West Seattle, Washington
26 Sunday
8:26 AM: A sizable Seattle Fire response in the 3000 block of 61st SW for an “assault with weapons” call. More as we get it.
8:43 AM: The last SFD and SPD units were leaving as our crew arrived. Police tell us this turned out to be an argument that got out of hand but no one was injured or otherwise in need of treatment.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:11 AM: Good morning. No snow – not cold enough – and so far, no incidents in/from West Seattle.
TRANSIT ON CHRISTMAS DAY: On Monday, Metro will be on a Sunday schedule; the Water Taxi won’t run. Sound Transit Route 560 will be on a Sunday schedule.
(Photo by David Hutchinson -Olympics, Puget Sound, and vehicle carrier Midnight Sun on Wednesday)
We’ve seen the snow on the mountains – and maybe as soon as tonight/early tomorrow, we might see some here in the lowlands. So says the National Weather Service, and if not this round, maybe Christmas Eve/Day – and/or maybe after that. The big word is “maybe,” as the newest Forecast Discussion explains, and there’s a Special Weather Statement too. They are NOT talking major snow – maybe just a “dusting” – but still … if and when you see snow, our 24-hour hotline, text or voice, is 206-293-6302 – thank you!
In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
STOLEN SHOP KEEPSAKE: Just in from Sam, proprietor of Fleurt in The Junction, the photo and report:
I wanted to let you know that late this afternoon/ maybe early evening an iconic vintage (early 1900s) watering can was stolen from the outside front of Fleurt. Sadly we didn’t see who stole it as the shop has been busy today and filled with customers getting last-minute gifts.
This is an item we placed outside everyday since we opened in 2010. This breaks my heart. I am saddened to think that a person or people would be so low to steal from us. And at Christmas time.
I’ve had the watering can for 20+ years. The watering can stood over 2 feet tall. It is made from a very heavy metal. The color is galvanized and rusty looking. The watering can has special sentimental value to me. I would like to offer a reward for its return. If anyone saw someone take it, or have information on its whereabouts, please contact Sam at Fleurt: 206.937.1103.
CONDO-BUILDING BURGLARS: The report and security-camera image are from Sharon, who says this happened last Saturday at 35th/Roxbury:
Two men with a screwdriver entered our condominium building and attempted to pry open 2 locked doors. They were unsuccessful in getting in, but damaged one door and broke the door handle. The police have been notified.
SUSPECTED CAR PROWLER: From Rich:
At 5:45 PM I saw a person looking into cars with a flashlight near 59th and Stevens, across from Alki Elementary. He was white, bearded, a bit short (5’ 6” – 5’ 8”), wearing brown suspenders and a green shirt. When he noticed me he walked off to an alley. After a couple minutes (presumably waiting for me to leave) he walked out of the alley and got into a small red car and drove away. FYI in case anyone reports something missing in that area.
ALSO ON ALKI: Thanks for the text about a police response a short time ago. According to scanner traffic, they were headed to a fight situation on Alki, which has since been declared under control. Meantime, at a different location, police have found a stolen car in an alley off 60th SW – we don’t know the make/model.
POSSIBLE PACKAGE THEFT: From Dana:
I’m pretty sure a package was stolen off of our front porch at 41st & Graham on Tuesday around 1 pm. Unless it was misdelivered. In which case, everyone check your packages! :) Either way, a reminder to all to keep an eye out.
Also note that package delivery in these days before Christmas is continuing late at night – we’ve heard of multiple cases of 10 pm-ish deliveries.
At Solstice Park late today, the mountains showed up, the holiday cheer showed up, more than 40 people showed up … but the sun was a no-show for Alice Enevoldsen‘s winter-solstice sunset watch. Nonetheless, she led attendees through what she jokingly called “solstice yoga,” as part of her explanation of the solar-system phenomenon that brings the change of seasons:
(Added: For a longer version, see Scott Scowcroft‘s video here.)
There was also a bit of cloud observation due to the formations in the south sky:
Thanks to @WestSeaWx for informing us via Twitter that those were Undulatus Asperatus. Alice has led more than 30 solstice/equinox sunset watches as part of her commitment as a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador:
She always schedules them for the same date the equinox or solstice arrives in our time zone, so it’s easy to remember – that means you can plan to join her at Solstice Park for the arrival of spring on Tuesday, March 20th, 2018. Watch her website alicesastroinfo.com for more info on that and other things you might see in the sky.
