West Seattle, Washington
30 Thursday
(More area traffic cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning. As you’d expect, quiet, as reinforced by this tweet from the WSDOT person watching metro-area highways:
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, were singing because there's no traffic at all. My heart is growing 3 sizes!
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) December 24, 2013
One more reminder that the holiday schedule changes start today for Metro riders, as outlined here – today it’s the “reduced weekday” schedule.
An Audi stolen from Genesee Hill, mentioned in West Seattle Crime Watch 10 days ago, was found a few days after it was taken. We learned this because we discovered its alleged thieves are in jail – charged in connection with four stolen vehicles.
32-year-old Leslie Davis and 42-year-old Bryan Tiedeman were arrested eight days ago, the afternoon of Sunday, December 15th, after crashing a stolen 1996 gray Honda Civic in the 7700 block of Highland Park Way SW.
For years, youth-education efforts at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) have been focused on its summertime programs. 
But the new year will bring a new program to West Seattle’s arts hub – a new 10-week series of performing-arts classes for all ages. The classes are:
*Exploratory Drama for 4- and 5-year-olds
*Creative Drama for 1st- through 3rd-graders
*Acting 101: Heroes’ Quest for 3rd- through 5th-graders
*The Pituitary Monologues: Writing Monologues for the Stage for 6th- through 8th-graders
*Beginning Improv for 6th- through 8th-graders
*Intro to Musical Theater for 9th- through 12th-graders
*Adult Introduction to Improv
You can follow the links on each of those class names to find out more, or start on the main page for the new program, which also includes contact information for registration.
If you’re planning ahead for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we’ve added more lists. In addition to the restaurant list, we also now have published of where you’ll find coffee, and what hours grocery stores will be open. For Christmas Eve church services, see the WSB Holiday Guide, where New Year’s Eve/Day information can be found too.
(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)
Need a ride? Uber has just joined the WSB sponsor team. New sponsors get the chance to share a message with you – and here’s theirs, including a deal:
Hello readers! We here at Team Uber Seattle would like to introduce ourselves and say how very excited we are to be the newest sponsors of the WSB!
What is Uber?
Uber is an app on your smartphone that allows you to request a ride with the push of a button. At the end of the ride, there’s no need to exchange cash or card as the fare is charged directly to your preferred method of payment on file. Plus, as always with Uber, there is no need to tip! Easy-peasy.ENJOY YOUR 1ST RIDE FREE UP TO $30*!
Download the app, sign up, and enter the promo code SEAWSB for your 1st ride free up to $30!MORE DETAILS:
Seattle was Uber’s 3rd city to launch. Since then, Uber’s presence has grown to over 60 cities and 20 countries across the world!Here in Seattle, we have 3 different vehicle choices that you can request:
uberX: Our lower-cost option features mostly hybrids and mid-sized sedans. uberX has the same rates as taxi and as always there is no need to tip (read: cheaper than a taxi.)
UberBLACK: The original Uber. This option features town cars and luxury vehicles, is about 1.5x the cost of a taxi, and is perfect for a night out on the town or getting to/from meetings.
UberSUV: Seats up to 6 people and is great for getting a group of friends from point A to point B. Don’t forget to split the fare with our fare-splitting feature!
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to shoot us an email or tweet.
Cheers!
Team Uber Seattle: Jen, Travis, Brooke, Bryce, Drew, Melissa, Tom, Ryan, Chelsea, and Meg*Code is good for new users only through 1/31/14
We thank Uber Seattle 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.
Here’s one place you can shop late tonight: Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) is open until 8:30. And you don’t have to have a hair appointment to stop by – Illusions has purses, jewelry, and scarves, and they’re on sale. Treats too; Illusions is at 5619 California SW. This is, so far as we know, the last West Seattle business holiday open house of the season – we featured many others in the Holiday Guide and here on the news page over the past month or so.
(Artist rendering of new vessels’ design)
The King County Ferry District has just announced the shipbuilder chosen for the two new Water Taxi vessels: All American Marine, based in Bellingham. We’ve been reporting on the plans to have two new vessels built; the expected $11.8 million cost of designing and building them, the county says, will be 80 percent footed by the Federal Transit Administration. Each boat will be able to carry up to 250 passengers, more than Rachel Marie and Melissa Ann, leased three years ago, and more than the district-owned Spirit of Kingston, taken over last year, which will stay with the fleet. The new boats also will have wider doors for faster boarding and more bicycle capacity – 26 per boat, up from 18 now. Construction is expected to start in early 2014, with the first vessel delivered by mid-2015, the second one by the end of 2015 – that’s another delay beyond what the county told us about back in August, when the scheduled had slipped to late 2014 for the first boat. The budget also had to be increased earlier this year when no “responsive” bid came in to meet the original $11.1 million budget.
