West Seattle, Washington
09 Friday
Fall arrives at 12:30 pm Wednesday (September 22nd) and the trees are already starting to turn – we saw the one above along the Hiawatha track on Sunday night. Meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox, here’s what’s happening:
TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: Today is the first day of the weeklong dine-out benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank. 27 food/drink establishments are participating – some by donating a percentage of proceeds, some with specific menu items. The venue list and other info – be sure to get your “passport” first time you participate this week! – can be found here.
SOUTHWEST POOL: Just a reminder that West Seattle’s only city-run indoor pool (2801 SW Thistle) is open again – here’s the schedule, which starts on Mondays with lap swimming at noon and concludes with water exercise at 7 pm.
CITY COUNCIL: Weekly meeting at 2 pm; here’s the agenda, which includes information on how to participate in public comment.
FRESH HOP WEEK: Special weeklong event at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), which opens at 4 pm today.
OPEN D&D: Weekly drop-in event at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.
QUIZFIX TRIVIA: 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) – prizes!
Got something for the calendar, one-time or recurring? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Dr. Paul Smits and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Longtime West Seattle dentist, Paul Kari Smits, of Bellevue, passed away in Seattle on September 10th from complications of prostate cancer; he fought the disease courageously for ten years.
He was born in 1941 to Paul Aire Smits, DDS, and Ina Kari Smits and grew up in Aberdeen, WA.
He attended the University of Washington and graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, for two years and, while there, met his future wife, Joyce (Becker) Smits. He then served two years in the Army Reserve while establishing his private dental practice in West Seattle. Paul cared for his patients for over 45 years, becoming friends with many.
Paul loved spending time outdoors with Joyce and their three sons, especially on the ski slopes. An avid photographer, he documented everything from their travels in the U.S. and around the world, to his grandchildren’s sporting events and celebrations. He was quick to laugh and tell a story and will always be remembered for his warm, friendly personality and dedication to his family and patients.
Paul is loved and will be forever missed by Joyce, his wife for over 50 years; sons Tyler, Ryan, and Kyle, and their wives Lori, Christina, and Jessica; grandchildren Gavin, Audrey, Ella, and Lily, all of whom live in the Seattle area; sister Karen (Morgan Kari) of Woodland Hills, CA; brother- and sister-in-law René and Jan Robert of San Ramon, CA and their family; and his many friends.
His family would like to thank the doctors and many other Virginia Mason caregivers who provided medical care and compassion to Paul.
Donations in memory of Paul may be made to Zero Cancer at zerocancer.org or a charity of your choice.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
6:12 AM: Good morning! Dry day expected.
ROAD WORK
26th SW & beyond – Northbound 26th SW remains closed between Roxbury and Barton.
Delridge project – Winding down.
TRANSIT
Buses are on regular schedules today – except for the rerouting in RapidRise H Line work zones. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of canceled trips.
For ferries and water taxis, regular schedule today. Watch @wsferries for ferry updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
545th 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 camera’s back, now pointed west:
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.
Here’s our weekly collection of local pandemic updates, starting with the newest numbers.
KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS AS OF FRIDAY:
*145,662 people have tested positive – 3,892 more than a week ago (5,202 in West Seattle, up 114)
*7,810 people have been hospitalized – 139 more than a week ago (237 from West Seattle, up 4)
*1,835 people have died – 23 more than a week ago (71 in West Seattle, unchanged)
VACCINATION RATE: Note that King County has this disclaimer on its page: “On 9/14/2021, population estimates used to determine the percentage of the population vaccinated were updated from 2019 estimates to recently released 2020 estimates for sub-county geographic divisions (i.e. zip codes, health reporting areas, and regions). Due to population growth, some percentages for sub-county geographies are now slightly lower than previously reported. Countywide percentages were already using 2020 population estimates, so they are unchanged by this update.” So this explains what a commenter noticed about the zip-code-specific stats.
79.2% of King County residents 12+ have completed their vaccine series (up .7% in the past week)
By West Seattle zip code (see disclaimer above):
98106 – 80.6%
98116 – 85.5%
98126 – 77%
98136 – 87%
98146 – 76%
(More COVID-related King County stats here)
PANDEMIC NEWS
Vaccine or negative test required – Announced this week, a variety of venues in King County are required to ask you for proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result starting October 25th.
