West Seattle, Washington

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month : 08/2021 315 results

ELECTION 2021: Second round of primary results
August 4, 2021 6:33 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgNo changes of note in the second round of primary-election results, announced this afternoon. All local races still have the same two leaders as last night. Here are the full results from King County Elections, which has counted ballots from 19 percent of King County voters, 21 percent of Seattle voters, so far, and will continue daily counts until the election is certified:

MAYOR

Bruce Harrell – 39,173 – 38.02%
M. Lorena González – 29,467 – 28.60%
Colleen Echohawk – 8,872 – 8.61%
Jessyn Farrell – 7,752 – 7.52%
Arthur K. Langlie – 6,120 – 5.94%
Casey Sixkiller – 3,678 – 3.57%
Andrew Grant Houston – 2,570 – 2.49%
James Donaldson – 1,679 – 1.63%
Lance Randall – 1,525 – 1.48%
Clinton Bliss – 928 – 0.90%
Bobby Tucker – 244 – 0.24%
Omari Tahir-Garrett – 233 – 0.23%
Stan Lippmann – 220 – 0.21%
Henry C. Dennison – 213 – 0.21%
Don L. Rivers – 123 – 0.12%

CITY ATTORNEY

Ann Davison – 34,523 – 34.92%
Pete Holmes – 32,285 – 32.66%
Nicole Thomas-Kennedy – 31,734 – 32.10%

CITY COUNCIL POSITION 8

Teresa Mosqueda – 52,862 – 54.99%
Kenneth Wilson – 17,485 – 18.19%
Kate Martin – 12,018 – 12.50%
Paul Felipe Glumaz – 5,495 – 5.72%
Alexander White – 1,482 – 1.54%
Bobby Lindsey Miller – 1,245 – 1.30%
Jesse James – 1,225 – 1.27%
George Freeman – 1,036 – 1.08%
Jordan Elizabeth Fisher – 1,002 – 1.04%
Alex Tsimerman – 613 – 0.64%
Brian Fahey – 530 – 0.55%

CITY COUNCIL POSITION 9

Sara Nelson – 42,841 – 42.78%
Nikkita Oliver – 35,082 – 35.03%
Brianna K. Thomas – 14,127 – 14.11%
Corey Eichner – 4,066 – 4.06%
Lindsay McHaffie – 1,767 – 1.76%
Rebecca L. Williamson – 1,053 – 1.05%
Xtian Gunther – 818 – 0.82%

COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Dow Constantine – 141,289 – 53.64%
Joe Nguyen – 78,173 – 29.68%
Bill Hirt – 30,528 – 11.59%
Goodspaceguy – 7,801 – 2.96%
Johnathon Crines – 4,314 – 1.64 %

COUNTY PROP 1 (“BEST STARTS FOR KIDS”)

Approved – 157,953 – 59.28%
Rejected – 108,521 – 40.72%

County Executive Dow Constantine was the main champion of the measure, so we asked him about it during our interview last night in Georgetown:

As of the 6 pm check tonight, 32 percent of King County ballots had been received; 39 percent of Seattle ballots are in.

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NIGHT OUT: Westwood Village event next week
August 4, 2021 5:29 pm
|    Comments Off on NIGHT OUT: Westwood Village event next week
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

(SPD photo from High Point Night Out event last night)

Though National Night Out is usually on the first Tuesday in August (here’s our coverage from last night), some have chosen other nights for parties. That includes Westwood Village, which is teaming with Seattle Police for a Night Out event one week from tomorrow, 6-8 pm Thursday, August 12th. From the WWV announcement:

To promote police-community partnerships, members of the Seattle Police Department will distribute free giveaways to event attendees during Westwood Village’s National Night Out event, held on the north side of the shopping center in the parking lot near Bed Bath & Beyond. There will also be a live DJ and activities for children, including a face painter, balloon twister, and a kids chalk area where children can make their very own chalk masterpieces. This event is free and open to the public; no pre-registration is required.

The center is at 2600 SW Barton.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green GMC pickup; more catalytic-converter theft
August 4, 2021 3:47 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green GMC pickup; more catalytic-converter theft
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reader reports:

STOLEN PICKUP: From Brian:

Stolen: Green 1996 GMC Sonoma pickup last night – August 3. WA license: C19646W. It was parked on the corner of SW Beach Dr. / SW Carroll St. next to La Rustica restaurant.

