West Seattle, Washington
28 Tuesday
10:53 AM: Another widespread power outage that’s mostly south of us – but it’s affecting the lights at a key intersection on the southeast edge of West Seattle, a texter just confirmed, saying the 4th/Roxbury/Olson lights are out (treat it as a stop-all-ways intersection until they’re back!). Here’s the City Light map showing the outage affecting areas of South Park, North Highline, south White Center, Top Hat, and Boulevard Park.
11:28 AM: Except for Boulevard Park and vicinity, the SCL map now shows most have their power back. (For the record, here’s a screengrab showing the full area that WAS affected.)
Santa Claus‘s day started well before dawn – and the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s annual Community Pancake Breakfast is one place you’ll find him. The breakfast continues until 11 am and diners get a free Santa photo – that includes the West Seattle High School Key Club (a Kiwanis youth project), who were with him when we got to that side of the room at the Alki Masonic Hall. A bustling room, too:
All around the room, helpers including local Boy Scouts are making sure things run smoothly. In the kitchen, Kiwanians are busy cooking pancakes and sides:
West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty is on hand, not just because it’s one of their community appearances, but also in this case, Junior Court Queen Bianca Carufel is celebrating her birthday:
Next Monday, by the way, the new Junior Court will be coronated, 7 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, and you’re invited. But first, if you haven’t had breakfast yet, get over to the Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds – the parking lot’s being renovated so you’ll park either across Edmunds or across Fauntleroy) by 11 – proceeds help with the club’s many charity projects. (WSB is among this year’s table sponsors, along with other local businesses.) And if you miss the Kiwanians today, you’re invited to check out one of their regular weekly meetings, 6:30 pm Wednesdays at the Senior Center of West Seattle.
(Also happening this morning: West Seattle Rotary Children’s Shopping Spree – full story to come!)
From pre-dawn until long past dark, this is the busiest day of the holiday season in West Seattle! From our Holiday Guide and Event Calendar, here are the many reasons why – along with non-holiday highlights for today/tonight:
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Santa photos for kids up to age 10 are part of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s 67th annual pancake breakfast, on now and continuing until 11 am at Alki Masonic Hall. $10 at the door, kids under 10 eat free. **Bring unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots!!** (40th/Edmunds – note that parking is across Edmunds or across Fauntleroy)
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AT VFW HALL: Happening at VFW Post 2713 in The Triangle, 9 am-6 pm – details on the official flyer. (3601 SW Alaska)
SEATTLE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM MEETINGS: Two today at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center regarding the in-formation, voter-approved city program – 10 am-12:30 pm, on curriculum; 2-4:30 pm, on teacher training/coaching. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WESTSIDE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, all-school open house, as previewed here on Friday. (7740 34th SW)
HOLIDAY BAZAAR AT SLHS: Seattle Lutheran High School‘s third annual Holiday Bazaar, in the gym, 10 am-3 pm; details here. (4100 SW Genesee)
HOLIDAY ARTS/CRAFTS AT WSUU: 5th annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show in the Social Hall at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation Social Hall, 10 am-4 pm: “You are invited to our fifth annual sale of gifts by local community and WSUU artists and handcrafters. You’ll find original, one-of-a-kind gifts: felted hats, knits, jewelry, watercolor paintings, designer bags and accessories, greeting cards and stocking stuffers, edible holiday goodies, glass art, fiber art, more. Free refreshments.” (7141 California SW)
PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA, 10 am-2 pm at Pet Elements in Morgan Junction. $25, with $5 donated to Furry Faces Foundation; you’ll get a 5×7 and a digital file. (6511 California SW)
FOOD DRIVE: 10 am-2 pm, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest (WSB sponsor) Food Drive for the West Seattle Food Bank, at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy).
