West Seattle, Washington

09 Saturday

47℉

month : 08/2019 302 results

UPDATE: Crash cleanup on Admiral Way
August 11, 2019 2:48 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:48 AM SUNDAY: An SDOT crew is being summoned for a cleanup on westbound Admiral Way near 37th SW for debris from a crash. Radio communication indicated a driver went into a yard and then left the scene on foot; police reportedly caught up with a suspect nearby, at 39th and Admiral.

UPDATE, MONDAY NIGHT: According to online records, the 20-year-old driver is under investigation for DUI and criminal hit-run.

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West Seattleites honored with SPD’s Outstanding Community Member Awards
August 10, 2019 10:42 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle police

One more note from Delridge Day: That’s where Seattle Police presented this year’s Outstanding Community Member Awards for the Southwest Precinct area. The honorees:

Terry Hirata is senior housing manager for the Seattle Housing Auhority in High Point. SPD expressed appreciation because he “has helped establish and maintain trust with the police and High Point residents.”

Karen Berge and Deb Greer lead the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network, hailed by SPD because they “work with the Crime Prevention Coordinator to disseminate information to our community members, and create and maintain Block Watch groups throughout our precinct.”

Lora Radford, executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association, was honored for launching our area’s first Business Block Watch and serving as “a wonderful point of contact for the Alaska Junction businesses in the Block Watch and for the SW Precinct Community Police Team.”

(Photo courtesy Karen Berge/Deb Greer)

That’s us, your WSB co-publishers, Patrick Sand and Tracy Record. We received appreciation for “disseminat(ing) an immense amount of information, including meetings and event announcements, crime prevention newsletters, and crime and offender patterns.” Publishing lots of info, quickly, accurately, and ethically, is our job – our mission – and we’re glad to still be doing it after almost 12 years. We especially appreciate continued community collaboration – reader reports, tips, questions … thank you, and thanks to SPD for the recogniion.

P.S. In the photos, at left and right respectively, are SPD Assistant Chief Eric Greening and SW Precinct Operations Commander Lt. Steve Strand.

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THE WEST SEATTLE TURKEY: More sightings
August 10, 2019 8:06 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news | Wildlife

On a quiet Saturday night, turkey sightings to share:

That photo was sent by Monica Zaborac, who spotted The West Seattle Turkey (aka Admiral Belvidere) atop a car. The Turkey seems to have a taste for dandelions, as noticed by West Seattle visitor Tommy Jamison:

Tommy is visiting from Auxtin, Texas; friend Dan Ciske forwarded the photo. Another round of dandelion snacking was caught on video by Rob Braby:

The turkey’s origins remain a mystery, after 3 1/2 months of sightings.

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UPDATE: Seattle Fire ‘full response’ in North Admiral = never mind
August 10, 2019 5:47 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

5:47 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” to a possible house fire in North Admiral, 1600 block of Palm SW [map]. Initial report: Smoke in a closet. Updates to come.

5:54 PM: Turns out to have been a false alarm; per radio exchange, the smoke is from something “next door” and not a problem.

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GRATITUDE: WestSide Baby’s 2019 Stuff the Bus diaper drive sets a record
August 10, 2019 4:59 pm
|    Comments Off on GRATITUDE: WestSide Baby’s 2019 Stuff the Bus diaper drive sets a record
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

WestSide Baby says this year’s Stuff the Bus diaper drive was bigger than ever and is thanking everyone who helped. They sent the photos and wrap-up:

WestSide Baby STUFFed THE BUS even fuller this year, engaging West Seattle AND other communities around Western King County!

Since WestSide Baby was founded in 2001, diapers, clothing, safety equipment and more have been distributed to a growing number of children each year. Last year, WestSide Baby distributed over $3.5 million worth of basic needs items to families all around western King County, from Auburn to West Seattle to Shoreline.

Each summer, WestSide Baby hosts Seattle’s largest diaper drive, Stuff the Bus and this year the community collected and donated a record high number of diapers – over 403,000! They do this each year because in King County 23% of families are unable to afford diapers and WestSide Baby’s vision is for every child to have the basic items they need to thrive.

“Engaging with our most loyal and long-time donors like many folks in West Seattle while also reaching out to new communities was the best of all possibilities for success. We also began stuffing the bus earlier this year – in May – which allowed us to work with even more schools and daycares before they broke for summer vacation,” shared Nancy Woodland, WestSide Baby Executive Director. “We are thrilled this decision paid off!”