The truck has a few more dents than this picture shows, has a cracked windshield, and there is a lot of paint splattered on tailgate.

Call 911 if you see it.

CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFT: From Benjamin: “Just reporting another cat stolen, off of my Honda Element near the Junction at 45th and Genesee; taken sometime last weekend.”

CC THEFT ATTEMPT: From Josh:

We’re just north of the intersection of SW 109th and 26th Ave SW. Somebody pulled up at noon and started cutting our neighbor’s cat out in broad daylight. I called the cops; they drove away without being caught (typical story…) but they were driving a white Chevy Equinox with a bright pink, large, Seahawks sticker on the back. 2 guys, one guy had a darker complexion with braided hair, white shirt, BRIGHT yellow shoes, The other guy was a white guy, had jeans and green shirt. This is the first in our neighborhood but I’m sure it won’t be the last.Thought you could post this and see if anyone has seen the same two guys.

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FOLLOWUP: Contractor chosen for Lowman Beach Park seawall, tennis-court removal
August 4, 2021 1:56 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB June photo of soon-to-be-removed seawall)

We reported in coverage of last month’s Morgan Community Association meeting that Seattle Parks was close to choosing a contractor for the Lowman Beach Park project that will remove the seawall and tennis court and restore a more-natural shoreline. Announced today, the contractor is McClung Construction of Buckley, awarded a $1.2 million contract, according to Parks’ project manager Janice Liang. They’ll start mobilizing in early September, which means partial closure of the park; Parks says that “includes beach access, tennis court and trail access. Public access to a portion of the lawn and playground area will be maintained.” The failing seawall used to continue across the south half of the park’s shore, but that part was removed in the 1990s; the new work will not only expand the sandy beach area, but will also daylight part of Pelly Creek. (added) Construction is expected to last at least eight months.

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You asked, so we asked: Here’s why Junction Plaza Park kinetic sculpture is partly covered
August 4, 2021 1:00 pm
|    Comments Off on You asked, so we asked: Here’s why Junction Plaza Park kinetic sculpture is partly covered
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

Thanks for the tip! The Junction Plaza Park kinetic sculpture’s new wood framing has caught some attention. We asked Lora Radford at the West Seattle Junction Association. She says it’s related to the ongoing renovations at Alaska House, the apartment building whose south-facing wall it abuts – painting and other work is planned for the building, so this was done to protect the sculpture. In case you’re new – the sculpture, by local artist Troy Pillow, was installed and dedicated in 2016.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Stolen car recovered after burglary/theft suspect ‘returns’ it
August 4, 2021 11:02 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We have a followup this morning on a West Seattle Crime Watch reader report from Tuesday. Patricia reported that her lime-green Kia Soul was stolen by a burglar who broke into her home (in north Westwood) and took her keys, among other things.

This morning – her car turned up … outside her home!

Patricia’s wife explained in a text that they had quickly canceled cards and changed locks on their home and remaining car after Tuesday’s break-in and theft. Then early today, the stolen car turned up on their security camera, as they heard someone trying their door:

We were a little nervous going to bed on Tuesday. We made sure our phones had volume on and loud. When burglar came back, the Ring notification woke us up and we called 911. Police came within 5 minutes and were able to catch the guy. He was down the cul-de-sac, rifling through another car. Police saw his shadow and gave pursuit. We were shocked to say the least, that he came back in Trish’s car, essentially returning the car to us. After the police arrested him, we cleaned out Trish’s car. (Lots of junk he acquired in a day.)

By the way, for those who ask about this sometimes – the preliminary police report says security-camera video from both incidents is among the evidence factoring into the arrest. We’re working to find out more about the suspect and will add that when we have it.

SIDE NOTE: Police say a similar incident happened in Seaview this morning – a burglar broke into a home, stole keys, and took a car (hours after the above arrest, so not the same person). We haven’t heard from the victim in that case and don’t have a description of the vehicle but will publish a separate report if any of that comes in.

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WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: City Light briefing, Flutes in the Forest, more
August 4, 2021 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: City Light briefing, Flutes in the Forest, more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday photo by Robin Sinner)

Reminders of what’s happening in the hours ahead:

CITY LIGHT PROJECT MEETING: Noon today online, Seattle City Light offers a community briefing about the next big underground-improvement project, in the Brace Point area, as previewed here. Register to get the link by going here.

