Two reports from 19th SW this morning top the latest in our periodic roundups of coyote-sighting reports we’ve received:

That photo was texted along with the note, “SW Brandon and 19th SW – hid for a few minutes then ran west toward 21st.” Also this morning, Barb emailed us this report from about a mile south of there:

I’ve seen stories regarding coyote sightings in WS, but don’t recall seeing any mention in this area. Good sized and healthy looking! It went into a yard at the bottom of SW Austin.

We also received two emailed reports of sightings last Sunday in Seaview. This one’s from Lisa:

Just before 9 PM we watched a coyote walk down the alley between 48th/49th ave SW at Juneau St. It went in to a neighbor’s yard and up on front porch. Eventually left the yard and scurried south back down the alley.

And this one from Robin:

Crow mob chased coyote south down 50th Ave SW. Started at Hudson at 6:30 am … this coyote looked healthy. Hopefully catching a lot of rodents.

Our standard disclaimer: We don’t publish coyote reports for alarm, but rather for awareness. Experts say the best way to keep them at a healthy distance is to not supply food, and that means everything from leaving bowls of pet food outside to leaving small domestic animals unattended. As our coverage has shown over the years, they have been seen in most neighborhoods, so you can’t assume yours is coyote-free just because, for example, you’re not near a greenbelt. To learn more about coexisting with coyotes, including what to do if you encounter one, here’s info from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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UPDATE: Shooting at Lincoln Park, under investigation as self-defense

July 21, 2024 10:39 am

| 33 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

10:39 AM: Police and SFD are arriving at Lincoln Park for a “scenes of violence” response. A 27-year-old man is reported to be injured, with a gunshot wound to the hip. Updates to come.

10:53 AM: Our crew has arrived to find out more and reports the police activity is concentrated toward the south end of the main parking lot. They’re focusing on a car parked there.

11 AM: The victim is on the way to Harborview. Police have a person in handcuffs and we’re trying to verify if anyone else is being sought.

11:08 AM: Police tell us at the scene this may be a case of self-defense. Preliminary information indicates that a bystander happened onto a man assaulting a woman, told him to stop, and then was assaulted, and that’s when the bystander, who was armed, fired a shot. The bystander is the person they’re questioning; they’re not looking for anyone else. The assault suspect is the man who was shot – according to a radio transmission, he will be arrested for investigation of domestic-violence assault.

12:50 PM: We just went back to the park; the investigation scene has completely cleared. Meantime, we’re following up on the status of multiple parties to this, including the female assault victim.

1:11 PM: SFD tells us the man who was shot was in critical condition when transported to Harborview. The woman he was reported to have been assaulting is in her mid-30s and reported in stable condition when taken to a hospital by AMR ambulance.

3:01 PM: SPD spokesperson Officer Eric Muñoz says the man who is reported to have shot the assault suspect was still being questioned at last report and “was cooperating with officers.” He also discloses that the man is the son of a Seattle Police lieutenant but says the lieutenant was not involved in the incident.

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Opera in the park, Alki Art Fair, ice cream, music, more for your West Seattle Sunday

July 21, 2024 6:03 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday’s sunset, photographed by Curry Gibson)

ADMIRAL CHURCH FOOD DRIVE: Continues today – drop off nonperishable-food donations at the church (4320 SW Hill) 9 am-noon.

PLUNGE INTO THE SOUND: At 9 am, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: 9 am, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for the Sunday run.

(WSB photo: Christopher Allen, displaying and selling his work at this year’s Alki Art Fair)

ALKI ART FAIR, DAY 3: Artists, musicians, and food purveyors await you in booths along the Alki promenade during the Alki Art Fair‘s final day. Artists are there 10 am-6 pm; music is scheduled 11 am-5 pm. (60th-63rd & Alki)

OPERA IN THE PARK: Seattle Opera visits Highland Park Playground (1100 SW Cloverdale) with a special program for youth – 10 am storytime, 11 am performance of a short youth-geared opera, free. Details in our calendar listing.

GRIEF WALK: Join Listening to Grief for this free walk in Schmitz Preserve Park (meet at Hinds entrance), 10 am.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Back to its normal block. after the temporary Summer Fest move. 10 am-2 pm, midsummer produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon.

SMALL BIZ POP-UP: While you’re in The Junction, detour into Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) for a 10 am-2 pm event with small-biz vendors.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -3.1 feet at 11:31 am; 9:30 am-1:30 pm, find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists at Constellation and Lincoln Parks.

