West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Washington State Ferries officials spent a lot of time at midday today talking about shortages and what’s being done to alleviate them, during the first of two sessions of their systemwide winter community meeting.
Some of the information came in presentations, and some in an extensive Q&A period that comprised 60 percent of the online meeting.
Almost 200 participants were signed in by the start of the meeting, facilitated by WSF’s Hadley Rodero. When polled to ask which route they used the most, the largest group – 25 percent – cited the San Juan Islands; the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route accounted for 14 percent of the respondents.
Of the five featured speakers from WSF, chief of staff Nicole McIntosh spoke first, with system updates. She noted the impending departure of ferries head Patty Rubstello (who is staying until a successor is found, McIntosh reiterated). Here are the 2023 stats she presented, including 70 life-saving events and 530 whale sightings:
Ridership is still below pre-pandemic levels:
Drugs are taking too many lives, from kids to seniors. What do parents and guardians need to know to save lives? That’s one major topic of this parent-education event tomorrow night (Thursday, January 18) at Madison Middle School:
All are welcome, not just families with connections to Madison. The school is at 45th/Spokane.
7 PM: Seattle Fire has a water-rescue response in the 2700 block of Alki Avenue SW for a report of a car in the water. Updates to come.
7:04 PM: This may be unfounded – police are reporting “it’s people swimming in the water …four people swimming with a light and a little red buoy.” Responders are doublechecking to be sure.
7:07 PM: They’ve confirmed, it’s just swimmers “who swim every night.” Most of the responders are being cancelled.
7:10 PM: They’ve scanned the area with an infrared camera and are certain this is unfounded – no one’s in distress, no car.
8:57 PM: Thanks to Cami MacNamara for sharing this video showing the swimmers and the rest of the scene:
We start this Crime Watch roundup with two business-burglary attempts:
LAUREN’S JEWELRY BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: Lauren Wiggins, proprietor of Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor) at Westwood Village, has a card collection she’d rather not have – seven SPD officers’ cards from burglaries or burglary attempts since 2020 (plus a sticky note with the case number from one she reported by phone). She tells us the latest was last night – four or five people with “two big white trucks … They attempted busting our lock, noticed the security (guard) turn on his lights and honk, then went after him and came back with a crowbar and tried crowbarring the door open.” As the photo above shows, the glass shattered but the would-be burglars didn’t get in. If you have any information, the SPD incident # – this time – is 24-015034.
WEST SEATTLE LIQUOR BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: Someone also tried but failed to get into the liquor store on the west side of outer Jefferson Square last night. It was reported around 10:45 pm. Police say the would-be burglar “damaged the window of the business with a rock but did not make entry” and was described as a white man, 30-40 years old, thin, in a green hoodie and blue jeans. If you have any information, the case # is 24-014905.
Three other reports:
STOLEN CR-V: Roxanne posted this report in the WSB Community Forums.
TRAILER THEFT ATTEMPT: A reader signing their note as “Neighborhood Watch” sent this:
A driver in a big white GMC (looked like a GMC Sierra with 4-doors) pickup cut off a latch to my neighbor’s utility trailer parked on street near 31st Ave SW & SW 97th St and tried stealing items out of it. I ran toward him yelling to stop and leave right away. He drove off and I noticed it did not have any license plates displayed either. Be cautious if this truck is seen anywhere.
The incident happened Tuesday morning.
STOLEN BINOCULARS: We’ve been car-prowled for the third time in the past few years here in Upper Fauntleroy. Your editor here made the mistake of leaving binoculars in the glove box after the last time we spent a few minutes whale watching. That’s all the car prowler got away with, because aside from that lapse we leave nothing in the car but a pen and paper in case a story call gets returned while we’re out. Guess you can fence binoculars, but if you find a small pair of Diamondback binoculars tossed aside somewhere, they might be ours. (Since we always ask people to include their police report number, for the record, here’s ours, filed online – 24-900961.)
Back in November, many of the Alki Community Council‘s long-serving leaders stepped down – as they long had planned to – and new leaders stepped up (WSB coverage here). Tomorrow night (Thursday, January 18) is the first meeting under the new leaders; president Charlotte Starck says, “Our focus is to harness the love of Alki and Hit Refresh with ACC, which has been a historic part of Alki since at least the mid-1980s. We didn’t want to see this organization that has done so much, fade away. And we’re excited at the new interest we are already getting in redefining what an Alki neighborhood group could look like.” To be part of that – even if only a spectator cheering them on – join in tomorrow night’s 7 pm meeting. It’s in person at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) or online – the agenda (see it here) includes the link for attending online if that’s what works best for you.
Thanks to Doug Eglington for sending photos Tuesday showing that crews were delivering materials to Don Armeni Boat Ramp. Today Seattle Parks confirmed this is the start of the long-in-the-works project to replace the floating docks at Don Armeni. Parks reiterates that one float will remain in service at all times; Doug sent another photo today showing one already has been removed:
This is another long-delayed project – we first reported on the plan seven years ago, at which time work was expected to start later that year (2017). Two years ago, Parks blamed the delay on federal permitting. The contractor is American Construction of Tacoma, which bid $1.2 million last year; Parks says the work should take about two months.
