West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
The photo is courtesy of West Seattle artist Lezlie Jane, along with an update on her newest work – homage to the Alki boardwalk’s past as a swimming hotspot:
Luna Girls on Alki have broken ground and begun the construction and installation phase of the project. The sculptures should be should be completely installed just after the start of the New Year. We’re still raising money to meet the construction costs via our Kickstarter campaign.
You can see the design and hear its story in Lezlie’s Kickstarter video:
The top photo, meantime, shows John Kroetch and his crew from Signature Landscaping, who are doing the construction. As explained in our earlier reports, Luna Girls on Alki joins the long list of artworks she has created for and installed at local parks.
Along the road to winning funding from the Seattle Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund, community-generated proposals from around the city have now been rated by Parks staffers. The levy’s Oversight Committee (which is chaired by West Seattleite Pete Spalding) heard the staff’s recommendations when its members met Monday night. In this region of the city, the two top-rated proposals were the South Park Plaza and Genesee Hill Park projects – the former recommended for its full funding request of $669,000, the latter recommended for $650,000 of its $750,000 request. The Genesee Hill project would develop a neighborhood park for the area, which currently doesn’t have one, and is blocked from using much of the currently vacant (but soon to be built on) Genesee Hill Elementary site; the South Park project involves creating a public park/plaza in the downtown area by the river and new bridge (scheduled to open in early 2014). This doesn’t mean other proposals are completely ruled out, nor does it mean these two are shoo-ins; as laid out in the timeline on the right side of this city webpage, presentations are planned in January, and the committee discusses prioritizations in February, with a public hearing in March and recommendations made to the City Council in April.
(UPDATED with letter sent to Sealth families)
FIRST REPORT, 10:22 AM: SFD says two teenage girls are being treated after a vehicle hit them near Sealth. We have just arrived in the area. More shortly.
10:34 AM: The fire and police activity is focused in the street just east of the SWAC field across from the school. Principal Chris Kinsey (photo below) is on the scene and tells WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand that both girls are students.
They are on their way to Harborview Medical Center. This was originally broadcast via scanner as a hit-and-run. We are hearing talk of a possible suspect being found at a different scene.
10:48 AM: The possible suspect is at an address in White Center. Meantime, no word yet on the victims’ conditions. They were both described as conscious and alert, however.
10:55 AM: For those who are worried about students there – we just talked again with principal Kinsey and he says e-mail is about to go out to the Sealth community; we will be checking with SPS communications about that. We have learned that scanner traffic described one girl as 17 years old – we don’t know the age of the other.
11:05 AM: At the scene where police pulled over a possible suspect vehicle in White Center – two young women came over and talked with us and the rest of the media and say it was a case of mistaken identity.
11:28 AM: Here’s what SPD Blotter says about the incident:
A 30-year-old woman struck two female students following an altercation this morning. Just shortly after 10 a.m., a female suspect intentionally struck two female students with her car, in the 2600 block of SW Thistle.
An altercation between the two victims and the suspect preceded the assault. The female victims 17 and 18-years-old sustained minor injuries. Both victims were treated on scene by Seattle Fire and subsequently transported to Harborview Medical Center.
The female suspect was driving a black (unknown model) Honda. During the time of this posting, officers were still searching for the suspect and vehicle.
Most of the responders have cleared the scene – except for TV trucks, and some police presence outside the school.
12:23 PM UPDATE: Sealth principal Chris Kinsey is sending this short note to Sealth parents:
Dear Chief Sealth International High School families:
I wanted to let you know about an incident that occurred today near our school. At approximately 10:15 A.M. two Chief Sealth students were struck by a car while walking in the 2600 block of Southwest Thistle Street, across from the school.
Both students were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and both were able to communicate with medical personnel. Seattle police are investigating the details surrounding the incident.
Please be assured that the safety and security of our students is our number-one priority. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at (206) 252-8550.
Sincerely,
Chris Kinsey
Principal
Chief Sealth International High School
The district says both students’ parents have been notified. One girl is a 17-year-old junior; the other, an 18-year-old senior.
3:21 PM UPDATE: The district says Harborview reports that the older girl is in intensive care, and the younger one is in satisfactory condition. No word of an arrest, yet.
4:30 PM UPDATE: Seattle Police now say the suspect was expected to turn herself in this afternoon – but has not. This is from an update just posted to SPD Blotter:
Witnesses stated that the suspect got into a physical fight with one of the victims because the victim struck her (suspect’s) dog. The fist fight ended and the suspect left and returned to the area and located and chased the victim with a Taser. The victim ran away and was returning to school when the suspect reappeared with her vehicle facing the two victims. The suspect accelerated and hit both victims with her car. She then fled the area. …
The female suspect was driving a black (unknown model) Honda. After fleeing the scene the 37-year-old suspect called 9-1-1 and advised that she would surrender to police at 4:00 p.m. today. The suspect is still at large.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1.
