(Madison MS PTSA photo from donut fundraiser in March)

School-fundraiser season continues. Today we got word that the Madison Middle School PTSA‘s annual auction has begun, with online 24/7 bidding all week culminating in a live virtual auction Saturday.

The Madison Middle School PTSA is a local nonprofit organization serving the needs of children in the Seattle School District and we hope you can join us for our “Virtual Vibes” online event where auction items will be available for bidding to support our school. The event proceeds will help provide funds for vital components of the school including new books for the school library, technology investment, textbooks, teacher grants, staff appreciation, instrumental music, school supplies, and much more.

Please visit the website to see all of the packages but you won’t want to miss:

#SeaUsRise Seattle Mariners Ultimate Ballpark Experience includes a once-in-a-lifetime experience for four fans to enjoy Commissioners Box Seats above the Mariners Dugout, a visit to your seats by the Mariner Moose, your names and message of choice on the Jumbo Tron, two autographed baseballs, signed by stars-on-the rise outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez. Added to this legendary Mariners experience are overnight accommodations in a suite and complimentary VIP parking at the Silver Cloud, just steps from T Mobile Park.

A weekend at Suncadia Resort in a 2+ bedrooms and 3 bathroom townhome just steps away from the pool and miles of trails for exploring. Soak in picturesque views of the small, tree-lined lake and walking trails that surround your home away from home – truly a slice of mountain paradise. Step inside this cozy townhome and you will find everything you need to enjoy your retreat

Professional portrait sitting with local photographer Dave Estep. Beautifully-lit, black-and-white, timeless portrait. Dave will retouch a main image of your choice. The package includes $200 credit for prints. Dave can come to you for the shoot or meet you at a mutually agreeable location in West Seattle.

Wine & whiskey tastings, gift cards to local restaurants, and much, much more. Check here for the full catalogue: https://madisonmiddleschool.schoolauction.net/auction2022/homepages/show

To learn more about the Madison PTSA mission, please visit: madisonptsa.com

Thank you for supporting our Madison Bulldog Community, we couldn’t do it without you!

The live online event is 6-7 pm Saturday (April 23rd).

Share This

GONDOLA? West Seattle SkyLink’s response to Sound Transit’s feasibility report

April 18, 2022 5:31 pm

| 192 COMMENTS

| Sound Transit | Transportation | West Seattle news

A week and a half after Sound Transit released its feasibility report about whether gondola service could replace light rail for West Seattle, the organization proposing it has released its response. West Seattle SkyLink sent the eight-page response to us last night – read it here or below:

West Seattle SkyLink says the Sound Transit report was no substitute for a “technical engineering study by gondola experts.” They say, “The Feasibility Report was prepared in-house without any analysis by an engineering firm that has experience with gondola technology, design, or construction as is usually the case. There are several US firms qualified to undertake a feasibility study for an urban gondola feeder.” The response also says, “Another glaring deficiency in the Sound Transit Report is the lack of a review of current urban gondola projects … most of these urban gondola projects are being considered as feeders or connectors to a light rail or rapid bus system, just like an urban gondola would be for West Seattle.” The projects they cite range from Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit, for which a Draft Environmental Impact Report is due out this summer, to the “cable-car” aerial line that just went into operation a week ago in Haifa, Israel. Much closer to home, SkyLink also notes that Kirkland looked into using gondolas for a connection to a Sound Transit station (the city’s website says a feasibility study was done in 2018 but the gondola alternative was not included in recent environmental analysis).

Overall, the SkyLink response concludes, “The Sound Transit Report did its best to throw as much dirt as it could on urban gondolas as a feeder to its light rail system without noting the many other public transportation agencies, both domestic and foreign, that have found an urban gondola feeder is exactly the appropriate complement to their bus and light rail systems.” Their contention continues to be that a gondola line could be built more quickly and inexpensively, with much less residence and business displacement, but as for how much money and time it would take, that would be up to a “properly produced study” to determine.

Will such a study be commissioned? Sound Transit staff repeated last week, in a presentation to the 34th District Democrats, that it would be up to the board to order it. ST’s Carrie Avila-Mooney added during the 34th DDs’ meeting Q&A that the agency “has no voter-approved money” to study it. The board’s next meeting is Thursday, April 28th, and it will include a public-comment period; watch for the agenda here.

Share This

UPDATE: Stuck truck east of 21st/Delridge

April 18, 2022 3:48 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks for the tips. Another semitruck has gotten stuck trying to navigate the winding road east of 21st/Delridge. We’re told police and a large tow truck are on scene.

6:04 PM: The road is clear.

Share This

Brown water in North Admiral

April 18, 2022 3:29 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

If you’re noticing brown water in North Admiral, you’re not alone. One resident we’ve heard from has called the Seattle Public Utilities number for reporting problems 24/7 – 206-386=1800 – and was told others had reported it, and that the problem was apparently related to construction in the area. Water discoloration is most often the result of sediment stirring up in the line – primarily rust.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: 10 days left to comment; 2 meetings this week

April 18, 2022 2:31 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

As of today, Sound Transit has received almost 1,000 comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the West Seattle-to-Ballard light-rail project. The DEIS was published three months ago, analyzing the routing/station-location alternatives the ST Board chose for studying. This is arguably the most-important comment period before board members lock in next year on what to build, and you have 10 more days to comment until the official deadline on April 28th. Here’s how. And if you are still looking for particular information in the DEIS or have questions about it, ST is offering four more blocks of “virtual office hours” for you to book a spot to get your questions answered – the info is all in their latest email update.

