WEST SEATTLE GIVING SPIRIT: Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, ‘growing community hub … for all families’

| Delridge | How to help | West Seattle Giving Spirit | West Seattle news

The West Seattle Giving Spirit envelops and inspires people all around the peninsula, as local nonprofits fill an array of community needs. Three times a week through year’s end, WSB is bringing you this special holiday-season opportunity to learn more about, and support, some of those amazing nonprofits, in partnership with the Learning Communities Foundation. Today – see how DNDA‘s mission goes beyond its name:

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) is a community-based organization dedicated to empowering residents of the Delridge neighborhood in West Seattle.

DNDA is more than just a neighborhood organization. We’re a growing community hub offering a wide range of services and opportunities for all families to participate in. From community rental spaces at our vibrant Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, to our commitment to restorative justice, nature restoration, free art programs, and affordable housing development, there’s something for everyone.

One of our core programs is the Summer Youth Program. which offers a variety of activities and experiences for young people ages 7 to 19. For over 5 years, this program has empowered young minds through engaging activities like field trips, sports tournaments, and environmental workshops. This program enriches lives, develops important skills, and fosters lasting relationships. Many participants, having grown up in this program, have now taken on leadership roles, shaping a brighter future for our community. In 2024, we served over 750 young people and plan to expand to serve even more families in the coming years.

To ensure that our youth can participate in these valuable experiences, we are seeking $50,000 to support purchasing and maintaining a transportation van. This van will allow us to remove logistical barriers and transport our program participants safely to and from various locations, expanding our reach and impact.

Your generous donation, in any amount, will directly contribute to providing our young people with the transportation they need to access enriching experiences and opportunities. By supporting DNDA, you are investing back into our community and helping to Integrate Art, Nature, and Neighborhood to build and sustain a dynamic Delridge!

Help us make a difference!

DONATE HERE 

LEARN MORE – SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS

LEARN MORE – ECOARTS PROGRAM

GET DNDA’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

VOLUNTEER

QUESTIONS? Phoenix Robbins, 206-935-2999, phoenix@dnda.org

Scroll through our archive of West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlights here (newest to oldest), and watch for the next one on Friday!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Coffee stand break-in; potential carjacking attempt

December 11, 2024 12:58 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

COFFEE STAND BURGLARY: After hearing a bit about this on police radio earlier today, we requested the report narrative from SPD. An employee arriving at the Mighty Mugs drive-up coffee stand on West Marginal Way SW just north of Highland Park Way after 4 am this morning saw a broken window and an intruder inside. So she went elsewhere and called police. Nearby, they found a 21-year-old woman who told officers she had broken the coffee-stand window to get in because she was cold. Police went in and reported the interior looked ransacked. They say they found the suspect to be in possession of a container of what tested out as meth; they took her to jail but the booking was declined because of “drug intoxication.” So she was taken to Harborview instead.

CARJACKING ATTEMPT? We also asked SPD about a call early Tuesday labeled as a possible carjacking attempt. Here’s what the report says: Around 6:11 am, a woman called 911 and met police near California/Admiral to report what happened. She said she was driving on SW Hanford at California when she saw a man “sprinting down the sidewalk” before he ran in front of her car, “causing her to stop in the travel lane.” The report narrative continues, “The suspect then approached the driver-side door. (The driver) advised it appeared that the suspect was possibly going for her driver-side door. She then kept driving northbound on California Av SW, called 911, and stood by for officers.” She described the suspect as a white man in his 30s, thin, 6′, blonde hair, wearing a black puffy jacket and black pants, last seen running northbound on California. The driver said he did not say anything to her but had “something in his hands.” Officers searched the area but didn’t find anyone.

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GROCERY MEGA-MERGER: Day after court rulings, Albertsons/Safeway bags the plan

December 11, 2024 11:22 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

One of the biggest national stories on Tuesday was a pair of court rulings – including one in our state – against the proposed Kroger (QFC, Fred Meyer, etc.)/Albertsons (Safeway) merger. One day later, Albertsons has announced it’s officially canceling the merger. From the company’s announcement:

Albertsons Companies, Inc. today announced it has exercised its right to terminate its merger agreement with Kroger after the U.S. District Court in Oregon and the King County Superior Court for the State of Washington issued injunctions with respect to the proposed merger on December 10, 2024.