Additionally, WestSide Baby’s focus on defining and engaging community throughout their service area allowed them to engage in meaningful conversation about diaper need and WestSide Baby’s impact on a more relational level. At West Seattle Summer Fest, WestSide Baby and Global Visionaries were the beneficiaries of ticket sales for the kids’ play area, allowing WestSide Baby staff and volunteers to have meaningful conversations with these parents and families in a new way this summer.

By partnering with QFC, WestSide Baby was able to collect over 20,000 diapers in most needed sizes (5 & 6) through community monetary donations at stores throughout the county. QFC was the 2019 presenting sponsor for Stuff the Bus and both West Seattle locations participated with success.

Other stand out Stuff the Bus diaper drives include:

Top Individual Driver: Kaila Lightner—11,731 diapers (1st year hosting a drive!)
Top Business Driver: Fit4Mom West Seattle—1,838 diapers
Top Daycare/School Driver: MightyKidz Daycare—6,340 diapers (1st year hosting a drive!)

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Stuff the Bus!

Though the drive is over, WS Baby still welcomes help year-round – in multiple ways.

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PHOTOS, VIDEO: Delridge Day 2019!
August 10, 2019 11:38 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

11:38 AM: The rain’s gone, the sun’s trying to emerge, and Delridge Day 2019 is on! Above, Khmer dancers launched the festival’s Cultural Stage performances. The rest of the schedule:

11:45 am – Brazilian Dancers
12:30 pm – John Fanene, Polynesian singer
1:15 pm – Jazz Night School band

The Cultural Stage is on the north side of Delridge Community Center Park (Delridge/Genesee/26th). Next to the center is the music stage, where Yesod is playing now, to be followed by:

Noon – The Slags
1 pm – Mode Music Studios students
2 pm – Joe Brazil Legacy Jazz Band

Also here: Dozens of community organizations and vendors with booths/tables, the Urban Survival Skills Fair, Southwest Precinct police-presented Picnic, a backpack giveaway with Eastridge Church inside the center…

… and more. It’s all on until 3 pm. One change because of the rain: The skateboarding competition at the skatepark will start at 2 pm.

12:06 PM: Brazilian dancers are on the Cultural Stage now:

Elsewhere on the festival grounds, you can learn while having fun – preparedness is anything but dull at the Urban Survival Skills Fair (look for the BIG tent):

The festival isn’t called Delridge Day only on behalf of its location – you can find out about east West Seattle groups and activities too. Next to our booth, Highland Park Improvement Club has everything from T-shirts to info about the many events HPIC presents:

On the other side of us, just south of the Cultural Stage, are the community volunteers who coordinate Delridge Day. Over at the Police Picnic, a fingerprinting demonstration:

More dancing!

12:44 PM: Over on the Music Stage, some rock ‘n’ roll!

1:15 PM: Hungry? Off The Rez food truck is here, parked by the Delridge CC entrance:

Today’s menu includes frybread, tacos, and burgers. The view of the festival grounds from the center of the park:

Jazz Night School students are on the Cultural Stage right now:

Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) on the stage by the center building.

Something else that happened: The SPD’s Community Awards were announced. Separate story on that later! And as part of the Sustainable West Seattle GreenLife Expo, “Diver Laura” James is giving festivalgoers a chance to view the Virtual Salish Sea:

2:10 PM: Final hour of Delridge Day – hurry up and get here if you haven’t been already! The skateboarding competition has begun over at the skatepark (delayed a few hours so the morning rainfall’s residue could evaporate). Lessons too, with Skate Like a Girl:

The festival is also a great opportunity to ask questions, get info, even register to vote. Thanks to all the kind folks who have stopped by our booth to say hi. And props to the organizers – here’s four of them:

From left, Larry Winkler, Pete Spalding, Chas Redmond, Michael Taylor-Judd. Not pictured, Ron Angeles, who was here when we stopped by two hours before the start to be sure it wasn’t going to be rained out. (Added: Also, Ann Martin!) Organizing a festival takes months of work leading up to the big day and they’re all volunteers.

