West Seattle, Washington
03 Thursday
Seattle Public Utilities has long been warning that its contractor for the Pump Station 38 upgrade project would have to close one lane of Alki Avenue SW to install a sewer pipe, and that closure (in the 1400 block) has finally begun. We went through a short time ago; flaggers are there to help traffic alternate through the one open lane. If weather doesn’t get in the way, this could be done by the end of the week. This is just part of the $2 million project, for which construction began last summer and is expected to last into spring,
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Five and a half months after a hit-run driver killed Robb Mason as he bicycled home from his West Seattle job, police have identified a suspect, and prosecutors have charged him.
After a reader tip, we obtained the charging documents this morning. 20-year-old Mohamed A. Yusuf of High Point is charged with vehicular homicide and felony hit-run.
According to the charging documents, he was identified through “scrupulous detective work” with evidence including car debris at the scene, security video from a Metro bus and neighborhood cameras, and the suspect’s online/phone activity, including searches, links, and messages related to the case. The charging documents say the crash video showed distinctive pre-existing damage to the Hyundai Elantra that struck Mr. Mason and that police cross-referenced a list of all similar vehicles with a database of incidents, zeroed in on this car, found it outside Yusuf’s residence, and impounded it.
He is accused of driving that Elantra faster than 50 mph the evening of July 15th, 2022, when Mr. Mason was hit and killed east of the low bridge. Here’s the narrative written by prosecutors:
63-year-old Robert Mason was on his way home from work. He was riding an electric bicycle and wearing a yellow safety vest. He was riding eastbound in the eastbound lanes and had just entered the eastern marked crosswalk and was turning left to cross the westbound lanes presumedly to rejoin the bike lane on the north side of the street. The road has two lanes in each direction divided by double yellow painted lines. The crosswalks at the intersection are marked and painted with white hash marks.
20-year-old Mohamed Yusuf was driving eastbound in his sedan. He was speeding over 50 mph on the 25 mph-posted street. He crossed the double yellow centerline and plowed into Mr. Mason. Mr. Mason suffered catastrophic injuries and was killed immediately. … The collision was captured on several road cameras and significantly a Metro bus’s forward-facing camera.
The defendant had initially braked but accelerated away. He never checked on Mr. Mason or contacted the police or called 911. He was identified through a scrupulous investigation that included Ring camera video and audio which captured him behind his house telling someone he was driving “55mph,” several admissions he made in his social media feeds, including searches for “hit and run death of cyclist,” “how long does marijuana (weed) stay in your system?” and links to news articles on this specific event … He sent video of the police knocking on his door and shared that his lawyer told him not to answer.
Yusuf has no criminal record and has not been arrested; the case was filed on a “summons” basis, and he is under orders to appear for arraignment next Monday (January 9th) morning in King County Superior Court. We asked King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney about the decision to file this way; he replied, “The State Constitution and court rules significantly limit the situations in which the Court will issue warrants or hold defendants in jail pending trial,” adding that the decision was “based on judges’ rulings over years in previous unrelated vehicular homicide cases with similar circumstances – particularly noting the defendant’s lack of criminal history or warrant history, even with this serious vehicular homicide charge.”
(WSB photo, July)
Mr. Mason’s death stirred an outcry, particularly in the cycling community, which first placed a “ghost bike” at the scene and then organized two memorial rides, with gatherings addressed by the victim’s widow, in July and in September.
(WSB photo, September)
Prosecutors are asking the arraignment judge to order Yusuf into electronic home monitoring while awaiting trial. According to KCPAO’s McNerthney: “If the defendant violates any terms imposed by the Court or does not appear at a required court date, prosecutors can make a motion for a warrant with a bail request.”
ADDED 6:57 PM: We reached out this morning to ask if Claudia Mason wanted to comment. Tonight we’ve received this:
It means a lot to me that so many people remember and care about Robb.
His death has hit our community very hard and for those of us in the cycling community it’s been a painful reminder of how precarious our commutes can be when we are required to travel through areas that are inherently dangerous.
My own life was stolen when Robb was so brutally killed and I am relieved that the defendant will be arraigned in a few days. It has been a very long and agonizing wait to get to this point and I know that the process is far from over but this news is a big step in the right direction towards getting some justice for my beloved husband Robb Mason.
(Another view of The Olympics, by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:
NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE: The port commissioners of Seattle and Tacoma comprise the managing members for the two ports’ joint cargo authority, and they meet starting at 11:30 this morning. Our calendar listing has links for the agenda and online viewing.