Vivek Sankaran, CEO, commented: “Given the recent federal and state court decisions to block our proposed merger with Kroger, we have made the difficult decision to terminate the merger agreement. We are deeply disappointed in the courts’ decisions.”

In a separate announcement, Albertsons announced it’s suing Kroger, with this accusation:

Kroger willfully breached the Merger Agreement in several key ways, including by repeatedly refusing to divest assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignoring regulators’ feedback, rejecting stronger divestiture buyers and failing to cooperate with Albertsons.

In its own announcement, Kroger says the lawsuit is “baseless and without merit.”

If the merger had gone through, three West Seattle grocery stores were slated for divestiture to a third entity, as reported here in July – Admiral Safeway and both QFCs (Westwood Village and West Seattle Junction). The mega-merger plan was first announced more than two years ago.

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Fauntleroy ferry dock meeting, West Seattle Community Orchestras concert, poetry, 17 more reminders for your Wednesday

December 11, 2024 10:21 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Alice Wheeler, taken near Alki Point)

Here’s our list of what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

DONATION DRIVES: Our Holiday Guide has a long list of ways you can share your bounty this season – from giving the gift of warm clothing to dropping off new, unwrapped toys at Toys for Tots and other collection locations around West Seattle, to monetary donations for students and families in need.

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SEAHAWKS LEGENDS: 11 am at the Center for Active Living (California/Oregon), “Meet former players, mascot Blitz and adorable therapy dogs at this fun event at The Center. Whether you’re a longtime “12” or a new fan, this is a chance to get an up-close look at the Seattle Seahawks.”

HOLIDAY ROOM SELFIES: More drop-in DIY photo ops with a holiday backdrop at Curious Kidstuff (4740 California SW), noon – 5 pm.

REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

TODDLER STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: At Southwest Library, 3 pm, for kids ages 1-3. (9010 35th SW)

SANTA HAT NIGHT AT OUNCES: 4-9 pm, wear a Santa Hat at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) and get a drink discount.

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AT ARTHUR’S: Second-to-last day for the Admiral District café to pay homage to the 12 Days of Christmas with a different feature starting at 4 pm daily – today the “eleven pipers piping” are celebrated with a craft, making pipe-cleaner snowflakes. See the full list here. (2311 California SW)

HOMEWORK HELP: Volunteer helpers are available 4-7 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center). Learn more about the WS Tool Library in our recent West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlight!

FAUNTLEROY FERRY DOCK COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP: All are welcome to sit in on this online meeting with project updates and discussion – 6 pm; go here to register for the link.

MONTHLY CRIBBAGE NIGHT: 6 pm at West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), all players welcome, all ages.

FREE GROUP RUN: All year ’round! All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Second free winter concert by ensembles of the WSCO! (Donations welcome, of course.) 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) auditorium.

POETRYBRIDGE: 7 pm monthly gathering at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

TRIVIA x 4: Three Wednesday trivia locations: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.

WELLNESS EVENT: Kundalini yoga, breath work, meditation at Inner Alchemy studio/sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), 7 pm.

MUSIC BINGO X 2: Two places to play on Wednesdays! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … Or, at Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The mic is yours! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – and if it’s a holiday event, send it for the Holiday Guide – thank you!

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Remembering Robert Estep, 1931-2024

December 11, 2024 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Bob Estep and sharing this remembrance with his community:

Robert (Bob) Estep
1931 – 2024

Robert Estep passed peacefully on November 16, 2024 at the age of 93, into the presence of his Lord and Savior.

Bob was a lifelong resident of West Seattle and one of six children. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1948 and joined the US Navy soon after. He served on the USS Norton Sound as a Radioman, Third Class during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1951, where he returned to West Seattle and married his high-school sweetheart and started a family.

Bob enjoyed a decades-long career at the Boeing Company until his retirement in 1991. During his time at Boeing, he served on the board of the Boeing Management Association and was part of the team that moved the Red Barn up the Duwamish River to its current location at the Museum of Flight.

