West Seattle, Washington
10 Sunday
(2011 photo by Ellen Cedergreen)
Nearly three years ago, the family of the creators of West Seattle’s Walker Rock Garden – a hidden but world-famous backyard labor of love – announced they planned to sell it and the little house on its grounds. At one point, it had a buyer … but the sale wasn’t completed, and it went off the market. Public tours – previously offered at least a few times a year – never resumed. We get questions from time to time about its fate, and all we could say was that public records showed it was still owned by the family. Now, we discover via a tip from Deb that the property, at 5407 37th SW, is listed for sale again, this time for $549,000, up from the $392,000 asking price in early 2011. As the listing notes, it’s a double lot, more than 12,000 square feet. (See more galleries here and here.)
(Thanks to Jason Grotelueschen for the Admiral view!)
6:27 PM: After what seemed like endless days of weather alerts, some wintriness is finally arriving tonight (the reason for that ill-fated de-icing) – freezing rain/hail/sleet/graupel in areas (haven’t seen it firsthand ourselves yet – just heavy rain here over Lincoln Park). The National Weather Service has a short-term-forecast alert out, saying that what’s hitting us now is “a broad area of snow and rain showers with embedded snow pellets.” A bit later, the NWS says, “another line of snow showers will spread south … Any of these showers will leave a quick snow accumulation of one-half inch or so, enough to turn the ground white. However, air temperatures of 36 to 40 degrees will cause any snow to melt in less than one to two hours.”
(Thanks to Jackson from the Ventana Construction [sponsor] family for the Morgan Junction view!)
6:53 PM UPDATE: Looks like frozen something has suddenly hit here. Going out for a pic. Send one if you have one from your neighborhood! editor@westseattleblog.com
(From Julie in Fairmount Springs)
7:24 PM UPDATE: Adding more photos – even as what graupel/etc. we saw here can be heard melting in the gutter.
(Admiral photo – dog tracks in the ‘snow’ – by Beth Ferreira)
7:57 PM UPDATE: The “short-term forecast” has expired. We should get the National Weather Service’s newest forecast within the next hour and a half, to see what they’re projecting for overnight/morning.
8:03 PM UPDATE: Just got a call from a Gatewood resident saying power’s out in their area around 40th/Webster (map). Anyone else?
8:40 PM UPDATE: Seattle City Light told us via Twitter they’d heard from two customers, and we haven’t heard from others, so apparently a small outage. They said a crew was en route.
(Sunday photo by MARCUS YAM/The Seattle Times; republished here with permission)
3:36 PM: Though police initially quoted Victoria Clipper theft suspect Samuel McDonough as saying he had taken the boat to go to West Seattle, new court documents tell a different tale: His intended destination was actually Victoria, B.C. Bail was set today at $200,000 for McDonough, arrested aboard the Victoria Clipper IV yesterday on his 33rd birthday, in a drama at sea visible from north-facing West Seattle. As noted in our Sunday coverage, he is a registered sex offender after indecent-exposure convictions in the past few years (all from Issaquah, according to court archives we checked); today’s documents say he was supposed to be under GPS supervision – but did not have the device on.
ADDED 4:09 PM: The probable-cause document also says McDonough told police he had a close call with a state ferry while out in the bay with the $8 million boat Sunday morning. The dock is reported to have sustained some damage because he started it up and left the dock without untying it. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has until Wednesday to file charges.
(November 25th photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
The man arrested after armed robberies aboard a Metro RapidRide bus in West Seattle one week ago (WSB coverage here) is now charged with three felonies. The charges filed this afternoon against 19-year-old Trevonnte Brown are two counts of first-degree robbery, one count of attempted first-degree robbery.
Charging documents say Brown confessed to police, said he did not regret what he had done, and “confessed to being involved in multiple additional thefts and robberies over the past few years.” If you missed the story last week – police say Brown had boarded the bus downtown and then, as it got to West Seattle, started holding up passengers at gunpoint, until one passenger grabbed his gun-wielding arm and others joined in subduing him. Court documents say he told police he decided to rob people because he needed money to get his car out of impound, and that he told them he had previously committed several “snatch-and-run” robberies. Stolen iPhones, he is reported to have told police, get him about $400 on the street.
Brown, a Beacon Hill resident, remains jailed in lieu of $350,000 bail. If convicted, he faces extra time for using a gun while committing the crimes; police have said a semi-automatic handgun was found at the scene. We’re still reviewing the charging documents and will add anything else notable.
(ADDED EARLY TUESDAY: SDOT manager’s memo about how this unfolded)
(Photo added 2:23 pm, by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
12:49 PM: Thanks to the tipsters who have messaged us about at least one crash on the eastbound bridge, possibly more. Checking.
(Police blocking 35th/Fauntleroy bridge entrance)
1:04 PM: Bridge being blocked at 35th – multiple incidents, and emergency-radio traffic indicates de-icer suspected.