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open to the public today, noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the season continues for the 7-days-a-week city wading pool, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.

NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY AT SHUG’S MINI: 1-9 pm, go have ice cream at Shug’s Mini (California/Charlestown) to celebrate Ice Cream Day – and Sizzle the Clown will be there making balloon animals 2-4 pm.

<ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS : Reminder that the historic Alki Point Lighthouse is open to the public today for free tours, 1 pm-3:45 pm, Alki Avenue SW & Point Place SW.

CLEANUP & ICE CREAM WITH WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: Meet up with the Timebank 2-4 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW).

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK #1: GreenStage presents “Twelfth Night,” 3 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), free.

BLACK VIIOLET AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 5 pm EP release show and signing, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK #2: GreenStage presents “Henry VI, parts 2 and 3,” 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), free.

GONG BATH & NATURE MEDITATION: 7:30 pm at Lowman Beach Park (7017 Beach Drive SW) – ticket link’s in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Enjoy Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.

Organizing and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE 2024: Report #3 – see the winners!

July 20, 2024 6:07 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

Those are the West Seattle Grand Parade judges, who reviewed the 80-plus entries in today’s parade and chose the winners! Parade coordinator Michelle Edwards just sent us the judges’ final list. (11:55 PM UPDATE: We have finished adding photos and video below over the past several hours, showing all the winners .)

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE OVERALL GRAND-PRIZE WINNERS

1st Place: All-City Band

2nd Place: Seafair Pirates

3rd Place: West Seattle Mrs. Ropers

CHEER TEAMS

1st Place: West Seattle High School Coed Cheer Team

2nd Place: Kennedy High School Cheer

3rd Place: Chief Sealth High School Cheer

COMMUNITY DANCE TEAMS

1st Place: Grupo Folklorico Citlali

2nd Place: Sayaw Filipino Folk Dance Troupe

3rd Place: Comerford School of Irish Dance

MARCHING BANDS

1st Place: All-City Band

2nd Place: Sumner High School Spartan Marching Band

3rd Place: (Tie) All-Star Drumline and Kennedy Catholic High School Lancer Marching Band and Color Guard

PERFORMING ACTS

1st Place: Hi-Liners Musical Theatre

2nd Place: Rain City Ropeworks Jump Rope Team

3rd Place: (Tie) Southpaw Barbershop and Endolyne Children’s Choir

EQUESTRIAN

1st Place: Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle

CARS & ANTIQUE CARS

1st Place: Corvette Marque Club Seattle

2nd Place: VFW Jeep

3rd Place: Walter’s Wine Shop

COMMUNITY ADULT

1st Place: West Seattle Mrs. Ropers

2nd Place: F3 Seattle

3rd Place: Star Wars Washington

COMMUNITY YOUTH

1st Place: Flower Power! Petals to Metal! Girl Scouts of Western Washington

2nd Place: Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby

3rd Place: West Seattle Fauntleroy YMCA

COMMERCIAL

1st Place: StarCycle

2nd Place: Dragonfly West Seattle

3rd Place: Seattle Gymnastics Academy

DRILL TEAM SR.

1st Place: Dolls & Gents Drill Team and Drumline

2nd Place: Electronettes HiSteppers Drill Team and Drumline

DRILL TEAM JR.

1st Place: Baby Dolls Drill Team

2nd Place: Daughters of Royalty Drill and Dance Ensemble

3rd Place: (Tie) Epitome Drill Team and the Electronettes Jr. Drill Team

CONVEYED FLOAT

1st Place: Holy Rosary School

2nd Place: West Seattle Lions

3rd Place: Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum

SEAFAIR
1st Place: Seafair Pirates

2nd Place: Seafair Clowns

3rd Place: Seafair Commodores

We have at least two more parade galleries yet to come. Meantime, see all our parade coverage, including previews, in this WSB archive.

