day : 31/08/2021 11 results

Also tomorrow: Days/hours expand at most Seattle Public Library branches, including the five in West Seattle and South Park. From the SPL announcement:

Delridge Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

High Point Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

South Park Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Southwest Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

West Seattle Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

(Masks required.) The announcement also notes that SPL “will continue to restore hours of operation as staffing levels permit, and seeks to return to full, pre-pandemic, 7-day service, including evening hours, by the end of October.”

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Classes start tomorrow for most West Seattle students

August 31, 2021 8:37 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The return to full-time in-person learning continues tomorrow for thousands of West Seattle students. It’s the first day of classes for 1st through 12th graders at Seattle Public Schools, as well as for Hope Lutheran School and for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School. Even if you don’t have a student in your household, be mindful of school zones for safety’s sake – expect more buses, cars, and students walking/biking. Here’s a map of SPS campuses in West Seattle:

Note that, as we’ve reported, West Seattle Elementary is spending the year at the former Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane) while its expansion building is under construction. Also remember that, as announced last week, there’s a new school-zone speed-enforcement camera in West Seattle, on 35th SW near Our Lady of Guadalupe. Here’s the citywide list of not only school-zone cameras and the times they’re supposed to be on, but also flashing school-zone 20 mph reminder beacons. … After tomorrow, there are more first days to come later this week and next – here’s our full list of who starts/started when. Good luck to all, and if there’s news from/at your school, please let us know!

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‘Art of Music’ returns at next West Seattle Art Walk

August 31, 2021 6:08 pm

| Comments Off on ‘Art of Music’ returns at next West Seattle Art Walk

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

September’s West Seattle Art Walk is coming up a week from Thursday – on September 9th – and it marks the return of “Art of Music”:

Many of you may remember the delight of live music paired with Second Thursday Art Walk in the last half of 2019. Art of Music brought family-friendly instrumental and vocal music to outdoor and indoor venues in the Alaska Junction, thanks to the passion and drive of project originator and coordinator John Redenbaugh.

We are thrilled to announce that, after the hiatus of 2020, John is bringing Art of Music back – and now to Admiral as well as the Alaska Junction! Mark your calendars for these Second Thursday West Seattle Art Walks:

September 9 • October 14 • November 11 • December 9

The September 9 event will feature award-winning bassist and jazz vocalist Marina Christopher at the KeyBank Plaza in Alaska Junction and harpist Alyvia Miller at the Welcome Road Winery in Admiral Junction. Venues for October, November and December are being finalized as we write. Verity Credit Union will host in October. Each venue will have two sets of music from 6pm to 7:40pm, with a 10 minute break in-between.

You can read more about it on the WSAW website.

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VACCINATION: West Seattle pop-ups tonight, Friday

August 31, 2021 4:08 pm

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| Coronavirus | High Point | Highland Park

If you or someone in your family is looking for outdoor public vaccination clinics – here are two in West Seattle this week. As previously mentioned, a vaccination pop-up is planned during tonight’s Created Commons event at Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW, north of the P-Patch), 6-8 pm. And Neighborhood House High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW) is hosting a clinic 4-6 pm Friday (September 3rd) in the parking lot behind the building. Both are offering Pfizer, which means people 12+ can get vaccinated. No appointment needed for either clinic.

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UPDATE: ‘Possible threat’ leads to brief school lockdown at Summit Atlas

August 31, 2021 2:43 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school in Arbor Heights, was in lockdown for a little more than an hour this morning because of what was described in an email to parents as a “possible threat.” We called after a text from a reader; the school told us the lockdown was over and parents would get an explanation via email. One parent forwarded what was sent, in which the school said:

This morning, we responded to a report of a possible threat to our campus. When an incident occurs on our campus, we act quickly, we collaborate with the community and with local law enforcement, and we communicate with you promptly. The situation was resolved quickly, and all students are safe.

Our students’ safety is always our top priority and consistent with our safety protocols, our school building did go on lock down for approximately 70 minutes while the Seattle Police conducted a thorough investigation. …

Police say what information they have so far indicates the incident involved “an unfounded report of a weapon at the school.”

ADDED WEDNESDAY: The police summary that’s now available adds a few more details:

On 08-31-2021 at 0902 hours, officers responded to a school due to a student emailing a teacher about students bringing guns to the school. The school went into lockdown and units responded. The principal and officers spoke with the student about what they had heard. It became apparent quickly that the timeline of events given by the student was not possible. Officers did a check of the property for anything out of place. The school released from lockdown and thanked officers.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Early-morning gunfire; police chief’s plea

August 31, 2021 12:45 pm

| 35 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

The city’s sharp rise in gunfire is in the spotlight today. First, a reader report on a West Seattle incident, from Anthony:

Just after 6:30 this morning, my wife and I were riding our bikes down Fairmount Ave and rounded the first corner just as the passenger in a stopped pickup truck fired three shots from a handgun (small caliber based on the sound) into the hillside at the first pullout on the right hand side. The truck, what looked like a mid-’90s white Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra, took off down the hill towards Harbor Ave. Unfortunately I didn’t get a good look at the vehicle occupants or license plate. We immediately stopped, turned around, and went back to the top of Fairmount and called the police. Several officers responded quickly and I gave them the information I had.

This was just a few hours before Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz and two other city leaders held an online briefing/Q&A session for reporters to talk about the city’s ongoing wave of violence involving people using guns.

He said the incidents were happening at an “unrelenting pace.” Diaz said police are doing what they can, with dozens of gun-related arrests and 700 guns seized so far, but the overall numbers are daunting: Citywide, 380 incidents this year involving gunfire – that’s 100 more than this time last year, 150 more than this time in 2019. Of this year’s incidents, 104 involved injuries or deaths. The city has had 35 homicide victims so far this year – two of those “delayed” (from incidents in previous years), and three-quarters were shooting victims, the chief said. He repeated that the department is understaffed; there’s money to hire officers but hiring is not keeping up with the pace of attrition.

