West Seattle, Washington
10 Saturday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Another Northwest earthquake swarm – this time off the Oregon coast – is the latest reminder that we live in a seismically active area.
You hear a lot about preparedness, but it should go beyond the “have some food and water stashed away” stage, the District 1 Community Network heard at this month’s meeting, which featured two other topics – “street sinks” and the local Salvation Army Center.
First – the spotlight presentation was from Cindi Barker, an Upper Morgan Junction resident long active with the Emergency Communication Hubs, a volunteer organization that works to ensure neighborhoods have gathering places in case of catastrophe (find your nearest one here) and to raise awareness of other preparedness issues.
Three notes in Crime Watch tonight:
BURGLARY ARREST: A brief police summary notes a burglary Tuesday evening at the Park West Nursing Center in the 1700 block of California SW. The summary says that, “Upon arrival, officers found a window to a basement door smashed. A check inside located a suspect hiding in a cabinet.” He was arrested and booked into jail; a judge did not set bail, so tonight, after less than 24 hours, he was released. The 44-year-old suspect does not appear to have a felony record; he is awaiting trial on one misdemeanor charge from October in which he was arrested for swinging a four-foot stick at people near Pike Place Market.
BURGLARY CHARGES: We reported this case last night on partner site White Center Now – a man charged in three recent business burglaries in White Center and one in Burien. The suspect, 34-year-old Nicholas E. Pierce, will be arraigned next week. He remains jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail, half of what the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had asked for.
BUSINESS-INCIDENTS SUSPECT FOLLOWUP: Last week we reported on the case of 44-year-old Joseph Milojevich, charged with robbery for a shoplift-turned-violent at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) and with harassment for threatening the owner of The Beer Junction. We also reported how he was out on earlier cases because of competency-related issues. Today his case was back in court for a defense motion to get him a mental evaluation. The court documents say he has been awaiting inpatient treatment for an attempt at competency restoration for an earlier case, and that’s why they want him evaluated again. A judge granted the request. Milojevich remains in jail, bail set at $76,000. We obtained the photo at right from the state Corrections Department, but note that it’s from 2003 – the newest one they have.
Just got word of this from the Port of Seattle tonight, and it’s in the morning, so it’ll be too late for our reminder list, and therefore we’re publishing the announcement now:
This year, the Port of Seattle marks 110 years of working for the people of King County and Washington state. Join us as we reflect on this milestone, recognize the efforts this year to help lead an equitable recovery, and set our sights on 2022. Participants include Port Commissioners and Executive Director Steve Metruck. The presentation features community events and accomplishments from throughout the year. More on our event page.
Date: Thursday, December 9, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — Virtual Presentation
Join the Virtual Presentation Here
Call in Option (Audio Only)
+15717484021
Pin: 149 1850#
If you can’t watch live, we’re told a recording will be published later in the day.
Sunrise Heights is rocking the holiday-display world this year! Tonight we have another display from that area – created by Jenny, whose spouse sent the photos:
I wanted to share with you some photos of my wife’s light display this year. We are at 7341 34th Ave SW [map]. There are retro cutouts of Peanuts, Rudolph, and a yeti.
The flag pole is wrapped like a candy cane. And there is Grinch staring ominously out the window by our Christmas tree.
(The yeti, we believe, is Rudolph’s pal Bumble.) Got a display to suggest – yours or someone else’s? We’re showing them nightly through New Year’s Eve. westseattleblog@gmail.com, with or without photos – thank you!
(Image courtesy Shug’s Soda Fountain)
Baked Alaska on California! That’s part of what Shug’s Soda Fountain is offering in an upcoming pop-up at its future West Seattle “Mini” location (California/Charlestown). December 18-21st, noon-4 pm each day, Colleen Wilkie of Shug’s says, “We will be offering Baked Alaskas, holiday ice cream & drink gift boxes, and pints of Candy Cane and Egg Nog ice cream. People can also pre-order (preferable) all these items at this link.” They’ve done various pop-ups at the corner, but after three years have yet to open full-time, so we asked Wilkie if that was still in their future plans. She says yes: “We are working more diligently now to open this Spring. Between having a baby, permitting, and the pandemic – we certainly have been in an uphill battle. We are remaining hopeful!”
Tomorrow night brings the last West Seattle Art Walk of the year – wrapped up with extra holiday fun. First, the list of participating venues:
Those holiday extras include Santa himself, strolling The Junction 6-9 pm, posing with you for selfies.
It’s also “Shop Late Thursday” in The Junction, and participating businesses will beckon you in with luminarias. You’ll also be able to shop two holiday markets at Junction businesses, according to Art Walk coordinator Reeve Washburn:
Jet City Labs + Clay Cauldron = Jet City Cauldron, at Jet City’s venue: 4546 1/2 California Ave SW (enter in the alley between California and 41st) and Bin 41: 4707 California Ave SW
Jet City: Jewelry, terrariums, photography, collage, paper goods, abstract art.
