West Seattle, Washington
20 Saturday
We’re still adding to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide so we’re making one last request for Christmas Eve/Day info from businesses, churches, etc. – if you’re open for last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve, if you haven’t sent us your Christmas Eve service(s) schedule yet, if your coffee shop/restaurant is open for a while on Christmas Day (or closing early Christmas Eve), please let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/call 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning After heavy rain overnight, lots of reports of roadway ponding.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Two-week winter break starts after today – 1-hour early dismissal.
CLOSURE POSTPONED: No 35th/Alaska closure this weekend – SDOT is tentatively planning it for next weekend (UPDATE: first weekend of January) instead.
LAST DAY: Today is the final day of the Ride2 shuttle service
“If he is out of custody, he is committing violent crimes. If he is supervised, he is committing violent crimes.” That’s how prosecutors describe 19-year-old John Leota, a West Seattle resident, in the robbery charge just filed against him. Leota is one of the additional potential suspects under investigation in the recent robbery “spree.” He was jailed a week ago in connection with warrants on other pending cases, then charged today with one of the holdups in that “spree,” at a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop downtown in September. Others who allegedly participated in the holdup include the 17-year-old recently arrested by SWAT officers at his High Point home and charged in the Lucky 5 robbery in West Seattle. Other cases pending against Leota include a street robbery in North Seattle, domestic violence, and shoplifting thousands of dollars in merchandise from grocery and music stores. His bail was set today at $300,000 and he remains in the King County Jail.
After we featured Ken Arkills‘ house at 39th/Trenton in Fauntlee Hills two weeks ago, he suggested we return to the neighborhood to check out neighbors’ brightly lit homes. We did that tonight, and this one stood out, at the corner of 40th/Donovan. But there are others nearby – explore the streets that stretch north and uphill from SW Barton.
To see other lights we’ve featured, scroll through this archive. If you have tips – your own lights or someone else’s, with or without a photo – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photos)
There’s a new place for West Seattle kids to play! Tomorrow (Friday, December 20th) is the official opening day for Outer Space Seattle, an indoor playspace at 2820 Alki SW. Co-proprietors Caitlin Huertas and Jeff Hammock, both West Seattleites, have been working a long time to make this happen.
It’s been two years since we first mentioned the plan for Outer Space Seattle. Then back in March, the location was revealed.
Caitlin stresses that Outer Space Seattle is a playspace for kids of all abilities. Part of what makes it that way – a sensory room:
But it also has ways for kids of differing needs to play with everybody else – there are also accessories to address sensory needs elsewhere in the space, as well as an entry point for mobility-challenged kids to play in the equipment.
Now, some basics – Outer Space Seattle is opening just in time for the winter school break, so there’s a special holiday schedule, but then the regular schedule will be 10 am-7 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-8 pm Fridays-Saturdays, closed Sundays except for private parties. Babies 11 months and under are free, ages 1-3 $9, 4-12 $12. That’s a full day pass, with in-and-out privileges (though if there’s a waitlist you’ll have to get back in line on return – capacity is 45 kids at a time). They sell drinks and snacks, including pizza slices, and expect to have beer, wine, and cider for the grownups starting next month. You’re accountable for supervising your child(ren) while there – it’s not a dropoff child-care facility. Outer Space Seattle officially opens at 4 pm tomorrow, and they want to hear your thoughts once you’ve tried it!
Two east West Seattle neighborhoods have a big Seattle City Light project ahead in the New Year:
Here’s the anoouncement that SCL says “affected residents” should already have received directly:
Starting in January 2020, Seattle City Light crews will upgrade the electrical reliability of the Delridge neighborhood by replacing aging utility poles, overhead wire and equipment along SW Brandon St., 21st Ave. SW, SW Andover St., and 23rd Ave. SW. These improvements will support growth for future electrical infrastructure in the area while reducing unplanned power outages.
PROJECT IMPACTS
Crews will begin replacing utility poles, overhead wire and equipment along SW Brandon Street, 21st Avenue SW, SW Andover Street and 23rd Avenue SW.
Maintenance power outages are required to do the work safely. Notification will be provided in advance of outages. The notification will specify the date, time and duration of the outage.
Crews will reduce traffic and parking impacts by working one area at a time. Traffic will be restricted and “No Park” signs will be enforced in work zones. “No Park” signs will be removed once work has been completed.
Some noise is expected from heavy machinery.
The new poles will be placed alongside pre-existing poles, with the exemption of specific pole locations where adjustments are made to improve pedestrian mobility.
Pre-existing poles will be removed once the transfer of all wires and equipment are done by other utilities. City Light will monitor these efforts to facilitate the removal of old poles.
Construction is scheduled to start in January 2020. Daily work hours are from Mondays – Fridays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nights and weekend work may be needed. The project is anticipated to last approximately five months.
