West Seattle, Washington
07 Wednesday
When 37-year-old Admiral resident Duane Atwood was charged last July in connection with an indecent-exposure incident on Beach Drive, prosecutors said they expected to charge him “soon” for alleged telephone threats against an acquaintance. We’ve been watching court files ever since. This month, he was charged with one count of felony harassment, and his bail was doubled to $500,000.
The Whittaker update @ Seattle Design Commission
When the Seattle Design Commission gave its qualified approval last year to The Whittaker, West Seattle’s biggest development project ever (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW), they told the project team they’d have to come back when certain aspects of the project finished taking shape.
That return visit happened on Thursday, and revealed more details of the art and landscaping that will surround the building. We’ve since obtained the full slide deck shown at the meeting (see above), which resulted in some suggestions by the commission, whose role in the project is related to the fact it required an alley vacation (subsequently approved by the City Council this past April).
(Light-green lichen on trees at Lincoln Park; photo by Mark Ahlness, shared via WSB Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
BLOOD DRIVE IN GATEWOOD: If you can donate blood, consider stopping by Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood sometime between 1 and 7 pm (except for the 3-4 pm break time) to donate during today’s drive. Details here. (39th/Thistle)
ART EXTRAVAGANZA FOR TEENS: First day of no school & looking for a teen-friendly activity? 2-4 pm at Delridge Branch Library, jump into an arts/crafts project during today’s Teen Space. *Note that city libraries are closed Christmas Eve & Day. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
SANTA CLAUS: Find him today at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 3 pm-7 pm. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)
SHOP LOCAL! Even if your favorite local store isn’t usually open Mondays, today it just might be. Example: Thunder Road Guitars at 3916 California SW, open 11 am-5 pm. Some stores might be open later than you think – Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW) is open 10 am-8 pm. Curious Kidstuff at 4740 California SW is open 9:30 am-7 pm on Monday. (All 3 are WSB sponsors and just a sampling of many stores we think you’ll find open today!) We have other local-shopping notes in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, where you’ll also find links to our Christmas Eve/Day restaurant and grocery info. (Anyone with local-shopping info to add for tonight/tomorrow/Wednesday? Please e-mail us ASAP – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!).
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:57 AM: Today marks the start of what we’ll call holiday week #1 – first week of winter break for schools, meaning more people on vacation overall, which should mean lighter traffic.
Metro service is normal (except for the “no UW” cancellations) today and tomorrow, and then reduced service kicks in through New Year’s Day; the “reduced weekday” schedule starts Wednesday (Christmas Eve) and continues through the first Friday of the year (except for Christmas and New Year’s Days, both Sunday schedules).
11:29 AM: If you are headed this way via I-5 northbound, from somewhere to the south, be forewarned there is a 2-mile backup because of an incident just south of the exit to the West Seattle Bridge, per WSDOT.
Zippy’s Giant Burgers proprietor Blaine Cook was expecting today to be one last full day of business before an early closure Tuesday for the staff party, and then a long holiday break. Instead, Zippy’s will be opening a bit later than usual today because he has to buy a new cash register – to replace one stolen by burglar(s) who broke a door to get in. He told WSB he’s not sure what time it happened; a family member who comes in to clean around 4 am discovered the broken glass and missing register.
The cash register is the only thing taken, according to Cook (update – Zippy’s Facebook post says, a safe too) – the burglar(s) didn’t even take the champagne that was awaiting the staff party. No surveillance video – no camera – but that, he says, will have to change. Since Zippy’s is in the unincorporated area (9614 14th SW), the King County Sheriff’s Office is investigating; deputies were just leaving as we arrived. You’ll recall the Greenbridge area had a spate of business burglaries last month; Zippy’s is several blocks west of there.
Thanks to Kimberly Pena for sharing that photo – it’s her brother Brian Pena and 11 of his friends who flew to Arizona for tonight’s Seahawks game, a 35-6 win over the Cardinals! The Hawks are playoff-bound again this year – but first, one more regular-season game to get through, vs. the visiting St. Louis Rams, 1:25 pm next Sunday.
Another outdoor event that benefited from tonight’s cleared-up weather: West Seattle Runner‘s annual Christmas Lights Run. Above, a bit of video as dozens of runners and walker left the store’s parking lot at California/Charlestown. WS Runner proprietors Lori and Tim McConnell were the hosts/leaders, for the fifth time since they launched the business (a WSB sponsor) in 2010.
