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Spotlight Stories

Seen off West Seattle: Another passing submarine
December 15, 2016 10:47 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

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Thanks to those who sent us photos of another submarine sighting off Alki Point this afternoon – this photo is from Bruce Easter. Identifying a submarine is not as easy (for the non-expert, anyway) as identifying other types of Navy vessels, so we don’t know which one this was. Fewer submarines are homeported in Bremerton than in Bangor on Hood Canal, but passing subs aren’t necessarily homeported there – it’s also a base for maintenance and decommissioning.

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VIDEO: ‘Shop Late Thursday’ in The Junction
December 15, 2016 7:29 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: ‘Shop Late Thursday’ in The Junction
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Tonight’s second-to-last Shop Late Thursday in The Junction kicked off with an extra-festive feature … Emerald City Voices, caroling along California. One of the stores open late tonight is Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor), with a pop-up in the loft, featuring two artists with cool gift possibilities – you have to see the eco-wearables by Shino Mikami of Uzura:

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And cards and wearables by Claire Jauregui of Orange Twist:

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Click’s open until 9 tonight – with treats in the loft, too – go shop! And while you’re in The Junction, you can also shop Thunder Road Guitars (4736 California SW: WSB sponsor) until 8 tonight. Lots of Hometown Holidays happenings in the days and nights ahead – highlights here!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Burglary attempts; Rudolph … recovered?
December 15, 2016 5:04 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two burglary attempts and a reindeer are in West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

5400 BLOCK FAUNTLEROY: Rasmus sent the photo and report:

Early this morning, someone tried breaking into our home office via the alley on the 5400 block. They got as far as popping out our screen, but gave up when our window self-locked after about an inch. Still, they were brave enough to enter our apartment parking lot, to get to the window.

I’d encourage everyone in the area to be on the lookout for anyone suspicious, possibly casing and targeting apartments in the area. We did report it to the police, case number 16-449387.

Later, they learned their neighbor’s car had been broken into overnight.

39TH AND JUNEAU: Brandon reports a break-in attempt around 9:45 am: “They saw me in the window and turned around; I went out to the back deck and yelled ‘HEY’ and they took off running … hopefully people keep a look out and these kids get caught.” He did get a look at the would-be intruders, describing them as “young black males, probably around 16 years old, one of them had a Seahawks beanie, but they were all wearing beanies and jackets and all had backpacks on.” He was filing a police report.

And just in:

STOLEN DECORATION? Kelly e-mailed to report, “There is a lighted Rudolph reindeer with a Santa hat Christmas decoration that was thrown in my front yard — Admiral area — I have no idea where it came from but would love to reunite it with its owner!” She sent this photo:

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Know of anyone whose Rudolph got removed?

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HAPPENING NOW: Happy Bill of Rights Day!
December 15, 2016 2:31 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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The photo and report are from Karen Chilcutt:

Today, December 15th, is Bill of Rights Day!! Members of the West Seattle Democratic Women are distributing copies of the Bill of Rights, bumper stickers, and buttons provided by the American Civil Liberties Union at both the White Center Food Bank and Samway Market in White Center. WSDW wants everyone to know that materials are also available at Cupcake Royale in the West Seattle Junction.

Rachel Glass, WSDW’s Vice Chair, said: “Given the concerns, confusion and fear expressed by many Americans as a result of the change in political climate, WSDW thought it especially important that people be aware of their rights.”

Other participating members of West Seattle Democratic Woman braving the freezing weather in support of this cause were Elizabeth Heath, Lynne Ingalls, Flora Belle Key, Theresa McCormick and Mike Wald. Peggy Abby, WSDW member and local artist crafted the signs used.

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West Seattle scene: Caroling for ‘Awesome Avery’ and family
December 15, 2016 1:03 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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A beautiful sight in a West Seattle backyard brought holiday cheer to “Awesome Avery” Berg and her family. We have reported before – here and here – on Avery, who was diagnosed with brain cancer just as she prepared to start middle school this fall. The photo and update are from friend Kelly Malloy:

She begins her second round of chemo today – and the community surprised the family on Tuesday by showing up in their back yard with candles and holiday songs to sing. Her dear friends Liza and Rachel coordinated this and it was AWESOME. (like Awesome Avery)

Caroling at Avery’s and seeing (at least) 50 people in her back yard was mind blowing, inspiring, brilliant, sweet, and just another reflection of the fabulous community of West Seattle.

Avery’s mom Kristie has continued to post updates from time to time here.

