day : 25/08/2021 12 results

That’s the aerial view of a – distanced! – neighborhood celebration this past weekend on Pigeon Point. Robert Shampain sent the video, report, and photos:

On Sunday, August 22, The Pigeon Point Neighborhood of West Seattle (just south of our Once-and-Future West Seattle Bridge) hosted the “Pigeon Point Back-Together-In-Person Get-together” near Pathfinder K-8 School. It was sponsored by a Small Sparks Grant from the Department of Neighborhoods, along with several local businesses, and it was a huge success!

Over 200 people attended during the afternoon, and enjoyed free tacos from West Seattle’s own El Chapulin Oaxaqueño taco truck along with lots of other food and drink, wonderful music by 5 local resident professionals (Brian Cutler, Nick Droz, Scott Herman, Ellaina Lewis, and Gabi Montoya), and presentations by the Duwamish Tribe’s Ken Workman, the new Pathfinder K-8 Principal and Vice Principal, the “Ridge-to- River” and West Duwamish Greenbelt trails project, PREP (Puget Ridge Edible Park), and DNDA (Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association).

There were a lot of kids-and-family events, like “Nature Art” with the Nature Consortium’s Jules Hepp and Jen Paur of “Tiny Science,” who brought all sorts of wonderful insects and information on bugs to share. Cindi Barker from the West Seattle Emergency Hubs had an information booth, as did the West Seattle SkyLink project, who had asked to attend. It really was an amazing afternoon. And best of all, neighbors all pitched in to clean up so well at the end, you couldn’t even tell how much fun had been had!

WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Seal pup rescued at Alki

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Thanks to Steyn Benade of Always Local Photos for that pic and word that a harbor-seal pup was rescued at Alki Beach today. We asked David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network what happened; he sent this photo and response:

A very young harbor seal pup was responded to by Seal Sitters today at Alki Beach. Volunteers established a perimeter and watched over the pup during the early afternoon. Given its poor body condition – it was very thin – it was felt that an intervention was required. SR3 in Des Moines was contacted and they arrived, captured the pup, and provided transport to their facility. On initial examination, it was determined that this was a nursing-age pup with no attending mother. Hopefully rehab will be successful.

We don’t know why the pup was abandoned, but if humans/pets get too close, that can scare the mom away from returning to her pup. (Both of the photos were taken with long lenses.) If you see a marine mammal on a West Seattle beach – or in distress offshore – call Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 206-905-SEAL.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Apartment burglary; abandoned tricycle

August 25, 2021 7:44 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

APARTMENT BURGLARY: Una says this happened while she was out of town:

I wanted to alert you and by extension the community that my apartment was broken into. I live in a secured access building near the Junction that was broken into around 3:30 am on August 23rd. The thieves hammered at the lock multiple times until it finally broke. My own security footage picked up sounds of door tampering on the 16th, 17th, and 20th as well. They appear to have known that apartment was empty. Items stolen include: phones, hard drive, fine jewelry, costume jewelry, perfumes, sunglasses, and dozens of pieces of personal affects (letters, cards, marathon medals).

Una says building management apparently has images of the burglar(s) but has not made them available.

ABANDONED TRICYCLE: From Jason:

This SmarTrike was likely stolen and dumped by my house. It is located on the north side of SW Genesee just west of 26th across from the golf course. It’s in excellent condition and probably new.

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UPDATE: RV fire closes 2nd SW

August 25, 2021 6:41 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

6:41 PM: Thanks for the tips. 2nd SW is still closed south of Highland Park Way while that RV fire is investigated. We talked to SFD at the scene; they say no one was hurt.

7:48 PM: The call has closed, so the street should be open again.

ADDED THURSDAY: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Fire investigators ruled the incident as undetermined with an estimated loss of $800. Crews report the fire started within an encampment and extended to an RV and two vehicles. No occupants were present at the time of the incident and no injuries were reported.”

