD UPDATE: Informal meeting at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 6-7 pm, for everyone interested in the status of the plan to buy the ex-substation site at 50th/Dakota and create community greenspace and more. (2306 42nd SW)
SEE THE LIGHTS: Uehara-Bingen Christmas Lights Show on Alki! Be there at 6:15 pm for the 6:30 show. “The show is ~25 minutes long, and everyone will gather outside the front of our house, so be sure to dress warm!” (1736 Alki SW)
AEGIS LIVING HOLIDAY BAZAAR:, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm. “Local WS crafters and artists, hot chocolate bar, and selfie station.” (4700 SW Admiral Way)
THE SUFFERING F-HEADS: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
AND MORE … in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar!
(Photo added – orcas & MV Issaquah, by Trileigh Tucker)
9:31 AM: Thanks for the tips! Orcas are in view from Alki as they head this way, southbound. Kersti Muul says there’s at least six. Let us know if you see them!
9:54 AM: Kersti says they’re now south of the Bremerton ferry lanes and appear to be residents.
10:55 AM: Now passing Fauntleroy.
11:37 AM: Kersti says members of all three Southern Resident pods are here – J, K, and L!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:13 AM: Good morning No incidents or alerts so far.
REMINDER: SDOT plans to close 35th/Alaska again this weekend, starting 7 pm Friday.
Almost six years after it opened as an arcade/bar in The Admiral District, Vidiot has suddenly shut down. Thanks to everybody who’ve messaged us since Vidiot’s short announcement on social media, saying simply, “Vidiot has been shut down. Thanks for all your love and business.” That had been preceded by a Saturday post saying it was “temporarily closed” and advising to “check back Tuesday.” We went over tonight to see if anyone was around to ask; dark, closed, no sign. We’ve sent messages through multiple channels; no reply so far. Searching public records, wondering if “has been shut down” meant another entity was involved, all we’ve found is three state back-taxes filings from earlier this year; records show two of them have been paid. Vidiot’s space at 4210 SW Admiral Way had past lives as the Admiral Benbow and Heartland Café. We’ll update if we find out anything more.
Tonight’s West Seattle Christmas lights spotlight are courtesy of Mark Bader, who sent the photo and video of his music-synched lights in Gatewood:
“Austin Street Christmas Lights” is at 3711 SW Austin Street. I have about 2000 lights; all of them are LED lights that can change to any color. There are 5 songs that are synced to the lights, if you stay and watch all of them, it’s about 15 minutes of music. The lights run from 4 pm to 10 pm nightly – tune your car radio to 99.5 to hear the music.
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!
The photo and report are from Judi Yazzolino at the West Seattle Food Bank:
Dan Austin, owner of Peel and Press, is a generous supporter of the West Seattle Food Bank. For the last 5 years Dan has done a percent-of-sales fundraiser for the food bank on Peel and Press’ anniversary in November and then buys turkeys or hams (whatever we need) for the holidays. Today Dan delivered $1,300 worth of hams just in time for our holiday distribution! Thank you, Dan, for helping those we serve have a wonderful holiday meal with their friends and families.
If you would like to help our families with food or cash, we will be open Wed. 9am – 7pm or Thurs. & Fri. 9 am – 3 pm or you can donate at westseattlefoodbank.org or mail to 3419 SW Morgan St., Seattle, WA. 98126.
6:04 PM: Before the U.S. House of Representatives‘ expected vote tomorrow on presidential impeachment, hundreds of rallies are happening around the nation tonight, one of them in the West Seattle Junction. Our rough estimate is about 100 people at California and Alaska; they are walking back and forth during the crossing times in the Walk-All-Ways intersection.
A rally is also under way downtown at 2nd/Marion.
6:45 PM: Our crew has moved on but the live traffic camera at California/Alaska shows the rally has ended.
10:09 PM: Added video and 2 more photos.
EARLY WEDNESDAY: Thanks to those who sent photos. Here are two by Jonathan Rawle:
Congratulations to the West Seattle Valkyries! Michelle Waters sent the photo and word that the U19 girls team has made it into the final match of the Seattle Youth Soccer Association citywide-championship tournament after an undefeated season. “Most of these girls have known each other since grade school,” she adds, but this is their last year to play together as many are graduating. “I’d like to recognize all the hard work these ladies have put in” – and their coach Stefan Persson, who Michelle says is in his final year after 10 years as his daughter is graduating too. The team opens tournament play 10 am Saturday (December 21st) at Ingraham High School.