1:18 PM: Police at 35th/Fauntleroy tell us entire bridge is closing. Fauntleroy is closed eastbound at Avalon, and that’s causing a backup all its own – here’s the closest traffic cam (refresh for latest “live” image):
1:28 PM: Scanner confirms SDOT crews are responding to put down sand/”material” to “combat the slickness” – also to fix the jersey barrier damaged by at least one of the crashes. The slickness was noticeable on the road at 35th/Fauntleroy – we were wondering where what looked like water had come from – when we passed through, just before getting word of how serious this situation was. Radio indicates that ALL access points to the bridge are being closed – including from I-5 and from Beacon Hill (Columbian Way).
1:37 PM: As you’d expect, the low bridge is reported to be backing up too. One way to get back to West Seattle if you need to: Take 1st or 4th southbound to the 1st Avenue South Bridge, get off at the South Park entrance but head north and then west up Highland Park Way back into WS. (Added: Some people are apparently still using the westbound bridge because, according to radio traffic, the I-5 entrances haven’t or hadn’t been blocked off.)
(City crew working on bridge by Fauntleroy-approach curb; WSB reader photo)
1:48 PM: Now there’s word of a spinout on southbound 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct.
(WSB photo: Backup on 35th approaching the bridge)
2:30 PM: Roads that approach the bridge are backed up. SDOT crews are on the bridge working to combat the slickness. Buses that usually take the Viaduct/bridge are rerouted onto the low bridge until this clears. Until it’s over, leaving or heading toward West Seattle is best advised from the south side, through Highland Park. The South Park Bridge was drawn open for a while but commenters say it’s closing now.
2:40 PM UPDATE: From Rick Sheridan at SDOT:
With colder temperatures approaching, SDOT applied liquid de-icer to the high-rise bridge as a pretreatment prior to the evening commute and football game.
Due to current warm temperatures, the de-icer can create a brief period of slippery conditions, especially if vehicles are traveling above the posted speed limit.
Out of caution, SDOT is applying sand on both directions of the structure to address any traction issues. We expect the bridge will reopen by 3:00 p.m.
2:46 PM UPDATE: To our followup question regarding whether there was anything different in the formula or the amount, Sheridan replied, “Not that we are currently aware of.”
2:52 PM UPDATE: Eastbound bridge is reopening now, per scanner. And westbound opening “in a few minutes.” Here’s the “live” bridge camera:
(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
3:06 PM UPDATE: The official call just went out – westbound is reopening too.
3:53 PM UPDATE: The 99 southbound ramp to the westbound high bridge apparently has lagged in reopening – a commenter says his crash scene isn’t clear there yet. Meantime, this isn’t the only time de-icer has been blamed as a factor in crashes – via Twitter, @cooljames points out this Whidbey Island report from 2008.
4:15 PM UPDATE: Per commenters, the ramp from 99 to the bridge is now open TOO – but remember, traffic remains tougher than usual with the Seahawks game an hour and a half away.
4:38 PM UPDATE: We asked City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, the West Seattle resident who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee, if he would be looking into this. Short answer: Yes. Longer answer:
Earlier today, prior to the de-icing related accidents, I spoke to the SDOT Director about preparation for freezing weather, which is predicted tonight and through the week. Record cold weather may be on its way next week.
This should be considered a significant incident by SDOT and I have requested the Director to provide me with a report as soon as they are able to piece together what happened and why. I will let West Seattle know what I learn as soon as I receive the report.
The Director will also brief the Transportation Committee on Tuesday, December 10. The meeting begins at 9:30 AM and will be televised on the Seattle Channel.
ADDED EARLY TUESDAY: Councilmember Rasmussen forwarded e-mail he received from an SDOT manager explaining how it unfolded. Here, verbatim, is what SDOT’s Steve Pratt wrote:
Based upon all the available forecasts on hand at 8 AM today, 12-2-13, we made a
decision this morning to apply our anti-icing pretreatment to the WS High Rise, the AWV, Aurora Bridge, and a couple of other sites around Century Link Field, (bridges over ARGO, etc). We started this work around noon as the “cold snap” that was in the forecast as late as 9:23 AM from WeatherNet was calling for hail/ice in the time frame of 1-3PM. Our effort was to get ahead of any ice and or sudden temp drops such as occurred on 11-22-2010. We were also concerned about the traffic volumes headed for the MNF game which were predicted to start building around 3PM.We applied MgCl on the WS High Rise between 12-1PM. I drove the bridge westbound at 12:10PM and then returned eastbound at 12:50PM, after stopping for a quick lunch at the Chelan Café. The application was completed by the time of my return trip. I observed that the road surface appeared “wet” and that the MgCl had not “set up” yet. I accelerated the vehicle I was driving a couple of times in the eastbound lane and did not break traction. When I arrived at the Chas. St. office at 1:02PM I was informed that there had been “some accidents” in the eastbound lane. It turns out that these were in the curve above the steel company, NUCOR, about 100 ft. to 250 ft. north of the pedestrian bridge north of 35th/Fauntleroy. We immediately contacted our driver and had him stop applying any more MgCl. He had treated the Aurora Bridge (with no incident) and had treated the southbound curb lane on the AWV between the Battery St. Tunnel in the short section that is “open air” before it tucks under the northbound upper deck structure, with no incident.