Seattle Public Schools cases – The district is updating its dashboard on Mondays, and started including individual schools’ numbers. Here’s our West Seattle/South Park breakout of last week’s update..
Boosters or not? An FDA advisory committee says they’re not necessary yet for most people. but that’s not the final word.
NEED TO GET TESTED IN WEST SEATTLE?
The UW Medicine testing service at the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (2801 SW Thistle) continues to operate; you can make an appointment here, though readers report walk-ups have been accepted. Meantime, the Curative testing kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) is also still operating. In addition, both West Seattle Walgreens stores are offering drive-up testing (35th/Morgan and 16th/Roxbury) – more info here.
NOT VACCINATED YET?
Go here to see where you can change that. Also note clinics in the week ahead: White Center locations on Wednesday and Friday and Louisa Boren STEM K-8 next Sunday (flu shots at that one too).
September means community groups are back on their meeting schedules again, with most still meeting online. Last Thursday night, three topics were in the spotlight as the Alki Community Council resumed its third-Thursday schedule:
POLICE STAFFING: That made up most of what the ACC heard from Southwest Precinct Lt. David Terry. As he’s said in past briefings, they’re understaffed – minimum number of officers at night is supposed to be 9, and that night (Thursday) they were down to 7 – SPD offers OT for officers interested in filling the gap, but more and more are saying no. “So we’re running the shift with shorter numbers, which is crazy” – this weekend they faced the possibility of being down to 6 or 7 on a shift. Lt. Terry summarized, “We’re out of bodies.” In response to an attendee’s questions, Lt. Terry acknowledged that they sometimes have even fewer in West Seattle/South Park because they have to lend officers to a “task force” callout elsewhere in the city, and when that happens – these days, mostly for nightlife safety – the SW Precinct may be down to “4 or 5 officers for 17 square miles.” Attendees mentioned they are disappointed that Seattle Parks returned to regular closing time at Alki this week and asked what SPD thinks about it. Lt. Terry said he couldn’t offer an opinion, just the observation that it would most likely mean “more calls for service.” As for Alki police responses over the summer – there was a “small spike” in June and July but a drop in August. “You’re still the second safest area in all of West Seattle” (after Fauntleroy), he noted.
FRIENDS OF ALKI NEIGHBORHOODS: Quality-of-life concerns – crime among them – have given rise to this new group, FANS for short. Reps formally introduced themselves at the ACC meeting with a presentation. Here’s the new group’s purpose:
“We want to voice our interest as one connected neighborhood … we’re all experiencing the same thing,” said Mollie Means, who led the presentation. What they all have in common: Proximity to Alki Beach Park. Means estimates that 24,000 people comprise the Alki neighborhoods. They’re putting together a survey to identify the key issues they want the city to address. “We want to gather data to support strategic initiatives.” They hope that will lead to change that enhances the experience of residents and visitors alike. This past summer was problematic in multiple ways, she said – first “car caravans” visiting, then the chaotic “kickback” crowd in May, then the June quadruple shooting that left one man dead. “What was really effective is that (after that) Police and Parks worked together to ‘tweak” the way things work at the beach.
Pending survey results, here’s some of what FANS hopes to advocate for:
Three reader reports about items taken from cars:
STOLEN WHEELS: The photo and report are from John, who says the victim is his neighbor:
Wheels stolen off this car in front of Holy Rosary last night after 1 am.
And two more stolen catalytic converters:
SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION: Another reader named John reports, “I got back from lovely vacation (Saturday) night to find some lowlife a–hole stole my catalytic converter from my Honda Element. 42nd SW and SW Dawson. Sometime between September 4 and 18.”
BEACH DRIVE: Deborah reports, “I started my car around 8:15 (Saturday) morning to a horrendous racket. Neighbor heard noise and looked out at the parking lot around 3:30 am, to see a blue 4-door sedan departing the complex. We assume this vehicle contained the thieves who removed my catalytic converter. My car was parked in a well-lit lot of a small apartment building at 4120 Beach Dr SW. No other hybrids in our small lot appear to have been hit (yet). The theft has been reported to SPD.” (Her car is a 2008 Prius.)
