West Seattle, Washington
11 Monday
Small independent local businesses serve their community in ways beyond simply offering goods and services, and here’s one: Diana Palmer sent the photo taken earlier this week at Menashe and Sons Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, explaining that the Girl Scouts are Lafayette Elementary students, “led by 5th graders Payton Palmer and Gwen Tomlinson, earning their ‘jewelry badge’ Being handed out by store owner Jack Menashe.” She says he answered their questions, and “sent them home with a goodie bag including their very own real garnet,” explaining that it’s January’s birthstone. (P.S. We were curious so we looked it up – here’s a chart of Girl Scout badges/awards.)
11:12 AM: Thanks to James for the photo – off West Seattle, those sailboats are part of the first race of the year, the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race. They started in Des Moines, then were heading to Duwamish Head, Blakely Rock, and back to Des Moines.
ADDED 1:12 PM: Thanks to Jim Borrow for sending the next two photos:
This race is part of the Southern Sound Series.
(Transient orca T124A2, seen from Harbor Ave last Tuesday, photographed by Eilene Hutchinson)
Options for your Saturday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BE PILATES OPEN HOUSE: Everyone’s welcome to check out Be Pilates‘ new home, 8 am-1 pm. (4435 35th SW)
PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 9 am-11 am, visit Admiral Cooperative Preschool, housed at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), to learn about the program. (3940 41st SW)
INTRODUCTION TO ZEN: Free event, 10-11:30 am at Fauntleroy Church, full details here. (9140 California SW)
MARTIAL-ARTS GRAND OPENING: Au Lac Vovinam will be offering classes at the West Seattle VFW Hall, and at noon today, you’re invited to visit for the grand-opening event, including demonstrations and food, (3601 SW Alaska)
‘STRONGER THAN MEDICINE’ SCREENING: 7 pm at Kenyon Hall, “a story of leadership and community showing up for the common good.” Free. but guarantee your seat here. (7904 35th SW)
DANNY & CARLA COLEMAN: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor): “Their collaborative musical style has been termed “ethereal Americana”—fusing elements of folk, jazz, rock, blues, and classical music.” No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE BANDS: It’s an all-WS slate at The Skylark at 7 pm – Final Body, Secret Caves, Slayanne, Mercury. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
JOHN STEPHAN BAND: 9 pm at Poggie Tavern, blues/rock. No cover. 21+. (4717 California SW)
Got news? Our 24-hour hotline is 206-293-6302, text or voice!
1:56 AM: Lots of reports of flickers (or slightly longer), in various West Seattle areas. So far we haven’t heard o anyone whose power went out and stayed out, and there’s nothing on the map, but apparently there was a related transformer problem in the 26th/Juneau area.
ADDED 12:32 PM: Thanks to K for the security-camera views of the flashes some noted at the time:
Those cameras are in the Westwood/east Highland Park area.
This month’s 34th District Democrats meeting featured a panel discussion spotlighting hate crimes in our state. The discussion was introduced by the 34th DDs’ state committeeman Chris Porter, who explained that the escalating problem of hate crimes has long bothered him. We might be “in denial about how at-our-front-doors this is,” Porter explained. Last year, he said, SPD data showed a record number of hate crimes reported in the city. He added that he “was horrified” to find that the state where he’s lived for 15 years is #4 in the nation for hate crimes. (Video note: His introduction, slowed by a bit of technical trouble, goes to 17:30, and then the panel discussion begins.) Participants, screen left to right, were Ximena Velázquez-Arenas from the state Attorney General’s Office and Monisha Harrell from Equal Rights Washington. They covered many facets of the problem, including trends and why these crimes too often go unreported. Here’s how to report hate crimes in Seattle.
The 34th District Democrats meet 2nd Wednesdays most months, 6:30 pm socializing and 7 pm meeting, at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Watch 34dems.org for information between meetings.
Family and friends will gather Wednesday to remember Phyllis Jean Emmick. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:
PHYLLIS JEAN (ROUSH) EMMICK, 1930-2020
Beloved Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Phyllis Jean (Roush) Emmick passed away after a stroke on January 1st, 2020.