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WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE 2024: Report #2 – see how it began

July 20, 2024 5:44 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

We’ve been processing photos and videos, and now it’s time to start presenting parade galleries! First – how this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade began. If you were in The Junction, you saw and heard Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen bless the parade for the first time. Our video is above. Meantime, at the start of the parade route at California/Lander, it began with the return of Seattle Police motorcycles – albeit a smaller group – for the first time in five years:

They performed simpler maneuvers than you might recall, including some circling:

Their appearance wasn’t announced in advance because even parade organizers weren’t sure they’d be able to make it until they arrived. They were followed onto the parade route by another law-enforcement group, the King County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard:

Also toward the start, this year’s Grand Marshals, the West Seattle High School baseball team, winners of this year’s state championship – and yes, they brought the trophy:

The players and coaches required so many vehicles, we recorded video too:

Also toward the start were this year’s winners of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Community – explained here -local volunteers extraordinaire Bianca Thomka and Neil Duncan:

Next up – the list of award-winning entries, as decided by West Seattle Grand Parade judges!

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FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth down to one boat tonight

July 20, 2024 4:49 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Washington State Ferries ran three boats on the Triangle Route for much of the day, attempting to accommodate Vashon Island’s biggest event of the summer, the Strawberry Festival, but a crew shortage has struck again and the run will be down to one boat – here’s the alert WSF sent:

Due to a shortage of crew, the 3rd vessel on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth has tied up for the evening. The #2 Kitsap will go out of service following the 5:20 p.m. sailing from Fauntleroy to Vashon, which puts the route on one-boat service for the remainder of the day. Customers can expect long waits and delays due to the disruption.

For customers trying to reach Vashon Island, your alternate route is Point Defiance/Tahlequah.

Due to the Vashon Strawberry Festival, we’ll be prioritizing service between Vashon and Fauntleroy. It is highly recommended for Southworth/Fauntleroy customers use Seattle/Bremerton as an alternate route.

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WEEKEND SCENE: More cars, more everything @ 2024 White Center Low Rider Block Party

July 20, 2024 3:11 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | White Center

From its beginnings on a stub of 17th north of the city-limit line, the White Center Low Rider Block Party has grown in a big way this year, moving to the other side of the line and spreading across multiple blocks of 17th between Roxbury and 100th.

You’ll also find art/vendor booths, two DJ stages (with live music 5-8 pm), community groups, and a food court, but the cars are the stars:

Some with accessories:

A few motorcycles and bicycles too! The Low Rider Block Party, presented by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery (9414 Delridge Way SW), is on until 8 pm.

ADDED: WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen shared this highlight from an evening dance performance:

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WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE 2024: Report #1 – in-progress updates

July 20, 2024 10:50 am

| 20 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

10:50 AM: The West Seattle Grand Parade has just begun at California/Lander, starting off with a last-minute surprise – four SPD motorcycles. After years of hiatus, a smaller group is just getting back to parade participation. Someone else to watch for as the parade makes its way south on California to Edmunds, as mentioned in one of our previews, the West Seattle Mrs. Ropers:

This will be the biggest parade in years, with more than 80 entries expected (you can see our previews by scrolling through this coverage archive). Remember that California is closed south of Admiral, to the south end of The Junction, until the route is cleared – the parade proceeds southbound on California. You can watch anywhere that has a view of the street. We’ll update when it’s over, and we’ll of course have lots of coverage later.

12:19 PM: The parade has ended at the north end, with volunteers from A Cleaner Alki:

We’ll update when it’s concluded at the south end. And then – lots of highlights later!

1 PM: Over in The Junction too. Street has been reopening block by block behind it.

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VIDEO: 2024 Float Dodger 5K starts the day, pre-parade

July 20, 2024 10:33 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Once again this year, MyTeam Triumph led the way at the Float Dodger 5K, celebrating its 10th year as the West Seattle Grand Parade‘s opening act. About 600 people had registered by race time – here’s most of the rest of them “dodging” the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s logo float at California/Lander:

Half an hour before race time, the Kids’ Dash saw dozens of young runners take a lap around the Hiawatha track.

The Float Dodger is presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), and proceeds go to the West Seattle Food Bank, which had a booth at Hiawatha, selling their fundraising summer raffle tickets.

(Above, WSFB’s Robbin Peterson and volunteer Al Carlson, with WSR proprietors Tim and Lori McConnell)

Also on hand – Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle (WSB sponsor):

Results are posted here.

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West Seattle Grand Parade, Float Dodger 5K, Alki Art Fair, Low-Rider Block Party, low-low tide, Shakespeare x 2, more for your Saturday

July 20, 2024 6:03 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Welcome to another big-fun West Seattle Saturday! First, the two big events that will close much of California SW to traffic into the early afternoon:

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: California/Alaska, shown in the “live” view above, is one block from the south end of the route for today’s 90th West Seattle Grand Parade, which starts at California/Lander at 11 am. Scroll through this WSB archive to see the many previews we’ve published! (And remember that California south of Admiral, and some side streets, close as early as 7 for the parade and staging.)

