West Seattle, Washington

23 Tuesday

42℉

month : 04/2022 307 results

BIZNOTE: Sign’s up for Alki Phở & Bar
April 8, 2022 2:00 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Thanks for the tips (and to Chris for the photo). We’ve been watching the ex-J&J Public House space at 2808 Alki SW for a while, and the banner that went up Thursday reveals it’ll be Alki Phở & Bar. We haven’t yet reached the proprietors but Chris spoke to someone on site who said they’re hoping to be open by June 1st. Ownership in online records cross-references to the ownership of Best Pho & Thai Restaurant in Renton.

P.S. This would be the first phở restaurant on Alki since Saigon Boat Café, which was at 2632 Alki SW before a preschool took over the space.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Canoe family at Don Armeni
April 8, 2022 12:29 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Robin for the tip. The Muckleshoot Tribe‘s canoe family is gathered at Don Armeni Boat Ramp right now, preparing to launch. They told us they’ll be paddling this afternoon to Alki Beach and back.

Tribes’ canoes have been largely out of action during the pandemic; the traditional summertime multi-nation Canoe Journeys have been on hiatus, and there’s no date set yet for when they’ll resume.

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UPDATE: Another ‘remediation’ cleanup planned next week at SW Andover RV encampment
April 8, 2022 10:35 am
|      53 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

10:35 AM: The no-parking signs have just gone up for another “remediation” planned at the long-running RV encampment along SW Andover between 26th and 28th SW, four months after the last one. This was foreshadowed by a trash/debris pickup back on Monday; after that, we asked Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register about what’s ahead. Her response via email:

With a focus on addressing public health and safety, Seattle Public Utilities performs multiple RV Remediations monthly in different areas of the City. We do site assessments where there are five or more RVs in one location to determine which areas should be prioritized for cleanup. The remediation schedule is subject to change depending on factors like working conditions, staff schedules and safety concerns, and therefore is not posted publicly.

The SW Andover location you mentioned is scheduled for remediation in the coming days. At least three days prior to the remediation, no park signs are placed at the location, letting the public know about parking restrictions for a particular time period. Staff follow up with direct outreach to RV occupants starting 72 hours prior to a remediation.

Separate from an RV Remediation, SPU performed a clean (Monday) in this location to mitigate ongoing trash and debris in the right-of-way.

Since then, we’ve looked daily for the no-parking signs, and just spotted them this morning; the dates on them are April 10th-14th (Sunday-Thursday). Parking enforcement is now part of SDOT, so we are checking with that department to see if enforcement policies have changed since the last “remediation,” which included removal of only one vehicle that we’re aware of. The number of RVs there has remained steady in the ensuing months – usually ~14.

3:37 PM: Here’s how SDOT responded to our aforementioned inquiry: “SDOT parking enforcement is continuing to focus on clearing abandoned and unoccupied vehicles, and at this time is not impounding vehicles which are occupied by people refusing to relocate. … People living in vehicles often voluntarily move their vehicles before or during the clean-up event. SDOT may assist with parking enforcement of unoccupied and abandoned vehicles, if there are any present at the site of the clean-up effort.”

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Music, theater, more for your West Seattle Friday
April 8, 2022 9:49 am
|    Comments Off on Music, theater, more for your West Seattle Friday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Alki last night, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ART EXHIBIT: “Oceans of Emotion” is now on display at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), and you can drop in any time until 4 pm to see it.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: As previewed here, it’s the 12th anniversary for West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) and they’re celebrating through Sunday with a sale, during 10 am-6 pm business hours today, plus a Mizuno-demo group run at 6:15 tonight.

SPORTS: One home game at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – in baseball, West Seattle HS vs. Nathan Hale at 7 pm.

NOT DEAD YET, AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, music at 8, for West Seattle’s own Not Dead Yet headlining tonight’s show at The Skylark. $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE AT C & P: Monthly showcase at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm, no cover.

THEATER AT WSHS: “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,” in person or livestreamed at West Seattle High School‘s theater (3000 California SW), 7:30 pm, closing performance tonight. Tickets and other info can be found here.

THEATER AT ARTSWEST: ArtsWest‘s “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” continues tonight, 7:30 pm curtain time, in the theater at 4711 California SW. Tickets available here.

