West Seattle, Washington
19 Friday
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.
West Seattle/South Park has eight new cases reported in this week’s update of the COVID-19 dashboard for Seattle Public Schools. That’s out of 67 new cases districtwide – students and staff – since last week’s update. Here’s the local school-by-school breakout (as always, the total is cumulative since the start of the school year):
Denny International Middle School – 24, unchanged
Chief Sealth International High School – 20, unchanged
Roxhill Elementary – 15, unchanged
Genesee Hill Elementary – 14, up 3
Arbor Heights Elementary – 14, up 1
Highland Park Elementary – 13, unchanged
Madison Middle School – 11, unchanged
Louisa Boren STEM K-8 – 10, unchanged
Lafayette Elementary – 10, unchanged
Concord International (Elementary) – 9, up 1
West Seattle Elementary – 9, up 1
Gatewood Elementary – 9, unchanged
Pathfinder K-8 – 6, up 1
West Seattle High School – 6, unchanged
Fairmount Park Elementary – 5, unchanged
Alki Elementary – 5, unchanged
Sanislo Elementary – 4, unchanged
BRIDGES @ Roxhill – 1, unchanged
From SPD‘s short summaries for today:
On 12-13-2021 at 0848 hours, a teacher at the Summit (Atlas) School located at the 9600 block of 35th Avenue SW, reported receiving a voicemail message on her cell phone last night at 2046 hours. The voicemail called her a name and the caller said he was going to blow up the school. The suspect called back last night two minutes later, left a second voicemail that said he was just kidding. The number was unidentified.
No other details, so we don’t know what action the school took or how this was communicated to families, but we’ll be following up.
Tonight’s photos are from Lacey, at 9643 18th SW {map}. who says, “We have lots of lights up this year! We are located just off Roxbury on 18th Ave SW, so it is an easy detour for those heading out of West Seattle. We have Santa waving from the chimney, and an elf who crashed his sled into our fence. It is very bright and full of lights, at my son’s request. I have lots of fun doing it, and hope others enjoy it as well!”
Thanks again to everyone who’s sent tips and photos so far! Every place we’ve shown is archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. If you have a suggestion, with or without photo(s), please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – we’ll keep showing nights lightly through New Year’s Eve – thank you
South Delridge continues to be West Seattle’s redevelopment hotspot. The newest project of note is a 12-townhouse plan for the 9400 block of 18th SW. Technically it’s listed as two projects – 9440 18th SW and 9444 18th SW [map] – but they’re next to each other, and the same project team is involved. 9440 18th SW is proposed with seven townhouses in one structure; 9444 18th SW is proposed with five townhouses in two structures. They’ll replace this century-old house:
(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
The architect for the townhouses is Scale Design NW. The project is in the Early Outreach for Design Review phase, so look for community comment opportunities to come.
With three weeks to go until Bruce Harrell is inaugurated as mayor January 4th, he’s announced his first major appointments. Only one is a department head – an interim budget director – but the others include deputy mayors (including one focused on housing/homelessness), a chief equity officer, and a director of strategic initiatives. The appointees include past and present city officials as well as people from non-city backgrounds. See the full announcement here. (Photo from seattle.gov)
Updates on two stretches of “Stay Healthy Streets” in West Seattle:
PUGET RIDGE/HIGHLAND PARK: SDOT announced today that they’re removing some sections and continuing to evaluate the SW Trenton section that’s drawn the loudest community clamor for change:
… We are using the (recent) community outreach to develop the permanent route of the Stay Healthy Street. We expect to share the permanent route map in early 2022. The earliest the permanent features (like the updated street closed signs) would be built is summer 2022.
(Before then) We will be removing the below sections of the Stay Healthy Street near Sanislo Elementary. The sections are also shown in the map (above).
21st Ave SW from Croft Pl SW to SW Myrtle St
SW Myrtle St from 21st Ave SW to 18th Ave SW
18th Ave SW from SW Myrtle St to SW Webster St
SW Webster St from 18th Ave SW to 16th Ave SWThese sections were proposed for removal in our recent outreach. … We also heard from people living near these sections and from parents driving or walking students to school that they were not supportive of keeping the sections near Sanislo Elementary. Community members said the streets are already narrow in this area, making it more difficult to safely navigate around the signs and people using the Stay Healthy Street. Student pick-up and drop-off near the elementary school had also become more difficult because of the additional street closed signs on already narrow streets.