Bob and his wife were longtime members of West Side Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon and Elder. Later in life, they attended University Presbyterian Church.

Bob’s many hobbies included bicycling, golfing, walking, and in his later years, playing recreational volleyball with other seniors at a local community center. He undertook a self-imposed mission of finding, walking, and mapping every outdoor public stairway in West Seattle. His efforts were featured in a March 5, 2010 edition of the West Seattle Herald.

At the age of 40, his family gave him a bicycle and he started a tradition of cycling his age in miles each year on his birthday, taking his last ride at the age of 80. He participated in the Chilly Hilly, STP ride, and the Heart Fund Ride in 1976 and 1978.

As an avid walker, he participated in several 3-day cancer walks in honor and support of his wife.

The West Seattle YMCA was also a special part of his life. Bob started going to the Y as a young boy in 1940. There he would swim, attend community dinners, and played on the Y basketball team along with one of his brothers. As an adult, Bob and his wife participated in the Active Older Adults fitness classes, forming long-lasting friendships. Bob also taught the AARP Safe Driving course at the Y for 15 years.

For most of his retirement years, Bob and his wife would spend the month of October on Maui. Over the years they developed another group of close friends that became their Maui family.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, and youngest daughter. He is survived by 3 children, 5 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, a sister, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Although a quiet and private man, he will be remembered for his deep faith and kind soul who was always looking for ways to help others. He loved his family and friends deeply.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Florence of Seattle for their exceptional care and support they provided Robert for the past 2 and 1/2 years.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Wednesday watch

December 11, 2024 6:03 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:30 AM: Crash blocking Lincoln Park Way, reported as hit-run.

(Texted photo)

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, December 11th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Mostly cloudy, rain likely returning tonight, high near 50. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:48 am, while sunset will be at 4:17 pm – as early as the sunset gets – Saturday, it starts getting later! (The sunrise gets later too, for the rest of the month.)

TRANSIT

Water Taxi today – Regular service today.

Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Sealth as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

ROAD WORK/CLOSURES

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. This will change later this month, SDOT has announced:

We’ll be transitioning into our third phase of traffic control on December 19. The two center lanes on Admiral Way SW will be closed during this phase, with one lane in each direction open for people driving. As part of this transition, the temporary crosswalk at Admiral Way SW and 39th Ave SW will be removed.

We expect more info later today. Meantime, Fairmount Avenue remains closed beneath the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon. SDOT finally provided that update, with word of a lane shift, too.

*Beach Drive gas-pipeline work continues into January, PSE tells us – here’s our update.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

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.

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

See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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Bringing the Duwamish River ‘back to life’: Milestone in long-running cleanup

December 11, 2024 5:08 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| Environment | South Park | West Seattle news

(King County photos)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

You’ve probably heard many times that the Duwamish River – running along much of West Seattle’s eastern boundary – is a “Superfund site,” referring to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program, and that a multi-billion-dollar cleanup has long been under way.

Tuesday, we got a rare chance to hear specifics, as the cleanup of decades-old industrial pollution – really, more than one cleanup – marked a milestone.

A media briefing was held on the river’s shore at Duwamish River People’s Park (itself a cleaned-up site), days after work began.

The last speaker, Duwamish River Community Coalition director Paulina López, offered the most relatable context, reminding those gathered that the cleanup was about bringing the river “back to life”:

(WSB videos)
López followed representatives of government agencies and Boeing, all talking briefly about what role their agencies play. The cleanup section where polluted sediment is being scooped out right now – much of it contaminated by PCBs – is managed by King County, said Jim Bolger, whose brief words of introduction were followed in this clip by Elly Hale, (updated) one of the EPA’s project managers along with Nasrin Erdelyi:

We talked with Hale after the briefing to get details on exactly what’s happening right now. Contaminated sediment is being scooped up, placed on a barge, towed to shore, transferred to land, then loaded onto trains bound for the Columbia Ridge Landfill in Oregon.