3:01 PM: The festival’s officially over but because of the rain-delayed start, skateboarding’s still on. Meantime, a bit more music:

(Find out more about them at joebrazil.org.) And Stu Hennessey from Alki Bike and Board (WSB sponsor) has been giving bike tours:

Sunshine’s hitting full strength – enjoy the rest of your Saturday!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 stolen cars to watch for
August 10, 2019 11:27 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 stolen cars to watch for
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two stolen cars reported by readers: A Kia Spectra (added: tan color), plate AOZ1767, taken near Westwood Village on Friday afternoon, and a white Audi Q5 taken overnight from 47th/College (added: plate AXZ3291). If you see either, call 911.

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Delridge Day and 10 more for your West Seattle Saturday
August 10, 2019 6:57 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Juvenile osprey, probably on one of its first flights, reports photographer Mark Wangerin)

Welcome to August’s second weekend! Off to a rainy start; most events are usually “rain or shine” but we’ll update if we hear of any changes. (The National Weather Service says the showers are expected to decrease later this morning.) From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DELRIDGE DAY: 11 am-3 pm at Delridge Community Center and Park, a free festival full of fun is scheduled. Entertainment, activities, a skating competition, the Urban Survival Skills Fair, backpack giveaway, the Southwest Precinct Picnic with treats and police-equipment demos, Sustainable West Seattle‘s GreenLife Expo, more. WSB is a community co-sponsor and we’ll be on site for as-it-happens coverage. More in our preview. (4501 Delridge Way SW) *UPDATE: The festival is on. The skateboard competition, however, is delayed until 2 pm.*

BASEBALL TRYOUTS: 9U-14U tryouts for Seattle Rawlings Tigers baseball, 12 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex. Info’s in our calendar listing. (2801 SW Thistle)

‘STORIES OF THE STARS’: 3-4 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – “‘The Stories of the Stars’ is a non-stop kid-friendly puppet-romp full of excitement and fun for everyone.” (2306 42nd SW)

TASTE AND LEARN: Maguey Melate Night at Mission Cantina (WSB sponsor), 4:30-6:30 pm, mezcal tastings and menu favorites. 21+. More info and tickets here. (2325 Caliornia SW)

PIZZA AT THE P-PATCH: 5-8 pm at Barton Street P-Patch, all are welcome for an evening of fresh-baked pizza in the garden oven, plus music! (34th/Barton)

SUNRISE HEIGHTS BLOCK PARTY: Live in Sunrise Heights? 5-10 pm, join your neighbors! (29th SW between Othello and Webster)

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: GreenStage presents “Henry IV” at 7 pm in Lincoln Park. Free! (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

ROO FORREST AND FRIENDS: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). No cover, all ages. (5612 California SW)

RAY SKJELBRED TRIO: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, Ray is “joined by bassist Matt Weiner and saxophonist Jacob Zimmerman — sweet jazz for a summer evening.” Ticket info in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

‘9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL’: New Twelfth Night Productions show continues tonight at the West Seattle High School Theater, 7:30 pm. Ticketing info and more here. (3000 California SW)

SUMMER JAMS VOL. 2: Hot musical lineup at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

ANY CHANGES … because of the weather, please text/call us – our 24-hour hotline is 206-293-6302 – so we can update; thank you!

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Tree branch on Admiral Way
August 10, 2019 6:31 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | West Seattle weather

Thanks for the tip on this rainy (but expected to lighten later) morning! Texter reports a tree branch down in the southbound lanes of Admiral Way near City View. They’ve called SDOT (206-386-1218 is the 24-hour trouble line) and were told a crew’s on the way.

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FOLLOWUP: Fauntleroy overflow site finally gets the all-clear
August 9, 2019 11:05 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Fauntleroy overflow site finally gets the all-clear
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Sent late tonight by the King County Wastewater Treatment District:

Seattle & King County approved re-opening of a small area of Lincoln Park just north of the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal in West Seattle yesterday following two consecutive days of water quality sampling results that tested below the state threshold.

On Aug. 3, the Department of Natural Resources and Parks reported an overflow at a relief value that spilled between 200-400 gallons, most of which was cleaned up by a vactor (vacuum) truck that night.

Here’s our original report from last Saturday.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: The story behind a new mural on Alki Point
August 9, 2019 8:01 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That new mural on Alki Point is on private property, but publicly visible, and today we got to meet the artist. We found out about Elise Waelder‘s project from her uncle, Danny McMillin (who has shared some wonderful bird photos with WSB over the years). She’s painting it on the west-facing side of his garage in memory of her mom, Danny’s sister Mitzi McMillin, who had been planning to move from San Diego to Seattle before cancer took her life.