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.
INFO NIGHT FOR TWO RUNNING PROGRAMS: Both at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – 6:30 pm, learn about intermediate training for a half-marathon; at 7 pm, learn about “Get Fit West Seattle,” a couch-to-half-marathon training program.
DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: Community advocates for West Seattle and South Park meet online tonight at 7 pm; attendance and agenda info in our calendar listing.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: At 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have an event – one-time or recurring – to add to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, January 4th.
LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE
This is the 13th day the low bridge has been closed to surface traffic.
Here’s the latest update on repair needs and plans; free Water Taxi and bus rides are in the works, as are temporary protected bike lanes over part of the recommended detour for riders.
ROAD WORK
Watch for the aforementioned bike-lane preps along stretches of West Marginal Way and 1st Avenue South … Seattle Public Utilities says the lane closure for sewer-pipe work near the pump-station project in the 1400 block of Alki SW is finally close to starting.
WEATHER
Rain likely by day’s end, high in the upper 40s.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro is on a regular schedule today but still down buses for repairs – keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions.
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on its two-boat schedule- check here for alerts/updates.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Updating this recent report, five are now live. Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.
High Bridge – the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).
1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route.
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Hours after SDOT‘s most-recent update on the West Seattle low-bridge closure, department reps were guests at West Seattle Bike Connections‘ monthly meeting. Among the new information that emerged – more on the plan for free cross-Duwamish travel during the closure:
In response to questions during the online meeting, they clarified that the free rides would be available to everyone interested – not just people with bicycles in tow. As the slide above shows, though the Water Taxi and buses are operated by King County, the city will cover the cost. Since they hope to launch this by the end of the week, watch for details within the next few days.
Another major topic of discussion was the bicycle-detour route SDOT is suggesting, and the refinements they announced this afternoon, such as temporary protected bicycle lanes on sections of West Marginal Way SW and 1st Avenue South. Installation of the cones and other markers will start tomorrow, first on 1st, and may continue into Thursday if they can’t finish tomorrow. Meeting attendees brought up concerns about route conditions – one showed video of a harrowing attempt to navigate a rutted section near the 1st Avenue South Bridge; SDOT said they have engineers working on that section.
As for the repairs themselves, most of what was presented duplicated what was in this afternoon’s update, with an additional emphasis on long-planned work that’s also coming up, beyond the unexpected repairs:
Toward the start of the meeting, SDOT’s Meghan Shepard pointed out that the low bridge was, if not one of a kind, close to it, and that its cylinders all had to be replaced within a year of its 1991 opening – those replacements are what’s lasted the ensuing 30 years, until now,
Adrian Diaz has moved from interim to permanent Seattle Police Chief, after the final step in his confirmation today – City Council approval (8-1, with Councilmember Kshama Sawant the lone “no”). His confirmation as chief comes almost two and a half years after he took on the interim role following the resignation of Chief Carmen Best, and three and a half months after Mayor Bruce Harrell announced Diaz was his choice to become permanent chief. He spoke today after the council’s vote (advance the video to 1 hour, 15 minutes in):
He said the department and city had “experienced many difficult challenges … but people step up.” He also noted that violent crime has been on a “downward trend” in recent months. The new chief has an often-mentioned West Seattle tie, having served as a high-school wrestling coach at Chief Sealth, as noted in our 2008 mention of an award he received as an officer.
That photo of Holy Rosary School is an echo of a similar photo taken 100 years ago:
On this date in 1923, Holy Rosary opened its building at 4142 42nd SW, with more than 200 students. The school itself opened 10 years earlier at an Admiral location; today is the 100th anniversary of moving into the building. 500 students now attend preschool through 8th-grade classes there. “Although much has changed over the past century, the vision of the four Aquinas Academy Dominican Sisters, Father O’Callahan and the Parish community has not,” school administrators say. (They’re currently accepting applications for kindergarten, and have “limited openings in other grades.”)
(‘Live’ image from SDOT traffic camera)
More updates this afternoon from SDOT on the West Seattle low bridge, a week and a half after mechanical trouble closed it to drivers, riders, and pedestrians. Still no estimate, though, on how much longer the closure will last. First, key points from the repair-related update, followed by the detour-related update:
We have made significant progress on repairs, including replacing 500 feet of damaged underground high-voltage power cable. However, there is still a lot to do as we prepare for the mammoth task of removing a significantly damaged 15,000-pound hydraulic turning cylinder, one of the two cylinders responsible for turning the 14 million-pound eastern side of the moveable bridge. Last week we estimated that the bridge would be closed for a minimum of 2 weeks. We have made steady progress since then and will know more about the remaining timeline after we remove the cylinder.