How deep the scooping goes depends on how deep the pollution goes – the goal is to get to clean sediment, Hale said, which could be anywhere from one to six feet down. An important point she had mentioned at the microphone was that people are still advised not to eat any fish from the Duwamish River but salmon. Wondering why that’s OK but others aren’t? It’s because the others are residents, living out their lives in the polluted river, while salmon spend most of their lives out in cleaner sea water before showing up here.

Another key point of the work that’s under way is “source control” – keeping new pollution out of the river. The lead agency in that work is the state Department of Ecology, whose representative Dr. Kim Wooten spoke briefly too, along with Boeing‘s Katie Moxley and the City of Seattle’s David Schuchardt:

The in-water work that’s under way now can only last through February before taking a break until October, to protect fish. Because of that short work window, it’ll take 10 years for the operation to get to the south end of Harbor Island.

The cleanup work – planning, design, and execution – has been a quarter-century in the making. This is, to be technical, the Upper Reach of the Lower Duwamish Waterway. This page has more detail on exactly what’s happening now; Pacific Pile & Marine is the lead contractor.

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VIDEO: Taste of West Seattle Community Orchestras’ holiday music, with another concert Wednesday

December 10, 2024 10:45 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This is a big week for holiday-season/winter concerts in West Seattle (you can see the list in our Holiday Guide). Among the groups performing are the ensembles within West Seattle Community Orchestras; two presented their free winter concert on Monday night, and two more are performing tomorrow (Wednesday, December 11), 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle). Above is a clip sent tonight by Dawn Hepburn, a member of the WSCO Concert Orchestra, from its performance of “Sleigh Ride” on Monday night. No tickets required for tomorrow’s concert – just show up! (Here’s more info about the WSCO.)

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TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: ‘Miracle on 34th’

December 10, 2024 8:45 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Time for tonight’s Christmas lights spotlight! Thanks to Eric for the photo:

Miracle on 34th street (okay, 34th Ave SW). On 34th a block and a half south of Camp Long.

If you see, or have, lights we should spotlight on WSB, please email the location (with or without photo) to westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. Go here to scroll through our archive of past spotlights!

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UPDATE: 1 to hospital after 35th/Morgan crash

December 10, 2024 7:02 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:02 PM: Thanks for the tip. That SDOT-camera screenshot captures part of the scene of a crash at 35th/Morgan, blocking southbound lanes (not in view) at last report. We’ll be checking with SFD regarding injuries; only one engine was dispatched, so apparently nothing major. Avoid the area for a while.

(Added: Photo texted by Jeremy)

7:36 PM: Metro has sent an all-clear notice, but the live SDOT camera shows the southbound lanes still blocked.

7:52 PM: A tow truck is on scene now.

8:06 PM: Now there’s some cleanup work in view.

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says their crews “treated a 21-year-old man who was in stable condition. AMR transported him to a hospital for further care.”

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BIZNOTE: Locust Cider abruptly closes Alki taproom and 6 others

December 10, 2024 5:54 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(WSB photo, tonight)

Thanks for the tips. That’s how we found the front window of Locust Cider‘s Alki taproom at 2820 Alki SW, after going there tonight to verify reports it had abruptly closed. No note or explanatory sign, but the company website says “ALKI BEACH PERMANENTLY CLOSED. Thank you for 5 great years on the beach! Visit us at our downtown Seattle taprooms at Post Alley or Market Place.” (The company elaborated on social media (and via its email list) that it’s closed seven taprooms in all – Alki, First Hill, Redmond, Olympia, Vancouver, and Walla Walla in Washington, and Fort Worth, Texas” – while seven remain open. The company statement adds that “while this decision is necessary to ensure the future health of our company, it’s also incredibly painful.” We first reported five and a half years ago that Locust planned to take over the space where Alki Urban Market had closed almost two years earlier. That adds another space in transition on Alki Avenue – next to this space, Gary’s Place is about to open; a block east, the former Starbucks is set to become Alki Coffee Co./Ben and Jerry’s next year; and the former Alki Cleaners is getting ready to open as West Seattle’s second Happy Lemon tea shop.

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First chance for feedback on Southwest Teen Life Center play-area replacement. Teens’ input sought. (Survey, too!)