When we previewed the Taste of West Seattle last week – a weeklong dine-out benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank‘s work to end hunger and prevent homelessness – 20 food/drink businesses were in, Now, with The Taste starting tomorrow, the list is up to 27!
Bakery Nouveau
Best of Hands Barrelhouse
Box Bar
Coastline Burgers
Copper Coin
Flying Apron
Grillbird
Harry’s Beach House
Hotwire Coffeehouse
Itto’s Tapas
Lady Jaye
Locust Cider
Mission Cantina
No Name Diner Alki
Nos Nos Coffee House
Ounces Taproom & Beer Garden
Pecos Pit Bar-B-Que
Phoenecia
Pot Pie Factory, Inc.
Soprano’s Antico Pizza and Pasta
Talarico’s Pizzeria
The Bridge
The Good Society Brewery & Public House
The Westy
West 5
West Seattle Cellars
West Seattle Grounds
During Taste of West Seattle week – Monday, September 20th through Sunday, September 26th – participating establishments will either “donate a percent of sales from a special ‘Taste Menu’ created by the restaurant, or a percentage of sales.” Also, remember that there’s potentially more in it for you than the knowledge you’re getting good food/beverages and doing a good deed – note that this is an update since our last preview:
All participating restaurants will be listed on a restaurant “passport.” The more stamps/ signatures someone gets on their card by ordering from participating restaurants, the more times they are entered into the drawing. Each stamp = 1 drawing entry. We will select 5 winners for a $100 gift card to a West Seattle Restaurant or Whole Foods. Customers will need to mail/drop off their passport to the WSFB by October 3rd to be entered into the drawing.
Pick up your “Taste Passport” at a participating restaurants, at the West Seattle Food Bank, or email your address to breanna.bushaw@westseattlefoodbank.org to have one mailed to you.
Again, this all starts tomorrow. (WSB is a Taste of West Seattle community co-sponsor.)
Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos, we have another gallery of West Seattle bird sightings, always fun on a football afternoon. The top photo is by Kersti Muul, who explains it’s a Virginia Rail:
A rare treat to see in West Seattle. Was called by the Port to assess an injured bird and was stunned to find that it was a rail. I’ve never seen one here, and they are rare to see anyway, easier to hear. Very secretive, marsh-dwelling birds. This one had taken up residence behind the bathrooms at Jack Block Park. Stunning bird, and great camouflage.
Down in The Arroyos, Mark MacDonald photographed a Killdeer:
Next photo is from Robin Sinner, who says this Surfbird is “back from the tundra”:
Meantime, this Rufous Hummingbird will soon depart, according to Mark Wangerin:
Mark also sent this photo of an American Goldfinch:
Two views of California Scrub-Jays – first, from Susan Hayes-McQueen:
And from Jerry Simmons:
Finally, a photo taken from a Fauntleroy-bound ferry by middle-schooler Eva, who saw a Great Blue Heron sharing space with a seal:
(Just a reminder if you haven’t clicked – all the bird species names are linked to their pages on the Seattle Audubon BirdWeb, which includes photos and audio files of the birds’ calls.)
1:14 PM: For those who are asking: Still looking for official confirmation but this is one of those things on which we can make an educated guess: Seahawks pregame flyover.
@westseattleblog @KING5Seattle We’ve been getting a bit of an airshow over in West Seattle for the last 30min or so. pic.twitter.com/QvZOiZH8lR
— Chris (@bensoncSEA) September 19, 2021
1:26 PM: A reporter covering the game verifies the flyover.
HPAC – the community organization for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge – resumes monthly meetings this week with hot topics including traffic and crime. Here’s the announcement:
We welcome all back for our first meeting of the 2021-22 season. This month we’ll be hearing from Seattle Police Department with neighborhood crime trends, plus the Port of Seattle sharing impacts we can expect to neighborhood traffic as Terminal 5 reopens in January 2022.