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3039 SW Avalon Way joins 4220 SW 100th on January 5th agenda for Southwest Design Review Board
December 15, 2016 12:19 pm
|    Comments Off on 3039 SW Avalon Way joins 4220 SW 100th on January 5th agenda for Southwest Design Review Board
 |   Development | West Seattle news

The Southwest Design Review Board‘s next meeting on January 5th now has a second project.

We already reported a month ago that the Arbor Heights plan for 9 live-work units at 4220 SW 100th would go before the board that night (6:30 pm, Senior Center/Sisson Building). It’s an Early Design Guidance hearing but this concept rendering of the project is already in the file:

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The formal notice of that hearing finally appeared in the Land Use Information Bulletin today.

What’s not in the bulletin yet – but has just been added to the Design Review website – is an 8 pm hearing that same night (January 5th) for 3039 SW Avalon Way. This is the second and potentially final review for the six-story, 71-unit, 20-offstreet-parking-space project. Here’s our report on its first review back in February. The “packet” for this review is not in the system yet but will eventually be linked here.

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@ Southwest District Council: Request for rezoning-plan extension
December 15, 2016 10:44 am
|      61 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

The Southwest District Council is asking the city for an extra half-year to deal with the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) rezoning plans.

That’s part of what happened when the SWDC met Tuesday night – postponed from last week, when the city scheduled its rezoning-and-more “open house” (WSB coverage here) on the district council’s longstanding regular meeting night.

Here’s the text of the resolution passed by SWDC members:

The Southwest District Council requests a six-month extension to the HALA proposal, prior to the (Environmental Impact Statement) submittal, to accommodate necessary outreach, assimilation, and planning so that alternative draft zoning proposals can be developed, and in order to have design charrettes take place for the following urban villages: West Seattle Junction, Admiral Junction, and Morgan Junction.

As we’ve been reporting since October, four West Seattle “urban villages” are among the areas of the city where upzoning is planned as part of what the mayor calls Mandatory Housing Affordability – giving builders/developers additional capacity, while requiring them to build a percentage of their projects as “affordable” units, or else pay into a fund that will pay for it to be built somewhere else in the city.

One of those UVs, Westwood-Highland Park, has already had a “design charrette” organized by the city to talk about and look at specifics of its plan, but the city is currently not planning similar events for the three UVs mentioned in the SWDC resolution. And the overall concern is that most current residents potentially affected by this still don’t know about it, as there’s been no direct, clear messaging from the city about the proposed zoning changes.

Also at Tuesday’s SWDC meeting, three items that you might call operational.

Read More

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Music, shopping, more for your West Seattle Thursday
December 15, 2016 9:00 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Western Grebe, photographed by Mark Wangerin. Curious about its leg? Read this.)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

DINE OUT FOR LAFAYETTE: 3-10 pm at Chipotle in The Junction, part of the proceeds benefit Lafayette Elementary. (4730 California SW)

TINKERLAB: With the High Point Library temporarily closed, Southwest Library is the place to go for today’s Tinkerlab drop-in session, focused on Finch Robots. 3:30-5 pm. (35th SW/SW Henderson)

CIRCLE OF SINGLES: 5 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). Event for singles 60+. (1936 Harbor SW)

SHOP LATE THURSDAY AT CLICK! Many Junction shops are open later than usual tonight – among them, longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits, with a special pop-up event in its loft – details here. (4540 California SW)

CAROLING IN THE JUNCTION: Join in holiday songs while you’re shopping The Junction tonight – meet up with Emerald City Voices at 6 pm at Junction Plaza Park “to join in a stroll around the Junction. You’ll be stopping at local businesses to sing the season with holiday cheer,” as part of Hometown Holidays. (42nd SW/SW Alaska)

DENNY CONCERT: Postponed last week because of weather, the Denny International Middle School winter band/orchestra concert is happening tonight, 6:30 pm at Chief Sealth International HS Auditorium. (2600 SW Thistle)

WSHS CONCERT: The West Seattle High School Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra are performing their Winter Concert tonight, 7 pm, in the WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)

ORCA TALK: The Southern Resident Killer Whales’ situation is more precarious than ever. Tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), The Whale Trail‘s first Orca Talk of the season brings you Lynne Barre from NOAA Fisheries with the latest on their status. Our preview includes ticket info – check to see if there’s room. (5612 California SW)

SHAKE THINGS UP: The monthly Alauda bellydancing showcase at The Skylark is at 7:30 tonight. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LOTS MORE … for today and tonight – just check our complete calendar here.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER TODAY: Thursday watch
December 15, 2016 6:30 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:30 AM: The main weather word is “cold,” says the National Weather Service. Two more notes:

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: If you travel through the stadium zone – be aware that it’s game night, Seahawks hosting the Rams, 5:25 pm. Here’s the SDOT alert.

