West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
(Photos courtesy Urban Homestead Foundation)
We haven’t heard much about the Dakota Homestead campaign, raising money to buy the ex-substation at 50th/Dakota (across from Genesee Hill Elementary), but it’s still alive, supporters say, and they’re inviting you to an informational event next week. It’s been three and a half years since the campaign launched; along the way, organizers have amassed some donations as well as grant money, but they have further to go to achieve their dream of buying the site to turn it into a neighborhood preserve and gathering space, a hub for urban gardening and environmental education. Board members of the Urban Homestead Foundation will host an informal meeting and Q&A session 6-7 pm Wednesday (December 18th) at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 2306 42nd SW. Board member Rich Sheibley tells WSB, “We are also using this time to ask for volunteers to help us on this project, and provide an overview of where we plan to go from here.”
(2015 tunnel-machine-repair site photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
Six years ago, right about this time of year, the Highway 99 tunnel machine broke down, and tunneling was on hold for more than two years. The state sued the contractor, Seattle Tunnel Partners, seeking $57 million. Today, a jury in Thurston County ruled in favor of the state, saying STP indeed should pay that sum. As noted in this Seattle Times report, the state claimed the stall was STP’s fault, while STP claimed it was the state’s fault. WSDOT sent this statement from state Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar:
“WSDOT is committed to protecting taxpayer money. Knowing the risks associated with tunneling beneath downtown Seattle, we structured our contract with Seattle Tunnel Partners in a way that placed the risks of tunneling on the contractor. We have remained steadfast in our belief that Seattle Tunnel Partners was responsible for the costs of fixing the broken tunneling machine and paying damages for completing the tunnel three years late. We believe the jury got it right and we are grateful for their patience and dedication to ensuring a fair outcome to this case. Since an appeal is possible, we cannot yet say what will become of the damages awarded by the jury.”
If you’re interested in more backstory, here’s a WSDOT infosheet (PDF) also sent today.
That’s part of the pile of Toys for Tots donations dropped off at the office of Northwest Insurance Group (WSB sponsor) this season. John Moore sent the photo and these words of gratitude: “HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN OUR WEST SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD for their generous contributions to the toy drive. We were overwhelmed and thrilled to be able to deliver these toys to kids in need.”
P.S. Got a donation drive/giving tree/etc. still in progress? Let us know if it’s not already in our West Seattle Holiday Guide‘s “Giving Opportunities” list!
(Grinch sighted on West Seattle tower crane! Photo from Chris @ Compass Construction)
Big ho-ho-holiday weekend begins:
DUWAMISH NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR RETURNS: Until 5 pm today and again 10 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday, the Duwamish Longhouse Native Northwest Holiday Gift Fair is back with local vendors and Native artists “showcasing goods including wood carvings, beadwork, drums, prints, paintings, and more.” (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
FREE SANTA PHOTOS: Visit Santa at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor), 3-6 pm. (4022 SW Alaska)
HAPPY HOUR JAZZ: Maguire & Peters at Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 4-6:30 pm. No cover. All ages. Food and beverage specials! (2808 Alki SW)
NIGHT MARKET:West Seattle Winter Night Market, 5-9 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral. More than 20 local artists, makers, and bakers. (2656 42nd SW)
POP-UP:VAIN (WSB sponsor) pop-up jewelry show, 6-9 pm. (4513 California SW)
KAREEM KANDI BAND: Jazz, blues, funk, classical saxophonist and band at Pacific Room on Alki, 7-10 pm. Cover info here. (2808 Alki SW)
SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), monthly showcase. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
ART LOUNGE: Artists 21+ are invited to come to Highland Park Improvement Club, starting at 7 pm, for the chance to work on your project(s) with likeminded spirits. Bar’s open. (1116 SW Holden)
‘HEAD OVER HEELS’: ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) presents “Head Over Heels: The Musical,” curtain at 7:30 pm. Directed by Mathew Wright. Tickets available here. (4711 California SW)
‘MIRACLE ON 34Th STREET’: Join Twelfth Night Productions for “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play.” 7:30 pm curtain at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at this Brown Paper Tickets link, or at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern with Runaway Satellites, Star Meets Sea, The Owl Heads. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(WSB photo from 2018 St. Nicholas Faire)
One of this weekend’s big events is the St. Nicholas Faire, a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping event and nonprofit benefit, with one major change this year: It’s happening on Sunday afternoon instead of evening. The Faire is at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, just north of The Junction at 4105 California SW, 1-4 pm Sunday (December 15th). Its central event is a silent auction of a huge variety of custom-made gift baskets with themes including:
Children’s Books
Air Fryer
Children’s Science Gear
Beer & Wine
Gardening
Baked Goods
Seahawks Gear
Olive Oil/Vinegar
Framed Photos
Kitchen Gadgets
Tools
U of W Gear
Holiday Items
Barware
Baking Tools
Storage Containers
Art Supplies
Tea & Coffee Items
Also gift certificates/cards for local businesses. The St. Nicholas Faire has a small admission fee that benefits local nonprofits, and it’s less if you bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank. P.S. If you’ll be driving to get there, the church has a big parking lot in back.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:15 AM: Good morning. No incidents or alerts for our area so far.
