West Seattle, Washington
04 Friday
In an update to local drivers who e-mailed SDOT with complaints about signal-timing changes leading to backups at Admiral/California (previous reports Oct. 7, Oct. 9, Nov. 14 and Nov. 17), the city says it believes the problem is fixed now, and reveals it’s looking at “removing” parking on the southwest side of the intersection. We’ll follow up with the city to find out exactly which/how many spaces they’re talking about, but for now, Laura shares this e-mail she received, signed by SDOT’s Chris Faulkner:
Thank you for your recent communication to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) regarding the timing of the traffic signal light at California Avenue SW and SW Admiral Way. We received quite a few letters and emails from concerned residents, and I want to share with all of you what has been taken place at this intersection.
Initially, new timing was put into place at this intersection and several others on the corridor. This new timing took into account current traffic volumes and provided a balance that better served all users of the intersection.
We began receiving complaints almost immediately, mainly from motorists travelling eastbound on Admiral Way. I made several site visits to the location to see if I could determine where an adjustment needed to be made, but every time I was at the location, traffic was progressing well, as I had planned. After complaints continued to come in, I went to the site again, and this time I found what others had been experiencing – the signal was skipping phases and causing traffic backups.
When the new timing plan was implemented, a new controller was also installed at this intersection. Unfortunately, there was a compatibility issue between the new controller and the timing program, which caused problems to occur sporadically. When a problem is intermittent, it is almost impossible to diagnose what is not working unless you happen to be there at the time it happens. Once I was able to observe what was occurring, I was able to work towards correcting the problem.
The correction was made on November 17; I have been in the field many times since, at all times of day, to observe traffic conditions. I am now confident that everything is working as planned. The number of complaints received has slowed to a trickle, and the focus of these complaints is the weekend timing plan.
The timing favors east- and westbound movements because of the higher traffic volumes in these directions. On weekend timing, east- and westbound is still favored, but the green time is more closely split with the north- and southbound movement. This is due to increased north- and southbound volumes on weekends. If the north- and southbound traffic “gaps out,” the unused green time is given to the east- and westbound movement. With this timing, I believe we are providing a balance that best suits the needs of all users of the intersection.
Additionally, our Arterial Operations section is working with nearby business owners to explore removing parking eastbound on Admiral, approaching California. We believe this would help improve traffic flow.
I appreciate the patience from the community while we worked to resolve this problem. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at traffic.signals@seattle.gov. Thank you for your input.
Before the WSB reports we linked above, discussion of the problem first surfaced in this WSB Forums thread.
Forecasters say we’ll see a sunny afternoon – albeit chilly; couldn’t be more perfect for the first Hometown Holidays Sunday in The Junction, where the day will start with the weekly West Seattle Farmers’ Market 10 am-2 pm (here’s the weekly Ripe ‘n’ Ready fresh sheet), 
then gets mega-spirited with Santa photos and gift wrapping at HH Headquarters (4218 SW Alaska, around the corner from Cupcake Royale), plus mule-drawn carriage rides (climb on board by KeyBank at California/Alaska). While you’re in The Junction, you’re just a few blocks away from the Alki Masonic Lodge Christmas Party, all welcome, including – busy guy! – Santa photos and other all-ages fun, 2-4 pm. Outside The Junction, Santa photos also continue noon-4 pm today at Westwood Village (Santa’s House is across the breezeway from 24 Hour Fitness), and at Cafe Revo (WSB sponsor), from 1-3, kids lunching at the restaurant can get their photo taken with “Nonno (Babbo) Natale” and hear Christmas stories from Italy. Then after all those events are over – the fundraising St. Nicholas Faire (read all about it here) begins at 4 pm at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle. MUCH more – including holiday art sales continuing today – on the West Seattle Holidays page.