Just north of the Orchard business node on Delridge, more redevelopment – a project to replace that 93-year-old house with nine townhouses is proceeding through the system, a year after an early-stage proposal appeared. The townhouses at 7035 Delridge Way SW would have one off-street-parking spot per unit. The 9,600-square-foot site, sold this past June for $690,000, is just a couple doors down from the site where the Lam Bow Apartments are to be rebuilt.
That’s Scott‘s truck, stolen overnight from 39th/Webster in Gatewood. It’s a 1989 Ford F250. Call 911 if you see it.
Just in from SDOT, the weekly Avalon/35th/Alaska project update, headlined by a cancellation/rescheduling:
Due to an anticipated very rainy weekend, we will not be closing the intersection of SW Alaska St and 35th Ave SW this weekend. Our next intersection closure is tentatively scheduled for Friday, December 27, through Monday, December 30. We will confirm this intersection closure next week. See below for more information on what you can expect over the next few weeks.
Holiday hours
We will not be working December 24, December 25, or January 1. We wish you all a happy holiday season!
35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St:
To rebuild the concrete roadway, we have restricted left turns onto SW Alaska St. To reach SW Alaska St, please proceed north on 35th Ave SW and turn left at SW Avalon Way, left on Fauntleroy Way SW and left on 37th Ave SW. Please expect:
No left turns from northbound 35th Ave SW onto SW Alaska St
This closure will be in place for several weeks
People driving on SW Alaska St can turn right or left on to 35th Ave SW
The next intersection closure at 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St is tentatively scheduled for Friday, December 27 to early Monday morning, December 30. This intersection closure is scheduled to begin at 9 AM to minimize night work and loud noise for near neighbors as we demolish, excavate, and rebuild the road. We will send an update next week with more information about this closure. This work is highly weather dependent and the dates for the weekend intersection closure are subject to change.
Zone E (35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St):
To take advantage of predicted dry weather, we plan to work on Monday, December 23 to continue pouring and building concrete panels on the east side of 35th Ave SW. We plan to continue this work after the holidays on Thursday, December 26 and Friday December 27.
Zone F (SW Alaska St from 35th Ave SW to 36th Ave SW):
We have completed utility work at 36th Ave SW and SW Alaska St. We anticipate continuing work on SW Alaska St as soon as Monday, December 30. Please expect:
Loud noise, dust, and vibrations while we complete this work.
Temporary and intermittent driveway and alley closures
Pedestrian access to all businesses and residences will be maintained
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.
35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way Intersection:
We have completed all roadway repairs and improvements in the intersection of 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way. We are in the process of putting down temporary striping and plan to return in the spring to paint final striping and remove the right turn from SW Avalon Way to Fauntleroy Way SW.
(American Goldfinch, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visitors in town for the holidays? Bring them to the home of West Seattle’s history, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum, noon-4 pm. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
SSC CAMPUS TOUR: Thinking about starting or resuming your college education? Visit South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) for a tour at 2 pm. (6000 16th SW)
SHOP LATE THURSDAY & ‘GIFT RESCUE’: One more chance to “shop late” for holiday gifts in The Junction. With a bonus tonight – the “Gift Rescue,” including wrapping in the Windermere lobby, as previewed here, 5-9 pm. (4526 California SW)
STEVE RYALS DUO: Live music at the Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 6 pm. No cover. All ages. (2808 Alki SW)
EARLY OUTREACH MEETING FOR ALKI PROJECT: 6 pm at Alki Community Center, meet 2330 Alki SW project team members to talk about the proposed townhouse development. (5817 SW Stevens)
‘GET FIT, WEST SEATTLE’ INFO NIGHT: Ready to “Get Fit” in the New Year? Be at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) 7 pm tonight to learn about the free couch-to-half-marathon program. (2743 California SW)
STUDENT CONCERT: West Seattle High School Band, Orchestra, and Choir winter concert at 7 pm in the WSHS Theater. All welcome, no admission charge. (3000 California SW)
BRASSY: Super Krewe at Parliament Tavern! 9 pm. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(WSB photo, December 2018)
Sunday is the first of eight nights of Hanukkah, and West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah invites you to join in celebrating its start. Again this year, Kol HaNeshamah plans a “Pop-Up Hanukkah” in The Junction. In case you haven’t already seen it in the Holiday Guide, here’s the announcement:
Everyone is welcome to celebrate community solidarity at Kol HaNeshamah’s Pop-Up Chanukah in Junction Plaza Park. Join your West Seattle neighbors as we welcome the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights. “Say NO to hate and YES to donuts!” Kol HaNeshamah is your progressive Jewish community in West Seattle, find out more at www.khnseattle.org
The event is set for 5-6 pm. The park is on the northwest corner of 42nd/Alaska.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
8:01 AM: Good morning Late start but we have reminders:
BUS STOP REOPENING: Metro says the northbound bus stop on 35th SW just south of Avalon will reopen today.