WEEKEND CLOSURE REMINDER: The 35th/Alaska intersection is scheduled to close all weekend for work, starting at 7 pm tonight.
RIDE2 SERVICE ENDING: As Metro announced Tuesday, the on-demand shuttle will end service one week from today.
If you too were wondering about the status of these two …
THE GOOD SOCIETY: Five months have passed since we first reported on this brewery/pub opening just south of Lafayette Elementary. We checked in with co-proprietor Nick Berger, who tells WSB: “We were almost going to make our goal of opening this year, but it looks like probably mid-January. Construction is wrapping up and we are beginning to brew beer.” Turns out West Seattle-headquartered Washington Beer Blog reported last week on that milestone.
And in The Junction:
DARBY WINERY: Many have noticed the signage that went up recently on the space just west of Easy Street Records. Darby Winery‘s long had a tasting room in Woodinville but winemaker Darby English is a West Seattleite and opening this tasting room to add to the peninsula’s growing wine scene. He told WSB today, “We should be opening within the next few weeks. We are excited to open in West Seattle.”
Caroling, Santa, shopping, and art! It’s all happening in the West Seattle Junction right now during the West Seattle Art Walk‘s holiday edition.
That’s Vanessa Ly-Nguyen, one of tonight’s featured artists – find her at Flying Apron (4709 California SW) until 8 pm. See tonight’s map, venue list, and artist spotlights here.
(added) At CAPERS (4525 California SW), the annual Abstract Invitational features artists including Linda Wallace. Also … tasting and gaming! Meantime, a sample of the caroling:
The Silver Belles have been making the rounds. Go shop late – until 9 at many merchants!
Though West Seattle Lights is no more, the neighborhood near that show’s former site is still full of holiday spirit – including Wyatt‘s house at 40th and Charlestown. Wyatt notes, “Our whole block is also very festive again this year.” Thanks for sending the photo! More tips – with or without photos – appreciate at westseattleblog@gmail.com; you can scroll through our archive of Christmas-lights coverage by going here.
Today we welcome West Seattle Wonder Dogs as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s what they would like you to know about what they do:
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Wonder Dogs)
West Seattle Wonder Dogs offers puppy socialization using the close supervision of two certified dog trainers in a small-class setting. Puppies can gain confidence with other dogs and humans while learning play skills and developing potty training. Time is set aside for questions about how to raise a puppy.
Doggy day care is also provided. Dogs can interact in a small setting, and training is available both as a class and part of the day-care program We use only force-free training methods, which keeps training fun and positive. Our training classes are smaller than average, allowing for individualized attention. Our day-care program is limited to 15 medium-to-small dogs, so every dog feels safe and has direct human supervision. We offer in-home individual training, group classes, and pull-out training sessions for dogs during day care, so there is something for everyone!
West Seattle Wonder Dogs clients consistently say that their relationship with their dog has improved by coming to us. Life with a new puppy has become easier and more enjoyable; the bond people have with their dogs becomes stronger and more positive than ever; and many frustrating behavior problems have been solved. Many of our clients continue with classes after their dog has learned basic manners, because whether it’s learning new tricks, participating in agility, or taking the first steps
toward service-dog certification, working together and learning new things is equally fun and rewarding for the humans and canines involved!
