West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Family and friends will gather on December 15 in memory of KayLynn Mayhew. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
KayLynn (Edgren) Mayhew was born April 23, 1961 in Colfax, Washington to Roger and June Edgren. She passed away November 24, 2018 at her home in Greenbank on Whidbey Island to her heavenly eternal home. She was 57 years old. Memorial services will be held at Hillside Evangelical Free Church, Greenbank, Washington on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 3 PM.
KayLynn spent her childhood in Colfax, grew up on Prune Orchard Road, and worked at the Elk Drug Store, her family’s pharmacy. She graduated from Colfax High School in 1979. KayLynn continued her education at Washington State University, graduating with a degree in pharmacy. She met her sweetheart, Bill Mayhew, during her college years at WSU and they married soon after she graduated in 1984. They were married 34 happy years.
KayLynn and Bill lived and worked in West Seattle for 32 years. They bought property on Whidbey Island and spent 10 years building their retirement home and gardens. One of KayLynn’s many joys was her involvement in the design and building of their home on Whidbey Island. Upon their retirements in 2015 they moved to the island full-time.
KayLynn was a lady with many talents. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, quilting, photography, reading, camping and hiking. She cherished her many adventures with Bill and times spent with her family, friends, and church community. She was always willing to help with weddings, parties, and church events with her many creative talents. KayLynn was a kind, gracious, patient, gentle and loving person to all that knew her.
KayLynn is survived by her husband, Bill Mayhew; sister Jana (Jeff) Daily, of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Jenna and Hayden; sister Shari (Darin) Griff of Hayden, ID, Shayla and Dylan; sister-in-law Sally (Jim) Pillers; sister-in-law Suzanne (Dean) Walker; sister-in-law Julie (Sid) Sever; brother-in-law John (Bev) Mayhew; 17 nieces and nephews, and 20 grandnieces and grandnephews. KayLynn was preceded in death by her parents, Roger and June Edgren, and nephew Daniel Walker.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
Ryan’s House for Youth on Whidbey Island, 19777 SR 20, Coupeville, WA 98239, www.ryanshouseforyouth.org
Young Life Whidbey Island, PO Box 1075, Freeland, WA 98249-1075, www.whidbey.younglife.org
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning! No traffic incidents or transit alerts outbound from our area so far.
11:11 AM: A crash has been blocking northbound California at Hanford but WSB’s Christopher Boffoli reports, no major injuries. Two vehicles involved:
Police have been awaiting tow crews to clear the scene.
11:55 AM: Christopher reports NB California is open again.
That’s Seattle Channel video of the City Council’s first meeting to discuss HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability upzoning since the pre-Thanksgiving ruling on a citywide coalition’s challenge to it.
The council met Monday morning as the Select Committee on Citywide MHA. They got a briefing on the ruling, plus this potential timeline for what happens next:
Council staff cautioned that the timeline is a “best-case scenario.” (Among other potential complications, the coalition hasn’t yet announced whether it will pursue a court challenge to the city Hearing Examiner’s ruling. Its leader said during the meeting’s public-comment period that the coalition remained open to talking with the city.)
West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold noted that she had asked for urban-village-specific resolutions regarding planning, and didn’t see that reflected in the timeline. Committee chair Councilmember Rob Johnson said he intends for that to happen and it was an “oversight” that it wasn’t shown on the timeline. Herbold said that she felt specific resolutions would address some of the concerns that led to the appeal. Later in the meeting, she repeatedly stressed concerns about displacement that could result from the upzoning, including that city staff has underestimated how much of it could happen.
10:25 PM: If you know someone who has to head this way soon from points south, note that the ramp from northbound I-5 to the westbound West Seattle Bridge is blocked right now. The crash is described on the scanner as “near-head-on”; we don’t know for sure if it’s related but just a few moments earlier we had heard police dispatched to check out a report that someone was driving eastbound on the westbound side of the bridge.
ADDED: From the State Patrol via Twitter:
Wrong way driver from West Seattle Freeway to I-5. Driver in custody for DUI. Update on injuries to come. pic.twitter.com/LTygZlK5Vd
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) December 4, 2018
1:50 PM UPDATE: The 28-year-old woman who is reported to have been driving the wrong way is in King County Jail, after being treated at Harborview. WSP says two other vehicles were involved – a Prius that collided with the suspect’s Civic, injuring the 27-year-old Kent woman who was driving, and an Altima whose driver swerved into the barrier to avoid hitting the wrong-way driver. He wasn’t hurt, per the WSP, nor were passengers in his car and the Prius.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Four and a half months after the sudden death of Uptown Espresso‘s owner, the local chain is getting some management help – and some resulting changes have raised questions among customers.
