West Seattle, Washington
18 Wednesday
Family and friends will gather in Kenmore on Saturday to remember 74-year-old Loretta Ann Kirby (Lenning), who grew up in the Lowman Beach area. Her family shares this remembrance:
Loretta passed away peacefully on October 4th, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1957 and attended Pacific Lutheran University, where she learned how to waterski and play pinochle. She worked for United Airlines until her retirement in 2004.
She was born to Gladys and Ingvald Lenning and is survived by her husband Bob, and sons Scott Jacobson, Jeff Jacobson, & Mason Kirby, as well as four grandchildren and her sisters, Audrey Lenning Anderson, Margaret Lenning Norberg, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Inglewood Golf & Country Club in Kenmore. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, with a photo if available, to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz)
Four reader reports and an update tonight:
BURGLARY: Michael’s home camera system caught that quick clip one week ago, on November 5th, when the two people in the video broke into his home in Upper Morgan. In the video, you see them running into and out of a glass door they broke to get in. The main loot, he says, was money that one of his children had been saving up – it appears they left fast because of Michael’s “ear-piercing alarm.” The telltale hat in the video helped him spot one of the suspects near 35th and Morgan two days later; police were called and while Michael says they didn’t have enough evidence to hold anyone at that time, the case is advancing and he’s hopeful of an eventual conviction.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOLEN: From Ray: “Just wanted to alert the neighborhood… The catalytic converter was removed from my truck (Toyota 4-Runner) early Monday morning. It was parked in front of my house but on the street. I was told that the thief used pipe cutters and it only takes a few minutes. We live on 40th/Dakota.”
CAR PROWLS IN ADMIRAL: From someone who wants to remain anonymous:
Monday morning (Nov. 11), when leaving for work, I discovered my car broken into. Incident occured on 2700 block of California Ave, right by Freshy’s Coffee. Note, this appears to be the fourth similar occurrence within a few blocks in just the last two weeks. Our GPS was stolen, loose change stolen, and all car compartments were emptied and strewn about. Our car was locked, it’s a 2004 Ford. This is also the second time our car’s been broken into while parked here. Police report was filed.
POSSIBLE PROWLER: Elizabeth noticed a car driving slowly back and forth along her street (SW Monroe in Gatewood) last night, light-colored boxy sedan, possibly early to mid-nineties Toyota or Honda: “The driver picked up speed pretty quickly when they saw me watching. This is a good reminder that we all need to keep a watch out for unusual activity to prevent crime in our neighborhoods.
OUT OF JAIL: Alan Polevia, the convicted burglar/thief sentenced to six months in jail back in September after serving three months, is out. His release on October 21st carries the note “sentence expiration.” We recorded video of his sentencing hearing September 27th (that report also recaps his lengthy backstory).
Two updates on West Seattle salmon:
FAUNTLEROY CREEK: Two weeks after this fall’s salmon watch began, volunteers report the first sighting. Creek/watershed steward Judy Pickens shared the word that Dennis Hinton had spotted one from the ferry dock, watching the creek mouth. He then elaborated:
Saw the single spawner from the dock at 2:30 pm. Went back down to the ladder with daughter’s dog, Blazer. We watched at the culvert until 4 pm to see if any fish had ventured up the creek. Saw no fish. But saw two river otters approaching the culvert about 4 pm. I’ll bet they can smell the coho coming. Blazer barked and scared the otters away. But bet they’ll be back to get the first pickings.
LONGFELLOW CREEK: We’ve reported twice on spawners spotted in the eastern West Seattle creek. “Diver Laura” James has gone in with a camera for a closer look – some of it was heartening, some not so much:
Laura leads the Tox-Ick.org program teaching people how to reduce polluting, potentially deadly runoff; tonight she is at The Whale Trail‘s Orca Talk on behalf of the program.
(Added: Seattle Times photo by Greg Gilbert, republished with permission)
4:23 PM: The newest ballot count is just in from King County Elections, and the race that has had the city on the edge of its election-watching seat has continued going the challenger’s way: Kshama Sawant now leads incumbent Richard Conlin in the Seattle City Council Position 2 race. Numbers here – 79,751 for Sawant, 79,710 for Conlin:
4:41 PM: If you haven’t been paying close attention, Sawant is a community-college economics teacher who ran as a Socialist. If she wins, she will be the first Socialist member of the Seattle City Council; she would be the fourth woman and second person of color on the current council. She would have to run again in 2015 because of Seattle Charter Amendment 19, which won in a landslide, setting up elections by district for seven of the council’s nine seats, including the creation of West Seattle’s District 1. (A Facebook group is already active for discussing ramifications – find it here.)