Several things occurred during this incident. The deck on the W. Seattle bridge was warmer than our usual application time, (during the night for AM commutes), and the material did not “set up” as quickly as we are used to, (ten to fifteen minutes). The accidents were all in the same section, all in a downhill curve where cars naturally pick up speed. There were NO accidents in the West Bound lanes anywhere on the W. Seattle bridge or its appurtenant streets.
SPD made a decision based upon the safety of the motoring public to close the Eastbound Lanes, and then they subsequently closed the Westbound Lanes. They requested that we apply sand to the surfaces on both sets of lanes. We mobilized our folks out of the W. Seattle shop to accomplish that and the east bound lanes opened back up at 2:52PM and the west bound lanes at 3:08PM. We coordinated these activities with SPD.
The intent of this effort, the application of the MgCl, was to get ahead of the predicted cold snap to freezing temperatures by 3-5PM. The forecast was wrong.
MgCl is magnesium chloride.
On this “Cyber Monday,” remember you can still shop local even if you’re buying online. One way: Buy gifts created by West Seattleites. That includes local authors’ work! So today, a few notes from and about West Seattle writers:
NICOLE HARDY AT NEXT ‘WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE’: This Friday, 4-6 pm at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village, it’s the next edition of “Words, Writers, West Seattle,” co-presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, and Nicole Hardy is the featured author. Her memoir “Confessions of a Latter-Day Virgin” has drawn national attention. As explained in the announcement, the book “chronicles the extraordinary lengths Hardy went to in an attempt to reconcile her human needs with her spiritual life — flying across the country for dates with Mormon men, taking up salsa dancing as a source for physical contact, even moving to Grand Cayman, where the ocean and scuba diving provided some solace. But neither secular pursuits nor church guidance could help Hardy prepare for the dilemma she would eventually face: a crisis of faith that caused her to question everything she’d grown up believing.” Her “Words, Writers, West Seattle” appearance Friday is part of a continuing monthly series – scroll down this page on the SWSHS site to see who else is coming up.
‘TALES OF THE FOUNTAIN PEN’ AND … West Seattle author E. Lynn Hooghiemstra shares two notes – first, publication of her historical-fiction World War II novella “Tales from the Fountain Pen.” She says, “The book was inspired by stories from family members who went through WWII and the occupation of the Netherlands. Each story has been built around an element of truth.” She adds, “Though not written specifically for teens, they are finding the book of interest and I would like to take it into high schools to talk to teens about WWII from the perspective of those who had to live with the uncertainty during an occupation.” Also, Hooghiemstra has a story in a murder-mystery-science-fiction anthology “Moon Shot.”
‘SINCE I LAST SAW YOU’: West Seattle author Alice Ann Kuder has published an e-book that comes with its own soundtrack. 
“Since I Last Saw You” is a novel telling the story of Ali Berg, who, Kuder explains, loses her husband and child and “struggles to make sense of the loss, and her anger —and to find meaning in her own life again. Her search for answers takes her on a ten-month, cross-country road trip to reconnect with relatives, friends and mentors. She personally delivers a hand-written letter to each one, reminiscing and thanking them for the role they played in shaping her life.” Its settings include the Pacific Northwest as well as cross-country destinations. The soundtrack includes four original songs by another local Shari Kruse. You can find out more, and buy the book, via its own website, SinceILastSawYou.com.
SPEAKING OF COPING WITH GRIEF … Longtime West Seattleite Shirley Enebrad (now Honolulu-based) is out with “Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief; 100 Lessons to Help You and Your Loved Ones Deal with Loss,” described in the announcement as providing “practical lessons on coping with loss and overcoming grief. … Enebrad became a certified grief and loss counselor after her young son, Cory, died from cancer. That experience and how she coped, taught Enebrad how vital it is to acknowledge one’s grief, and inspired her to work with others who have been touched by loss.” She says, “I want people to know they are not alone. There is no time limit on grief, and most importantly, grieving is not a mental illness.” Enebrad told her son’s story in “Over the Rainbow Bridge: My Son’s Journey from Here to Heaven” in 2009. Both of her books are available via ShirleyEnebrad.com
IN THE MARKET? With the real-estate market continuing to sizzle, West Seattle author Jane Hodges reminded us recently that her book “Rent vs. Own?” is on the market. Could make an excellent gift for someone making the decision. Find out more about it – and Hodges’ other work – on her website.