11:18 PM NOTE: Checked with police a short time ago. No word of any arrest, still.
NOON THURSDAY UPDATE: The 17-year-old victim is out of the hospital, Harborview Medical Center confirms. They also say the 18-year-old victim’s family is keeping information on her condition private.
A spokesperson for Life Care Centers of America confirms to WSB that its West Seattle facility (4700 SW Admiral Way; WSB sponsor) is closing, after almost 17 years. After getting a tip about this overnight, we called corporate headquarters in Cleveland to check it out – and they provided this formal announcement:
Life Care Centers of America announced today its plans to close the Life Care Center of West Seattle location on Jan. 31, 2013.
“Life Care has been forced to face a difficult decision,” explained Todd Fletcher, a spokesperson for Life Care’s Northwest Division. “Due to the difficult economic environment and the age and maintenance requirements of the physical building, Life Care is unable to continue operating this facility.”
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has been notified, and Life Care associates are now focused on appropriately placing each of its approximately 70 residents.
Residents and family members received a list of local care facilities, and Life Care is providing clinical social workers to assist with every discharge to ensure residents are secure and comfortable with the changes.
All of the building’s eligible employees will be offered a severance package and the opportunity to possibly obtain work within other Life Care buildings.
“We are a close team, and this is a difficult situation for our tight-knit community,” said Fletcher. “Life Care Centers of America has more than 220 other locations, and if some of our associates have interest in staying with Life Care, we are happy to try and place them in other buildings.”
Life Care Center of West Seattle has been operating since May 5, 1996.
According to the corporate website, there are 17 other Life Care Centers in this state, and the company has home-care services listed too.
(Crow photographed along Harbor Avenue by Bill Bacon)
Made it to midweek! Some highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library – details on the SPL site (other library events are on the system’s ongoing calendar).
DESC CONSTRUCTION-INFO MEETING: As noted here last night, residents in the vicinity of the DESC Delridge Supportive Housing program are invited to a Q/A meeting with the contractor at 3 pm today at Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge, across the street from the project).
SUPERSTORM SANDY SOUP-AND-SANDWICH FUNDRAISER: Visit the West Seattle Eagles‘ hall in The Junction to enjoy this week’s soup-and-sandwich offering starting at 4:30 pm, with proceeds benefiting storm survivors on the East Coast. Details here.
**Note – Salty’s has announced that this event is postponed until January 31st.** ‘BOOMERS AND BEYONDERS’ AT SALTY’S: 6-9 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), Pat Cashman and researcher Mike Hearl lead boomers through a look at how to “finish strong” in the final third of their lives. More info here.
DNDC-HPAC JOINT MEETING: Bottom line, if you live in eastern West Seattle, this community meeting’s for you. 7 pm tonight at the Highland Park Improvement Club (12th and Holden), the HP Action Committee and Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meet together. The agenda includes an update on the Delridge Paving project (for which a contractor has been chosen, as we reported last week).
POETRY AND STORYTELLING: The monthly event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. Eugenia Toledo and Carolyne Wright are the featured readers, according to the Poetrybridge website, which also has details on the open-mike portion of the program.
‘WINTER WONDERETTES’: ArtsWest begins the second week of its holiday production – 7:30 pm; tickets available at the playhouse’s website.
OTHER ONGOING HOLIDAY EVENTS – What you need to know about Santa photos, Christmas tree sales, giving opportunities, and more, continuing today/tonight – all in the WSB West Seattle Holidays Guide … and since the season is still semi-early, we’re continuing to add events, benefits, etc., as we get word of them – editor@westseattleblog.com if you haven’t sent yours yet!
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Another quiet start to the commute. However – if you can see the moon to the west – note that a “subtle” type of eclipse is under way right now; here’s an explanation.
7:10 AM: The moon’s finally going out of range. Still dry outside, but rain is expected to start before this afternoon.
At West Seattle High School last night, the girls-varsity basketball team tipped off the season with a win, 45-29 over Foster High School from Tukwila. Top photo, the Wildcats’ Charli Elliott with the ball; next, WSHS’s Lexi Ioane at right, holding off Foster’s Eunyque Patu on the drive:
The next WSHS girls-varsity game is at 7:30 tonight, Highline High School in Burien.