JEWELRY SHOW AT CLICK! 11 am-8 pm (continuing through the Junction Holiday Party), Sarah Loertscher is at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) “with studio samples, one of a kind pieces and an extended selection of her jewelry line.” (4540 California SW)
SANTA AT SMALLCLOTHES: Santa Al will be at SmallClothes, bring your own camera or get a photo for $5, 11 am-2 pm. (3215 California SW)
GIVE THE GIFT OF VOLUNTEERING: 11 am-1 pm is the monthly volunteer-orientation event at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum. You’d be surprised at how many types of skills SWSHS can use – come find out how to help. (61st/Stevens)
‘SANTA PAWS’: 4th annual Santa Paws event sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Realty (WSB sponsor) – “Bring your pets in for a FREE photo with Santa! 12-4 pm in the Jefferson Square Building, 2nd floor lobby.” (4700 42nd SW)
SANTA AT CAPERS: 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)
COUCH FEST FILMS: Starting at 1 pm, this citywide-and-beyond not-in-theaters film festival includes three West Seattle venues. Here’s the official Seattle program, listing what’s being shown, when, and where. If you don’t have tickets already, buy the pass at your first stop. West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) is participating at 6040 California SW, where the documentary shorts will be shown (33-minute program in all) – the other two WS sites are 6017 49th Ave SW, with the “Inappropriately Awesome” shorts (32 minutes), and the “Mixed 1” collection will be screened at 3011 SW Cycle Court.
CHRISTMAS TEA & SILENT AUCTION … at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 2-5 pm.
More details here – and we have late word (along with the teapot photo shared by Leanne) that tickets ARE available! “The decorations are up, the tables are set, and the preparations are well underway. Tickets are still available for the fun, festive, fabulous Christmas Tea at St. John’s. The event also includes a silent auction, and the long awaited quilt raffle drawing. Event tickets are $20 per person, $10 for children age 12 and under.” (California/Hanford)
HOLIDAY PARTY IN THE JUNCTION … as part of Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB)! Multiple businesses participating. 4-8 pm, before, during, and after the Junction Tree Lighting, roam from store to store to celebrate: “Businesses throughout The Junction are each hosting events and parties on the same night, yet each doing something different. Think of it as a progressive party with drinks, nibbles, games and shopping. We’ll also be dressing up The Junction with candles to light the way. It will be enjoyable as a pre- or post- Tree Lighting Event activity but also a festive event on its own.” Details here.
12 BARS OF CHRISTMAS:, benefit pub crawl, 4 pm in The Junction – details in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION TREE LIGHTING: 5 pm at Junction Plaza Park, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association as part of the all-season-long Hometown Holidays events: Josh Sutton of the West Seattle YMCA will emcee; you’ll also hear from Bakery Nouveau co-proprietor Heather Leaman on behalf of WSJA and from Emerald Water Anglers proprietor Dave McCoy on behalf of the merchants’ Holiday Party event, which will start at 4 pm, before the lighting, and continue until 8 pm. (Details here!) You’ll get to carol and to enjoy live performances by the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band (starting around 4:45 pm), the Endolyne Children’s Choir, by cast members from ArtsWest‘s “Judy’s Scary Little Christmas,” and by Jay Cates. (42nd/Alaska)
EVENING SANTA PHOTOS … with Santa Al at QFC’s outdoor area across from/during the Junction Tree Lighting (42nd/Alaska), 5-6 pm, bring a can for West Seattle Food Bank. (42nd/Alaska)
HOLIDAY BEAUTY EXPO: 5-7 pm at Shanti Salon & Spa. Aveda makeup artist consultations & touchups, refreshments including champagne, complimentary bang trims and hair/skin consultations. (2138 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: 7 pm, “The Health Care Movie,” at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. Details here. (6400 Sylvan Way)
HOLIDAY CONCERT: Cantaré Vocal Ensemble presents Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and fresh takes on your favorite Christmas carols, 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary Church. (42nd/Genesee)
‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’: Join Twelfth Night Productions this holiday season for the radio-play edition of the much-loved holiday tale, 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at brownpapertickets.com/event/917572 or an hour before showtime at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)
‘JUDY’S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS’: Holiday show at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 7:30 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)
AND THOSE ARE JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS … browse the Holiday Guide and Event Calendar for even more options. Have a great Saturday!