The City Council was represented at the event by Councilmember Alex Pedersen, who said he hopes his colleagues will support money for recruiting and hiring incentives; midyear budget decisions are coming up in two weeks. Also participating was Rex Brown, who leads the city Human Services Department’s Safe and Thriving Communities division; he talked about city investments in community-safety programs, saying they’re addressing “risk factors” at the “societal and community levels.” The chief, too, acknowledged it’s a many-faceted problem, saying that it’s not just an increase in gunfire involving youth violence but also mental-health issues, such as road rage. Regardless of staffing levels, he said, police need community support for the violence to stop: “Talk to your friends and family, (tell them) ‘guns are not the answer’.”

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Here’s what’s up for the rest of your West Seattle Tuesday!

August 31, 2021 11:11 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunday’s sunset – photo sent by Linda)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:

MOD PIZZA BOGO: The custom-pizza chain is debuting a new plant-based sausage today and if you order it on your pizza today, a second pizza will be free. MOD has two West Seattle locations, The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW) and Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton).

LAFAYETTE PTA ‘DINE-OUT’ EVENT: The Lafayette Elementary PTA is teaming up with Good Society Brewery and Public House, which is also at California/Lander, just south of the school. Here’s the announcement:

Tuesday, 8/31, 3-10 pm’

If you are comfortable and would like to support Lafayette, we are partnering with our neighbor across the street, Good Society Brewery, to host a Dine Out. Mention “Lafayette PTA” and a % of proceeds will be donated back to the Lafayette PTA. It will be a great chance to support a local business, enjoy great beer & food, and support our students.

In addition, a food truck, 314 Pie, will be parked at Good Society from 4 pm – 7 pm, and the street in front of Good Society will be blocked off for kids (and their adults) to enjoy games. Please note that no Lafayette teachers or staff will be at the fundraiser.

(added) SPS TOWN HALL: Tomorrow is back-to-school day for most Seattle Public Schools students. 4:30 pm today, the district’s having an online town hall – here’s how to attend.

DEMONSTRATION: The weekly announcement from organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign waving

Tuesday, August 31, 4:30 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come build awareness & stimulate actions to tear down the systems that have oppressed Black lives for over 400 years on this continent. Hold signs, meet neighbors and stand for racial justice. Scott at Puget Ridge Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

CREATED COMMONS CONTINUES: This first-of-its-kind series of events celebrating art and science continues with a 6 pm commemoration of International Overdose Awareness Day, with “art, poetry, health science, remembrance, recovery.” The Created Commons stage is in Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW), just north of the P-Patch. (You can get vaccinated at tonight’s event, too.)

LIVE MUSIC: 6 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), Dain Norman performs 1960s-inspired rock ‘n’ roll.

TOASTMASTERS: 6:30 pm online, West Seattle Toastmasters Club 832 would love to see you!

There’s more on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!

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BIZNOTE: West Seattle Thriftway parking-lot work this week

August 31, 2021 10:05 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

If you’re going grocery-shopping at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor), note that parking is a bit constrained for the next few days because of sealing and striping. Work started yesterday in the north half of the main lot, which is scheduled to reopen this morning, with work then continuing in the southeast (back) lot through tomorrow morning, and concluding in the south half of the main lot through Thursday morning. The store remains open and accessible.

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Walk-through art experience LumenAwesome in West Seattle this week

August 31, 2021 9:16 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

With no Burning Man this year, would-be participants are bringing the experience to their neighborhoods this week via Art Compass Northwest, and one is here in West Seattle. On (corrected) Wednesday and Thursday nights, you’re invited to walk through LumenAwesome at a home in Alki. James sent the announcement:

I’m an Alki resident wanting to inform the community about a free presentation of art at my home in connection with Art Compass Northwest – a local organization of art events occurring on what would be the week of Burning Man. Come walk through a socially-distant collection of light, flame, and interactive art. This event is all outdoors, and we ask everyone to wear a mask while wandering through the driveway and yard. Again, anyone and everyone is invited, and this event is very family friendly.

Featuring art by:

Studio OctoEyes
Yalewolf
Fullmetal Algorist

LumenAwesome is happening Wednesday and Thursday nights (September 1st-2nd), 7-10 pm; the address is mapped here. To see the other Seattle “experiences,” explore the night-by-night Art Compass NW guide here.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday notes

August 31, 2021 6:04 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:04 AM: Good morning! Another chilly day expected today – Monday’s high was only 64, 12 degrees below normal for this time of year.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Here’s our list of start dates. Two West Seattle schools started Monday, one earlier this month, but tomorrow is the really big day, with most Seattle Public Schools students (and others) returning.

ROAD WORK

West Marginal/Highland Park intersection – Westbound lanes are getting paved this morning, until about 9 am, so be alert for lane closures.

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

Delridge project – No side street closures this week but work contnues on curbs, sidewalks, landscaping, more.

Spokane Street Viaduct – Still awaiting a new date for the deck-scan work.

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

526th 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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WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: Bridge catchup, light-rail lookahead, 16th SW slowdown hopes

August 31, 2021 1:03 am

| 22 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

This month’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting provided an opportunity to catch up on some of our area’s biggest projects.

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE & VICINITY: Two guests from SDOT were there. Danielle Friedman recapped key points from the Community Task Force‘s most-recent meeting (WSB coverage here) – repair work starting this fall (she said “October or November”), Reconnect West Seattle projects continuing including the West Marginal/Highland Park Way intersection and temporary signal at Duwamish Longhouse “starting any minute now” (but that too will be primarily weekend work, she said).

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