Many talented artists/craftspeople have been showing and selling their wares around West Seattle this weekend, as holiday shopping season intensifies – but none in a location as beautiful as the almost-one-year-old Duwamish Tribe Longhouse. The native art gift fair/sale there continues today, 10 am-5 pm. Here are some of the artists we met on a brief visit late Saturday:
Ron Alphonse‘s work includes carved cedar paddles; Margie Morris, at right, incorporated tribal symbols into holiday items such as stockings, hats, and angel dolls like this one:
One common theme for what Lisa Anderson is offering – animals:
Carryable creations are available from Gin Gin Designs, crafted by Virginia Nelson:
And the creativity extends into edibles – Veronica Ramirez is selling fry bread and baking mix at the door:
The longhouse, dedicated 11 months ago, is at 4705 West Marginal Way; here’s a map. According to the tribe’s fall newsletter, 10 percent of the gift fair’s proceeds are benefiting the tribe.
First, from Bil Hood at Seattle Lutheran High School:
Congratulations to the Seattle Lutheran Saints boys and girls varsity basketball teams. They are both coming home tomorrow with the first place trophies from the Portland Lutheran Basketball Tournament. After winning blow-outs against the Portland Lutheran High teams yesterday the Saints both matched up against Mt. Rainier Lutheran High today. The girls won a close one 35-34 and the boys walked away with a 65-55 win.
Second, from proud grandma Ginger Brewer, reporting on the Short Course National Championships for swimmers, being held at Federal Way:
The grandson of Ginger & Glenn of Alki, Nicholas Thoman, won two gold medals at last night’s meet. The 100 back stroke 52.07 ( the meet record timing) and the 200 relay 1:26:02 with swimmers Westby, Jones & Skuba. There are seven of the elete swimmers group Club SwimMac Carolina here to compete. The Brewer fan club are on board every night to cheer them on. Tonight he will swim the 200 back stroke. More excitement in store.
Ginger sent that report this morning, so it looks like we have an update since then — if we’re interpreting the online results correctly, it appears Ginger and Glenn’s grandson came in second in that competition tonight.
8:39 PM: First flakes of the year reported. Got ’em where you are?
10:30 PM UPDATE: As noted in the comments, looks like it’s over for now. We just drove back from downtown – there’d been some snow reported on the other side of the bay – nary a flake. Newest forecast update says there’s still a chance of “snow showers” overnight – breezy too (we felt the wind starting to pick up) – and cold for pretty much the entire week (though mostly dry) – some nights going below 20. By the way, did you catch tonight’s sunset? Got this photo from Colby – showing a bit of the amazing pink that swept across the sky.
The Farmers’ Market parking lot was wall-to-wall with people tonight for the 2009 edition of The Junction’s Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting (co-sponsored by WSB) — the switch was thrown a little more than an hour ago. This year, they just lit the “big tree” right at the southeast corner of 44th/Alaska – and everything happened right on cue – here’s our quick handheld clip with the final seconds of the countdown (that’s emcee Marty Riemer, West Seattle-residing radio personality, whose voice you hear; he was assisted by Jordan, chosen from the kids sitting in front of the stage):
Other young participants in the 50-minute event included West Seattle’s own Endolyne Children’s Choir (whose “Winter Fantasy” concert is coming up 12/12):
Full report coming up later with lots more highlights (including the Volunteer Recognition honorees previously announced here) – you’ll likely see a tree-lighting clip on KING5 tonight too; they had a photojournalist there, as did the Seattle Channel (and West Seattle’s Captive Eye Media was there to provide full pro video coverage for us beyond our quick clips – you’ll see it in report #2). This is just the start of the Hometown Holidays fun (co-sponsored by WSB) – tomorrow from noon-4 pm, it’s the first Sunday for Santa photos, carriage rides, gift wrapping and all-around holiday hoopla in “Downtown West Seattle.”
The volunteers of Scholastic Journey await you at C&P Coffee till 7 pm – ornaments on that tree are for sale, as are baked goods and other crafts, to raise money for their work, which helps educate Third World kids. (Some of the ornaments were made in a drop-in workshop just a few days ago!) Right now they’re helping kids in Bali. You can find out more about their work by stopping in, as well as taking the opportunity to support it. Meantime, about half a mile north of C&P … the bonfires are going and the stage is set …
The Junction Tree Lighting is coming up within the hour. That’s the tree at left, and the tent with the stage, which this year is on the north side of the Farmers’ Market lot, instead of the west side. If you don’t see this before 5:20 or so you can probably still get there in time for the actual lighting – if you can’t make it, check our Twitter feed at twitter.com/westseattleblog for photos as it happens.