December 10, 2024 4:41 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

That’s the one and only visual you’ll find at the drop-in event happening right now at Seattle Parks’ Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle, enter from the south side). It’s a board with possible elements for its play-area replacement – but there’s a twist. Project manager Colin Campbell tells WSB that they’re really hoping to hear from teenagers because there’s a strong chance the replacement (for which $720,000 is budgeted, from a grant) will be all or partly geared toward teens, since the SWTLC is, well, a center for teens, and the neighborhood already has a traditional play area (uphill and west, on Seattle Public Schools-owned property, where the old Denny IMS used to be). You can stop in until 6 pm (free drinks and snacks!) to offer your thoughts (when we dropped in, just one comment was written – “swings are important”) and/or you can answer this new online survey, which will be open until January 2. Campbell says the playground is being replaced because the department tries to keep its play structures on a 20-years-or-so replacement cycle. This is only the first design discussion; the next one is likely to have “design concepts” on display.

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SDOT director Greg Spotts leaving after two years

December 10, 2024 3:15 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, July 27, 2022)

SDOT will be changing directors again. After 2+ years, Greg Spotts announced today that he’s leaving in 2025. “This morning I notified the Mayor of my intent to resign my position effective 2/12/25. On a personal level, moving to Seattle alone has been hard, particularly living so far away from my mother in CA and father in NY. In 2025 I will pursue professional opportunities closer to my loved ones.” Spotts was an executive in Los Angeles’s transportation department when Mayor Bruce Harrell hired him to succeed SDOT’s previous non-interim director, Sam Zimbabwe; he was confirmed right before the West Seattle Bridge’s 2 1/2-year closure ended in September 2022. Harrell at the time called him a “transformational leader.” Zimbabwe had the job for three years, hired by Harrell’s predecessor Jenny Durkan.

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Unified Care Team leaders explain encampment work, plus rest of the story from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting

December 10, 2024 1:13 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(L-R, Unified Care Team’s Ali Peters and Darius Foster, SW Precinct Capt. Krista Bair)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

We’ve already reported the two major headlines from last week’s quarterly Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting – an update on the shooting death of 15-year-old Sudaysi Ida, and news of a one-day retail-theft crackdown at Westwood Village.

Now, the rest of the news from the meeting, facilitated by Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite. Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair was there, Operations Lt. Nate Shopay too, community liaison Officer German Barreto, Unified Care Team director Ali Peters and UCT manager Darius Foster, who focuses on the south end via SDOT, plus two Community Service Officers and two reps from the mayor’s office.

PRECINCT UPDATE: After the two updates mentioned earlier. Capt. Bair opened the floor to Q&A. A resident of the 25th/Brandon area said “it’s an interesting place to live” – no break-ins or robberies on their block but they’re “surrounded by disorganized crime” within a few blocks – homes with too many people living there, ‘we’ve talked to the police ad nauseam and finally given up.” They’re trying to beat back the disorder. “Do you guys know roughly what the population in our precinct is?” Bair didn’t know (but we can offer the estimate of 115,000, since it’s West Seattle and South Park) – Satterwhite will look into it. Bair said “we have a staffing issue” but said she was very excited to hear that SPD hiring “is picking up in numbers – for a while it was trickling in”; not everybody qualified all the way through the process, but now they have 8 to 10 officer candidates going through the academy and they’re “feeling very positive … we’re moving in the right direction – getting some quality candidates.” Regarding the SW precinct, between the three watches, each one has about 20 people or so “BUT we don’t always have 20 people working at any given time.”

They launched into more detailed discussion of specific houses near the attendee’s block.

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BIZNOTE: New pet business on the way to Morgan Junction

December 10, 2024 12:06 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Pets | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tip! That sign announces a new business on the way to the former Second Gear Sports space at 6529 California SW in Morgan Junction – Happy Doggy, described as a pet grooming salon and self-serve dog wash, aiming to open in January. We have messages out to the person listed in public records as the owner, hoping to find out more. The signage mentions a specific dog-washing system – here’s the background on that.)