That’s what you’ll see when you drive by Our Lady of Guadalupe at 35th/Myrtle this holiday season. This year, instead of lighting the big evergreen on the southwest side of the church, OLG decided to save some green and light up its grounds. But tonight’s lighting ceremony was just as festive, with emcee Brian Callanan (center) joining Father Jack Walmesley (right) and choir members under the tree as usual to lead caroling:
(We’ll be adding video.) The almost-full moon took the “Light Up the Night” theme seriously enough to shine over the crowd.
Battery-powered candle-style lights were distributed to add to the light – and warm hearts brought food to fill the donation sleigh inside the Parish Center:
Hot cocoa was served up too … welcome on any winter night, even with the knowledge that, as emcee Brian observed, tonight’s temperature was about twice what this night brought last year!
Instead of a red-nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus was joined tonight at Holy Rosary School by a green-suited Gator. The school’s mascot was there for the “Deck the Halls” celebration, featuring the ceremonial Christmas-tree blessing by Father John Madigan:
The school’s Christmas-tree lot (a seasonal WSB sponsor) is on the north side of the campus, raising money for the school and local charities through December 14th. Tonight’s celebration also filled the halls with holiday music:
That’s the 6th-grade choir. Instrumentalists included Brian on the dobro:
Christmas is also the season of sweets, and a tempting table of desserts was at the ready:
And a chance to mingle:
Or get that Santa photo (once the Gator moved on):
(Tonight’s photos, we’re told, will turn up here.) The spirit of the season was also celebrated with a collection of food donations.
(Added: Recent WSDOT photo of access pit, shared via Flickr)
5:13 PM: WSDOT says it will be inspecting the Alaskan Way Viaduct and vicinity this weekend after detecting more ground settlement. Seattle Times (WSB partner) transportation reporter Mike Lindblom reported it earlier this afternoon, and now WSDOT has this statement on its website:
Public safety is our top priority, which is why we installed a state-of-the-art settlement monitoring system as part of the SR 99 Tunnel Project. Recently, that system detected approximately one inch of ground settlement near the pit Seattle Tunnel Partners is building to access and repair the tunneling machine. We have also seen the same amount of settlement on the Alaskan Way Viaduct; the amount of settlement lessens in the surrounding area.
Some settlement was expected during tunnel construction and while the tunneling machine repair work was underway. This settlement appears to have occurred in the last month.
We have observed no new damage to the viaduct nor have we observed any effect on buildings or utilities in the surrounding area. WSDOT crews are conducting additional surveys this weekend to verify this information, including an inspection of the viaduct and a visual inspection of the adjacent areas.
While we are conducting this additional work, we are confident that there is no risk to public safety. We will provide an update early next week.
Even before the tunneling project began, Viaduct managers had noted ongoing settlement, usually described as minor (as in this 2010 report). Nothing about settlement was mentioned at the regional stakeholders’ meeting we covered last Monday, but we imagine it’ll come up when the City Council’s Viaduct Committee meets early next week.
6:08 PM: We asked WSDOT spokesperson Laura Newborn if this is the reason the Saturday night/early Sunday Viaduct closure was expanded to both directions, and she confirmed that was done “so extra survey work could be completed.”
4:19 PM: Just spotted on the City Council’s Introduction/Referral Calendar – a proposal to ask White Center and the rest of unincorporated North Highline to vote on annexation to the City of Seattle. Documents accompanying the resolution say that it’s not likely the vote could be held before 2016, because of the Boundary Review Board process that would have to lead up to it. No date set yet for this to come before the council. The most recent attempt to annex the area was by Burien, rejected by voters in the potential annexation area two years ago. We’re seeking reaction and more information about the new Seattle proposal – more to come.
4:38 PM UPDATE: The resolution traces back to a discussion in the council’s Education/Governance Committee earlier this week, as detailed in this memo. It is time-sensitive – unless Seattle takes a step like this before the end of the year, the state tax credit that’s been in place several years as an annexation incentive will expire. That tax credit, offering $5 million a year for a decade, wouldn’t be enough to cover projected costs of bringing the annexation area into the city, so there’s talk of asking the Legislature for more – that was mentioned by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon at a 34th District Democrats’ meeting earlier this fall. More to come …
Three Crime Watch reader reports this afternoon – first, maybe you’ve seen Brian‘s stolen car?
