day : 07/10/2021 9 results

WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Seal-pup season still busy

David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network sent the photo, explaining that it shows ‘a young harbor seal pup recently responded to by Seal Sitters and transported to SR3 with potential respiratory issues.” This was one of “14 different live harbor seal pups including 2 today” to which Seal Sitters has responded since July 1st; in all, they’ve responded to 47 calls about live and dead marine mammals, sometimes with multiple responses for one animal “that may haul out at different locations or on different dates.” To report a marine mammal to SSMMSN, call 206-905-SEAL. (And keep your distance – photos like these are taken from a distance with long lenses,)

BIZNOTE: The Swinery crowdfunding to catch up

Thanks for the tips. Several readers have messaged us this evening with word that The Swinery in South Admiral has launched a crowdfunding campaign. Co-proprietor Kim Leveille explains:

My husband and I own the Swinery in West Seattle, and we need your help. We’ve suffered tremendously during the last 2 years with the bridge closure, Covid-19 and to add insult to injury, this summer during the heat wave, we endured the loss of our freezer, 2 coolers and all of our hard work, which has devastated our bottom line.

We now have only 1 part-time employee, and we are killing ourselves trying to meet demand. This money would cover our repair costs and to help pay the salary of one more part-time employee. We are heading into the holiday season and need help.

The Swinery has been in West Seattle since 2009 and is a staple in the community which we call home. Please consider helping us out so we can move forward, prosper and remain your local Mom & Pop shop.

(Image from Google Maps/Street View)

Just in case you forgot the Seahawks were playing tonight …

… That jet noise this past half-hour was another flyover, second one in less than a month. Haven’t found an official description yet but enough witness accounts to verify. The Seahawks are home for Thursday night football vs. the Los Angeles Rams.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 arrested after construction-site burglary

Thanks for the tips about a police response in the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW early this morning. We’ve obtained the police-report narrative, and here’s what the investigating officer(s) who wrote it say happened: A monitoring service first reported that a video-alarm system showed a break-in at the site around 3:20 am, someone “using a grinder to cut through the front-gate lock, forcing entry.” The company “sounded the alarm and the suspect left.” Less than an hour later, two people showed up at the site, and one went in. Police arrived five minutes later, saw a pickup truck driving away, and pulled it over. Construction equipment was visible in the pickup’s open bed, the report says. After the two suspects were advised of their rights, police say, one admitted to the burglary and the other admitted to being the getaway driver. A construction-company rep identified a nail gun and work lights in the pickup as belonging to the job site. The suspects – both men, ages 44 and 52 – were booked into the King County Jail.

City redrawing districts too; commission appointees include two West Seattleites

Another high-profile role for West Seattle-residing former mayor Greg Nickels, who currently co-chairs the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force. He is one of four people appointed to the Seattle Redistricting Commission, which will be redrawing council-district maps with the new information from the 2020 Census. (This is separate from the processes under way to redraw State Legislature and U.S. House district maps, recently noted here.) The city is spotlighting the commission membership as the group’s first meeting approaches next week. Nickels is one of two members appointed by Mayor Jenny Durkan, along with philanthropy professional Neelima Shah; earlier this year, the City Council appointed public-policy professional EJ Juárez (also a West Seattleite) and administrative-law judge Rory O’Sullivan. The commission will have a fifth member, appointed by these four. From the announcement, here’s what the five will do:

The Commission shall appoint a Districting Master to draw a districting plan for the City, develop a draft districts proposal based on that plan, facilitate a process of public comment on that proposal, and ultimately vote upon approval of that proposal for transmission to the State of Washington. The Redistricting Commission may employ experts, consultants, and attorneys as necessary to accomplish its goals and will submit financial statements and an official record of all relevant information considered to the City Clerk.

All meetings of the Redistricting Commission are open to the public. The Commission’s first meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 13 from 12-1:30 pm. The meeting will be held virtually and can be accessed at seattle.webex.com/seattle/j.php?MTID=mbaa607e36b5f148a3abd5504cef2e5ee.

