day : 04/11/2022 11 results

(West Seattle Veteran Center photo)
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8:42 PM: As mentioned earlier, the fall’s first round of very cold weather is on the way. So West Seattle’s only emergency shelter – at American Legion Post 160/West Seattle Veteran Center – is getting ready to open. From its manager Keith Hughes:

The time has come – the first Cold Weather Emergency for winter 2022 has been declared by City of Seattle and King County Regional Homelessness Authority to run Sunday evening through next Friday night.

The West Seattle Warm-Up Center and Shelter, operating in the West Seattle Veteran Center at 3618 SW Alaska St, will officially open at 5 PM on Sunday.

I know that the cost of everything has gone up since I requested help for last winter, but I believe that the good people of West Seattle will step up and help support this All-Volunteer shelter operation.

Here’s the list of what the shelter needs:

Food Pantry
Ground Coffee
#4 cone coffee filters
Instant Hot Cocoa Mix (for hot water)
Bottled water
Soft drinks in cans (store brands and things on sale)
Instant Oatmeal packets
Granola type low sugar cereal
Pancake mix, bisquick mix,
Pancake syrup, butter, jam
Canned soup, chili, beef stew
Packaged food like top ramen, cup-o-noodles, mac and cheese
Rice-a-roni, noodle-roni boxes
Dry spaghetti, egg noodles, macaroni
Spaghetti sauce in jars
Food store gift cards so we can get fresh things like milk, eggs, butter, meat

Other Needs
Socks, gloves, stocking caps, t-shirts and underware (men’s large and X-large)
Travel size individual soaps, shampoo; tooth brushes & toothpaste (ask your dentist for donations) bar soap for shower, laundry detergent pods
Toilet paper and paper towels, disinfectant wipes
Single-bed-size blankets

We have a question out about optimal drop-off hours. Also last year there was discussion of donors ordering items online and having them shipped directly to the center/shelter.

1:26 AM: The reply: “Best times for dropoff are in the morning before 11 am and in the evening from 5 pm to 9 pm. Those interested may call 206-932-9696 for more information on extended hours.”

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CONTINUING THIS WEEKEND: Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show

November 4, 2022 7:11 pm

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| Fauntleroy | Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Meryl Sidikman is one of the first artists you’ll see when you walk into the Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show, continuing until 8 pm tonight and both days this weekend. She’s a White Center artist with a studio in Highland Park, and her booth includes brightly hued paintings including the frog and bats shown in our photo. Right around the corner in the event venue at Fauntleroy Church, you’ll see Rance Holiman:

His paintings include landscapes and portraits. We also talked with Rhonda Porter – a longtime local mortgage consultant who is also an artist; this is her first show:

Work of hers that caught our eye include Elvis (as seen in the photo) and colorful chickens. The full lineup of participating artists is in our calendar listing; you’ll also find artists showing and selling work in many other media, including textiles, jewelry, and metal. The show continues 10 am-4 pm Saturday and 11 am-2 pm Sunday; the church is at 9140 California SW.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Power problems

November 4, 2022 6:40 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

6:40 PM: We haven’t heard yet from anyone who’s completely lost power, but many report flickers around the peninsula – from here in Upper Fauntleroy (multiple times over the span of a few minutes) to Puget Ridge. We’re monitoring …

7 PM: By now it seems safe to say that the flickering did NOT indicate a larger outage somewhere; the Seattle City Light map shows only a pocket of five customers along Myers Way in the unincorporated area.

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UPDATE: Gas-leak response in The Triangle

November 4, 2022 6:10 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:10 PM: Eastbound SW Alaska is blocked just west of 35th SW by an SFD response for a gas leak – avoid the area.

6:33 PM: Thanks to Angelo for the photo and report that the leak is in an old clinic building on Alaska; Angelo called it in to 911.

7:05 PM: SFD has closed out the call.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Theft temporarily closes coffee stand, and 3 more reader reports

November 4, 2022 4:31 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

TEMPORARILY CLOSED BY THEFT: West Bay Coffee and Smoothies (2255 Harbor Avenue SW) has been hit again, and this time they’re temporarily closed as a result. Proprietor Jennifer reports:

At 6 pm on Wednesday night we lost power. Thinking it must be a power outage in the neighborhood, but looking around, it was just us.

Waiting till Seattle City Light opened (7:30 am), they couldn’t find any problems either, and said check your breaker.
By 1 pm, I was still not able to be open for business, I got a call from Seattle City Light saying something wasn’t quite right and we’re sending a technician out. And this is what we found: The whole power meter completely stolen off the building and all the wiring leading to the shop had been ripped out and gone! All the cut wire was exposed and in the rain.