West Seattle Wonder Dogs is located at 2414 SW Andover, Suite E115. For more info or appointments, call 206-472-2946 or email info@westseattlewonderdogs.com.
We thank West Seattle Wonder Dogs for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Development notes this afternoon:
PROJECT CANCELED: Last month, we mentioned early-stage plans for four new single-family houses to be added to a site that already has one at 9441 26th SW, south of Westwood Village. We noticed an “early outreach” meeting for it on the city calendar – and then the listing disappeared before we could even write a story. Now a note sent to area community advocates by the project architect explains it: “The title report for the project turned up to have covenants restricting development. Unfortunately, this application and meeting is being canceled.”
(corrected) APPEAL TIME: Applications have just been approved for two projects elsewhere in West Seattle, and that opens two-week appeal periods for both: One is 4807 41st SW, “a 4-story apartment building with 22 small efficiency dwelling units. No parking proposed” (in the works almost three years); the other is 9251 35th SW, “two 3-story, townhouse buildings (8 units total). Parking for 6 vehicles proposed.” Follow each address’s link for the official notice, including how to appeal.
Before we get too much further into your Thursday, a quick look at some big things happening tonight:
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, HOLIDAY EDITION: That’s the map/venue list for tonight’s Art Walk – which also features carolers and Santa Claus! The Art Walk officially starts at 5 pm. Looking for ideas on which venues to visit? Here’s the official preview spotlighting some of the artists and venues! And there’s music – not only The Art of Music featuring Marina Christopher, but also the Silver Belles caroling! Santa Claus will be wandering too. Look for those extra holiday guests after 6 pm in the heart of The Junction – California SW between Oregon and Edmunds – but the Art Walk has stops all over The Junction.
SHOP LATE THURSDAY: In The Junction, this is happening tonight too. Many shops will be open until 9 pm.
Other highlights tonight:
CHIEF SEALTH IHS PROSPECTIVE STUDENT NIGHT: 6-7 pm tonight, Chief Sealth International High School invites prospective students and their families to visit. Here’s the flyer with details:
(2600 SW Thistle)
SHERI ROBERTS GREIMES: Award winning blues singer-songwriter performs at Pacific Room on Alki (WSB sponsor). No cover. All ages. 6-9 pm. (2808 Alki SW)
AVIATION PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE: 6 pm at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – details here. (6000 16th SW)
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: 6 pm at Southwest Library, Feliks Banel talks about local weather as explored in his book “Storm Warning: Historic Weather in the Evergreen State.” (9010 35th SW)
STUDENT JAZZ: 7 pm concert at Madison Middle School. (3429 45th SW)
LOTS MORE … see the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide.
(Added: Photo posted in comments by James Riley)
10:27 AM: During The Whale Trail‘s event Tuesday night (our report is still in progress), local researcher Mark Sears predicted orcas would be back in this area “any day now.” Alki Point resident Gary Jones, who has shared photos here many times over the years, reports a sudden sighting this past hour – and after a period of activity including breaches, they vanished again. They were “moving slowly southbound” and close to this side at the time. If you see them pop up anywhere, let us know!
10:46 AM: Just got a text that they are in view off Alki Beach, in the Starbucks vicinity (Alki/61st).
11:02 AM: Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales confirms orcas off Alki – he has them in view off 63rd/Alki. They’re transient orcas, not southern residents, adds Kersti Muul.
That’s Chief Sealth International High SchooL senior Emily Un, and Good Day Donuts in White Center is where she’ll be 10 am-1 pm Sunday (December 15th) awaiting your donation of coat(s) and/or blanket(s).
During the month of November when I was busy with college apps, I needed a break from just constantly focusing on school work. Ever since I was a young kid, I always wanted to help them homeless in any type of way.