FLUTES IN THE FOREST: Free outdoor concert in Schmitz Park (enter from Admiral/Stevens), 4-5 pm – details in our calendar listing.

(corrected) AT ADMIRAL PUB: Tom Hutyler, best known as “the voice of the Mariners” at their home stadium, performs at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), from 6 pm to 9 pm, “Americana and all your favorite classic tunes.”

BETTER PERFORMANCE WITH BEMER: Second day of three-day special event at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – come early for 6:15 pm group run and try it out!

OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups, 8:30 pm performances for open-mic night at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

Got something for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Two West Seattle community cleanups
August 4, 2021 9:24 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Two West Seattle community cleanups
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

In case you haven’t seen these in our West Seattle Event Calendar, two community cleanups are coming up, organized by your neighbors:

SATURDAY AT ALKI: Join Jessica‘s monthly cleanup at the beach, 10 am-1 pm Saturday (August 7th), whatever time you can give. Meetup location and RSVP info are in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE BIKE TRAIL: One week later, on Saturday, August 14th, join Conrad and neighbors cleaning along the bike/pedestrian trail under the West Seattle Bridge, 11 am-1 pm. More details in our calendar listing; you can RSVP online here.

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ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Wednesday notes
August 4, 2021 6:02 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning, After a thunderous Tuesday night, today’s forecast calls for a dry day. Thanks to Greg Snyder for this photo from Tuesday’s sunset:

ROAD WORK

Delridge project – Two closures in South Delridge – the southbound closure of Delridge Way SW between Thistle and Trenton continues, and northbound Delridge closed between Cambridge and Henderson; details here.

26th SW – Major work is starting on NB 26th SW between Roxbury and Barton – details here.

TRANSIT

Buses are on regular schedules – except for the South Delridge and 26th rerouting. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations.

For ferries and water taxis, all is normal. Watch @wsferries for updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

499th 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:

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? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed. (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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ELECTION 2021: First primary vote count for Seattle mayor, council, city attorney
August 3, 2021 8:14 pm
|      47 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Four City of Seattle races on the primary ballot – here are the first results (next count not due out until tomorrow):

Mayor – Bruce Harrell with 38 percent, Lorena González with 29 percent

City Council Position 8 – Teresa Mosqueda with 55 percent, Kenneth Wilson with 18 percent

City Council Position 9 – Sara Nelson with 42 percent, Nikkita Oliver with 35 percent

City Attorney – Ann Davison with 35 percent, Pete Holmes with 33 percent, Nicole Thomas-Kennedy with 32 percent

We’ll flesh out the full list of numbers in a bit but in the meantime (update – screengrabs added), check this link for full results.

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ELECTION 2021: First primary vote count for King County Executive
August 3, 2021 8:09 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpg8:09 PM: In the King County Executive race, the primary will narrow a field of five candidates to two. The leaders are two West Seattle residents – three-term incumbent Executive Dow Constantine with 53 percent and first-term State Sen. Joe Nguyen with 30 percent. Here are the first results (next count not due out until tomorrow):

Dow Constantine – 124,302 – 53.49%
Joe Nguyen – 68,986 – 29.69 %
Bill Hirt – 27,050 – 11.64%
Goodspaceguy – 6,889 – 2.96%
Johnathon Crines – 3,861 – 1.66%

We talked tonight with both Constantine and Nguyen and will add those clips when they’re uploaded.

11:09 PM: Constantine, who spent election night at the “Best Starts for Kids” victory party in Georgetown, expects a “fun” campaign:

Nguyen, who gathered with supporters in White Center, insists it’s time for change:

Datapoints from past elections: The first time Constantine ran for KC Executive, in 2009, he was second in the primary; Nguyen’s run for State Senate in 2018 was his first bid for elective office, and he led after the primary as well as the general. Another datapoint: Constantine held the same State Senate seat Nguyen now holds, for about a year at the turn of the millennium, before moving to the King County Council, shere he served before becoming executive.

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Scenes from Night Out 2021 in West Seattle
August 3, 2021 7:11 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

7:11 PM: It’s Night Out, back after a pandemic break. Biggest party in West Seattle – at least in terms of ground covered! – is in The Junction, where 20+ artists/performers are putting on mini-shows along the sidewalks. We’re just back:

The Graveyard Girls outside Carmilia’s (including shop proprietor Linda Sabee):

The Southwest Precinct represented in The Junction too – from left, Lt. James Sather, Lt. Dorothy Kim, Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, and precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman:

The Junction invites you to visit until 9 pm (some food/drink venues are having specials, and some, of course, are open later than 9). More coverage to come! (And if you’re having a party, send a pic!)