We looked into the changes – specifically, the ones made at the Uptown shops in the West Seattle Junction and Delridge – after e-mails from half a dozen customers wondering about the changes and rumors of others to come.
The major changes confirmed by the new management: The Junction shop is now closing earlier in the evening. And the Delridge shop is phasing out retail sales of board games.
Uptown owner Dow Lucurell died in July, just 54 years old. Fonté Coffee, Uptown’s roaster, is now its manager.
Our questions were answered in an e-mail exchange with Jason Cronk, retail operations manager for Fonté and Uptown. First, he clarified that Fonté has not purchased the Uptown shops: “Fonte is merely the management company at this point. With the sudden passing of Dow the owner, we have agreed to step in to manage and refresh the cafés. We are committed to maintaining the heart and soul of Uptown. We will be replacing worn-out equipment and refreshing the stores with some much-needed maintenance. The sudden passing of Dow, the owner of Uptown has put us in a situation to help maintain the legacy of Uptown.”
At Delridge, Cronk says, the Gameporium identity is evolving, not ending. “Delridge will continue to offer games to all customers to play while in the Café. We simply will not be retailing them anymore. We plan on turning the front shelving into a community lending library. We are offering BOGO on all games until our stock is depleted.”
Delridge will continue to be open into the evening, Cronk said: “We have no intention of changing hours in Delridge.”
The West Seattle Junction store, however, is closing earlier, at least for now, Cronk confirms. Previously, it was open until 10 pm five nights a week, 11 pm Fridays and Saturdays, and now it’s closing at 6 pm, seven nights a week, displacing some community groups that had held evening meetings there.
Explained Cronk: “Short term, we have adjusted hours at several of the cafés in order to rein in expenses and assess the overall health of the business. These hours are a temporary measure in certain stores and will be addressed again seasonally when the traffic patterns shift.” Specifically, he says, “hours will be revisited in the spring.”
Any other changes? we asked. The reply: “No other big changes are occurring on the customer side right now. We will be introducing additional scratch-made products to all stores next year. A full sandwich and savory program as well as an expanded whole-bean coffee selection and some new offerings.”
Even under the wing of Fonté, which has cafés downtown and in Bellevue, the Uptown brand will carry on, Cronk said: “Uptown espresso will remain Uptown. We are two separate companies with a shared goal of creating great customer gathering places with amazing products.” He said Fonté is overall promising “even better coffee, cleaner stores, more options.”
Big smiles for this group we photographed at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point: Four teachers got surprises from visitors representing Inspirus Credit Union, fully funding projects they were planning for their students:
Ms. Dimsey – $729 for “a wooden block center, a play kitchen, new stuffed animals, Legos, puppets, a puppet theater, a light table, and an easel to have a wonderful kindergarten experience”
Ms. Mo, two projects – $287 for “engaging literacy tools that will help grow (first-graders’) reading and writing skills” and $671 for “thematic books to support literacy and our grade-level expeditions”
Ms. DeBurle – $233 for “graphic novels for our classroom library”
Ms. Alexakos – $355 for “books on the topic of the Civil Rights Movement”
A contingent from Inspirus visited the teachers and principal David Dockendorf last Friday morning to announce the surprise gifts fully funding the projects.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
BUSINESS VANDALISM: After tips about broken windows at Breathe Hot Yoga and Chaco Canyon Café in The Triangle at midday Sunday, we obtained the police report today. Police were called just before 11:30 am to say a man dressed in black had thrown “a large landscaping stone” through the window of Breathe Hot Yoga while a class was under way. The rock didn’t hit anyone but “two or three people” suffered minor injuries from broken glass. While on the scene, an officer noticed a broken window in an office area of an adjacent business (redacted in the report but people who have contacted us indicated it was Chaco Canyon). Employees there said they heard a “loud crash” and discovered the broken window but didn’t find a rock or anything else that might have caused it. No arrest reported so far.
HIT-AND-RUN: From Brad:
At approximately 1:30 PM this afternoon a newer-model gray sedan was westbound on SW Genesee St. (near Genesee Hill Elementary School) at a high rate of speed and missed the left turn onto 49th Ave SW. The car went through a front yard on the west side of 49th, crossed the street, entered a front yard on the east side of 49th, went down the sidewalk and departed southbound on 49th. This driver only destroyed a planter box, but easily could have killed someone. They left a part of the right front fender and right front wheel well behind.