I thought about the things I could do. My friend told me that he saw a homeless man and felt bad for him because it is freezing in Seattle, especially at night. So, this led me to wanting to do a clothing drive. I am in contact with homeless shelters like YWCA and DESC. All of the clothes/blankets will be going back to them, and maybe a few other shelters, depending on how much gets donated.
She chose White Center as the site for the drive because that’s where she lives, but lots of West Seattleites visit there too, so we’re sharing the word here as well as on our WC site. Good Day Donuts is at 9823 15th SW.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning. No incidents or alert so far.
WEEKEND CLOSURE REMINDER: The 35th/Alaska intersection is scheduled to close this weekend for work, starting at 7 pm Friday.
RIDE2 SERVICE ENDING: As Metro announced Tuesday, the on-demand shuttle will end service Dec. 20.
8:20 AM: Stalled vehicle on the EB low bridge.
11:37 PM: We’ve been working all evening to find out more about an arrest announced by West Seattle High School principal Brian Vance in an early-evening email to families. (Thanks to the many parents who forwarded it to us.) He wrote: “Earlier today, I was notified of the arrest of one of our instructional assistants by the King County Sheriff’s Office,” Vance wrote, adding that the staffer “was immediately placed on administrative leave by Central Office.” His letter named the man, but he is not charged, so we are not publishing his name at this point. The King County Jail Register showed that the 34-year-old man was booked after 9 pm Tuesday for “investigation of sexual abuse of a child” and released at 7 pm tonight after posting bond. According to the jail register, his bail had been set at $20,000. KCSO told us the arrest was one of seven related to what they announced was “an operation to apprehend subjects who have targeted minors for the purposes of prostitution. … Over the course of the two-day operation, detectives posed as an underage girl and engaged in over 900 texts/voice conversations. The ‘underage girl’ arranged to meet the suspects at a local motel. When the men arrived, they were arrested.” Meantime, Vance’s note to families stressed that “the arrest (was) not directly connected to WSHS.” We will be following up tomorrow with both the district and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
ADDED 11:17 AM THURSDAY: Just obtained the probable-cause document from the KCPAO. The potential charge is “Attempted Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor.” Investigators say that in communication with a detective pretending to be a 14-year-old girl, he agreed to pay “her” $150 for “unprotected sex.” He was arrested when he knocked on the door of a motel room in Seatac around 7:44 pm Tuesday. The document says that after his arrest, he told detectives he “worked as a special-education teacher in Seattle.” He is due back in court tomorrow.
ADDED 1:18 PM: The district is so far declining to answer further questions such as how long the suspect has worked for SPS and whether he was working at any other schools. His online resumé, which has been removed since we looked at it yesterday, said he joined the district early this decade.
(WSB photos)
For tonight’s West Seattle Christmas lights spotlight, we head back to the north half of the peninsula – Doug and Diane Hintz sent word of their display at 3403 SW Manning.
They’re on a corner, which means multiple sides to admire!
We’ll keep featuring lights nightly through Christmas – now just two weeks away – if you have a suggestion, whether your own display or one you’ve seen, let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (Our archive of previously shown lights is here.)
Finally got a bit of info about the future of 5401 California SW, site of OutWest Bar for eight years until its closure in July. We’ve been trying to rustle up details since we started getting tips a few weeks ago that work was being done in the space. Nothing has turned up in permit files yet, liquor or otherwise. But finally tonight, we spotted someone at work, the front door open, and we pulled over to see if we could find out anything. The person who was there told us it’ll be a bar called The Box, probably not open before March as an extensive remodel is planned. Stay tuned for more.
(WSB photo, December 1st)
The robbery suspects arrested in West Seattle last Friday are now both charged. 18-year-old Omar Upham is charged with one count of first-degree robbery; the 17-year-old, whose name we are not publishing because he is being prosecuted (so far) as a juvenile, is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree assault. Both are charged with robbery in the December 1st holdup at the Lucky 5 gas station/mini-mart at 35th/Henderson; the juvenile defendant is also charged with assault in that crime as well as robbery and assault in a shoplift turned violent at Roxbury Safeway on November 29th.