The eventual destination – just a few blocks east, though the run/walk was taking a roundabout route to get there – the synched-to-music Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular/
West Seattle Lights, which you can visit any night during the holiday season (we stopped by and caught the display’s snowperson trio introducing a new addition – note they’re offering hot cocoa 6-8 pm Christmas Eve).
Next year, launch point for the Christmas Lights Run will be a ways north, since, as reported here last month, West Seattle Runner will be moving to The Admiral District. But in the meantime, they’re still at Charlestown Center, where you can Christmas-shop through Tuesday (that day they’ll be open until 8, and then closed Christmas Eve/Day).
(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand unless otherwise credited)
About an hour after Winter Solstice 2014, the sun graced NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen‘s sunset-watch event at Solstice Park tonight, to the joy of skywatchers of all ages!
If you haven’t been to one yet, Alice has been leading solstice/equinox sunset watches for more than five years now:
That includes coaching on what to look for at Solstice Park, planned so the setting sun aligns with certain points in its stone-marked plaza:
Today, just after 4, with the sun’s cooperation, the ~40 in attendance were able to check the solstice-sunset alignment:
(Photo shared by Lori)
And then, the sun made its exit – still warm enough (and dry!) to linger:
Looking ahead, the spring equinox arrives at 3:45 pm our time on March 20th – watch Alice’s website and her “Skies Over West Seattle” reports here for news of the next sunset watch.
Thanks to Diane Radischat, president-elect of the Arrowhead Gardens Residents Community, for sharing the photo from a special delivery her group made downtown today:
The residents of Arrowhead Gardens collected socks for the homeless. We delivered 208 pairs of socks, 20 pairs of gloves, 21 hats and one scarf to the Union Gospel Mission. This is our 3 year of doing the Fill the Box with Sox drive.
(Arrowhead Gardens is West Seattle’s southeasternmost retirement community, just past the east end of Roxbury, on the hill to Highway 509.)
(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
At lower-center in our top photo, that’s the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction, the biggest structure still standing on the 40th/Alaska/Fauntleroy/Edmunds block, where The Whittaker soon will rise to the north and east. That project’s developer is giving the center’s parking lot a major regrade and upgrade because of the impact – you can see that in the photo too, with its new asphalt and striping. But those aren’t the only changes for the center-headquartered Alki Masonic Lodge #152, which dates back more than a century. On Saturday, the public was invited to its leadership installation. Below, outgoing Worshipful Master Bob Rice:
Installed to succeed him, the Lodge’s new WM, Martin Monk:
Also installed were Bill Van Cleave, Senior Warden; Michael Sawyer, Junior Warden; Richard Syson, Secretary; and Gary Langenbach, Treasurer. If you haven’t been involved with Lodge #152 or its auxiliary/associated groups, you might know its headquarters best as a rentable hall that’s home to many community events each year, such as the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake-breakfast benefit in early December, and some sponsored by the Lodge itself, such as the annual School Awards. The hall’s calendar for 2015, laid out in the program for Saturday’s ceremony, even includes plans to participate in the WSB-presented West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on May 9th.
Thanks to Kyle Geraghty of American Legion Post 160 for the photos and report:
West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160 and Auxiliary Unit 160 came together today to assemble care packages for homeless veterans in our community.
If you know a veteran who is or is at imminent risk to being homeless please make a call to 877-4AID-VET (424-3838) to be connected 24/7 with VA’s service to overcome or prevent homelessness.
If you are a veteran or family member of a vet and would like to support projects like this, contact American Legion Post 160 at wslegion160@gmail.com or 206-932-9696.
For everybody who was wondering what the Seattle Fire Department heavy-rescue crew, Ladder 7, and Aid 14 were doing at Admiral Way Viewpoint: Nothing to worry about – just training. When we started getting calls/messages, we checked the online 911 log, and in the absence of an incident on the list, that’s what we figured, but just to be sure, we went by to check, and they confirmed that they were just wrapping up with training. (Thank you to everyone who messaged/called us anyway – just to make sure!)
A bit of wariness in one of the earliest visitors to Santa’s House this morning in The Junction. It’s the grand finale for this year’s Hometown Holidays (presented by the West Seattle Junction Association, co-sponsored by WSB) and the house is a festively decorated tent on the southwest corner:
The classic Northwest greenery is courtesy of West Seattle Nursery, and the folks at WestSide Baby have barrels for donations – diapers, especially! – if you’re headed that way. Santa’s there for bring-your-own-camera photos until 2 pm, which is also closing time for the West Seattle Farmers’ Market a few steps further west – featuring snowflake-making for young shoppers, as well as a full lineup of pre-holiday food and drink. (Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
In case you’ve seen debris/wreckage near California/Andover (map) and were wondering … three vehicles were damaged in an early-morning crash, but no one was seriously hurt.