Four months ago, 86-year-old Jim Price left his Pigeon Point home and didn’t return. An intensive search ensued, with many possible sightings, but none ultimately panned out. Now the search is over – his family confirms that Mr. Price has been found dead. Here’s the statement we just received from them:
To our Seattle and Vashon communities,
It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the discovery of Jim’s remains in the Duwamish greenbelt, a mile south of his home near the West Seattle bridge. He was found in a hard-to-reach area that was inaccessible for our searches.
We’d like to thank everyone who helped us look for Jim in the days and weeks after his disappearance and also those who continued to keep an eye out for him over the last few months. The outpouring of care and support from the community was invaluable in our time of need.
A memorial will be announced at a later date.
Thank you,
The Price Family
The person who found Mr. Price’s remains also contacted us; they were out for a hike during the holiday weekend in an area west of West Marginal Way and Idaho, and notified police as soon as they made the discovery. We asked SPD about the case, and there was no initial indication of anything suspicious.
(Photo by Kevin Freitas)
Here are highlights for the rest of today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more events):
WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY PIZZA FUNDRAISER: Order in-person or online from MOD Pizza in Westwood Village until 10 tonight and be part of the West Seattle Elementary fundraiser (here’s how).
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES MEETING: Online community meeting at 12:30 pm – our preview includes how to attend.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair it instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
CHIEF SEALTH RESOURCE FAIR & PTSA MEETING: 5-7:30 pm, there’s a lot going on at the school, from free haircuts to the winter general PTSA meeting – details in our calendar listing. (2600 SW Thistle)
BASKETBALL: Two varsity home games tonight, at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW), the girls play Roosevelt at 5:45 pm and the boys play Bishop Blanchet at 7:30 pm.
FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run, 6:15 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … 7 pm trivia at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW, White Center) … Quiz Night starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEETING: 7 pm, online and in person, as explained in our preview.
HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB TOWN HALL: 7 pm, online, with attendance info in our preview.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Reader photo by Jon from May 2021)
With work starting on the Lincoln Park South Play Area replacement, we asked Seattle Parks about the schedule for Westcrest Park, since that play-area replacement is part of the same contract awarded to LW Sundstrom. Today we got the reply: Work at Westcrest Park – where the play structure was closed for safety concerns in May 2021 – is expected to begin in March. It’s a narrower scope than Lincoln Park, so both are expected to be finished “approximately (in) June,” according to Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor.
Family and friends will gather January 27 to remember Janet Miller; here’s what they are sharing with the community now:
Janet Virginia Miller – reader, artist, wife, friend, mother, grandmother, aunt – died in her sleep, two months after a stroke, on December 29 in Spokane. She was 81.
The daughter of Harold Eastburg and Jane Humphrey, she was born September 25, 1942 in Spokane. Janet learned to read at 3 and never stopped. Her favorite book was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, which she reread annually since she was 10.
She graduated in the first class through Shadle Park High School. She dreamt of becoming a stage actress, a costume designer, a fashion illustrator, and/or a fiction writer. Her vocational profile recommended she become a librarian.
She attended Whitman College for one year, where the only things she learned were “how to drink and smoke.” She returned to Spokane, married Dennis Miller, and had two children and dozens of cats. Following his new job, the family moved to West Seattle in 1977. They were members of West Side Presbyterian Church, she for 39 years. She edited the church newsletter for 25.
Janet and Dennis were married for 45 years before his death in 2007.
She never lost touch with her high-school sweetheart, Dick Gibson, a journalist living in Des Moines, Iowa, talking and writing often. Dick encouraged Janet to move back to her childhood neighborhood, which she did in 2020. They planned on Dick moving back to Spokane too, before his death in 2021.
Over the decades Janet expressed her art by sewing dolls and their clothes, cutting silhouettes, building paper flowers, and making Christmas ornaments. She is known for her Scherenschnitte, the German art of paper cutting, and had drawings published in Paperdoll Review. Her latest craze was building paper house dioramas and pop-ups, such as her annual Christmas card.
She mentored her granddaughters, great-nieces, and a friend’s daughters, by teaching them to express themselves through arts and crafts.
Janet was known for her collection of large, bright earrings. She kept her mind sharp by reading mysteries and literature, following national politics, and beating the rest of us at Wordle.
Janet is survived by her son, Matthew and his partner, Kimberly Kelstone; her daughter, Jennifer and son-in-law Kai Molvik; three grandchildren, Maggie Molvik, K.C. Molvik, and Nathaniel Miller; her cat Sailor; and her friend of fifty years, Pamela Barclay. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; her sweetheart, Dick; and cats too numerous to name.
A memorial service will be 11:00 Saturday morning, January 27, at West Side Presbyterian Church in Seattle.
Janet loved red roses. Or, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; to Wheelchairs for Nigeria; or to your local libraries and schools encouraging young girls to read, write, draw, and dream.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:36 AM; Two school changes so far – Our Lady of Guadalupe is starting two hours late. So are Highline Public Schools.
6:49 AM: More school changes – the Vashon Island School District is starting 1 1/2 hours late. … Summit Atlas is on a 2-hour delay … Kennedy Catholic HS is on a “regular late start” schedule (9:35 am start).
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, January 17th.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Many areas around the region are dealing with snow or freezing rain, but it’s mostly cold rain here – slick after several dry days, and the temperature is still around freezing as the day begins, so be careful. The forecast is for rain to continue, high near 40, possibly a rain/snow mix later. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:51 am, sunset at 4:47 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
(The video options on SDOT‘s camera map are working again.)
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!
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