With Christmas so close, we’re stepping up the featured lights to at least two per night. Above, the 3400 block of 41st SW includes lights and sound designed by 10-year-old Sawyer – thanks to Lisa for the photo and tip! – below, we happened to be driving southbound in the 3700 block of Beach Drive and spotted two very brightly decked decks on the side of the Harbor West over-the-water complex facing Cormorant Cove Park:
Christmas lights to suggest, with or without a photo? editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you! Our archive so far (including previous years, if you keep scrolling) is here; we also have a list of the annual biggies in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, including West Seattle Lights (3908 SW Charlestown), where, as we mentioned last night, you’ll find local Brownies with hot cocoa for West Seattle Food Bank donors, 6:30-8 pm tonight.
In case you missed last week’s community meeting about the recent Arroyos/south Arbor Heights power outage and related trouble – what you see above is the slide deck explaining what Seattle City Light has planned for the area. A project spanning multiple blocks of South Arbor Heights is expected to last about a year and scheduled to start next March. (The slide deck includes a map you can also see here.) SCL says it’ll be putting in “new electrical conduit and cables” to replace “underground, direct buried cables (that) are approaching the ending of their life.” Besides this month’s outage, the area’s relatively recent outages included last April, August 2016, and May 2016.
(WSDOT photo of road-deck-building inside the tunnel, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
One huge question that’ll finally be answered in the new year: When the Highway 99 tunnel opens, what will the tolls be?
As previewed here – and as subsequently covered by Seattle Times transportation reporter Mike Lindblom – the state Transportation Commission has just had another talk about tunnel tolls. The major issue involves balancing between the money that tolls have to raise, and the level of tolls that would lead to too much “diversion” – drivers avoiding the tunnel.
The decision is not due until next September, but Kathy e-mailed WSB to ask for more information on how to have a say now – and to ask who locally is involved in advocacy related to the toll-setting. First, if you’re looking for background info:
That’s the main slide deck presented when the Transportation Commission took up the tolling topic last week (you also can see here in PDF; a second deck with analysis is here). As noted on its timeline slide, two major “public outreach” opportunities are planned next year – April through June, after “toll scenario results” are presented, and then a public hearing after the rates are proposed in July.
If you have something you want to say now, here’s how to comment to the commission.
If you or a group you’re involved with is working on advocacy, Kathy and others would like to know – please comment (or e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com and we’ll add to the story).
P.S. If you’re wondering who’s on the commission that will make the decision – here’s that list.
(Photo by Don Brubeck, looking south from Don Armeni Boat Ramp this morning)
Winter is here – and tonight brings a full slate of solstice/holiday activities, and more. From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
WINTER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: Join NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park for the first sunset after winter solstice. Even if it’s cloudy – you’ll learn about the solar system and have fun. Arrive around 3:45 pm. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, upslope from the tennis courts)
CHRISTMAS MUSIC AT THRIFTWAY: Gary Benson will play Christmas music live at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 4-7 pm. (4201 SW Morgan)
WINTER BAKING DEMONSTRATION: At West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), baking demo with chef/author Kim O’Donnel. No signup required. 4:30-5:30 pm. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)
SPEAKING OF BAKING: Thousands of homemade cookies are needed for The Christmas People‘s West Seattle event on Monday – if you can help, get baking! Info here.
CHRISTMAS FLUTE ENSEMBLE: Performing at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6 pm: “Christmas Flute Ensemble with a trio of flute students and adult flute choir.” (5612 California SW)
COCOA FOR A CAUSE: 6:30-8 pm tonight:
Brownie Troop 41169 will be at West Seattle Lights handing out hot cocoa to anyone who stops by with a non-perishable food donation (or small cash donations) for the West Seattle Food Bank. They are hoping to spread a little cheer and help boost food donations during the holidays. If you haven’t stopped by this house yet, there is no better time! Our Brownies would love to give you a cocoa to warm yourself while you watch the light show. We hope to see you there!