Meantime, the numbers from the next batch of ballots will be announced tomorrow around 4:30 pm. As our partners at The Seattle Times note, Sawant had 46 percent of the vote on Election Night, but has been closing the gap daily ever since.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One of West Seattle’s three state legislators, just back from the short special session in Olympia, shared insights today at a West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-sponsored brown-bag-lunch discussion.
As noted here on Saturday, the session led to approval for extending Boeing tax breaks but inaction on a transportation package that could save Metro from slashing service.
State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, a Burien Democrat who’s on the House Transportation Committee, told today’s “Lunch with LEO” (local elected official) gathering at ArtsWest that he didn’t think transportation “was ever likely to get resolved” in this special session: “We’re not close enough to a deal on a transportation package,” between the Democratic-led House and Republican-led Senate. “We have some philosophical differences on things. … The Senate does not believe transit, pedestrian (etc.) is a state responsibility.”
One of West Seattle’s longest-running Thanksgiving traditions is happening again this year – and the official announcement is just in from Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes:
Just wanted to get the word out about our Free Community Thanksgiving Community Meal at The Hall at Fauntleroy this Thanksgiving Day on Thursday November 28th from 12 noon until 3 PM.
All are welcome for a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings prepared by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering Executive Chef Michael Chase. This is the 15th year that Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes owners Meg and David Haggerty and David Meckstroth have hosted this wonderful dinner. They are joined by a wonderful group of volunteers who help greet our welcome guests and serve dinner.
We will gladly accept donations for desserts. This year we are also asking for donations of gently used/clean or new warm clothing such as coats, jackets, scarves, gloves and hats. We are also asking for blankets or throw blankets to be given to our guests in need of them. Desserts and items can be dropped off at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving Day after 10 AM.
We are located at 9131 California Ave SW in the Fauntleroy Community School House across the street from the Fauntleroy YMCA.
If your business, organization, group, school, etc., has an event – including any kind of donation drive – happening this holiday season, please make sure we know about it, for our calendar and the annual WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, the first draft of which is going “live” within the next few days – thanks!
1:19 PM: That photo shared by Pam in Gatewood shows what she and her neighbors believe are aircraft parts – “metal frame, clear plex of a window” – that fell in their neighborhood within the past hour and a half. Some hit a roof, some turned up in a yard. They’re wondering if anyone else found something similar, and they’re contacting aviation authorities. An eastbound approach to Boeing Field does go over part of Gatewood, and Pam says they heard a plane just before this happened. No injuries reported.
2:27 PM: Per comments, the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Busy night for meetings. Ready to get involved in your neighborhood, if you’re not already? From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, our first group of listings features who’s meeting tonight – public welcome, and, the groups will tell you, very much appreciated. These are all-volunteer groups led by your neighbors, and the more people involved, the stronger they are and the more they can do):
HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 6 pm, monthly meeting, Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm, Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. See the agenda here. (6400 Sylvan Way)
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle. (California/Oregon)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm, lower-level meeting room on south side of Admiral Congregational Church. (California/Hill)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm, conference room at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. (9131 California SW)
Also happening tonight:
VOLUNTEER AT WESTSIDE BABY: 6-9 pm Tuesday nights, you are invited to come help WestSide Baby help thousands of local babies, children, and their families! Details here.
STORYTELLING/OPEN MIKE AT CHACO CANYON: 6 pm, details in our calendar listing. (3770 SW Alaska)
STUDENT STORYTELLERS: 6:30 pm at Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge, students from on-the-rise White Center Heights Elementary School make their storytelling debut. (9910 8th SW)
DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PTSA: 7 pm, with a featured presentation on how to help your middle-schooler get ready for success in high school; more info in the calendar listing. (2601 SW Kenyon)
SOLD-OUT ORCA TALK: Just a note in case you were hoping to get a ticket at the door – The Whale Trail‘s Orca Talk at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) tonight is sold out. (If you don’t already have a ticket, watch TWT’s site for video to follow.)
