Busy season for letter carriers. One thing you can do to help
Back in March 2020, early in the pandemic, we got a call from a local USPS letter carrier who asked us to share a request with you. The carrier called again with a simple request for this busy time of year, when they and their colleagues are working long hours: Leave your porch light on. During these short days, they are delivering in the dark more often than you might know. If you’re getting notifications about mail/package deliveries, fetch them as soon as you can. And a few final words – Like so many businesses, the USPS too is shortstaffed right now; be kind and patient with them too.
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Trees, trees, trees
Tonight’s photos are from Wyatt, who tells us about 2021cadditions: “This year I have my front trees lit, and more to create a walkway of lights! I’m happy to be able to share my lights with you and everyone again this year! I’m at the corner of 40th and Charlestown.” [map]
Thanks again to everyone who’s sending in their lights, or some they’ve seen – westseattleblog@gmail.com with or without photos. See every place we’ve showcased here (newest-to-oldest), and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide!
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car prowler; building burglar; big police response
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
CAR PROWLER: From Nancy:
(Monday) morning I found my 2017 Volvo, parked in front of my home, had been broken into.
Sadly, after rifling glove compartment and taking all CDs, they popped the trunk and took all my gifts.
Purchased from Costco … 2 sets of Queen-size sheets in black floral print, a black large Husky-brand tool bag with tools, 3 boxes of solar yard lights, and a set of garden gloves
I’m just sick about this. Last time the whole car was stolen & recovered in Everett full of drug paraphernalia.
If you find any items dumped in your neighborhood that resemble what Nancy mentioned, let us know and we’ll connect you.
BUILDING BURGLAR: Two Harbor Avenue residents said the person in the security image below (first shown here in November) has struck again. Carolyn wrote the accompanying report:
This naughty boy has broken into two neighboring condo buildings on Harbor Ave (Seacrest Park area) in the past month. The first brake in was in mid-November (where he wore no mask, thanks dummy!). The latest break-in was just last week. This time he wore a mask, however, the glasses, nose, jacket and there is some facial hair visible in the photo, has us believing it is the same perp. He is also believed to be the same person that pulled a gun on a fellow when caught acting suspiciously in an alley behind a fellow’s house on 35th (editor’s note: see this report).
Please keep an eye out for this person! Call SPD if you see him. Not even a lump of coal for you, this Christmas, you bad, bad boy!
BIG POLICE RESPONSE: Got a question this afternoon about a sizable mid-morning police response near 37th/Donovan in Upper Fauntleroy, We hadn’t heard anything at the time, so we asked SPD; a domestic-violence incident involving a handgun, we were told, ending in arrest. (No one was shot, though.)
FREE: Need a Christmas tree?
On Sunday we reported that Trees By The Sea on Alki was ending its season early, almost sold out. We have just received word that they have a few leftovers available free:
We are completely shut down for the season but we had a handful of Trees left over, less than a dozen. We have left them down on the lot with the gate open. Anyone who maybe couldn’t afford a tree this year or knows someone in need is welcome to go down and grab one for free. They are all in the 5′-6′ range.
Thanks again for a great year and we hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season!
-Tiffany, Daniel & Torsten
The trees are at 2530 Alki SW.
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: More Santa photo ops, including Menashe Family Lights encore
(WSB photo, last Saturday)
For the first time ever, Santa will make a second appearance at the Menashe Family Lights this season – that news arrived from the North Pole today. You’ll find him there (5605 Beach Drive SW) for photo opportunities 6-9 pm this Saturday (December 18th) – bring a nonperishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank if you can! We’re adding that to the list of Santa appearances in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, which includes four other stops this week – such as HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) this Friday, 3-6 pm, Plus West Seattle Thriftway (California & Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor) has holiday cheer next week including music and Santa (various times Monday through Thursday next week – they’ll be in our guide shortly).
BIZNOTE: Ski, snowboard tuneup time at Alki Bike and Board in Admiral
With snowy Cascades scenes like the ones we just grabbed from the WSDOT webcams at Snoqualmie and Stevens Passes, skiers and snowboarders are probably making plans to head up as soon as they can.
So Alki Bike and Board (2606 California SW; WSB sponsor) just sent word that they “have a full tune area for snowboards & skis” and this is a great time to come in and get yours ready. They’re promising “quick turnaround” for a tuneup and hot wax. Just drop in – they’re open until 6 pm – or call 206-938-3322.
FOLLOWUP: About the dead sea lion at Lincoln Park
10:15 AM: Last week we mentioned a dead, decomposing sea lion that had been seen floating in West Seattle waters and then turned up on the beach at Lincoln Park. It’s still there, and we’re still getting calls about it. Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network says it’s so large that Seattle Parks will need heavy equipment to remove it. We’ve been trying to find out about Parks’ plan and finally heard back late last night: A crew was planning to go out today to assess the situation and figure out what to do. They promised to let us know what the crew decides, so we hope to have an update later.
12:41 PM: Parks says the crew determined it’s too big to remove with the equipment they have in the area so “they are asking our Heavy Equipment crews to help. However, the renderer will not be able to get out until Thursday because of other commitments and tides.” (“The renderer” is for carcass disposition, as was also done with a dead seal at Alki last week.)
7 for your West Seattle Tuesday
(Kingfisher, photographed by Matthew Olson)
Here’s what’s up in the hours ahead:
ADDY’S PET SHOP OPENS: 10 am-7 pm, it’s the first scheduled day of business for the new pet shop in Highland Park. (11th/Henderson)
SENIOR CENTER LUNCH: Senior Center of West Seattle‘s free (for members) holiday luncheon. “Celebrate the holiday season with a festive meal and entertainment. The December holiday lunch is free to members. Bonnie Birch Duo Holiday Show performs. Call ASAP to see if there’s still room. (4217 SW Oregon)
MEET 2 NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS: Noon online, join the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce in hearing from City Councilmember-elect Sara Nelson and Port Commissioner-elect Hamdi Mohamed. Our preview explains how to watch/participate.
DEMONSTRATION: Scott continues leading weekly signwaving for racial justice at 16th/Holden, 4:30-6 pm.
CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 6 pm online, it’s the monthly meeting for updates on and questions about West Seattle’s only city-sanctioned tiny-house encampment. Connection information is in our calendar listing.
MERRY & BRIGHT MUSIC NIGHT: Presented by/at Jet City Labs (4546 California SW), 7 pm.
TRIVIA AT THE LODGE: 7:30 pm, play free Stump! Trivia. (4209 SW Alaska)
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Welcome to Tuesday
6:02 AM Good morning!
WEATHER
Chilly, windy, and we might see a bit of snow, forecasters say. P.S. One week until the winter solstice!
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 using 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
631st 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. S. 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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