(3908 SW Charlestown)
SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: Last one before Christmas! Stores open late for your shopping convenience include longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW), where this illuminated customizable signboard is one of the fun things we’ve seen this season:
More info on The Junction’s Hometown Holidays website. And if your shop has special hours tonight, or any day through Christmas Eve, let us know (editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can add it to the Holiday Guide!
GIVING TREE AT CAPERS: While you’re out shopping in The Junction – it’s the last day for the Hickman House giving tree at CAPERS (which provided the photo):
Choose a star, buy the requested gift, bring it back unwrapped. (4525 California SW)
‘LONGEST NIGHT’ SERVICES: From the list of seasonal church services in our Holiday Guide, four churches have sent word of special services tonight:
TIBBETTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (3940 41st SW; WSB sponsor)
7 pm The Longest Night / Blue Christmas Service is quiet, warm, and intimate. Remember the faithfulness of God even when your heart feels empty. Come, and be. Share in the liturgy or choose to remain silent. This will be a quiet space with minimal singing, candles to light, contemplative words and silence to encourage prayer. Come in solitude, recommend this service to a lonely or hurting friend, or better yet, bring them.
WESTSIDE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION (7141 California SW)
Blue Holiday Service, 7 pm: Christmas and other seasonal holidays can be a painful time. The loss of loved ones, the anguish of a broken relationship, the insecurity of employment, the weariness of poor health, the pain of isolation, or the pressure of holiday preparations and activity – all these can make us feel alone in the midst of celebrations of the season. This will be a time for people to share their deeper feelings of loss or isolation during the holiday season.
WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (3601 California SW):
Service of the Longest Night, 7 pm: The Service of the Longest Night is a worship service for those carrying heavy burdens this season and the people who love and wish to pray for them. Those gathered for this service will have the opportunity to pray, light candles, sing, take communion, or simply sit in silence and await the light of Christ coming into the world at Christmas.
ADMIRAL CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (4320 SW Hill)
Longest Night Contemplative Service, 7 pm: “Light and Possibilities,” special music by Sam Peters.
Also tonight in West Seattle:
HOMAGE TO RICHARD HUGO: 8 pm at Mac’s Triangle Pub in South Delridge, starting with a plaque unveiling, continuing with readings – details in our calendar listing. (9454 Delridge Way SW)
Lots more for tonight and beyond, on our Event Calendar and in our Holiday Guide!
Before we get to what’s up today/tonight – just wanted to let you know, if you’re looking ahead, our lists of restaurant and grocery-store hours for Christmas Eve/Day are available. The restaurant list is here – we list restaurants that told us they would be open Christmas Eve and/or Day – if they’re closed for both, or if they did not reply to our inquiries, they’re not on the list. As always, we offer the caveat that establishments sometimes change their plans after we have already checked with them, but this is the best info we have right now. The grocery-store hours, meantime, are listed in the Christmas Eve/Day section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, which we continue to update daily through New Year’s.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:04 AM: Good morning. No incidents in/from West Seattle so far, but watch out for icy patches here and there, since it’s below freezing right now (winter officially arrives just before 8:30 am). Meantime, an after-the-fact transit alert just in:
Transit Alert – The first Route 22 to the Alaska Junction due to leave Shorewood at 6:20 AM did not operate this morning.
— King County Metro🚌 (@kcmetrobus) December 21, 2017
Also of note: Southbound I-5 at the train-derailment scene in Pierce County reopened last night.
8:39 AM: Jennifer reports via e-mail:
46th SW (as it turns into 46th from 100th) as it goes down to meet Marine View Drive is a solid sheet of thick ice all the way down in the right lane. There has long been a water leak of some kind there, but today it is very icy and extremely dangerous as you’re headed down to the stop sign on Marine View Drive.
She says SDOT has been called to dispatch de-icer.
9:09 AM: Crash on the eastbound bridge, per the scanner. Haven’t yet heard exactly where.
9:14 AM: At Delridge, per SDOT. Meantime, there’s also a call out to move a stalled Metro bus from the eastbound bridge to 99 – probably the one Mike tweeted about:
Our bus boiled over, WS Bridge ramp to NB 99. Folks hopped on passing 21 and 120 buses. pic.twitter.com/WRLXIfH93s
— Michael C. Lindblom (@MikeLindblom) December 21, 2017
11:52 PM: Thanks to Amy for the tip. She says the two southbound lanes of 35th SW are blocked by a crash at Dawson. SFD and SPD have both responded to the scene.