SECOND-TO-LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Tomorrow is the last day before winter break for Seattle Public Schools (and most independent schools). SPS will be out an hour early on Friday.

7:36 AM: Commenter mentions backup on the low bridge.

8 AM: Automobile rescue call at 16th/Florida on Harbor Is.

8:20 AM: The location has been corrected to 13th/Florida (map).

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VIDEO: Seattle Fire Department’s Toys for Tots drive gets boost from Admiral preschoolers
December 14, 2016 10:02 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Photos and video by Christopher Boffoli for West Seattle Blog

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A cheery scene of holiday giving this morning, in the chilly sunshine: A large group of bundled-up students and teachers from the North Admiral preschool A Child Becomes marched the two blocks from the school to Seattle Fire Station 29, pulling seven wagons of toys:

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The toys were for the SFD Toys for Tots drive:

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After the students helped unload the toys into the bins at the station, school director Shelley Neal led everyone in song.

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And to sum it all up in video:

You can drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Seattle Fire station by December 23rd, and Toys for Tots, via the US Marine Corps Reserve, will get them to local kids in need. FS 29 is at 2139 Ferry SW; also in West Seattle are FS 11 at 16th SW/SW Holden, FS 37 at 35th SW/SW Holden, temporary FS 32 on 40th SW between Edmunds and Alaska, and FS 36 at the north end of Delridge Way.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 reader reports, and prevention advice
December 14, 2016 8:40 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

As mentioned earlier – when we published this story about Seattle Police trying to get recovered items backto their owners – we have reader reports to share, too:

MORE CAR PROWLS IN LA FITNESS GARAGE: From Jordan:

I wanted to pass along this story about two car break-ins at the LA Fitness parking garage that happened last night, December 13th. A buddy and I were leaving the gym and approached his car to find that his driver side window had been completely broken, along with the car next to him. Both cars had been gone through (glove boxes open, center consoles open, etc..), nothing too valuable was taken from either car.

When we went to report it to the front desk staff at LA Fitness, they said, “AGAIN!”. Which leads me to believe it has been happening quite a bit lately. Just trying to raise awareness for people who use the gym and maybe encourage the management of the building to install some security cameras in the parking garage since there is a total of zero now. With how many members the gym now has and how much the monthly dues are it seems like it would be a minimal expense to install some cameras to deter crime for their members.

We’ll be checking with corporate HQ.

CAR PROWLERS ON CAMERA: From Matthew along Fauntleroy Way:

My work vehicle was broken into this morning between 3:15 and 3:40. There were three men in two vehicles. They appear to know their trade, as they spent a good deal of time looking evidence of an alarm, and a means of deactivating it. They eventually picked the driver door, set off the alarm, had the side and rear doors opened for them and looked for anything to grab in a hurry then ran off.

A good reminder to be watchful and review good vehicle-theft-prevention practices.

PACKAGE-THEFT ALERT: From Joseph: “I’m writing to report multiple package theft in the Morgan Junction areas. Many in the area have found or reported ripped open boxes and missing packages. Specifically Willow and California west-side residences, and down Willow to Fauntleroy.”

PREVENTION ADVICE: These are exactly the type of crime that rises at this time every year. This flyer circulated to community groups has suggestions for what you can do to deter it.

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USNS Bob Hope to berth at West Seattle’s Terminal 5?
December 14, 2016 4:18 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(UPDATED to reflect that the meeting day, December 19th, is next Monday)

That’s a file photo of the USNS Bob Hope – a Military Sealift Command ship that might be berthed next year at West Seattle’s Terminal 5. Northwest Seaport Alliance (the joint Seattle-Tacoma ports’ organization) spokesperson Tara Mattina tells WSB that a special public meeting is set for next (updated) Monday (December 19th) to discuss a plan for the NWSA to join Foss Maritime in seeking a contract for the ship to be berthed at T-5. This would require Foss to have a deal with the port beyond the February expiration of its the one it has now. First, some background, from Mattina:

The USNS Bob Hope is the first ship in the Navy’s first class of large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships (LMSR), and is part of the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC). The primary mission of these ships is to transport shore-based equipment and supplies in support of military and humanitarian operations.