Collecting traffic and speed data on SW Trenton St: In our recent outreach, we proposed keeping the Stay Healthy Street section on SW Trenton St from 11th Ave SW to 17th Ave SW. This is because our initial data collection showed fewer people driving on the SW Trenton St section and slower speeds of people who are driving on the street. Additionally, we heard community support for a connection and extra space for walking and biking to destinations in the Highland Park neighborhood.
We heard in our recent outreach that people like to drive on SW Trenton St instead of driving on adjacent arterial streets, like SW Henderson St which is designed to handle more vehicle traffic. Specifically, people driving like to use SW Trenton St from 16th Ave SW to 17th Ave SW to drive to Delridge Way SW and other locations west, like the West Seattle Junction area. We also heard that we needed to better understand the traffic volumes and speeds of people driving on this section of SW Trenton St, in particular between 16th Ave SW and 17th Ave SW.
Before making a decision on keeping or removing the SW Trenton St section, we are collecting and evaluating data along the street, as well as considering the additional community input we’ve received this fall.
There’s more on the SDOT website.
ALKI POINT ‘KEEP MOVING’ STREET SURVEY: SDOT is still asking for input on “permanent design” options for the stretch around Alki Point. This survey will close on December 21st (one week from tomorrow); you can also email your thoughts to AlkiKeepMovingStreet@seattle.gov. (We reported on the proposed options in September.)
From Eric at Pegasus Book Exchange in The Junction:
I noticed (Saturday) that sports cards I have been keeping at Pegasus Books have been stolen. There are about 400 very valuable Seattle-centered cards; many Griffey, Kemp, Payton, among others like Jordan and Pippen, some hockey cards as well. I have contacted local sports-card stores and pawn shops but if you hear anything, please let me know. I was going to auction them away for charity but they must’ve been stolen sometime Thursday morning from the back room of Pegasus.
Eric has also put the word out to a wide network of sports-memorabilia dealers, but appreciates more eyes/ears – contact info is on the store website.
(Low clouds and south Blake Island, seen from Upper Fauntleroy)
A few highlights for the hours ahead:
FREE YOGA: Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW) launches a free series of Monday evening women’s-empowerment yoga classes starting tonight, 5 pm, for all levels. Pre-registration required – go here or call 206-684-7423.
OPEN D&D: Meeples Games (3727 California SW, upstairs) hosts a drop-in D&D group on Mondays, 6:30-10 pm.
TRIVIA X 3: Here are Monday nights’ three options – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Something for our calendar/holiday guide? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
10:09 AM: Resident orcas are in Puget Sound headed southbound, passing through the Bremerton-Seattle ferry lane at last report, Kersti Muul tells us. Let us know if you see them!
10:47 AM: Thanks for all the updates, including what Kersti’s posted in comments below, and a text we just got from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail reporting they’re now “heading south … near Vashon ferry dock.”
2:40 PM: Note – if you haven’t been checking the comments – that Kersti reports they’re headed back northbound.
7:50 AM: Thanks for the tips. 100 customers in the Seola Beach area lost power about half an hour ago.
10:25 AM: 104 homes still out after three hours. Checking with Seattle City Light to see if they have info on the cause.
11:09 AM: In comments, Sara says the Seola problem is a tree. Also in comments, CBOB points out there’s also an outage in the White Center/South Delridge area, affecting 48 customers:
SCL attributes this one to “equipment failure.”
2:40 PM: Neither outage is over yet. SCL now officially attributes the Seola problem to a tree.
6:21 PM: SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang tells us that “Crews are working to restore power to those affected in the Seola Beach outage where a large tree branch came down across the wires. Repair work is estimated to be completed (by approximately 7 pm).” Sarah sent this pic of the problem:
9:08 PM: As noted in comments, the Seola outage is over after 14 hours. The map shows the White Center/South Delridge outage is resolved too, though we don’t know what time that one ended.
6:03 AM Good morning!
WEATHER
Showery, breezy, chilly are today’s weather words.
ROAD NOTE
Beware the Sylvan Way mega-pothole – we don’t know if it’s been fixed yet.
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
630th 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 (its icon problem has been fixed again); 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.