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The Whale Trail, West Seattle Runner women’s workshop, playground design, dine-out fundraiser, holiday pics, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

December 10, 2024 9:54 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Camp Long meadow, photographed this week by Don Brubeck)

Here’s today’s list – highlights of what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from our Event Calendar, where you can preview what’s happening days, weeks, even months ahead, and our West Seattle Holiday Guide:

FAUNTLEROY CHURCH FESTIVAL OF TREES: Second week you can go see the decorated trees in the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), until noon, and “vote” for your favorite(s) with nonperishable food donations. If you miss it today, they’re open for viewing 9 am-noon Mondays-Thursdays all month, plus one hour before the church’s upcoming holiday concerts (see the Holiday Guide).

BLOOD DRIVE: BloodWorks Northwest is back in West Seattle today and other upcoming dates – sign up to donate!

SHOP AT THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: Extended hours until Christmas – open 10 am to 6 pm today. (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor)

POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Long-distance advocacy via handwritten postcards sent to voters in other states – the work continues post-election – drop in 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all welcome.

HOLIDAY LUNCH: 11:30 am at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon) with live music – call ahead to be sure there’s room.

HOLY ROSARY DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Noon-10:30 pm, dine at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4721 California SW) and tell them you’re there for the Holy Rosary 8th-grade trip fundraiser so a percentage of proceeds will go toward it.

HOLIDAY ROOM SELFIES: Drop-in DIY photo ops with a holiday backdrop at Curious Kidstuff (4740 California SW), noon – 5 pm.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Lunch meeting at noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), program details in our calendar listing.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

PLAYGROUND DESIGN: Drop by Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle) 4-6 pm for feedback on proposed designs for the center’s renovated play area.

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

THE KENNEY’S HOLIDAY MUSIC: The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW) hosts Seattle Metropolitan Choir at 6:30 pm with “Norman Rockwell Holidays.” Free but reservations required; call 206.937.2800 or email tickets@thekenney.org. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm tonight, play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER WOMEN’S WORKSHOP: 6:30 pm, big event at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – a Women’s Workshop: “We will have 3 presenters focused on covering topics specific to the female runner.” Details are in our calendar listing, along with the RSVP link.

MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).

THE WHALE TRAIL: Gather with The Whale Trail for updates on the Southern Resident Killer Whales – details, including ticket link, in our calendar listing. 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).

BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral).

TRIVIA X 5: Five trivia options for Tuesday – new, 7 pm trivia with Amelia at Future Primitive‘s Beer Bar on Alki (2536 Alki SW) … The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

Hosting an event, seasonal or otherwise? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar and/or Holiday Guide – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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NEW BOOK CLUB! West Seattle’s classic SF fans invited

December 10, 2024 9:00 am

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| West Seattle books | West Seattle news

With several book clubs continuing to grow, it’s clear West Seattle is a reader’s paradise. Another book club is starting up this week and we’re mentioning it in case you haven’t already seen the listing in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. Ed explains, “I’m starting a new book club for fans of classic SF (speculative fiction) such as ‘Dune’ and ‘Lord of the Rings.’ It’s called ‘The West Seattle Classic SF Book Club’.” He’s launching at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) Thursday night (December 12), 6 pm. “We’ll be reading ‘The Stars My Destination‘ by Alfred Bester (1956). If people want a new copy they can purchase the book at Paper Boat and get a 10% discount.” Ed notes, “It’s only 211 pages so there’s still time to read.”

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Tuesday notes

December 10, 2024 6:00 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, December 10th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Frosty, then partly sunny, high in the mid-40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:47 am, while sunset will be at 4:17 pm – as early as the sunset gets – Saturday, it starts getting later! (But the sunrise gets later too, for a while longer.)

(Monday clouds, photographed by James Bratsanos @ Alki)

TRANSIT

Water Taxi today – Regular service today.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

ROAD WORK/CLOSURES

*Beach Drive gas-pipeline work continues into January, PSE tells us – here’s our update.

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. Fairmount Avenue remains closed beneath the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon. SDOT finally provided that update at the end of last week, with word of a lane shift, too.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

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.

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