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Deck-scan plans

August 25, 2021 4:27 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, taken atop the bridge last week)

Next week, SDOT plans a “deck scan” of the Spokane Street Viaduct – that’s the section of the West Seattle Bridge that’s still open, east of 99. The announcement explains, “A deck scan is one way we understand the condition and performance of our streets and bridges to keep them safe and durable. … Our contractor will be conducting the deck scan to identify any potential defects with the following tools: A sound scan that uses sophisticated audio equipment to listen to the road with an array of microphones. The scan notes changes in acoustic response as it drives over the roadway, which helps us identify spots on the concrete deck that may result into future potholes. … Ground penetrating radar (that) uses electromagnetic waves to locate potential concrete delamination – or a layer of unbonded concrete – on the deck. Finally, we’ll use an overhead 4K camera to complete infrared imaging to take an in-depth view of the surface of the roadway.” This work won’t close the SSV but will lead to slowdowns, 7 am-5 pm Monday (August 30th) through Friday (September 3rd) next week. SDOT says a deck scan also is planned for “closed portions of the West Seattle Bridge and streets and ramps leading to it.” The north half of the Spokane Street Viaduct is less than a decade old, completed in 2012.

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HELPING: Volunteer cleanup brightens part of Highland Park/South Delridge, and you can help make another one happen

August 25, 2021 2:15 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Environment | Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news

Want to feel as good as those volunteers felt after a community cleanup in Highland Park/South Delridge? You can help neighbor Vivian McPeak – who sent the report and photos – organize another one:

Last weekend Seattle Hempfest teamed up with The Full Spectrum (America’s only LGTBQIA+ cannabis advocacy group) to send our volunteers out into multiple Pac NW communities to pick up trash and discarded plastics. We called the project The Great Community GreenSweep.

We hit neighborhoods in Lake City, Capitol Hill, Mukilteo, Tacoma, and West Seattle, to name a few. In West Seattle, we focused on the area of Highland Park at Delridge north of Roxbury all the way to Henderson … up and down Henderson to Barton, and up to 16th Ave SW, cleaning areas that were seriously strewn with litter and trash on both sides of the street and sidewalks. Those areas are now nearly pristine and looked as if they had not been cleaned for some time.

TommySound on Delridge hosted our safety training and served as a meeting space.

There is still a lot of trash on Henderson (especially around the bus stop near Barton) and surrounding streets. I personally live near 16th and Henderson. I am wondering if there are others in my neighborhood who would be willing to join me on some coming weekend to finish the job? Anyone interested can contact me at director@hempfest.org

McPeak is “especially concerned about discarded single-use plastics that break down into microplastics and end up washed into drains bound for Puget Sound, where they pose a potential threat to wildlife and the biosphere.”

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Utility work on 509, 99 early Friday

August 25, 2021 1:21 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

If you’re planning to travel south of West Seattle early Friday, be aware of this alert from Seattle City Light:

Seattle City Light crews will be replacing overhead fiberoptic cables over State Route (SR) 99 and 509. The reliability work will result in traffic impacts on Aug. 27.

To complete this work safely, Washington State Patrol troopers and construction crews must intermittently conduct rolling slowdowns of traffic in both directions of SR 99 and 509 to ensure safe work operations and passage for motorists. Traffic will be intercepted and escorted at slow speeds up to 15 minutes as crews pull overhead cables across the freeways. Traffic will return to normal speeds once vehicles pass the work area.

Rolling slowdowns will occur from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Friday, August 27. Construction will impact vehicle traffic on SR 99 and 509 in the following areas:

State Route 99

Northbound: South 116th Way/Tukwila International Boulevard to South 96th Street
Southbound: South Kenyon Street to South 100th Street

State Route 509

Northbound: South 96th Street to South 128th Street
Southbound: South Kenyon Street to South 106th Street

Side note: This is similar to the work that went awry in the early morning hours of August 18th, leading to a major power outage and highway closure.

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MAKE MUSIC! West Seattle Community Orchestras’ signup time

August 25, 2021 12:16 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Both youth and adult instrumental musicians are welcome to register now for the fall 2021 season of the West Seattle Community Orchestras. Here’s the announcement we received:

We’re slowly making our way back! As we announce our plans to reopen, please understand that WSCO may need to delay, limit, or cancel its Fall 2021 session in order to keep everyone safe.

Important changes to this year’s Fall session:

Registration will be open for a limited time only! Register at www.wscorchestras.org/register by September 14th. Registration does not guarantee participation. Ensemble size will be limited based on the number of people that can be safely accommodated. You will be notified prior to the start of the session if space in an ensemble is full.

ALL participants 12 years and older must show proof of vaccination at the time of registration. Accommodations may be made for those who are unable to be vaccinated due to a medical condition. Unvaccinated students under 12 years old may participate with string instruments only (no winds).