Phyllis was born in Atwater, Minnesota on Wednesday, March 26th, 1930 to Floyd Laverne Roush & Edith Clara (O’Hair) Roush. During WWII, the family sold the farm in Minnesota and moved to Prosser, WA. After a few years in Prosser, the Roushes moved to Burien, WA.
Phyllis met a young sailor, Franklin Robert “Bud” Emmick, through her Uncle Chet, who also served with Frank on the USS Pennsylvania. In 1947, Frank & Phyllis were married at her parents’ home in Burien. In 1948, their first son, Gary Lynn Emmick, was born. In 1953, their second son, Craig Alan Emmick, was born. Phyllis was proud of her job as a Unit Secretary at Providence Hospital in Seattle (5-South). During their retirement, they traveled extensively to Roush Family Reunions, USS ‘Pennsy’ Reunions while visiting many states, friends & family.
Phyllis was proud to live independently until the end. In 2010, her beloved Frank passed away. Frank was buried at Tahoma National Cemetery. Phyllis will be interred with him.
Phyllis is survived by her son Craig (Gayle), grandchildren Robert, Brian, Terry, Floyd, Matthew, & Michael (Desirée). Also survived by great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; brothers Wayne (Ellie) and Jim (Doris). Preceded in death by her parents Floyd & Edith, brother Dwight Roush, and son Gary Emmick. Phyllis loved her many family & friends in New York and Minnesota and her many caregivers.
Remembrances suggested to a charity of your choice.
Viewing will be Wednesday, Jan. 15th 2020 from 10 am to 12 pm at Cady Chapel (8418 S. 222nd St., Kent). Graveside Service immediately following at 1:15 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery – Kent
Share your condolences & memories of Phyllis with our Family & Friends by visiting her memorial page at EmmickFunerals.com/notices/Phyllis-Emmick
Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
6:40 PM: Thanks for the tips. We just went over to confirm that West Seattle’s Whole Foods Market (WSB sponsor) is closed because of a power outage. The rest of The Whittaker and its businesses appear to still have power, however, and this outage is not on the City Light map, so we’re trying to find out what happened.
7:28 PM: Just called the store to check on the outage’s status and they told us the power was just restored and they’re reopening. Closing time will be 9 pm as usual.
The National Weather Service says we haven’t had a daytime high below 30 degrees since 2014, and haven’t had two consecutive daily highs below 30 degrees since 2010, but both could happen next week. The NWS’s updated Special Weather Statement and forecast say the big chill starts arriving Sunday night – Tuesday and Wednesday are the days expected to have the lowest lows.
Looking ahead to the weekend – you’re invited to an open house tomorrow afternoon. Au Lac Vovinam is starting martial-arts classes at the West Seattle VFW Hall in The Triangle and is inviting people to stop by, starting at noon. The VFW Hall is at 3601 SW Alaska. Classes are open to ages 7+.
The wind’s suddenly kicked up again and a tree has fallen on the downhill side of Admiral Way near City View. According to radio communication, bystanders were working to move the tree out of the road; police have arrived and are calling for SDOT to come clean up remaining “debris.”
Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:
HOME-INVASION ROBBERY: A 60-year-old man was taken to the hospital after a home-invasion robbery around 2:45 am in the 6500 block of 24th SW. The full report narrative is not yet available but police tell us two armed men were reported to have broken into the house and assaulted two residents, including the one who had to go to the hospital. No arrests yet, nor is description information available, but robbery detectives are investigating.
CHILDREN APPROACHED: This happened Tuesday, according to the latest weekly newsletter to families from Arbor Heights Elementary principal Christy Collins, forwarded to us by a parent (thank you!):
I want to take this opportunity to let you know we are working with the Seattle Police Department to ensure our students are taught about personal safety and highlight an incident that occurred Tuesday after school where three of our students responded successfully to a stranger-situation.
Around 2:40 p.m., three of our students reported to their parents that a male and female in their early 20s, driving an older, green Toyota sedan, tried to engage them in conversation as they walked home from school. They offered the students a ride home. The students responded appropriately and remained safe. Police were notified by the student’s parents, and as of today, the Seattle Police Department is continuing to gather additional information and working closely with the District’s Safety and Security Department. Although in this incident the offer was for a ride, there was not a physical attempt to get the students in the car. We wanted to make sure parents are alerted.