While you can see most of the mural if you’re biking, walking, skating, driving eastbound on Alki Avenue in the 3100 block, you won’t see the part above, which wraps around the garage’s southwest corner into a small private courtyard. Elise is an accomplished artist but this is the biggest mural she’s done, and she’s been visiting from California the past week-plus to paint it:

She’s on deadline to finish the mural – Saturday she heads back to San Diego, and not long after that, she’s moving cross-country to Long Island to pursue an art career full-time. You can see more of her work on Instagram.

P.S. Her mom had deep West Seattle roots, as does Danny, who tells us Mitzi was a 1974 West Seattle High School graduate “who almost singlehandedly led the WSHS girls’ Track and Field team to a state championship” that year, and later won a national pentathlon championship while studying at the University of Southern California.

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SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Ranger and the Re-arrangers, plus a special guest
August 9, 2019 7:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)

Cloudy and a bit cool last night, but that didn’t keep the audience away from this week’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show, with Ranger and the Re-arrangers.

As usual, there was dancing:

Here’s a sample of the music:

And a longer clip, courtesy of Mark Jaroslaw:

Another highlight of the night – a guest appearance by Katy Walum. She founded the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented series a decade ago:

WSB is proud to have been a community co-sponsor of the series since the start! Two more shows left on this summer’s lineup – The Highsteppers, next Thursday (August 15th) and Caspar Babypants the week after that (August 22nd), both shows at 6:30 pm, free, on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center (along Walnut south of Lander).

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WATER TAXI: Yes, service will resume Monday
August 9, 2019 5:18 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

Just in case you were wondering, we checked. King County Transportation spokesperson Travis Shofner reassures us that everything’s on track for West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi service to resume Monday morning, using the new terminal at Pier 50 downtown. Since the smaller Spirit of Kingston was on the West Seattle run before the service suspension, we also sought confirmation that the regular vessel Doc Maynard will be back. Shofner says yes, that’s on track too, with Doc Maynard expected o be “back out of dry dock and back in the water

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ELECTION RESULTS, DAY 4: Herbold passes 50% in Seattle Council District 1
August 9, 2019 3:54 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgThe last ballot count of the week is out, and it includes a milestone for Seattle City Council District 1 incumbent Lisa Herbold: She now has passed 50 percent of the vote, gaining almost three full points from the Tuesday night count:

Lisa Herbold – 13,243 – 50.61%
Phil Tavel – 8,439 – 32.25%
Brendan Kolding – 4,379 – 16.73%

Turnout in District 1 is now up to 39.94% (10 percent higher than the 2015 primary), with 27,199 ballots counted (out of 68,101 registered voters). With 27,893 ballots received, fewer than 700 remain to be counted (plus whatever trickles in via postal mail).

Herbold is the only one of the three City Council incumbents running for re-election who has hit that milestone; District 3’s Kshama Sawant now has 36.65% of the vote in a 6-candidate race; District 5’s Debora Juarez, who also has 5 challengers, leads that race with 44.98%.

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BIZNOTE: West Seattle Whole Foods update
August 9, 2019 3:16 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

13 years in the making – albeit on and off and on and off and on – but now Whole Foods Market may be just two months away from finally opening in West Seattle. Our most recent request for an official update has gone unanswered so far, but we note that the company’s job listing posted in the WSB West Seattle Jobs Offered section declares that the store in The Whittaker at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW is “opening in October.” That’s an update from the “fall” timeline announced via window wrapping last year. We took a walk around the periphery today; an open door gave a peek into the ongoing buildout activity, but nothing revelatory. More telling – the online permit files, where a recent revision included the toplines “Deleted express checkouts, deleted tap room bar and keg cooler, added self-checkouts …” along with some equipment moves for the bakery and coffee/juice bar. Other features shown in sketches include salad, soup, hot-food, and pizza bars. The store’s liquor-license application was filed three weeks ago, according to the state Liquor and Cannabis Board notice.