Here’s what SDOT says went wrong:
1) A 15,000-pound hydraulic cylinder that moves the eastern side of the bridge is leaking fluid. We will need to remove and completely overhaul this cylinder as part of our repairs.
2) While we were addressing other electrical and mechanical issues last week, high tides and heavy rain flooded an underground power conduit causing an electrical short to over 500 feet of high-voltage power cables. (We completed repairing and replacing these power cables at 3 a.m. Saturday, December 31st).
The recent ice storm created a power outage to the bridge. After we restored power using the backup generator, we attempted to open the bridge and it was immediately apparent there was a problem. The eastern bridge span would only rotate a portion of the way and then stall, and we had to make several attempts to swing open the bridge. We soon discovered the cylinder had developed an intensified leak, and it could not safely operate in its current condition. …
We started preparations several months ago to overhaul all four hydraulic turning cylinders (including the damaged one) as part of our ongoing comprehensive bridge rehabilitation program. … The work we’ve already completed allowed us to jump into developing a response plan almost immediately after the damage occurred and will likely mean we’ll able to complete this rehabilitation faster than if we had started from scratch.
The cylinder will need to be temporarily removed and overhauled off-site. Over the past 10 days, we built and assembled some of the equipment necessary to move the massive cylinder. Once the cylinder is removed, we will re-engineer the bridge’s eastern span to temporarily operate on the single remaining turning cylinder. This work requires reprogramming the control system and testing it to
ensure the new configuration is reliable and safe. While the eastern bridge span is running with one cylinder, opening and closing the bridge for passing ships will take about 10 minutes longer than usual. Over the coming months, there will be additional bridge closures to reinstall the cylinder and to complete other projects in our comprehensive Spokane St Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Program. Occasional bridge closures were already planned for 2023 to complete proactive refurbishment and repair work planned this year.
As for the bicycle detour, SDOT says it’s taking these major steps:
This week, we are converting sections of W Marginal Way SW and 1st Ave S curb lanes to temporary protected bike lanes using cones, barrels, paint, and signs. The temporary bike lanes will remain until the Spokane St Swing Bridge reopens. We continue to procure traffic control devices and finalize the traffic control plan. We expect to complete the bike lane installation by the end of the day on Wednesday, Jan. 4. …
While the temporary bike lanes are in place, 1st Ave S will have one general-purpose traffic lane in each direction, a center turn lane, and one bike lane in each direction. As possible, existing on-street parking will remain but be restricted near driveways to help people biking and driving more easily see each other. In two instances at the north and south ends, people on bikes will have to use the sidewalk-see map above. You may wish to get off your bike and walk it through these areas with pedestrians.
We will also convert the southbound general-purpose travel lane at the northern segment of West Marginal Way SW to a temporary protected bike lane. We expect this to have a minimal impact on people driving, as this is not a through-lane.
We will check the detour twice daily to reset cones, barrels, or signs that may have shifted while the temporary bike lanes are in operation.
As noted in our daily preview, the detour will be discussed at tonight’s 6:30 pm online meeting of West Seattle Bike Connections.
ADDED 4:15 PM: SDOT also says it’s working toward “temporary free transit rides on the bus & West Seattle Water Taxi.”
ADDED 6:37 PM: We asked SDOT on followup how soon they expect to remove the cylinder, since they won’t have a full timeline until after that: “Our goal is to remove the cylinder within the next week. We are currently working to identify suppliers for all the parts and equipment necessary to move the massive cylinder and to reprogram the control system to operate with one cylinder.”
(WSB photo, this morning)
Last week, we published photos of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris-recovery vessel at work off Alki, picking up some of the many logs left afloat after the king tides and heavy rains. So what about all the logs that went the other way, now strewn across park shores at beaches like Alki, or piled up like the ones above at Don Armeni Boat Ramp? We asked Seattle Parks, whose spokesperson Rachel Schulkin replied:
We have a plan to reuse as much of the driftwood as possible in the parks. Some to use as log and saddle replacements where needed. And if there are any interesting ones, they may be used for interest in shrub beds.
So far, we are just moving what we can out of the way where necessary. Such as Don Armeni, so the boat ramp is accessible (hence the pile farther up in the parking lot, which was moved last week by the heavy crew). And we will come back in February after we see the next round of high tides this month to start removal/relocation.