Both of Chief Sealth International High School‘s varsity basketball teams played season openers last night. The boys were at home:
That’s Bronte Corbray taking a shot for the Seahawks, who beat Lakes High School from Tacoma, 57-51.
That’s Sealth’s Abdirahman Diriye up against Lakes’ Terrell Toney. Next up, the boys play Tukwila’s Foster High School at home on Thursday night at 6:15 pm.
Foster will also play Sealth’s girls-varsity team at CSIHS the same night (8 pm); the girls opened their season on the road last night, losing to Auburn Riverside 64-29, per our partners at The Seattle Times.
10:37 PM: We’re not sure yet about the reason for the search, but police are looking for a suspect in the Schmitz Park Elementary area, and per scanner communication, the Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter is on the way, so you will likely hear it soon if you’re in that area. We have a crew on the way; more information when we get it. The description mentioned over the air is a white man, early 20s, six feet tall, hoodie and long, dark-colored shorts.
10:47 PM: Police tell our crew in the area that they are looking for a domestic-violence suspect. No other details. They’re bringing in a K-9 to help search on the ground.
10:51 PM: We’ve learned that the original scanner traffic on this incident mentioned possible harassment and vandalism – tire-slashing – as part of why they’re seeking the suspect.
11:14 PM: The search in the original area – centered on a home near 49th/Hinds – did not pan out, but they’re following other leads, including one that the suspect might have headed east, toward California SW. If you see anyone matching the description, call 911.
11:19 PM: Sounds like they may have a suspect in custody. Will verify when we can.
11:27 PM: Precinct verifies the arrest. We’ll seek out additional information tomorrow when the report’s available.
As we showed you here on Monday, construction has officially begun at the site of DESC’s 66-unit Delridge Supportive Housing project in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW. A neighbor tells us he just found a flyer in his driveway for a briefing/Q&A session that the contractor Walsh Construction is offering to neighbors – at mid-afternoon tomorrow (3 pm Wednesday, Delridge Library), billed as an opportunity for them to ask questions and get answers about the work. Before hearing about the meeting, we had asked DESC executive director Bill Hobson about the status of the work, and he had confirmed that the contractor had just begun “mass excavation, meaning digging out the hole that will be the underground parking and doing foundation prep work.”
Tonight as rock fans remember Jimi Hendrix on what would be his 70th birthday, if he were alive, there’s a unique tribute at West Seattle’s Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – Hendrix memorabilia shown by another legend, Pat O’Day, who’s there in person:
O’Day’s signing his book “It Was All Just Rock ‘n’ Roll,” including stories from his broadcasting career.
Hendrix was two months short of 28 years old when he died in 1970 – gone 42 years yet still remembered as one of the greatest guitarists ever.
(WSB photo from July 2012)
Breaking this evening – news that City Councilmember Tim Burgess is officially running for mayor. He filed paperwork today; the first big interview is on The Stranger‘s website. The news release just arrived in the WSB inbox. Burgess has visited West Seattle several times this year, including July’s joint Southwest District Council/Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting at the Southwest Teen Life Center, during which we took the photo above. He’s launched a campaign website here; you might recognize some West Seattleites’ names on the endorsements list, particularly in the right column. Burgess – midway through his second term on the council – is the second to declare, after Charlie Staadecker; McGinn has not made a formal announcement that he’s running, but hasn’t made any indication he isn’t. The primary is still nine months away, on August 6, 2013.
(Photo provided by Seattle Parks)
Seattle Parks says it’s hired a crew to cut 22 trees along SW Jacobsen, which runs east from Beach Drive at the south end of the Emma Schmitz Viewpoint waterfront. Spokesperson Dewey Potter explains:
This is to let you know that Parks is hiring a contractor to remove some hazardous alder trees along SW Jacobsen Rd., which runs through Me-Kwa-Mooks natural area. There are 22 trees identified for removal; all have either dead tops, advanced decay, severe leans and/or compromised structure. All have been rated at 11 points out of 12 on the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): http://www.isa-arbor.com/ hazard evaluation form.
The trees have had signs on them for several months indicating that they are to be removed. One neighbor responded that she was concerned about migratory bird nesting, so Parks delayed the project until well after nesting season. In the field, several neighbors have expressed concerns about the trees because of falling branches or failing trees, and are happy that we are taking action. There is parking along the road and frequent pedestrian and vehicle traffic, which is endangered by falling limbs or whole tree failures. There have been several whole tree failures across the street in the past several years. The tree crew has done clearance and hazard mitigation pruning within the past year, but based on their aerial inspections, they report that the trees had defects that pruning could not correct. Given the species and conditions of the trees and site conditions, our professional arborists think that removing these trees is a necessary action to protect people and property.