FLOAT DODGER 5K Before the parade, you can run or walk the route while raising money for the West Seattle Food Bank! Last-minute registration can be done before the start, 9:30 am from Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW). Come early with your kid(s) and they can run the free Kids’ Dash at ~9 am/

Here are other highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):

DON ARMENI FILMING REMINDER: All day (until 11:59 pm), some parking spots at Don Armeni Boat Ramp and on the street alongside it are off-limits because a film crew will be working.

WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT HIKE: Free guided hike! Meet at Pathfinder K-8 (1901 SW Genesee), south end of parking lot; hike starts at 9:30 am.

ALKI ART FAIR, DAY 2: Art, music, and food await you in booths along the Alki promenade in the Alki Art Fair‘s second of three days. Artists are there 10 am-6 pm; music is scheduled noon-7 pm; you can bid on silent-auction items inside the Bathhouse 11:30 am-3:30 pm today. (60th-63rd & Alki)

DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more. (9421 18th SW)

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: You’re invited to join others taking a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Summer gardening season still has weeks to go – add something new! Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

(Sunflower sea star, photographed earlier this month by Rosalie Miller)

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -2.7 feet at 10:47 am; 9:30 am-12:30 pm, find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists at Constellation and Lincoln Parks.

LOW-RIDER BLOCK PARTY: This year it’s moved from South Delridge to White Center – cars, art, music, more on 17th SW between Roxbury and 100th, 11 am-8 pm.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: Spraypark season continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

COLMAN POOL: Open noon-7 pm on the Lincoln Park shore – find the session schedule online. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, the season continues for the only city-run wading pool in West Seattle to operate seven days a week, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

HIAWATHA WADING POOL OPEN: Also open today, noon-5:30 pm. (2700 California SW)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. You’re running out of time to see its award-winning Longfellow Creek exhibit, which closes this week! (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

BIKE & BREW RIDE: Join West Seattle Bike Connections on this ride, family-friendly, leaving at 1 pm from Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK #1: “Henry VI, parts 2 & 3” presented by GreenStage, at 3 pm, Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW). Free.

NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK #2: “Twelfth Night” presented by GreenStage, at 7 pm, Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW). Free.

BEAUTIFUL FREAKS: Show and signing at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), free, all ages, 7 pm.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

LIVE MUSIC AT WHISKY WEST: Tommy Thomas, 8-10 pm. (6451 California SW)

BEATS AT THE ROOM: Revelry Room continues with Saturday night DJs – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Toxic Max-Q-Linity. (4547 California SW, alley side)

KARAOKE AT THE PIZZERIA: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.

West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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PREVIEW #4: West Seattle Grand Parade, Float Dodger 5K = hours away!

July 19, 2024 9:40 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

It all begins in a matter of hours … and some participants in tomorrow’s West Seattle Grand Parade are just finishing up their entries:

That’s part of the crew from Potter Construction, a parade sponsor and participant (and longtime WSB sponsor too), decorating their truck. We’ve been publishing parade previews all week, after sitting in on the Monday night parade-lineup review meeting as usual. More entries to mention tonight so you can be ready to cheer them on – youth-focused organizations! Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby, Rain City Ropeworks, Endolyne Children’s Choir, Highline Premier FC, West Seattle Junior Football and Cheer, Seattle Gymnastics Academy, drill teams, scouting groups … you can also watch for unique entries like the DeLorean car(s), costumed Star Wars fans, and the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum‘s USS Nimitz replica.

(WSB photo, 2023 Float Dodger 5K)

But first, the Float Dodger 5K sends hundreds of runners and walkers from Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW) out onto the parade route at 9:30 am, and you can still register to be part of it – West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) presents the Float Dodger, and proceeds go to help the West Seattle Food Bank fight hunger and prevent homelessness.

As the signs say, parking is off-limits on the parade route – California from SW Lander to SW Edmunds – plus side streets used for staging, starting at 7 am, so get your car moved by then, because tow trucks have their own pre-parade of sorts. Otherwise, just set up a spot somewhere on the route and enjoy the parade. (If you’re not settled on a spot, as we mentioned last night, West Seattle Realty [2715 California SW; WSB sponsor] invites you to their parade-viewing party, out front of the office, treats and restroom access!) The parade, celebrating its 90th year, starts from California/Lander at 11 am and usually ends by ~1:30 at the south end of the route, but this is the biggest one in years, and there are always variables along the way, so that’s just an estimate.