P.S. We featured the Valkyries five years ago when they were part of a national-TV show after getting a surprise visit from soccer star (and now Sportsperson of the Year) Megan Rapinoe!
Quick note from the Port of Seattle: Weekend pile-driving work is planned at West Seattle’s Terminal 5 the next two weekends, December 21-22 and 28-29. “The weekend pile driving is required to maintain the construction schedule,” explains port spokesperson Peter McGraw. The first phase of the modernization project started last summer; pile-driving is limited to a certain window for in-water work.
Today is opening day at Nos Nos Coffee House (35th/Graham, in Upton Flats), as mentioned Monday. This is a much-awaited opening, as High Point is short on walkable businesses.
Nos Nos’ proprietor is Khalid Agour, also known for Itto’s Tapas in The Junction. He announced the café plan last June.
Nos Nos will be open 6 am-3 pm for starters, hoping for later hours in a few months. Along with QED Coffee and Flying Bird teas, it’s serving pastries from Patrick’s in White Center, as well as soups and sandwiches.
We photographed the menus – printed food menu here, beverage menu here.
Thanks to Rosalie Miller for this week’s #TurkeyTuesday photos – almost eight months after this lone turkey first appeared in West Seattle. The Turkey likes perches – above, atop a parked van. Now on with happenings from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS … for seniors, 2-4 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle – call first to see if appointments are still available. (4217 SW Oregon)
RALLY: 5:30 pm in The Junction, one of 600+ pro-impeachment rallies around the country on the eve of the U.S. House‘s vote. (California/Alaska)
‘EARLY OUTREACH’ DEVELOPMENT MEETING: Find out, and talk, about the proposed apartment project for 3417 Harbor SW, 6:30 pm at Hiawatha Community Center. Coffee and cookies provided. (2700 California SW)
EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:30 pm at High Point Library. This month’s book is “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz. (3411 SW Raymond)
WSHS WINTER CONCERT: Jazz Ensembles in concert at West Seattle High School, 7 pm in the theater. Free. All welcome. (3000 California SW)
SINGER-SONGWRITER CONTEST: 7 pm at Pacific Room on Alki (WSB sponsor). Come see/hear the contenders! No cover. All ages. (2808 Alki SW)
TUESDAY TRIVIA: “West Seattle’s sassiest trivia,” 8:30 pm with Devon at Admiral Pub. 21+. (2306 California SW)
OPEN MIC: Take your talent to Parliament Tavern tonight, 9 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MORE! … for today/tonight/beyond, in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar.
If you missed the open-enrollment deadline for getting, or changing, health insurance – you have a reprieve. From Carol McClure, a WSB sponsor who can help you through the system:
The Washington Healthplanfinder has extended open enrollment through December 30 for those who did not get enrolled or those who wish to change plans. If you need help enrolling or choosing your plan, please call Financial Designs Insurance, 425-392-7390 – your West Seattle Health Plan Finding Pros! Happy Holidays to all!
From Patricia:
A dark gray Mercedes Sprinter cargo van (high top) was stolen right in front of the owner’s house in the 2300 block of Walnut Ave SW around 1 am today.
Neighbor saw a large white van type vehicle in the middle of Walnut Ave SW (not parked). Sounded like a diesel engine. Wondered if Amazon delivery, but so late. Then within literally a minute the gray van was stolen and driving down the street. Police were immediately contacted and it has been reported. Please watch for the gray Mercedes Sprinter but also beware of a very large white cargo van that is stealing vehicles quickly and quietly.
We will add the stolen van’s plate # when we get it.
TUESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: The van’s been found, but with its contents stolen, Patricia explains in a comment below..
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning. No current incidents or alerts for our area.
Though it’s boarded up and vandalized, there’s nonetheless a chance Roxbury Auto Parts might reopen.
The store at 2839 SW Roxbury closed in September of last year after a county inspector “red-tagged” it as structurally unsafe.