12:30 AM: SFD has closed out of the call.
Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch, the first two with video:
CAMERA STOLEN: A resident in the Westcrest Park area shares two videos from early Sunday, when someone removed/stole his doorbell/camera combination:
The theft occurred at 1:17 am on 12/17/17 and I’ve captured it via both the doorbell/camera (until it was yanked off the wall) and a camera on the eaves of my house.
… You will note in the (second video) that the recording stops midway through as the doorbell/camera was removed from the front wall of my house.
It is interesting from the first video that the thief doesn’t go directly to the doorbell/camera but moves off to the side, (but looking to his right at the doorbell/camera as he approaches the house), and then quickly moves in to steal the doorbell (on the other video), perhaps trying to evade being captured on video. The thief is walking purposefully like he knew there was a doorbell/camera there that he wanted to disable. And what was he doing out at 1:17 am? Why is an open padlock hanging from his coat? Is he a smoker given he has a cigarette lighter in his hand? Someone was in the front bedroom to the immediate left of the front door and didn’t hear anything.
If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 17-464158.
PACKAGES STOLEN: This next security video and report are from Ryan:
Had several packages stolen from my front door at 1:55 pm (Tuesday). 37th and Brandon. Older white Subaru wagon pulled directly into the driveway and passenger hopped out and walked up to front door to grab the boxes. Thief dressed in jeans and black puffy jacket with hood pulled over head so couldn’t see the face. Captured on door camera but not enough to identify car plates.
BIKE STOLEN: From Coty:
My husband’s bike was stolen from behind our townhouse on Delridge near Southwest Plumbing sometime between yesterday and this afternoon. It’s a red Mercier bike with a seat bag and a light on front. If you happen to see it, please let me know!
CAR WINDOW SMASHED: From Niccole:
My grandmother’s car window was smashed late last night. This is the second time and we wanted to alert people. We live on 13th Ave SW. It appears that there is nothing stolen — just, someone broke the window.
With the clear, dry weather tonight, it’s a perfect time to look at lights – even just a walk around your neighborhood. This one is an eye-catcher on the north end of Arbor Heights, on the north side of SW Roxbury at 36th SW. We’ve featured it before – in 2007 and 2011 – but hadn’t seen it in a few years, until an AH resident sent the photo (thank you!). To see the other lights we’ve featured this season, scroll through our newest-to-oldest archive. We also have a list of lights-and-music shows in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. Speaking of which, something special tomorrow night:
Brownie Troop 41169 will be at West Seattle Lights handing out hot cocoa to anyone who stops by with a non-perishable food donation (or small cash donations) for the West Seattle Food Bank. They are hoping to spread a little cheer and help boost food donations during the holidays. If you haven’t stopped by this house yet, there is no better time! Our Brownies would love to give you a cocoa to warm yourself while you watch the light show. We hope to see you there!
What: Cocoa for a Cause
When: Thursday 12/21 from 6:30-8 pm
Where: 3908 SW Charlestown
From King County:
For the first time, King County Metro will offer free rides on New Year’s Eve between 4 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, and 4 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, including DART and Access service. In addition, Metro will add service to its night routes. The Seattle Streetcar will also be free on New Year’s Eve and Sound Transit will extend Link light rail service between Angle Lake and the University of Washington.
“As we put the finishing touches on 2017, we want you to be able to get out on the town and come home safe,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Whether you are heading to the Seattle Center or other King County destinations on New Year’s Eve, Metro will get you there and back, all for free. It’s our way of saying thank you for making Metro the nation’s best transit system, and we look forward to riding with you next year.”
“We want people to go have a good time and know they can get home safely, affordably, and reliably,” said King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, who proposed the idea.
Metro will operate regular Sunday schedules on New Year’s Eve with extra buses as needed on several routes serving destinations such as Seattle Center, Capitol Hill and downtown. New Year’s revelers can take advantage of Metro’s recently expanded Night Owl network, with added service on major routes between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Sound Transit will operate extended Link light rail service with trains running northbound from Angle Lake Station every 30 minutes until 1:30 a.m. Southbound trains from the University of Washington will run until 2 a.m.