My 1995 Subaru Legacy Wagon was stolen across SW Graham Street from “The Bridge.” Happened sometime between 12/4 – 3 PM and 12/5 – 9 AM. The car has a dented front left corner and a black front bumper. Nothing valuable in the car. I had “The Club” on the steering wheel, but I guess that’s not enough these day. I reported this to the police this AM. Incident number 14-403536.
This car (sans Club) was stolen a few years back. I found it four blocks away a couple of days later. Hoping for the same this time.
If you see Brian’s car, please call 911. Ahead, the story of an apparent package theft, thwarted, and mail theft seen (but not stopped):
(WSB photo)
Tomorrow’s the night that the humble official Junction Christmas Tree will start to glow from tip to … sidewalk. (And the weather will be about 30 degrees warmer than last year!) From the West Seattle Junction Association, which presents the all-season-long Hometown Holidays events, here’s the plan for Saturday’s 5 pm tree-lighting ceremony: Josh Sutton of the West Seattle YMCA will emcee; you’ll also hear from Bakery Nouveau co-proprietor Heather Leaman on behalf of WSJA and from Emerald Water Anglers proprietor Dave McCoy on behalf of the merchants’ Holiday Party event, which will start at 4 pm, before the lighting, and continue until 8 pm. (Details here!) You’ll get to carol and to enjoy live performances by the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band (starting around 4:45 pm), the Endolyne Children’s Choir, by cast members from ArtsWest‘s “Judy’s Scary Little Christmas,” and by Jay Cates. Come on down to Junction Plaza Park at the northwest corner of 42nd/Alaska.
P.S. Tons of Junction fun on Sunday, too, including carriage rides and Santa photos – see the Hometown Holidays section on The Junction’s website and the WSB Holiday Guide for all the who/what/when/where.
P.P.S. Per our customary disclosures – WSB is a Hometown Holidays co-sponsor, and three organizations/businesses mentioned above – West Seattle Y, Emerald Water Anglers, and ArtsWest – are current WSB sponsors.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Just back from checking out the next big phase of work at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Project site across from Lowman Beach – the first of three days of pouring concrete for the 17-foot-thick base on which the million-gallon storage tank will sit. King County Wastewater Treatment was not exaggerating when it warned of ~20 trucks an hour – we spent about 15 minutes at the site, and counted seven trucks arriving in the span of five of those minutes as we waited to cross Lincoln Park Way back to our car.
Two big pump trucks are continuously pouring what those trucks are bringing (here’s a bit of video via Instagram) – scheduled to continue until about 6 pm today, and then again on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, 7 am to 6 pm or until done. As mentioned in the alert, there are extra parking restrictions in the area until this is over. The entire facility is on a timeline for completion in mid-2016. The excavation that preceded the foundation pour took two months and removed what the county described as enough dirt to fill nearby Colman Pool twice.
Two notes from Westside School (WSB sponsor):
(Photo courtesy Westside School)
TOY DRIVE THROUGH WEDNESDAY: Added to our West Seattle Holiday Guide, in the section where you’ll find opportunities for giving:
Since 2004 Westside School’s Kindergarten classes have championed a Toys for Tots drive. Over the past ten years they have collected more than 1,800 toys for children in our local community. This year Westside School was named an Official Toys for Tots Drop Site. NEW, unwrapped gifts may be dropped off through Wednesday, December 10th. Westside School is located at 7740 34th Ave SW.
OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY: If you’re school-shopping for 2015-2016, Westside would love to see you tomorrow:
Westside School is holding an All School (PreK – 8th grade) *Open House* on Saturday, December 6th from 10 am until noon. This is a great opportunity for prospective families to tour the school and speak with the faculty and staff (no reservation required). The application deadline for the 2015-16 school year is January 14th. Westside School is also offering parent tours during the school day by appointment.
