West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Windstorm damage was the biggest news in the Camp Second Chance update presented at this month’s meeting of the tiny-house encampment’s Community Advisory Committee, held online Tuesday night.
CAMP REPORT: Camp director Scott Harris reported that 53 people are now at CSC. Three people have exited to housing, two people are awaiting approvals, four people have King County Housing Authority vouchers and are seeking rentals, eight people have Seattle Housing Authority vouchers and are also awaiting/looking for units. Harris noted that county vouchers mean a 1-bedroom is affordable, while city vouchers only cover a studio. They have room for one new camper.
We’re getting questions tonight about what’s described as a nationwide situation with social-media-driven concerns about school threats. So far the parents from whom we’ve heard say Seattle Public Schools hasn’t sent any direct communication to families. The district did publish this on Twitter earlier this evening:
We are aware of a national social media trend on TikTok challenging threats of school violence on Dec. 17. While there is no evidence of a specific threat at any of our schools, SPS Safety and Security is closely tracking these incidents in partnership with Seattle Police Dept.
— Seattle Public Schools (@SeaPubSchools) December 17, 2021
National coverage we’ve found (such as this story) underscores that the rumors have not been found to be credible. But some districts have decided to take precautionary action anyway, such as Tacoma, which plans to start the day in lockdown. Even before this – several days ago – SPS superintendent Dr. Brent Jones sent this video message about a recent increase in threats (thanks to the reader who shared the link).
(Latest “massing” – size/shape – proposal from November Design Review meeting)
Four weeks ago, the mixed-use proposal for 4448 California SW cleared the first round of Design Review. That meant the project team could apply for a land-use permit, and today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin brought word of that application, which means another comment period has opened. The proposal is for a 7-story, 88-apartment building with ground-floor commercial space and no offstreet parking. Here’s the notice published today, which explains how to comment, by a deadline of December 29th. The project also will have at least one more Design Review meeting (no date yet).
The Davis Family Christmas Lights are back for another year! Just west of The Junction, this display is always an eye-catcher, especially the planting-strip trees:
This year, the Davises tell us, they put up “approximately 12,000 lights, with about 75% LEDs.” They’re at 4152 46th SW [map]. We’re adding this to the list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide (you can also see all the showcased displays, newest to oldest, in this WSB archive).
Got lights? Seen lights? Send the location, with or without photo(s), to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The Longfellow Creek bridge at SW Yancy, by the West Seattle Health Club, is open again tonight, after almost six days of blockage by trees/debris from last week’s windstorm (WSB coverage here). Two readers asked us about its status earlier today; by mid-afternoon today, Seattle Parks responded, work to clear it was completed.
Another newly elected city leader has announced her first round of major appointments. City Attorney-elect Ann Davison has chosen Scott Lindsay as deputy city attorney. Lindsay was the 2017 general-election opponent of outgoing City Attorney Pete Holmes, who Davison defeated this year, and was a public-safety adviser to former Mayor Ed Murray. Davison also announced that her Criminal Chief will be Natalie Walton-Anderson, who spent 24 years in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office earlier this year. The official announcement of both appointments is here.
One reader report in West Seattle Crime Watch today, from Diane in Fauntleroy:
A man came to our door at 1:43 am (Wednesday) and tried to open our door.
When it didn’t open, he left. We were not home at the time but it was captured on cameras. He was wearing very reflective clothing. I am still in the process of filing a police report. This was in the 9200 block of Fauntleroy Way SW.
Thanks to the texter who sent the photo, reporting that Alki’s 63rd/Hinds USPS mailbox has reappeared. It had been gone at least three months. P.S. Looking for a mailbox? Here’s the USPS map (though it hasn’t re-listed the 63rd box yet).
11:30 AM: Thanks to Marc Milrod for the photo, noticing that the state ferry M/V Cathlamet, usually on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, was instead being escorted into Elliott Bay this morning. The Triangle Route still has two boats, but the second one right now is M/V Chimacum. Washington State Ferries spokesperson Ian Sterling tells WSB, “Cathlamet is headed into Vigor for maintenance. Sealth has been at Vigor for its maintenance and will go back on the route tomorrow, I believe. In the meantime, the Chimacum is pinch hitting on the route to cover the gap. A bit of boat ballet, but all planned to ensure service is maintained on the route.” That actually temporarily adds a bit more vehicle capacity, as Chimacum carries up to 144 vehicles, while Cathlamet maxes out at 124. The 40-year-old Cathlamet had trouble earlier in the year, with a smoky clutch problem that led to an emergency response in July.
2:30 PM: We asked what the maintenance will involve. Sterling’s reply:
the scope of work is similar to what we just did on Sealth:
Vehicle deck steel renewals
Hull preservation/paint
Fire main and sprinkle piping renewals
Navigation deck non skid
Change out propeller hub assembly
(New snow on the Olympics, photographed by Jim Borrow)
Here are reminders about events happening in West Seattle in the hours ahead – from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM CURATOR’S TALK: 6 pm online, Log House Museum curator Maggie Kase talks about the “Spirit Returns 2.0” exhibit, including “some behind-the-scenes information about the creation of the exhibit at the historical society, including a sneak-peek at the contents of David Maynard’s letters that aren’t included in the exhibit!” More info here, including how to watch.
SHOP LATE THURSDAY: Part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays – some shops are open late!
LIVE MUSIC: Blues Night at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 6-9 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: As previewed here (where you’ll find attendance info), tonight’s 6:30 pm online meeting features reps from SDOT, WSDOT, and the port.
STARRY CROWNS CONCERT: 7 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle) or livestreamed, a free holiday concert by the group that sang at the OLG tree lighting.
‘WE’VE BATTLED MONSTERS BEFORE’: Fourth week begins for the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) musical, 7:30 pm. Tickets are available online. (4711 California SW)
Spring is in sight! As West Seattle Little League opens registration for next year, it’s also announcing the launch of two new programs – Softball and Challenger. Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle Little League Spring 2022 registration is now open for all youth ages 4-14. We’re excited to announce that we have added 2 new programs:
West Seattle Girls Softball has merged with West Seattle Little League to form a single and cohesive league for our community. By combining resources as well as leveraging the Little League® International brand, we will be able to enhance our support for baseball and softball. Softball players will be offered a variety of opportunities to participate and benefit from the Little League experience.
This season we are adding the Challengers Program, Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. The Little League Challenger Program is open to West Seattle residents between the ages of 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school. There is no fee to participate in the West Seattle Little League Challenger Program.
Each year, we want to make sure all kids have the opportunity to write the next chapter in the Little League story, regardless of their situation. Thanks to the generous support of T-Mobile, financially challenged families in our community can apply for the T-Mobile Little League Call Up Grant, which helps cover registration fees associated with WSLL for the upcoming season!
The WSLL baseball and softball spring season will run from March – June and features fun activities like the jamboree, sandlot days, and end-of-the-year picnic. Interested to know more details? Check out westseattlelittleleague.com to find information about boundaries and divisions of play.
We look forward to seeing you on the field!
6:01 AM Good morning!
WEATHER
Chance of rain, but otherwise a fairly quiet forecast.
NOTES
-Tomorrow’s the last day of school before winter break.
-Five Sundays with short low-bridge closures for testing were announced today – this Sunday’s the first one.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. 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 on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
633rd 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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