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READER REPORTS: Abandoned, possibly stolen, toolbox, bicycle

July 19, 2024 8:27 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | Found bicycles | West Seattle news

Two reader reports on abandoned items; if either might be yours, please email us and we’ll connect you with the finders:

TOOLBOX: Cynthia sent the photo and report:

This was left behind our condo building and it doesn’t belong to any of us. It has some scuffs on the top so it doesn’t seem to be brand new. But it also still has stickers on it from some kind of retailer. There was only one item left inside but we figured someone might want the toolbox back.

BICYCLE: A reader who wante to be anonymous sent this photo and report:

Bicycle abandoned near Fairmount Ave SW and Harbor Ave. It has been there since last weekend, so clearly it is abandoned. At the back side of Duwamish Head Greenspace behind the pump station.

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FOUND: Missing woman

July 19, 2024 7:26 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

10:21 PM UPDATE: Marlene’s family confirms she is now safe at home.

Earlier:Read More

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CONTINUING THIS WEEKEND: Alki Art Fair 2024 begins

July 19, 2024 4:58 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:58 PM: Biggest event on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (breaking news precluded a highlight list today) is happening right now – first day of the Alki Art Fair, on the promenade and lawn west of the sand. We’re on our way to the beach now for photos. The list of participating artists is here; the music lineup (mostly Saturday/Sunday) is here. The booths are scheduled to be open until 8 tonight, 10 am-6 pm tomorrow and Sunday, with music 12-7 pm Saturday, 11 am-5 pm Sunday.

5:49 PM: As promised, we’re adding photos – wide variety of work again this year, from visual art (Ula Nero‘s work, above, and Shelby Huff‘s photography, below) …

… to the apparel, jewelry, and basketry you’ll find at Rekik Mezenghie‘s booth:

This year’s Kid Zone focuses on giving little visitors a place to create their own art:

Again, this is on until 8 tonight, then starts up again at 10 am Saturday.

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FOLLOWUP: Morgan Junction Park addition site cleared, with soil work approaching

July 19, 2024 1:50 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks for the tip. Another sign today that the city really is getting close to the long-planned soil cleanup at the Morgan Junction Park addition site – crews were there today to clear the fenced-off areas, including a junk-hauling truck and police in unmarked vehicles. There’ve been signs of camping there recently, so we have an inquiry out with the city’s Unified Care Team about whether this was part of their process. We reported on Thursday that the Seattle Parks project manager for the expansion told the Morgan Community Association this week that the soil cleanup is scheduled to start August 8th. Once 16 feet of contaminated dirt has been removed, clean fill will be brought in, and the site will be seeded, for potential open-space use until the actual park expansion is built next year.

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BIZNOTE: Two new co-housed West Seattle businesses, Upwell and Walter’s, now officially open

July 19, 2024 11:50 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three months after we first told you about two new businesses moving into the ex-beauty-school space on the south edge of The Junction, they’re open! After soft-opening during West Seattle Summer Fest, Rosanne Zhu and Chris Tanghe are now announcing their businesses’ official debut:

The day has arrived! Upwell Wine & Coffee and Walter’s Wine Shop are now open for business 7 days a week on California Ave SW near the Alaska Junction.

Coffee shop hours are 7 am-3 pm where you can always grab a coffee brewed with Herkimer beans or experiment with a rotating roaster that changes every 8 weeks. Our initial partner is Seattle’s own Elm Roasters from Pioneer square. All pastries made in house and starting at 9 am there will soon be a daytime menu featuring made to order breakfast and lunch items too.

Coffee service ends at 3 and Thursdays through Saturdays, Upwell transforms into a wine bar with 12 wines by the glass and an evolving menu of seasonal dishes, tinned fish, and other goodies.

Walter’s Wine Shop opens at 11 and has wines from around the world featuring sustainable practices and a spectrum of styles. Wine classes start in a few weeks on Wednesdays and the wine club will follow suit. Free delivery to West Seattle will commence when the online shop is up in August.

We look forward to meeting the West Seattle community!

Upwell/Walter’s is at 4811 California SW.