Bin 41: jewelry, photography, digital art on wood and acrylic, fused glass, and T’s creations! For our ‘gnome in the home’ fans, there will be a new stash available for purchase at the event!
Outside The Junction, the southernmost Art Walk venue Brace Point Pottery in Arbor Heights (4208 SW 100th) has extended their holiday sale – jewelry, custom clothing, ceramics, more.
One more extra tomorrow night – two more “Art of Music” live performances – both 6-7:40 pm: Jim Page at Great American Diner in The Junction, Veronica Malki at Copper Coin in The Admiral District.
Browse more venues and artists on the official preview page for tomorrow’s Art Walk, which starts at 5 pm and continues “until late.” (WSB is media sponsor for the WSAW.)
Thanks to the commenter who mentioned this: The new crossing signal by the Duwamish Longhouse on West Marginal Way has been activated, after the accompanying crosswalk was painted a few days ago. We asked SDOT for confirmation; spokesperson Ethan Bergerson says, “The signal was turned on yesterday and is operational, but there are still a few adjustments that need to be finished today. One of these items is connecting the push buttons, so we temporarily programmed the signal to display a walk signal automatically until that has been completed.” The signal technically is “temporary” – the permanent one is being designed and is expected to be installed next year. The Duwamish Tribe and community advocates had long pushed for safety improvements here, not just for people parking on the east side of WMW for Longhouse events, but also for better access to the riverfront park, which has major cultural significance.
12:12 PM: We’re getting multiple reports today about this, so in case you see it too: What looks to some like a “dead baby orca” is actually a dead sea lion, likely the same one that’s been seen on and offshore for a few days now. Kersti Muul gave us first heads-up about it yesterday. The decomposed carcass appears to have a light patch, so that’s why some have mistaken it for an orca. If it washes onshore again, it can be marked with paint, and “hopefully scanned,” Kersti says. If it washes ashore in West Seattle, the Marine Mammal Stranding Network here is Seal Sitters, 206-905-SEAL; in other areas, the regional hotline is 866-767-6114.
4:28 PM: As Kersti noted in comments below, there’s a live sea lion on the Harbor Avenue shore, too – a Steller sea lion, not as common in our area. Stewart L. sent this photo while it was back out in the water:
Lots of generosity so far this season – and still many opportunities to keep giving, if you can. Here are three in the next four days, if you haven’t already seen them in our West Seattle Holiday Guide or on our year-round Event Calendar:
WSHS WINTER CARE-PACKAGE DONATION DRIVE TODAY: Today, 3-5 pm outside West Seattle High School‘s north entrance (3000 California SW) is your third and final opportunity to drop off donated items for this student-led, student-benefiting drive creating “care packages.” Items needed:
Here are hygiene necessities that would be included in care packages:
– packaged masks
– unopened hand sanitizer
– unopened protein bars/granola bars/snacks
– unopened bars of soap
– unopened deodorant
– unused toothbrushes
– unopened toothpaste
– unopened chapstick
– hand warmersDonations of clothing (used): jackets, sweaters, pants, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, t-shirts, blankets
DRIVE-UP CLOTHING DRIVE THURSDAY, WITH COFFEE: Tomorrow morning (Thursday, December 9th), 10 am-11:30 am, a drive-up donation drive at Daystar Retirement Village (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) is collecting clothing items for the West Seattle Food Bank‘s Clothesline. Your reward: A made-to-order coffee drink! Here are the details, including requested items.
DRIVE-UP FOOD DRIVE SATURDAY: Atticus, now a high-school student, collected food in the Hope Lutheran back lot last year – almost a ton! – and is doing it again this Saturday (December 11th), 10 am-3 pm. He and his brother Dominic will be collecting food and money as well as coats – all sizes – for the Westside Interfaith Network‘s weekly Welcome Table in White Center. The dropoff site (ride-up and walk-up welcome too, of course) is off SW Oregon just east of 42nd SW.
Thanks for the photo! That’s from Highland Park, one area that got a bit of slush as the latest bout of stormy weather moved through. According to @westseawx, what’s left of a “decaying convergence zone” is to blame. The National Weather Service, meantime, warns a bit of “tidal overflow” is possible along the shore, in tandem with the 12.7-foot high tide that peaked just before 9 am.
7:54 AM: Thanks for the tip. A downed tree is causing trouble on W. Marginal approaching the onramp for the 1st Av S Bridge.
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6:07 AM Good morning!
WEATHER
More intermittently rainy weather – breezy – high in the 40s.
BRIDGE FYI
Emergency training – potentially including “fake smoke” – will be happening on the high bridge the next two mornings, as noted here.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.
Ferries and Water Taxi: WSF is still running a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
625th 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.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
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