This past summer the Bob Hope participated in the Cascadia Rising earthquake recovery exercise. These ships are a key asset in recovery efforts in the event of a widespread natural disaster.

The ships are operated by 30 civilian mariners who work for a private company under contract to MSC and up to 50 embarked military personnel who monitor and maintain the equipment being transported. The ships are maintained in reduced operational status, which means they are operationally ready in four days.

Should Foss and the NWSA be successful in winning this bid, the ship would berth at Terminal 5. The Navy plans to run the ship on shore power while at berth.

This type of interim use for Terminal 5 is part of the alliance’s strategic business plan to diversify cargo and maximize terminal use. It will in no way interfere with the modernization of the terminal and the goal of creating a first-class container terminal.

Lots of additional information is in this memo attached to the agenda for next (updated) Monday’s meeting. It says that the branch of General Dynamics that operates the Bob Hope and similar ships is seeking “berth space, facilities, services, equipment and support in order to maintain USNS Bob Hope in ready-reserve status for a base term of one year.” That year would be the entirety of 2017, with the possibility of extending the contract “up to four additional 1-year terms.” The document also says “The RFP provides for other vessels to moor during times when USNS Bob Hope is away from berth” and that this could bring in at least $300,000 a year. It also notes that Foss’s lease for T-5 ends in February, so the NWSA would have to make a new deal with Foss in order for that company to handle this. (The Bob Hope is currently in San Diego.)

If you have something to say about this, there’s a public-comment period during the meeting at 8:30 am next (updated) Monday at Pier 69 downtown (2711 Alaskan Way), or you can e-mail comments@nwseaportalliance.com.

P.S. The tanker Evergreen State is the ship you’re currently seeing at T-5. We asked port spokesperson Peter McGraw about it after a Seattle Fire medical call to T-5 earlier this week. He explains, “Foss still has a 50-acre lease at T-5; they received a call over the weekend that the Evergreen State needed a berth to undertake some repair work to the piping. The vessel will be at T-5 until the work is complete. Although a tanker, its voids are dry and empty.”

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UPDATE: Crash at 16th and Thistle sends 1 to hospital
December 14, 2016 1:51 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

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(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

1:51 PM: Big “automobile rescue” response for a crash at 16th and Thistle in Highland Park. Avoid the area. More to come.

1:59 PM: More units are on the way – the call has been escalated to “heavy rescue.”

2:11 PM: Via scanner, SFD is treating a 24-year-old man who will be taken to Harborview Medical Center. Injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. Meantime, the crash is affecting Metro Routes 125 and 128.

2:56 PM: Photo added. Police told us this is being investigated as a hit-and-run; this comment includes what a witness reported seeing. The medical exchange we heard via scanner described the victim as having been hit “at high speed.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Recognize this loot recovered by police?
December 14, 2016 1:08 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

If you’ve been car-prowled lately …take a look at this photo:

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It’s from Southwest Precinct Officer DeBella, who explains:

SPD Southwest Anti-Crime Team and Patrol Officers broke up a car-prowl crew. We believe them to be prolific car prowlers with ties around the city and into King County. We have some distinctive property which was recovered but do not know who the owners are. If anyone recognizes their property in the photograph, please e-mail Officer DeBella at spd6844@seattle.gov.

At least one person is in custody in connection with this, we’re told.

P.S. We will have another Crime Watch update later with today’s reader reports.

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Hoping to see ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ in West Seattle?
December 14, 2016 12:48 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news

If you’re hoping to see “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” at West Seattle’s newly renovated Admiral Theater, here’s an update:

Though the official start date is Friday, The Admiral does have Thursday night shows, and manager Dinah Brein wants you to know: “Tickets will NOT be available online or at the theater until this Thursday [tomorrow]. Box office opens at 2 PM. You can buy tickets for either Thursday’s 2D 7 PM show or the 3D 9:40 at that time. ‘Rogue One’ will be showing 4 times a day starting Friday. You can come to the box office at noon starting Friday and buy tickets for any show ON THAT DAY. Remember, our theater is smaller now; only 225 seats so you will want to come early. Lines will be forming outside.”

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West Seattle whale-watching: Orcas nearby
December 14, 2016 10:59 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Alisa for the tip: Washington State Ferries reported southbound orcas about half an hour ago off Bainbridge Island’s Restoration Point. “Presumably residents,” she adds, noting that J-Pod was seen in the Sound yesterday. Please let us know if you see them!

