West Seattle, Washington
29 Tuesday
(One routing option by WS Golf Course, from page 253 of DEIS section 4.2.1)
If you’re still trying to get up to speed on the Sound Transit Draft Environmental Impact Statement for West Seattle (and beyond) light rail, here’s your next chance to watch a briefing/discussion: Tuesday morning, it’s on the agenda for the 9:30 am online meeting of the City Council’s Transportation Committee. The DEIS is the document that details various potential impacts of the multiple routing and station-location options. Sound Transit is taking comments through April 28th; then its board will decide this summer which routing/station locations will go through the final phase of environmental studies. The city has multiple roles in the process — it’s working with ST on station planning, it could consider contributing “third-party funding” for options that would cost extra, and it has two reps on the ST board, City Council President Debora Juarez and Mayor Bruce Harrell. You can sign up to comment at Tuesday’s meeting – the agenda explains how – and you’ll be able to watch it live (or recorded for later playback) via Seattle Channel. If you want to review the DEIS independently, you can do that via ST’s online open house here, which also offers opportunities for comment.
(WSB photos)
Perfect afternoon for softball at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, where 15 members of the West Seattle High School softball team spent three hours mentoring younger players. The team organized a three-hour skills clinic for 7-to-13-year-olds to raise money for their program. Almost 40 kids showed up to learn. They rotated through three stations – including outfield (above) and infield (below):
The WSHS players also provided coaching in hitting:
Proceeds from the clinic fees will help buy new uniforms and equipment for the Wildcat girls. (They’re taking online donations, too.) Their season starts in about a month, with a home game against Lynnwood on March 14th (here’s the season schedule), under new head coach Rey Delgado.
One more set of sky shots, just in case you were watching a screen instead … Right after Super Bowl halftime, the sky turned blazing pink. The photo above is from Lynn Hall; below, from Scott Lipsky:
And from James Bratsanos:
Savor the colors – still looks like rain’s on the way tomorrow.
2940 SW Avalon Way, until recently the home of Allyum, has a new tenant – someone you might already know from the West Seattle Farmers’ Market: A liquor-license application this week revealed that Lily’s Salvadorean is taking over the space. A note on the window confirms it:
The note promises Mexican food as well as Salvadorean. Founder Lilian Anaya Quintanilla‘s business is more than a decade old. We briefly made contact at the market today, where Lily’s booth was very busy as usual, and we’re working on a followup conversation for details.
The fog has cleared now, but it made for a memorable – and loud – morning around the peninsula. Thanks to everyone who sent photos! Above, Carolyn Newman caught the sunrise from Harbor Avenue. Below, Theresa Arbow-O’Connor‘s view from further west on Alki:
Later, the fog still clung to the water for a while – Lars Lindblad photographed the Olympics peeking above the fog bank to the west:
Later, 
And James Bratsanos photographed the eastward view, looking toward downtown:
Fog isn’t in the forecast again until Tuesday – tomorrow is likely to bring rain.
Two reader reports:
VAN STOLEN OVERNIGHT: From Chris:
My white 2007 Ford E350 passenger van was stolen off the street in the 9200 block of 36th Ave SW, sometime between 11 pm last night and 8 am this morning. License number is WA-B34733L. SPD incident report is 22-37516.
Call 911 if you find it.
DUMPED-AND-LIKELY-STOLEN ITEMS: The photo and report are from Ray:
while walking my dog, I saw this pile of belongings at the corner of 17th and Elmgrove in Highland Park. Seems to be some camping supplies in the backpack. The belongings were moved to the side.
Family and friends will gather March 5 to remember Janice Tomisser, and are sharing this with her community:
Janice Tomisser left us on January 30, 2022 unexpectedly, and as a good friend said, “Godspeed Sweet Jane, of all the people I have ever known, you’ve got the express train to heaven.”
Janice lived a full life of 73 years and was the conscience of her family, setting such a wonderful example of living a spiritual and faith-filled life, showing her love, compassion, kindness, and generosity, always thinking of others before herself. She leaves behind 4 sisters, 1 brother, 1 brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many wonderful friends in this world. Preceded in death were her parents, Edward and Maxine Tomisser. She will be missed by all and left a wonderful legacy of love and support. Janice knew it was not the destination that counts but the journey. All the lives she touched, the good she did.