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BIZNOTE: Bank of America closing one of its West Seattle branches

July 19, 2024 10:41 am

| 25 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Thanks to everyone who has sent tips after getting notification from Bank of America that it plans to close its Admiral branch (one of its three West Seattle branches). This announcement comes with more than half a year of lead time – the notices, and the B of A website, say the closure date is February 11, 2025. This will be the second bank closure in Admiral in less than a year; the Wells Fargo branch at California/Admiral closed last March (and the building remains up for sale). And it’s the latest of several local branch closures in the past few years- most recently, the Sound Credit Union branch in The Junction closed last month; the Washington Federal branch in Morgan Junction closed three years ago; and Chase closed its in-store branch at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) half a year before that. We’re following up with B&A regarding the Admiral closure notice. (For history fans – when we got here in the early ’90s, the building was a diner.)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Early morning gunfire

July 19, 2024 10:02 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Police are investigating early-morning gunfire near 11th/Roxbury. They say reports of suspected gunfire were received around 5:17 am, and responding officers found a man whose vehicle had bullet damage. He was not hurt. He said the gunfire came from someone in another vehicle (we don’t have any descriptive information); in addition to the vehicle damage, casings were found on the sidewalk on the south side of Roxbury near 11th.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Bridge open again; Friday + weekend notes

July 19, 2024 7:06 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:06 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, July 19. The West Seattle Bridge is now fully open eastbound after a 3+-hour closure following a one-car collision, so we’re moving on with the daily roundup.

ABOUT THAT TECH OUTAGE

A global glitch has affected air travel, so if you’re flying out or picking someone up, check with your airline. We’re not aware yet of other major local effects.

Now our regular local info:

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast: Partly cloudy, becoming sunny, high in the low 80s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:32 am, while sunset will be at 8:58 pm.

SATURDAY CLOSURES FOR PARADE AND 5K

Reminder – Saturday brings the West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K on California SW between Admiral and The Junction, and that means street closures/parking restrictions (including some side streets for staging) – don’t ignore the no-parking signs (7 am-3 pm), because those who don’t WILL be towed. … Watch for bus advisories here.

ALSO THIS WEEKEND

No road closures for this, but the beach will be extra-busy with the Alki Art Fair running today through Sunday, mostly on the promenade west of the Bathhouse.

ROAD WORK

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress; here are more specifics. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, likely into early 2025.

*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. It’s Friday, so there’ll be later runs.

Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be back. Also, WSF promises three boats for this weekend’s Vashon Strawberry Festival crowds.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (Minus the ones that were still down early today)

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

South Park Bridge:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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UPDATE: Crash closes eastbound West Seattle Bridge after 99 exit for 3+ hours

July 19, 2024 5:23 am

| 36 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:23 AM: Thanks for the tips. The eastbound high bridge is closed right now because of a crash investigation. Police radio suggests this could last at least until after 6:30 am. (added) Archived SFD/SPD radio indicates this happened around 3:30 am near the 1st Avenue South exit and was described as a single-vehicle crash, a Tesla Model 3 from which one person needed to be extricated.

5:47 AM: A commenter and one of the few operating SDOT cameras in the area indicate that the closure is at the 99 overpass; you can get onto the bridge but you’ll be diverted onto NB 99.

6:10 AM: Added screengrab from SDOT camera looking west toward the crash scene and the 99 overpass and exit. The wrecked car, which is white, is partly visible.

6:53 AM: Officers just told dispatch that the bridge should reopen soon after SDOT finishes cleaning up the scene.

7:01 AM: All but one lane of the EB bridge has now fully reopened, We’ll update this story with whatever followup information we get later about injury/circumstances.

8:45 AM: Here’s the summary from SPD:

On Friday July 19, 2024, at 0326 hours a white Tesla was travelling at a high rate-of-speed eastbound on the West Seattle bridge. The vehicle failed to maintain its lane of travel and careened between the north and south cement barriers before coming to rest, quite a distance later. The 33-year-old male driver showed obvious signs of impairment and was placed under arrest. The 25-year-old female passenger suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. She was transported to Harborview Medical Center via Medic One. It was expected the adult male driver would be booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Vehicular Assault, pending medical evaluation by hospital staff.

