West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
(WSB photo, Wednesday afternoon)
We went to southeast Admiral on Wednesday afternoon for that look at the 20-months-closed West Seattle Bridge, just in case some work was in view. Turned out not to be much of a viewpoint for that, but today we did get a brief update from SDOT on what its repair contractor is doing:
This week, crews started early site prep in advance of beginning final bridge repairs. Contractor Kraemer North America began loading work shacks and equipment for erosion control onto the high bridge to be ready for construction work.
The next activities you can expect to hear more about are hydro-blasting to create access for work platforms, as well as more details about those work platforms being assembled and transported to the bridge.
Last week SDOT told the WS Bridge Community Task Force that it was very close to finalizing the “maximum allowable construction cost” contract with Kraemer NA. But that hadn’t happened yet when we checked earlier this week.
We reported yesterday on extra appointment availabilities at this Saturday’s Madison Middle School clinic for local Seattle Public Schools students ages 5 to 11 whose parents want them vaccinated against COVID-19. Tonight, we just got word from the city that extra appointments are available for all children in that range this Friday and Saturday (November 19-20) at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW). Go here to make an appointment. Side note, Mayor Durkan is expected to visit the clinic tomorrow afternoon to commemorate its success – more than 4,000 doses administered to children and adults since opening October 29th, though it’s open just two days a week.
5:54 PM: We’re hearing that traffic is slowed or stopped on and near Highland Park Way hill. SPD and SFD have responded to a report of a collision. No other details yet.
6:06 PM: Officers have just told dispatch they’re going to reopen lanes except for one southbound (uphill) lane.
6:24 PM: There’s a King County Sheriff’s Office case related to this somehow, as well as the SPD crash investigation.
6:55 PM: All lanes reopened.
7:14 PM: Thanks to the readers who saw TV reports linking this to a car theft. We’ve just talked to King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Tim Meyer, who says this started with a car theft in White Center around 5:10 pm – a Nissan Leaf taken near 15th and 100th, with a toddler inside. The child’s father somehow traced his vehicle and a collision ensued at Highland Park Way and Othello. The suspected thief is in custody, Sgt. Meyer says; the toddler has been taken to Children’s Hospital “as a precaution.”
As we work on this year’s West Seattle Holiday Guide, with one week to go until Thanksgiving, we’re compiling information on holiday food orders. If you haven’t finalized your feast, this may be of use:
For West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) holiday meals and items, Monday (November 22nd) is the ordering deadline, and you can pick up all the way until 3 pm Thanksgiving Day (the store is open 5 am-6 pm on the holiday). Info is here … For PCC Community Markets‘ turkeys and other holiday meats, Sunday (November 21st) is the deadline – info is here … For Whole Foods Market, order by Tuesday (November 23rd); info is here … For Metropolitan Market, order by Monday – info is here … Pecos Pit (35th/Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor) is taking orders for Thanksgiving feasts or a la carte through Saturday (November 20th) … Husky Deli is offering Thanksgiving meals – order by Monday … Lady Jaye has smoked half-turkeys and Thanksgiving meals but is almost sold out – check here.
Looking for Thanksgiving pies? A La Mode Pies is already sold out for Thanksgiving week but Bakery Nouveau is taking orders through Saturday (go here) … Flying Apron is taking orders through 5 pm Saturday … Caffe Ladro is also offering pie pre-orders through Saturday.
Anything to add? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!
Police investigated possible gunfire in South Delridge last night, according to a report summary filed today. Officers were in the 8800 block of 17th SW around 8:45 pm Wednesday for a “civil standby” situation, as a man took his belongings and left an apartment. The report says he “walked to an alleyway, where he had presumably parked his vehicle. A few moments later, an officer heard a vehicle quickly accelerate out of the alley and then heard approximately six gunshots. Officers conducted a search for damage and shell casings, but nothing was found.”