Wind Symphony will not be rehearsing for Fall 2021. Wind players that are vaccinated are encouraged to register for other ensembles with the understanding that there is a strong likelihood that WSCO may need to proceed with a “strings-only” season.

Auditions and all rehearsals will take place at Fauntleroy Church. Please visit wscorchestras.org for specific dates and times.

Please see WSCO’s COVID-19 Safety Policies and Procedures for additional information.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this new territory. As we all await the coming months with hopeful anticipation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to manager@wscorchestras.org with any questions or concerns.

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BIZNOTE: Young Arbor Heights entrepreneurs wrap up summer with roadside jewelry shop

August 25, 2021 11:24 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | West Seattle news

Thanks to Lisa for the photos and report. She found Liv & Sawyer’s Jewelry Shop while out on a walk in Arbor Heights, and reports they are “making and selling colorful band bracelets (and chokers). Their business is at the corner of 36th Ave SW and 102nd. Several colors to choose from.”

Lisa says Liv and Sawyer are out there again today, making and selling jewelry until about 3 pm.

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CORONAVIRUS: 5 nearby vaccine pop-ups in the week ahead

August 25, 2021 10:21 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Ready to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Five pop-up clinics are planned nearby in the week ahead:

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Just found out about this one moments ago. Today until noon, plus 1-3 pm, and again 9 am-noon plus 1-7 pm tomorrow (Thursday, August 26th) in the north parking lot of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), 6000 16th SW. Open to anyone 12+, offering the Pfizer vaccine,

WHITE CENTER LIBRARY: 1-6 pm today at White Center Library, 1409 SW 107th.

WESTCREST PARK: Two pop-ups are planned during the nine-day Created Commons event at Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW) – 1:30-7:30 pm (updated) Sunday (August 29th), 6-8 pm next Tuesday (August 31st), offering Pfizer and the one-dose J&J.

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Memorial service planned September 9th for Denice M. Kirkland, 1957-2021

August 25, 2021 9:09 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather September 9th to remember Denice M. Kirkland. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with her community:

Denice Marie Kirkland (Drawdy) passed away June 3rd, 2021. She is now in the company of others who passed before her; her husband Darryl Kirkland, brothers Darryl Drawdy and Mark Drawdy.

Born in Seattle on 1-4-57 to Quincy and Luella Drawdy, she was the middle child, spending her whole life growing up with two older brothers and two younger brothers.

She would graduate from Chief Sealth High School in 1975 and later married Darryl Kirkland. Together, they had their son Curtis, born in 1983. Denice had a beautiful smile and a unique hearty laugh; She especially loved to celebrate birthdays. On holidays like Easter and Christmas, she kept a mile-long list of friends and relatives to which she sent traditional greeting cards each year. Almost every day, she copied scriptures from her many bibles and devotionals.

She wrote it all down more than once and knew it all very well. She loved Jesus and resembled him in many ways doing her best to follow his example. She was reasonably happy in this life without him and is now supremely happy with him forever in the next. She is survived by her son Curtis Kirkland and brothers Larry Drawdy and Jeffrey Drawdy. We all miss her very much.

On September 9th at 11 am, a memorial service and lunch will be held at the West Seattle Junction Church, located at 4157 California Ave. SW.

In her honor, donations can be made to the Senior Center of West Seattle at 4217 SW Oregon St., Seattle, WA 98116.

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

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday begins

August 25, 2021 6:07 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning. Enjoy today’s sunshine -tomorrow’s forecast brings back the clouds.

ROAD WORK

26th SW & beyond – Northbound 26th SW closure continues between Roxbury and Barton.

Delridge project – Most major work is done – here’s this week’s plan.

Beach Drive – Tree trimming for utility lines is scheduled to continuein the 5900-6500 blocks.

SW Alaska – “Red bus lane material and green cross bike markings” are scheduled for continued installation work tonight.

TRANSIT

Buses are on regular schedules – except for the rerouting in RapidRise H Line work zones. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations.

For ferries and water taxis, regular schedule. Watch @wsferries for updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

520th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden – No camera for a few weeks (explained here)

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:

Are draw/swing bridges opening for boats or barges? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed will tell you. (1st Ave. South Bridge openings also are tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.)

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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