WSB’s Katie Meyer checked out the scene of the 3 am crash and took the photos. Police were still sorting out the circumstances; witnesses said it started with the truck, and that one if not both of the other damaged vehicles was parked when hit.
See what they built! Thanks to Susie and the K-5 STEM PTA for sharing that slide deck of photos from a pre-holiday project they thought you might want to see:
The K-5 STEM PTA challenged classrooms to create a team-based, collaborative structures for our first annual Gingerbread House Engineering Expo. We had participation from 11 class teams and the results were creative, artful, festive and FUN! Teachers had no limits except their imaginations and each team was given a “starter kit” of materials. Many classrooms continued with themes they have been studying, including geometry, architecture, native bird species and literary themes. All participating classes received an award for their work such as “Most Epic Implosion,” “Most Spellbinding,” and “Best Ecosystem.” Great job, STEM owls!
P.S. In case you’re not already quite well aware – STEM and all other Seattle Public Schools are on winter break until Monday, January 5th.
(Pre-winter solstice sunrise at Seacrest, tweeted by @scruffydiver)
Winter officially arrives this afternoon … and, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and our regular calendar, here are some ways to spend part of this short but festive day:
EXTRA SHOPPING HOURS: Many of your favorite local businesses will be open extra hours today and in the next few days as Christmas approaches. Three we know of today: Thunder Road Guitars (3916 California SW; WSB sponsor), noon-5 pm; Wyatt’s Jewelers (Westwood Village; WSB sponsor), noon-4 pm; Atomic Boys, 11 am-5 pm.
NONPROFIT GIFT-SHOP SHOPPING: Two places you can shop while supporting a local nonprofit directly – the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and Cultural Center gift shop (4705 W. Marginal Way SW), 10 am-5 pm, and the Log House Museum gift shop (61st/Stevens), noon-4 pm.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Not just fresh produce – packaged/preserved items you might consider for gifts, too. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)
‘SANTA’S HOUSE’ IN THE JUNCTION: DIY Santa photos (bring your camera!) at “Santa’s House” in The Junction as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays, 10 am-2 pm. (SW corner California/Alaska)
ALL SOULS CHRISTMAS SERVICE: From the holiday-season-services list in the WSB Holiday Guide – 10 am at Madison Middle School, All Souls (WSB sponsor) invites you to its Christmas Lessons + Carols Service. (45th/Spokane)
SANTA AT THRIFTWAY: Santa at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – 11 am-3 pm. P.S. In-store holiday music with guitarist Gary Benson today too, 1:30-4:30 pm. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)
KITTY HARBOR’S LAST ADOPTION DAY UNTIL SPRING: Last scheduled adoption day until May at Kitty Harbor, noon-5 pm. (3422 Harbor SW)
SANTA AT CAPERS: Last chance for DIY Santa Photos at CAPERS in The Junction, with “ex-Westwood Santa.” Bring cameras/phones, kids/friends, and a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. Noon-3 pm. (4525 California SW)
SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH WITH ALICE: 3:03 pm, winter arrives. Less than an hour later, gather at Solstice Park (uphill behind the tennis courts) with Alice Enevoldsen to celebrate and learn about the solstice – as explained on her Alice’s Astro Info website. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TAILGATE AT HPIC: Second-to-last tailgate party of the regular season at Highland Park Improvement Club, doors open at 4:30 pm (one hour before gametime) – details in our calendar listing. (12th/Holden)
CHRISTMAS LIGHT RUN: 5:30 pm, join West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) for the 5th annual Christmas Light Run, as announced: “Get decked out in your antlers and Santa hats, bring your elves and do a leisurely 2-3 mile run/walk to view the Christmas lights of West Seattle. As always we will end at the Helmstetler Hacienda for the big extravaganza! Feel free to bring a canned-food item for donation. We will serve Christmas cookies (probably not homemade) and hot chocolate and cider afterward. Remember to wear lights to see the sidewalks and reflective gear so that cars can see you. We think battery-operated Christmas light strands do quite nicely for this purpose.” (California/Charlestown)
TIBBETTS ‘LONGEST NIGHT’ SERVICE: From the holiday-season-services list in the WSB Holiday Guide – 7 pm at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), for those for whom the holidays are hard for whatever reason. (3940 41st SW)
AND MORE … including Sunday-night nightlife … on our calendar!