Here’s our weekly update on local pandemic numbers and notes:
KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS (through Friday, since they’re not updated on weekends):
*176.448 cases – 1,900 more than one week ago (6,250 total in West Seattle, up 80)
*8,883 hospitalizations – 55 more than one week ago (259 total from West Seattle, down 1 [data adjustment])
*2,125 people have died – 25 more than one week ago (76 total in West Seattle, up 1)
VACCINATION RATE
(As of three weeks ago, King County started making stats available for ages 5+, so we switched to that stat:)
79.9% of King County residents 5+ have completed their vaccine series – up 1.7% from one week ago
By West Seattle zip code – note that these numbers are still NOT available as 5+, so they reflect 12+:
98106 – 87.4%
98116 – 90.4%
98126 – 82.5%
98136 – 91.9%
98146 – 82.5%
(Find more COVID-related King County stats here)
THE WEEK’S PANDEMIC HEADLINES
Boosters – As of Thursday, our state recommends them for everyone 16 and up.
No kid shots at city’s WS clinic – The city dropped the West Seattle provider that could handle all ages, and is looking for someone who can handle pediatric shots – until then, no kids at the Friday/Saturday clinic.
NEED TO GET TESTED IN WEST SEATTLE?
The UW Medicine testing service in the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (2801 SW Thistle) continues to operate; you can make an appointment here. Meantime, the Curative testing kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) is also still operating, as is a Curative location at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury). In addition, both West Seattle Walgreens stores are offering drive-up testing (35th/Morgan and 16th/Roxbury) – more info here.
Four months after we first reported that Addy’s Pet Shop was on the way to 11th/Henderson, it’s about to open. We stopped by as proprietor David Leischner worked to get everything set up this weekend.
When we spoke with him in August, he had hoped to open the shop in October, but as often happens with new businesses, things took longer than planned, including dealing with the city (if only there was a checklist for new businesses, he laments). But now everything is just about ready to go, and the shop will open Tuesday (December 14th), not too late to get in some holiday shopping (that’s an Advent calendar for dogs he’s holding in our photo above). And Addy’s is stocked with a wide variety of food – chilled/frozen, too.
Mostly for dogs and cats, although Leischner added some chicken feed at a friend’s request. Lots of non-edible merchandise, too, from dog jackets to cat towers:
Getting the store set up has involved a lot more than stocking it – heating, lighting, flooring – and then there are the routines to get used to – like answering the phone with the business name rather than “hello”!
Addy’s (named for the family pup) is just blocks from Westcrest Park, home to West Seattle’s only off-leash park, so he’s had lots of visitors peering in – “nonstop dogs,” in particular – and has been heartened to see “the neighborhood cheering me on.” Addy’s Pet Shop will be open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 am-7 pm, starting this week. (Online shopping will be available soon too – the shop’s website isn’t live yet.)
As we continue featuring a West Seattle light display every night, tonight’s photos are from Lina in High Point, who tells us, “Our block is back in action this year! SW Holly between Sylvan and 31st Ave SW. Happy holidays!” (Here’s a map.)
Big thanks to everyone who’s sent tips and photos so far! Every place we’ve shown is archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. If you have a suggestion, with or without photo(s), please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The return of the West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) Christmas Light Run brought out dozens of runners defying the rain tonight. Not a competition – just a few-miles-long fun run to admire decorated homes. First, a group photo:
WSR’s Lori McConnell and Tim McConnell skipped it last year because of the pandemic but like many West Seattle holiday traditions, this one – which dates back to 2009! – returned for 2021.
If you missed it – here’s the route, courtesy of WSR.
P.S. If you’re already pondering the new year’s fitness goals, WSR is again presenting its free Get Fit West Seattle couch-to-half-marathon program starting in January. And you can find out more at an info night this Wednesday (December 15th), 7 pm at the shop (2743 California SW).
Just hearing about this via SPD dispatch – a large pothole is reported on Sylvan Way just past Home Depot. The dispatcher told officers it’s caused “multiple flat tires” and apparently one vehicle is now stuck/stalled. According to the dispatcher, “SDOT has been notified.” Police are looking into blocking it off in the meantime, but you might consider another east-west route for now.
You’re invited to hear on Tuesday (December 14th) from two of the people who will soon take office after winning November elections. The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is hosting an online “meet and greet” with City Councilmember-elect Sara Nelson (left) and Port Commissioner-elect Hamdi Mohamed (right), noon-1 pm Tuesday, and it’s open to all, free. Nelson was elected to citywide Position 9, succeeding Lorena González, who opted to run for mayor instead; Mohamed was elected to Position 3, unseating incumbent Stephanie Bowman. They are both just a few weeks from taking office. If you’re interested in watching/participating in Tuesday’s event, the registration link is on the Chamber’s website.