Janice grew up in West Seattle, where she lived for over 50 years. A great community to have been raised in, and after graduating from West Seattle High School, she certainly began her adventures. After college, Janice found her niche working in Medical Billing and Coding for Aetna Insurance for over 25 years and finishing her career with Swedish Institute of Neurology, upon which after another 15 years she decided to retire and enjoy some well-earned time for fun and adventure outside of working. Janice loved many things but more than anything she loved people. Always willing to listen, she connected with people from all walks of life with working colleagues as well as friends and of course her family.
Janice was very involved with her beloved West Seattle Christian Church Family, where she was a member for more than 50 years. She took great comfort in her spiritual life and community, including teaching Sunday School for many years and making so many lasting friendships in her church community. She set a great example to her family and friends, showing her caring ways to others. Upon retiring she also enjoyed volunteering in her West Seattle community at the Senior Center. She had a fun side as well, always wearing matching earrings, and her pearls with her colorful clothes, and shoes to match too! Always looking for the best new haircut to match as well. She took many vacations to Hawaii, enjoyed cruises, a trip to Europe, and always a summer-camp excursion to enjoy each year too.
Janice had many interests. One of her favorites , when not sharing time with her sisters or nieces and nephews as they were growing up , was her ardent support always as a Seattle sports fan. The Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies were her favorites year round . Once her niece became a Gonzaga student and alumni, she had to add the Zags basketball too! She followed each team with lots of cheering and enthusiasm, especially the year the Seahawks won the Super Bowl! At holiday time she took time with everyone to make some holiday candies and cookies to celebrate the special time of the year.
Janice will be missed by so many. The Tomisser Family wishes to thank the Holistic Adult Family Home in Federal Way as well as the Swedish Hospice Team in Seattle, who cared for her during this last year and her final days.
A service celebrating Janice’s life will be held beginning at 11 am on March 5, 2022 at West Seattle Christian Church. Due to COVID restrictions, masks are required to attend her service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association using their website @ www.diabetes.org.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to ed****@*************og.com)
(Saturday morning moonset, photographed by John Skerratt)
Here’s what’s happening before, during, and after The Big Game:
TRAFFIC ALERT: SDOT plans work on East Marginal Way today:
We will be doing some additional vegetation cleanup and landscape work along the sidewalk on East Marginal Way S. to make sure the sidewalk is clear for people walking, biking, and rolling in the area. The work location is between S. Alaska St and S. Hudson St. [map] We anticipate to begin this work as early as 7 am and will conclude by 4 pm. Traffic impacts may include the closure of the northbound lane next to the sidewalk.
VALENTINE’S DAY SHOPPING: Extra shopping day if you’re thinking about jewelry for a Valentine’s gift – longtime WSB sponsor Wyatt’s Jewelers in Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton) will be open today, 10 am-6 pm … Alair gift shop (3280 California SW) also is open extra days – 10 am-5 pm today. … Longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits, brimming with unique gifts at 4540 California SW, is open 10 am-4 pm.
CHURCHES: Most West Seattle churches are continuing online services, with some gathering in-person too – here’s our weekly update on 20+ churches.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, find fresh food – produce, meat, cheese, beverages, baked goods, and prepared food – at the weekly WSFM (WSB sponsor). (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
COMMUNITY CLEANUP: 11 am, meet organizer Erik Bell and volunteers in the Chief Sealth International High School parking lot (2600 SW Thistle) – supplies provided, all ages welcome.
CAKE AND BOOKS: Lovely & Dapper Desserts will be selling cakes during their 2-5 pm op-up at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SUPER BOWL PARTY: Alki Beach Pub (2722 California SW) sent word that their party starts at 3 pm, with drink specials, giveaways, and DJ Savvy post-game.
‘MONSTERS OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA’: Today’s 3 pm matinee wraps up the third weekend of this world-premiere play at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Read about it here; buy your tickets here.
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 to list in our calendar and previews? Email info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!
That’s Seattle singer/songwriter Ariana DeBoo performing at Easy Street Records in The Junction tonight during the record-release party for Rain City Relief. Along with her solo work, you might also know her from Macklemore‘s 2016 song “Drug Dealer.” She’s one of 10 artists featured on the Rain City Relief album, one of three to play mini-sets at tonight’s party. The record is part of an ongoing campaign to raise money for musicians suffering because of pandemic disruptions. You can donate here, with the limited-edition-vinyl record available for a donation of $25+.