7:52 PM: Thunder! Stay safe if you’ve been outside.

10 PM: More photos! Thanks to Connie for this photo from the 8800 block of 17th SW in Highland Park:

Next, a block party on SW Frontenac in Gatewood:

Kim sent a photo from her block party at 34th/Morgan in High Point:

From Westbridge Place, where everybody ducked under the canopy when the rain hit, and: “We all got to meet our newest neighbors (Paul & Brittney) who put on a smoked brisket”:

From Leslie at 20th/Thistle:

And here’s our neighborhood’s gathering in Upper Fauntleroy:

ADDED WEDNESDAY: A few more photos have come in – first, from Fiona in the 5200 block of 44th SW:

From Jason at 36th/Hinds:

Thanks again for the pics – we hope to get back next year to criss-crossing the peninsula stopping at many parties as in years past.

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Terminal 5 as a holding zone, pre-opening
August 3, 2021 5:56 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(Terminal 5 and vicinity, photographed in July by Long Bach Nguyen)

Along with the construction under way at West Seattle’s Terminal 5, the photo shows stacks and stacks of shipping containers. At today’s meeting of the Northwest Seaport Alliance managing members – the port commissioners of Seattle and Tacoma – alliance CEO John Wolfe estimated 6,000 containers are currently there. That’s because of the global shipping logjam, which in turn is why you see vessels at anchor in Elliott Bay and off Manchester, waiting to dock in Seattle or Tacoma. Wolfe said the current volume is “overwhelm(ing) … most of our terminals are operating at full capacity”; they’re hoping the opening of the first modernized Terminal 5 cargo berth in January will take some of the pressure off. According to the newest set of NWSA stats, imports are where the growth is, while exports are currently declining.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Have you seen Patricia’s car, stolen by burglars? (update: recovered)
August 3, 2021 3:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Patricia:

Our home, near 26th Ave SW and Holden, was broken into last night around 1:15 AM. The primary items they stole included a wallet, our keys and my very identifiable car. My car is a lime green 2013 Kia Soul, license plate AKU4397, with my business’s car magnets on all sides. The business is Eldercare Consulting and the magnet says “Need help with your parents?” There are 2 rubber ducks on the dashboard.

We have reported all of this to the police, but would appreciate any help that our community can provide in looking for this car.

If you see the car, call 911.

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Patricia’s car is back – all but delivered to the scene of the crime – followup story shortly.

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WHALES: Orcas off West Seattle
August 3, 2021 3:20 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

(Added: Photo by Steyn Benade, Always Local Photos)

3:20 PM: Transient killer whales are southbound on the northwest edge of Elliott Bay, reports Kersti Muul. Some of the orcas are toward the east side of the channel. Let us know if you see them!

7:02 PM: Just got a call (206-293-6302 is our hotline, 24/7) – they’re in view south of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, “at least 4.”

(Added: Photo by Jim Moore)

7:43 PM: Photos added – thanks to the senders!

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UPDATE: West Marginal Way crash
August 3, 2021 2:19 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: West Marginal Way crash
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

2:19 PM: SPD and SFD are on their way to a two-vehicle crash reported in the 3800 block of West Marginal Way SW [map]. Dispatch says it’s reported to be blocking the northbound lane(s).

2:56 PM: All clear per SDOT.

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Library lockers launching soon at High Point branch
August 3, 2021 1:50 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news

Thanks to Thomas for the photo! The High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library is one of two SPL locations about to offer 24/7 lockers (Rainier Beach is the other). SPL says the lockers are still in “testing” mode, so they haven’t been announced yet. Once they officially open (awaiting word of the date), you’ll be able to choose them as a pickup option for your “hold” item(s), and you’ll be notified when the item(s) are available for pickup. Once that happens, you’ll have 72 hours to make your pickup.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: No evidence of Admiral gunfire; plus, Highland Park prowler
August 3, 2021 11:47 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:

NO EVIDENCE OF ADMIRAL GUNFIRE: We don’t usually mention “possible gunfire” dispatches when nothing is found – they are fairly common – but we’ve received a lot of questions about this one, so in case you were wondering too: Before 1 am, people in the Admiral area reported hearing what sounded like gunshots, and a car “screeching.” Police were dispatched. They did not find any evidence of gunfire so the call was classified as “disturbance.” To confirm gunfire, they have to find shell casings and/or property damage (bullet holes, etc.) and/or an injured person, and/or they need a witness who actually saw someone firing a gun. The absence of all those things doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, but it means police have no way to classify the incident as confirmed “shots fired.” (There are fireworks and even car modifications that can sound like gunshots.) One more note: Evidence somtimes turns up later – in daylight, for example – so if you ever find a shell casing, property damage, etc., even if you don’t know when the gunfire happened, please report that too.