Got an event? Performance? Community meeting? Class? Or? Send it to us for the calendar – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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DAY FIVE: 75+ sales registered for return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day
April 8, 2022 9:22 am
|    Comments Off on DAY FIVE: 75+ sales registered for return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

After the first four days of registration for the 16th almost-annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – first one since 2019 – more than 75 sales are registered!

Just five weeks until Saturday, May 14, 2022, the day for simultaneous sales of all sizes all around West Seattle. Registration will be open until at least April 25th. We close signups a few weeks before WSCGSD so there’s time to create the map/guide with locations and listings for all registered sales. It’ll be available in clickable and printable formats no later than one week before sale day so you can see who’s selling what and where. This will be the 16th WSCGSD, three years after the 15th because of the pandemic; hours are 9 am-3 pm, but sellers can start earlier and/or end later (if your sale will be open extra hours, please mention that in your up-to-20-words listing in the guide). Tp register your sale when you’re ready, go here!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday! (weekend alerts added)
April 8, 2022 6:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, April 8th.

WEATHER

No rerun of that warm sunshine (Thursday’s high was 73) – today’s forecast has clouds, possible rain, and a high in the 50s.

ROAD-WORK NOTES

*Highway 99 tunnel has its monthly maintenance closure tonight.

*No weekend preview from SDOT – if we get word later today of any weekend road work, we’ll add it here. (ADDED 3:45 PM – here’s the preview:)

We’re planning to complete several projects this weekend. We expect to begin work as early as 7 AM and be done by 4:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday. We anticipate minimal impacts to travelers, but please navigate with caution through work zones and follow directions from signs and flaggers.

On Saturday, we’ll be updating curb ramps at 16th Ave SW and SW Barton St in the Highland Park neighborhood. On Sunday, we will be updating curb ramps at 45th Ave SW and Admiral Way SW in the North Admiral neighborhood. Parking will be limited in these areas during this work. People walking and biking in the area will be detoured to the other sides of the intersection for crossing.

In the North Delridge area, we’ll be installing foundations for future radar speed signs on 16th Ave SW between SW Morgan St and SW Findlay St on Saturday and Sunday. The parking lane will be blocked as we complete this work, however we do not anticipate disrupting traffic or impacting people walking and biking in the area.

On Saturday, we’ll be replacing two traffic signs on Fauntleroy Way SW just before SW Avalon Way. We’ll also be replacing a sign on Delridge Way SW, approaching the 5-way intersection. During this work, we’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane and there may be delays for people driving.

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. Shuttle service is now serving all runs.

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

746th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Meantime, SDOT traffic-camera images are back.

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 by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-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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UPDATE: Seattle Fire ‘full response’ in 7900 block 14th SW
April 8, 2022 1:03 am
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Seattle Fire ‘full response’ in 7900 block 14th SW
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

1:03 AM: Big SFD response to the 7900 block of 14th SW [map]. The fire’s already under control. Updates to come.

1:06 AM: Firefighters have told dispatch the fire appears “confined to the exterior” of the building.

1:12 AM: Crews have declared the fire “tapped” (out). The SFD investigator is being summoned to figure out what sparked it.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Puget Ridge gunfire (updated)
April 7, 2022 11:03 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

11:03 PM: Police have reported finding evidence of at least one shot fired, after multiple reports of gunfire on Puget Ridge, near 16th and Graham [map]. No injuries reported, and officers are checking the area for property damage.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: From SPD’s preliminary summary report:

On 04-07-2022 at 22:45 hours, officers responded to the area of 16 AV SW/ SW Graham ST for a report of a male shooting a gun and yelling. Officers arrived and located a scene … at the top of a pedestrian staircase. The witness reported hearing a disturbance at the top of the stairs and looking out through her kitchen window seeing a heavy-set male yelling and pointing a handgun westbound from the stairs, firing a single shot. The witness reported hearing the shooter say something to the effect of “You’re not going to steal from me anymore”, and general yelling about not stealing on the block anymore. No property damage was located.

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READER REPORT: West Seattle ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb takes on Whidbey Island
April 7, 2022 10:48 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

Another achievement for Riley Nachtrieb, whose running and filmmaking achievements we’ve noted in recent years. The report and photos are from her family:

On Monday, 20-year-old West Seattle-based ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb set out to run non-stop from the northern tip of Whidbey Island, Hoypus Point, to the southern tip of the island, Possession Point. The route was established by Greg Nance as a 54-mile FKT (fastest known time) Route where Greg set the male FKT of 10 hours 7 min, on January 15th, 2022.