Both of West Seattle High School‘s varsity basketball teams are in the district playoffs. First, an update on the girls, who just finished the Metro League playoffs:
Thanks to Rob Wright for the highlight reel from the WSHS girls’ Thursday night victory over Eastside Catholic, 49-46. That got the Wildcats third place in the Metro League tournament. Next up, they play Holy Names in district playoffs, 3:30 pm Tuesday at Bellevue College.
District play has already begun for the Wildcat boys. They won their first district game tonight, 66-47 over Franklin, and will also play on Tuesday, 8:15 pm at Lake Washington HS.
Thanks to Jodi Connolly for the photo and report:
Beautiful day for the WSHS vs Chief Sealth varsity Ultimate game at Magnuson Park. They had so much fun playing that they continued scrimmaging together long after the game was over and then posed for this impromptu celebration pic. The score was WSHS 15, CSIHS 2.
Extra fun tonight at 2 Fingers Social in South Delridge – gaming consoles are set up as part of a ‘takeover” night to raise money to help Till Dawn south of The Junction get open. When we first reported in October on Till Dawn coming to the former licensing-agency space at 5048 California SW, we didn’t have much info, but now we do.
Here’s what the two venues have in common: Andrew Spence as co-proprietor (different business partners, though, for each one). We talked with him at 2 Fingers Social tonight. Till Dawn will be a “super-nerd bar,” for “beer nerds, coffee nerds, gaming nerds.” High-end coffee and 75 bottled/canned beers from all over the world. International will be part of the flavor, in the “cyberpunk/’Blade Runner'” fusion sense, Spence says. That will include packaged snacks from Japanese rice candy to American junk food (chips, soda). The interior of Till Dawn is built out – Spence has been working on it for months – so tonight is to get them to the finish line with expenses from stocking to permitting.
Till Dawn, by the way, Spence says, is named for that time when gamers realize they’ve been up too long playing. The café hours won’t go that late – not finalized yet but maybe 8 am-10 pm-ish at the start. All ages. Same as for tonight’s event, until 11 at 2 Fingers Social (9211 Delridge Way SW), besides “gaming, drinking, and mingling,” you can get in on raffles and “free” beer from Future Primitive in nearby White Center for donors. (P.S. 2FS has outdoor seating as well as indoor.)
Before you sit in front of the screen for hours tomorrow (Sunday, February 13th) – get out! Erik Bell has an invitation:
Here’s a community cleanup opportunity before the Super Bowl tomorrow. Family friendly, all are welcome.
This is a last-minute pop-up clean on Super Bowl Sunday but early enough to catch the game if that’s your plan.
Similar to let month’s cleanup at West Seattle HS, this will be a leisurely clean-up starting in the Chief Sealth parking lot (2600 SW Thistle St.); from there we’ll canvas out around the Sealth and Denny campus, perimeter streets, and anywhere else we can cover in the neighborhood.
Vests, gloves, and pickup sticks will be provided; bring a bucket for easier trash collection before transferring to SPU bags. Come for as little or as much as you’d like; invite your family and friends as we make this a safer environment for our students and teachers.
Parking: We’ll meet in Sealth parking lot on Thistle St, I’ll be walking & cleaning too so if I miss you at the 11 am start I’ll leave the supplies out next to my car, a black Honda Pilot. I can be reached at 206-852-9552.
Though the city is making plans to close its ongoing vaccination clinics in a few weeks (as reported here Friday), Seattle/King County Public Health will continue to partner with community organizations for pop-up clinics. And we have word today of one set for next Saturday, February 19th, at the West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor). You can make an appointment now (limited walk-in spots are expected that day) by going here – everyone welcome, not just Y members, for first/second shots or boosters. Next Saturday’s pop-up is set for noon-4 pm; here’s the flyer.
For a look at inspiring and charming art, go visit C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) before month’s end! This month, C & P tells us, the coffeehouse is featuring “West Seattle artist, author, and educator Danitra Hunter (whose) beloved character, Purrdie Burrdie, teaches children about self-love and positivity.” You don’t have to be a kid to appreciate those lessons. We’ve spotlighted the artist previously – here and here. C & P (which has outdoor and indoor seating) is open until 8 pm tonight.
SATURDAY: Maybe you’ll find Scott‘s pickup truck, stolen overnight:
My white 1997 Ford F-250 pickup truck was stolen off the street in the 1900 block of Sunset Ave SW in North Admiral sometime between the night of February 10 and the afternoon of February 11. The license number is WA-B39751V. The police incident report is 22-036712.