Upham remains jailed in lieu of $500,000 bail. His charging documents also note that he had gotten out of juvenile detention three months ago and that his juvenile record includes robbery and assault. The police-written probable-cause narrative says that when he was arrested at Southwest Athletic Complex last Friday and taken downtown for questioning, he was wearing the same gray sweatsuit shown in security video of the Lucky 5 holdup. He had a gun in one pocket and was also found to be in possession of the same types of cigarettes and cigars stolen from the mini-mart.
The 17-year-old also remains in custody, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. His charging documents say he was the robber who jumped the counter at Lucky 5 and started punching and kicking the man on duty, as well as ripping off his gold necklace. After SWAT officers arrested him at his family’s residence in High Point on Friday afternoon, the documents say, a loaded gun was found in a bedroom there, with its serial number scratched off. Police say he claimed he was drunk when he and three others held up the Lucky 5, and that he confessed to six other crimes, including the White Center and Burien phone-store robberies, the Junction alley holdup, a package theft (no date/time listed), a downtown business robbery in September, and the Roxbury Safeway shoplift-turned-robbery.
In the latter incident, investigators allege that he and an accomplice tried to leave the store without paying for food and a beverage that one security officer thought was liquor (but was actually water). When two security officers tried to stop them, the documents say, the 17-year-old pulled a gun on them, after his accomplice beat one officer. He will be arraigned in juvenile court tomorrow; Upham will be arraigned on December 23rd. As for the other cases and other possible suspects, the investigation continues.
Thanks for the tips! The pm commute on the West Seattle Bridge is being backed up by a spinout crash on the westbound bridge’s pre-Fauntleroy curve. No serious injuries – no SFD dispatch.
The best way to end homelessness is to prevent it from happening. One of the agencies devoted to doing that in our area is the West Seattle Helpline. They’ve asked us to let you know they’re seeking help with what they describe as an “urgent need”:
Requests for emergency financial assistance are at an all-time high, up roughly 30% compared to this time last year — that’s an extra 32 families who need help each month. For the first time in four years, we may not be able to support all of our neighbors seeking assistance. We need YOU now more than ever to ensure we can continue to help ALL our neighbors. This season we ask that you join us in stretching yourself to help stop homelessness before it starts.
The assistance provided by the Helpline covers one-time needs, preventing eviction and/or utility shutoffs. These are not giant grants – an average of $281 can keep a family from losing their home, the Helpline says. If you can help with any amount, donate online, or send a check to West Seattle Helpline, 6516 35th Ave SW #204, Seattle, WA 98126.
(May photo by David Hutchinson)
1:30 PM: Early alert from the Port of Seattle regarding the damage at Jack Block Park in West Seattle, first noted here back in May:
Starting as early as January 2, 2020, and going as late as March 6, 2020, the pier at Jack Block Park will be closed for repairs to the pier structure and hand railings.
Work will generally be Monday through Friday, starting as early as 6:00 AM and will end as late as 4:30 PM.
Visitors should expect a reduction in parking spaces near the eastern restroom building, while the ADA parking space will remain available.
The plaza will remain open, but a small portion may be used for staging. We appreciate the public’s understanding while these repairs are being completed.
3:37 PM: Since our archives showed that repairs were made in spring, we asked port spokesperson Peter McGraw for information on exactly what will happen during this closure. His reply:
In the summer of 2019 we completed interim repairs; those repairs allowed us to open the majority of the pier.
A small portion of the pier which we closed about 2-1/2years ago remains closed. That portion will be open again at the completion of the upcoming project.
The upcoming project work includes repairing additional damage from the 2019 impact event that caused the summer 2019 closure.
The project will also complete needed repairs that are simply due to age of the pier.
(WSB photo)
We caught up with the West Seattle Road Runners cross-country-running team earlier this week at Hiawatha as they got ready for a big training session. Once again this year, the Road Runners will be represented at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in a big way – 19 of them are going to Madison, Wisconsin, for this weekend’s competition. The runners are in the 7/8 and 9/10 age brackets. The Road Runners’ recent achievements include first-ever age-group team titles in regional competitions last month. The program became an official USATF-sanctioned club in 2017 and has been represented at nationals every year. Another achievement: This past September, the Road Runners hosted the first-ever West Seattle Rust Buster meet.
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