Riley started the route at 7:30 am on April 4th, with the intention of setting the first female FKT. Although an FKT is a “solo” run, food and water support can be given. Riley was supported by friend and local WSHS student-athlete Herman Meyer, who followed her in a truck with food, water and moral support, as well as jumping out to pace her into the finish.

After 11 hours and 10 minutes of constant running, Riley succeeded in being the first woman to record the 54-mile FKT, which will soon be officially recorded here FastestKnownTime.com

Riley is the Social Media and Community Manager for the West Seattle tech startup SetJetters.com and a prolific runner in West Seattle often running with the “West Seattle Runner” group organized by Lori and Tim McConnell of the West Seattle Runner store. This coming May on the 14th and 15th, Riley will be attempting to run 135 miles non-stop across the Olympic Peninsula from Port Townsend to La Push setting the first overall FKT, male or female, which she was forced to abandon at mile 82 in 2019 due to a fractured foot.

Riley will soon announce her ODT (Olympic Discovery Trail) FKT website, where you will be able to follow her live. If you see her running around West Seattle or hanging out with her sister at West Seattle Runner, she’s always down to share miles with you!

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BIZNOTE: Here’s what will replace Copper Coin
April 7, 2022 7:51 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

More than a month after Copper Coin closed, with only a simple note on the door that the 2329 California SW restaurant was “temporarily closed,” we finally have information about what’s happening there next. About a week into the closure, we reached proprietor Aaron Shepherd, who told us he was not ready to comment on what was happening but expected to have something to say soon. That was the last we heard from him. We eventually found a listing indicating Copper Coin had been up for sale for months, and the listing was marked “pending,” indicating a sale in progress. No indication of who would be taking it over – until today, when a liquor-license application revealed the new owners. We reached one of them, Tony Barbano, by phone this afternoon. They’re planning to open a restaurant called West Wings, specializing in, as you’d probably guess, wings. They have a background in the restaurant business, having operated Round Table Pizza in Burien for 15 years. They’re hoping to have West Wings open in July. Copper Coin was in operation for almost 9 1/2 years; two years after it opened, Shepherd and partners opened Coastline in The Junction.

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VIDEO: West Seattle Transportation Coalition’s workshop to help you have your say on light-rail plan
April 7, 2022 6:01 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

6:01 PM: Just under way, both in-person and online, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s workshop to help you with the process of commenting on West Seattle light-rail routing and station locations, as detailed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement – a process that ends in three weeks. This is in part a drop-in event – the full agenda is here and below:

6:00 Doors Open
6:30 Welcome and Introductions
6:45 Overview of Light Rail Proposal
7:00 The EIS Process
7:15 Making Comments on the Draft EIS
7:45 Examples of Public Comments
8:00 Q&A
8:15 Write your public comment
8:30 Thank you and wrap-up

If you want to go in person, this is happening at American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle, 3618 SW Alaska. Online, the link is in our calendar listing.

6:30 PM: Update – WSTC says this is the new Zoom link. (We’re changing the link in our calendar listing too.)

8:33 PM: We recorded the heart of the meeting on video and will add that here when we have it uploaded later. (Added – here it is:)

>

All the ways you can comment are here.

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UPDATE: Crash at 8th/Roxbury sends 3 to hospital
April 7, 2022 3:26 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

3:26 PM: Big Seattle Fire “rescue extrication” response is headed to a crash scene at 8th and Roxbury [map], with one car reported to be “on fire.” Avoid the area. Updates to come.

(Added: WSB photos)

3:32 PM: No one’s trapped, so the response is being reduced slightly, but traffic is still being blocked around the scene, including on the unincorporated-area side south of the intersection. Three people are reported hurt, none with life-threatening injuries.

3:43 PM: Photo added above. That’s the southeast corner of 8th/Roxbury.

3:48 PM: Added another photo. Seattle and King County responders are both working on this. SPD has 8th closed about half a block north, KCSO has it closed about half a block south, and Roxbury is closed at the intersection. Of the injured people, two – male and female – were taken by medic unit to Harborview, while the third with less-serious injuries, male, was taken to a hospital by private ambulance. Investigators are still sorting out how this happened.

