day : 11/05/2022 11 results

We’re now three days away from the planned return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. The forecast has improved incrementally, and planning continues – we’ll see how it’s looking tomorrow. As we noted in last night’s update, we’ve had a shower here and a shower there over the years (like 2017), but never an all-out rainout. If you haven’t seen the 300+-sale map yet, find it here (along with notes about last-minute changes and cancellations). We’re also continuing to make lists. We’ve already published a list of benefit sales and a list of business sales; here’s a list of sales with plants (hey, showers make them grow):

#2
#4 (Wanderlust Nursery)
#95
#101 (indoor plants)
#263
#268
#303 (Solstice Park P-Patch plant sale)
#304
#305
#326

And if your garden could use some art … that’s part of what the glass artist hosting Sale #69 will have, including hummingbird feeders:

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Or maybe some glass floats?

Anybody else with a photo of something unusual you’re selling, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks! More updates tomorrow.

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SPORTS: West Seattle, Chief Sealth split softball-playoff games

May 11, 2022 9:30 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

High-school playoffs continue. As noted in today’s preview list, both West Seattle HS and Chief Sealth IHS had playoff games in softball today. Each played two games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, winning the first and losing the second – CSIHS beat Seattle Prep 17-13 and then fell to Bishop Blanchet 15-3, while WSHS defeated Rainier Beach 23-0 and then lost to Holy Names 13-3. Both play next on Friday, again at NCSWAC – starting with 1:30 pm games: Chief Sealth vs. Eastside Catholic and West Seattle vs. Garfield.

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CAMP SECOND CHANCE: New tiny houses arrive

May 11, 2022 8:37 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Myers Way | West Seattle news

Here’s what we heard at this month’s meeting of the Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee, held online last night:

ADDITIONS: Lots of renovation/addition work under way at the city-sanctioned encampment that’s been on the city-owned Myers Way Parcels for nearly six years. 15 of the 26 new tiny houses mentioned last month have arrived, reported camp manager Scott Harris; none are connected to electricity yet. The new kitchen and shower facilities are in place; the latter is being set up for ADA accessibility. The laundry room is finished and awaiting washers and dryers. New appliances also are on order for the kitchen – refrigerators and a freezer. Two shipping containers are expected as well, one for campers’ storage and another to be used to hold donated items. A new security structure was expected today, replacing the old one.

CURRENT CAMP POPULATION: 39 as of meeting time, with one intake in progress. The camp also is home to three cats and one dog. Two 911 calls were made in April, both for medical assistance. One person is moving into permanent housing this week. Case manager Marjorie Johnson is getting some help, though she wasn’t sure yet if that person will be working part time or full time.

RESTORATION WORK: CAC member Grace Stiller‘s organization Weed Warriors continues working with CSC on restoration of the natural area around the camp, with current projects including a walking trail as well as blackberry-root removal.

The Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee meets second Tuesdays, 6 pm, online. Email c2ccacchair@gmail.com if you’d like to get notifications.

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THURSDAY: West Seattle Art Walk, May edition!

May 11, 2022 7:18 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Tomorrow night (Thursday, May 12th), you’re invited to get out to explore and enjoy local art, during the May edition of the West Seattle Art Walk. Above is this quarter’s list of venues – both those hosting art and those offering food/drink specials to people who are out and about on Art Walk night. For specifics – like artists, receptions, hours – you can check this month’s preview on the WSAW website. One highlight: Lake Washington Physical Therapy (1309 Harbor Avenue SW; WSB sponsor) across from Don Armeni Boat Ramp is opening its doors for its quarterly Art Walk reception, spotlighting the group show “Sky” (previewed here) – stop in 7-8 pm to enjoy the art, and the view. Lots of other highlights from Admiral in the north to Arbor Heights in the south – browse the preview and make your Thursday night plan!

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FOLLOWUP: Here’s what SDOT says went wrong with the West Seattle low bridge this morning

May 11, 2022 5:56 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(SDOT camera image, 9:18 am today)

As covered in our morning traffic watch, the low bridge was out of service for more than an hour this morning, and intermittently closed for testing for a few hours beyond that. We asked SDOT what went wrong. Here’s the explanation:

Today during the rush hour commute, the Spokane Street Swing Bridge (West Seattle Low Bridge) was closed to vehicles due to an electrical issue. Our bridge operations team found that one of the electronic sensors (known as temponsonic transducer) which sends signals to the computer controlling bridge movements was causing an error message and had to be reset. Our crews fixed the current issue and completed several tests before opening the bridge to traffic. We are hopeful that the issue has been resolved. We will continue to perform our regular maintenance and frequent inspections on the bridge to ensure it stays operational and safe.

New electronic controls are part of what the low bridge is getting as part of the repair/rehab work scheduled later this year.

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VIDEO: From longhouse to courthouse: Duwamish Tribe files lawsuit in new round of longrunning fight for federal recognition

May 11, 2022 3:35 pm

| 29 COMMENTS

| Duwamish Tribe | West Seattle news

(WSB photos. Drumming/singing at today’s event. At left, an image of Kikisoblu, Chief Sealth’s daughter)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With this city named after its legendary leader, and home to a river bearing its name, the Duwamish Tribe says its lack of federal recognition makes no sense.