Parks bid out the project, and the successful bidder is Asplundh Tree Expert Co. The contractor will be responsible for traffic control and chipping and removing logs.
Potter says the work will start on December 3rd.
Update on two local teenagers’ community toy-donation drive, Holidays 4 Hope, first noted here last week:
Clint Hewitt and Conrad Hill are pleased to announce that after meeting with Zippy’s Giant Burgers owner Blaine Cook this morning, the “Holidays 4 Hope” toy drive will have a donation bin at Zippy’s! The two Chief Sealth International High School seniors are collecting toys to brighten the holiday of local children. The next time you head to Zippy’s for one of their amazing burgers and vintage sodas, remember to take a new toy, book, or game to donate!
Zippy’s Giant Burgers at 9614 14th SW is the newest local site hosting a toy donation bin, joining the Original Bakery at 9253 45th Avenue Southwest, JC’s Deli at 9007 35th SW, as well as Chief Sealth International High School and Shorewood Christian School.
Please help us make a positive impact on the lives of local children and families for this holiday season! We are excited and grateful for the community support we are receiving for Holidays 4 Hope! Thank you to everyone hosting our holiday donation bins and bringing donations for the kids! We really appreciate every contribution!
For additional information on Holidays 4 Hope, contact Clint Hewitt at c.hewitt206@gmail.com or Conrad Hill at crhill2013@gmail.com
As the students write – it’s up to you now … fill those donation bins!
Four weeks till Christmas, and five nights till the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting this Saturday night! 
Today we have the lineup, so you know what to expect (and so you know you won’t miss the actual lighting if you can’t get there immediately, though the park fills up and you won’t want to wait unless you absolutely have to!):
The event’s official start is at 5 pm. The Starlite All-Stars, local musicians featured at Shadowland‘s Tuesday night singer/songwriter showcase, will start playing before then, and will continue till a few minutes after 5. That’s when Doug Baldwin from the Junction Association (and Windermere West Seattle) will introduce the emcee returning for a 4th year, West Seattle-residing radio personality Marty Riemer. He’ll be followed by ArtsWest executive director Line Sandsmark introducing a number by the “Winter Wonderettes,” the ArtsWest holiday show. They’ll be followed by the Endolyne Children’s Choir, introduced by director Amy Stagno Bokanev. You’ll also hear from West Seattle Christian Church‘s pastor Dan Jacobs (long active in Junction events – including volunteering to run the projector for summertime West Seattle Outdoor Movies) and WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland. Then at about 5:40 pm, emcee Marty introduces the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court, who will count down and light the tree. That will lead into more music by the Starlite All-Stars, as the event wraps up around quarter till six.
Please note that times are approximate – we’ve covered this since 2007 (even emceed it in ’08) and it can go a lot faster, or a little slower. Hope to see you there right from the start.
This is just one of dozens of holiday events and notes in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, updated at least once a day as the season continues – see it here.
That’s the helmet-cam video of bicyclist Jeff‘s trip to and through West Seattle’s first “bike box,” originally linked in the discussion following our Sunday report on the addition to the north/eastbound side of Andover at Delridge. Commenters had several followup questions, as did we, and as promised, we took them to SDOT, whose Marybeth Turner researched and responded. Ahead, our eight questions and SDOT’s eight answers, including what’s next for this project site and whether any more are in the works:
(ADDED: Video of orcas @ Vashon’s Point Robinson, by Kelly Keenan via Orca Network on FB)
11:18 AM: Just got a text that orcas are again headed this way – off Bainbridge Island a short time ago, and moving south. Alki Point and Beach Drive are likely the best places to go now – or Lowman Beach and Lincoln Park in a bit. Let us know if you see them! (Here’s our coverage from last Saturday’s sightings. P.S. Whether it’s whales or any other type of breaking news, text us at 206-293-6302 any time!)
11:56 AM: At Lincoln Park. Nothing visible with unaided eye, but wildlife photographer/writer Trileigh Tucker tells us she saw them with strong binocs. (P.S. We saw Trileigh at the park a bit later, and want to thank her publicly for sharing the binocs – we got a glimpse too!)
We spotted the garland-hanging crew in The Junction earlier this morning – getting ready for Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB again this year) starting this weekend (schedule here!) This IS another good day for decorating if you can, since the rain might be back by tomorrow. Here are a few highlights for today from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
AUTUMN POTPOURRI FESTIVAL: “A little of this ’n that” at Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon) now till 1 pm. Gift items, jewelry imports, collectibles, decorations, crafts, desert plants, Santa Claus, bake sale, jazz with the Ellis Brothers, lunch at 11:45 am.