5 PM: Metro says buses are back to their regular routing on Roxbury, which indicates the intersection has at least partly reopened.

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BIZNOTE: West Seattle Runner’s 12th-anniversary party
April 7, 2022 2:55 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Starting tomorrow, West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) starts a three-day party in honor of its 12th anniversary. First, WSR plans a sale during regular business hours for the next three days – 10 am-6 pm Friday, 10 am-5 pm Saturday, 11 am-4 pm Sunday. 10 percent off shoes, 15 percent off everything else (plus an extra 5 percent off for “our Loyal Customers,” WSR says). Special events include a Mizuno group run at 6:15 pm Friday – “Come to try out Mizuno shoes on our group run. You will be able to take a pair of these shoes for whatever distance you plan to go (probably the bulk of the group will go 3 miles). After, we will enjoy beverages and social time. Models to try: sky and rider! You will also be entered into a raffle to win a pair to take home!” On Saturday, the regular 8 am group run is sponsored by Brooks: “Run whatever distance is on your training plan … or what your heart desires. Be entered into a raffle drawing for a pair of Brooks. You will get to demo a pair of Cascadia or Glycerin on your run. Pretty great way to try out a new shoe! Enjoy donuts and chocolate milk after!” And then on Sunday at 11 am: “Come for an Altra group run- meaning you can try out a pair of Altras for your run that day! Stay for mimosas post-run – we are celebrating our 12th year in business and we want to spoil you a bit. Be entered into a raffle to win a pair of Altras. Pick your distance of choice, meet some folks, enjoy your Sunday in style!” WSR is owned by Lori McConnell and Tim McConnell, who opened West Seattle’s only running shop in a different location in April 2010 and moved to their current location five years later.

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International celebration at West Seattle’s Nantes Park this Sunday
April 7, 2022 1:27 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

As first reported here last month, Sunday (April 10th) will bring a celebration at Nantes Park (5062 SW Admiral Way) honoring the anniversary of Seattle’s sister-city relationship with the French city after which the park is named. Seattle Parks just announced the details:

The Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association and the City of Seattle, through Seattle Parks and Recreation, invite the community to reaffirm our Sister City relationship with Nantes, France at a park celebration on Sunday, April 10 at 4 p.m. at Nantes Park in West Seattle, 5062 SW Admiral Way. The event welcomes delegates from Nantes and the Pays de la Loire region, and celebrates the Nantes Park Beautification Project that has transformed the park into a fun, family-friendly, and accessible community gathering space.

The beautification project of the park includes sculptures from Claude Ponti (beloved and prolific French children’s author and illustrator), a new paved, accessible walkway with more Ponti art embedded in the cement, and an art tile project embedded into the park seat-wall designed by students in Nantes and Seattle. Some of the work is not yet complete due to the concrete strike, but visitors to the park can see examples of Claude Ponti’s whimsical world and future park features.

Ponti draws on his experience with the Jardin des Plantes and the Parc de la Beaujoire in Nantes and brings his French-influenced art to Seattle’s Nantes Park, symbolizing the intersection of the two cultures. Nantes Park also represents Ponti’s first art installation to be showcased in the United States.

The Nantes Park project is part of a year-long celebration on both sides of the Atlantic recognizing the 42nd anniversary of Seattle’s sister-city relationship with Nantes. The park project is led by the Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association (SNSCA) in partnership with the Admiral Neighborhood Association, and is funded by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, the City of Nantes, the West Seattle Garden Tour, and volunteers. More information on the Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association, the Nantes Park project, and the events planned to commemorate the 42nd anniversary can be found at www.seattle-nantes.org.

The park-beautification project mentioned above happened through a community-led process over the past few years.

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UPDATE: Sound Transit releases ‘feasibility report’ on West Seattle SkyLink gondola proposal
April 7, 2022 11:02 am
|      107 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

When we first reported in early 2021 on the West Seattle SkyLink campaign – people advocating for a gondola (aerial tram) system between West Seattle and downtown instead of light rail – they suggested a feasibility study, for starters.

Sound Transit‘s board eventually asked the agency’s staff to do one, and this morning, ST has made its report public. The 17-page report is here and below:

It was officially released during the board’s monthly Executive Committee meeting, but without even an agenda item of its own – ST CEO Peter Rogoff announced its completion during the regular “CEO Report” item.