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SATURDAY: Backpack giveaway @ Delridge Day!
August 9, 2019 1:25 pm
|    Comments Off on SATURDAY: Backpack giveaway @ Delridge Day!
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2017 Delridge Day)

If you have elementary-, middle-, and/or high-school students in your family and they need backpacks for school, you’ll want to visit tomorrow’s Delridge Day festival. While supplies last, at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW), Eastridge Church will be on site giving away 500 backpacks filled with school supplies as part of Delridge Day. No pre-registration or proof of need required; it’s the eighth year the church – also known for its pre-Thanksgiving turkey giveaway – has done this. The festival’s happening in and around the center 11 am-3 pm tomorrow; see this preview for more about what’s planned.

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FOLLOWUP: Port reminder that window for Terminal 5 pile driving opens next week
August 9, 2019 12:14 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(Display from July 10th ceremonial groundbreaking at T-5)

The Port of Seattle/Northwest Seaport Alliance is reminding neighbors today that the window for pile-driving on the Terminal 5 modernization project is about to open. From the letter they’re circulating:

In-water work, including in-water pile driving, is limited to the period between August 15 and February 15 in order to minimize effects on migratory fish. Upland pile driving can and will occur outside the time frame for in-water pile driving.

The Terminal 5 permit conditions restrict pile driving to the following times:

• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays and legal holidays for vibratory pile driving only
• No impact pile driving is allowed on Sundays or federal holidays (except for two Sundays within each August 15 to February 15 period, restricted to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

For comments and questions, the port offers these contact methods:

• Terminal 5 community phone line: 206-787-6886
• Email: Terminal5_Outreach@portseattle.org

It’s been a month since the project’s ceremonial groundbreaking (WSB coverage here). The first phase of the project is expected to be complete in 2021, and that’s when T-5 will resume handling international cargo.

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10 for your West Seattle Friday!
August 9, 2019 10:21 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Wilson’s Warbler, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Weekend’s almost here! But first …

POKEMON-ECON: Got a Pokémon fan in the family? South Park Hall is hosting this event now until 2 pm as a fundraiser. (1253 S. Cloverdale)

WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK OPEN: Lincoln Park wading pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open until 8 pm, Hiawatha wading pool (Walnut/Lander) is open noon-6:30 pm, and the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open until 8 pm.

BINGO! 11 am-2:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)

LEMONADE STAND TO HELP REFUGEES/IMMIGRANTS: 3:30-5:30 pm at Fauntleroy ferry dock, as previewed last night, kids from Taproot School will be selling lemonade to help immigrant/refugee families. (4829 SW Barton)

FREE TACOS: Visit Ounces between 5 and 9 pm for free tacos from the Qt food truck. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: 5:30 pm, dinner’s available for purchase; 6 pm, music begins. The Loose Heels‘ country covers continue the series tonight. Free, bring your own chair/blanket. South side of Providence Mount St. Vincent campus. (4831 35th SW)

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: GreenStage presents “Taming of the Shrew” at 7 pm in Lincoln Park. Free! (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

ART LOUNGE: Highland Park Improvement Club‘s monthly open night for artists starts at 7 pm. Bar’s open! (1116 SW Holden)

‘9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL’: New Twelfth Night Productions show debuts tonight at the West Seattle High School Theater, 7:30 pm. Ticketing info and more here. (3000 California SW)

DEAL, A JERRY GARCIA CELEBRATION: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, $8 cover, 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

LOTS MORE! See it all on our complete calendar.

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Sell or shop at Highland Park Improvement Club’s giant garage sale
August 9, 2019 10:06 am
|    Comments Off on Sell or shop at Highland Park Improvement Club’s giant garage sale
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

Can’t wait till next year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day but don’t want to have your own sale? Solution: Highland Park Improvement Club‘s big annual sale is coming up and tables are available! From Donna at HPIC:

Saturday, September 7, 9 am-3 pm

Come join us for a great day!

Rent a table and space now!

Indoor and outdoor tables/spaces still available.

This yard sale draws a huge crowd. We sell food and have a bar open all day. It’s a good time at HPIC! Come join the fun and make some cash!

Email hpic1919@gmail.com to reserve your table now!

$15/members
$20/non-members (memberships start at $20!!!)

Tables are going fast! Seller keeps all profits.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch
August 9, 2019 6:57 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

6:57 AM: Good morning!

NO WATER TAXI SERVICE: Another day without the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes, because of the downtown dock move. Route 773 and Route 775 shuttles are still running. We’ll be checking this morning for confirmation of whether service is still on track to resume Monday.

STADIUM ZONE: Mariners home game tonight, 7 pm vs. Tampa.