The newsletter includes this link to SPD advice for children’s safety.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“We made it to a new decade,” declared David Hancock, opening this year’s first meeting of the District 1 Community Network.
He’s the president of the Admiral Neighborhood Association and served as this meeting’s facilitator – D1CN rotates who leads each meeting. The group is a relatively new coalition of reps from groups and organizations throughout West Seattle and South Park, open to unaffiliated community members too; more than two dozen people showed up for this meeting, held at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.
Participants were asked, in around-the-table intros, to mention a New Year’s goal. Hancock started with “Increase participation to bring in more voices.” D1CN is working on that, as evidenced by two agenda items:
That’s the “car fire” call on the SFD log – a Metro bus at 61st/Alki. The photo is from Kersti Muul, who says it’s “smoky” but as you can see in the photo, no sign of flames, and the fire engine is leaving.
You probably won’t see it tonight, but the then-almost-full moon was gloriously visible for a while last night – thanks to Christine Tweedy for the view above, Dan Ciske for the view below.
Now, your Friday highlights:
BINGO! Senior Center of West Seattle welcomes everyone 21+ to weekly bingo, starting at 11 am. (4217 SW Oregon)
SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE: Just once a month at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), and tonight’s the night! No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
ART LOUNGE: Project to work on? Bring it to Highland Park Improvement Club for the monthly Art Lounge, good space, good people. Beverages available. 21+. (1116 SW Holden)
TOM WILSON: Singer-songwriter live at the Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 8 pm. Cover info here. (2808 Alki SW)
AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, Dogstrum with Kid Leather & Sam Humans. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
EVENING BEACH WALK: 8:30-10:30 pm – with a late-night low-low tide, drop in for this family-friendly exploration at Constellation Park. (63rd SW/Beach Drive)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … via our complete calendar.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:33 AM: Good morning! SDOT reported a crash on the Delridge ramp to the eastbound bridge at the top of the hour, but no word yet if that has cleared.
WEATHER ALERT: Early this morning, the National Weather Service issued this Special Weather Statement warning of cold weather starting Sunday, possibly bringing along snow.
8:58 AM: View from Joseph, as bicycle commuters wait under the high bridge while awaiting the low bridge reopening:
(WSB photo, New Year’s Day)
The man accused of attacking another man who tried to stop him from assaulting a woman in The Juncton is now charged. We first reported on the incident New Year’s Day. 39-year-old James M.Johns is charged with second-degree assault, his bail upped to $150,000. Charging documents say Johns has 10 felony convictions in 20 years, including burglary and possession of a stolen car, and 10 misdemeanors, including two DUIs. The original call on New Year’s Day reported a man beating a woman who was on the ground at California/Edmunds; they had left before police arrived but witnesses pointed their car and police stopped it. Meantime, they found the victim, who told police he had been walking from the grocery store with his wife and two children when he saw Johns beating the woman. As a third man, who apparently knew Johns, tried to break it up, the victim told Johns to leave the woman alone – and then, court documents say, Johns punched him in the face, hard enough to break a bone. As for the woman who had been attacked, police say she denied having been assaulted, and that as they took Johns away, he gave that woman his PIN number so she could get money to bail him out. The jail register shows he got out on bond after one day when his bail was set at $10,000, but when the charge was filed Monday, it was raised to $150,000 this past Monday, and the register shows he’s been back in custody since then. His arraignment is set for January 16th.
(Photo by Kersti Muul, last week at Constellation Park)
The most-recent California sea lion to wash up dead in West Seattle had indeed been shot. That’s the update we received tonight from Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:
Seal Sitters just received results from the radiographs taken of our most recent dead California sea lion, towed from Constellation Park to Don Armeni boat launch for necropsy on the 3rd. This is the sea lion that had originally washed ashore on a private beach further south on Christmas Day.
The X-rays confirm that the animal was shot in the head. Projectiles will be removed from the skull and turned over as evidence to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.