WEST SEATTLE POET PUBLISHED IN UK MAGAZINE: Award-winning local poet Jason Kirk sends word that a new work of his has just been published in the UK arts journal Synaesthesia Magazine. He says, “The haiku — set into an original illustration by UK artist Leigh Padley — occupies a two-page spread (pp. 52-53) in the magazine’s November ‘Science & Numbers’ issue. The magazine — optimized for display on both desktop and mobile devices — is available to read online today.” Kirk is also the author of e-books “The Other Whites in South Africa” and “Reverb: Poems.”
Previous WSB coverage of local authors and literary events is archived here, newest to oldest.
(Photo by Don Brubeck, from the bike trail)
Happy Monday! Such a beautiful day already that, thanks to WSB readers, we have two “beauty shots” with which to start the daily preview … both from this morning.
(Photo by Chris Kanit Cottrell, from the West Seattle Water Taxi)
And now, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Events/Info Guide, highlights for today/tonight:
OPEN HOUSE WEEK AT AAA: Holiday Open House week today (and daily through Friday) at AAA Washington‘s West Seattle office (WSB sponsor), 9 am-6 pm, in Jefferson Square. 15 percent off all travel-store merchandise! (4734 42nd SW)
‘CYBER MONDAY’ FREEBIE AT HOTWIRE: Free computer usage all day at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) – business-class speed! – in honor of “Cyber Monday.” (4410 California SW)
6TH NIGHT OF HANUKKAH: The Jewish Festival of Lights begins its sixth of eight nights tonight at sunset, which (per the WSB Weather page) is at 4:19 pm.
(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
FINAL NIGHT AT THE OLD ‘BRIDGE‘: The photo above is from Sunday afternoon, when 100+ people gathered outside The Bridge at 35th/Avalon for a photo memory before, as the signboard behind them says, it’s on to California/Graham. They’re open tonight at the original location for one last night, featuring Monday Night Football with the sound up, then closed for the move to the newly renovated space. (4439 35th SW)
NEW SERIES OF KARATE CLASSES: Alki Community Center presents another series of beginners’ karate classes, ages 7 and up, Mondays-Wednesdays, 6 pm tonight. Call the center to ask about registration; the number and other details are in our calendar listing. (5817 SW Stevens)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Branch Library. (35th/Raymond)
SHOPPING FOR A TREE? A lineup of local tree lots is one of the lists you’ll find in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide, including West Seattle and White Center.
(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Will we have weather wildness? Won’t know until we see it (or don’t see it), but here are some things we do know, as the week begins:
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL AT THE CLINK TONIGHT: Be mindful of the traffic ramifications. Game time for the Seahawks and Saints: 5:40 pm.
NO MORE DELRIDGE DETOUR: Thanks to a tip, we reported Friday that Delridge Way SW is now fully reopened, after what appears to have been an early end to the bulk of the final and southernmost phase of the almost-year-long paving project.
26TH SW TEMPORARILY NARROWED: South of SW Genesee, 26th SW is temporarily home to about a dozen big white-covered modules that will be turned into townhouses nearby this week, so drive carefully if you use that stretch. Here’s our report from Saturday; at last report, the work was penciled in for Tuesday/Wednesday.
METRO MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT: No transportation-funding solution yet, so Metro continues to proceed as if it will have to make those dramatic service cuts outlined last month. Find out and speak out about them at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center tomorrow (Tuesday, December 3rd) night, 6-8 pm.
HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE NEXT WEEKEND, NORTH OF BATTERY ST. TUNNEL: Early heads-up – midnight Friday night until 5 am Monday morning, Highway 99 will be closed from the Battery Street Tunnel northward to Valley Street “while crews switch the roadway from the west side of the street to the east side of the street.”
BICYCLE MASTER PLAN UPDATED: In case you haven’t seen it yet – the final proposed updated version is out, and will be aired at a round of meetings starting this week. Your comments are invited too. SDOT explains, here.
Check back for today’s traffic updates, as/when needed!
**MONDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: For full coverage of this afternoon’s de-icer debacle, which closed the bridge for two hours, go here.**
Could it be a preview of things to come sometime this winter – maybe even later in the week? “Snowfall” graced the holiday wonderland known as the Menashe Family Lights on their first official night of the season. It’s a new feature this season, according to Josh Menashe; if it’s on, you’ll see the flakes flying from the south side of the front yard. Walking by is the best way to get a close look at so many of the megabright display’s features including the bear:
(This photo and the next four are by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Look closely between the lights for an unlit decoration – the St. Nick statue:
And look up to see the many stars … including these, on the south side of the house:
Look toward the house to see these nutcrackers standing watch by the front door:
Here’s an opening-night-only scene – Menashe family members posing for group photos under the lights – at center, your hosts for the light show, Linda and Jack Menashe:
Last but not least, a step back to see the show in all its splendor, thanks to Jeff Pond of JP Images:
You can see the Menashe Family Lights at 5605 Beach Drive SW (map) nightly.