P.S. Speaking of the Water Taxi – neither route runs on Christmas Day.
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Compiled from information available online and posted at stores as of December 23, 2013 – please let us know if you discover a change:
*Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) – open until 6 pm Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day, reopens 6 am Thursday, December 26th
*PCC Natural Market (WSB sponsor) – open until 7 pm Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day
*West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – open until 9 pm Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day, reopens 5 am Thursday, December 26th
*QFC (both West Seattle stores): Open until 6 pm Christmas Eve, open 7 am-4 pm Christmas Day
*Trader Joe’s: Open until 6 pm Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day
*Safeway (all 3 local stores): Updated – closing 7 pm Christmas Eve, open 8 am-5 pm Christmas Day
That’s our section of the official zoning map for the city of Seattle. You can see the city map in its entirety, including the color-coding explanation, by going here. Take note that the olive-green areas are “low-rise multifamily.” What’s allowable in that zoning is an area of interest/concern, literally, in neighborhoods around the city, including ours, as multifamily development intensifies, particularly in that zone, which is often adjacent to single-family areas. So if you share that interest/concern, from whatever viewpoint, you’ll want to make plans to be at a citywide meeting on January 14th, regarding possibly changing the rules.
We first heard about this from the Morgan Community Association, which has been working on development-related education lately as new projects start popping up in its area, mentioned it first. The meeting was sparked by a coalition called Seattle Speaks Up, which petitioned the city about the zoning rules and explains the meeting here.
As for the city Department of Planning and Development, this is from a note DPD sent today:
On January 14th, we’re holding a citywide meeting to talk about the citywide issue of building height limits in Lowrise Multifamily zones. We want to hear from residents and others about how buildings built recently in lowrise zones are fitting into neighborhoods. We’re evaluating possibilities for reductions to allowable building height.The meeting will be held on Capitol Hill at Lowell Elementary School 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
The city’s full description of the meeting’s purpose is here. An even-fuller description of the potential “code correction” project is here. A map to the meeting site is here.
If you’re looking for someone else to do the cooking on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day – our annual “West Seattle restaurants open on Christmas” list is now available for your perusal. See it here. Please note the disclaimers – this is compiled via more than 100 phone calls/e-mails over the course of multiple days, and if an establishment changes its plan, we won’t necessarily get notification. But we hope it’s helpful. Also note that it includes New Year’s Eve/Day listings, if available. If a local restaurant is NOT listed here at all, it means either they are closed on all four days we asked about OR that they did not return our phone calls/messages. We’ll continue to add any information that comes in, including changes on the holidays themselves; e-mail is the best way to get information to us – editor@westseattleblog.com. Thanks!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Earlier this year, WSB started a series of stories about independent local businesses and why they matter more to a community like ours than you might realize. Then, the “West Seattle: We Have That” campaign launched at midsummer. Now, we’re continuing to publish stories as part of the series – and inviting you into the conversation. Many of the reports are being underwritten by the West Seattle Junction Association, but not as ads – it’s their contribution to an issue of importance from Sunrise Heights to Seaview, Highland Park to High Point, Luna Park to Brace Point, and all over WS.
By Keith Creighton
Special to West Seattle Blog
As part of our ongoing series about the impact that independently owned businesses have on the West Seattle economy and quality of life, we asked a selection of local schools, PTAs and retailers to share firsthand accounts of how sponsorships and partnerships affect area students.
Dwindling state and federal funds are forcing local schools to get creative with the support they seek from area businesses. While the “mom & pop” shops don’t have the resources to fully bridge the gap, their contributions certainly make a difference. When you compare prices between local boutiques and giant online and big box retailers this holiday season, keep in mind where those extra few dollars are going.
Q: What type of contributions do local businesses make to your school?
Unlike burglars, car prowlers tend to work at night. But not the one Susan wants to warn you about. Just out of the WSB inbox:
My car was prowled between 9:02 a.m. and 9:18 a.m. this morning parked just off California between Graham and Raymond. The suspect was a white male driving a white Honda civic or a white Acura. He has a beard, is wearing a camouflage jacket and has glasses. We filed a police report, but wanted to warn people to lock their cars if they haven’t already done so.
She’s still checking to see what’s missing and has noted the thief took “some papers from the glove box”; he was scared away when someone pulled up.
(More area traffic cams on the WSB Traffic page)
First commute of winter, which arrived on Saturday. Two notes, to begin: If you’ll be driving late tonight or early morning, remember the northbound I-5 closure at Dearborn, just north of I-90, 9 tonight through 4:30 am Tuesday. If you are a Metro rider, the holiday schedule changes begin tomorrow – as outlined here.