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What’s ahead for your West Seattle Wednesday
December 14, 2016 9:58 am
|    Comments Off on What’s ahead for your West Seattle Wednesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Bewick’s Wren, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

CRAFT FAIR: You’re invited to today’s Craft Fair at the Salvation Army, 10 am-6 pm. (9050 16th SW)

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am-11 am, for ages 3-5, at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)

LOCAL BIZ MEETUP: Entrepreneur? Proprietor? Wannabe businessperson? Noon-1:15 pm, come to this week’s free meetup at West Seattle’s only coworking center, Office Junction. (WSB sponsor; 6040 California SW)

DINE OUT BENEFIT FOR WSHS SOPHOMORES: 2-9 pm, Shelby’s in The Junction is donating a percentage of proceeds to the West Seattle High School sophomore class. (4752 California SW)

DINE OUT BENEFIT FOR ALKI ELEMENTARY: 3-9 pm at Chipotle in The Junction, a percentage of the proceeds benefit the Alki Elementary Learning Garden project. (4730 California SW)

FOOD DRIVE AT SOUTHWEST POOL: As we noted on Monday, you can bring in nonperishable-food donations during pool hours and/or bring in 3 items to get discounted prices for specific swims this week. Tonight – 7:30 pm public swim! (2801 SW Thistle)

BUILD A GINGERBREAD HOUSE: Free Gingerbread House Building Event for the community – Delridge Community Center, 6-7:30 pm. Must pre-register, barcode #158853, so call the center ASAP to register, 206-684-7423. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

CHRISTMAS PARTY: Trinity West Seattle hosts a free West Seattle Christmas Party for the community, 6 pm. Dessert bar, free photos with Santa Claus, Santa’s workshop for kids, live music. (7551 35th SW)

SANTA AT PEGASUS: Come get your Santa photos at Pegasus Pizza on Alki, 6-9 pm. Images free with any purchase. (2770 Alki SW)

‘GET FIT WEST SEATTLE’ INFO NIGHT: A new couch-to-half-marathon training program is about to start at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), and tonight at 7 pm, you’re invited to the store to find out about it. (2743 California SW)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ HOLIDAY PARTY: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, this month’s meeting is a holiday celebration. (9131 California SW)

AND THERE’S MORE … for today, tonight, and beyond, on our complete calendar.

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Celebration of Life on Sunday for Bette Markley, 1918-2016
December 14, 2016 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Celebration of Life on Sunday for Bette Markley, 1918-2016
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather on Sunday to remember Bette Markley, 98. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Bette Markley, born in Seattle on June 6, 1918, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2016 – a full 98 years of life. Bette grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1936.

Working with her Dad in Roullard’s Public Market, she met and married Bob at the close of World War II and together raised their family after returning to West Seattle. She returned to work as a medical receptionist and stenographer to support the family when Bob fell ill. Additionally, she served as secretary to the King County Academy of Family Physicians.

She was always positive, supporting and encouraging others and extending a genuine kindness and concern for neighbors, friends and most especially her family.

She loved to travel. She and Bob toured Europe numerous times in their camper van through their 80s, and she celebrated her 87th birthday on safari in Africa with her brother.

Bette is survived by her brother Richard Roullard (Shirley); her daughter Shannon, sons David (Jeanne) and Scott (Sally); and grandson Galen.

A celebration of her life will be held at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW) on Sunday December 18, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to The Kenney Foundation, Resident Care Fund; 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136-2008.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER TODAY: Wednesday watch
December 14, 2016 6:48 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:48 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. But it’s at or below freezing out there, so ice is possible here and there. The National Weather Service‘s “forecast discussion” says flurries are possible tonight but nothing major.

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BIZNOTES: HomeStreet, Lodge, Cactus
December 14, 2016 6:40 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle biznotes:

LEADERSHIP CHANGE AT HOMESTREET BANK: Change at the top for West Seattle’s branch of HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) – vice president Melodie Van Houten has left to lead the Federal Way branch, and Nam Le is West Seattle’s new branch manager. They posed with Santa during last Friday’s open house in West Seattle:

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Van Houten was active with many West Seattle community organizations during her time here, including the Chamber of Commerce. Federal Way is much closer to where she lives. P.S. Another holiday event is coming up Friday at the Junction branch of HomeStreet (4022 SW Alaska) – which marks its third anniversary this month – a mini-bazaar noon-5 pm, with local vendors plus cocoa and cookies for visitors.