2:37 PM: When we reported three weeks ago on opening day for Trees By The Sea (2530 Alki SW), they expected to be open through next weekend – but things have gone so well, they sent word they’re ending the season early:
Today is our last day. We had a fantastic season and are close to selling out. We will be there all today and then we are done. We are so thankful to the West Seattle community for coming down and supporting us all of these years and thank everyone for our best season yet! See you all next year!
-Daniel, Tiffany, and Torsten
Trees By The Sea
Shipwreck Apiaries
Scheduled closing time is 8 pm, while the trees last! Other local tree sellers are listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
4:24 PM: Tiffany tells us they’ll only be there “until 5:30 or 6,” so if you’re thinking of going, hurry!
From Amie:
Someone stashed a pair of shoes, some yard tools and fishing supplies: cooler, snips, and filet knife at our garbage enclosure. Our location is the Gatewood area.
If you are missing any items like that – maybe from a vehicle prowl or garage/yard theft? – contact us and we’ll connect you.
Tracie emailed this report about what happened last night to her husband Steve – who is recovering from what she described as a “random violent attack at 26th/Yancy” [map]:
I am sick over what happened near Youngstown. (The victim was) my husband, who some know and some may not … most who are out walking their pets, or out having a smoke/vape, have seen him around with his fedora. He was attacked (Saturday) night around 7:40 pm by a person with a hatchet of some sort. The person hit him on the head. 14 staples. I used to feel safe and now I am going to worry every time he walks out the door. If you saw anything, please let us know. It is an open case with SPD.
We asked Tracie if her husband had mentioned any descriptive information about the attacker: “It happened so fast, my husband did no get much of a description. Tall, 6 ft, and black was all he was able to get.” If you have a tip for police, the case number is 21-327273.
(Photo by Jim Borrow)
Here’s our list of what’s up on the peninsula today, from our West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:
(updated) DONATIONS FOR FARMING COMMUNITIES: New dropoff donation drive at C&P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 10 am-2 pm today or the rest of the month. Our calendar listing shows the food and household items that are needed, (5612 California SW)
SCAVENGER HUNT: Last day to get in on the Winter Wander holiday scavenger hunt (prize/gift-card drawings!) – here’s how.
VACCINATIONS: 8:30 am-4:30 pm clinic at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW), hosted by Pliable. Update from our original story on this – everyone is welcome to walk-up, both adults and kids.
CHURCHES: Most are both streaming and holding in-person services. We’ve compiled this week’s links for 20+ West Seattle churches’ services.
HOLIDAY PHOTOS: Gail Ann Photography is at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9141 California SW) 8:30 am-2 pm for holiday photo sessions – book a time here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Along with food – Christmas trees! 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.)
HOLIDAY ART MARKET ON ALKI: 11 am-4 pm at Alki Bathhouse (60th SW/Alki SW), shop the Makers’ Holiday Art Market. Our calendar listing has the list of vendors.
SANTA PHOTOS: Today, find Santa at Tram’s Salon (4110 California SW), 11 am-2 pm.
BUY BOOKS, SUPPORT STUDENTS: Last day for Alki Co-op Preschool‘s benefit book fair at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) – mention the school when you make your purchase.
HIGHLAND PARK PTA COMMUNITY HOLIDAY PARTY: Free cocoa bar for kids, drink specials for adults, more – noon-4 pm at Drunky Two Shoes (9655 16th SW, White Center).
‘WE’VE BATTLED MONSTERS BEFORE’: Third weekend concludes for the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) musical, matinee at 3 pm. Tickets are available online. (4711 California SW)
‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’ RADIO PLAY: Twelfth Night Productions‘ holiday show at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) continues with a 7:30 pm performance tonight. Our calendar listing has more info, including ticketing.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT RUN: The annual tradition starts at 4:30 pm from West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – info here. “Leisurely 2-to-3-mile run,” all welcome; bring a food donation for West Seattle Food Bank if you can.
CLOSING DAY: Today is the announced last day of operation for Taqueria Guaymas (4719 California SW).
Got something for our Holiday Guide and/or year-round Event Calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Thanks to Sarah for sending the photo and tip:
That’s Amanda Cox, who just opened Rarities at 9422 Delridge Way SW (“a few doors down from Fresh Flours” is how Sarah described the location). The grand-opening announcement explains that the shop is a “showroom full of fine furniture: Antique, mid-century modern, and contemporary. Also featuring jewelry, fine art, unique art objects, and oddities.” The grand-opening celebration continues tomorrow (Sunday, December 12th), noon-6 pm; regular hours will be Wednesdays through Sundays, noon-6 pm. No website yet but if you have questions, call 206-694-9597.
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