(Olympics, Vashon & Blake Islands, Sunday photo by Christopher Frankovich)
This weekend is full of holiday fun, and it starts tonight, as listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (which has events and info stretching all the way to New Year’s) – we’ll go through the holiday events first, followed by the non-holiday highlights:
FESTIVUS PARTY: West Seattle Tool Library and Sustainable West Seattle‘s Festivus-themed holiday party, 5-9 pm at SODO Maker Space – details in our calendar listing. (1914 Occidental Ave. S.)
SEATTLE SAMPLING: 3-day holiday arts/crafts tour with 4 of the 10 studios in West Seattle: Brace Point Pottery, Village Green Nursery, Ceramistas Seattle, Penguina Designs. 4-9 pm tonight; detailed tour information at seattlesampling.com.
CORNER BAR, FEATURING UGLY SWEATER CONTEST: Holiday fun tonight during HPIC’s Corner Bar – ugly-sweater contest with a prize! Live music with Sundae & Mr. Gossel. More details here – bring nonperishable-food donations. 6 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club. P.S. Looking for truly LOCAL gifts? Highland Park hoodies on sale. (12th/Holden)
HUSKY DELI OPEN HOUSE The legendary Husky Deli holiday open house, with samples and smiles, 6-9 pm. (4721 California SW)
DECK THE HALLS: Community celebration and tree blessing at Holy Rosary School, 6-8 pm, including: Hot Cocoa Bar, Christmas Desserts, Festive Christmas Crafts, adult beverages, Dante’s Inferno Gourmet Hot Dogs, and an indoor snowball competition! (Tree blessing set for around 6:40 pm.) Bring nonperishable food to donate. (42nd/Genesee)
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: New format as Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School invites you to “Light Up the Night: An Evening of Caroling and Community,” with lights – not the big tree this year, something new! – singalong, and food drive (fill the sleigh in the parish center just north of the church). 7 pm. (35th/Myrtle)
DANCE! Highland Park Elementary‘s annual winter dance, 7-8:30 pm in the cafeteria. “Music will be provided by DJ Danny F, Yuen Lui will be on hand to take family portraits, and there will be baked goods for sale. Admission is $2 per person, or $5 per family. We would love to see you there!” (10th/Trenton)
‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’: Join Twelfth Night Productions this holiday season for the radio-play edition of the much-loved holiday tale, 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at brownpapertickets.com/event/917572 or an hour before showtime at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)
‘JUDY’S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS’: Holiday production continues tonight at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 7:30 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)
And from the regular WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: The monthly Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented event is set for 5-7 pm at Westwood Village Barnes & Noble, this time around featuring children’s-books author Karen Robbins and illustrator Sally Marts. They’ll talk about their collaboration – with kids from around the country – on “Shoe Print Art: Step Into Drawing.” More details in our calendar listing. P.S. SWSHS gets a share of B&N purchases made by attendees! (2800 SW Barton)
NIGHTTIME TIDEPOOL WALK: Seattle Parks presents a low-tide beach walk at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (across from Me-Kwa-Mooks) tonight, 9 pm-10:30 pm. You have to register in advance – our calendar listing explains how. Low tide is -1.9 just after 10 pm. (4503 Beach Drive SW)
(added) ANOTHER NIGHTTIME TIDEPOOL WALK: The Seattle Aquarium has one tonight too – 9 to 10:30 pm at Constellation Park south of Alki Point, free, hot chocolate too. Details here.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:15 AM: Again this morning, we head into the heart of the commute without anything unusual in or from West Seattle.
VIADUCT CLOSURE SATURDAY NIGHT: WSDOT updated the plan to BOTH directions from 11:59 pm Saturday night until about 5 am Sunday.
CITYWIDE WEEKEND ALERTS: Here’s the SDOT roundup of what’s happening tonight through Sunday.
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY EVENTS: Check out the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide for the many, many big events this weekend, including the Junction Tree Lighting (5 pm Saturday, Junction Plaza Park at 42nd/Alaska).