PEPS ORIENTATION: 1:30 pm for new/expectant parents at Bright Horizons (38th/Alaska, lower floor of Link). Details here.
OPEN ARMS ‘SHORT AND SWEET AUCTION’: West Seattleite Sabrina Urquhart is on the board of Open Arms Perinatal Services, which helps low-income women and their families, with results including increased breastfeeding-initiation rates, decreased C-section rates, and fewer cases of low-birthweight babies, and shared the news that they are raising money through an auction and entertainment event at 6:30 tonight at SANCA in nearby Georgetown – details here.
WEST SEATTLE STEM ELEMENTARY PTA MEETING: 7 pm tonight at the school (aka K5 STEM at Boren), 5940 Delridge Way SW. More info on the PTA website.
4TH ANNUAL JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) welcomes you tonight to celebrate the rock legend. Special guest: Another local legend, Pat O’Day, with his personal collection of rare Hendrix photos. 7 pm, 6451 California SW – more info here.
(WSDOT image showing underside of deteriorating expansion joint – explained here)
Monday, we reported on the Spokane St. Overcrossing/Timber Bridge project ahead for Highway 99 south of the West Seattle Bridge (here’s the story). Today, we have new information on another new WSDOT project that will affect local drivers starting early next year – currently known as “Spokane Street Interchange Vicinity – Special Bridge Repair.” This one involves replacing more than two dozen deteriorating half-century-old expansion joints on and around the West Seattle Bridge/I-5/Columbian Way interchange (here’s an aerial view of the segments), and it will require a series of weekend closures involving various ramps.
We’ve been watching this one for a while and just got word from WSDOT that the closure schedules are now online. See them here, along with detour maps. The closures are currently scheduled to start with the weekend of January 4-7, late Friday night through early Monday morning, when WSDOT will close the I-5 northbound, I-5 southbound, and Columbian Way ramps to West Seattle Bridge. Subsequent weekends will NOT be the same pattern – every weekend closure has a slightly different configuration. As you’ll see on the closure-schedule page, this is expected to continue into next spring; it’s a $4.5 million project, to be led by Eastside-headquartered Mowat Construction.
A famous bakery is going against the grain: While the trend has more typically been for successful businesses from other Seattle neighborhoods to expand west, West Seattle-founded Bakery Nouveau is expanding to the northeast, six years after its low-key arrival here. Our friends at fellow independent neighborhood-news service Capitol Hill Seattle have broken the news this morning that BN “has launched plans for a new shop on Capitol Hill.” No, it’s not moving there – it’ll be a second location, according to the CHS story, for which editor Justin Carder interviewed BN proprietor William Leaman. Read all about it here. (2011 WSB photo)
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:50 AM: Another chilly morning – but dry, at least until tonight, according to the forecast. No problems on the routes from/through/to West Seattle so far. Reminder for bus riders: Till 8:30 this morning, Metro says, its reps are on hand near four northbound bus stops to listen to your thoughts about West Seattle service – as noted here.
ADDED 11 AM: We stopped by the northbound California/Fauntleroy station just before the mingling window ended at 8:30 am and found KCDOT’s Ashley DeForest:
She hadn’t kept count of how many people she’d spoken with but said things had been pretty busy. Also there, interviewing her: Transportation reporter Mike Lindblom from The Seattle Times (WSB news partner) –
Reminder from the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival team: “The Hi-Yu Junior Court will be at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, December 1, 7 am-11 am. Add or start your collection by getting your unique blown-glass ornament for $20. Ornaments will also be available for purchase at certain store locations, Junction Hometown Holidays events, and online. Check out westseattlehiyu.com for details.” Ornament sales benefit Hi-Yu programs. And one more reminder that applications are being accepted for this year’s Senior Court until Friday – more info in our story from last month.
Two shoreline scenes to share tonight: First, thanks to Alki photographer David Hutchinson for tonight’s vivid late-fall sunset. According to the current forecast, we have one more clear day ahead – then clouds might start moving back in around this time tomorrow night, with an anticipated return to wet weather. Temperatures are expected to stay a bit above normal, though tonight, with the clear sky, will be cold. Looking ahead to the big holiday events next weekend – all listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – might be rainy, but you know what they say about making predictions this far out …
Second, just received while we were processing David’s photo, Aaron Baggenstos shares this view of harlequin ducks photographed at Lincoln Park:
(Click image for larger view)
Aaron tells us he leads wildlife-photography tours throughout the state via his business Aaron’s Photo Tours.
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