Jennifer says the building owner “isn’t willing to help us once again” – you might recall the saga of the broken water pipes last winter – and her 15-year small business is on a month-to-month, “so I’m on my own once again to figure out if I want to stay. … I understand the property is for sale but it has been for years, and in the meantime we’re still here and thriving more than ever! Sales are up the last 3 years thanks to this amazing community. Plus I have the best team! I’m so appreciative for them being so supportive during these challenging times. So we closed for a bit until we figure out what’s next to do. Currently waiting for our Seattle City Light rep to give us the next step.” And if you have any information about the meter/wiring theft, the SPD incident # is 2022-923739.

CAR HARDTOP THEFT ATTEMPT: Via email:

On October 29 (between 2 to 3 PM), I parked my car in the parking lot at West Seattle Home Depot (7345 Delridge Wy SW). I was in the store for approximately 15 minutes. After I exited the store and approached my car, a witness told me that three men had broken the passenger-side window and attempted with a heavy manual object (likely used to steal catalytic converters) to remove my Miata convertible hardtop. Because no VIN or other identifiers exist on removable hardtops that require simple unlatching and removal once a car is broken into, I have special locks in place that they were not able to remove and take the hardtop (my car has been broken into 5 times in 13 yr living in West Seattle).

The tool they used cut metal as the latches are sawed in half. However, in addition to the broken window, they did extensive damage to the interior of the car by trying to remove the hardtop, including breaking all latches and damaging the structures that attach the hardtop. Brazen given it was attempted in a public store parking lot.

WOULD-BE PACKAGE/MAIL THIEF? If anyone along SW Yancy east of Avalon Way is missing packages/mail, Calista reports this sighting before noon on Thursday: A man following a USPS letter carrier who was making his rounds, going up to homes right after the letter carrier had been there. After watching the man for a while, she says she alerted the carrier – she didn’t have a phone with her to call 911 – so she’s hopeful he called police. The carrier drove off and Calista did too, but she says she saw an approaching Amazon truck in her rear-view mirror.

(added) ANYBODY MISSING A TRUCK CANOPY? David says this was dumped in his alley:

I would like to report a truck canopy that was left in our alley sometime in the past 24 hours. It’s located between SW Cloverdale on the north and SW Trenton on the south between 32nd AVE SW and 34th AVE SW (there is no 33rd in this area – that is the alley). if anyone could make use of it please feel free to stop by and pick it up.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Wind and waves today, maybe a bit of snow next week

November 4, 2022 2:07 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

That’s what we saw at the north end of Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook on Beach Drive a short time ago. The National Weather Service has a Wind Advisory in effect until 11 pm tonight, with wind out of the south, 25 to 35 mph and gusting to 45 mph, expected. This is all supposed to calm down somewhat by tomorrow. Today’s temperatures are in the upper 50s, but you’ll want to start thinking cold-weather preparation for next week – the extended forecast suggests a chance of rain/snow mix Monday night through Thursday, with sub-freezing nighttime lows.

ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: More wave vs. seawall video – this time via Twitter:

More stormy weather from constellation park in west seattle. pic.twitter.com/W0wNPUrSfD

— richard ross (@wattorney) November 4, 2022

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Big bird coming to Highland Park intersection

November 4, 2022 12:10 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

We noted in coverage of last week’s HPAC meeting that an artist has been chosen for the “percent for art”-funded installation that will be part of finishing changes to the Highland Park Way/Holden intersection. (You might recall that the signal there now is a “temporary” version installed quickly days after the West Seattle Bridge closure, when the intersection suddenly had to handle a dramatically increased share of traffic.) HPAC said the art would be a “giant Steller’s Jay.” Those of course are the fractious blue-and-black birds often seen (and heard!) in local neighborhoods:

(Photo by Jeremy Barton)

As promised, we followed up with the city Office of Arts and Culture to find out more about the plan. Here’s what spokesperson Erika Lindsay told us:

The selected artist is Matthew Mazzotta; the artwork is tentatively titled Where’s the Party. The artwork concept is a large-scale Steller’s Jay that will overlook the intersection of Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden Street.

Construction on this intersection-improvement project includes new permanent signal lights and roadway improvements, which will begin in January. The new artwork will be installed in Summer 2023. Total project cost is $120,000 and is funded through SDOT % for Art.