WEEKEND CLOSURE: SDOT plans to close 35th/Alaska again this weekend, starting 7 pm Friday.
LAST DAYS: And a reminder that Friday is the final day of the Ride2 shuttle service
9:55 AM: A “large white tarp” is reported to be causing a hazard on the Delridge onramp to the bridge.
After we featured the revived Gai Family holiday display last Sunday, the comment discussion turned to other longtime sentimental favorites, like this one – the yard full of “Peanuts” characters, in the 2100 block of 47th SW. So we went by tonight for a photo. We last featured this display in 2017, when Don Rice sent us a photo and noted that he’s been doing this for more than 40 years.
To see other lights we’ve featured, scroll through this archive. And if you have tips – your own lights or someone else’s, with or without photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Holiday gift shopping not done yet? Tomorrow brings the last West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Shop Late Thursday of the season – with a bonus – the Gift Rescue:
The Junction volunteers will be set up in the Windermere lobby ready to wrap! Loaded with wrapping paper, bags, festive tissue paper and ribbons, we’ll be ready to wrap gifts you’ve purchased throughout the season in the Junction. Plus, it’s Shop Late Thursday in the Junction; many of the Junction merchants will be open till 8 PM (or later). The merchants will be ready to help you hand-select the perfect gift. There’s always free gift wrapping and bags too at CAPERS, Curious Kidstuff, and Click! It’s the Junction to the rescue!
You might need an assistant with an umbrella – or at least a water-resistant shopping bag.
Thanks for the tips. If you’re just about to head this way via the high bridge, be aware that a crash is blocking one westbound lane, midspan. Police are on scene; no SFD dispatch, so apparently no serious injuries.
In case you missed this Metro alert:
Beginning Thursday, December 19, Metro routes 21 Express, 21 Local, 50, 55, 773 West Seattle Water Taxi Shuttle and the RapidRide C Line will return to serve stop #22820 northbound on 35th Av SW just south of SW Avalon Way.
The Avalon/35th work has moved further south on 35th, and remember that SDOT is planning to close the Alaska/35th intersection again this weekend, starting Friday night.
Six days after a letter home to families disclosed that a staff member had been arrested, West Seattle High School‘s principal sent another message outlining some followup steps. Thanks to those who forwarded us the message sent Tuesday afternoon. Principal Brian Vance wrote:
As I mentioned last week, we are working with Seattle Public Schools(SPS) and the King County Sheriff’s office regarding the arrest of an instructional assistant, Mr. Smith. As a follow up to ensure the well-being of our students, we will be conducting safety check-in conversations with students with whom Mr. Smith may have worked with directly.
SPS central office-based investigators, who are trained to conduct conversations of this nature, will be coming to WSHS Wednesday and Thursday to conduct the safety check-ins. We will be speaking with students who worked directly Mr. Smith as part of his assignment. Parents/Guardians will be contacted with any follow-up, if needed.
If any other student has a concern they would like to report, please email title.ix@seattleschools.org, and provide your name and contact information (telephone number or email address) so a staff member may contact you.
Thank you and let me know if you have any questions.
As we reported last Friday, 34-year-old Brennan M. Smith is charged with attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor. Charging documents allege he showed up at a Seatac motel after arranging online for paid sex with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl but was really an undercover detective. Smith’s since-removed LinkedIn profile described him as a special-education paraprofessional; the district would not comment on his work aside from confirming he was placed on leave after word of his arrest last week. Smith is out on bail and due back in court next week.
That’s one of the new electric-vehicle “fast chargers” that Seattle City Light is making available for public use in SODO, just off the West Seattle Bridge, and similar to the ones it will install soon in The Junction. First, the SODO announcement:
Seattle City Light announced the launch of five city-owned electric vehicle (EV) chargers at the utility’s South Service Center in SODO, with plans for at least four additional locations in 2020. The publicly accessible stations are part of a pilot program to install 20 EV fast chargers throughout the utility’s service area and supports the city’s Drive Clean Seattle initiative, which centers on delivering community-focused transportation solutions.
“The new charging stations are part of a larger transportation electrification strategy that will allow us to leverage our clean electricity and reach the city of Seattle’s goals of reducing carbon emissions by 2050,” said Debra Smith, General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light. “This pilot will help us understand the impacts of EV charging on the electrical system as we lay the groundwork to support electrifying all modes of transportation, from passenger vehicles to buses, the Port of Seattle, heavy-duty vehicles and ferries.”