Even MORE of what’s up today/tonight can be found on our calendar.
(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Back to post-holiday normalcy. We start with two reminders:
STREET-TREE PLANTING: Today’s the day the city plans to start planting new street trees along sections of California SW and Fauntleroy Way, as detailed here.
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION TONIGHT: This all-volunteer group, determined to advocate for this area’s distinct transportation needs, can’t do it without you, so they’re inviting you to come find out tonight how you can help along some very specific lines. 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, 6400 SW Sylvan Way.
Updates as the day goes…
5:45 PM: Crash reported on southbound I-5 just before the West Seattle Bridge exit.
Thanks to Angelique for sharing the photo of a coyote spotted in her neighbor’s yard near Delridge/Willow (map). Hard to tell from the photo, but from a video clip she also sent (see it here), it was seen in mid-meal, and the main course looked to Angelique like a raccoon.
The photo gives us another reason to remind you about Wednesday night’s event at Camp Long Environmental Learning Center – the first time in years that you have a chance to come learn (and ask) about coexisting with coyotes – safely for you and for them. Here’s the announcement again:
Living with Coyotes in Seattle
Coyotes live in our neighborhoods and we humans can learn to live with them. Camp Long and the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife team up to give tips and insight into co-existing safely with these wild dogs. Learn how they live and how humans can avoid and resolve conflict with them.
Camp Long Lodge
Wednesday, November 13th
7 PM to 8:30 PM
FREE
Camp Long’s entrance is at 5200 35th SW.
(UPDATED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: City confirms, comment deadline extended to Nov. 27th)
Last Saturday, we updated the saga of 6917 California SW, the 30-units, no-parking building proposed for part of what’s currently the site of three old houses in south Morgan Junction, with 2 houses and 4 townhouses on the rest of the site. The deadline for comments is Wednesday; formal requests have been filed for a two-week extension, but there’s no official confirmation yet. And neighbors are organizing: They are seeking signatures on an online petition via change.org – see it here – and also circulating a flyer:
The project currently requires no public meetings; that’s part of what neighbors hope to change. We first reported on the project four weeks ago, after discovering it in city files even before the land-use-application sign went up. Official comments on the proposal can be sent by following the instructions on the official notice
ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: We now have multiple confirmations, including one from the city, that the comment deadline for this project has been extended to November 27th.
Just before sunset, one final solemn ceremony on this Veterans Day: Scout Troop 375, based in Burien, came to Alki for a formal flag-retirement ceremony. More than two dozen people joined them.
With flames and Taps, as per tradition, the flag was taken out of service.
The troop and Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes had invited community members to bring flags for a future retirement event; some did. (No date set yet.)
(WSB photo added 8:37 pm)
7:26 PM: Seattle Police say (via scanner) they’re closing Admiral Way between 47th and 49th after a vehicle hit a pole. No word of serious injuries, but “the pole is ready to come down,” one officer warned. More to come.
7:53 PM: Seattle City Light is on scene. The impact actually detached the pole at its base; no word how long the road will be closed. The driver apparently was not seriously hurt, but was being questioned by police.
11:29 PM: Still closed, per commenters.
Yet more updates on West Seattle development plans – this time, focused around the Design Review process:
3078 AVALON WAY ‘PACKET’ FOR NEXT DESIGN REVIEW: As reported here last month, 3078 SW Avalon Way goes back to the Southwest Design Review Board on November 21st, more than a year after its Early Design Guidance meeting (WSB coverage here). Today’s update is that the “packet” containing the newest plan for this ~100-apartment, ~60-parking-space project is now available online. Its text notes that the adjacent, almost identical project (3062 Avalon) has been canceled:
Soon after the September 13 [2012] EDG meeting, Caron Architecture was approached to design a second building on the three parcels to the north of this project. That project under DPD # 3014100, was slated to be designed concurrently with this proposal, 3013303. The schedule for this proposed project was slightly delayed so the two project schedules could synchronized. Both MUP sets were submitted within weeks of each other but the buildings were placed on hold by the owners during the MUP review period due to a myriad of factors, and the application for the other project was eventually cancelled. The decision was made late summer to continue the moving forward with this project only. Comments and concerns raised through the design review process for both buildings have been incorporated into this design, although only the EDG report for this project is specifically addressed in this presentation.