The Seattle Streetcar will operate until 1 a.m.
Metro routes with added service as needed will include 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 14, 24, 32, 36, 40, 41, 62, 65, 70, 101, 106, 120, 124, 150, 255, RapidRide A, B, C, D and E Lines, and ST 550, ST 554. The fareboxes and ORCA card readers on Metro buses will be covered to remind customers not to pay. A regular valid fare will be required on Sound Transit Express buses.
(Lincoln Park aerial photo from 2012, by Long Bach Nguyen
Lincoln Park is the second West Seattle park chosen by the city as a site for an “outdoor preschool.”
This is the second year of a city pilot project allowing these types of preschools in four city parks. Tiny Trees has been operating one at Camp Long, the only West Seattle park on that initial list.
This past October, the Parks Department came up with a list of nine parks where it would allow outdoor preschool to continue, or to begin. That list included Camp Long and Lincoln Park. And it issued a call for interested preschool operators.
The application and vetting process has just ended, and Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin tells WSB that Tiny Trees and a second company called Roots & Sky are the two providers chosen for the nine parks. In addition to Tiny Trees continuing at Camp Long, Schulkin says, “Roots & Sky is the provider that we intend to work with in offering outdoor preschool at Lincoln Park.” We couldn’t find information about them online, and followed up with Schulkin, who explained:
Roots & Sky is a new business. In addition to applying to utilize Lincoln Park as their preschool site, they are applying to the Seattle Preschool Program (pathway program) which would provide crucial funding and support for them to operate. With successful acceptance into the Seattle Preschool Program they will then acquire a business license. Our intent to move into an agreement with them is dependent upon both successful acceptance into the Seattle Preschool Program (pathway program) and acquisition of a business license. If those things don’t happen, we will not move forward with Roots & Sky as an outdoor preschool provider at Lincoln Park.
She says Parks is working on a Memorandum of Agreement with both providers “to lay out the specifics/expectations regarding outdoor preschools in Seattle Parks.” Before agreements are finalized, she says, there will be a community meeting at Lincoln Park to discuss:
-SPR’s goals around partnering with outdoor preschools
-what we have learned after our first year of piloting these programs,
-some information about how outdoor preschools work and their agreements with SPR.We will also have time to answer community questions.
No date set for that meeting yet. And yes, the preschool providers do pay the city for use of the parks – “There is a monthly fee depending on the hours of preschool (the exact cost are a discounted rate based upon our rental rates), additional fees are charged for any added maintenance needed.”
One non-West Seattle park in the pilot program, by the way, was excluded for future preschool use, according to this city document, John C. Little, “because of deteriorating site conditions and overuse.”
It’s a spectacular sunny day, with the Olympic Mountains fully in view, and James Bratsanos shared these photos. So we are sharing them in turn while we head out to check on a few stories. Here’s his view north to Alki Point:
And more Olympics.
Looks like clear skies at least through winter’s official arrival tomorrow.
(King County Assessor’s photo of 9238 35th SW)
While townhouse-building along arterials is not unusual, the plan for 9238 35th SW [map] is: Instead of demolishing the 84-year-old single-family house on this multi-family-zoned (Lowrise 2) site, the early-stage proposal that’s just appeared in city files would move the house forward on its current lot, and build four townhouses behind it. The detached garage on the alley at the back of the site would be removed, replaced by surface parking spaces. A house two doors north of this one had two townhouses built behind it in the ’00s but as far as we can tell, the house remained in its original spot. We have a request out to the project team for comment.
