West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
All that rainwater has to go somewhere. Two of the places:
LONGFELLOW CREEK: Manuel sent this video of a leaping salmon along the Dragonfly Park stretch of the creek (south of SW Yancy):
‘LAKE SANISLO’: Part of the school‘s sprawling site was swamped when Amy and family decided to go paddling:
So far this month, the National Weather Service has measured almost 7 inches of rain … normal for this part of November would be just under 3.
4:08 PM: We’ve received two notes about this: Though today’s Pathfinder K-8 COVID-19 vaccination pop-up clinic was described on the district website as “full,” we’re told hundreds of doses for 5-to-11-year-olds are available to walkups until 6 pm. The school is on Pigeon Point qt 1901 SW Genesee.
4:15 PM: The district confirms this. But they have 5:30 pm as an end time, while the clinic was originally listed as lasting until 6 pm. (Added: A school employee tells us 6 pm is correct.)
(7:11 PM TOPLINES: Highland Park Way hill now open again … California Way has reopened…, Power fully restored … Wind alert extended into Monday afternoon)
In addition to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market closure, other updates:
WIND ALERT: It’s in effect through noon Monday, with south wind 25-35 mph and gusts up to 45 mph. (3:26 PM) The advisory is now extended, in effect until 4 pm Monday, with top gusts possibly 50 mph.
ROAD CLOSURE #1: California Way is closed (updated) west of Ferry, just uphill from Harbor Avenue. SDOT lists the cause as “wires down.” No power outage shown in the area, though. We don’t know if crews are on the scene so we’re heading over to look. (11:27 am: Can’t tell from either side of the closure, but we can confirm it’s still closed.) 1:50 PM UPDATE: SDOT says it’s reopened.
(added 12:41 pm) POWER OUTAGE, ANOTHER ROAD CLOSURE: Thanks for the tips! Power’s out in east West Seattle – hearing from Riverview/Highland Park for starters, The 8th/Roxbury traffic signal is out. … Tree’s down on Highland Park Way hiil and that’s the likely cause of this. Avoid the area. SFD and SPD are responding. … (12:49 pm) Mapped now. 2,200+ customers out. SPD is closing Highland Park Way, both directions.
Lights are out in the area too – including the W. Marginal intersection – as the outage also extends to South Park. (1:46 pm) Still out. Traffic on the detour routes is jammed so even if you’re thinking of trying to get to the 1st Ave. S. Bridge another way, wait if you can. (2:14 PM) Many customers have power back – the map shows 399 still out. (3:26 PM) Thanks to @nrdygrrl for this photo of the down-on-wires tree, via Twitter:
Road’s still closed. Here’s the map showing who’s still out of power.
(4:50 PM) HP Way still closed. No estimate on reopening.
5:59 PM: Seattle City Light says everyone who lost power now has it back.
7:11 PM: SDOT says Highland Park Way is now open again.
Other weather updates – roads, trees, power, etc. – 206-293-6302 voice or text – thank you!
9:16 AM: Thanks for the tips. The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is CLOSED today because of the windy weather, which is expected to continue throughout the day – the Wind Advisory alert says we could see gusts up to 45 mph. Details to come.
9:27 AM: That’s California south of Oregon, where the market usually would be set up. We talked to market staffers, who tell us that while the street-closure barricades are up right now, they’ll be coming down once they’re sure they’ve reached all the vendors.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:
CHURCHES: Most continue streaming, along with holding in-person services. Here are this week’s links for 20+ West Seattle churches’ services.
OLG KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE: 9:30-11 am, an in-person open house to learn about kindergarten at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School (34th/Myrtle) – info’s in our calendar listing.
5K/10K RUN: Last of three in the series, 9:30 am today from Alki – if you’re not already signed up, day-of registration starts at 8:15 am.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Still lots of fresh produce even in mid-autumn. Shop 10 am-2 pm on California between Oregon and Alaska. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (The market is a WSB sponsor.) 9:22 AM UPDATE: The market is CLOSED today because of the weather.
TOYS FOR TOTS: During the market, you can drop off new unwrapped toys at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth (west side, near the north end). (UPDATE: See market closure note above) … Also collecting for Toys For Tots: C&P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), open 7 am-7 pm.
SUNDAY RUN CLUB: Meet at noon at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW).
JIM PAGE: Singer-songwriter performing at C&P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm, no cover.
NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 8 pm to 1 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Got an event for listing in our calendar and previews? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
After the update on impending high-bridge repairs – as reported here – SDOT briefed the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force on the low bridge, West Marginal work, and more.
LOW BRIDGE PROBLEM POSTMORTEM: The recent trouble forced SDOT to do pump work that was already on the schedule for just days after the breakdown, noted bridge-program director Heather Marx. She also said the pump problem affected maritime traffic much more than vehicle traffic, delaying barges with cargo including perishable groceries for Southeast Alaska. So they expedited to November 4-5 a pump replacement that originally had been scheduled for November 9th. They also discovered “a filter had broken” and that added extra work – 16 barrels of hydraulic fluid had to be drained and replaced. There’s one more project ahead, a cylinder replacement planned December 10th-13th:
There’s no impact expected to vehicle traffic but openings for marine traffic will be restricted. Meantime, separate from all this, the controls upgrade for the low bridge is currently set for mid-2022, after the high bridge reopens.
LOW BRIDGE ACCESS: SDOT’s Maureen Sheehan led these updates. Here’s how access is going:
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
GAS THEFT IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Bill reports, “Our son’s truck had its gas tank drilled last night. We’re right on 35 Ave SW at 110th, this was before 11:00 p.m., under a street light, at a bus stop.”
BROKEN WINDOWS: We haven’t heard directly from anyone affected by this, but Nate reports the sightings:
“On our walk from Fauntleroy to the Junction, we’ve seen four Audi Q5 and Q3s with broken front windows. It was super weird that three of them were the same car. One in Fauntleroy, two in Seaview and one in Gatewood. One poor guy had walked out and discovered it just as we were walking by.”
We’re continuing to spotlight school fundraisers when we get information about them – several more have come in, starting with this list of 8 from the Lafayette Elementary PTA:
Here are several ways to support Lafayette PTA through the end of 2021. The PTA is raising funds to pay for reading tutors, eBook subscriptions for every student, and more. Thank you for your support!
Shoe Drive Fundraiser: Date extended until mid-January 2022: The PTA has partnered with Funds2Orgs to raise money for the PTA and repurpose shoes by sending them to developing countries around the world. Please drop off your gently used shoes at West Seattle Runner at 2743 California Ave SW. Our goal is to collect at least 2500 pairs of shoes. Please email lafayette.fundraising@gmail.com with any questions.
Paper Boat Booksellers Book Fair: 11/16/2021 – 11/21/2021, 6040 California Ave SW; please mention Lafayette PTA to the cashier and a portion of sales will be given back to Lafayette PTA.
The Good Society Dine-Out: 12/12/2021 – 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm – 2701 California Ave SW (please mention Lafayette to your server); this is a recurring event on the second Tuesday of each month.
Bellevue Ice Rink Fundraiser: 11/19/2021 – 1/9/2022, Mention “Lafayette” when you check in with admission staff and a $3 donation will be made to Lafayette PTA for each paid ticket during the 2021-2022 season. Visit www.bellevueicerink.com to purchase tickets online, check pricing and special events.
ONLINE FUNDRAISERS:
Krispy Kreme Digital Dozens, now – 11/15/2021 (5 pm): purchase a digital dozen for $10 using this unique link to redeem at any Krispy Kreme location; digital dozens will be emailed to you at the end of the sale. OR pick up a dozen at Lafayette on November 19th. Either option, order here.
Scholastic Book Fair, through 11/21/2021: All orders are shipped directly to your home; free shipping or orders of at least $25 (books only). Please use this unique link to shop
Boon Supply, now-12/31/2021: Beautiful items that are good for you, good for the planet, and good for Lafayette PTA! Lafayette PTA earns 40% of sales when you use this unique link to shop.
Minted, now-12/31/2021: Please check out Minted for gifts and holiday cards. Lafayette PTA earns 15% of sales and you receive 20% off your order when you use promo code FUNDRAISELAFAYETTE at www.minted.com.
Less than two weeks until Thanksgiving, so we’re working on this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. If you haven’t already sent information on your holiday-season event, donation drive, fundraiser, performance, special hours, holiday food orders/kits … now’s the time to 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!