(Photo from GoFundMe.com)
If you’re a regular West Seattle Farmers’ Market shopper, you know Mariposa Farm, a family-owned provider of fresh organic produce year-round. Last Sunday, they and other vendors had to deal with the revenue loss caused by the windstorm closure; then the next day, Mariposa Farm’s Whatcom County land was deluged by floodwaters. Multiple WSB readers have emailed to let us know that Mariposa is crowdfunding to try to recover; here’s the GoFundMe page, which has photos including the one above, as well as details of their losses. (Here’s an aerial look at flooding in Everson, where Mariposa Farm is located.)
1:00 PM: Ten months after we discovered that Ezell’s Famous Chicken was taking over the commercial space on the southeast corner of California and Fauntleroy, the signs are going up. We’ve been watching the plan progress through the permit files in the five months since the AT&T store moved out, but the company hadn’t commented on a target opening date. We are checking again. (Thanks to Kersti Muul for the sign tip!)
2:09 PM: A company spokesperson replies, “We don’t currently have a firm opening date for West Seattle yet.”
In addition to The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s takeaway Thanksgiving dinners, we have word of another free meal in West Seattle on the holiday next Thursday. Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle Eagles will once again be hosting a free community Thanksgiving meal. All are welcome! Regardless of any situation.
Thanksgiving Day 2-5 PM
West Seattle Eagles
4426 California Ave SW
All ages are welcome.
(Wednesday ‘sunbow,’ photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox, here are highlights of what’s ahead today/tonight:
EAT PIZZA, HELP FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY: For a second day, you can dine at MOD Pizza in The Junction, 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, 10:30 am-10 pm, and if you mention the Fairmount Park Elementary PTA or use the code that’s in our calendar listing, they get part of the proceeds.
WARM CLOTHING DRIVE: Today through Sunday, noon-3 pm each day, Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) invites you to donate warm clothing to help the families at Mary’s Place.
GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING: Want to hear directly from Gov. Inslee on pandemic progress? His next media briefing is at 2:30 pm – the livestream will be here.
WEST SEATTLE YMCA JOBS: 4:30 pm-7:30 pm today, visit the West Seattle YMCA (36th & Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor) and find out about job opportunities, as explained here.
DESIGN REVIEW X 2: The Southwest Design Review Board looks at two mixed-use projects tonight – at 5 pm, 4440 Fauntleroy Way SW, the second of the two Sweeney Blocks projects in The Triangle – preview the design packet here, and get meeting-participation information here. At 7 pm, the board considers 4448 California SW – preview the design packet here, and get meeting-participation information here – both sessions include public-comment periods.
HOW TO BE A CLIMATE ACTIVIST: That’s the featured topic at tonight’s West Seattle Democratic Women meeting, online at 6 pm. More details are in our calendar listing, where you’ll also see how to register to attend.
LIVE MUSIC: Blues Night at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 6-9 pm.
DUWAMISH RIVER CLEANUP COALITION ANNIVERSARY: Celebrate the DRCC’s 20th anniversary at this virtual event, 6:30 pm online – go here to register.
(added) ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The ACC just sent word they ARE meeting tonight, in-person and online, 7 pm:
Alki United Church of Christ
6115 SW Hinds StAgenda:
New Activity Report to Seattle Police Department
Report from Seattle Parks, to include closing time discussion
Pier 1/2 (HARBOR 2000) Department of Neighborhoods Fund transfer to the Stone Cottage permanent location project.
Election 2022 OfficersAlki UCC church has asked us to follow their protocol, which is probably familiar to you from entering other venues. The main guidelines are:
Face masks are a requirement for everyone attending.
There will be a health check form to complete when entering the building.
Chairs will be distant.
After the meeting begins, the front doors will be locked, with a number listed to text for entry.Join Zoom Meeting
https://washington.zoom.us/j/99516156974?pwd=dUt6eFVqWUt4aTFNNEJRUFBKWkNEUT09Meeting ID: 995 1615 6974
Passcode: 638862
206-337-9723
MORE … on our calendar!
Another local school is asking for community support. The Chief Sealth International High School PTSA Direct Drive is under way through Sunday (November 21st):
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Help support the Chief Sealth High School Community by donating through our direct fundraising drive and be entered to win great raffle prizes!Funds will help support a variety of programs at Chief Sealth, including music, athletics, student activities, library supports, the Chief Sealth clothing bank, college prep services, and many other empowering services for our students and families.