The most current Fall/Winter statistics to date of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) confirmed shot dead in Central and South Puget Sound now stand at 9. An additional 4 deaths are suspicious, but cause was not confirmed.
For more info, go here.
As always, please report all marine mammals on shore, live or dead, to Seal Sitters’ hotline @ 206-905-SEAL (7325).
A year earlier, at least a dozen shot sea lions were found in central Puget Sound.
SDOT says it will NOT need a third weekend closure of the 35th/Alaska intersection after all. That’s part of the latest Avalon/35th/Alaska repaving-and-more project update, as follows:
West Seattle – thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we complete these necessary roadway improvements!
We are pleased that we were able to reopen the intersection of SW Alaska St and 35th Ave SW ahead of schedule on Sunday, this past weekend. At this time, we do not plan to schedule another intersection closure at 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St.
As a reminder, for the safety of our crews and your fellow residents, please follow posted detour routes and do not disturb traffic control. As we approach potential winter weather, our posted traffic control is especially crucial to maintain safe use of the road for everyone.
What to expect this week and next week
35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St: we have restricted left turns onto SW Alaska St from 35th Ave SW. This closure will be in place for several weeks
Zone E (35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St): we are currently working in the center turn lane of 35th Ave SW, north and south of SW Alaska St.
Zone F (SW Alaska St from 35th Ave SW to 36th Ave SW): as soon as the week of January 20, we will begin demolition of the north side of SW Alaska St.
As we begin work on SW Alaska St, please follow King County Metro’s Rider Alerts to stay up to date on bus stop changes.
We have asked SDOT for an interview to ask some big-picture questions regarding the project’s status and what remains to be done; watch for that story next week.
6:01 PM: The January 2020 West Seattle Art Walk is happening now, all over the peninsula! First venue we visited is Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW; WSB sponsor) in The Junction, spotlighting artist Jenna Hanson (above) tonight. The Art Walk has officially expanded to Admiral as of this month – more on that here, and more photos later.
6:52 PM: In Admiral, we stopped first at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW):
That’s artist Morgan Smaller and her puppy Vespa. Below, Emily Juarez at Zelda Zonk Consignment (2210 California SW):
The Art Walk is on until “late,” with closing hours differing venue by venue. See the map/venue list in our morning highlight list.
Lots of questions about the helicopter activity over The Junction. As we’ve answered everyone who messaged us, it’s just TV, checking out the anti-war demonstration (which we previewed here last night). So far not the size of last month’s pro-impeachment rally but participants are following the same pattern as that one, walking with the light in the Walk-All-Ways crosswalk at California/Alaska, so no traffic impacts.
(WSB photos/video by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Will we see significant snow soon?
While the forecasters keep watch on that, “We want to make sure we’re ready as a city. … we’ve got plans,” Mayor Jenny Durkan assured the media gathered for a briefing/Q&A at the city Emergency Operations Center downtown this afternoon. We were there and recorded it all on video, which includes other city/county officials:
A big theme: The “shovel your sidewalk” theme we noted earlier this week. The mayor stressed: “If we hit the snow period … check on your neighbors if you can. …. And help them shovel their sidewalks … our sidewalks are the way that people can get around in our city.” Go get a snow shovel or salt if you don’t have yours yet – flashlight batteries too, “candles and warm blankets,” her advice continued.
Sidewalk-responsibility awareness was boosted in a resolution sponsored last year by West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who was also at the EOC.
Though Herbold didn’t take the podium, she spoke with reporters afterward to elaborate on the sidewalk plan: The emphasis is on arterials in urban villages, followed by arterials on other transit routes. Here’s a city memo she provided post-meeting outlining the resolution and the resulting awareness campaign:
Street-use inspectors will be out checking on sidewalks in those priority areas, said SDOT director Sam Zimbabwe. They will notify people “who aren’t taking their responsibility seriously” – if a notification doesn’t get action, a citation can follow; Herbold said potential fines range from $50 for residential violations to $250 for commercial property (the former is a reduction, also outlined in the memo above).
