West Seattle, Washington

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month : 01/2020 288 results

VIDEO: Happy 95th birthday to Adah Cruzen!
January 11, 2020 11:20 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

West Seattle philanthropist Adah Rhodes Cruzen celebrated her 95th birthday with an ice-cream social at Aegis Living of West Seattle this afternoon. Clay Eals sent the photo, as well as this video of Adah being serenaded by The Ukes:

She’s made headlines multiple times in the past year and a half – first with a gift toward restoring the historic West Seattle murals that her late husband Earl Cruzen made happen, then with gifts to the Senior Center and to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, followed by one to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Last summer, she rode in the West Seattle Grand Parade as the recipient of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Community.

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UPDATE: Annual Christmas-tree bonfire on Alki
January 11, 2020 9:11 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

9:11 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent photos from a briefly sizable Seattle Fire response at 58th and Alki. Turns out tonight’s the night of the annual unofficial Christmas tree bonfire:

Though the SFD response was quickly downsized, radio communication indicates the remaining SFD personnel on the scene are now asking for SPD help with “crowd control.”

9:52 PM: The SFD log shows the call now closed. Meantime, David Hutchinson sent this photo:’

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen black Forester; another Audi-theft attempt; illegal dumping plagues church
January 11, 2020 7:56 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

STOLEN SUBARU: Texted report – “Unfortunately our black 2016 Subaru Forester was stolen last night from our driveway in North Admiral. OH license plate GWA1001 … sizable dent in the driver’s-side door.” Call 911 if you see it.

ANOTHER AUDI THEFT ATTEMPT: This happened last month, but Adrian just heard about the rash of crimes targeting Audis and so shares this report of what happened near 35th/Cambridge:

Someone attempted to steal my 2003 Audi A4 from in front of my house in the early morning of December 19th. They nearly totaled the car by destroying the door lock and ignition cylinder. The car is still at the dealership today getting fixed. They also stole a green Northface rain jacket and a Pelican brand case from the car.

ILLEGAL DUMPING AT CHURCH: From the Rev. Kate Wesch at St.John the Baptist Episcopal Church:

Local church and neighbors are concerned at the recent rise in incidents of illegal dumping of large items such as furniture in the area surrounding West Seattle High School and St John the Baptist Episcopal Church. In each situation, the church, which operates entirely upon the donations of parishioners, incurs the costs in time and money, to dispose of these items. It has become both a frustration and a burden for the small staff and volunteers. Church members urge neighbors to keep an eye out and if you see something, say something.

The items in the photo, she says, are a couch and chair. She adds, “And we still have a large tv stand left three weeks ago while we were having a Sunday morning service!”

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, outbound again
January 11, 2020 7:19 pm
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, outbound again
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

No photo but thanks to Aaron for the tip – almost four weeks after its most-recent return from a training voyage, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) headed back outbound after dark tonight. MarineTraffic.com shows it currently passing Whidbey Island.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Alert level now up to Winter Storm Watch
January 11, 2020 3:39 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

That’s the newest alert map from the National Weather Service, which now has our area under a Winter Storm Watch starting at 4 pm Sunday. The summary: “Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of a trace to 2 inches possible with locally up to 4 inches.” Weather analyst Cliff Mass goes into more detail in his newest update, saying it looks like the south part of the city (that’s us) looks to be in line for more than the northern part of the city. He adds that an array of outlooks he’s analyzed show, “Virtually no chance of snow in Seattle before 3 PM, but considerable uncertainty for amounts after that.” Let us know when you spot the first flakes (206-293-6302 is our 24/7 hotline, text or voice.)

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SCHOOLS: From world travel to escape-room design, J-Term at Seattle Lutheran HS
January 11, 2020 2:20 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(First 3 photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

Those Seattle Lutheran High School students are headed west today – almost 6,000 miles west, to Fiji. Their trip is part of this month’s J-Term at SLHS, West Seattle’s only independent high school. After the holidays each year, students spend the rest of January with a nontraditional focus, described as “an in-depth experience through holistic education by adding variety to the normal curriculum and offering new and unique learning opportunities.” (See the course catalog here in PDF.) That group will spend two weeks in Fiji studying its culture and ecology and learning to dive. Another group will be focused on design – here’s a room redesigned by students during J-Term last year:

Yet another group is studying painting:

The amateur-radio class was studying for the licensing test, so no broadcasting was happening when we visited. Teacher Stacy Robertson provided a few more photos – here’s one from “Culture, Music, and Cooking: Colombia, Spain, and Mexico”:

These students are working on “upcycling”:

And here’s a group designing an escape room:

They’ll be visiting The Escape Artist in The Junction on a field trip. Not far, since SLHS is at 4100 SW Genesee, just north of The Junction.