1:50 PM: We don’t know when this happened – nor did the person who texted us about it – but a big tree is down in the Delridge Community Center park, and it’s a reminder that another deluge is on the way, according to forecasters. The National Weather Service says another inch of rain is possible tonight, and up to three inches Monday. Tonight through Sunday night, wind gusting up to 30 mph is possible too. If you’re in a slide-prone zone, a Special Weather Statement about slide risk remains in effect, too. So far this month, we’ve had more than five inches of rain, double what’s considered normal.
4 PM: Thanks to the nearby resident who texted to say it fell either Thursday night or Friday morning – they saw Parks workers taping it off on Friday.
From bundled bears (above) to kitchen bunnies (below), the Arrowhead Gardens Holiday Craft Bazaar is brimming eith gift possibilities.
Holiday decorations too, including mini-sequined trees:
More than 20 vendors are selling items, including preserves and baked goods, in the administration building on the east side of the complex.
They’re welcoming shoppers and browsers until 3 pm. Some of the items are recycled, too, if you’re looking for a low-waste holiday, like gift boxes made out of reused photo cards. They’re also raising money for the residents’ annual sock donations to people in need. While Arrowhead Gardens’ official address is 9200 2nd SW, you can enter either off Olson or Myers [map], lots of parking.
Award-winning West Seattle author Cat Rambo is about to publish another book. Tuesday is the official launch date for “You Sexy Thing.” Rambo summarizes it as “the story of a band of former mercenaries who’ve opened a restaurant on a space station and are doing well, so well a critic may be about to bestow a coveted Nikkelin Orb on the restaurant. But then a mysterious package arrives, things start exploding, and they have to steal a ship to escape. But that ship’s intelligent, and it’s not so sure it wants to be stolen.” The author also notes, “It’s not my first published novel, but it’s my first one with a major publisher, Tor Macmillan.” Rambo has five online appearances in six days next week to publicize and talk about the book. starting Monday night, and including a Tuesday night “virtual reading” – they’re all listed and linked here. Rambo’s accomplishments include receiving the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America‘s prestigious Nebula Award last year and serving two terms as that organization’s president.
(Friday night sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Good morning! Welcome to the weekend.
ROAD-WORK ALERTS: In West Seattle, SDOT says, “On 9th Ave SW & SW Portland St and 16th Ave SW & SW Holly St, our crews will be constructing speed humps on Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM to 3 PM.” … Also of note if you’re traveling along the downtown waterfront this weekend, also from SDOT: “Alaskan Way reduced to one lane in each direction between S. King St. and Columbia St. Traffic will shift to new lanes on Monday.”
DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Games are at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), starting at 9 am today. The brackets are here.
CLEANUP: Starting at 10 am, the new CleanupSEA coalition has a multiple-location cleanup – four places to meet up. Locations and other details are in our preview.
CATS/KITTENS ADOPTION EVENT: Not in West Seattle but not far, and a West Seattle volunteer wanted you to know – Red Waggin’ Rescue has a meet-and-greet with adoptable cats and kittens at Dellino Law Group (6363 7th Ave South, #222), 10 am-1 pm.
ARROWHEAD GARDENS HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR: 10 am-3 pm, come shop an amazing array of items handcrafted by the residents of Arrowhead Gardens – more than 20 vendors. (9200 2nd SW)
WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am at a West Seattle home – registration info in our calendar listing.
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 11 am-3 pm, last one of the year. (9421 18th SW)
VACCINE POP-UP: 11 am-2:30 pm at the SDFM, 12+ (including those who need boosters) are welcome to walk up and get vaccinated.
CARMILIA’S 19TH ANNIVERSARY: 11 am, the Junction boutique (4528 California SW) opens for the second of four days of celebrating.
WINE! Viscon Cellars‘ tasting room is open 1-6 pm at 5910 California SW for tasting, sipping, and/or bottle purchases.
OUNCES TURNS FIVE: 5th anniversary celebration at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 2-9 pm with a toast at 5.
DELRIDGE GROCERY COOPERATIVE ANNUAL MEETING: 3 pm online, find out what’s ahead for Delridge Grocery Cooperative – our calendar listing has info on the meeting and on how to get the viewing/participation link.
KENYON HALL PRESENTS … a streamed concert, recorded at Kenyon Hall, with Ray Skjelbred, available all weekend. Go here to watch it and to find out how to support the venue.
‘CRAZYTOWN’: 7:30 pm, see the Seattle Lutheran High School Drama production of “Crazytown,” as previewed here, in the SLHS gym (4100 SW Genesee).