Call 911 if you see it.
MONDAY UPDATE: Thanks to the reader who commented below, Scott has the truck back.
(Spring-preview sights at Lincoln Park, photographed by Warren Langley)
Saturday begins! Here’s what’s happening (mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar):
FREE WEEKLY WRITERS’ GROUP: New participants welcome. 10:30 am – go here to register and to get the meeting address. More details are in our calendar listing.
SOUTHWEST LITTLE LEAGUE SIGNUPS: If you’d rather sign up for this year’s SWLL season in person instead of online, go to the Little Log Cabin in Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd, White Center) between noon and 3 pm today.
PET PHOTO BOOTH: Get a pic of, or with, your pet for Valentine’s Day, with a special photo booth today at Mud Bay (2611 California SW), noon-4 pm.
WINE & CHOCOLATE: Viscon Cellars‘ (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) tasting room is open 1-6 pm. Chocolate – local creations from Intrigue Chocolate Co. – is in the spotlight along with wine this Valentine weekend.
BEER AND CAKE: Good Society (2701 California SW) celebrates its second anniversary all weekend, including beer releases and a pop-up 2-7 pm today/tonight with the cakemakers of Lovely & Dapper Desserts.
(added) FUNDRAISER FOR TILL DAWN: 2 Fingers Social is hosting another fundraising “takeover” night for the future venue. While Till Dawn will be south of The Junction (as reported here in October), this is happening 4-11 pm at 2FS, which is at 9211 Delridge Way SW.
RAIN CITY RELIEF: Record-release party for fundraising campaign helping musicians’ pandemic recovery, 5-7 pm at Easy Street Records (California/Alaska) – details and schedule are in our preview.
OPEN MIC: Go perform at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 6 pm!
COMEDY NIGHT: Get some laughs at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) with Reid Clark and others, 7 pm doors, 7:30 pm show, details in our calendar listing,
‘MONSTERS OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA’: The world-premiere play at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) continues its third weekend at 7:30 tonight. Read about it here; buy your tickets here.
WEST SEATTLE DRAG SHOW: At Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) with Dolly Madison, 9 pm.
Are we missing anything? Email we*************@***il.com – thank you!
We “arrived” late because the Sound Transit Community Advisory Group meeting ran long, but here are three toplines from three-quarters of the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s February meeting on Tuesday night:
TRAFFIC CALMING: They’re still working with SDOT on trouble spots (many of which were spotlighted at last October’s special community meeting). Today, in fact, they got the news that the Seattle Fire Department has signed off on three speed cushions on 45th SW between SW Trenton and SW Director (plus others in other neighborhoods, as reported here).
EGG HUNT: Again this year, the FCA plans to hide non-perishable eggs around the community. This is set for the week of April 11th. Bins will be set up for later dropoff of the eggs so they can be reused/recycled. Other details are still in the works – watch here and fauntleroy.net for the official announcement.
ANNUAL MEETING: FCA is hoping that its annual membership meeting can be held in person this year. March – the usual month pre-pandemic – was deemed too soon, but they’re tentatively looking at setting a date in May.
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets second Tuesdays, 7 pm, online, always open to community members – info here.
Gary Potter (proprietor of longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction) sent the photo, suggesting West 5 fans might need a reminder that the Junction restaurant/bar is about to close after 19 years. As reported here on January 31st, tomorrow (Saturday, February 12) is its last announced day/night. In the photo, from earlier this week, is, L-R, Gary with West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s board president Dawn Leverett, West 5 co-founder Dave Montoure, Josh Sutton from the Greater Seattle YMCA, and Todd Carden of Elliott Bay Brewing. If you’re planning to visit before it closes, hours are 11 am-10 pm.
Today’s second pandemic-related announcement from the city, another one that’ll kick in at month’s end: The city-run West Seattle vaccination clinic will be shut down. It will continue operating at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) 4:30 pm-7:30 pm Fridays and 8:30 am-4:30 pm Saturdays – all ages, walk-ins or appointments – through February 26th. The city will close its Rainier Beach vaccination clinic in early March, too. The announcement (see it here) basically says the clinics aren’t being utilized enough, so the city “will pivot to a mobile, partner-led strategy to better reach unvaccinated families.” The Neighborhood House clinic opened in late October, more than four months after the city closed its original West Seattle vaccination site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. (That location still has a testing site, which is not part of today’s clinic-closure announcement.)