City Light also announced changes to charge fees at utility-owned public EV fast charging stations. Users will be charged $0.31 or $0.17 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in Seattle (dependent upon the time of day). Previous fees were listed at $0.43 per kWh. The cost-to-charge can change based on the charger’s location and the time of day. At a City Light fast charger, a typical electric car can charge up to 50 kWh in an hour, providing battery power for about 165 miles. This charge would cost approximately $15.88 during “Daytime” hours or $8.69 during “All Other Hours” in Seattle.
“The reduced fees come at a time when City Light is developing a Transportation Electrification Plan that will identify priorities for the utility’s investments in increasing equitable access to electric transportation, reducing carbon emissions, and bringing value to the electric grid and City Light customers,” said Emeka Anyanwu, City Light’s Energy Innovation and Resources Officer.
This new fee structure ensures City Light stays competitive with other EV charging stations in the Seattle area. The charging fees will allow the utility to recover our operating, capital and energy costs over the lifespan of the charging equipment.
Learn more about City Light’s EV programs by visiting seattle.gov/light/electric-vehicles.
Now, about the upcoming West Seattle charging stations – as reported here last spring, they’re planned on 39th SW south of SW Oregon, by West Seattle Bowl. SCL’s project map says they’re expected to be up and running in March.
The photo is from the Holy Rosary School tree lot, just north of the school, off 42nd SW between SW Genesee and SW Dakota, where the proceeds also benefit local nonprofits West Seattle Helpline, West Seattle Food Bank, and Hickman House. They want you to know they’re open through Saturday (December 21st) or until all trees (they just got a fresh delivery last Friday) are gone. They sent this pic of the price list, too. (Our full list of local tree sellers is in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – let us know if you find anybody sold out so we can update – thank you!)
(Common Goldeneye, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:
DINE OUT FOR LAFAYETTE: Now through 10 pm at MOD Pizza, part of the proceeds go to help Lafayette Elementary students if you mention the fundraiser. (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW)
GIVING TREE FOR TEENS: At John L. Scott Real Estate-Westwood (WSB sponsor), today’s your last day to visit the tree, get a wish from a teen, and bring the unwrapped gift back by tomorrow. (2600 SW Barton)
BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)
DINE OUT FOR ROXHILL: 4-9 pm at Proletariat Pizza in White Center, part of the proceeds will go to help Roxhill Elementary students – dine in OR delivery, just mention Roxhlll. (9622 16th SW)
SANTA AT PEGASUS PIZZA: 5 pm-10 pm, free Santa photos with a $20 order at Pegasus Pizza: “Come down early for great seats. Last year was off-the-hook fun and everyone had a great time. Enjoy great food and drinks and one of the best views on Alki!” (2770 Alki SW)
DAKOTA HOMESTEAD UPDATE: Informal meeting at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 6-7 pm, for everyone interested in the status of the plan to buy the ex-substation site at 50th/Dakota and create community greenspace and more. (2306 42nd SW)
SEE THE LIGHTS: Uehara-Bingen Christmas Lights Show on Alki! Be there at 6:15 pm for the 6:30 show. “The show is ~25 minutes long, and everyone will gather outside the front of our house, so be sure to dress warm!” (1736 Alki SW)
AEGIS LIVING HOLIDAY BAZAAR:, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm. “Local WS crafters and artists, hot chocolate bar, and selfie station.” (4700 SW Admiral Way)
THE SUFFERING F-HEADS: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
AND MORE … in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar!
(Photo added – orcas & MV Issaquah, by Trileigh Tucker)
9:31 AM: Thanks for the tips! Orcas are in view from Alki as they head this way, southbound. Kersti Muul says there’s at least six. Let us know if you see them!
9:54 AM: Kersti says they’re now south of the Bremerton ferry lanes and appear to be residents.
10:55 AM: Now passing Fauntleroy.
11:37 AM: Kersti says members of all three Southern Resident pods are here – J, K, and L!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:13 AM: Good morning No incidents or alerts so far.
REMINDER: SDOT plans to close 35th/Alaska again this weekend, starting 7 pm Friday.
Almost six years after it opened as an arcade/bar in The Admiral District, Vidiot has suddenly shut down. Thanks to everybody who’ve messaged us since Vidiot’s short announcement on social media, saying simply, “Vidiot has been shut down. Thanks for all your love and business.” That had been preceded by a Saturday post saying it was “temporarily closed” and advising to “check back Tuesday.” We went over tonight to see if anyone was around to ask; dark, closed, no sign. We’ve sent messages through multiple channels; no reply so far. Searching public records, wondering if “has been shut down” meant another entity was involved, all we’ve found is three state back-taxes filings from earlier this year; records show two of them have been paid. Vidiot’s space at 4210 SW Admiral Way had past lives as the Admiral Benbow and Heartland Café. We’ll update if we find out anything more.
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