The review of 3078 SW Avalon Way is at 8 pm Thursday, November 21st, at the Senior Center of West Seattle, right after the 6:30 pm review of 3210 California SW (the meeting “packet” for that project is not yet available).
4535 44TH SW DESIGN REVIEW: Since our report that the city has scheduled a special public-comment meeting November 19th after being petitioned by neighbors concerned about this 36-unit, no-parking project in The Junction, there’s yet another date set: It’s going back before the SW Design Review Boardat 6:30 pm December 5th, also at the Senior Center of WS. The formal notice isn’t out yet but it’s listed on the city schedule. (Here’s our coverage of its previous SWDRB review back in May.)
3400 SW GRAHAM DESIGN REVIEW, BUT NO MEETING: We reported two weeks ago about the new development proposal for part of High Point’s long-in-flux site at 35th/Graham – 36 townhouses, 9 single-family houses. It is now scheduled for Administrative Design Review – which means no public meeting, but public comments will be accepted. The formal notice is scheduled to go out this Thursday, with comments accepted until November 27th. If you want to comment before that, send yours to the city planner assigned to the project, Tami Garrett, at tami.garrett@seattle.gov.
Thanks to Arrowhead Gardens for inviting WSB to their Veterans Day observance, which featured an Honor Guard from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Pierce County. The Honor Guard brought and raised a flag:
The event included residents parading around the grounds to and from the flagpole:
Their commemoration also included a poetry reading.
(P.S. In case you wondered – we did! – here’s how to ask JBLM about providing visitors like these for an off-base event.)
If you haven’t taken the quick and easy online step of checking to see whether your ballot from last week’s election was received and validated, you might consider doing it now. 
You’ve probably heard that one City Council contest has narrowed dramatically since the original Election Night count – Position 2 incumbent Richard Conlin and challenger Kshama Sawant are now 1,237 votes apart, – and the ballot-counting isn’t over yet, so it could come down to a handful of votes.
Both campaigns have suggested that while we await the next round of ballot totals tomorrow, you check to make sure your ballot has been counted. It can get lost on its way to Elections HQ; one West Seattleite tells us his was dropped into a box at the Junction post office on Election Day – but came back marked “return to sender.” He contacted King County Elections and received an e-mail reply explaining that he needed to bring it in ASAP; the reply included, “We have heard of this happening to other voters …” Other things that can go awry include the possibility your signature wasn’t validated (happened to us a couple elections ago). Don’t wait to see if yours turns up back on your doorstep. Just go here – it’s really quick.
On this day during which we honor those who have served – a nod also to those who supported their efforts back home, including the women who became known during World War II as “Rosie the Riveters.” Five years ago, West Seattle “Rosies” had their first meeting. 
Then, this past September, we reported organizer Georgie Bright Kunkel‘s search for more “Rosies”; today, we’re publishing her update:
The Rosie the Riveter group in West Seattle is up and running again. The announcement in the blog brought several new Rosies forward. Since not all Rosies are computer-techie, their offspring might have to reply. So if your mother was a Rosie the Riveter during WWII, please contact Georgie Bright Kunkel at 206-935-8663 for more information. Or e-mail gnkunkel@comcast.net.
*On Thursday, Metro went public with details on how it might cut bus routes if two types of funding that expire next year aren’t replaced (WSB coverage here).
*On Saturday, state legislators finished their latest special session with no action on transportation funding.
*Tomorrow (Tuesday), you can do something about it – join forces with the West Seattle Transportation Coalition. WSTC – an all-volunteer, grass-roots, not-government-affiliated group – has just announced its agenda, focused on organizing members into subgroups to take on specific aspects of the work of advocating for our area’s transportation needs. See the agenda here, and be there to help make it happen, 6:30 pm tomorrow at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW).
(SDOT camera view of West Seattle Bridge, looking west; more area cams here)
This morning, we’re combining our usual traffic/transit watch with our daily calendar preview, and mixing in the “what’s changed for the holiday” info:
TRAFFIC NOTES: Highway 99 is open again after a weekend closure that ended around 9 pm Sunday; at the Fauntleroy ferry dock, the holding lane north of the terminal will be closed today because of Barton Pump Station Upgrade work next door: “A large drill rig will be parked in the holding lane for most of the day, and a police officer will be directing traffic around the construction activities,” says the advisory.