Maybe it’s the cold weather. Crime reports have quieted down somewhat. We do have one to share this afternoon that’s small, but might be something you’d come across, discarded along a road or sidewalk: Hallie says a black ERGObaby carrier was taken from a basket of dry cleaning unintentionally left near Eastridge Christian Assembly (38th/Oregon) – when she and her husband went out looking for it, they found the basket and the clothes, but someone had taken the carrier. On a side note, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council won’t be meeting this month – next meeting in January.
Just a few hours till Hometown Holidays in The Junction (co-sponsored by WSB) begins with a burst of light – the Tree Lighting at 44th/Alaska. The lineup includes: Marty Riemer (who just announced a new radio adventure) emcees, the Endolyne Children’s Choir sings, the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition honorees will be presented, the first of the $6,500 Junction Holiday Giveaway (entered yet?) prizes will be drawn – and a crowd singalong’s planned too. It all starts at 5 pm. (At left, a photo of the 2008 tree, contributed last year by Marybeth Coghill. But don’t worry about snow during tonight’s event – if those potential flurries do happen, forecasters insist, it would be later.) Holiday events continue afterward, as noted on the West Seattle Holidays page – including, also in The Junction, the West Seattle Eagles‘ fundraising dinner for holiday toys/warm clothing for the United Tribes of All Indians Head Start program, 5:30-7 pm at the Aerie (next to the post office), and in Morgan Junction, the release party for local artists’ “We Are The Junction” holiday CD, benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank, 8 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor).
They’re smiling despite being incredibly busy – the kitchen crew at the Kiwanis of West Seattle‘s big pancake breakfast at the Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds). Santa Claus has magically managed to make an appearance there too, as well as at the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Christmas Shopping Spree – he’s in the background, but look who’s in the foreground:
Clowning around for Christmas! The Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast continues till 11 am.
We’re at SODO Sears – where that video shows the bustling scene in just one room where the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Christmas Shopping Spree is in full swing right now. It’s an annual holiday tradition for the Rotarians, who gather dozens of volunteers – today, including students from Mercer Island High School and the University of Washington — to share a fun morning with kids from local schools. As Rotary’s Josh Sutton explained, they rotate the participating schools year to year – this morning, kids are here from Alki, Concord, Gatewood and Roxhill Elementary Schools, plus Pathfinder K-8 (whose principal David Dockendorf was here to help greet them). Kids are matched with volunteers; their shopping spree is bookended by breakfast and lunch in the store’s cafe. First they get coats, jackets and socks, in the room shown in our first clip – then it’s off to shop in the store, up to $100/child (and Sears provides a discount). Santa and a singalong will be part of the fun too. (added 9:26 am, Santa with a student and volunteer)
Even if you’re not here – LOTS of ways you can make this a merrier Christmas for others – the West Seattle Holidays page has a long list of giving trees and donation drives. ADDED 8:50 AM: We talked with the leader of the MI student group about the goodie bags they made, filled and donated:
(Photo by Stephen Hughes-Jelen – “frost flowers” on a High Point pickup hood just after midnight)
Just drove from West Seattle to SODO, where we are covering the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s annual “Christmas Shopping Spree” event. Cars along the street are seriously iced (and were by midnight last night), but the roads are not too bad – at least the main arterials and The Bridge, which looked glazed, but LG – who drove before 6 am – has an opinion on that:
Back from airport drop-off and I-5 (south), 509 (north) completely bare and dry! The bridge does seem to be treated because it looks wet and if it weren’t, we would have been slipping all over the place.
