day : 13/12/2024 12 results

WEST SEATTLE GIVING SPIRIT: White Center Food Bank ‘here then … here now’

We close out this Friday with your next chance to demonstrate the West Seattle Giving Spirit. Three times a week through year’s end, WSB is bringing you this special holiday-season opportunity to learn about, and support, some of our area’s unstoppable nonprofits, in partnership with the Learning Communities Foundation. Tonight – the White Center Food Bank, whose mission stretches into West Seattle too:

Our mission is to minimize hunger while nourishing community, nurturing self-reliance and embracing our rich cultural diversity. The White Center Food Bank began unofficially in the mid-1970s as an emergency response to assist struggling families and individuals in the greater White Center and Highline areas during a major economic downturn. Much like today, many in the community were faced with difficult economic conditions that left them in need of food resources.

We were there then. We are here now.

Please consider a financial contribution, running a food drive or volunteering to help us keep the community fed!

We are also open for tours of our new facility. If you are interested, please contact Jefferson Rose, Development and Communications Director at jefferson@whitecenterfoodbank.org

WCFB WEBSITE
DONATE
VOLUNTEER
LEARN

Scroll through our archive of West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlights here (newest to oldest), and watch for the next one on Monday!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: South Delridge robbery; Morgan Junction burglary; porch prowler; multi-agency response

Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

SECOND 7-ELEVEN ROBBERY OF THE DAY: After the robbery on which we reported late last night, there was another one at a West Seattle 7-Eleven hours later – the South Delridge 7-Eleven was held up just before 5:30 am. The initial description of the robbers – four Black teenagers, black clothing and masks, armed with a gun and a knife, who got away with cash and “tobacco products.” Police believe the same robbers were involved in an overnight robbery in North Seattle. If you have any information, the incident number is 24-349592.

MORGAN JUNCTION BURGLARY: After hearing a bit about this break-in via police radio after it was reported around 1 am today, we requested the narrative from SPD. It says that officers were dispatched to Waterfront Federal Credit Union in the 6400 block of Fauntleroy Way SW after an alarm trip revealed a video feed showing someone inside. That person was gone by the time officers responded. They found the building opened and that someone had used the kitchen. The burglar seen on the video was described as ” a white male, thin build wearing a beanie with a black coat and dark camouflage pants.” There was a report of a car outside the building that disappeared after the burglar did, but no description. The credit union contact wasn’t immediately sure if anything had been taken; police did find likely fingerprints and used “print cards” for evidence.

PROWLER: A reader sent this report:

Last night around 2 am a man walked up to the door of a home I am dog-sitting at and after knocking at the front door continued to walk around the property. He appears to be intoxicated. Police were called shortly after the man was seen but had left the property once police had been called. There was no sign of break-in, a few door handles rattled but nothing else. I wanted to share this (image) if anyone might know who he is or has seen him.

I also have a photo that I just received from the neighbors of the house I am staying at. The person who tried to open the doors to the house also kicked the side fence down. They either came in through the fence, having come through the neighbors yard first or left through the fence before police arrived.

This happened on 41st SW – we have a followup question out asking where on that street, which runs north to south along almost the entire peninsula.

P.S. – MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE: Several readers reported what looked like a pursuit around 2 pm today, with non-Seattle police vehicles roaring off Harbor SW and onto the West Seattle Bridge, last seen exiting onto I-5. We asked around this afternoon to try to find out what that was about and haven’t yet had any luck.

CITY REZONING PLAN: 1 week to comment. 3 things to know – new city meeting, Morgan Q&A, Fauntleroy ‘call to action’

Three notes tonight, with one week to go until the December 20th deadline for comments on the city’s rezoning proposals (on which we first reported two months ago):

CITY’S ONLINE ‘INFO SESSION’: An online informational meeting last night had some technical trouble, so the city has scheduled one last “virtual info session” about the rezoning plan for Tuesday (December 17), 5:30-7:30 pm. Here’s the link.