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SLOW BUSES: County Executive offers new hope for alternate Metro routing
August 8, 2019 10:17 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(C coach seen by Will on 4th Tuesday. Metro told us at the time it wasn’t route-testing, but …)

During the pm commute hours today, Metro routed West Seattle-bound buses off 1st Avenue to avert a pre-Seahawks traffic jam, even though the transit system started the week by saying alternate routing wasn’t really a option to relieve the chronic crunch. And suddenly there’s hope it might be an option after all. That came in the form of this statement from King County Executive Dow Constantine, billed :

Since before the Viaduct closure and demolition earlier this year, our community planned together for the ‘Seattle Squeeze’ – several years of construction that makes getting around downtown and the region challenging. We survived ‘Via-doom’ thanks to extraordinary efforts by transportation agencies and the public, who adjusted their schedules and routes.

This summer, downtown commuters have been frustrated as Metro travel times worsened due to continued work on the waterfront, preparations for expanded light rail service in 2021, new commercial developments, and other factors. Riders to West Seattle, Burien, and other locations using the SR99 corridor have experienced especially slow peak commutes in the afternoon.

We have taken steps to ease these impacts, but we are not satisfied and are committed to doing more. King County Metro staff continue to work together with the Seattle Department of Transportation to help keep buses, people, and goods moving.

With the opening this winter of a transit corridor on Columbia Street to the waterfront, and a new Alaskan Way South with transit priority in 2021, the situation will improve. But we are not willing to wait, and pledge to do all we can together to keep buses moving through this challenging period.

Tonight’s Seahawks game provides us the chance to see how an alternate rerouted pathway that uses Fourth Avenue South would work until Alaskan Way is once again open for buses. We hope it is successful and that we will learn new information that offers better solutions. But the downtown Seattle grid is at maximum capacity, and there are challenges with every option available to us.

Our future lies in a robust light rail and bus network, and a waterfront open to all. As the region rapidly evolves, we will do everything in our power to ensure the Seattle Squeeze becomes a minor inconvenience rather than a major headache.

So far we’ve heard mostly positive reviews; we’ll ask tomorrow about what will happen with that “new information.”

Two other related notes:

-City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is asking the mayor to get involved.

-West Seattle bus rider Charlotte has launched an online petition to urge that the buses be moved off 1st. You can “sign” it here.

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FRIDAY: Another West Seattle lemonade-stand fundraiser for immigrant/refugee families
August 8, 2019 9:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

The photo and announcement were sent by Randee:

Immigrant Families Together has put a call out to kids for lemonade stands to raise money for immigrant families. The kids at Taproot School are answering that call.

From 3:30 to 5:30 at the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal on August 9th, the families from Taproot School will be selling lemonade with all proceeds going to Immigrant Families Together. We want to not only raise money, but also to raise awareness and to inspire others to have their own stands to raise money for Immigrant Families Together.

Immigrant Families Together is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization working to keep families together by providing bond money for parents, legal services, safe housing, clothing, food, cellphones among other vital services to help families have the best possible chance at receiving asylum.

For more information about how to help immigrant families stay together, hosting your own lemonade stand and to donate directly, please go (here).

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Scenes from August’s West Seattle Art Walk, with music
August 8, 2019 6:43 pm
|    Comments Off on Scenes from August’s West Seattle Art Walk, with music
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

6:43 PM: The first “Art of Music” performance is happening on the southwest Walk All Ways corner at California/Alaska, as the August West Seattle Art Walk continues. The duo is How Short (Josh Hou and Andy Short). They’re scheduled to play until 7:30 pm, the first of a series of Art Walk-night performances presented by the West Seattle Junction Association. And of course, you’ll find art at multiple venues in The Junction and beyond:

That’s Amber Leaders, featured artist at Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor); the photo’s from Click! co-proprietor John Smersh. She’s there until 8; read more about her prints, cards, and pins on the Click! website. The full Art Walk map/venue list is in our preview.

ADDED 9:18 PM: If you’ve seen the posters/cards for this quarter’s Art Walks, you’ve seen Whitney LaRene‘s work:

Her work is featured this month at Flying Apron in The Junction (4709 California SW) – remember that most artists’ work can be seen (often with purchase information if you’re interested) all month long, not just on Art Walk Night. We also stopped at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), showing work by Nikki Hobensack:

Next West Seattle Art Walk: September 12th!

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