For more details and to donate, please go to this link – Chief Sealth PTSA Direct DriveThank you for supporting the Chief Sealth Community!
6:07 AM: Good morning.
WEATHER
Rain’s expected to return at some point today.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro remains on its regular weekday schedule, except for the rerouting in RapidRide H Line work zones, including 26th SW. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.
Ferries and Water Taxi: WSF continues a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi is in service – here’s the West Seattle schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
605th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)
The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. South Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.
ROAD WORK REMINDER
26th SW – Southbound closure between Roxbury and Barton continues for RapidRide H Line prep work. We checked Tuesday; the road-rebuilding work is down to the last block or so north of Roxbury.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
After convening as one supergroup for their first meeting, the 52 people chosen as advisory-group members for Sound Transit‘s West Seattle to Ballard light-rail project will meet as four separate groups from here on out.
That was the main headline from a meeting that otherwise was mostly devoted to a mega-recap of ST history and the potential routing/station sites being studied for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The DEIS is “very close” to being published, group members were assured, though the new estimate delivery date of “early 2022” is a year later than once forecast. Then again, the West Seattle light-rail launch date is now two years later than the 2030 date with which ST3 went to voters in 2016. Ballard could face even more of a delay – four years, to 2039 – if an “affordability gap” isn’t closed along the way.
(WSB photo)
What a relief! WestSide Baby has welcomed shipments totaling 1 million diapers this past week, partly thanks to pandemic relief – with $225,000 received from the City of Seattle’s Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Diaper Distribution program. We were at the West Seattleite-founded nonprofit’s White Center hub this morning as the final installment arrived. Yet as impressive as a million diapers sounds, the need is even greater.
(WSB photo)
Last year alone, WestSide Baby provided families with a record-high number of diapers – 2.4 million. Executive director Sarah Cody Roth notes, “In King County, 23% of families could not afford enough diapers and the devastating economic impacts of COVID have only widened that gap.” The nonprofit has strong community support, but the city contribution has made a huge difference. West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who chairs the Public Safety and Human Services Committee, calls WS Baby “a regional treasure … helping low-income families survive through the pandemic.” Also invaluably helpful, WestSide Baby says, was its WC neighbor La Mexicana, which temporarily donated warehouse space to help store all those diapers. Now they’re racing to distribute them quickly!
(WestSide Baby photo)
That photo’s from a delivery in High Point. “We have never done anything this big before – we are coordinating the distribution of 700,000 diapers over the next 4 weeks, one of the quickest and largest distributions we have ever done, all in response to emergency need this winter,” said Will Owen, WS Baby’s donation and logistics manager.
Here’s how you can help: Support WS Baby’s holiday-season JOY campaign – have a diaper drive, donate to one, and/or donate money so the purchases – and distributions! – can continue. Follow the link to see what else is on their most-needed list – such as winter coats, warm hats and gloves, and baby hygiene items.
We’ve been checking on the status of Alki restaurant/nightclub J&J Public House ever since noticing it was closed at a normal operating time last weekend, and then seeing a U-Haul truck being loaded with what appeared to be restaurant equipment on Sunday morning.
Today, we walked up to the door and found an eviction notice taped on it, dated this morning. King County Superior Court files show the eviction was sought by the building’s owner over a claim that the LLC to which it leased the space in 2019 changed ownership last year and thereby violated the lease. Documents say the operators were notified of this in July, then served a summons in October, but have not taken action, so the eviction judgment was described as being by default. J&J Public House opened in summer of last year at 2808 Alki SW as the latest concept for what previously, relatively briefly, had been the Pacific Room, preceded by Hawks Nest West, which followed Bamboo Bar and Grill. J&J had been offering live music multiple nights a week.
Earlier this week, we reported on the arrest of a man accused of molesting and exposing himself to two children in West Seattle on Sunday. He was accused of approaching the elementary-age victims at 8th/Roxbury as they walked home from a park, This afternoon, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged 39-year-old Anthony M. Bell with two felonies – indecent exposure and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. Bell was already a registered sex offender because he was convicted of third-degree rape in a domestic-violence case in 2008. The photo at right is from the sex-offender registry. Bell has other previous convictions including indecent exposure and assault. Prosecutors asked the judge to keep Bell’s bail set at $250,000 and the judge agreed; he remains in jail tonight and will be arraigned later this month.