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West Seattle scene: Girl Scouts earn their jewelry badge
January 11, 2020 12:50 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Small independent local businesses serve their community in ways beyond simply offering goods and services, and here’s one: Diana Palmer sent the photo taken earlier this week at Menashe and Sons Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, explaining that the Girl Scouts are Lafayette Elementary students, “led by 5th graders Payton Palmer and Gwen Tomlinson, earning their ‘jewelry badge’ Being handed out by store owner Jack Menashe.” She says he answered their questions, and “sent them home with a goodie bag including their very own real garnet,” explaining that it’s January’s birthstone. (P.S. We were curious so we looked it up – here’s a chart of Girl Scout badges/awards.)

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: First sailboat race of 2020
January 11, 2020 11:12 am
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: First sailboat race of 2020
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

11:12 AM: Thanks to James for the photo – off West Seattle, those sailboats are part of the first race of the year, the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race. They started in Des Moines, then were heading to Duwamish Head, Blakely Rock, and back to Des Moines.

ADDED 1:12 PM: Thanks to Jim Borrow for sending the next two photos:

This race is part of the Southern Sound Series.

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8 for your West Seattle Saturday!
January 11, 2020 6:07 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Transient orca T124A2, seen from Harbor Ave last Tuesday, photographed by Eilene Hutchinson)

Options for your Saturday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BE PILATES OPEN HOUSE: Everyone’s welcome to check out Be Pilates‘ new home, 8 am-1 pm. (4435 35th SW)

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 9 am-11 am, visit Admiral Cooperative Preschool, housed at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), to learn about the program. (3940 41st SW)

INTRODUCTION TO ZEN: Free event, 10-11:30 am at Fauntleroy Church, full details here. (9140 California SW)

MARTIAL-ARTS GRAND OPENING: Au Lac Vovinam will be offering classes at the West Seattle VFW Hall, and at noon today, you’re invited to visit for the grand-opening event, including demonstrations and food, (3601 SW Alaska)

‘STRONGER THAN MEDICINE’ SCREENING: 7 pm at Kenyon Hall, “a story of leadership and community showing up for the common good.” Free. but guarantee your seat here. (7904 35th SW)

DANNY & CARLA COLEMAN: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor): “Their collaborative musical style has been termed “ethereal Americana”—fusing elements of folk, jazz, rock, blues, and classical music.” No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE BANDS: It’s an all-WS slate at The Skylark at 7 pm – Final Body, Secret Caves, Slayanne, Mercury. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

JOHN STEPHAN BAND: 9 pm at Poggie Tavern, blues/rock. No cover. 21+. (4717 California SW)

Got news? Our 24-hour hotline is 206-293-6302, text or voice!

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VIDEO: Power trouble in West Seattle
January 11, 2020 1:55 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

1:56 AM: Lots of reports of flickers (or slightly longer), in various West Seattle areas. So far we haven’t heard o anyone whose power went out and stayed out, and there’s nothing on the map, but apparently there was a related transformer problem in the 26th/Juneau area.

ADDED 12:32 PM: Thanks to K for the security-camera views of the flashes some noted at the time:

Those cameras are in the Westwood/east Highland Park area.

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VIDEO: Our state’s troubling trend in hate crimes, explored @ 34th District Democrats
January 10, 2020 10:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

This month’s 34th District Democrats meeting featured a panel discussion spotlighting hate crimes in our state. The discussion was introduced by the 34th DDs’ state committeeman Chris Porter, who explained that the escalating problem of hate crimes has long bothered him. We might be “in denial about how at-our-front-doors this is,” Porter explained. Last year, he said, SPD data showed a record number of hate crimes reported in the city. He added that he “was horrified” to find that the state where he’s lived for 15 years is #4 in the nation for hate crimes. (Video note: His introduction, slowed by a bit of technical trouble, goes to 17:30, and then the panel discussion begins.) Participants, screen left to right, were Ximena Velázquez-Arenas from the state Attorney General’s Office and Monisha Harrell from Equal Rights Washington. They covered many facets of the problem, including trends and why these crimes too often go unreported. Here’s how to report hate crimes in Seattle.

The 34th District Democrats meet 2nd Wednesdays most months, 6:30 pm socializing and 7 pm meeting, at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Watch 34dems.org for information between meetings.

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Memorial next Wednesday for Phyllis Jean Emmick, 1930-2020
January 10, 2020 8:10 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather Wednesday to remember Phyllis Jean Emmick. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:

PHYLLIS JEAN (ROUSH) EMMICK, 1930-2020

Beloved Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Phyllis Jean (Roush) Emmick passed away after a stroke on January 1st, 2020.