SIDE NOTE – GUNFIRE COUNTYWIDE: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recently published this infographic-style report on gun violence this year through June 30th. It’s mostly countywide stats except for this map showing confirmed gunfire incidents (with and without injuries):

Also this morning, a reader report:

ANOTHER PROWLER: From Makenzie in Highland Park:

We just captured a Ring camera video of someone trying to potentially break into our house. The video shows him looking around, looking for a spare key under the mat, trying the door handle and looking into our windows to see if anyone was home. We wanted to pass this to you in case anyone else has similar issues or can watch out. We live on 14th and Trenton in the Highland Park area.

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Election Day, Night Out, Play Along in the Park, more for your West Seattle Tuesday
August 3, 2021 10:12 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunrise today, photographed by Marc Milrod)

Big day/night on the peninsula and beyond.

VOTE BY 8 PM: Only five races (mayor, 2 City Council spots, City Attorney, County Executive) and one proposition (Best Starts for Kids) on your primary-election ballot – get it to a dropbox (here’s the countywide map, which also includes one in White Center and one in South Park) before 8 pm, or a mailbox sooner. We’ll publish results when they’re released (should be by 8:15 pm).

NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE: The port commissioners of Seattle and Tacoma meet at 11 am; here’s the agenda; here’s how to watch.

TODAY’S AQUATIC SCHEDULE: Open today – Highland Park spraypark (11 am-8 pm, 1100 SW Cloverdale); Delridge (noon-5:30 pm, 4501 Delridge Way SW) wading pool, and Colman Pool (at Lincoln Park, noon-7 pm) are open.

DEMONSTRATION: Now weekly – 4:30-6 pm at 16th/Holden, signwaving for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have one.

NIGHT OUT: Having a block party? Send us a photo! If you’re not – go to The Junction, where 20+ buskers are performing outside businesses 6-9 pm, and some shop-late/dine/drink specials are happening – see the list here. (If you’re in White Center, King County Parks has two parties planned.)

PLAY-ALONG IN THE PARK: Musicians of all ages and all skill levels are invited to join West Seattle Community Orchestras members at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) for a Tuesday night play-along! 6 pm for easy music, 7 pm for intermediate music. Our calendar listing includes more info, including the RSVP link. (You’re also welcome to watch/listen if you don’t play!)

BETTER PERFORMANCE & RECOVERY WITH BEMER: At West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor):

Come and learn more about PEMF device, Bemer, from Kelly Bielat, coming from Nevada for our athletes. On Tuesday @ 6 pm, she will discuss how Bemer helps athletes and overall health. You will be able to use the Bemer during the event and schedule more free sessions on it for the week. (We recommend booking a free session before or after a run or workout to see the effects.)

The Bemer event continues tomorrow and Thursday at WSR.

MORE LIVE MUSIC: At The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), enjoy live music 6-9 pm Tuesdays.

Are we missing anything for today/tonight (or, on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, beyond)? Let us know – thank you!

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Remembering Lawrence Colman Pierce, 1936-2021
August 3, 2021 8:59 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Larry Pierce and sharing his story with the community:

Lawrence (“Larry”) Colman Pierce, devoted husband and father, passed away, surrounded by his loving family, at Virginia Mason Medical Center on Thursday, July 22, 2021, from cancer. He was 84.

Larry was born in Seattle on December 24, 1936, the son of the late Lawrence and Isabel (Colman) Pierce. He grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1955 and Yale University in 1959. In 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Robin E. Gaffner (1937-1985), also of West Seattle. After several years in the US Navy as a lieutenant junior grade, Larry attended Cornell University, earning an MPA in Public Administration and Finance. A Fulbright Scholarship took him to the University of the West Indies for two years to create a degree program in administration. He returned to Cornell for a Ph.D. in Government and then settled with Robin in Eugene, Oregon, where they had a son, Eric. At the University of Oregon, Larry worked as a professor of political science, department chair, assistant to the university president, and assistant to the chancellor of the University of Oregon system. After leaving Oregon, he spent several months as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Oxford Brookes College, Oxford University.