7:29 AM UPDATE – BRIDGE CRASH: Thanks to the commenter on board a C Line bus for the firsthand report on why there’s an SFD response to a crash on the eastbound bridge “just before the Delridge merge.” As our commenter notes, the bus was not involved, but some on board might have seen the crash.
7:38 AM UPDATE: Commenters say another bus has stopped to help (possibly to take on some passengers) so right now TWO buses are stopped on the ramp. If you have to get on the bridge, Fauntleroy or Delridge would be better, or wait a while.
7:51 AM UPDATE: Commenter CKelly says four people on the bus have minor injuries from the sudden stop to avoid hitting the cars involved in the collision ahead. From the scanner, police called for more help to get witness statements since “about 70 people” are on the bus.
8:10 AM: Most recent tweet from SDOT:
The collision on the W Sea Br EB from SW Admiral Way is backing up SW Admiral Way-W Sea Br is minimally impacted pic.twitter.com/q5pKZtFkoa
— seattledot (@seattledot) December 5, 2014
8:21 AM: And now SDOT says, all clear:
The Collision on W Seattle Bridge EB at the SW Admiral Way on ramp has cleared – all lanes are open
— seattledot (@seattledot) December 5, 2014
8:37 AM: On-peninsula traffic note – City Light is continuing its pole-replacement work and will be in the California/Holden, California/Ida area of Gatewood between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm (some residents have been warned of outages) today.
9:07 AM: Also on-peninsula – scheduled start today of concrete pour with up to 20 trucks an hour at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project by Lowman Beach. We’ll be checking on its status shortly.
(Possibly the last photo of J32 – at right – by Melisa Pinnow, provided by Orca Network)
11:45 PM: Another death reported tonight among the endangered orcas whose home is Puget Sound and adjacent waters. The orca found dead in British Columbia is identified as a member of J Pod, J32, known as “Rhapsody,” an 18-year-old female. According to reports including this one published by the Vancouver Sun, she might have been pregnant – a necropsy will reveal whether that’s true. J32’s death comes less than two months after the death of baby L120 was reported. The Southern Resident Killer Whales’ total number is now down to 77, much lower than the triple-digit population the official “recovery plan” had envisioned by now, as discussed at this recent talk presented by The Whale Trail.
11:53 PM: We have the full Orca Network news release about J32’s death – click ahead:
(The project team’s “preferred” configuration, which didn’t meet the board’s favor)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The first half of tonight’s two-project Southwest Design Review Board meeting ended with board members telling the proposed memory-care facility at 4515 41st SW in The Junction to come back for a second Early Design Guidance review.
It’s on a site surrounded by ongoing redevelopment of other one-time single-family sites, such as the new Oregon 42 mixed-use building to the west, and among other criticisms, the early proposal was deemed too “suburban” to fit into the shape other projects are taking.
Here’s the design packet as published to the city website.
PROJECT TEAM’S PRESENTATION: Denis Bryant, president of Living Care Lifestyles, spoke first, saying they own 8 properties in 5 states, and are building a 9th one; Lynnwood is their only property in Washington so far. “We call this a residence, it’s not a facility; it’s meant to be residential in fit and finish,” Bryant began, “… to remove the guilt that families often feel” about placing loved ones in this kind of center. He said it would be “low impact .. our residents don’t drive; our staff will be provided ORCA cards and other mass-transit opportunities.” The building will have three 22-bed floors.
9:16 PM: Another crash to report – this time at 4th and Roxbury (Olson vicinity), and our first tipster tells us roads are blocked. It’s a “heavy rescue” call, which means a major SFD response too. More to come.
9:20 PM: The location’s been updated on the 911 log to Olson/Myers.
9:37 PM: The SFD response has closed out, but we don’t have an update yet on the detour situation.
8:13 PM: Avoid 35th SW in the Alaska/Edmunds vicinity – a car took out a pole and hit at least one other car, and traffic is being rerouted. No major injuries reported so far. More to come.
8:28 PM UPDATE: WSB’s Katie Meyer reports that if you’re headed eastbound on Alaska, you’ll be detoured onto 36th. If you’re headed southbound on 35th, you’ll have to turn westbound onto Alaska. This reportedly is a hit-and-run that damaged at least one other vehicle, which Katie says has just been towed.