Until 5:30 pm, Daystar Retirement Village (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) welcomes donations at its drive-up/ride-up food drive. The “Friendsgiving” drive is collecting food for the White Center Food Bank. Daystar is right across the street from Westwood Village [here’s a map]. The most-wanted items are listed on the Daystar website. If you donate, you’ll be offered a gift in return – Friendship Soup mix!
Just eight days until Thanksgiving, and we’re continuing to work on this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, to launch later this week. If you haven’t already sent information on your holiday-season event, donation drive, fundraiser, performance, special hours, holiday food pre-orders/kits … please send it to us so we can get that info to tens of thousands of your neighbors. Whatever you want the community to know, westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to reach us so we can get it into the guide (and if time/date-specific, into our year-round calendar too) – thank you!
If you’re still looking for COVID-19 vaccination availability for your 5-to-11-year-old(s), appointments remain for the next Seattle Public Schools regional clinic in West Seattle, 9 am-3 pm Saturday (November 20th) at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW). It’s open to all SPS students in that age range, and an update sent to school health-care providers today says “many appointments (are) available and walk-ins are OK too” – the clinic has capacity for about 800 vaccinations to be administered that day. You can make an appointment by going here. Districtwide, today’s message to providers says, 28 total clinics – regional and individual scholols – have vaccinated 4,330 students.
As of this morning, the sudden surge of spawning salmon into Fauntleroy Creek has brought this fall’s total to 87. The last 11-foot-plus high tide for a while is at 3 pm today, so this might be your last chance for a look – Judy Pickens of the Fauntleroy Watershed Council says instructions are the same as yesterday, at or after 2 pm:
If you want to take a chance on seeing spawners, come to the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW, overlooking the ferry terminal). Catch the attention of a salmon watcher below and you’ll be invited down to the creek. Children must come with a parent, and dogs must be on leash. You may stay as long as the watcher does.
In case you don’t see them or can’t go look, here’s video by Tom Trulin (who also took the top photo):
Last year, volunteer watchers only counted two entering the creek; the last big year was 2012, when 274 were counted, but other recent years have brought smaller showings, especially 2015, when none were seen. The creek’s mouth is on private property near the Fauntleroy ferry dock, and it’s undergrounded through a culvert beneath Fauntleroy Way, daylighting beneath the overlook mentioned above. The Fauntleroy Watershed Council stewards the creek – we reported on the group’s 20th anniversary, and its hopes for more community involvement, in September.
(Tuesday rainbow, photographed from Duwamish Head by Dan Ciske)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
EAT PIZZA, SUPPORT FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY: 10:30 am-10 pm today and tomorrow, dine at MOD Pizza‘s Junction location (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW), mention Fairmount Park Elementary, and the PTA will get a share of the proceeds, as explained in our calendar listing, including the code if you’re ordering online.
SEE SALMON: More salmon in Fauntleroy Creek – separate report coming up shortly. If you want to take a chance on seeing them, follow yesterday’s instructions after 2 pm.
DRIVE-UP FOOD DRIVE: Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor) is coordinating the drive-through Friendsgiving food drive 3:30 pm-5:30 pm, with donations going to the White Center Food Bank. Drive or ride up to 2615 SW Barton with your donation,
ESTATE PLANNING: The King County Law Library invites you to a free online workshop at 6 pm exploring resources you can use for estate planning. Registration information is in our calendar listing.
SAVING ROXHILL BOG: 6:30 pm online, find out where the effort to save the historic headwaters of Longfellow Creek stands now, what happens next, and what you can do. Viewing/listening information is in our calendar listing.
KING COUNTY DISTRICT MAPPING: As reported here last night, the committee drawing new boundaries for the King County Council districts is concluding its work soon and meets again online tonight at 7 pm to continue melding two draft maps into one. Open to public viewing/listening – connection information is here.