A funeral Mass is planned one week from today – next Monday, December 30th – at Holy Rosary for Richard Joseph Kord, whose family shares this remembrance:
Richard “Dick” Kord passed away Saturday, December 14, 2013, at the age of 87. Born in Tacoma, he was 6 when his family settled in West Seattle permanently. Dick attended Holy Rosary and O’Dea High School, met his wife “Dottie” of 64 years, and enrolled in summer school to graduate early so he could sign up for service in the US Military Transport in the Pacific during the war, alongside his lifelong friend “Mick.” He then graduated from Seattle University while working at Sears part-time. This led to his 42-year beloved and dedicated career with Sears, where he established cherished friendships as well. Retirement allowed him more time to spend with his wife, family, friends, working on his home and pursuing his love for boating.
The historian for West Seattle’s Troop 282, Reece Schulz, has shared another Eagle Scout announcement – this time about Dylan Moorleghen:
On June 5, 2007, Dylan Moorleghen joined the life of Scouting, and started on the road to earning his Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in Scouting. On October 24, 2013, Dylan finally reached his goal of earning Eagle, and has given to the community in many ways.
Throughout Scouting, Dylan has hosted five service projects and has contributed more than 85 service hours.
Dylan has hiked 108 miles, which is a phenomenal feat in Scouting that not many have accomplished. On June 21, 2013, Dylan hosted his Eagle Scout service project. The project they performed was building a bridge over a drainage ditch at Camp Long that floods in the summer. He also served as a camp staff member for Camp Parsons.
Today, Dylan is a senior at Seattle Prep and is on the President’s List, the captain of Prep’s lacrosse team, president of the National Honor Society, and has earned the National Service Award. Over the years, Dylan has contributed a lot to his community, and looks forward to helping out even more with our city.
(2013 Polar Bear Swim photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
Three people have asked about this in the past two days, so we sought out confirmation: Organizer Mark Ufkes says yes, the annual Polar Bear Swim at Alki is on again for 2014. Be at the beach across from Duke’s by 10 am – better yet, he says, “get there a little early” – on Wednesday, January 1st, 2014: “We go in the water at 10 sharp after a count down. Bring water shoes, towel, change of clothes. Hot chocolate and Duke’s clam chowder will be served. This is a great way to wash away the complexities of 2013 and welcome the unlimited possibilities of 2014.”
P.S. We’re adding this to the WSB Holiday Events/Info Guide, which always runs through New Year’s Eve/Day, so if you haven’t sent us your “welcome, 2014!” event yet, editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB – 1st one substituted for original phone photo)
8:14 PM: If you’re heading toward Highway 509 southbound to Burien, or the 1st Avenue South Bridge, heads-up – there’s a “heavy rescue” response at Olson/Myers (map), which is just past the east end of Roxbury.
8:39 PM: Just added our first photo from Christopher Boffoli on the scene – showing the rescue response on the downhill (northeastbound) side.
8:46 PM: Christopher reports that the State Patrol responded as did Seattle Fire: “Single-car rollover. Looks like a second vehicle got clipped. Three victims transported with non-life-threatening injuries including an infant.”
9:03 PM: WSP confirms minor injuries and says the road should reopen within half an hour or so.
The holidays are peak season for people-watching, with more people hosting and mingling than any other time of the year. Above, Dinah Brein and Santa Claus in the lobby of the historic Admiral Theater, which Dinah manages, as people arrived for this afternoon’s free Christmas movie. Yes, as usual, The Admiral *WILL* be open on Christmas Day – movies and showtimes are listed on its website.
Next: From the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce holiday party at newly relocated The Bridge:
In our photo from last Thursday’s party – a full house! – West Seattle Food Bank executive director Fran Yeatts and Charles Morgan from Jackson, Morgan & Hunt PLLC (WSB sponsor). Chamber members can keep an eye on their e-mail for details of next month’s annual meeting, at which a new officer slate is up for election; Nancy Woodland of WestSide Baby is in the running for chair, succeeding Dave Montoure of West 5, who becomes past president.
And people we met during this month’s West Seattle Art Walk and peninsula-wide Holiday Bazaar:
The holiday party at Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor) was more than a celebration – it was a fun(draiser) too. Cleveland High School junior Diana Greenaway is working to get more life-saving LifeStraw portable filters to kids in Kenya. Diana’s project continues – read about it here (you can donate via that page, too).
At West 5 on Art Walk/Holiday Bazaar night, we found the HH Goods team:
If you didn’t catch them that night, you might have seen them at other bazaars this holiday season – their website lists other appearances including Highland Park and South Park.