(Photo by Sassy B, taken from Constellation Park)
The curtain has fallen on a windy day – fun for some, like the kiteboarder shown above, and challenging for others; some vendors at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market went without tents/canopies for fear the canvas tops would take wing and fly away, and a few almost did. So what now? The National Weather Service revised its “special weather statement” alert this afternoon, saying that much-colder air is finally on its way in tonight. Snow? Maybe a little, on the higher hills, the NWS says, but just maybe, in flurry/shower mode tomorrow. But the big point they’re emphasizing is that it’s going to be cold all week.
(Photo courtesy Suyama Peterson Deguchi)
Congratulations to another West Seattleite who recently won a national award: Architect George Suyama, FAIA, honored with the American Institute of Architects magazine Residential Architect‘s Hall of Fame Award, which put him on the cover this fall.
Suyama is a Fauntleroy resident who is principal of Belltown-headquartered Suyama Peterson Deguchi; since he is based downtown, we might have missed news of the award if not for a tip from a WSB reader. The magazine profile (see the online version here, the digitized magazine here) describes him as “known for tranquil houses that blend seamlessly with nature and the land” and details a life story that began with infancy and toddlerhood in the Minidoka internment camp. Suyama opened his architecture practice 42 years ago. In addition to winning myriad awards leading up to being chosen for the Hall of Fame – as detailed in the official announcement – he also has served the community in ways including membership on the Seattle Arts Commission.
11:31 AM: Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales just sent word of a dozen or so orcas southbound between south Bainbridge and Me Kwa Mooks.
12:01 PM: With today’s wind, seas are choppy, so it wasn’t ideal viewing conditions when we took a look shortly after Jeff’s report. Bundle up and bring good binoculars if you go.
2:03 PM: Newest report on the Orca Network’s Facebook page, from about half an hour ago, mentions a sighting off Vashon in this vicinity – so looks like they’re south of West Seattle now, but that means potential return sightings later.
(WSB photo, added 12:24 pm)
10:32 AM: In today’s West Seattle Sunday preview, we promised an update if blustery weather changed the plan for the Junction Hometown Holidays Santa Workshop. Here’s our first update, just in from Junction Association executive director Susan Melrose:
We have a very windy day in West Seattle, and unfortunately this will have a negative impact on Santa’s Workshop. But we’ll make do! Please be prepared for a change in plans!
The plan was to set up several tents to create a Santa photo booth and craft activities. We have serious concerns that the tents may flip in the wind gusts and create a safety hazard for families. As a result, we decided to cancel the “workshop” and we intend to create a simple Santa photo set without tents. Donna will be photographing kids in a windy open park setting as long the rains hold out.
If rain does start, we’ll move Santa to City Mouse Store for a meet and greet and you’re welcome to snap your own photos. There would be no room for photography. The weather forecast predicts a bit of rain at 11 am and then just cloudy. Wind all day.
The safety of neighborhood families was the sole reason for this change. The weather is unpredictable today, and tents can also have unpredictable behavior. We need to err on the side of safety. So sorry for the changes. But if it’s not raining, come on down for wind-filled visit and photo with Santa!
City Mouse is two doors west of the park, at 4218 SW Alaska. We’re Junction-bound shortly and will add updates/photos here as the event proceeds.
12:24 PM: Just added a photo. As Susan wrote, it’s “wind-filled,” but families (and Santa, and photographer Donna) are braving it. Hasn’t rained so far. Ultimately, it’s all good news for beneficiary WestSide Baby AND for a unique Santa-photo memory, to say the least. If you miss this one, all the Santa-photo venues we know of for this season are listed in their own section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Event and Info Guide.
1:37 PM: Via a comment below, the Junction Association says they’ve now gone to Plan B – meet-and-greet with Santa inside City Mouse – until 3 pm. $1200 raised for WestSide Baby already!
9:41 AM: If you have a view across Elliott Bay from West Seattle, you might have noticed emergency vessels around one of the Victoria Clipper boats – Carolyn Newman shared the photo, and we received a call from Louise in North Admiral. Seattle Police tweeted, “Report of a suspicious person aboard the otherwise unoccupied Victoria Clipper. Coast Guard has called in our Bomb Squad.” In addition to being unoccupied, the boat is also unmoored. It’s just off the downtown waterfront, but again, in case you noticed the activity from here, that’s what’s up.
9:51 AM: According to tracking information displaying on MarineTraffic.com, the specific boat involved is Victoria Clipper IV.