Finally, we will be hosting Home Zone and Reconnect West Seattle team members from SDOT for a report out on the projects they are working on. There have been some changes in direction, particularly for residents on 16th Avenue SW, we’ll have them explained at the meeting with opportunities for suggestions and comments.
If you are noticing new detour route incursions of vehicles, or other traffic pattern changes to report, your voice is needed!
See you at 7 PM on Sept. 22 – virtually on Zoom during the HPIC rebuilding process.
You can find the meeting link (and call-in number) on HPAC’s website. The group also has opened a survey to ask neighbors what they would like future meetings to address – go here to participate.
Family and friends are remembering “Snookie” Gardanar and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Ragna “Snookie” Eleanor Gardanar passed away on September 3rd, 2021, at the age of 77.
She was born on May 24th, 1944, at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. She was the youngest of 2 kids. She is survived by her 3 kids Duane, Greg, and Karie; grandkids Kelsie, Bradley, Ava, Owen, and Benjamin; and great-grandchild Marcus.
Snookie went to school in West Seattle; Highland Park Elementary, Denny Junior High, Sealth High School, and South Seattle CC. Mom lived most of her life in West Seattle, then moved to Kent. She retired from Allied Solutions and DSHS as a clerical specialist. Mom’s favorite job was working for Bogle & Gates Law Firm in Seattle.
Mom loved music, spending time with family, watching Seahawk games, going to the ocean, walking on the beach and hanging out on the balcony feeding seagulls she always named Jonathon. Mom loved dogs, especially “Lady” and most all other poodles. She loved Bingo, Solitaire, and Rummy. Mom checked off a bucket-list item when she traveled to Memphis to visit Elvis Presley’s memorial – she loved that trip.
Snookie was a loving Mother and Grandmother to her children and grandchild, who will miss her dearly. “WE LOVE YOU, MOM & MAMA!!!”
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(WSB photo – clouds seen from Don Armeni at midday Saturday)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
ROAD WORK ALERTS: Weather permitting, SDOT plans more West Marginal Way work today, both the Duwamish Longhouse interim signal/crossing and the Highland Park Way intersection.
ORCA HALF, DAY 2: Starting at 7:30 am, about 350 runners will leave this half-marathon‘s starting line in Lincoln Park in waves, headed for Don Armeni Boat Ramp. No road/lane closures. This is the second of two days for the Orca Half; here’s our coverage of the first.
CHURCHES: Many continue streaming, along with in-person services. Here are the newest links for 20+ West Seattle churches’ services.
COVID & FLU SHOT CLINIC: 10 am-3 pm at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW), as previewed here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm on California between Oregon and Alaska. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (The market is a WSB sponsor.)
DONATION DRIVE: 11 am-3 pm outside Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds):
Alki United Church of Christ (Alki UCC) has joined St. Vincent de Paul and the Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) to support 13 Nicaraguan families resettling in White Center as recent immigrés to the United States. We welcome them to our larger community and hope to be instrumental in helping them thrive in their new homes.
Children’s school clothing donations are critically needed. We call on our generous neighbors to look through closets and bring clean, new-or-gently used children’s clothing to the drive, outside the church’s main entrance.
As always, we welcome non-perishable food and hygiene items to be distributed through the White Center Food Bank. Suggestions include: aseptic and nut milks, cereal, peanut butter, tuna fish, pasta and sauces, canned soup, chili, and beans (poptop preferred).
Donations of Men’s Casual/Work Clothes are also needed, as well as NEW socks — the clothing item most requested by our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
MAKERS’ ART MARKET: Browse artist/crafters’ creations at Alki Beach, noon-6 pm.
PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET, DAY 2: Rain or shine, a lot full of vendors offers an “underground shopping experience” outdoors noon-5 pm in White Center, $1 admission. Here are some scenes from Day 1. (9834 17th SW)
SUNDAY RUN CLUB: Noon at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) – info in our calendar listing
CLASSIC NOVELS & MOVIES BOOK CLUB: Meeting at 3 pm outdoors at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to discuss Langston Hughes‘s “Not Without Laughter.”
ROO AND THE FEW: Live music at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm.
NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS: 6:30 pm show at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) to benefit LGBTQ youth. $15 at the door
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 8 pm to 1 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Got an event for listing in our calendar and previews? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Two reader reports of vandalism in West Seattle Crime Watch:
RACIST VANDALISM: Gordon reported extensive tagging at the Southwest Youth and Family Services building just east of Delridge Playfield. He has reported it but he also painted out part of it himself – what he describes as racist graffiti targeting Black people, painted on the west side of the building.
CAR VANDALISM: A texter sent the photo and report, wondering if this has happened to anyone else:
My cousin is visiting from Minnesota to take care of his dad, who’s in the hospital, and got his car vandalized overnight in the Fauntleroy neighborhood (on 41st). He’s now looking at 5 new windows, we’ve had zero luck with any attempt at removal. We think it’s a glass etching compound. We tried everything from soap and water and razor blades to acetone and methyl ethyl ketone. Nothing touches it.
7:50 PM: SFD and SPD are arriving at what’s reported as a car-over-embankment crash at the north end of California SW, near Hamilton Viewpoint. A tree and/or utility pole is reported involved too. Updates to come.
7:57 PM: They’re trying to get California Way blocked (the section that comes up from Harbor) while they work to stabilize the vehicle. Firefighters have told dispatch there was one person in the vehicle but they’re “unaccounted for” so far.
(This photo and next one by Christopher Boffoli)
8:05 PM: SFD says the vehicle is 10 feet down the embankment. Meantime, California will be closed, according to dispatch, starting at SW Donald [map].
8:11 PM: Firefighters have just told dispatch that their search hasn’t turned up anyone, so they’re downsizing the response.
8:25 PM: Above, photographed by WSB’s Patrick Sand, that’s the empty pickup found down the embankment beneath Hamilton Viewpoint. SFD is clearing; it’s been secured from further movement until a tow truck arrives to remove it.
10:14 PM: WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli talked with police at the scene, and they confirmed to him that the pickup was stolen; the owners apparently saw the theft happen, chased after it, and called police. Exactly where it was stolen, we don’t know, but we’ll be following up.
Just before the thunderstorms arrived, the first of two days for this year’s Orca Half half-marathon in West Seattle wrapped up. The early-morning rain had stopped by the time runners got going early this morning, leaving in waves from the starting line at Lincoln Park.
At mid-morning, sunbreaks greeted finishers at the west end of Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
Organizers expected about 600 runners today – and 350 tomorrow. Some traveled a long way to run along the scenic West Seattle shore – while at the finish line, we heard names called out with hometowns including Moses Lake and Lacey. (Some from even further away – the oldest finisher today was 73-year-old Ann Fowble from Grove City, Ohio!)
Full results are here; Rachel Brown was first to finish, in 1:21:28. The first Orca Half was in 2016.
P.S. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail tells WSB that it continues to be a beneficiary of the Orca Half:
The Whale Trail has been a beneficiary of the Orca Half since it was first held in 2016. This year other beneficiaries include Long Live the Kings and United Indians of All Tribes.
One key feature of the race is that participants run for individual orcas, whose lD number and life history is printed on their race bibs. It’s been a wonderful way to connect people to J, K and L pods and the issues they face. This year for the first time, more orcas were added to the list of orcas than were removed from it.
2:12 PM: Thunderstorms have arrived, and the National Weather Service says they’re likely for much of the afternoon:
Thunderstorms across central Puget Sound this afternoon. Heavy rain and thunderstorms will be possible over this area for the next few hours. When thunder roars, go indoors. #WAwx pic.twitter.com/bNFAN2Goc1
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) September 18, 2021
We’ll be monitoring for storm effects – power outages (just flickered here), etc. – if anything happens in your neighborhood, our hotline (voice or text) is 206-293-6302.
2:21 PM: And now there’s a sizable outage – almost 1,000 customers in Highland Park/southeast West Seattle. Some signals are out, too – Olson/Myers was just mentioned via emergency radio – remember, a non-functioning signal is a 4-way stop.
2:28 PM: The outage has expanded to another 2,000+ customers, including South Park – 3,235 total in what the map designates as two outages.