Sidewalks aside, Zimbabwe also said the winter-response plan has been updated. For plowing, buses’ snow routes, emergency access, schools are priorities. Protected bike lanes will get snow-clearing attention too. But whatever your vehicle, “Don’t drive if you don’t have to during a snowstorm. … Pay attention to road-closure signs.” He mentioned the SDOT map (PDF) showing which routes will be prioritized for plowing. “We haven’t radically changed the level of plowing that we’re going to do.” What they did last year regarding plowing seemed to go fairly well, he said. The current plan – subject to change as the forecast evolves – is that snow-focused staff will start deploying Sunday evening; “equipment is ready – salt, plows.”
Since the city has 35 snowplows to cover its 70 million square feet, Mayor Durkan counseled patience: “Don’t expect your neighborhood will be plowed immediately.”
“Stay informed” was the advice from Emergency Management director Barb Graff. She also pitched alert.seattle.gov and Smart 911, and reiterated getting supplies “that you might need … Go ahead and do your shopping now.” Snow is charming “for the first eighth of an inch,” she observed … after that, not so much.
The mayor also vowed that they’d be able to bring unsheltered people inside. “We will open cold-weather shelters and have more capacity.” Human Services Department director Jason Johnson elaborated: “Every winter we extend capacity of shelter capability – 85 additional beds,” and they plan to open 100 more beds at Seattle Center starting Sunday night. That’s an overnight-only shelter, he added, but the Armory will also be open during the day for people to stay out of the cold.
Regarding transit, Metro deputy general manager Terry White advised people to check metrowinter.com early to get briefed on “what services are available in your area.”
He promised, “We’re ready regardless of whatever Mother Nature (brings)” – communication consolidation is what they’ve been working on.
In closing, “Government is only part of the equation,” said the mayor. As for that patience she advised – apply it to forecasters too: “Half the time they predict it, it doesn’t come.”
Three more HALA-upzoned parcels on 41st SW in Morgan Junction have a redevelopment proposal: Two buildings totaling 56 units, according to this early-stage site plan (PDF) filed with the city this week. The parcels are 6308 and 6314 41st, plus, on the corner, 4023 SW Graham. The site plan shows a three-story, 14-unit building fronting 41st, with a five-story, 42-unit building behind it. A Texas-based company, StoryBuilt, is proposing the project, described in city files as follows:
The project is made up of 56 homes with a mixture of townhomes, flats, and split-level residences along with 33 surface and below grade parking spaces access(ed) off an alley.
There’s already an apartment proposal across Graham to the north, and townhouse proposals to the south. The latter sites, plus the parcels in this new plan, were part of the upzoning-anticipation listing we reported in 2017, but records don’t yet show a sale.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One of two major West Seattle projects funded by last year’s Seattle Public Schools BEX V levy is well into the planning phase.
The $22 million plan to expand West Seattle Elementary in High Point has cross-peninsula ramifications, as the school will be relocated to the former Schmitz Park Elementary for a year while the construction is under way.
The expansion is intended to add capacity at the school, which is currently more than 100 students past what would be a “right-size” enrollment of 320 and is expected to keep growing. This and the future rebuild of Alki Elementary were the largest West Seattle projects on the list of what’ll be funded by BEX V, approved by more than two-thirds of Seattle voters last February.
The first phase of planning, convening a School Design Advisory Team, is already over, according to the district’s project manager Paul Wight. He says the SDAT meetings – in a process explained here – concluded in mid-December. “In all we had 7 meetings and the team was made out of the Principal. staff, teachers, students, parents, and neighbors.” Attendees are listed on the minutes pages, which are linked here and go into details of what was discussed and suggested throughut the process.
Wight tells WSB that next, “The architect, Miller Hayashi, is finishing up the schematic design and we are moving forward with Design Development. We will be going through permitting this year and starting construction on the addition and renovation work in the summer of 2021. It will be approximately a 14-month construction project and school will reopen in the Fall of 2022.”
WSES will move to the former Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane) for the 2021-2022 school year; district spokesperson Tim Robinson says portables (which proliferated before the SP program moved to the new Genesee Hill Elementary) will be added to handle the full WSES population. District projections show the school is expected to have about 437 students enrolled that year. The move is a change from the original plan, which was described in 2018 as something that would be done without requiring the school to temporarily vacate. Schmitz Park currently houses a preschool program.
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