Phyllis was born in Atwater, Minnesota on Wednesday, March 26th, 1930 to Floyd Laverne Roush & Edith Clara (O’Hair) Roush. During WWII, the family sold the farm in Minnesota and moved to Prosser, WA. After a few years in Prosser, the Roushes moved to Burien, WA.

Phyllis met a young sailor, Franklin Robert “Bud” Emmick, through her Uncle Chet, who also served with Frank on the USS Pennsylvania. In 1947, Frank & Phyllis were married at her parents’ home in Burien. In 1948, their first son, Gary Lynn Emmick, was born. In 1953, their second son, Craig Alan Emmick, was born. Phyllis was proud of her job as a Unit Secretary at Providence Hospital in Seattle (5-South). During their retirement, they traveled extensively to Roush Family Reunions, USS ‘Pennsy’ Reunions while visiting many states, friends & family.

Phyllis was proud to live independently until the end. In 2010, her beloved Frank passed away. Frank was buried at Tahoma National Cemetery. Phyllis will be interred with him.

Phyllis is survived by her son Craig (Gayle), grandchildren Robert, Brian, Terry, Floyd, Matthew, & Michael (Desirée). Also survived by great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; brothers Wayne (Ellie) and Jim (Doris). Preceded in death by her parents Floyd & Edith, brother Dwight Roush, and son Gary Emmick. Phyllis loved her many family & friends in New York and Minnesota and her many caregivers.

Remembrances suggested to a charity of your choice.

Viewing will be Wednesday, Jan. 15th 2020 from 10 am to 12 pm at Cady Chapel (8418 S. 222nd St., Kent). Graveside Service immediately following at 1:15 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery – Kent

Share your condolences & memories of Phyllis with our Family & Friends by visiting her memorial page at EmmickFunerals.com/notices/Phyllis-Emmick

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle

(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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UPDATE: West Seattle Whole Foods Market reopens after outage
January 10, 2020 6:40 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

6:40 PM: Thanks for the tips. We just went over to confirm that West Seattle’s Whole Foods Market (WSB sponsor) is closed because of a power outage. The rest of The Whittaker and its businesses appear to still have power, however, and this outage is not on the City Light map, so we’re trying to find out what happened.

7:28 PM: Just called the store to check on the outage’s status and they told us the power was just restored and they’re reopening. Closing time will be 9 pm as usual.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Subfreezing highs, and maybe snow, still on the way
January 10, 2020 6:23 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The National Weather Service says we haven’t had a daytime high below 30 degrees since 2014, and haven’t had two consecutive daily highs below 30 degrees since 2010, but both could happen next week. The NWS’s updated Special Weather Statement and forecast say the big chill starts arriving Sunday night – Tuesday and Wednesday are the days expected to have the lowest lows.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Au Lac Vovinam open house @ West Seattle VFW
January 10, 2020 3:11 pm
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: Au Lac Vovinam open house @ West Seattle VFW
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news

Looking ahead to the weekend – you’re invited to an open house tomorrow afternoon. Au Lac Vovinam is starting martial-arts classes at the West Seattle VFW Hall in The Triangle and is inviting people to stop by, starting at noon. The VFW Hall is at 3601 SW Alaska. Classes are open to ages 7+.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Tree, ‘debris’ on Admiral Way hill
January 10, 2020 1:39 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | West Seattle weather

The wind’s suddenly kicked up again and a tree has fallen on the downhill side of Admiral Way near City View. According to radio communication, bystanders were working to move the tree out of the road; police have arrived and are calling for SDOT to come clean up remaining “debris.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Home-invasion robbery; parent alert after children approached
January 10, 2020 1:31 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

HOME-INVASION ROBBERY: A 60-year-old man was taken to the hospital after a home-invasion robbery around 2:45 am in the 6500 block of 24th SW. The full report narrative is not yet available but police tell us two armed men were reported to have broken into the house and assaulted two residents, including the one who had to go to the hospital. No arrests yet, nor is description information available, but robbery detectives are investigating.

CHILDREN APPROACHED: This happened Tuesday, according to the latest weekly newsletter to families from Arbor Heights Elementary principal Christy Collins, forwarded to us by a parent (thank you!):

I want to take this opportunity to let you know we are working with the Seattle Police Department to ensure our students are taught about personal safety and highlight an incident that occurred Tuesday after school where three of our students responded successfully to a stranger-situation.

Around 2:40 p.m., three of our students reported to their parents that a male and female in their early 20s, driving an older, green Toyota sedan, tried to engage them in conversation as they walked home from school. They offered the students a ride home. The students responded appropriately and remained safe. Police were notified by the student’s parents, and as of today, the Seattle Police Department is continuing to gather additional information and working closely with the District’s Safety and Security Department. Although in this incident the offer was for a ride, there was not a physical attempt to get the students in the car. We wanted to make sure parents are alerted.