THE LODGE IS OPEN: Also in The Junction – thanks to the commenters who’ve pointed out that The Lodge Sports Grille has opened its West Seattle location (4209 SW Alaska), a year and a half after first word that it was on the way. We last wrote about it November 25th, noting that proprietor Shawn Roten said it would be opening despite the parent company’s Chapter 11 filing, which continues to make its way through the court system; all Lodge locations remain open.

CACTUS REOPENS TODAY: As mentioned here December 4th, Cactus at 2820 Alki SW has been closed for a little over a week for a “10-year refresh.” General manager Darin Kawabata tells WSB the work is on schedule, and that Cactus will reopen today, as expected.

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TIME-LAPSE VIDEO: See road-building inside the Highway 99 tunnel
December 13, 2016 9:55 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

That time-lapse video shows road-building inside the under-construction Highway 99 tunnel, and it accompanies WSDOT’s latest update on tunneling progress. The tunneling machine is now more than 70 percent of the way along the 9,270-foot route, according to WSDOT, which included the video in this update published today. It’s the second update of the week – this one details progress at the tunnel’s “south portal.” It’s been almost a full year since tunneling resumed on December 22, 2015, two years and two weeks after the machine stalled.

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UPDATE: West Seattle shooting investigation after victim brought to Fire Station 37
December 13, 2016 7:01 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WS breaking news

7:01 PM: Avoid 35th/Holden – SPD and SFD are dealing with an “assault with weapons” response right now. More to come.

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(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)

7:11 PM: Awaiting word from our crew headed to the scene, but so far we’re hearing this is reported to be a case of someone shot elsewhere and taken to Fire Station 37 (which is what’s at the address on the real-time 911 log, 7700 35th SW).

7:27 PM: At Station 37, SFD tells WSB’s Christopher Boffoli that an 18-year-old man showed up there with a gunshot wound and has been taken to Harborview. No information on his condition. Police have left FS 37 and Christopher is off to the second scene, reported to be at or near the small commercial center on the northeast corner of 35th/Roxbury.

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7:52 PM: Police there were leaving but Christopher did find out they suspect the victim was NOT shot near A Pizza Mart as reported; the store’s owner told Christopher he’s been there since 11 am and there have been no disturbances, let alone shootings, nearby. Meantime, SPD tweeted that the victim’s wound is not life-threatening.

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FOLLOWUP: Metro going ahead with plan to remove two bus shelters in Junction
December 13, 2016 4:58 pm
|      50 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Metro has just announced its final decision on two bus shelters in The Junction: They’re going, not staying.
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(WSB photo from October; shelters set for removal are the two on the right)

The original announcement of a removal plan for the two shelters on the west end of the south side of SW Alaska between California and 44th was made via signage that appeared on those shelters – and two NOT proposed for removal – on October 22nd; then concerns arose that the announcement, part of a Junction problem-solving plan, had been made without a chance for comment. So a comment period was opened up, until November 18th, and Metro told us at the time its decision would be made within “weeks.” Now, it’s here:

As part of an effort to address customer comfort and access to Metro bus service as well as to address non-transit use including illegal and uncivil behavior at the Alaska Junction, Metro is moving forward with the retention of two of the four oversized “double” shelters at one of the six transit bays in the area of California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street as soon as December 20.

The decision to remove two of the shelters was finalized after several weeks of public feedback and further analysis of rider usage. With this change, the remaining two double shelters at Bay 2 will continue to provide a weather-protected area sufficient for the riders who use these facilities. Metro also provides two RapidRide shelters at Bay 1 for transit riders. The removed shelters will be reused at other bus stops that are in need of shelters, and the artwork will be relocated to bus shelters within the Junction.

Bay 2 is served by routes 50 (Alki to Othello Station) and 128 (Admiral to White Center and Southcenter). Route 50 generally operates every 20-30 minutes and Route 128 every 30 minutes. Metro staff were sent to the location to observe how riders were using the stops at different times and days. Staff observed between zero and five customers waiting for buses at any one time under normal conditions, based on recent observations during peak and off-peak hours.

Metro solicited comments between October 28 and November (18th) and received feedback from both riders and non-riders, some opposed and some supporting the change. The majority of comments opposed to the removal were based on the misconception that Metro intended to remove all shelters at this location.

The change is expected to reduce non-transportation use of Metro facilities, and to better match transit facility supply and demand.

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