We got a pre-meeting briefing with Matt Shelden, the ST deputy executive director of planning and integration, who led the team that worked on the report; he also provided a very quick topline summary at this morning’s meeting. Rogoff offered a “more detaiiled briefing” to any board member who wanted one, and then moved on to other items; the board member who requested the report, West Seattle-residing King County Executive Dow Constantine, was not in attendance at this morning’s meeting.

In our pre-meeting briefing, Shelden said the staff received the request at the end of January, so the report has taken about two months. It reaches the same conclusion that ST had before the 2016 ST3 ballot measure that set the stage for light rail – that in ST’s view, a gondola system is not suitable as “high-capacity transit” – what ST is supposed to deliver – to get people between West Seattle and downtown.

The study reaches this conclusion on three main points, as summarized by Shelden:

First, ST says gondola technology would not “integrate well” with the existing (and planned) ST system, and would not necessarily be expandable to points south, as the West Seattle light rail is supposed to be. The integration also refers to the West Seattle to Everett trains – after full buildout – providing capacity through downtown, as well as to/from WS, capacity that the agency says would be lost if they instead substituted a gondola system for the West Seattle to downtown leg.

Second, they don’t believe a gondola system could reach the passenger capacity that they believe would be needed – up to 3,000 passengers per hour. While West Seattle SkyLink proponents believe the gondola cars could take off every 10 seconds, ST says even that pace would be likely to max out at 2,000 people per hour.

Third, “legal considerations” – Shelden says they believe the language of the ST3 ballot measure locks the agency into light rail, so “changing the (transit) mode would likely require voter approval.”

The report also says ST staff could not verify the SkyLink claims that the gondola system could be built more quickly and cheaply than light rail.

It also contains a few positive points, such as noting that an aerial system would not contribute to ground congestion, and that fare compliance would likely be easier to achieve than with trains.

We are seeking comment from SkyLink proponents and will add that to the story when we get it. Prior to the report’s release, they submitted these written comments saying they were unaware the feasibility study was in progress until the CEO mentioned it two weeks ago. Shelden said during the pre-meeting briefing with WSB that the study’s findings are based on staffers’ “review of other gondola systems, existing or planned,” as well as information from the SkyLink website and “a briefing last year” (which is mentioned in the SkyLink comment document).

So what happens now? ST continues with the light-rail plan unless directed otherwise by the board, which could call for a more extensive independent study, or, as Rogoff said at this morning’s meeting, independent briefings.

ADDED 3:21 PM: Here’s what we heard back from Constantine’s office, responding to our request for comment:

The Executive is looking forward to reviewing and understanding the outcomes and analysis contained within the Aerial Gondola Feasibility study he requested Sound Transit produce, based on requests from a group of community advocates in West Seattle. The Executive has publicly voiced concerns about both the legality and equity impacts of the aerial gondola proposal to replace the West Seattle portion of the voter-approved West Seattle to Ballard Link Extension, and will seek further understanding from the feasibility report and interested parties. At this time, our office has not been briefed on any planned further discussion amongst the board on this issue and would defer to agency leadership regarding any plans for continued discussion.

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BIZNOTE: Here’s when Antique Mall of West Seattle will ‘soft (re)open’
April 7, 2022 10:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Antique Mall of West Seattle)

One week ago, we reported that the Antique Mall of West Seattle (4516 California SW) will finally reopen. We asked for more details and now have their plan for a “soft (re)open” by appointment:

March marked two years of closure, save for our spring and summer sidewalk sales on Sundays when many Farmers’ Market patrons stopped by for a limited peek at our immense inventory. We have been truly motivated and inspired by the many people who asked when they’d be allowed inside…

We are thrilled to announce that preceding our official Grand Reopening (date TBD soon), we will have a soft opening beginning this weekend! On Saturday, April 9th through Monday, April 11th, we are offering one hour time-slots for folks to come in and enjoy an iconic Junction jewel once again, or for the very first time!

Items can be admired and purchased — accepting cash & cards — and we hope that the hundreds of people who have begged for an opening date will come by to see what we’ve curated on three incredible floors of countless treasures.

Time-slots can be be made via the following link:

koalendar.com/e/antiquesneakpeak

The Antique Mall is grateful to have such an enthusiastic, persistent community to fuel our efforts to re-open. We hope you will share our initial offering with West Seattle, and we look forward to seeing everyone soon.