10:26 AM: Update from SPD: “Officers are in contact with the man on the Victoria Clipper and are still working to resolve the situation.”
10:36 AM: Suspect in custody, SPD tweets:
Suspect in Elliott Bay incident taken into custody aboard the Victoria Clipper.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) December 1, 2013
11:55 AM: According to the SPD Blotter account of the Clipper-commandeering incident, the suspect claims he wanted to take it to West Seattle!
…The boat was discovered 300 yards out from Pier 69 on the Seattle waterfront around 7 AM, and it first appeared the Clipper ship was adrift.
However, when a tugboat went to retrieve the boat, they discovered there was a man on board and contacted the Coast Guard and police. SPD’s SWAT, patrol and Arson Bomb Squad responded to Elliott Bay along with Port of Seattle police and US Coast Guard boat and helicopter teams.
Police negotiators contacted the man on the ship and, eventually, a tactical team boarded the vessel and arrested the suspect. The man told police he had planned to take the boat to West Seattle.
The suspect will be booked into the King County Jail for yet-to-be-determined charges (piracy or grand theft vessel) and the boat will be towed back to port.
Closest photos we’ve seen are from KIRO TV, which called in its chopper.
1:39 PM: The president of the Victoria Clipper’s parent company told the Victoria Times-Colonist he was in his waterfront office when he saw the boat take off, unscheduled. Read the interview here.
7:10 PM: The man arrested by police has a long record, according to what we’re finding; today is his 33rd birthday. He is a registered sex offender named Samuel McDonough, address listed as Pike/Broadway (Capitol Hill); his most recent sexually motivated crime, records show, involved indecent exposure outside a coffee stand in Issaquah last year. We’re still checking publicly available records to look for any West Seattle links. His page (with photo) on the sex-offender registry is here.
(Black turnstone, photographed last week by Mark Wangerin)
Blustery start to the weekend’s end. From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide and our regular year-round calendar:
ST. JOHN’S ARTS/CRAFTS FAIR: One of two gift fairs in West Seattle today – shop from local artisans 9 am-1 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church Hall; details here. (California/Hanford)
DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR: It’s the final day of the three-day gift fair featuring the work of Native arts/crafts creators at the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle, 10 am-4:30 pm; details here. Here’s our report from a Friday visit. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Yes, even on holiday weekends, the Farmers’ Market is there 10 am-2 pm Sundays. (44th/Alaska)
SANTA PHOTOS AND MORE IN THE JUNCTION: As previewed here last week, today is the one and only day that West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) is offering a chance for professional Santa photos; Junction Plaza Park is scheduled to become Santa’s Workshop, 11 am-3 pm, with Donna Ryan photographing Santa and kids for a suggested $15 donation to charity, plus activities for all visitors. If there are any changes because of the blustery weather, we’ll update here, as we plan to be in The Junction checking things out in advance. (42nd/Alaska) **SEE 10:36 AM UPDATE HERE**
WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: Got a UK-style recipe? Make it and bring the results to today’s 3 pm meetup of the West Seattle Cooking Club at Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction. (6419 California SW)
‘LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL’: First matinee for the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) holiday-season production of the classic story, 3 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)
‘EPIC PHOTO’ AT THE BRIDGE: Today is the day that, before The Bridge closes its original location (tomorrow is the final night), they invite patrons past and present to come join in an “epic” group photo under the readerboard, 3 pm. (35th just south of Avalon)
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: 4 pm at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood, the Rose City Mixed Quartet performs holiday music both sacred and secular. All welcome; no admission charge. (39th/Thistle)
MENASHE FAMILY LIGHTS: First official night, starting at 5 pm, for West Seattle’s most-aglow home, as previewed here. (5605 Beach Drive SW)
And outside West Seattle …
POINT ROBINSON LIGHTHOUSE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: We hear now and then from groups on Vashon/Maury Islands who want to let you know what’s going on right across the water. That includes an invitation to today’s noon-4 pm Holiday Open House event at Point Robinson Lighthouse; details/map here.
The song list for West Seattle’s biggest synched-to-music Christmas-lights show, West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular, always includes fun as well as tradition – and our first clip from tonight’s lighting ceremony qualifies. It’s “What Does the Hawk Say?”, the Bob Rivers Show takeoff on Ylvis‘s international megahit “What Does the Fox Say?”
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Before that and other light-show songs, tonight’s event began with caroling, and then the announcement of the name of the new “emcee” – “Sir Charles” the light-up snowman. Two people suggested “Charles” (as in Charlestown, the street the show is on) in the summertime naming contest, including Tim VanLiew, whose name was drawn by WSL creator Jim Winder for the honor of pushing the button tonight.
