West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Fauntleroy ferry dock/terminal must and will be replaced. But might it be moved, too?
At this early stage in the planning process, that’s a possibility, the replacement project’s Community Advisory Group was told tonight. During the group’s first meeting in three months, Washington State Ferries rolled out nine “draft alternatives” – including concepts, however improbable-seeming, for possibly moving the dock to Lincoln Park or Lowman Beach.
More on the nine “draft alternatives” in a moment. First, here’s what the meeting was all about. The replacement isn’t expected to go into construction before 2025, so the process is currently in the stage of developing alternatives and finalizing the criteria for screening them.
Screening is a two-level process, and when they get to stage 1, that’s the “fatal flaw” part of the process; stage 2 is “detailed analysis.” Read More
Mackenzie reports a stolen car to watch for: “Black Jetta GLI stolen from 29th Ave SW and Thistle SW. License plate is BWG7161 – WA plates. It was taken night before last (Monday) between 9 pm and 6 am.” If you see it, call 911. (Update: Found in Westcrest Park 10 days after this report.)
What a sunset! Thanks to everyone who sent photos. Above, the first one in was from Mel in Highland Park; the view below is from Brooke Gozstola:
Tom Trulin had this view overlooking the Fauntleroy ferry terminal:
Doug Eglington caught the reflection from downtown buildings:
And here’s Bill Johnson‘s view from Upper Fauntleroy:
Savor the colors – could be another gray day tomorrow.
(J37 in central Puget Sound in December 2020, photographed by Kersti Muul)
Happy and sad news about the Southern Resident Killer Whales. First, the happy news – J-Pod has a new calf. The Center for Whale Research confirms the arrival of J59, believed to have been born to 21-year-old J37 sometime in the past few days. The two were seen yesterday in the San Juan Islands. CWR says this is the first J-Pod calf born in a year and a half. This brings the number of J-Pod orcas to 74. It’s too soon to know the calf’s gender.
Now the sad news – two other J-Pod whales are believed to have lost their calves, according to SR3. Their researchers documented three pregnant J-Pod whales last September (as reported here) and now says that during a recent sighting, before the aforementioned birth, only J37 appeared still pregnant. The other two had lost body size, and neither was accompanied by a calf. “Unfortunately, reproductive loss has become normal for this population,” SR3’s report says. (These orca updates were first reported by Lynda Mapes of The Seattle Times.)
This month’s newsletter from Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner goes beyond crime.
It’s worth saving in case you ever need to notify somebody about a wide variety of issues – if the embedded version above doesn’t work for you, here’s a PDF version.
Announced today by the Seattle Public Library: The system’s Board of Trustees has chosen Tom Fay as Chief Librarian. He’s been in the role on an interim basis since Marcellus Turner left a year ago. Before that, he spent five years as SPL’s director of library programs and services. Here’s the official news release. Fay was one of two finalists for the job. According to the detailed job listing, the “mid-range salary” for his new job is $203,700. The system he’ll be running has four branches in West Seattle – in Admiral, North Delridge, High Point, and Westwood.
(WSB photos)
Almost a week has passed since Russia invaded Ukraine. Worldwide signs of support for Ukraine include some here in West Seattle. This morning, Our Lady of Guadalupe students and parishioners held a Prayer Walk after their Ash Wednesday Mass.
Many participants wore items in blue or yellow, the colors of Ukraine’s flag.
Some signs carried bilingual messages of peace.
At 6:30 tonight, before the evening Ash Wednesday Mass, OLG (35th and Myrtle) plans to pray the Rosary for Ukraine peace as well.
Jessica sent the photo and report:
I parked my car at the 3400 block of California. I went to my car to discover that someone attempted to break in (I’m assuming anyway). The front window on the driver side was smashed in. Even with insurance, it’s a costly fix. Wondering if anyone saw anything. Happened in the late hours of the first to early hours of the 2nd.
(Tuesday’s sunset, photographed by James Bratsanos)
Notes for the rest of your Wednesday:
SCHOOL BOARD: A budget increase for the West Seattle Elementary addition project is one of the items the Seattle Public Schools Board will consider during its semimonthly meeting, starting at 4:15 pm. The agenda includes viewing information.
FAUNTLEROY TERMINAL REPLACEMENT: The Community Advisory Group for the Fauntleroy ferry dock/terminal replacement project meets tonight for the first time in 3 months, 6 pm online. Our preview has information on how to participate.
DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm online, the community coalition for West Seattle and South Park has its monthly meeting, all welcome. Our calendar listing has information on how to participate.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Something for our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Last weekend brought the end of West Seattle’s long-running city-supported COVID-19 vaccination clinic. But three local pop-ups have been announced for this month. For everyone eligible, the West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor) is offering a community vaccination clinic noon-4 pm Saturday, March 12th; limited walk-in opportunities are expected, but you can also make an appointment – this flyer explains how. Meantime, for Seattle Public Schools students and staff, the district is promoting two upcoming clinics – 3-5 pm tomorrow (Thursday, March 3rd) at Upton Flats (35th/Graham) in High Point, and 9 am-1 pm Saturday, March 19, at Concord International (723 S. Concord) in South Park. For other availability, the state continues offering an online locator tool.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, March 2nd.
WEATHER
Showers are in the forecast, with a 50s high.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES TODAY
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.
Water Taxi‘s on its regular schedule.
Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
708th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
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.)
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
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