(SDOT’s webcam view from atop the bridge this afternoon)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This week’s big news – the possibility of a bridge-reopening delay – headlined the first West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force meeting in two months.
The meeting was held online Thursday afternoon/evening. Here’s the video:
Senior Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell joined the meeting for the first half-hour. She assured CTF members that the West Seattle Bridge is “very important to our administration as well.” She says a multi-jurisdiction team has been meeting three times a week to talk about the concrete-drivers strike and “what can we do to bring the teams back to the table” to support a resolution. She briefly mentioned the King County effort to try to line up an alternate concrete supply, as announced Wednesday by County Executive Dow Constantine at the media briefing during which Mayor Bruce Harrell talked about the potential WS Bridge delay. “We are working on this as much as we possibly can” but “we don’t want to interfere in the process … we all support labor … we believe there is a positive resolution (possible) and we just need the parties to get back to the table.” Regarding rearranging the repair work “(SDOT has) juggled all the balls they can juggle.”
SDOT’s transportation-operation division director Adiam Emery affirmed that. She said they’re daily urging both sides to return to the negotiating table. She also urged CTF members “to reach out to both parties and let them know how (a bridge-reopening delay) would affect you.”
Bridge program director Heather Marx then got into the specifics of the potential effects – basically the same as we had discussed with her at the Wednesday briefing:
ORIGINAL FRIDAY REPORT: While on an errand at Westwood Village this morning, we noticed the work under way in the parking lot immediately south of the Post Office. That’s for the playground that’ll be used by kids from the new preschool/day-care center that the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is opening nearby. We first reported on the preschool plan almost exactly two years ago; back in November, we published a look inside the space as the remodeling work approached completion. The center will serve more than 120 kids when fully enrolled. We’re checking on the latest projection for when it’ll open.
ADDED SATURDAY: Center director Jill Mudge tells WSB, “We officially opened January 31st and have children already attending and each week add more children to our school. Families have been so happy to have us open. We are hoping to do an open house in mid March or early April.”
On the second anniversary of the first King County COVID cases, Seattle’s pandemic-related eviction moratorium will expire. So says this announcement sent by the mayor’s office:
Today, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that residential and commercial eviction moratoria will expire at the end of the month of February. Mayor Harrell will issue an Executive Order extending the residential eviction moratorium from February 14 through February 28, after which the moratorium will not be renewed.
“With COVID cases steadily declining, the time has come for the City to move on from the broad approach of the eviction moratoria and instead drive more deliberate and focused efforts to support those most in need,” said Mayor Harrell. “In addition to distribution of all available emergency rental assistance, truly vulnerable tenants – those still suffering significant pandemic-related financial hardships – will continue to have enhanced eviction protections, while at the same time small landlords have needed clarity as they evaluate how to move forward.”
All residential tenants who demonstrate enduring financial hardship preventing them from paying rent will receive continued eviction protections for at least six months after the end of the moratorium, providing additional security for those most at risk through a specific legal defense created by ordinance. Seattle residents facing eviction are also afforded a right to legal counsel and additional eviction protections based on time of year. Landlords will be able to move forward with evictions proceedings for other purposes, such as those listed in the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.
Mayor Harrell’s latest Executive Order comes after convening a work group of tenant advocates and small landlords, who through multiple meetings with Mayor Harrell provided input around impacts of the pandemic and the effects of the eviction moratorium informed by lived experience.
During the next two weeks, Mayor Harrell will review reports created by interdepartmental City teams defined in his previous Executive Order to evaluate data, improve existing efforts, and seek additional solutions.
As part of those efforts, Mayor Harrell has directed the Office of Housing to urgently distribute over $25 million in identified funding to support renters and small landlords, complementing funding being allocated by King County.
Mayor Harrell has also directed the City staff to develop a website to connect tenants and small landlords to available financial resources, information on rights and protections, and other critical updates needed as the moratoria ends.
“As we work together toward to a new normal, we know we’re not yet out of the woods of this pandemic,” said Mayor Harrell. “The City of Seattle will continue to take action to support those most in need – striving to protect the health and well-being of our residents, prevent homelessness and undue financial hardship, and build One Seattle with abundant opportunity for all and thriving, vibrant, connected communities.”
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