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WSTC light-rail workshop, 1116 Alki design review, ‘Aladdin Kids’ @ OLG, ‘Lightning Thief’ @ WSHS, more for your Thursday
April 7, 2022 9:13 am
|    Comments Off on WSTC light-rail workshop, 1116 Alki design review, ‘Aladdin Kids’ @ OLG, ‘Lightning Thief’ @ WSHS, more for your Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Caitlin Gerhardt)

Big Thursday lineup! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ART EXHIBIT: “Oceans of Emotion” is now on display at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), and you can drop in any time until 4 pm to see it.

DESIGN REVIEW FOR 1116 ALKI: The Southwest Design Review Board meets online at 5 pm for its first look at this ~60-unit residential project. The meeting includes a public-comment period. See the design packet in our preview, which includes the link for attending/commenting.

LIGHT-RAIL COMMENTING WORKSHOP: 6-9 pm at American Legion Post 160 and online, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition hosts a workshop on how to effectively comment on the West Seattle light-rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement. (Not what to say, but how to say it.) Details, including attendance info, are in our calendar listing.

WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: 6 pm online, Rais Bhuiyan presents “One Second of Hate: A Story of Forgiveness” as part of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s speaker series. Our calendar listing has info on attending.

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Come try something new at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.

‘ALADDIN KIDS’ AT OLG: Our Lady of Guadalupe School‘s 8th Grade Class invites you to a one-night-only performance of “Aladdin Kids: The Musical,” 7 pm at Walmesley Center (34th and Myrtle). Snacks and Aladdin cookies for sale too. More info in our calendar listing.

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: 7 pm online, the community council for White Center and vicinity meets – see our calendar listing for agenda details and how to attend.

‘THE LIGHTNING THIEF – THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL’ AT WSHS: West Seattle High School‘s production has a curtain time tonight of 7:30 pm in the school theater (3000 California SW). Ticket info’s in our calendar listing.

‘THIS GIRL …’ AT ARTSWEST: ArtsWest‘s play “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” continues tonight, 7:30 pm, in the theater at 4711 California SW. Tickets available here.

BATTLESTAR KALAKALA: Monthly funk night at The Skylark, doors open at 8, music at 9. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Have an event to list on our calendar? We’re adding more daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday notes
April 7, 2022 6:03 am
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:32 AM: The East Marginal crash that backed up the 1st Ave. S. Bridge is clear per SDOT but the residual backup is likely to take a while to ease.

==================

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 7th.

WEATHER

If the forecast bears out, today could be a summer preview – sunny with a high that could reach the 70s.

ROAD-WORK NOTES

*We don’t have a status update on the 48th/Brandon sewer work, so be aware you might encounter a slowdown in that area.

*Highway 99 tunnel has its monthly maintenance closure Friday night.

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. Shuttle service is now serving all runs.

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

745th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Meantime, SDOT traffic-camera images are back.

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 by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-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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Mayoral guest appearance booked, and other notes from District 1 Community Network
April 6, 2022 11:52 pm
|    Comments Off on Mayoral guest appearance booked, and other notes from District 1 Community Network
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

For months, the District 1 Community Network has been talking about trying to get Mayor Bruce Harrell to make a guest appearance at one of their monthly meetings. As the coalition of West Seattle and South Park community advocates met tonight, D1CN’s administrator Larry Wymer announced the mayor has committed to be at their May 4th meeting. D1CN continues to meet online, so that’ll likely be a virtual appearance. … Another city-politics topic discussed tonight was City Council redistricting. Elsa Batres-Boni from the city talked about the Redistricting Commission‘s work, noting that census results mean District 1’s boundaries will change for the 2023 election, though new maps haven’t been finalized yet. You can look at four draft maps here – we reported on them in February – and send your comments. Final draft is expected in September … D1CN got an update on the Fauntleroy ferry-dock-replacement planning process from Mike Dey and Frank Immel of the Fauntleroy Community Association. They noted an all-West Seattle meeting about the project is planned for May 24th; details to come … D1CN meets first Wednesdays at 7 pm, so that’s when you can expect to hear from the mayor on May 4th.