Thanks to the proud parents who have sent word that all four of the West Seattle teams who played today in the Seattle Youth Soccer Association City Tournament championships won their games!
Congratulations to:
(Donuts: Max, Aidan, Owen, Kai, Zachary, Cooper, Colby, Rohan, Nate, JP, Marco, Xander, Noah, Graham, Milo)
*U12 boys West Seattle Donuts (1-0 over Lake City)
(Strikers: Front – Isaac; first row – Eli, Xavi, Porter, Cristian, Will C, Dylan, Mathew; back row – Coach Norm, Deni, Karl, Jesse, Jacob, Coach Bob, Blaise, Henry, Will H, Nathaniel, Coaches Peter & Brandon)
*U13 boys West Seattle Strikers (3-1 over Ballard)
*U15 girls West Seattle Crush (2-0 over Capitol Hill)
(The Inferno showing off their championship trophy: Co-coaches Kristen Hinthorn and Tim Hinthorn are standing at far left and far right)
*U17 girls West Seattle Inferno (2-1 over Laurelhurst/View Ridge/Ravenna)
Thanks to Lai Wong-Smith for sharing the photo of the victorious Donuts, coached by Andre Tiffany (head coach) and Lemuel Charleston (assistant coach). We’ll add any other photos we receive (*of the teams for which we don’t have photos) – editor@westseattleblog.com or text to 206-293-6302 – thank you!
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: Thanks to Norm for sending a photo of the Strikers (added above), whom he notes were undefeated in the regular season, 10-0: “Only team of the entire SYSA league of any age group to go undefeated in League Play and in City Tournament play.”
ADDED MONDAY MORNING: Thanks to Bryan for sending the photo of the Inferno, just added.
If you’re heading this way from downtown or points north – note that there’s a backup on the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct from just before the stadium zone, because of a one-vehicle crash. Kim reported it via Twitter:
@westseattleblog @seattledot car into guardrail at top curve near Yesler. Right lane blocked S 99. pic.twitter.com/lndXuu9mbw
— Kim Sharpe Jones (@seattlekim) December 21, 2014
No emergency vehicles at the time, but now they’ve been dispatched and reportedly will be checking a toddler for possible injuries.
Bright lights, bright smiles! A bit blustery tonight, but still a big turnout for photos with “Santa Al” at West Seattle’s biggest and brightest holiday display, the Menashe Family Christmas Lights (5605 Beach Drive SW). He’s scheduled to be there until 10 pm; bring your camera and a non-perishable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank.
Want to kick this year’s Santa photos up a notch in the fun department? Cocoa Cris Cringle is making his annual holiday appearance at Easy Street Records in The Junction (California/Alaska) until at least 8 pm, and he has props, hats, scarves, including some of what you see this group wearing (even the lucha libre mask). As noted on the ESR website, it’s a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank.
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight, plus a store-theft report from the public SPD files involving a bottle stolen and a bottle thrown:
Catching up with more local school-related news: Ten students from West Seattle Elementary School were among the participants at the citywide Girls On The Run 5K earlier this month. The photo shared with us also includes teachers, parents, and community volunteers who serve as running buddies, including accompanying their assigned “buddy” in the 5K after weeks of preparation. GOTR isn’t just about running – it’s also about empowerment and character development, helping build self-esteem. Those involved with GOTR at WSES include teachers Colleen Farrell, Amber Simonton, and Hannah Ory, along with afterschool coordinator Alex Cali. As mentioned here on WSB before, GOTR runs on plenty of volunteer power, so if you’re interested in getting involved (WSES is one of six West Seattle schools involved), go here to find out how.
(Photo by Dave McCoy)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This week, the state closed the Nooksack River to fishing.
The explanation for the closure mirrored words of warning spoken here in West Seattle days earlier – many miles from the river, but close to many hearts.
The warning, and a call to action, came from a guest speaker hosted by Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, author/angler Dylan Tomine, who is based on Bainbridge Island.
(This photo & next by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
He spoke of a threat to Washington’s official state fish, wild steelhead – posed, Tomine said, by the state’s hatchery system – a system you pay for, a system involved in the new Nooksack closure, ordered because of a shortage of “eggs from returning hatchery winter steelhead (needed) to meet basin production goals.”
Sound simple? Anything but, explained Tomine, who began: “Are you guys ready to get pissed off? Because I’m pissed about this. The more I’ve found digging deeper and deeper, the more upset I get.”
What he has found, and spoke of at EWA that night, includes the tale of the fish that cost taxpayers $70,000, and much more.
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