And at Wallflower Custom Framing (WSB sponsor), we photographed Jessica Creager, one of the featured artists in this month’s Puny Picture Show:
Since many of the Art Walk displays are kept up throughout the month, that means lots of handmade local art is available as last-minute gifts – browse the official Art Walk website for some names, venues, and ideas. (Next Art Walk is January 9th, second Thursday as usual.)
Noticed a sign for this while on an off-peninsula errand earlier today: Northbound I-5 will be closed at S. Dearborn (just north of I-90), 9 pm Monday night until 4:30 am Tuesday, for, the Construction Lookahead says, “installation of a new overhead sign structure.” As a result: “Traffic will be detoured to the northbound collector-distributor. The Northbound I-5 off-ramp to Edgar Martinez Dr. S. will also be closed.”
(WSB photo added 3:25 pm)
3:14 PM: Thanks to Rose for letting us know about a crash at 26th/Nevada (map) in North Delridge. She says six cars are involved. Our crew is still on the way to check it out, but we’ve already heard radio communications about the need for four tow trucks at the scene, so it sounds like this will take a while to clear. No other details yet, but it does not appear anyone suffered major injuries.
3:20 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene confirms six damaged vehicles and two private ambulances. Prior radio communications suggest some of the vehicles might have been struck while parked, as police said they hadn’t reached all the owners yet. The crash has blocked 26th north of Genesee – which is part of the Delridge Neighborhood Greenway.
3:27 PM UPDATE: One person has been taken to the hospital, we’re told. Added a photo atop this story; still working on getting a count of how many of the vehicles were moving at the time of the collision and how many were parked.
(WSB photo, looking north on 26th)
3:36 PM UPDATE: At least three were parked (on the west side of Nevada), we’ve learned while talking to people at the scene. The tow trucks have arrived, and the ambulances have departed, so this is getting closer to cleanup.
5:31 PM UPDATE: The street has since reopened (just went over to check for sure).
“Rudolf the Recycling Reindeer,” cousin to red-nosed Rudolph, has officially debuted on YouTube (watch above, or on YT here). The Junction Neighborhood Organization enlisted helpers to create the video on behalf of its holiday Recycle/Reuse/Reduce (Waste) campaign, and debuted it today at their West Seattle Farmers’ Market booth, where we found Michael and René from JuNO:
In keeping with the spirit of the campaign, the presents under the tree were wrapped in reused materials, and even the big handmade sign behind them is reused cardboard. Even beyond the holidays, JuNO will be evangelizing waste reduction as part of its participation in a regional challenge, and René tells WSB that the Junction area is in second place so far!
JuNO, by the way, just relaunched this past July, and has already been very busy, with activities like this as well as community cleanups and educational presentations regarding development (here’s our video-included coverage of the September 18th meeting explaining the alley/street vacation process involved in many major developments).
Today you can get more than fruit, vegetables, cheese, cider, baked goods, nuts, meat, fish, etc., at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – you can get a balloon creation! As mentioned in our morning preview, it’s a special solstice/holiday edition of the WSFM today. Some booths are decorated, like Whistling Train Farm:
On the east side of the market, you’ll find a booth where you can vote for the “best decorated booth.” As always, the market’s open until 2, at 44th/Alaska in The Junction. And just down the street, at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska), you’ll find Santa Claus:
Photos today are DIY – donations go (as you might have guessed by the sign) to WestSide Baby, which helps local kids year-round. Santa’s scheduled to be there until 3 pm, and that’s also closing time for the Belgian Draft Mule-drawn carriage making round-trips from the southwest corner of California/Alaska, courtesy of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB). And of course, up and down California, as well as along Alaska and Oregon and 42nd and 41st, local independent retailers are there to help you with your last-Sunday-before-Christmas gift shopping – have fun!
West Seattle teenagers interested in running are invited to be part of a new group launching early in the new year. The announcement was shared by Emma:
Starting January 4th, West Seattle Runner will offer a free teen running group every Saturday at 11 am for those in high school and college. This will be a great place to meet other youth who enjoy running, train for races like 5Ks and half marathons, and improve overall fitness.
Lori McConnell, co-owner of West Seattle Runner, wanted to start this group because “As a long distance runner, the owner of a running store, and a therapist for youth and athletes, I saw the need. I have heard from teens that they would like to run more, but in the dark winter, they are limited because they don’t want to run alone. I also want to introduce the joy of running to youth. It is a healthy activity for them to spend time doing, it gives a sense of belonging, and it increases confidence. Also, running is a way to build good mental health and helps with learning. I wanted an opportunity to connect like-minded teens in a social way.”
A Facebook group called “West Seattle Teen Running Group” has been created and will be the central place for future information about this upcoming running group. If you have questions, contact Lori at lori@westseattlerunner.com or call West Seattle Runner at 206-938-0545.
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