Larry moved to Baton Rouge in 1990 to become dean of the College of Education at Louisiana State University. There, he met Donna L. Mealey, a literacy education professor, and they married in 1992. They moved to Seattle in 1996 to raise their daughters, Emma and Katie. From 1996 to 1999, Larry was a research professor in the Center for Reinventing Public Education in the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington before retiring to enjoy his young family. He built a house himself on Horsehead Bay in Gig Harbor and planted and tended a large garden there on beloved family property, the original site of Camp Colman before its relocation to Longbranch in 1966.

Larry served on the boards of Westside School and the White Center Food Bank, taking on the roles of president and treasurer at the food bank for several years. He also served on the board of the West Seattle Monogram Club and chaired the Scholarship Committee. Along with other community members, he was instrumental in bringing the International Baccalaureate program to Chief Sealth International High School and arranged for college admissions representatives from across the country to visit and inform students about schools beyond the Pacific Northwest. He served Fauntleroy Church United Church of Christ as moderator, worked on the finance ministry, helped lead a capital campaign, and was a devoted member of the choir’s tenor section.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Donna of Seattle; son Eric and daughter Katie of Seattle; daughter Emma of Cambridge, Massachusetts; twin sister Katharine Ramfield of Hood River; brother Dr. John Pierce and sister-in-law Leilia of Gig Harbor; and a large, dear extended family. Throughout his life, he enjoyed good books, choral music, national and world politics, and especially gardening. He loved to share cuttings with friends, grow starts for the church’s annual plant sale, and donate his garden’s fruit and vegetable largesse to the White Center Food Bank. We will miss his steadfastness, patience, integrity, quiet humor, devotion, kindness, love, buttermilk pancakes, berry pies, and professorial lectures at Thanksgiving dinners.

A memorial service will be held at Fauntleroy Church in West Seattle later in August. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to the White Center Food Bank and YMCA Camp Colman. Memories and condolences to the family may be written below in the comments.

(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, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Tuesday notes
August 3, 2021 6:08 am
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Tuesday notes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:08 AM: Good morning, Today we’re expecting more hazy sunshine, and a high in the 80s, with rain expected by late Thursday night.

ROAD WORK

Delridge project – Two closures in South Delridge – the southbound closure of Delridge Way SW between Thistle and Trenton continues, and northbound Delridge closes “as soon as (today)” between Cambridge and Henderson; details here.

26th SW – Major work is starting this week on NB 26th SW between Roxbury and Barton – details here.

TRANSIT

Buses are on regular schedules – except for the South Delridge and 26th rerouting. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations.

For ferries and water taxis, all is normal. Watch @wsferries for updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

498th 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:

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? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed. (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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FOLLOWUP: What it was like to swim across Puget Sound and back
August 2, 2021 10:58 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo, July 24)

Weekend before last, we covered two recordsetting swims between Bremerton and Alki Point. The first one was a solo swim by Melissa Kegler, who became the first swimmer to make a roundtrip on the route that’s known as the Amy Hiland Swim (for the first person on record to do it). Since then, she has written the story of what it was like – everything from seal sightings to challenging currents to what she called the “most terrifying moment” of her long history of marathon swims, as well as what it meant to be cheered on by not only the escort boat crew but also passing ferries. You can read her story here (photos too).

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ELECTION 2021: Less than 24 hours to vote
August 2, 2021 8:23 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

That’s the King County Elections ballot dropbox at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), easy to ride/walk/drive up to, one of three dropboxes in West Seattle (here’s the countywide map, which also includes one in White Center and one in South Park). Dropboxes are open until exactly 8 pm tomorrow for your primary-election ballot; if you decide to send yours via US Mail, please do that early in the day rather than late so it will definitely get postmarked. As of this evening, KCE says Seattle is up to 17.3 percent turnout (ballots returned). Reminder, the ballot has six decisions for you to make – two city races without incumbents (mayor and City Council Position 9), two city races with incumbents (city attorney and Council Position 8), one county race (Executive), and one county ballot measure (“Best Starts for Kids” renewal/expansion). First round of results will be out around 8:15 pm tomorrow.

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