Sidewalks and parking lots are another matter – be extra careful there – today’s temps are projected to stay fairly low, so melt-off may be a while. If you’re going to the Eastside, beware – one volunteer here who came from Redmond says, “We saw spinouts all over the place.” As for the forecast – the overnight update begins with a big bold warning, COLD THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. All should be well for tonight’s tree lighting in The Junction – just bundle up. 8:47 AM UPDATE: Just came back to West Seattle via The Bridge – the outside lane is coned off over the high rise in both directions – city crews are working right now on the eastbound lanes.
We told you about the vote last month – this morning the winner’s been announced: Admiral Theater will show “Elf” (trailer above) as its free Christmas movie (with a donated item, as listed on that page) at noon December 19th. Also announced by The Admiral: A New Year’s Eve party – with the singalong version of “West Side Story” and a champagne toast at midnight, $20. More here. (Tonight at The Admiral, it’s the Christmas Jug Band, 8 pm.)
Another Saturday and Sunday edition this time around – almost everything is already on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page – but here’s an extra shoutout. The weekend’s biggest event is the kickoff of Hometown Holidays in The Junction (co-sponsored by WSB) – tree lighting Saturday night, Santa photos and more on Sunday. Looks like wintry weather, too. And the day begins and ends with special fundraising dining events in The Junction – starting with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle Pancake Breakfast this morning (7-11 am) and ending with the West Seattle Eagles‘ dinner 5:30 pm-7 pm (convenient after the tree lighting, before the We Are The Junction CD release party at Feedback Lounge [WSB sponsor[). Plus – LOTS of chances to shop local – not just the fabulous West Seattle merchants in The Junction, Admiral District (WSB sponsor) and elsewhere, but also a HUGE number of bazaars and sales around West Seattle. More than 50 events/activities in all, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
Tonight’s featured Christmas lights aren’t about being big and bright … but about showing support … blue lights in honor of law enforcement officers everywhere, particularly poignant this year given that our area’s seen five police officers gunned down in the line of duty in the past five weeks. Eric shared that photo of what’s displayed in his window, saying, ” We thought five was the right number – one for each officer who gave the ultimate sacrifice these past few months. Notice, there are no spots for additional lights. That’s quite intentional…” The idea goes back more than 20 years, according to the background in this Kitsap Sun article. (The article also mentions the Papa John’s Pizza fundraiser next Tuesday-Wednesday; reminder that local Merrill Gardens communities [WSB sponsor] also have a dinner fundraiser on Wednesday, as noted here.) Unique holiday lights, bright holiday lights, anything you see of note around West Seattle, we welcome photos and/or addresses – editor@westseattleblog.com – the ones we’ve showcased so far are archived here, newest to oldest, including lights from previous years.
Just this morning, we were talking about the maps showing who voted for who, where, around the city in last month’s election – and noting that West Seattle had something of an east-west split between Joe Mallahan support (most of the western side of the peninsula) and Mike McGinn support (most of the east). Christi Stapleton just sent us a photo of Mayor-elect McGinn at the biggest event in eastern West Seattle tonight (actually probably the biggest event on the whole peninsula), the holiday party at the Duwamish Longhouse for progressive groups including Sustainable West Seattle, CoolMom and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. Earlier this week, the mayor-elect held his first three town halls; videos for all three are now viewable from this page on the transition website.
Just issued late today by the National Weather Service – a “special weather statement” saying it’s going to get REALLY cold. Which you’ve probably already figured out if you’ve been outside at all in the past few hours. Not good news with the roads wet from this afternoon’s brief rainfall, but snow still isn’t mentioned beyond those possible showers tomorrow night. Here’s the NWS statement. (Still doesn’t look like anything will happen before LATE night – well after the Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting at 5 pm in The Junction, which also will give you a chance to applaud the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition honorees!)
We promised an update before the day was out – here’s what we can tell you so far. If you missed yesterday’s story – see it here – the West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole is missing; after a WSB’er called it to our attention on Wednesday, we inquired with Seattle Parks, which hadn’t heard about the disappearance; they subsequently checked around extensively and couldn’t find anybody anywhere in the city who had taken it, so they reported it stolen. 