3:16 PM: Some texters are reporting the power’s back – the map tends to lag so we may not get the full picture on that for a few minutes. (added) Map has now updated – all 3,235 are shown as restored. (The map had suggested a 9 pm restoration estimate – remember that, as happened here, those are usually way off and not worth paying attention to – they are just guesses.) P.S. City Light says a fallen tree’s at fault.
4:45 PM: Forecast says there’s a chance of more thunderstorms tonight, and wind up to 25 mph too.
5:35 PM: Thanks for the tip. Another power outage started half an hour ago – 241 customers are out just north of The Junction:
7:50 PM: The outage north of The Junction is down to 114 customers, and is attributed to “equipment failure.” And now another outage – at least 20 customers along Fairmount Ravine, with a “transformer fire” response at Harbor/Fairmount.
12:14 PM: Thanks to Steve for the photo. Avoid 35th SW at and north of Roxbury. An incident involving two buses, a power pole, and power lines has blocked 35th both ways. No injuries reported, and everyone’s out of the buses, but SPD, SFD, and Metro are all arriving at the scene.
12:24 PM: SPD says this started when another vehicle hit a power pole, causing it to fall onto the two buses. Our crew in the area reports 35th is blocked at Cambridge (both ways).
(SDOT traffic-camera photo)
12:30 PM: We talked to a sergeant at the scene who says there was NOT a third vehicle – the RapidRide bus was letting someone off, the 120 bus was coming by and may have had some kind of mechanical problem, and wound up hitting the pole. City Light has arrived is awaited at the scene to deal with the downed wires as well as the pole.
(WSB photo)
This may remain blocked for a while, so if you need to go east/west in the south end, use Barton instead.
2:55 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent the photo above, showing the downed pole. At the site right now, the buses are gone, but City Light remains:
(SDOT camera photo)
4:16 PM: Still there working on it.
4:36 PM: Though there was no initial outage at this scene, the map shows 17 customers out in the immediate area of the downed pole for about an hour now (separate from the earlier weather-related outages elsewhere in West Seattle). A commenter says the crew at the scene is awaiting a new pole.
5:49 PM: Looks like the pole’s being placed:
7:44 PM: Thanks to Tiffany for the update in comments – the street has finally reopened.
Thanks to Kersti Muul for the photos. What looked to someone like a seal pup at a distance off Duwamish Head earlier this week …
… turned out instead to be a bottomfish called a cabezon:
Despite her extensive wildlife involvement, Kersti says she’s never seen one of those before.
They’re not rare or endangered, though. This state Fish and Wildlife Department fact sheet says, “Cabezon is the largest of the sculpin species found in Washington waters.” They can grow to over three feet long.
Good morning! Here’s what’s happening along with the return of the rain:
ROAD-WORK ALERTS: If no weather cancellation, city crews have plans to work at multiple spots on West Marginal today, as previewed in our Friday morning traffic watch – including the interim crossing/signal by the Duwamish Longhouse and the Highland Park Way intersection.
ORCA HALF, DAY 1: Starting at 7:30 am, about 600 runners will leave this half-marathon‘s starting line in Lincoln Park in waves, headed for Don Armeni Boat Ramp. As previewed here, no road/lane closures are planned.
(WSB photo: Did you know C & P has reopened their indoor seating?)
AT C & P COFFEE: Live music with Marco de Carvalho, Hans Teuber, and Jeff Busch, 10:30 am-noon. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET: Rain or shine, check out this “underground shopping experience” outdoors noon-7 pm in White Center, $1 admission. (9834 17th SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Looking for an indoor activity? Visit the home of West Seattle’s history at 61st/Stevens, noon-4 pm.
OPEN MIC: At The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), starting at 6 pm.
AT THE SKYLARK: The XOfenders perform live, featuring Scattered Sunn, 8 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
WEST SEATTLE DRAG SHOW: 9 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW; WSB sponsor), it’s Dolly Madison and The DJ with a ’90s party.