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEETING: Last night’s Morgan Community Association-organized meeting at High Point Library filled the meeting room there with more than 50 people. No presentation, but the meeting did include two Q&A sections, with MoCA president Deb Barker answering most questions. While the rest of the meeting just involved people milling around city infosheets on the walls (you can look up Morgan or other neighborhoods’ proposed changes here), we did record both sections of Q&A:

The zoning changes by neighborhood for City Council District 1 – which includes West Seattle – can be seen here.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S CALL TO ACTION: Another West Seattle neighborhood group, the Fauntleroy Community Association, has launched a last-minute letter-writing campaign in opposition to some of the proposed rezoning. They contend that the changes “would harm our neighborhood.” Their campaign includes two templates for potential letters to the city – one with prewritten statements of concern, the other in which you can voice your own concerns about the plan. Or, scroll down the city’s main page to see how to comment, whatever you think about the proposals.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: First-ever Delridge Winter Market on Saturday

Yet another one-of-a-kind holiday event to preview – the first-ever Delridge Winter Market is happening tomorrow, 11 am to 3 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). It’s presented by the same nonprofit organization that sponsors the summer/fall Delridge Farmers’ Market, African Community Housing and Development. You’ll find fresh, local food, baked goods, artisan crafts, and much more, offered by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-owned businesses – most of the market’s more than 40 vendors are listed here. Along with what’s offered for sale, you’ll also enjoy live music, and the market will offer what ACHD promises will be “a huge range of free resources including free massage, acupuncture, kids’ haircuts, and cooking demos.” And for those in need, as is the case with Delridge Farmers’ Market, the Delridge Winter Market will offer free bags of produce, first-come, first-served. (Thanks to ACHD for sponsoring WSB to get the word out further about the market.)

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Characters with cocoa and cookies on Saturday!

Tonight’s Christmas lights accompany an invitation for tomorrow, sent by Valerie:

Where can you find a darling deer and a charming snowman cross country skiing in West Seattle? 3431 48th Ave SW.

Join us for a neighborly hot chocolate and a gingerbread cookie from Mrs. Claus’s cocoa cart on Saturday, December 14th from 5-7 pm.

No, you don’t have to offer treats to have your lights showcased – photos are optional too (but appreciated) – westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. (Scroll through this archive to see what we’ve shown already!)

WEEKEND PREVIEW: ‘Winter Wonderland’ fun Saturday in Admiral

December 13, 2024 2:38 pm
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: ‘Winter Wonderland’ fun Saturday in Admiral
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

After a year of big events presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association – including the 4th of July Kids’ Parade, Music in the Parks, and the Admiral Funktion street festival – you have one more to enjoy! Tomorrow (Saturday, December 14). “Winter Wonderland” beckons you to multiple locations in the heart of The Admiral District, 10 am-2 pm. Here’s what ANA says you’ll find:

Enjoy festive foods for the whole family at Arthur’s and dance in the snow (weather permitting), then enjoy coconut macaroons for kids at Circa. Skate over to West Seattle Grounds to make star ornaments and enjoy free hot cocoa for kiddos. Seattle Yarn will be making the season merry and bright with paper crafts (11 am-2 pm) and while you’re there consider donating to their Heart of Washington Winter Clothing Drive. Then bop on down the road to Wicked Rae’s to craft winter snow globes (from 10 am-noon). And don’t forget to snap some fun holiday photos at Hoste‘s popular Elves Cottage and Mud Bay’s annual Happy Pawlidays Photo Booth where you can also donate to their Giving Tree to help pets in need this season. And don’t miss out on getting your photo with the big man himself, Santa, at West Seattle Realty! You can also support our neighbors in need this holiday season by dropping off donations for the Westside Neighbors Shelter at West Seattle Realty.

Finally, since the best way to spread holiday cheer is to sing loud for all to hear, take a break to enjoy the Admiral Church Choir’s Roving Carolers and say hello to the Admiral Neighborhood Association penguin, who will be waddling through the event!

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, inbound

Thanks for the tip. Might be hard to see through the rain and murk, but the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is inbound, passing Alki Point. It’s been out at sea for a week and a half. It’s been exactly four months since it changed homeports to Bremerton.

VIDEO: Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement project’s Community Advisory Group hears about a ‘hybrid’ as decision time draws near

(WSF recording of Wednesday night Community Advisory Group meeting)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

As Washington State Ferries gets close to settling on a “preferred alternative” for its Fauntleroy dock replacement, it told the project’s Community Advisory Group members Wednesday night that it’s focusing on what could be a hybrid of two of the options it’s been examining for more than a year.

They are B and B-3, which would be longer than the existing dock and would hold at least a full ferryload. of vehicles (124 for the Issaquah-class ferries that currently serve the route). Here’s how those two were described when the nine possible alternatives were unveiled in October of last year:

Last night’s online meeting wasn’t meant to be final word of which alternative WSF is pursuing, but rather a chance to review the criteria used in the evaluation, and to answer questions about the review. (Here’s the full slide deck.)