We also have plans to go onto Alki Beach to move and remove some of that driftwood before peak season, since so much washed up so far on the sand. But that must wait until the tides settle a little bit for the sand to be a little safer to get our tractors in.
The final round of major winter “king tides” is due January 22-26, with high tides around 13 feet, which is what last week’s high tides were supposed to be (but ended up higher because of weather conditions)
(WSB photo, this morning)
11:57 AM: The crew contracted to remove a semi-sunken sailboat from Don Armeni Boat Ramp is trying again today. Last Thursday, we reported on their plan to take it to Shilshole; a commenter noted the next day that the boat hadn’t been moved after all. So we went by this morning to see if it was gone yet, and found the tow crew working on it again. They explained that last week’s attempt was thwarted because the boat “sprang a leak” but they’ve remedied the situation and are hopeful today’s attempt will work. (We’ll check back later.)
ADDED TUESDAY EVENING: We did go back to look at day’s end, and the boat indeed is gone.
(Monday photo of The Brothers by Kanit Cottrell)
Here’s your Tuesday list, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CITY COUNCIL: The city’s holiday hiatus is over and the council’s back for its weekly meeting today, 2 pm online or at City Hall (600 4th Ave.). See the agenda here; the meeting is viewable via Seattle Channel.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: 6:30 pm online meeting, with the low-bridge closure and bicycle detours at the heart of the agenda; an SDOT rep is expected to be in attendance. You can join via video here (Meeting ID: 821 5334 5420 – Passcode: 758937) or call in via 253-215-8782.
11:43 am update – see comment below; this has been postponed a week: SEATTLE METROPOLITAN SINGERS: This award-winning choir rehearses in West Seattle! Tonight’s announcement:
The Seattle Metropolitan Singers are starting their next season on Tuesday, January 3rd. Rehearsals are 7pm to 9pm every Tuesday at the Senior Center of West Seattle [4217 SW Oregon]. This choir won The People’s Choice award at the 2022 Great Figgy Pudding Competition at Pike Place Market. This is a treble voice choir and all are welcome to join that fit in that vocal range. Please e-mail the_met@seattlegleeclubs.org if any questions. Or check out their website seattlegleeclubs.org/themet
TRIVIA X 3: Three places where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
You can always see more, and preview future events, via our event calendar – if you have something for us to list, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Two car-related notes this morning:
STOLEN CR-V: From Kerry: “My 1999 red Honda CR-V was stolen this morning between 6 and 8 am. License plate number AOZ7418. Taken from 4800 block of 50th Ave SW. text if you spot it – 206-245-8720.” SPD case number is 23-002115.
MYSTERY CAR: Nancy says this car “has been sitting on Cambridge SW between 25th and 26th for many weeks. The license plate has been removed and so have the four wheels. Perhaps, someone is missing this car.”
She says it’s locked and that no VIN number was visible.
Family and friends are remembering Anna W. Missler, and planning a celebration of her life this spring. For now, this is the remembrance they’re sharing:
Anna Wilhelmina Missler
May 20, 1929 – September 21, 2022Anna passed away on September 21, 2022, at the age of 93, after a short illness, with her family by her side.
She was born May 20, 1929 in Utrecht, The Netherlands, to parents Anna Christina Wilhelmina Albertha Bedina Huisen and Jan Willem Van Voorthuisen. Siblings Sophia, Willy, Christina, Yanni, Albert, and Chris. Times were difficult growing up during WW2, and her mother passed shortly after the war ended.
In 1950 Anna and Nicolaas Missler were married in Utrecht, The Netherlands. They welcomed daughter Yvonne in 1950, and Elizabeth (Christa) in 1958. With their young family, they immigrated to the United States in 1960, sponsored by the Fauntleroy Church, and settled in West Seattle. In 1961 they welcomed daughter Diana, and in 1964 Nicolaas Jr.
Family was most important to her, and she was so proud of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Anna put herself through beauty school, and then became a partner operator at Elite Beauty Salon in the West Seattle Junction. She worked as a hairstylist for 20 years until 1993 when Nico became ill, and she retired to care for him at home. Nico passed away in 1996.
Anna’s next adventure was moving into her beloved condo on Alki Beach. She loved daily walks on the beach and sitting by the window watching the daily activities of walkers and boaters throughout the day.
A Celebration of Life is planned in May. Details will be provided closer to the date of event.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, January 3rd, back to work and school for many.
LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE
This is the 12th day the low bridge has been closed to surface traffic, with SDOT saying they don’t yet have a timeline for all repairs.
We’ll be checking on its status again today; here’s our most-recent update, published Saturday.
WEATHER
Slight chance of rain, high in the mid-40s.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro is on a regular schedule today but still down buses for repairs – keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions.
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is back on its regular schedule.
-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on its two-boat schedule- check here for alerts/updates.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Updating this recent report, five are now live. Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.
High Bridge – the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).
1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route.
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Back in the fall, The Skylark in North Delridge saw success with a multi-week series of “adult spelling bee” nights. Now the game is back for one night only – 7 pm this Friday, January 6th – and Skylark proprietor Matt Larson asked us to share the invitation:
The Skylark Cafe and Quizfix’s SPELLDOWN AFTER DARK returns for a ONE-NIGHT ONLY spelling s-p-e-c-t-a-c-u-l-a-r! No pre-signup necessary – everybody who comes has a chance to be a contestant. Be the champion of “The Final Spelldown” – OR supply the word that knocks the last contestant OUT – and win fabulous prizes. Space is limited – get your tix today!
Doors at 7, Spelldown at 8:00 21+ Full bar and restaurant.
“Spelldown After Dark” is an adult spelling bee contest that awards cash and non-cash prizes to participants and winners. It feels like an in person game show with all the excitement of real competition and cash prizes, with drinks involved! Spelldown may incorporate some naughtiness, but in general is intended as PG- to R-level event that attracts participants who want to be named as the Spelldown 2023 King or Queen and are there to compete and have fun.
Haven’t been to The Skylark? It’s at 3803 Delridge Way SW.
It’s been more than four years since a mixed-use project on 35th SW between Holden and Ida was last seen by the Southwest Design Review Board, which ordered the project team to come back for a second round of Early Design Guidance. (Remember that Early Design Guidance is largely about size and shape of the building – “massing”; the project team’s preferred option is above.) Two years later, we reported the plan had expanded. Now, two years after that, the project is scheduled to return to the board – and it’s been expanded again. Back in 2018, a four-story building with about 50 apartments was proposed; in 2020, it was a five-story plan with 120 apartments; now it’s six stories and more than 130 apartments, with ground-floor commercial space and 50 underground parking stalls. You can see the draft design packet here. The revised project is scheduled to go before the SWDRB at 5 pm Thursday, February 2nd, online; watch for the meeting link here.
Two “found” reports involving items that might well have been stolen and dumped, so we’re showing them here rather than pointing to the WSB Lost/Found (Non-Pets) board …
FOUND BICYCLE: Lynn sent this photo of a bicycle abandoned behind her Alki-area condo building:
If it’s yours, contact us and we’ll connect you.
FOUND BAGS: The photo and report are from Janis:
After cleaning up around Lafayette Elementary this morning around 10:30 am (Jan 2), I found two discarded bike messenger bags, very waterlogged with a helmet and kryptonite lock inside. I couldn’t transport back home as I had items to carry and my kids in tow, but they’re still at the playground area.
3:32 PM: Southern Resident Killer Whales have been traveling south all day and they finally arrived in our area around 3 pm, seen in Elliott Bay – from J and K Pods, Kersti Muul reports. Let us know if you see them!
3:59 PM: Visible from Alki, according to another texter. And Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail is south of Alki Point with binoculars to share.
4:13 PM: Donna just called to say they’re easy to see from where she’s at (Charles Richey Viewpoint/Constellation Park).
5:08 PM: Updates in comments – they were passing Lincoln Park as it got dark.
The District 1 Community Network is the first local organization having a public meeting in the new year, 7 pm Wednesday (January 4th) online, D1CN is a coalition of West Seattle and South Park community advocates who gather to address area issues; everyone interested is welcome to join in. Draft agenda items for this meeting include the South Park flooding situation and the ongoing work toward updating the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Video and call-in information can be found in our calendar listing.
Public Health – Seattle & King County says some West Seattle participants are being sought for an invitation-only, voluntary national health survey starting soon. Here’s their announcement explaining the survey:
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the most comprehensive survey of the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population, is coming to King County beginning on January 4, 2023.
All counties and cities in the United States have a chance to be selected for the NHANES and, this year, King County is one of 15 counties selected to be part of this initiative. Each year, only 5,000 residents nationwide are chosen to participate in NHANES, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
NHANES provides important national data on critical public health issues. “NHANES serves as the nation’s ‘health check-up’ by going into communities throughout the country to collect health information,” said Brian C. Moyer, PhD, Director of the NCHS. “The survey provides a wealth of important data about many of the major health and nutritional issues affecting the country.”