Something today/tonight we’re missing? Text us – 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Know where your nearest Emergency Communication Hub is? Check the map and memorize it! West Seattle has long been a leader in this aspect of preparedness – with volunteers ready to set up spots to coordinate communication if a disaster cuts the regular channels. To stay ready, volunteers practice – and they’re doing that at two sites in the city these next two weekends, Volunteers are needed to help with the drills, too. Nearest one to us is a week from tomorrow – Saturday, September 25th – at Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill. Here’s their explanation of what they’re doing:
Feeling pummeled by the pandemic? Try tackling a different type of disaster! Seattle’s Emergency Communication Hubs and The Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service Ham radio operators are responding to simulated earthquakes on two different Saturdays in September. The “Double Trouble” exercise will run from 9 am to 1 pm on September 18th and again on the 25th. Hub Volunteers need YOU to make this exercise successful. They need practice responding to the overwhelming requests for help that are likely after the “big one” hits. Everyone benefits from these drills. Volunteers get better at supporting their communities, the public learns what the Hubs can and cannot do, and the overall system gets stronger. Win Win Win.
Saturday, Sept 25th, from 9 am to 1 pm we’ll be on the south side of town – Jefferson Park next to the tennis courts. Getting involved is easy. Once you arrive, you will become an actor for us; you will be handed a piece of paper with a situation written on it and see if the Hub volunteers can help you. The situation will be something that could realistically happen after a large earthquake: Your household needs drinking water. Your pet is lost. The gas station just caught fire but 9-1-1 is overwhelmed. Your participation will help Hub volunteers improve their skills and adapt their processes. Participating in the exercise is valuable for you as well because you will learn SO much about what to expect if Seattle were to have a large earthquake. You can arrive when convenient and stay for as long as you like. More information can be found at www.SeattleEmergencyHubs.org or by contacting Info@SeattleEmergencyHubs.org or by calling (360) 550-2234 or (206) 933-6968.
Tomorrow’s north-end exercise is happening in Maple Leaf.
9:20 PM: SPD and SFD are on the way to two crashes: One was dispatched as a “rollover” crash in the 3500 block of SW Admiral Way [map]. The other was dispatched as a driver hitting a parked car in the 3800 block of SW Barton. Avoid those areas for a while.
9:28 PM: SFD has already left the Admiral Way scene, indicating no major injuries there.
9:43 PM: They’ve also cleared the Barton scene.
ADDED SATURDAY MORNING: Thanks to Megan for tweeting this pic from the Admiral scene last night, showing it was more of a “car on side” than “rollover”:
According to an alert tonight from Metro, the West Seattle Water Taxi will start early both days this weekend because of the Orca Half half-marathon. The first runs of the morning on Saturday and Sunday this weekend will be 7:30 am from Pier 50 downtown and 8 am from Seacrest. Shuttles from Seacrest will start early too. This is in addition to the regular schedule, which you can see here. The Orca Half will be run both days between 7:30 am and 1 pm, on sidewalks and trails from Lincoln Park to Don Armeni Boat Ramp, as previewed here. (Water Taxi side note: New bike racks!)
One of West Seattle’s most active service clubs has a new president. Here’s the announcement from the Rotary Club of West Seattle:
In 1947, the Rotary Club of West Seattle began serving the local community. From then to now, community leaders of West Seattle have assembled under the banner of Rotary in an effort to exchange ideas and take action to improve the lives of neighbors in need.
The Rotary Club of West Seattle is pleased to announce the President of the 2021-2022 Rotary year will be Alan Mitchell. When asked about the opportunity to lead the service organization, he had this to say: “After I became ‘rewired’ in 2016 (working in service to others instead of for money), two friends separately said, ‘you should look into your local Rotary club.’ I joined because I found good people working together cooperatively in service to others at the local and international levels while having fun. I saw that they are people from a wide span of ages, from those in their 30s starting up families and careers, to others who are also retired. That’s the kind of club I want to be a part of and contribute significantly to for programs that help neighbors locally and around the world.
“Preceding me was Dawn Schaper, Executive Director at Brookdale Admiral Heights, a senior living community. She left extremely big shoes to fill, but with the help of our club’s leadership, I’m confident that we will together be able to address the needs of the very important causes our club supports.”
The Rotary Club of West Seattle is accepting new members. Click here if interested in joining a Club meeting to learn more.
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