The newsletter includes this link to SPD advice for children’s safety.

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Here’s how the District 1 Community Network started 2020
January 10, 2020 10:50 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We made it to a new decade,” declared David Hancock, opening this year’s first meeting of the District 1 Community Network.

He’s the president of the Admiral Neighborhood Association and served as this meeting’s facilitator – D1CN rotates who leads each meeting. The group is a relatively new coalition of reps from groups and organizations throughout West Seattle and South Park, open to unaffiliated community members too; more than two dozen people showed up for this meeting, held at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.

Participants were asked, in around-the-table intros, to mention a New Year’s goal. Hancock started with “Increase participation to bring in more voices.” D1CN is working on that, as evidenced by two agenda items:

Read More

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Bus trouble on Alki
January 10, 2020 10:16 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

That’s the “car fire” call on the SFD log – a Metro bus at 61st/Alki. The photo is from Kersti Muul, who says it’s “smoky” but as you can see in the photo, no sign of flames, and the fire engine is leaving.

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West Seattle Friday highlights, starring moon views
January 10, 2020 9:22 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

You probably won’t see it tonight, but the then-almost-full moon was gloriously visible for a while last night – thanks to Christine Tweedy for the view above, Dan Ciske for the view below.

Now, your Friday highlights:

BINGO! Senior Center of West Seattle welcomes everyone 21+ to weekly bingo, starting at 11 am. (4217 SW Oregon)

SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE: Just once a month at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), and tonight’s the night! No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)

ART LOUNGE: Project to work on? Bring it to Highland Park Improvement Club for the monthly Art Lounge, good space, good people. Beverages available. 21+. (1116 SW Holden)

TOM WILSON: Singer-songwriter live at the Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 8 pm. Cover info here. (2808 Alki SW)

AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, Dogstrum with Kid Leather & Sam Humans. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

EVENING BEACH WALK: 8:30-10:30 pm – with a late-night low-low tide, drop in for this family-friendly exploration at Constellation Park. (63rd SW/Beach Drive)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … via our complete calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch
January 10, 2020 7:33 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:33 AM: Good morning! SDOT reported a crash on the Delridge ramp to the eastbound bridge at the top of the hour, but no word yet if that has cleared.

WEATHER ALERT: Early this morning, the National Weather Service issued this Special Weather Statement warning of cold weather starting Sunday, possibly bringing along snow.

8:58 AM: View from Joseph, as bicycle commuters wait under the high bridge while awaiting the low bridge reopening:

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Junction assault suspect charged
January 9, 2020 11:37 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, New Year’s Day)

The man accused of attacking another man who tried to stop him from assaulting a woman in The Juncton is now charged. We first reported on the incident New Year’s Day. 39-year-old James M.Johns is charged with second-degree assault, his bail upped to $150,000. Charging documents say Johns has 10 felony convictions in 20 years, including burglary and possession of a stolen car, and 10 misdemeanors, including two DUIs. The original call on New Year’s Day reported a man beating a woman who was on the ground at California/Edmunds; they had left before police arrived but witnesses pointed their car and police stopped it. Meantime, they found the victim, who told police he had been walking from the grocery store with his wife and two children when he saw Johns beating the woman. As a third man, who apparently knew Johns, tried to break it up, the victim told Johns to leave the woman alone – and then, court documents say, Johns punched him in the face, hard enough to break a bone. As for the woman who had been attacked, police say she denied having been assaulted, and that as they took Johns away, he gave that woman his PIN number so she could get money to bail him out. The jail register shows he got out on bond after one day when his bail was set at $10,000, but when the charge was filed Monday, it was raised to $150,000 this past Monday, and the register shows he’s been back in custody since then. His arraignment is set for January 16th.

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FOLLOWUP: Investigation confirms sea lion was 9th pinniped shot dead in recent months
January 9, 2020 9:38 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Kersti Muul, last week at Constellation Park)

The most-recent California sea lion to wash up dead in West Seattle had indeed been shot. That’s the update we received tonight from Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:

Seal Sitters just received results from the radiographs taken of our most recent dead California sea lion, towed from Constellation Park to Don Armeni boat launch for necropsy on the 3rd. This is the sea lion that had originally washed ashore on a private beach further south on Christmas Day.

The X-rays confirm that the animal was shot in the head. Projectiles will be removed from the skull and turned over as evidence to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.

The most current Fall/Winter statistics to date of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) confirmed shot dead in Central and South Puget Sound now stand at 9. An additional 4 deaths are suspicious, but cause was not confirmed.

For more info, go here.

As always, please report all marine mammals on shore, live or dead, to Seal Sitters’ hotline @ 206-905-SEAL (7325).

A year earlier, at least a dozen shot sea lions were found in central Puget Sound.

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