So how big is “large-scale”? Lindsay says, “We are still working to determine clearances from overhead wires, but for now the estimate is that the overall sculpture will likely be over 10 feet in total height.” (The city had presented three very different concepts for the intersection project last year, as we reported here, and at the time said $120,000 wasn’t enough for a sculpture.)

P.S. The “percent for art” program isn’t new – it was created almost 50 years ago.

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Fauntleroy Fine Art & Gift Show, book launch with music, theater, more for your West Seattle Friday

November 4, 2022 10:35 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron by Fauntleroy Creek, photographed by Tom Trulin)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DROP-IN OPEN PLAY: Now through 11:30 am, weekly drop-in open play for little ones at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room, wine bar, and retail store are open again as of today, 1-6 pm on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, as previewed here.

ADOPTABLE CATS/KITTENS: Go to Pet Elements (6511 California SW) and see who’s looking for a forever home this week.

FAUNTLEROY FINE ART AND HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW: Night 1, 5-8 pm, at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW). Our calendar listing has the lineup of participating artists.

MAGICAL SAMHAIN YOGA WORKSHOP: 6:30 pm at Limber Yoga (7901 35th SW) – details in our calendar listing.

MUSIC AT C & P: 7-9 pm, David Maloney takes the stage at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW), free, all ages.

ONE-WOMAN SHOW: Tia Naché‘s one-woman show “That Talk You Do“ opens tonight, 7 pm, at Acts on Stage in White Center. (10806 12th SW)

LIVE AT EASY STREET: 7 pm – Chris Forhan‘s book launch, with musical guests,> at Easy Street Records (California/Alaska). Free, all ages!

THEATER: Opening night for Blue Hour‘s ‘boom’ at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm.

Something for our calendar (or a last-minute addition for our Halloween Guide)? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Here’s how to be part of this year’s Festival of Trees

November 4, 2022 9:40 am

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| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

That’s one of our photos from last year’s first-ever West Seattle Festival of Trees. The Rotary Club of West Seattle is organizing it again this year, and calling for entries. Here’s the info:

Rotary Club of West Seattle and Brookdale Admiral Heights are teaming up for our second annual Festival of Trees fundraising event! This event spans over a two-week period and revolves around the display of decorated trees and wreaths that will later get auctioned off and benefit West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation.

Important Dates

November 17: Deadline to sign up as a tree or wreath sponsor (email kjersti@strouplegal.com to sign up or for more information)

November 25-28: Dates for setting up your tree or wreath

November 29-December 8: Open viewing of the trees and wreaths to the community

December 8: Gala open to the public with beverages, 6-8 pm at Brookdale Admiral Heights, no fee for entrance, RSVPs are requested in advance to kjersti@strouplegal.com but it is open to everyone, a donation to the WS Food Bank gets you in the door

All proceeds from the sale of the trees and wreaths benefit the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation which serves local youth, seniors, and the greater community. We’ll also be supporting the West Seattle Food Bank with donations of non-perishable food and gently used clothes used as the “entrance fee” to the event.

This flyer has more info on participating!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday info + weekend notes

November 4, 2022 6:03 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, November 4th.

WEATHER

windy, wet, warmer – high around 60, but next week could bring some subfreezing nights. (Added) A Wind Advisory alert is up for 11 am-11 pm.

TRAFFIC NOTES, INCLUDING THE WEEKEND

–Two continuing closures: The outer southbound lane on West Marginal Way between 17th SW and the Duwamish Longhouse … The east end of Sylvan Way.

-West Seattle Bridge “rolling slowdowns” Sunday morning for a commercial shoot, as reported here last night.

TIME-CHANGE REMINDER

Saturday night/Sunday morning at 2 am, “fall back” an hour as Daylight Saving Time ends (until March 23, 2023).

TRANSIT STATUS

–Metro buses are on their regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its fall/winter schedule (still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs).

-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route (check here for alerts/updates).

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The alternate route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Westbound trouble spot resurfaces

November 4, 2022 12:50 am

| 54 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Trouble again in the area where the ramp from southbound Highway 99 meets the westbound West Seattle Bridge. You’ll recall at least four crashes there about a week and a half ago. Then at 9:40 pm Thursday night, a crash was reported in the same general area. No good visual – the SDOT traffic-control center never moved the high-rise camera. But we’re making note of it as just now, dispatch said the SDOT incident-response team is headed to that spot to address an “oil slick” that apparently has affected other drivers, and may have to temporarily close the ramp to work on it.

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