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FOLLOWUP: Crowdfunding help for couple whose work truck and tools were taken by thieves
April 6, 2022 8:35 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

A small family business remains without its work vehicle and tools after a theft reported here last month. Now a friend has set up a crowdfunding campaign in hopes a community boost will get them back in business. From Brenda:

Hello! I am writing to ask for support from the West Seattle community for a West Seattle couple who had their work van and tools from the street outside their home near Westwood Village. (Reported on WSB here)

The early days of COVID hit their family hard, making their family of five sick and putting Alejandra and Obed out of work. Once everyone was healthy, they started a small outdoor window washing, power washing, landscaping, and odd-jobs business to get caught up on bills during COVID Phase 2 when service workers were not allowed in homes. This business has been growing through recommendations and referrals for the last two years.

Spring is the busiest time of year for them and now they don’t have the tools to run their business and make this income for their family. We’ve put together a Home Depot list of the tools they need and it totals over $7,000 without taking the van into account. We’re setting the goal for the GoFundMe campaign at $4,500 so that we can quickly get them the ladders, power washer, and landscaping tools needed so they don’t miss out on work during this busy season.

Please consider supporting this family-owned business by donating to the GoFundMe campaign. Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 robbers hold up Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction; store closes a day later for security update
April 6, 2022 6:08 pm
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

6:08 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction right now, investigating a robbery. No details available but looking inside the store, we could see that at least one of the cases was smashed. It’s been just three weeks since the business had windows smashed by a person described in the police report as a disgruntled client.

7:57 PM: SPD spokesperson Det. Valerie Carson tells WSB that three robbers “took cash and merchandise” before leaving “in a dark-colored Honda sedan.” They are described only as armed, male, and in their late teens/early twenties. No injuries reported.

2:34 PM THURSDAY: A few more details from police today: “(The robbers) forced the employees to lay face down on the ground. (They) then forced the employees to take money from the cash registers and a back room safe … they also smashed several jewelry display cases and took several jewelry items. It was estimated (they) stole twelve thousand dollars in cash and additional jewelry. All three (robbers) fled in a black, mid-1990s Honda Accord that was parked nearby. One of the (robbers) walked with a distinctive limp.”

2:47 PM THURSDAY: The store has sent this announcement saying it’s closing immediately for a security update:

Beginning today, April 7, 2022, Bellevue Rare Coins will be closing their West Seattle location for remodeling and updating their security measures. This closure will be effective immediately and last through July 2022.

In light of recent events we will be taking this opportunity to not only improve the aesthetics and layout of our store for a more satisfying experience for our customers. This remodel will also improve the safety and security for our customers, as well as our staff. As safety for all is our top priority, we will also be utilizing this time to improve security at all other Bellevue Rare Coins locations, bringing all protocols and equipment up-to-date with state of the art security. During this time of closure, all West Seattle staff will be relocated to surrounding locations to better serve our community and meet the needs of our customers.

We look forward to serving our West Seattle customers again in July, with a safer and updated environment.

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UPDATE: Emergency sewer work at 48th/Brandon
April 6, 2022 5:44 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:44 PM: Flaggers are on 48th SW at Brandon as Seattle Public Utilities crews work on a sewer-pipe problem. Here’s what SPU tells us:

Today, near 48th Ave SW and SW Brandon St, a sewer pipe collapsed while Seattle Public Utilities crews were removing significant debris. This is an 8” pipe, which is on the smaller side.

In response, SPU crews are:

setting up a pump and bypass system to ensure sewer service
working to find the exact location of the break
preparing for a possible emergency sewer repair

We have no additional details repair timeline. Please anticipate possible lane closures, parking restrictions, increased construction traffic and activities, and travel delays in the area.

9:18 AM THURSDAY: SPU tells us, “Crews worked overnight to repair the broken pipe and restore service to the affected homes.”

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RETURNING: West Seattle YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day
April 6, 2022 4:29 pm
|    Comments Off on RETURNING: West Seattle YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day
 |   Fun stuff to do | Health | Triangle | West Seattle news

Another annual event coming back for 2022 after a pandemic hiatus: Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). The Y has announced that it’s set for 10 am-1 pm Saturday, April 30th, at its main local branch, 3622 SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle. It’s a free event with activities for all ages, and membership is NOT required – it’s open to everyone. Here’s more info on what activities they’re planning – we expect more details as the event gets closer.

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