In that photo, Jim’s on the right, Tim’s on the left, holding his baby daughter Lucy, who helped with the button-pushing. The first song was sung live by Jim’s own daughter, Julie:
West Seattle Lights isn’t just a 32,673-light labor of love for family and friends – the Helmstetlers are the family who live in the house, and Jim is a longtime friend who makes the show happen every year – it’s also, with your help, a community fundraiser and foodraiser:
That’s the West Seattle Food Bank donation bin you’ll find out front; last year alone, more than half a ton of food was donated by WS Lights visitors. You can also donate money to the show’s designated charities, WS Food Bank and Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, on this page of the official website. It all goes to charity, Jim points out – the time and money it takes to put on the show is 100 percent donated.
See the schedule here; get directions here.
6:24 PM: The outlook for the next few days keeps evolving – as does the content of the “special weather statement” alert from the National Weather Service. Now, it looks like:
-Very rainy, starting tonight
-Much colder by Monday, with lows in the mid-teens/20s much of next week
-Snow? Maybe a little … and then, the long-range outlook suggests, a chance again toward week’s end
P.S. Here’s Cliff Mass‘s take on it all.
8:28 AM SUNDAY: No special advisories added for this morning’s wind, but the newest forecast warns it could gust up to 40 mph.
You might THINK you’ve already seen this year’s edition of the Menashe family’s legendary Christmas lights if you have driven by this past week or so, but everything up until now has been a partial test. We took that photo last night; tonight, we stopped by late in the day, and they were still out working on it. Tomorrow, we’re told, is when the Menashes expect to officially throw the switch on the finished 2013 edition of the display, around 5 pm. 5605 Beach Drive SW (map) if you don’t already know it by heart.
3:26 PM: Emergency crews are rushing to the 9700 block of 33rd SW (map). It’s an “assault with weapons” call per 911 log.
3:31 PM: Most of the units are being called off, per scanner. Our crew is still on the way to seek details at the scene.
3:38 PM: Whatever this was, radio traffic indicates no serious injuries. Police are talking to at least two people. Our crew is awaiting a chance to get info.
3:43 PM: Police say two roommates got into a fight; one accused the other of stabbing him. They’ve confirmed, no serious injuries. A private ambulance has arrived. Noisy scene because pets at the home were audibly agitated, including a dog and a goose.
Almost looks like a circus or carnival coming to town in North Delridge, with semitrucks delivering big white “boxes” to the east side of 26th SW south of SW Genesee, along the west side of Delridge Community Center/Playfield/Park. It’s actually staging for a development project nearby:
What’s being delivered today is scheduled to be craned onto that site at 2816 SW Genesee next week, as part of a project installing three prefab modular townhouses. We received a news release about the impending installation (read it here in its entirety), but it didn’t mention the staging zone, so it was in queue for the next WSB roundup of development updates, accelerated now because of this!
In addition to the dozen or so modules that the trucking crew say they’re bringing from the Ferndale factory to the staging zone along 26th SW, the project also will involve intermittent closures on SW Genesee during installation, which the developers told us is currently expected to happen Tuesday and Wednesday, depending on the weather. (Added: Map with “A” marking the construction site – the staging zone outside the park is on the lower right)
The company putting in the modular townhouses is called Method Homes. Company spokesperson Courtney Peterson told us via e-mail, “The homes will be installed in 12 pieces over 2 days … The project was built to near-completion in our factory, complete with windows, floors, kitchens, baths, and appliances.”
Once the modules are installed, the official news release says, finishing touches will follow: “On site work will involve joining the modules at the seams, utility connections, and installing remaining siding, which typically takes 6 to 8 weeks.” The townhouses are described as:
Designed by Method’s architect partner Chris Pardo Design: Elemental Architecture, each 1,630 square foot, 4-Star Built Green home is 3 levels with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, an attached garage, and rooftop deck.
Two of the units have a shared wall and the third is a stand-alone unit. All of the townhomes share a parking court. … The townhomes were developed by RITCS Holdings, Inc. and are being listed through Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (formerly Prudential Northwest Realty) starting at $450,000.
The city project page for this site is here.
Side note: A different company installed a prefab standalone house in Admiral last July.
North to south, you’ll find shopping specials at many independent local businesses today. But don’t just make it a one-day thing, because all season long:
The WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide includes a standing invitation for local businesses to let us know about their shopping events – open houses throughout the season, as well as this special day. Here’s what we’ve received word of for today, north to south – lots more out there, we’re sure, so if YOUR West Seattle business has something special going today, please let us know ASAP!
ADMIRAL DISTRICT
Various Admiral merchants: On behalf of his shop and fellow merchants in The Admiral District, Stu Hennessey (photo above) from Alki Bike and Board sent this roundup for today:
A variety of offers and events are happening, like West Seattle Fabric Co.‘s (2210 California SW) effort to bring the holidays back home with discounts on fabric bundles, make-and-take sewing demos, and a discount on sewing kits. They are also offering a 5% discount for nonperishable food donations. The B-Full Salon (2609 California SW) is offering gift certificates for a variety of relaxation services at 20% off.