Seattle Police confirm it’s now an active investigation, and detectives have been to the scene. Some WSB’ers have posted comments after yesterday’s story saying they saw the crane truck that appeared to be removing it back on Monday. Turns out the Rotary Club of West Seattle has been investigating too, since the park and totem pole were their gifts to the city back in 1976 (here’s the history). They believe they’ve traced the crane company that was hired to remove the pole – but the questions of who hired the crane company (reportedly paying cash), why, and where exactly the totem pole is now, haven’t been sorted out yet.
ORIGINAL 3:35 PM REPORT: Thanks to the person who texted us an alert on this: East of White Center, on the south side of Highland Park, eastbound traffic on Roxbury is backing up in a big way because of a crash at Roxbury/Olson (here’s a map; just before the big hill down to South Park). We’re on our way to the area to check it out. 3:44 PM UPDATE: Officers are turning people around at 8th SW – that affects people driving eastbound from White Center as well as southbound from Highland Park. 5:10 PM UPDATE: Just went back to check – the scene’s now clear and everything’s open in time for evening rush hour.
(Used with permission, added at 3:53 pm: Photo by ALAN BERNER/The Seattle Times – Left to right: Aunt Janet Huff, her husband Mick, Amanda’s friend Alexandra McDougall and Elisabeth Huff, Mick’s mother, at the moment of CNN’s announcement of guilty on all counts)
From Italy, the verdict’s in: Amanda Knox – daughter of Arbor Heights resident Edda Mellas – is guilty of murder, according to multiple media sources, including SKY News in Europe. Knox’s aunt Janet Huff, in West Seattle, has just told KING5 on live TV, “They didn’t listen to the facts of the case. All they did was listen to the media. … All we can do is go through the (appeals) process and try to get her home that way.” Sentence is 26 years in prison, and restitution equivalent to more than $7 million US was ordered.
COVERAGE FROM MULTIPLE CITYWIDE/WORLDWIDE SOURCES:
Wrap up story from seattletimes.com (WSB partner)
KING5.com (which has a reporter in Perugia and one with Knox’s aunt in WS)
KIROTV.com (also streaming)
Latest Google News index for Knox stories
Tweets tagged #amandaknox
Britain’s SKY News live-updating trial coverage online
WEBSITES FOCUSED ON THE CASE:
Friends of Amanda Knox
True Justice for Meredith Kercher
Two updates – first, the full story from Wednesday night’s meeting on upcoming improvements to Fairmount Playfield’s playground – plus, new play equipment that just arrived at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – gotta see the Y’s pirate ship in flight! Both stories, ahead:Read More
Thanks to the various folks who tipped us to this – got the word while we were driving. Here’s one of many sites with the latest wire story. That’s going to be after midnight in Italy, by the way.
Yes, we know various “long-range forecasts” hinted at snow, but the National Weather Service didn’t have the word anywhere until “possible snow showers” appeared in the latest outlook for Saturday night. Would be ideal if that happened after the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting (5 pm tomorrow, Marty Riemer, Endolyne Children’s Choir, first drawings in the $6,500 Junction giveaway, be there, Farmers’ Market parking lot). Note the photo at left of the “little” Junction tree, taken by WSB’er Creighton last year in the midst of the Big Snow (this year we’re told they’ll just light the big one to its north). 2:33 PM UPDATE: SDOT says it’s brined the roads in case of ice/snow:
Following the new winter weather response plan, SDOT crews have proactively applied salt brine solution to roads and bridges to address icing concerns and be ready for any possible snow.
In addition to applying the brine solution, which remains effective for several days unless it rains, crews have also been responding to reports of localized ice on side streets formed by groundwater seeping onto roadways.
With possible snow flurries forecast for tonight and early tomorrow, SDOT trucks are being fitted with plows and spreaders, and will be ready if needed. Crews will be on call throughout the weekend. Residents and businesses are reminded, if a storm does occur, of their responsibility to keep adjacent sidewalks clear of snow and ice.
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