(North wind met high tide along Alki Ave. this morning – photo by Don Brubeck)
Last full day of fall, and last Wednesday before Christmas … things are getting quieter but we still do have a few highlights from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
HELP SOMEBODY KEEP WARM: Still time to join in the giving opportunties listed in the Holiday Guide, including at the offices of Dave Newman State Farm Insurance (WSB sponsor), collecting clothes, coats, and shoes for West Seattle Helpline. “For those who have donations but are unable to transport their clothes, coats and shoes to the donation location, a pickup may be available – call 206-932-1878.” Open today until 5 pm. (3435 California SW)
PRESCHOOLER STORY TIME: 1:30-2 pm at High Point Library. Free as always. (3411 SW Raymond)
KIDS EAT FREE: 2:45-3:30 pm, Kids’ Café food for ages 1-18 at High Point Library, so no one goes hungry during winter break. (3411 SW Raymond)
LIGHT SHOW ON ALKI: Added presentation of the Alki show presented by the Uehara-Bingen family. 25 minutes long. Arrive at 6:15 pm, show starts at 6:30 pm. “Totally kid-friendly!” (1736 Alki SW)
OTHER LIGHT SHOWS: From our Holiday Guide – West Seattle Lights (3908 SW Charlestown) continues 5-10 pm tonight – bring a can for the West Seattle Food Bank! Also, West Seattle Yuletide (38th SW between Genesee and Dakota) continues 5:30-9 pm tonight, and Austin Street Lights (3711 SW Austin) continues tonight, 4-10 pm.
OPEN MIC: Sign up at 7:30 pm at The Skylark. Give yourself the holiday-season gift of performance! (3803 Delridge Way SW)
DEADGRASS: Bluegrass-style Jerry Garcia/Grateful Dead tunes at Parliament Tavern. 8 pm-11 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
With Christmas Day and New Year’s Day on the next two Mondays, trash, recycling, and yard-waste pickup days will change for the next two weeks. Here’s the announcement, hust in from Seattle Public Utilities:
Due to back-to-back Monday holidays, all garbage, food and yard waste and recycling in Seattle will be delayed by one day for a duration of two weeks, starting Monday, Dec. 25, 2017.
There will be no solid waste collections on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017 and Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. Collections will be delayed by one day from normal schedules (e.g. collections for Monday will occur on Tuesday, Tuesday collections will occur on Wednesday, and so on). Customers should set containers out by 7 a.m. to ensure collection.
Customers can report missed garbage, food and yard waste, or recycling collections after 5 p.m. on their rescheduled collection day by calling (206) 684-3000, or filling out a report at www.seattle.gov/util/MissedCollection.
Haven’t locked in your New Year’s Eve plans yet? We’re continuing to add to the list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, which already includes ideas from bar parties to the annual Emerald City Wanderers walk, and here’s the newest addition:
A big new venue for the “Kid Party” that jammed the Admiral Bird last year. Co-proprietors Corina and Heidi now also run historic, renovated South Park Hall, just over the ridge (1253 S. Cloverdale), and they’re moving the “Kid Party” there this year. 7-9 pm, with the East Coast ball drop on a big screen, plus a hot-cocoa bar for the kids, “adult drinks” for their chaperones, pulled-pork sliders, mac and cheese, dancing, activity tables … Tickets are available in advance online for $10/person, or $15 at the door.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in or from West Seattle so far.
In Pierce County, southbound I-5 remains closed at the train-derailment scene, WSDOT says, with cleanup continuing and repairs to be made.
7:25 AM: Still incident-free. We should mention this is the last full day of fall; winter solstice is Thursday at 8:28 am, and Thursday night brings Alice Enevoldsen‘s winter-solstice sunset watch in West Seattle.
(Photos courtesy Guias Unidos. Above, Ometepe, seen from a ferry)
By Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Near the southern border of Nicaragua lies Lake Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in Central America. Its size is formidable – the largest lake in Central America and 19th in the world. Within the lake is Ometepe [map], a peanut-shaped island that is home to around 40,000 people and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
“It’s one of those untouched places,” said Kate Zylland. “Why do we have to pick apart everything?”
She and her husband, Jeff Zylland, veteran guides, founded a nonprofit on Ometepe, Guias Unidos. She is 4,200 miles northwest right now, in West Seattle, taking care of her ailing mom. He is on Ometepe, working to ink a rental deal on a building to serve as Guias Unidos’ headquarters and resource center.
Both have other relatives in the West Seattle/White Center area. But Ometepe holds their hearts. The Zyllands first visited in 2011. They fell in love with the island because it is a place that hasn’t been destroyed. Kate said there are petroglyphs on the slopes of Maderas volcano. Not much is known about them, but the island may have been inhabited as early as 2000 BC.
The couple has led an unconventional life. Read More
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