AT THE SKYLARK: James Carr Band headlines tonight’s slate at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors at 8, music at 9, 21+.
DRAG SHOW: West Seattle Drag Show with Dolly Madison, 9 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Are we missing something for today/tonight? Text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
11:52 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “scenes of violence” response to a residence near 40th/Hanford. Police also are responding; the dispatcher told officers that it was called in as a person accidentally shooting themselves in the leg.
12:44 AM: No further information but we’re following up with SFD regarding the person’s condition.
11:39 AM: SFD says the wounded person is a 22-year-old man who was in stable condition when transported to a hospital.
ADDED MONDAY: A few more details from SPD’s summary: “The victim told officers he was attempting to clean the gun but forgot to clear the round from the chamber and subsequently shot himself when he pulled the trigger. … Gun (was) collected and placed into evidence.” The report says the man had wounds “to his left hand and left leg.”
Margie Haywood and Jeffrey Haywood just moved their business Work and Play Lounge to West Seattle from the Eastside and are thrilled to be working much closer to their Morgan Junction home. Work and Play Lounge celebrated its grand opening tonight in Suite 535 of the Jefferson Square office tower (4700 42nd SW).
Work and Play is a flexible space for entrepreneurs, Margie explains – a place where you can print, scan, meet, even record your podcast. It has enclosed and open conference space, including a 100-inch projection wall. The furnishings are flexible and movable, so a variety of configurations are possible:
The space and services are available six days a week (closed Sundays) at daily rates, drop-in rates, and memberships, with private rentals available in the evenings.
This past week was a busy one for community meetings. Here are the toplines from another one we covered, the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s first “hybrid” meeting – in-person and streamed – on Tuesday night.
NEW PRECINCT COMMANDER: Capt. Martin Rivera, the new commander of the Southwest Precinct (which serves West Seattle and South Park), is continuing a series of get-acquainted stops. He was mostly there to listen, so no presentation, but a rep from Brookdale Admiral Heights voiced concerns about suspicious activity near its entrances, and Capt. Rivera said he’d talk with Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner abut working on a plan for the building.
OPERATION NIGHTWATCH: Members of Admiral Church – where the ANA meeting was held – summarized the church’s plan to partner with Operation Nightwatch to provide 10 men with a place to sleep. (Nothing new beyond what we’ve been reporting – here’s our most-recent story.) During discussion, Capt. Rivera mentioned that he had interacted with Nightwatch and described the organization as responsible and well-organized.
HERON’S NEST: As we reported separately, ANA heard from Amanda Lee of The Heron’s Nest, who announced they’d won a $900,000 city grant toward purchasing the West Duwamish Greenbelt site they plan to use for environmental education and repatriate to the Duwamish Tribe.
ELECTIONS: ANA elected next year’s officers at this meeting, including: Drew Sowa will continue as president; Larry Wymer will continue as vice president; Tina Bendermacher is the new secretary; (added) Bridgett Markillie is treasurer; Stephanie Jordan will continue on as concerts coordinator, in hopes ANA’s popular summer series at Hiawatha can return next summer.
QUESTIONS FOR ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION? Email admiralneighborhood@gmail.com. Next eeeting is in January, date TBA.
Police summaries published today include an armed robbery at the 35th/Barton 7-11, second one there in three months (we reported on a holdup there in August). Police say it happened around 11:30 Wednesday night, and that the robber entered the store, “brandished a handgun, pointed it at the clerk, and demanded money … then fled the store on foot with money and the till.” A K-9 team was brought in for the search but the robber was not found; the summary does not include a description.
Carmilia’s, the boutique at 4528 California SW, is celebrating its 19th anniversary all weekend. Tomorrow, you get a gift with your purchase, and a 20 percent discount (excluding jewelry and Kai). Sunday, “a different gift with purchase.” Then on Monday, the actual anniversary, a chance to spin the wheel and win a discount up to 50 percent. Proprietor Linda Sabee founded the shop in 2002 with no retail experience – as she told us when celebrating anniversary #15, she used to be a kindergarten teacher – and has kept the doors open through ups and downs, pandemic and all, so it’s definitely party time.