(SDOT image of 1st Avenue S. backup)
4:51 PM: Thanks for the tips. If you usually use 1st Avenue South to get to the West Seattle Bridge while heading home – avoid it for a while; it’s closed at S. Forest, both ways, because of police activity, and that’s led to a big backup. Listening to the scanner, we’re heading talk that it’s a robbery investigation, and someone is reported to be in custody, so this might ease soon.
4:53 PM: Just after we published that, SPD said via Twitter that it was an “attempted bank robbery” in the 2700 block of 1st Ave. S.: “Suspect remained in the bank and police responded and arrested him. Bank employees sheltered in place in a secure area of the bank.”
4:57 PM: Per scanner, 1st Avenue S. has reopened, but as you can imagine, the residual backup won’t resolve immediately at this time of day.
Friday night, you might recall, 3,000+ homes and businesses were without power in West Seattle – and many more lost it briefly – because of a problem at the Delridge Substation. It was the second consecutive Friday night with a problem there, though the previous week’s outage was only “momentary.” As promised, we asked Seattle City Light today if they’ve found out anything more. SCL spokesperson Scott Thomsen says the two might have been connected:
Friday’s outage was caused by an underground cable failure.
The previous outage in that area was likely caused by a branch falling into and then off of overhead powerlines in a wooded area nearby. Our crews patrolled the area immediately and a second time during daylight, but could not find evidence of what might have triggered it.
The area of overhead lines where that first problem occurred and the underground cable in Friday’s outage are connected. While we can’t make a conclusive connection between the two events, when faults happen in the overhead system like that, it will put additional stress on connected underground cables, shortening their lifespans.
The Delridge Substation (near the dead end of SW Juneau, west of 26th) also factored into two outages in less than a week last summer – July 31st and August 6th.
(WSB photo)
Thanks to Scott for spotting the new signs that have just gone up along Delridge Way SW. These are the signs referred to in a survey the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association circulated a month ago – one result of the North Delridge Action Plan process that’s been unfolding over the past few years. As DNDA executive director David Bestock explained when announcing the survey:
There are ~83 store-front small businesses along Delridge Way SW that are operated by a diverse group of owners who provide the neighborhood access to vital goods and services. Despite their numbers and longstanding presence in the area, thousands unknowingly pass by Delridge business destinations unaware of the wonderful goods and services they offer.
The signs mark the North Delridge business districts/nodes at/near Andover, Brandon, and Sylvan. They were funded as part of an “Only in Seattle” grant from the city Office of Economic Development and installed by SDOT.
In the most-recent viaduct-to-tunnel discussion we covered, part of the advice for dealing with the “Seattle Squeeze” was to cowork if you can. West Seattle Coworking (WSB sponsor) has taken that to heart and is offering a special. From co-proprietor Ross:
Dear fellow West Seattle residents: Are you dreading the downtown commute coming January? We can help. We still have 8 desks left! And for those who act before Saturday, December 8th, we will waive the convenience fee.
In addition to a convenient workspace we offer fast internet, free coffee, phone rooms for private calls, 24/7 access, monitors, secure premises, and a fun network of built-in friends. Act soon! westseattlecoworking.com or 206-531-0557.
One good reason to report any and all thefts – police might recover your stuff and not be able to get it back to you if there’s no identifying marks and no report on record. That’s what happened in this incident we just got word of today: A detective in the SPD Found Property/Evidence Unit e-mailed to say police recovered a Nikon DX digital camera in West Seattle and are looking for its owner: “The camera contains family photos from the 2017 Holidays and the family trip to California. The owner can contact the Evidence Unit at 206-684-8720, ext. 8. Must have proof of ownership.”
(WSB file photo)
If you haven’t already seen the schedule in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship visits West Seattle and South Park this week! Here’s where and when you can gather on the shore and enjoy being serenaded by seasonal sounds:
Friday, December 7th:
-7:55 pm at Lowman Beach Park (7017 Beach Drive SW)
-8:40 pm at Alki Beach Park (near the Bathhouse, 60th SW/Alki SW)
Choir of the Sound will be aboard.
Saturday, December 8th:
-3 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park (7900 10th Ave. S.)
-4:05 at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW)
-9:10 pm at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor)
Rainier Youth Choirs will be on board.
Each stop usually lasts about 20 minutes.
Have fun next Saturday night while your kid(s) do the same! We’ve heard from organizers and there’s still room for more to participate:
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT 12/8/2018
Let West Seattle High School sophomore class students watch your kids while you enjoy an evening out!
What: This event is for child care for kids ages 3 (potty trained) to 11 years old and includes pizza, drinks, snacks, games, movies, and crafts.
When: Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 6-10 pm.
Where: West Seattle High School, 3000 California Avenue SW. Check in by main entrance on the school courtyard.