The Atomic Boys retro toy store (4311 SW Admiral Way; proprietors Parris and Kent Sadow, photo above) is covering the tax on every purchase as well as giving away their tote bags (while supplies last) with a $50 or more purchase. Alki Bike and Board (2606 California SW) has a variety of products on discount and will be serving healthy refreshments during the day. Stop in to warm up with some hot drinks. Speaking of drinks, The Cask (2350 California SW) is offering $4 draft drinks all day.
Other businesses are signed up for the big day including Mind Unwind art gallery (photo above).
BETWEEN ADMIRAL AND ALASKA JUNCTIONS
White Crane Wellness: Massage gift certificates on sale noon-4 pm; handmade wreaths on sale to benefit Pathfinder K-8 environmental-education programs. Free mugs, coffee, tea, cookies. (3435 California SW)
Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor): Anniversary sale, as detailed here. (3916 California SW)
THE JUNCTION
(Firefly proprietor Charell Estby; WSB photo taken today)
Firefly Café and Creperie: Firefly is celebrating its first anniversary! $1 for 8 or 12 oz lattes all day, free drip coffee, free apple cider with tangerine ginger for the kids, balloon artist 10 am-noon. (NE corner of California/Genesee)
(West Seattle Cyclery proprietor Brad Loetel; WSB photo taken today)
West Seattle Cyclery (WSB sponsor): Sale today – everything is 25% off, and 2013 closeout bikes are an additional 10% off. (4508 California SW)
(Fleurt’s holiday decor; WSB photo taken today)
Fleurt (WSB sponsor): Make a purchase between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm today and get a rose! (4536 California SW)
(WSB photo: Click! early this afternoon)
Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor): Sale/trunk show/launch for Sarah Loertscher Jewelry; details here.(4540 California SW)
BETWEEN ALASKA AND MORGAN JUNCTIONS
M3 Bodyworks (WSB sponsor): One-day sale – gift-certificate deals! Buy online here. (5236 California SW)
(added) Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor): Until 2 pm, retail deals, listed here. (5619 California SW)
MORGAN JUNCTION
Second Gear Sports: From Second Gear Sports: Extended hours, free coffee and treats, $5 off a $25 purchase and $15 off $75 or more. Seahawks-themed gift items, among other things. (6529 California SW)
ALSO TODAY
Duwamish Longhouse Native Gift Fair: Day 2 of vendors offering Native-created crafts, art, jewelry, clothing, and more at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle, until 4:30 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
(Great blue heron photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Happy Saturday! Today’s preview is in two parts; since this is a big day for holiday-gift shopping at local independent businesses, we’re breaking that out separately next, following this list of non-shopping highlights:
BASKETBALL JAMBOREE: As previewed here (with schedule), it’s a big day of high-school basketball in the gyms on the adjacent campuses of Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School, noon-~8 pm. Sealth is at 2600 SW Thistle; Denny is at 2601 SW Kenyon.
KITTY HARBOR: Just a few weekends left this year at West Seattle’s cat/kitten adoption center north of the bridge – if you can offer a forever home as your gift this holiday, check ’em out, noon-6 pm. (3422 Harbor SW)
WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS/HELMSTETLER FAMILY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR: The peninsula’s brightest music-synched light show officially launches its season with a lighting ceremony at 7 pm. This year’s new features include a talking-snowman emcee, whose name will be revealed during the ceremony; more info in this preview. No admission charge but bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank! And note that the 3900 block of SW Charlestown will be closed for the event – the only time of the season that you can watch in the street; otherwise, viewing areas are from the sidewalk or in/on a parked vehicle. (3908 SW Charlestown)
‘LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL’: Night 2 for the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) holiday-season production of the classic story, 7:30 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)
NIGHTTIME LOW-TIDE WALK: The Seattle Aquarium beach-naturalist program presents a guided nighttime low-tide walk, 7:30 pm – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC: Various venues, as you’ll see on the calendar, including: Vocalist Travis Bracht @ Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) tonight at 9:30 pm, in a show that’s being recorded by local filmmaker Jamie Chamberlin for a live DVD. (6451 California SW)
As holiday-shopping season began around West Seattle on Friday, this was the most unique scene we came across — Santa Claus rocking out, guitar and all. The jolly ol’ soul was outside a one-of-a-kind West Seattle business, Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor), where this weekend marks the first anniversary of proprietor Frank Gross‘s bricks-and-mortar storefront:
Today is the second day of Thunder Road’s three-day anniversary sale – details in our calendar listing. The shop at 3916 California SW is open today 10 am-6:30 pm.
SIDE NOTE: Find other businesses’ special deals for today in the WSB Holiday Guide and our forthcoming West Seattle Saturday highlights.
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