day : 05/05/2022 9 results

THIS WEEKEND: Peony Festival @ Seattle Chinese Garden

May 5, 2022 10:52 pm

| Comments Off on THIS WEEKEND: Peony Festival @ Seattle Chinese Garden

| Gardening | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(2019 photo by David Hutchinson) lo

If you’ve looked at our West Seattle Event Calendar for this weekend, you know this weekend has a long list of possibilities. If you’re planning to spend extra time with your mom on or before Mother’s Day, one standout option is the Peony Festival at the Seattle Chinese Garden. The garden’s at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. The festival’s happening both days this weekend, 10 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday, with live performances noon-3 pm, starting with a noon Lion Dance on Saturday. The first day also includes a tree-peony sale (while they last). More info here!

Share This

COUNTDOWN: 9 days until West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day’s return!

May 5, 2022 8:59 pm

| Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 9 days until West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day’s return!

| Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Just another reminder that West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is approaching – now nine days away, on Saturday, May 14th, first one since 2019, 16th WSCGSD since the first one in 2005. We continue working on the map/list so it’ll be available this Saturday – no set time that day, as we’ll be working on it right up until the last moment, but we’ll announce it here the moment it’s ready. Whatever you’re looking for, we can almost guarantee somebody will have it – maybe multiple somebodies. Kid stuff, vintage stuff, outdoor gear, art, plants, knickknacks, bric-a-brac, even a hodgepodge or two … that’s just some of what the listings mention. The locations and settings span a wide range – apartment complexes, schools, businesses, blocks, yards, alleys, and yes, of course we have some garage sales in garages. Thanks again to the 320+ sellers who are gearing up to welcome neighbors and other shoppers for person-to-person recycling, one week from Saturday!

Share This

Visit a West Seattle fire station on Neighbor Day

May 5, 2022 6:39 pm

| Comments Off on Visit a West Seattle fire station on Neighbor Day

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

We can’t guarantee you’ll get to sit inside a fire engine, but all five of West Seattle’s fire stations will be open to the public 11 am-1 pm Saturday (May 7th) for the citywide celebration of Neighbor Day. They are:

–Fire Station 11 in Highland Park (16th/Holden)
–Fire Station 29 in North Admiral (2139 Ferry SW)
–Fire Station 32 in The Triangle (38th/Alaska)
–Fire Station 36 by the bridge (3600 23rd SW)
–Fire Station 37 in Sunrise Heights (35th/Holden)

SFD says everyone’s welcome and encouraged to visit, but just remember the firefighters are still on duty in case of an emergency, so there’s a chance they might have to suit up and head out while you’re there.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: What’s next for Seattle Public Schools schedule-change proposal

May 5, 2022 4:08 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As noted in our Wednesday event list, the proposal to change Seattle Public Schools to a three-tier schedule was pulled from the School Board‘s meeting agenda, after originally being scheduled for introduction last night, followed by a final vote two weeks later. The district says it has to make the schedule changes because of a shortage of school-bus drivers, but many concerns have been raised about the proposal resulting in many schools starting as early as 7:30 am and some starting as late as 9:30 am, with a long list of potential ripple effects, including a child-care crisis. (See the West Seattle/South Park list of proposed changes in our original report on the controversial plan.)

SPS Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones said in a statement that the district is “slowing down the decision-making process so we can continue to identify ways to alleviate the concerns that have been raised.” Will it be back on the agenda for the board meeting in two weeks? No decision yet. Dr. Jones’s statement also included: “Staff will continue to work with schools, families, and partners over the next several weeks as we refine this plan.”

Even without an official agenda item, the proposal was the subject of much discussion at last night’s meeting (video above) – both during the public-comment period and during the board-comment period. Some parents who spoke urged the district to keep the current schedules for next school year and spend that time working on the underlying issues. Board members spoke of the uproar with which they had been dealing for the past week-plus, saying that district staff surfacing this so late in the school year had “created an emergency where there shouldn’t need to be one.” West Seattle’s school-board rep Leslie Harris noted again, as she had at the recent community meeting, that the budget item foreshadowing this dated back months, so the proposal shouldn’t have been so last-minute. And board president Brandon Hersey also decried the resulting “fear and confusion,” when, he said, the board should instead be able to be “stewards of peace and clarity.”

Just one night earlier, the district held an informational meeting about the proposal; you can see the recording here. They’re continuing to accept feedback here. And if you want to talk about this – or any other SPS issue – with Harris, she announced that since library meeting rooms have just reopened, she will have an in-person community conversation meeting at 3 pm Saturday, May 21st, at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).

Share This

UPDATE: Tree cuts power to 14,000+ West Seattle, White Center, South Park homes, businesses, schools

May 5, 2022 12:43 pm

| 124 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

12:43 PM: Thanks for all the tips! Power’s out for many – we have reports from High Point to White Center so far – South Park too. Seattle City Light maps more than 14.000 homes and businesses out in the early going.

12:54 PM: The total is holding steady at 14,000+. We were spared here at HQ in Upper Fauntleroy – just a flicker – but our server is running slow under the traffic spike; we’re also updating Twitter. Just heard on the scanner that this is believed to have been caused by a tree being cut and hitting wires in the 6700 block of 25th SW.

1:08 PM: Obviously with such a wide area out, there are businesses and schools out (please let us know, or comment below, if you have any specifics) – also traffic signals, so if you are out on the road, please treat those as all-way stops.

