West Seattle, Washington
07 Thursday
(WSB file photo)
The sun is due back just in time for this year’s Great Cross-Sound Race, expected to bring dozens of rowers and paddlers to Alki on Saturday (August 24), along with their cheering sections. The Sound Rowers and Paddlers club organizes the race, starting at 9 am off the boardwalk, heading west to Blakely Rock off Bainbridge, and back. The top finishers are usually back within an hour (here are last year’s results).
Last night, we published WSDOT‘s update of south-downtown traffic-flow changes related to the shifting Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition work. Tonight, an alert is just in for King County Water Taxi riders:
Thursday morning, Yesler Way will be open across Alaskan Way. Pedestrians will need to be on the north side of Yesler in order to cross Alaskan Way. Also, tonight, South Jackson street at Alaskan Way S will be closed.
Thanks to Chuck Edgin for the photo taken as police, including SWAT officers, wrapped up an arrest operation at 35th SW/SW Holly about an hour ago. Officers advised dispatchers afterward that it was a “warrant arrest” and that if anyone in the area reported hearing an explosion (as did Chuck), it was related to their operation. We haven’t yet been able to find out what the suspect was being sought for.
(WSB photo, April 2019)
The rain’s one reminder that fall isn’t far away. Also, we have another reminder: Fauntleroy Church‘s Recycle Roundup, 9 am-3 pm Sunday, September 22, is now one month (and a day) away (and yes, we know that’s technically the last day of summer). On behalf of the organizers, Judy Pickens just sent the updated one-sheet (PDF) of what their partner 1 Green Planet will and won’t be accepting this time around. Judy notes one point of special emphasis – if you’re recycling a gas-powered tool (mower, trimmer, etc.), please be sure the fuel’s been emptied. Recycle Roundup is free and happens in the church’s lot at 9140 California SW.
1:44 PM: Big emergency response headed for what’s reported to be a flipped-car crash at Alki/Harbor. Updates to come.
1:49 PM: This is right at Duwamish Head. Reader photo added (thank you!). SFD says two vehicles were involved, everyone is out and being assessed for injuries. Avoid the area – road is currently blocked both ways.
2:08 PM: SFD says two people have minor injuries.
2:16 PM: Our photographer has arrived and sent photos of both vehicles – the one that flipped (above) has already been turned right-side up by the towing crew. They report one of the injured people is being taken to a hospital via private ambulance. Police say they’re investigating whether this is the result of one driver crossing the line into opposite-direction traffic.
If you are wondering about the helicopter, just TV. This should be cleared before too long.
2:44 PM: Texter reports the street has reopened.
Two weeks ago, we reported on the mayor’s proposal to speed up phasing out of oil heat in the ~18,000 Seattle homes that still use it. Above is video from last Friday’s City Council Sustainability and Transportation Committee briefing on the proposal – you can watch it starting 1 hour, 22 minutes into the meeting. The committee did not vote on the proposal, which would include a new 23.6 cents/gallon excise tax on heating oil, as well as covering conversion costs for low-income households, and expanding existing rebates for other households. They were told that about 1,300 Seattle households are transitioning out of oil heat each year anyway, so this is just meant to accelerate that. Committee and full-council votes will be scheduled at future TBA dates – the former, probably in the first half of September. By the way, though this proposal only involves heating oil, the committee’s chair Councilmember Mike O’Brien said they’re “working on” a future proposal to address natural gas.
Looking for a splash of color on this gray day? Restoration work is complete on the “West Seattle Ferries” mural on the west side of the building on the southwest corner of California/Alaska. Now that Bob Henry is done with that, he’s moved on to “Press Day,” on the north wall of 4727 44th SW:
Some of its lower panels have been removed for the start of work. Meantime, crowdfunding continues to help cover the costs of the restoration work, only part of which is funded by philanthropy and grants – here’s where to donate.
(Some Elliott Bay traffic this morning, photographed by Jim Borrow)
Despite a little summer rain, there’s a lot going on!
LIBRARY LAB – GIZMOS & GADGETS: 1-3 pm, all ages are welcome to drop in at Delridge Library for this Summer of Learning activity. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle, 1990’s “Alice” is this week’s movie. (4217 SW Oregon)
TOUR THE SSC CAMPUS: Fall quarter is still a month away so you have time to find out more about South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), starting with today’s 3 pm campus tour! (6000 16th SW)
HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: Seventh week for this year’s weekly farm-stand sessions, selling fresh produce and flowers, all grown by local residents, at the mini-farm that’s adjacent to the stand. 4 pm-7 pm. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE HIRING EVENT: Interested in joining the Child Development team at Neighborhood House? 4-6 pm hiring event today in High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
FESTIVAL PLANNING: Last chance to help plan the upcoming World Music Festival at Roxhill Park! Meet at the picnic tables in the park’s northwest corner, 6-7:30 pm. (29th SW/SW Barton) (This actually happens Thursday!)
BUSINESS LAUNCH PARTY: You’re invited:
The launch party for Sifted Tea, owned and operated by West Seattle locals Sonia and Jeffrey Carlson, will be held on Wednesday, August 21st from 7 pm-10 pm at West Seattle Grounds. We will have samples of our cacao tea — 100% sifted organic cacao husks — as well as raffle prizes, including artwork and artisan coffee mugs.
(2141 California SW)
JAZZ NIGHT: Every Wednesday, 7-10 pm at Whisky West. No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)
PUNK/JAZZ … with The Suffering F-heads at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … by browsing our complete calendar.
(WSB photo, July 2018)
It’s not summer without a Lucha Libre (Mexican-style masked wrestling) show in South Park, and this year’s date has finally been announced: 3-5 pm Saturday, August 31st. If you’ve never seen Lucha Libre, it’s more theater than sports, with costumes, characters, and plotlines (heroes vs. villains). It’ll be part of a daylong open-air market festival (noon-8 pm), with vendors and other entertainment, at the future home of South Park Plaza, on the west side of the 14th Avenue South/Dallas intersection just before the South Park Bridge.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning. It’s been raining so take care on the roads, paths, and sidewalks.
VIADUCT DEMOLITION: As noted here last night, south-downtown traffic flow is changing again.
BACK TO SCHOOL: First school to start classes for the year – Summit Atlas at 35th/Roxbury begins today. Here’s our list of all local start dates.
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