What’s happened since then has been “frustrating,” to say the least, co-proprietor Kathy Crawford told us by phone today. We had called her and husband Bill Crawford in hopes of an update. “It’s kind of a mess right now.”
Even after all this time, they don’t know if the building – which they rent – can be repaired. They have yet another structural-engineering evaluation/estimate in the works. The county, for its part, told WSB through spokesperson Brent Champaco that it’s “ready to work with the owner on authorizing repairs and mitigation … We just need them to submit a permit application with a proposed plan.” The store owners blame the county for causing damage while storing materials during sidewalk work.
Meantime, they boarded up the building some months ago after two burglaries, Kathy said. The boards, in turn, have been a more attractive target for taggers. But they go by to check on things; she said they were just there last week and some former customers recognized their car and stopped to inquire.
There’s somewhere you can more frequently find them: Since the store shutdown left them without income, she and Bill had to get other jobs and are working at Costco in Tukwila.
Maybe the new year will put them back in the auto-parts business.
“I miss everybody,” Kathy lamented.
For tonight’s Christmas-lights spotlight, we went a bit south of the city/county line. These lights are on the west side of 26th SW, just south of SW 102nd [map]. Lots of twinkling if you stop and watch for a while; the house on its north side has a fun display too. If you drive 26th south from Barton (Westwood Village), you’ll see several other bright displays along the way.
Want to suggest lights for us to check out? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! See what we’ve showcased already – scroll through the archive!
As Christmas draws near, some families need help getting toys for their kids. Here are three giveaways coming up:
SATURDAY AT NOON: High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW), sponsored by the JuiceTheGod Foundation. Register in advance – info’s in the flyer here.
SUNDAY AT 10 AM: Victory Outreach Church (10851 1st Ave. S.), with support from Toys for Tots.
SUNDAY AT NOON: Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW), with support from Toys for Tots.
Any others? Please let us know!
West Seattle doesn’t see a lot of political rallies, perhaps due to the proximity to downtown, but one is planned tomorrow night (Tuesday, December 17th) in The Junction. There’s been a nationwide call for rallies on the eve of the U.S. House of Representatives‘ vote on impeachment. In addition to one planned outside the Federal Courthouse downtown and another on the I-5 overpass at 50th, Sue contacted us to say she is organizing one in the heart of The Junction for 5:30 pm, so it’s in the WSB Event Calendar.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
GUNFIRE: We got multiple questions/reports about a Friday night incident near 9th and Henderson in Highland Park. The scene cleared before we arrived, but we requested the report narrative from police today:
On Saturday at approximately 6:40 pm, officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 800 block of SW Henderson Street. Officers were flagged down by a woman who stated she was pulling out of her driveway when she heard shots and believed she was being shot at. There was no damage to her car and no one in the vehicle was injured.
However, officers did locate spent shell casings in the street on 9th Ave SW. It appears that there was some bullet damage to a house next door to the woman who called police, but fortunately no one was injured. Officers collected the evidence and the Gang Unit will handle the follow-up investigation.
BURGLARY: Though the recent spike appears to have subsided, burglars are still at work in West Seattle. From Jason, west of Fairmount Park:
I’m alarmed to say I witnessed a burglary as I entered the alley between 41st and 42nd last Thursday around noon. A silver Nissan Murano was idling there facing south, with a woman in the driver’s seat, while a man came out of the backyard of (a house in the 5400 block of) 42nd Ave SW with a plastic tub in his arms, his face covered with a cloth neck warmer, jumped into the car and they sped off south down the alley. I tried to take a picture of the car’s plate, but unfortunately didn’t do so in time to get a clear picture. I called 911 to report the crime.
I contacted my neighborhood watch group by email, and they eventually got in touch with the owner of the house, who confirmed her house had been ransacked. An officer from SPD followed up with me as well to notify me that this vehicle fits the description of one that has been implicated in several burglaries in the area. A Latino man and woman appear to be responsible.
This burglary’s incident # is 19-459483.
SCAM CALLS: So many lately – and so many different scam attempts. Maggie reports this one today: “Just got a recorded scam call saying it was from Seattle City Light and that my service would be turned off in 30-45 minutes. Beware out there! Don’t press one or any other buttons these recordings say.” Here’s City Light advice on protecting yourself.
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