1:21 PM: Our standard power-outage reminder – though SCL’s map has an estimated restoration time, those times, as we’ve learned over 15+ years of covering outages (and also hearing directly from the utility), are NOT based in any specifics an generally are way off – restoration could happen a lot sooner or a lot later, so don’t base any decisionmaking on the estimate. Meantime, NO word so far of any early dismissals at affected schools.

1:36 PM: Commenter says Southwest and South Park library branches are closed because of the outage. … SCL now confirms the tree report and says crews are on their way.

1:47 PM: Other closures include Southwest Pool. … More on the cause, from SCL’s Jenn Strang: “A tree took down two feeders, which resulted in a large number of customers affected. City Light anticipates that we will be able to get the majority restored early this afternoon but there may be a smaller group of customers that will be out for a longer period of time.”

1:57 PM: South Park is back on (thanks to commenter Lesley for that news) – the SCL map shows that lowers the total of customers currently affected to about 13,000. (Added, commenter says South Park Library has reopened.)

2:06 PM: More power just restored, per texter and commenters in High Point and elsewhere. (Added) Map shows 9,000 still out. Here’s the updated SCL map:

Basically, most of the north half of the original outage zone is back on. Commenters note that’s brought some businesses and schools back on line, too.

2:20 PM: And as commenters are noting, even more are back on – now down to fewer than 400 customers still out.

3:07 PM: Texter sent this photo of the downed-tree scene:

Those who are still out are mostly in proximity to the scene.

3:14 PM: Southwest Pool has confirmed it too has reopened.

5:59 PM: SCL says everyone has their power back.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Riverview gunfire

May 5, 2022 11:34 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Police responded to multiple reports of suspected gunfire late last night, and found evidence at one location – Riverview Playfield. People nearby started calling 911 just after 10 pm. Police reported finding at least four casings in the parking lot, about 100 feet south of the park restrooms. No property damage or injuries were reported. Officers were told “two silver sedans” were seen leaving the area right after the shots were heard. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 22-112222.

SIDE NOTE: SPD’s Tweets by Beat, the source for the automated feed at the top of our Crime Watch page (and also used by some apps), changed various call classifications recently and no longer differentiates between confirmed and unconfirmed gunfire reports – previously, an unconfirmed report was labeled “noise disturbance.” This change also can mean multiple entries for the same incident if the (possible) shots were called in by multiple people (as was the case with Riverview).

Share This

SSC open house, ‘Alma’ at ArtsWest, Battlestar Kalakala, more for your West Seattle Thursday

May 5, 2022 9:54 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox, here are the highlights for the rest of today/tonight:

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE OPEN HOUSE: 3-6 pm, come learn about South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor):

We are excited to welcome in-person events back to our campus! The event will feature refreshments, campus tours, information on programs, admissions, funding, student resources and more.

This is a great family-friendly event for all potential students and community members interested in learning more about South Seattle College!

Our calendar listing explains where on campus to find the open-house events.

CINCO DE MAYO: Multiple West Seattle venues are having special events – among them Mission Cantina (2325 California SW), with a pig roast and celebratory beverages, 4-10 pm … Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) has Mexican food plus Mexican beer specials, 4-9 pm.

SPORTS: Track meet scheduled this afternoon at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

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

PIANO BAR: The Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) welcomes you to a night of live piano music with Larry Knapp and friends, 7-10 pm. More info in our calendar listing.

CANNABIS IN NORTH HIGHLINE: It’s on the agenda for the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s online monthly meeting, 7 pm. Here’s how to watch/listen/participate.

PREVIEW NIGHT FOR ‘ALMA’: The new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) starts its run with a “preview” performance tonight, and that means $10 tickets – buy yours here.

BATTLESTAR KALAKALA: Get funky at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors at 8, music at 9. First of two nights this month because it’ll be recorded live!

‘ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’: The camp/cult classic is onscreen at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) tonight at 8:30 pm.

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

Share This

ORCAS: Whales passing West Seattle again

May 5, 2022 8:28 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

8:28 AM: Thanks to the caller who just reported at least five orcas in Elliott Bay, headed westbound toward Alki. Let us know if you see them!

(Added: Photo by Steven Director)

8:39 AM: Also just got a report from Kersti Muul, who says they’re now passing Alki and headed southwest “toward Vashon.”

8:51 AM: Kersti says the orcas are moving fast this time and already approaching the north end of Vashon, traveling midchannel.

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday watch; Water Taxi out of service until mid-morning

May 5, 2022 6:03 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:03 AM: Metro says the Water Taxi will return to service with a downtown departure at 10:30 am.

Earlier:

9:27 AM: Crash reported at West Marginal/Highland Park Way.

Earlier:

UPDATE: The Water Taxi is out of service this morning because of a crew shortage.

Earlier;

6:03 AM: Good morning and welcome to Thursday, May 5th.

WEATHER

The National Weather Service predicts rain “at times” today – high in the 50s.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

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

The West Seattle Water Taxi, which is operated by Metro, is now on the summer schedule – including later evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays.

Use an ORCA card? Start thinking about the changes ahead.

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

ROAD WORK

Early alert for the weekend: Closure of 3 left lanes on SB I-5 between I-90 and S. Spokane for pavement and expansion joint repairs. 10 pm Friday to 5 am Monday.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

773rd 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.)