Among the many entities commenting on the DEIS is the City of Seattle, and two city meetings are on this week’s schedule. Tomorrow morning at 9:30 am, the City Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will get briefed both on the city’s commenting plans and the ST cost-savings proposals, both of which were presented to the West Seattle/Duwamish Community Advisory Group last week. The agenda includes information on watching and commenting. The cost-saving proposals also will be presented to the Seattle Design Commission on Thursday morning (April 21st), at 9 am. Here’s how to register to watch the meeting.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Contest launches for reopening-celebration design/slogan

April 18, 2022 12:42 pm

| 43 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(SDOT image from Saturday)

As we’ve been reporting, a community coalition led by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and West Seattle Junction Association is planning a celebration for the West Seattle Bridge reopening – not a celebration of the closure/repairs, but a celebration of the restored connection with the rest of the region. We noted last month that a logo/slogan contest was planned – and now organizers have sent the announcement that it’s on:

On behalf of the West Seattle Chamber and our West Seattle community, we are excited to announce a contest to feature a community-selected artist’s design for all marketing and swag! The winning design (and slogan, if desired) will receive $500, VIP treatment for all bridge-reopening events, and of course good ol’ bragging rights

The deadline for rough drafts is April 30th and the community will vote the 1st week in May. Please note: while we welcome all submissions, artwork needs to be family-friendly to qualify for voting and selection. Your entry submission means you are allowing West Seattle to use your art across all forms of marketing.

We’re looking forward to seeing all your ideas!

Notes:
* Any and all bridge events in no way, shape, or form impact the reopening date of the bridge, which is still unknown. The City of Seattle and Department of Transportation have granted us access one week before the bridge is set to open, which will happen regardless of the date it actually opens.
* Contest is open to West Seattle residents.

Apply HERE.

The celebration funding, including the contest prize, is from community sponsorships.

As for the bridge repairs – here’s our update from Saturday. The Community Task Force meets again 4 pm Thursday (April 21st) – that’ll be streamed here.

Share This

WHALES: Orcas in view from West Seattle

April 18, 2022 12:05 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

12:05 PM: Transient killer whales are back in the area after several sightings in recent days. Kersti Muul just sent word that transient orcas are in view from Alki, passing the mouth of Elliott Bay, southbound. Murky weather again, so you’ll need binoculars and rain gear.

3:17 PM: See comments for updates from people seeing the whales – currently reported to be passing Lincoln Park!

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle opportunities on ‘One Seattle Day of Service’

April 18, 2022 11:41 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

All over West Seattle, you have many options to be part of “One Seattle Day of Service,” officially announced today fr Saturday, May 21st. This map shows them, along with listings that will point you to the links for signing up. The Day of Service is described as “an open invitation to every Seattle neighbor to roll up your sleeves, come together, and give back, with volunteer opportunities in each neighborhood across the City.” Event hours vary – check the map/list/links for specifics.

Share This

8 for your West Seattle Monday

April 18, 2022 10:30 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Brant at Constellation Park, photographed by Dan Ciske)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s up in the hours ahead:

OCEANS OF EMOTION: Less than two weeks left to see the display in the Promenade Gallery at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 9 am-4 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm online, councilmembers look at the week ahead and recap the past week. No public-comment period, but the agenda explains how to watch/listen.

SPORTS: One high-school-baseball home game today: At Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), West Seattle HS (14-1) hosts Rainier Beach at 7 pm.

LINE DANCING: 6:15 pm class at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) – drop-ins welcome. Details are in our calendar listing.

OPEN D&D: Drop in to play 6:30 pm-10 pm Mondays at Meeples Games (3727 California SW).

TRIVIA X 3: Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Something coming up that should be listed on our calendar and in our daily previews? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

NEXT WEEKEND: Get ready to recycle

April 18, 2022 9:25 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

As the new week starts, we’re reminding you again that the next dropoff Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church is less than a week away – Sunday, April 24th. Here’s the list of what will be accepted (note that it changes from event to event, so what you see in our photo above may not match with what’s acceptable this time):

(You can also see the list here, including what NOT to bring.) 1 Green Planet is the church’s partner for the 9 am-3 pm event, which is held rain or shine

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Monday notes

April 18, 2022 6:03 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, April 18th. Seattle Public Schools are back in session after spring break, while several local schools start theirs today

WEATHER

Today’s forecast includes rain, wind, and cooler temperatures.

ROAD WORK

The two-week closure of the West Seattle Bridge/Spokane Street ramp to northbound 99 is supposed to start today, though WSDOT also warned that wet weather might change that.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES TODAY

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.

No midday service today through Wednesday for the West Seattle Water Taxi, because of training. Check its status via Water Taxi Vessel Watch. Summer schedule – adding later evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays – starts at the end of this week.

Ferries: WSF is still using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

756th 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.)