Cost: $30 per child or $25 with 2 cans of food donated for the West Seattle Food Bank.
For more information and to RSVP, contact: wshsco2021@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your support!
West Seattle Sophomore Class ASB
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning. So far, no incidents or traffic alerts in/from West Seattle as we start December’s first Monday.
8:27 AM: Stalled vehicle reported in NB Battery Street Tunnel.
The election results were finalized this past week, and with them, 34th District State Sen.-elect Joe Nguyen‘s historic victory:
He and 41st District State Rep.-elect My-Linh Thai are the first Vietnamese-Americans elected to the Washington State Legislature, and both were the guests of honor at two celebrations Sunday afternoon. Above, the two are shown in scarves presented by the Vietnamese Representative Council of Washington at the NewHolly Gathering Hall.
Some of the elders pointed out this day has been long coming – a sizable wave of people from Vietnam arrived in this area in 1975. Among those who fled Vietnam: Sen.-elect Nguyen’s mom, who was there to celebrate with her son:
Also there for the celebration, the director of West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center, Lee Bui:
After speaking briefly to the VRC, Sen.-elect Nguyen and Rep.-elect Thai headed this way for a party in White Center, where Nguyen’s family lived when he was born:
The crowd gathered at Diamond Hall, a new event space in downtown WC. The senator-elect told them in a short speech of thanks that he considered the multigenerational gathering inspiring and hopeful:
The youngest partygoers included Nguyen’s own children:
In the results certified this past week, Nguyen won the State Senate seat with 58.3 percent of the vote. He’ll be back in White Center next Thursday night (December 6th) as one of four local elected officials speaking with the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (7 pm at NH Fire District HQ, 1243 SW 112th). He will be sworn in January 14th in Olympia.
(WSB file photo: Highland Park Way/Holden crash)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Would a “mini-roundabout” be a better way to improve the Highland Park Way/Holden intersection while funding for a full roundabout is awaited?
Or – maybe it would be better than the full roundabout.
That’s what SDOT reps heard when they came to Highland Park this week to listen to concerns about the interim plan for the intersection. But as of week’s end, two days post-meeting, SDOT was still planning to proceed with a modified version of its interim plan, spokesperson Adonis Ducksworth told WSB:
Again this year, West Seattle community advocate Mat McBride shared with us his announcement of a fundraising team for Movember – grow a mustache, grow awareness of and funding for men’s-health issues. Movember is over and Mat sends the photo with a wrapup:
Another good Movember – team Mo West raised almost a thousand dollars and shared our support of/for men’s health.
The team was slightly larger this year, which is fantastic.
Looking forward to next year with all of WSea in mustachioed solidarity.
You can still donate, by the way – Mat’s team page is here.
Thanks to Chris Frankovich for the photo of tonight’s spectacular sunset. This gives us the opportunity to note that a chilly week is expected – lows could get into the 20s starting tonight, and highs are expected to be in the low to mid-40s.
(Photo by Robin Lindsey: SR3’s Casey McLean; SSMMSN First Responders David, Dave, Lynn, and Suzanne and Seattle Parks’ staff Lee and Donald in hi-viz jackets)
SUNDAY, 3:49 PM: An update today from Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters Marine Stranding Network:
We are now up to 10 confirmed shot dead California sea lions in King and Kitsap counties for the period from September to end of November.
On Friday the 30th, Seal Sitters MMSN responded to a report by Seattle Parks employee Marco of a very decomposed California sea lion carcass washed up at Don Armeni boat launch. This was the same animal that was wedged under the Water Taxi dock the day before, which we marked with bio paint for identification and pushed out into the current. Through photo comparison, we were able to verify that this was the same animal reported along the downtown Seattle waterfront some time ago which has been inaccessible. Thanks to Parks and Seal Sitters’ first responders, the carcass was secured until necropsy options could be weighed.
Because of delays getting EPA permits required for towing/sinking, the Marine Mammal Stranding Network is unable to do necropsies until a permit is secured because of disposal issues. That is, unless we have options for burial/disposal on land. Read more about those challenges on my blubberblog post here.
Thanks to the efforts of Carol Baker and her many Seattle Parks/SW employees who lent a hand and provided removal services, we were able to do a limited necropsy onsite of this estimated 600 lb animal. X-rays of the head, done by a local veterinary lab, confirmed that the sea lion had indeed been shot.
There are 6 other reported dead sea lions in King/Kitsap who have not been necropsied, bringing the total of dead sea lions to 16. Additionally, there are several other dead animals in neighboring counties. Blubberblog.org provides the absolute latest updates regarding numbers and any new information.
MONDAY UPDATE: SS also wants you to know that “The Marine Mammal Stranding Network is gathering data from those counties and that information will be shared when possible.”