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PREVIEW #3: The neighbors you’ll see in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade

July 18, 2024 9:37 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

Tonight, they presented a free concert … Saturday, the Admiral Neighborhood Association will be in the 90th-anniversary West Seattle Grand Parade! Neighborhood and community groups, nonprofits, and schools are always part of the lineup (more than 80 entries this year). Among those you’ll be able to cheer for as they roll and/or stroll down the road: Service clubs West Seattle Rotary (whose Service Foundation presents the parade) and West Seattle Lions; nonprofits and community organizations including the West Seattle Food Bank‘s Clothesline, the Center For Active Living (formerly the Senior Center), A Cleaner Alki, the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), and the American Red Cross; and school groups including Westside School (WSB sponsor), Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Hope Lutheran, and cheer teams from Chief Sealth International, West Seattle, and Kennedy Catholic High Schools. Again, that’s just a sampling of what you’ll see! Other parade notes:

The no-parking signs are out – so remember, whether you’re watching the parade – or participating – or not, remember California will close from south of Admiral Way to just south of The Junction, and parking restrictions will be in effect too (signs are up for 7 am through 3 pm). The Saturday morning fun starts with the Float Dodger 5K on the parade route at 9:30 am (you still have time to register to participate); the parade rolls out onto California SW from SW Lander (north side of Hiawatha) at 11 am and heads south to Edmunds. Announcing stands are at California/Alaska with Brian and Christa Callanan and at California/Charlestown with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle. Stand by for one more preview tomorrow, then we’ll see you out on the route Saturday! (Our previous previews are here, here, here, and here.)

P.S. Haven’t decided on a place to watch the parade? West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) invites you to their parade-viewing party, out front of their office in the Admiral Station building (2715 California SW) near the start of the parade route. WSR’s Kevin Broveleit says everyone’s welcome to sit with them: “Lots of treats, a great location and nice bathrooms.”

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VIDEO: Admiral Music in the Parks’ first concert, featuring Troy Aylesworth and The Potholes

July 18, 2024 6:37 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:37 PM: Happening right now at Belvedere Park, the first of this year’s three summer concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. They’ve given a new name – Admiral Music in the Parks – to what was for many years Summer Concerts at Hiawatha (which isn’t a viable venue currently because of the community-center overhaul). Each of this year’s concerts will be at a different park in Admiral. Tonight’s series-opening show is a double bill, Troy Aylesworth (who’s up first) and The Potholes. Get here before 8 pm if you’re not here already – bring a chair and/or blanket and/or picnic.

7:17 PM: A bit of Troy Aylesworth’s music (more video when we get back to HQ):

He is wrapping up his set now – classic Seattle-style sound (you won’t be surprised to hear he’s part of a Stone Temple Pilots tribute band). Meantime, the crowd has grown – lots of young families, some kids romping around even some bubbles if you look closely at this view:

Potholes up shortly.

7:26 PM: While The Potholes set up, ANA president Joanie Jacobs is talking about next week – at California Place Park, next to Admiral Church (which she says is providing power and restroom access for the concert – bring donations for the church food drive if you can). Next week’s music is another double bill – Michael Pearsall and Westside Pretenders.

7:36 PM: The Potholes are performing now.

Miles, Mitch, Hugo, and Jimmy, with Lucy singing.

8:22 PM: The Potholes concluded their set with the Hendrix classic “Fire,” and that’s it for the first Admiral Music in the Parks show. See you at California Place Park (we’re the series media sponsor) next Thursday (July 25), 6:30 pm!

11:50 PM: Added two more photos and two more videos.

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DEVELOPMENT: Key land-use approval for 4448 California mixed-use project

July 18, 2024 4:40 pm

| 59 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(Rendering by Atelier Drome)

Two years after its final approval from the Southwest Design Review Board, the 7-story mixed-use project planned for 4448 California SW in The Junction just got a key city land-use approval. Publication of the decision (read it here) opens a two-week appeal period (explained in this notice). The city description of the building includes a mix of 43 apartments and an unspecified number of “hotel” units, plus commercial space, with no offstreet parking. The development team is the same one that’s built the almost-complete 3405 Harbor SW apartment building and is constructing the 9201 Delridge Way SW mixed-use building – Housing Diversity Corporation, STS Construction Services (WSB sponsor), and Atelier Drome. The building currently on the site is partly vacant; West Seattle Coworking maintains an auxiliary space there (though their main location is at 9030 35th SW). We have a message out to the project team to ask about the project’s timeline.

ADDED FRIDAY: Their reply – “We’re looking at Q4 but still finalizing the timeline.”

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