Got a few minutes? The newly launched Westside HEY Coalition has a survey for you:
The Westside HEY (Healthy Empowered Youth) Coalition, a school and community coalition formed to address the high rates of youth substance use in West Seattle, would like your help in learning more about community concerns related to drugs and alcohol. This anonymous survey asks about one’s perceptions of drug and alcohol use among youth in the community. Adults ages 18 and over, who live, work or frequent the West Seattle area are eligible to take this survey. We will use this information to help us understand your thoughts and feelings, in order to better serve youth in our community. The survey typically takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Survey Link: research.net/r/KIWESEEN2021
The data from these surveys will be used to implement evidence-based prevention programs in middle and high schools in the community, including Madison Middle School and West Seattle High School.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey!
Sincerely,
Westside HEY Coalition
FRIDAY AFTERNOON: First, a post in the WSB Community Forums noted a bird sighting believed to be a grouse – a bird that’s in the same family as turkeys. Then today, we received the photo above from Lisa, after a backyard visit near 35th/Andover. Our favorite source for bird ID’ing, Seattle Audubon BirdWeb, lists six species of grouse in the region. We can’t narrow it down. Can you? As Lisa observed, “It certainly wasn’t a normal thing in the neighborhood.”
FRIDAY NIGHT: Commenters’ consensus seems to be ring-necked pheasant.
Updates on three West Seattle projects going through the Design Review process:
9218 18TH SW: Today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin includes the next date for this South Delridge project [map]. It’ll go back before the Southwest Design Review Board on December 2nd. Here’s our coverage from back in April, when the project passed the first phase on its second try. The project is proposed for five stories, ~48 apartments, and ~28 offstreet-parking spaces (none are required). Participation for the 5 pm December 2nd online meeting is here (which is also where you’ll find the design packet when the meeting gets closer).
Before then, two projects go back to the board next Thursday (November 18th), and you can preview their design packets now:
4440 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW: Last week, the board reviewed one of the two buildings comprising the Sweeney Blocks megaproject in The Triangle. At 5 pm Thursday, they’ll consider the latest proposal for the other one, 4440 Fauntleroy Way SW [map]. This is proposed as a 7-story mixed-use building, with ~217 apartments and ~153 offstreet-parking spaces. (Here’s our coverage of its previous review in August of last year.) Viewing/commenting info for the meeting is here.
4448 CALIFORNIA SW: At 7 pm Thursday, the board will move on to this Junction project [map], proposed for 7 stories, ~96 apartments, ground-floor commercial space, and no offstreet parking. (Here’s our coverage of their first review in July.) The packet is above and here. Viewing/participation info is here.
Live theater is coming back – including schools. Tonight and tomorrow, the Seattle Lutheran High School Drama program invites you to come see their new production:
Seattle Lutheran Drama is proud to present Crazytown by Jonathan Rand.
In the weirdest town in America, let Jim and Babs of Crazytown Action News break down all the top stories of the day. In politics, the race for president at Crazytown Elementary is really heating up! In public safety, citizens are being brought in for questioning by police for being too kind and considerate! A fierce competition is underway by two professional sports-watchers! All that, along with weather and traffic, tonight on Crazytown Action News.
Crazytown will be performed in person in the Menashe Gymnasium at Seattle Lutheran High School. Audience members will be seated in distanced household groups. Masks are required for audience members. We hope to see you there! Crazytown is appropriate for grades 5 and up.
Friday and Saturday (November 12th and 13th) at 7:30 pm
Tickets at the door (Cash or credit card payment accepted):
$7 for adults
$5 for seniors and non-SLHS students
Free for SLHS students (bring ID) and children 6 and underProduced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
The gym is at 4100 SW Genesee, just north of The Junction.
A Veterans Day postscript – Jason sends this report and photos from Scout Troop 799‘s cleanup project:
In service, and in recognition of those who’ve served, Scouts from West Seattle Troop 799 gloved up and met at 9 am Thursday morning near Denny International Middle School to pick up trash, clean out rain gardens and storm drains, and enjoy the relatively warm temps and drizzle carried by the atmospheric river flowing over our state throughout this weekend. Afterward, some of them ran a mile at SWAC just to enjoy the rain and fresh air it brings even more!
They collected roughly a dozen trash bags of waste, mostly dropped school supplies, candy and snack wrappers. Nothing dangerous was found, which was a welcome sight, although they were prepared.
Happy Veterans Day, and gratitude from Pack/Troop 799 to all those who’ve served.
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