12:21 PM: On all corners of Walk-All-Ways, people are standing against anti-Semitism and against hate in general. There’s even been dancing – a mini-flash mob of “Hava Nagila.”
Brief 'Hava Nagila' flash mob until the light changed pic.twitter.com/rggBqgrJq6
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 2, 2018
Hate-Free Delridge organized the demonstration as a community response to the anti-Semitic vandalism in Sunrise Heights a week ago.
The woman whose home was vandalized was here thanking organizers. The rally is expected to continue until 1 pm.
1:37 PM: The sentiments expressed were many, but all springing from the heart:
Participants spanned the generations:
Longtime local advocates were there too:
Tonight happens to mark the start of Hanukkah, the eight-night Festival of Lights. West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah plans to be at Walk-All-Ways next Saturday night (December 8th) with a “pop-up” celebration to which all are invited.
More than 20 nonprofits await you right now at the only “shopping” event of its kind this season – the third annual West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair, happening in the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church. It’s a simple idea – you make a donation to a nonprofit in the name of someone on your list, and you’ll get something to give them to explain the gift. Our preview has the list of who’s participating. You can even meet Ivy!
Ivy’s from Reading with Rover. More photos later. The fair continues until 4 pm today.The church is at 9140 California SW.
(Sanderlings, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
We start with a holiday spotlight – Hanukkah begins tonight! One community event from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
HANUKKAH PARTY At Kol HaNeshamah, 4-8 pm:
The party will start at 4 pm with activities, music and storytelling geared toward families with younger children. At 5:30 pm we’ll light candles and have a potluck for all ages. The fun continues at 6:30 pm with board games and dreidel for anyone who wishes to stay. You bring your friends and family, a potluck dish or latkes, your menorah and candles, and fun games to share. We’ll provide the apple sauce, sour cream, dreidels and gelt!
(6115 SW Hinds)
Other holiday happenings today, also from our guide:
SANTA PHOTOS: Get a pic with Santa at CAPERS in The Junction, 9 am-1 pm, by donation benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank. (4525 California SW)
WREATH SALES: Pathfinder K-8 PTSA and students’ handmade wreaths, sold in The Junction during the West Seattle Farmers Market (10 am-2 pm).
(WSB photo from wreath booth last Sunday)
All proceeds support outdoor education. (California/Alaska)
ALTERNATIVE GIVING FAIR: West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair, 11 am-4 pm in Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church. Here’s our preview, with the list of participants. (9140 California SW)
WYATT’S OPEN HOUSE: Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) holiday open house, 11 am-4 pm, at Westwood Village. Discounts! (2600 SW Barton)
TIBBETTS HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR At Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 11:30 am-1 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (3940 41st SW)
BAZAAR/OPEN HOUSE: Miss Sheryl’s Ballet is hosting a Winter Bazaar & Open House to celebrate its expansion, from 1:00-4:30 pm. “Lots of shopping opportunities, raffles, kids activities, Princess Elsa will be coming in for a bit, and more.” (9613 16th SW)
SANTA AT THE SUPERMARKET: Have a cookie with Santa at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 1:30-4:30 pm. (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)
JANE EYRE: ArtsWest presents Jane Eyre: The Musical, 3 pm matinee. Directed by Mathew Wright. Tickets available here. (4711 California SW)
WHITE CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING, 5 pm – details on our partner site White Center Now. (Roxbury/Delridge)
And from our year-round calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street in The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
WESTCREST PARK NEEDS YOUR HELP: Work party 10 am-12:30 pm – details here. (Meet at 5th/Cloverdale)
‘SAY NO TO ANTI-SEMITISM’ RALLY: Rally 11 am-1 pm in The Junction, organized by Hate-Free Delridge, all welcome to participate, as previewed here. Bring a sign if you can. (California/Alaska)
CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 2 pm at the community room at Arrowhead Gardens. All welcome at this monthly meeting for updates on and discussion of the city-sanctioned encampment in southeast West Seattle. (9200 2nd SW)
BYSTANDER INTERVENTION PRACTICE: Especially if you’ve been through Bystander Intervention Training, Anti-Hate Alaska Junction invites you to practice your skills, 2-4 pm at Admiral UCC. (4320 SW Hill)
ELECTION CELEBRATION: 2:30-6:30 pm at Diamond Hall in White Center, all are invited to celebrate the election of the state’s first two Vietnamese-American legislators, including West Seattleite State Sen.-elect Joe Nguyen. Details on our partner site White Center Now. (9835 16th SW)
JANET AND THE CURMUDGEONS: Trio performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
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