8:35 PM UPDATE: Katie reports the roads have reopened.
9 PM UPDATE: Metro has confirmed via text alert that buses are back on their regular routes.
11:05 PM UPDATE: Tipsters on Twitter reported seeing someone in handcuffs near the scene, and we’ve confirmed with police that the suspected drunk driver, a man in his 20s, was indeed arrested, and had minor injuries. Some passengers in the vehicle were reported to have fled on foot. And police confirm that after the pole was sheared off, another vehicle was hit but its occupants weren’t hurt (see this comment).
Meet David Whiting and Eric Iwamoto, new co-chairs of the Southwest District Council:
Passing the torch was part of the short official agenda for last night’s monthly meeting of the SWDC, which includes reps from community councils and other key organizations around western West Seattle. Whiting is president of the Admiral Neighborhood Association and Iwamoto co-chairs the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council.
This past year’s co-chairs got a fond farewell – Sharonn Meeks of the Fairmount Community Association and Vlad Oustimovitch from the Fauntleroy Community Association.
The major item on the short agenda was a followup on proposed Neighborhood Matching Fund grant changes, which have drawn concerns from district councils around the city, especially because those groups would be removed from their role vetting applications for grants before they move to citywide review. (We covered last month’s discussion at the SWDC and, before that, to the Delridge District Council, as well as the letter written and sent by the latter.)
So far, no changes have been implemented, reported Neighborhood District Coordinator Yun Pitre, city liaison to the SWDC.
Update on the five-hour closure planned for the Alaskan Way Viaduct this weekend – WSDOT says it will close in both directions, not just southbound as originally announced. The time frame is the same, 11:59 pm Saturday night until about 5 am Sunday morning, closed between the West Seattle Bridge and the Battery Street Tunnel. WSDOT says the closure “will allow crews to move heavy equipment across the roadway and conduct survey work.”
Just in time for your local holiday shopping, we’re welcoming Alki Surf Shop to the WSB sponsor team. Here’s what they’d like you to know:
Ever since Alki Surf Shop opened, people have been asking, “What’s a surf shop doing at Alki Beach?” The standard answer is, “No waves, no worries.”* But there’s more to the story than that.
The owners, Kahuna Dave and Terri Nakamura, are both from Seattle. Terri grew up on Beacon Hill and Dave claims to hail from “the ancient Hawaiian kingdom of Burien.” Longtime veterans of the Seattle graphic design and advertising industry, they wanted to use their skills to launch a local business of their own – something fun. And what could be more fun than a surf shop, right in the heart of Seattle’s favorite beach?
“Alki Surf Shop is a dream come true for us,” Terri says. “We’ve been able to create a unique, inviting experience to add to the Alki Beach neighborhood in West Seattle. People come in and say, ‘Wow, what a cute shop. How long have you been open?’”
The shop features their exclusive Genuine Alki brand tops, designed and produced in Seattle. A great selection of Alki gifts, including mugs, shot glasses, totes, cards, and wall art. Beach essentials, such as sunglasses, volleyballs and kites. Plus jewelry and cool new gifts for the holidays.
Kahuna Dave also wrote “The Alki Beach Song” and produced a short music video to go with it, which can be seen on YouTube:
It’s all part of the fun at one of West Seattle’s newest businesses, located at 2622 Alki Avenue SW (between Homefront Smoothies and Alki Beach Miniatures.) If you hear the sound of someone blowing a conch shell, you know you’re getting close. At the Alki Surf Shop, that’s how they say mahalo!
Alki Surf Shop can be found at alkisurfshop.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/alkisurfshop. Or join them for a holiday Tweetup by following them at twitter.com/alkisurfshop.
We thank Alki Surf Shop 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.