Something for our calendar and/or upcoming Holiday Guide? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
One week after the passing of Rev. Ron Marshall, his family is sharing their formal remembrance with his community:
Ronald Frederick Marshall
Ron was born on September 29, 1948, in Missoula, MT, the second of four children born to Robert Irwin and Eva Ragnhild Lien Marshall. He was baptized on November 28, 1948 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bonner, MT, by the Rev. Gordon V. Tollefson (1914-1985) and confirmed on May 31, 1964 at Hope Lutheran Church, Tacoma, WA, by the Rev. Harold E. Aalbue (1916-1976). He died in Christ on November 9, 2021.
He married Jane L. Harty on August 1, 1972, to whom he was married until his death. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Susannah, Ruth, and Anders.
Ron was ordained into the Christian ministry on June 25, 1979 at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, by the Rev. Karl A. Ufer (1913-1981). Ron served First Lutheran Church of West Seattle as pastor from 1979 to 2021. He also served parishes in Los Angeles, CA, and Naselle, WA. He taught theology at the NW Theological Union at Seattle University, part-time from 1984 to 1992. Ron was a prolific reader, published author, and brilliant teacher, known for his community activism on behalf of the hungry and homeless. His deep kindness toward strangers and friends alike was matched only by his rambunctious personal style.
He is survived by his wife Jane; his children, Susannah, Ruth (Christopher), and Anders; his grandson, Felix, and a new grandchild to be born imminently; his brothers Richard Harry and Richard Robert; his sisters Doreen and Denise; and all of their extended families. He loved each of them very much and is so very deeply missed.
His cremated remains will be inurned in the Chapel of the Resurrection at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle in Spring of 2022. Memorials in Ron’s honor may be sent to either the Endowment Fund at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle or a Memorial Fund in his honor created for the purpose of funding the dispersal of his extensive and diverse library of philosophy of religion texts to low-income seminary students and scholars in India, Africa, and China as a missionary project. Gifts should be sent to First Lutheran of West Seattle, 4105 California Ave SW, Seattle WA 98116.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
6:07 AM: Good morning.
WEATHER
Might be a little frosty this morning, and things won’t warm up much through the day.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro remains on its regular weekday schedule, except for the rerouting in RapidRide H Line work zones, including 26th SW. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.
Ferries and Water Taxi: WSF continues a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi is in service – here’s the West Seattle schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
604th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)
The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. South Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.
ROAD WORK REMINDERS
26th SW – Continuing southbound closure between Roxbury and Barton for RapidRide H Line prep work. We checked Tuesday; the road-rebuilding work is down to the last block or so north of Roxbury.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
Today the usually obscure process of redistricting – drawing new maps for political districts after the Census – drew headlines because the commission working on legislative and congressional maps missed their deadline. But a separate group is still at work on another new map of note – redrawing King County Council districts. Their deadline is next week, after 10 months of work, and they’re down to working out the differences between two draft maps. A West Seattleite who’s on the King County Districting Committee, Rob Saka, called our attention to the group’s work earlier this fall. We watched tonight’s meeting.
West Seattle is currently in County Council District 8 [map], which also includes Vashon and Maury Islands, White Center and much of unincorporated North Highline, much of Burien, and part of downtown/Capitol Hill. Both of the draft maps keep West Seattle and Vashon/Maury remaining in District 8, but the district diverges from there. On Draft Map D, District 8 stretches much further south; on Draft Map E, the boundaries are much further north on both ends of the district, which would endin White Center. Here’s a version showing the areas of disagreement countywide (look for the stripes):
Before the end of tonight’s 2-plus-hour meeting, the committee members resolved some of the differences, but they didn’t reach final agreement on District 8, only agreeing that the “small cities” in the Sea-Tac Airport area should be in the same district, whichever district that turns out to be. They’ll continue talking again tomorrow night, and you can watch the livestream – the link is here, along with the schedule of other meetings, including a final public hearing on November 30th. If you have comments in the meantime, you can email districting@kingcounty.gov.
P.S. The city of Seattle has a redistricting commission, too (with members including former mayor Greg Nickels of West Seattle), but it’s at a much earlier stage of the process.
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