“I’m so pleased that our community was selected to participate in this year’s study,” said Dr. Faisal Khan, Director of Public Health — Seattle & King County. “I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to participate to do so. The information provided by our residents will help us to better inform our policy makers and provide us with important information as we make decisions on how to best use our public health resources to meet the needs of our community.”
Since 1960, NHANES has had a prominent role in improving the health of all people living in the U.S. NHANES data address critical health concerns, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Public health officials, legislators, and physicians use this information to develop evidence-based health policies, direct and design health programs and services, and expand the health knowledge of the nation. NHANES data also help produce national references and standardized growth charts used by pediatricians across the country.
NHANES collects a broad range of data that affect the lives of everyone in the country, regardless of age, addressing everything from air quality to the low-fat and “light” foods found in grocery stores.
Study participant selection and study involvement
An NHANES team of health professionals, nutritionists, and health technicians is heading to King County and urges everyone who has been selected for the survey to participate.
Residents will have an invitation-only opportunity to participate in NHANES. Addresses are randomly sampled within the county. By selecting participants this way, when combining data from all counties visited this year, NHANES data can more accurately represent the U.S. population.
Randomly selected households will be sent one or more letters inviting them to be part of NHANES by completing a brief online questionnaire to see if anyone in their home is eligible to take part. Those eligible will be contacted by an NHANES representative to set up a telephone health interview at a convenient time, followed by a health examination that takes place in the NHANES mobile examination center. While no medical care is provided directly in the mobile examination center, a report on physical findings is given to each participant, along with an explanation of those findings from survey medical staff.
Benefits of participating in NHANES, if selected:
-Participants receive a free and comprehensive health and nutrition evaluation.
-Participants help develop and evolve national health programs and policies.
-Participants receive a token of appreciation for their time.All information collected in the survey is kept confidential and individual privacy is protected by law. NHANES is taking all precautions needed, as recommended by the CDC, to keep survey participants and staff safe by following guidelines on social distancing, use of personal protective equipment, handwashing, and sanitation of the mobile examination center and all equipment.
You can find out more about the survey, including data spanning decades, here.
Thank you to everyone who sent photos of today’s colorful sunrise! Above, Coleman Smith shows us the Mount Rainier view; below, Gene Pavola caught the westward view with the Olympics’ pastel-pink glow:
And one more angle, from Jerry Simmons:
While the sunset’s been getting later for almost two weeks, the sunrise doesn’t start getting earlier for a few more days.
Friends and family are remembering Lola Shugart. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
E. Lola Shugart – May 18, 1923 – November 23, 2022
Born in Missouri, Lola Shugart was a long-time West Seattle resident, first in the Admiral district with her husband, Bob, and then for 40+ years in her lime green house on 42nd Avenue SW. In October 2021, she moved to be with family in the Tri-Cities, where she passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Eve.
Lola was known to many in the Junction, including neighbors, Safeway employees, and the tellers at numerous banks! She enjoyed standing at her gate and chatting with passersby, with whom she shared her love of gardening, dogs, cars, and politics. Lola was lively and outgoing, blunt and sometimes cranky, but always true to herself. The neighborhood is a little less colorful without her!
Her local friends would like to thank the staff and volunteers at West Seattle Senior Center and Sound Generations Meals on Wheels, who ensured that Lola was well fed throughout the COVID lockdown. She mentioned many times how much she enjoyed and appreciated your care … and especially the biscuits and gravy!
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Good morning. It’s the second day of the new year and the last day of the holiday season, the “observed” holiday for New Year’s Day. That means some changes for today – here’s what you should know:
TRANSPORTATION
*Low bridge still closed
*Metro on Sunday schedule
*No Water Taxi today
*Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state ferry route on Sunday schedule
*Free parking today in areas of the city with on-street paid parking
*See citywide traffic cams here, West Seattle-relevant cams here
OTHER SERVICES/FACILITIES
*Schools closed (UPDATE: Texter points out Vashon Island School District has classes today)
*No USPS services except Priority Mail Express
*Banking holiday
*Libraries open today
*Most Seattle Parks facilities closed
WEATHER
*Partly sunny today, chance of rain tonight, high in the 40s.
Got news? Text us at 206-293-6402,or email westseattleblog@gmail.com if non-urgent – thank you!
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