The City Council is currently made up of seven people elected by district and two elected at large (by the entire city). West Seattle and South Park comprise District 1.

THIS WEEKEND: Drumming to call the coho home to Fauntleroy Creek

(WSB photo, 2019)

Volunteers are watching Fauntleroy Creek for signs of returning spawners. Another tradition this time of year: Drumming to welcome the coho home. In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the announcement from creek steward Judy Pickens:

Bring your mask and a drum of any kind to this annual all-ages event hosted by the Fauntleroy Watershed Council. We’ll keep our distance as we drum and sing to call coho spawners into Fauntleroy Creek. 4539 SW Director Place (near upper SW Director and Fauntleroy Way SW , across from the ferry terminal); drumming will guide you into the circle. Heavy rain cancels.

Here’s our recent report on what else the Watershed Council does – and how you can help.

P.S. As noted in comments, we left out the important part – when. 4 pm Sunday, October 10th.

WEST SEATTLE THURSDAY: Music, politics, more…

(Photo sent by Al)

Here’s our list for today/tonight:

OPEN JAM THURSDAYS: 6 pm at Best of Hands Barrelhouse (35th/Webster) – come play!

POETRY READING: Award-winning poet and West Seattle native Teresa K. Miller is launching a new book with an online reading at 6 pm – details are in our preview.

CITY ATTORNEY CANDIDATE FORUM: The League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County is presenting a forum tonight at 6 pm, online, with Seattle City Attorney candidates Ann Davison and Nicole Thomas-Kennedy. Register here for the viewing link.

BOARD GAME NIGHT: 6:30-10 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), drop in and play!

COUNTY EXECUTIVE CANDIDATE FORUM: The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is presenting incumbent Dow Constantine and State Sen. Joe Nguyen at 7 pm, online. Viewing/call-in info is here.

BATTLESTAR KALAKALA: Funk, soul, Afrobeat at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 9 pm.

Something we’re missing for today/tonight? Text our hotline – 206-293-6302 – thank you!

New leader for White Center Food Bank

The White Center Food Bank, which also serves part of south West Seattle, has a new executive director, though she’s not new to the WCFB. Here’s the announcement we received this morning:

The White Center Food Bank Board of Directors has announced Carmen Smith as the new Executive Director of the organization.

Carmen joined us in February 2017 as Community Outreach Manager where she worked her way up through organization development and community engagement division before moving into an Associate Executive Director and then Interim Executive Director for the last several months. Carmen comes to us with a robust background in food equity. From her experience working with international hunger relief organizations to grassroots nonprofits in food justice, she knows that relationships are the most vital part of any organization. Carmen has her Master’s in Public Administration from the Maxwell School. As the Executive Director, she brings this understanding to nurture invaluable partnerships for the White Center Food Bank. The WCFB is amidst several projects, including finding a new location, Carmen’s leadership in this important work has already proven invaluable.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, please join us in welcoming Carmen to her new role as the Executive Director. Her passion and dedication to the work at hand is obvious and inspiring.” said Gabbi Gonzales, White Center Food Bank Board President.

(Photo from whitecenterfoodbank.org)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Thursday watch

6:07 AM: Good morning!

WEATHER

Sunshine and 50s predicted today.

ROAD WORK

26th SW – Now closed southbound between Roxbury and Barton.

15th SW – Also as part of the King County-led work on the RapidRide project, southbound 15th is scheduled to be closed at Roxbury for underground utility work again today.

TRANSIT

The fall “service change” took effect Saturday, with various West Seattle changes, including the return of Routes 22 and 113. Also note the rerouting in RapidRide H Line work zones – on 26th and 15th SW in particular. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of canceled trips.

For ferries and water taxis, regular schedule today. Reminder that there will be NO West Seattle Water Taxi service this Saturday and Sunday, Watch @wsferries for ferry updates.

NOTE FOR TOMORROW

No classes Friday for Seattle Public Schools.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

562nd 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 movable 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.