*No waves, except…
As the list of what’s in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide gets longer, that includes the section with local opportunities for holiday giving. Including:
COLLECTING WARM CLOTHES: That’s State Farm agent Dave Newman (longtime WSB sponsor) standing next to two bins that he and his staff hope you will fill with warm clothes for West Seattle Helpline. Their collection drive is now officially under way, continuing until the last day of the year. You can drop off donations at their office, 3435 California SW (map), 9 am-5 pm Mondays-Fridays (9 am-noon on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve)
COLLECTING COATS: In The Triangle, Mountain to Sound Outfitters is collecting coats for a donation drive culminating in a visit by Santa on December 14th – but you can drop one (or more!) off any time before then, too, at 3602 SW Alaska (map).
Two updates from the Seattle Fire Department:
MAN COLLAPSES AT WESTWOOD VILLAGE: Teresa e-mailed about frantic efforts to assist a man who had collapsed at Westwood Village early this morning, near the Starbucks store. We asked SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore, who says the 55-year-old man collapsed in the parking lot while either headed to or from the nearby 24-Hour Fitness gym: “A citizen witnessed the collapse and immediately started CPR. Firefighters arrived and continued CPR for an hour. Also, they used the AED multiple times to get a heart rhythm. Medics transported the patient to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.”
FOLLOWUP ON SATURDAY’S APARTMENT FIRE: When we checked with SFD on Monday, they still didn’t know what had caused the Saturday fire that gutted a waterfront apartment in the 3800 block of Beach Drive; we published this followup, including a request from one resident to help her daughter find a new place to live. Today we’ve learned from spokesperson Moore that SFD has ruled the fire accidental, “caused by combustibles placed too close to an electrical baseboard heater.” We also have learned that two firefighters from Engine 29 were injured – previously, one injury was mentioned; their injuries are described as “minor burns.” As reported Monday, damage totaled $180,000. With the update, Moore also offered a link about fire safety for apartments – see it here.
In the spotlight topping today’s list of calendar highlights, a Southwest Design Review Board doubleheader looking at two Junction projects:
DESIGN REVIEW X 2: First up, 6:30 pm in the big upstairs room at Senior Center of West Seattle, it’s the first meeting for 4515 41st SW, a proposed 48-unit memory-care facility (here’s our June report). Here’s the “packet” with project details and renderings:
At 8 pm, the board is scheduled to move on to the third review for 4505 42nd SW, now proposed for 50 apartments, 9 units of “lodging,” and 3,600 sf commercial space. Here’s its info/images “packet”:
Here’s our report on the previous review for that project. Both meetings will have time for public comment. (Oregon/California)
Now, here’s what else is on our calendar and/or in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY POTLUCK AND SWIM … at Southwest Pool, noon-1:30 pm swim, 1:30 pm potluck, details in our calendar listing. (2801 SW Thistle)
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS’ SHOP LATE THURSDAY! First of three December Thursdays during which you’ll find many Junction shops open late, until 9 pm, so you can enjoy more local holiday shopping. (Full HH schedule here)
BEER TASTING: “Winter Is Coming Fest“ from 11 am opening time on, “five tastes of winter favorites” at Elliott Bay Brewing Co. in The Junction. (4720 California SW)
COOKBOOK LAUNCH: During Shop Late Thursday, Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) is hosting a launch party for Michelle Babb‘s new anti-inflammatory cookbook – details in our calendar listing. 6-9 pm. (4540 Californai SW)
HELPING JASMIN: 6:30 tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), it’s the start of a fun night, silent auction included, to help Jasmin Egan, a West Seattle native and mom of 3 who is battling leukemia. Music and more – see our preview here, including dream auction items for that golfer in your life – or you! (6451 California SW)
SCHOOL BOARD REP @ LAFAYETTE: As previewed here on Wednesday, the Lafayette Elementary PTA invites you to its first community forum with local representatives. **6:30 pm** tonight in the school cafeteria, West Seattle’s school-board rep Marty McLaren is the first guest. (California/Lander)
MEET & GREET & TALK FISHING: 7-9 pm tonight, also during Shop Late Thursday, it’s a “women’s meet-and-greet” at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) with wine, cheese, and info about local fisheries – details in our calendar listing. (42nd/Oregon)
JUDY’S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS: The holiday production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) opens tonight, 7:30 pm – get tickets here. (4711 California SW)
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