TRANSIT NOTES: Metro is on the “reduced weekday” schedule (some routes aren’t running at all); the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis are not running today; Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries, however, are on regular weekday schedules.
PARKING PAY-STATION/METERS: If you’re going to an area of the city with on-street paid parking – it’s free today.
TRASH/RECYCLING/YARD WASTE: Regular schedule for Seattle Public Utilities, both pickup and transfer stations.
SCHOOLS: Closed.
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY: All facilities closed.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: No delivery; post offices closed.
FOR VETERANS: Writer David Nelson has again compiled his citywide freebies list (with four West Seattle items). Also, Center Studio (WSB sponsor) at 9611 16th SW in White Center is offering a free class for veterans at 5:45 pm.
Also happening today/tonight:
‘GIRL RISING’: Still some tickets left for the 4 pm screening at Admiral Theater, according to the online-sales page linked in our original story. (2343 California SW)
FLAG-RETIREMENT CEREMONY: 4 pm with Scout Troop 375 on Alki Beach across from Duke’s; details are in our Sunday story.
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: The NDNC meeting is now permanently moved to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, room 103, starting at 6:30 pm on second Mondays. Tonight’s announced agenda:
Election of 2014 officers
Bylaws change – length of officer terms
DESC building name
Greenbelt encampments
Neighborhood clean-up
Announcements
Youngstown is at 4408 Delridge Way SW.
Washed up seastars at Brace Point, near Seattle Washington from Laura James on Vimeo.
That video was just shared by West Seattle environmental advocate/photographer “Diver Laura” James, who reports counting more than 100 dead sea stars in the Brace Point area near Fauntleroy this weekend. We also received a called-in report late yesterday of dead sea stars (starfish) seen near Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shoreline, but had not been able to get there at low tide to verify. There have been numerous reports of starfish die-offs in recent weeks, from this KING 5 story to a national report via NBC News. But there’s no way to know, so far, if this is connected, nor have scientists definitively linked other die-offs to any sort of common condition.
P.S. Laura will be at The Whale Trail‘s orca talk at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) this Tuesday night, on behalf of Tox-Ick.org; if you haven’t already bought a ticket, though, please note that TWT’s Donna Sandstrom has announced the event is sold out, so no tickets at the door.
Just in from WSDOT: Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct is open again, after a weekend of work on the new S. Atlantic Street overpass. The reopening was eight hours earlier than projected.
1:15 AM NOTE: As of 1 am, the “Viaduct Closed When Flashing” lights on signs in West Seattle and on the bridge were still flashing. But we drove 99 and it really is open.
According to the Seattle Police crime map, 13 burglaries have been reported in West Seattle in the past week. Tonight, we’ve heard from a victim in one of the two most recent – newlywed Kathryn, who lives near 35th and 100th in Arbor Heights:
On Friday night between 4 pm and 10:30 pm, our house was broken into and burglarized. The door was kicked in; they didn’t touch anything in the living room and went straight for the bedroom. They found our safe and took $1500 cash that we had received from friends and family at our recent wedding (Sept. 29th) plus more in gift cards. They also stole my 17″ Toshiba laptop and my white iPad 4, 3 bottles of wine, and that’s it.
The police that came to the scene said they felt like it was someone who knew us, because they knew right where to look and left (other valuables). So we feel fortunate for that. We thought the West Seattle Blog should be notified, and if anyone hears of someone trying to sell the laptop or iPad, to contact the police ! I have serial number for both if that’s helpful.
Arbor Heights was not a hot spot this past week; in addition to this, only one other break-in is shown on the map – Monday near California/100th.
The renovated main hall was already candlelit when we took that photo just before the doors opened for tonight’s free dinner for veterans (and active-duty, reserve, retired servicepeople) and their families at the West Seattle Veterans’ Center. American Legion Post 160 and Auxiliary members are cooking up the gourmet Italian dinner and took a quick photo-op break at our request:
As part of tonight’s dinner, a conference room at the Veterans’ Center/Post 160 is being dedicated in honor of Doris Gross, a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and trailblazing Legion leader, first woman to be a statewide commander among other achievements (here’s a 2010 story about her). This portrait of her was unveiled tonight:
Dinner is being served at the WSVC (3618 SW Alaska) until 8 pm – just show up!
| Comments Off on Memorial on Saturday for Loretta Kirby, 1939-2013