WSF’s David Sowers opened with an acknowledgment that “this process has taken longer than we anticipated.” But: “We’re getting toward the end” of that process. The ~$100 million dock/terminal is currently expected to be built between 2027 and 2031, and construction could last that entire four-year window.

What they’re wrapping up now is the “Level 3 screening process.” WSF’s Marsha Tolon recapped that they evaluated the alternatives on 29 “performance factors.” You can see the full details of those factors, and how alternatives stacked up, in this draft document circulated to advisory-group members. Those factors ranged from what you’d expect – load times, for example – to environmental factors such as how much an alternative might encroach on Cove Park (north of the dock) or how it might affect eelgrass restoration; here are some key criteria as listed in the meeting slide deck:

Here are WSF’s choice of highlights for why they favor the possible “hybrid” – note that the darker the box, the better that alternative ranked:

Feedback from advisory-group members included a question from Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens about whether WSF really expected to be able to expand the terminal’s overwater coverage so much. Tolon suggested that the support of the Technical Advisory Group will help with that. Another group member urged WSF to plan for a future in which larger boats might be serving the route, not just the 124-car vessels handling it now. (WSF acknowledged that some years down the road, they’ll have to build a class of ferries replacing the Issaquah-class, and that could mean a different capacity. “We will deliver the Legislature our best thoughts” when the time comes, said John Vezina.) What about the pump station on the Cove Park side of the dock – will WSF have to maintain road access to that? Sowers said they’re assuming so.

There was no vote – this is an advisory group, not a decisionmaking group – so WSF’s focus on the footprint of B and B-3 ultimately was an FYI, not a “do you agree?”

WHAT’S NEXT: WSF says it’ll plan a round of community engagement – at least an “open house,” suggested Sowers – before making a final decision on the preferred alternative. Once that decision is in, a new round of environmental review will kick off. And before it builds the new dock, WSF will be working with SDOT on changes for the Fauntleroy Way intersection at the dock’s exit/entrance; that plan is not finalized yet but construction is expected to start next year. (An advisory group asked for a rendering of what’s in the works; a rep for the engineering firm working on that part of the project said they’re working on one.)

BIZNOTE: Alki Café closed after eviction notice posted (updated)

ORIGINAL REPORT, FRIDAY: Thanks for the tips. The handwritten sign on the front door of Alki Café (2726 Alki SW) says “SORRY-CLOSED,” next to an eviction notice posted by the King County Sheriff’s Office this morning. These types of notices are usually posted following court action in an eviction case, technically known as “unlawful detainer,” so we looked up the case. It goes back 10 months; documents say the building owners, Alki Shores, wanted to end the restaurant’s tenancy in February. No specific amount of potentially owed money listed, other than to say the café’s base rent was $7,422 plus $1,337 in “other recurring charges.” In their response filed in June, the restaurant owners – who documents identify as Alki Beach Restaurant Café and NRBM LLC – said they had been dealing with alleged electrical and plumbing issues causing “periodic closures” plus improper electrical metering that they said had likely caused them to be overpaying for that utility. They estimated the alleged issues had cost them about $80,000. The case kept making its way through the system, according to documents, until an order following a six-minute hearing on November 21st, saying the restaurant owner’s allegations were not an excuse for the “failure to vacate” and ordering the eviction. We’re seeking comment from both the building owner and the restaurant owner.

ADDED SUNDAY: The restaurant was sold to NRBM LLC in 2020, noted a representative of the other named entity in response to one of our inquiries, and says it hasn’t had anything to do with the restaurant since then. NRBM LLC is listed with the state as having been “administratively dissolved” – by the state itself – in October because an annual report due in May allegedly hadn’t been filed.

From choirs to clay, spaghetti to skating, here’s the list for your West Seattle Friday!

December 13, 2024 9:54 am
|    Comments Off on From choirs to clay, spaghetti to skating, here’s the list for your West Seattle Friday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo, Rain City Clay holiday show – info below)

Here’s what’s on our list for you today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:

INDOOR PLAY: Need an indoor place for your little one to play on this chilly day? 10 am-11:30 am, you’re welcome to drop in for the weekly free “Stay ‘n’ Play” event at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Open with poinsettias, holiday swags, and more! North side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history to see what’s new as well as what’s old, noon-4 pm. (61st SW & SW Stevens)

QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: 12:15 pm-12:45 pm Fridays. More info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room is open 1-6 pm in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).

RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY SHOW: The Arbor Heights studio/gallery hosts the show again this weekend, 4-8 pm tonight – details in our calendar listing. (4208 SW 100th)

NORTHSTAR TRADING CO. POPUP: Longtime Pike Place Market vendor closing shop and selling sheepskin creations in West Seattle, 5-7 pm tonight (and other dates) – details here. (7138 30th SW)

‘WINTER WANDER’ SCAVENGER HUNT CONTINUES: Alice Kuder presents the “Winter Wander” scavenger hunt again this year, continuing through Sunday so it’s not too late to jump in:

The Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt is a free community event designed to bring friends and families together for holiday fun. Wanderers download a Bingo-style clue sheet, scour West Seattle to identify the locations that solve the clues, and upload selfies in front of those locations to qualify for prize drawings. Open to everyone of all ages! Winter Wander concludes at 7 PM, Sun., Dec. 15th, 2024. Sign up by registering at wondersinaliceland.com.

VISCON CELLARS: Season’s just right for the ambience of this tasting room/wine bar, open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT THE SKYLARK: Swinson and the Expedition‘s “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” with Lookout Mountain Lookout and Vito at The Skylark, 6 pm doors, 6:30 pm music, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SPAGHETTI DINNER: The West Seattle High School Key Club wants to serve you dinner tonight! 6:30 pm, $10, details here. In the WSHS Commons. (3000 California SW)

THE STARRY CROWNS: 7 pm concert at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle), “a sparkling mix of sacred and secular songs.” With special guest Migi.

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Songwriters’ Showcase live at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover.

AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: The radio-play edition of “A Christmas Carol” at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm.

NORTHWEST FIRELIGHT CHORALE: 7:30 pm concert at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW) – this year’s theme is “Hearts Aglow in Winter’s Snow.” Tickets and info here.

SEATTLE GIRLS CHOIR: 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee), Seattle Girls Choir presents “Carmina Angelorum: Songs of the Angels.” (Follow that link for concert and ticket info.)

‘SNOWED IN (AGAIN)’: The holiday musical continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm; ticket info is in our calendar listing.

REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Alice Camille tonight! (4547 California SW)

MAKE IT LOUD: Skating to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), doors at 9 pm, $18 cover, $5 skates. Tonight’s slate: The Sinister Six, Dancer & Prancer, The Hot Rollers.

Are we missing anything? If you have something else to add to our event lists, calendar, and/or Holiday Guide, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

BIZNOTE: Filigree & Shadow participating in Saturday’s Scented in Seattle Holiday Market

One of this weekend’s unique holiday markets is happening in SODO and featuring a West Seattle business, fragrance-maker Filigree & Shadow (WSB sponsor), who shared the announcement:

My fragrance studio will be closed this Saturday as I’ll be at Metropolist Events in SoDo for the Second Annual Scented in Seattle Holiday Market!

Looking for unique holiday gifts? Join us to explore a thoughtfully curated selection of artisan fragrances, soaps, candles, and body care products crafted by local businesses.

Event Highlights:

Artisan Fragrance Vendors: Discover niche perfumes from independent makers and connect with the creators behind your favorite scents.
Perfume Swap: Bring your gently used perfumes and trade them with fellow enthusiasts.
Special Exhibit by Jesse Hardy: Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind installation created exclusively for this event.

The market runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is free to attend. Street and lot parking are available, and Metropolist is fully ADA-accessible.

Celebrate the season and find the perfect gifts while supporting local artisans. We can’t wait to see you there!

It’s at 2731 1st Ave. S.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday notes

6:07 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, December 13th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rain is due back today, high in the upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:49 am, while sunset will be at 4:17 pm one more time – as early as the sunset gets – tomorrow, it starts getting later! (The sunrise gets later too, until a week into January.)

TRANSIT

Water Taxi today Regular service today.

Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Sealth as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.

Metro buses todayRegular schedule.

ROAD WORK/CLOSURES

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. This will change later this month, SDOT has announced:

We’ll be transitioning into our third phase of traffic control on December 19. The two center lanes on Admiral Way SW will be closed during this phase, with one lane in each direction open for people driving. As part of this transition, the temporary crosswalk at Admiral Way SW and 39th Ave SW will be removed.

We expect more info soon. Meantime, Fairmount Avenue remains closed beneath the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon. SDOT finally provided that update, with word of a lane shift, too.

*Beach Drive gas-pipeline work continues into January, PSE tells us – here’s our update.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!