So the tribe is going to court, with a lawsuit launching a new chapter in the fight for recognition, which it says the federal government owes them as lead signatory to the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott. The lawsuit – which you can read here – was announced during an hour-and-a-half midday event at the tribe’s Longhouse in West Seattle.

The event, attended by members and supporters via livestream as well as in person, featured Duwamish Tribe leaders as well as its lawyers, most of whom are with K&L Gates. The speeches, taken together, provided a history lesson as well as a briefing on the lawsuit itself (which also is laden with history). Here’s how it unfolded:

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RETURNING: Stamp Out Hunger mail carriers’ food drive Saturday

May 11, 2022 1:36 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news

That’s the bag that arrived with our mail today for Saturday’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive – the first one since 2019. In case you haven’t already seen it in our calendar, here’s the announcement:

The Letter Carriers’ food drive is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Hunger affects 1 in 8 Americans, including millions of children, senior citizens and veterans.

In the 30 years since it began, the food drive has collected about 1.82 billion pounds of food for struggling residents.

The need is as great as ever, given the pandemic-caused economic dislocations of the past two years. The traditional food drive is returning this year after a two-year hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020 and 2021, it was replaced by NALC’s donor drive, in which those wishing to help made online donations to local food pantries. …

The timing is important, with food banks, pantries and shelters running low on donations from the winter holidays and with summer approaching, when most school meal programs are suspended.

On May 14, as they deliver mail, the nation’s 200,000 letter carriers will collect the donations that residents have left near their mailboxes. People are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, pasta, rice, or cereal next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery on Saturday. The food donations stay in each community, going to help local residents. …

People who have questions about the drive in their area should ask their letter carrier, contact their local post office, or go to nalc.org/community-service/food-drive or twitter.com/StampOutHunger.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen silver CR-V (update: found)

May 11, 2022 11:21 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

11:21 PM: Be on the lookout for Kaley‘s stolen car:

My car was stolen from the alley parking pad behind my house on 35th Avenue SW last night at midnight. It was driven to an apartment complex off 16th Avenue in White Center, where the GPS was disconnected at 12:55 am. 2001 Honda CR-V / silver / plate # BTR3878. No plate on front bumper. Tire cover on back is no longer there. SPD incident # 22-117970.

5:58 PM: As noted in comments, a reader spotted it and called it in.

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What’s ahead for the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday

May 11, 2022 11:10 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

k(Eyelash cup fungi at Schmitz Park, photographed by Rosalie Miller)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:

SPORTS: Three events at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex this afternoon – a track meet plus two softball playoff games: 1:30 pm, Chief Sealth IHS vs. Seattle Prep; 3:30 pm, West Seattle HS vs. Rainier Beach.

PUGET SOUND LOCAL YARN TOUR: Here on the peninsula, Seattle Yarn is participating starting today.

PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY BOARD: This city-convened group meets online at 6 pm – the agenda includes viewing/commenting information.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 6:30 pm pre-meeting Q&A with state legislators, then the regular meeting – attendance info plus agenda highlights are in our calendar listing.

‘ALMA’: The second week of performances starts at 7:30 pm for the newest play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Get your ticket(s) here.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW) (See comment below)

TRIVIA x 2: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.

Have something for our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Bidding opens in Fairmount Park PTA’s online auction

May 11, 2022 10:55 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Another chance to help a local school! Today’s the first of three days for bidding in the Fairmount Park Elementary PTA‘s online auction. Here’s the announcement:

Fairmount Park PTA is hosting their annual auction Speakeasy Soirée: Have a Roaring Good Time.

This year we have the Virtual Silent option open from Wednesday, May 11th to Friday, May 13th. Bidding closes at 7:15 pm. We are raising money to fund many FPE programs including: Food for Falcon Families Program, Teachers Grant, Reading Support teachers, and support for the school library, physical education, art, and music programs. We have some top ticket items like tickets to Sounders, Mariners and Kraken Games, wine-tasting packages, and many weekend getaways.

Please purchase a $5 Virtual Ticket and start your bidding!!!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday notes; low bridge reopens after hour-plus closure for ‘electrical issue’

May 11, 2022 6:00 am

| 59 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:30 AM: The low bridge has a mechanical problem and buses (etc) are being rerouted.

8:40 AM: One Metro alert says mechanical issue, another says “collision.” Police are being sent for traffic control.

9:08 AM: Per emergency radio – a dispatcher sending more SPD just said SDOT told them “another 15 minutes or so.”

9:23 AM: SDOT has sent an advisory blaming an “electrical issue” and saying there’s now no ETA for a fix.

9:31 AM: Reopened, per camera and commenter.

10:03 AM: SDOT has sent us an update that while the low bridge is open now to let traffic through, “we will be possibly closing the gates again to do some testing.”

11:04 AM: Update from SDOT – “we have rectified the current issue and completed test openings. The bridge is currently fully operational.”

1 PM: Another update from SDOT – “While the bridge is now operational, we are still evaluating the issue to provide a more complete picture of what happened to cause the problem. It may take a while to fully evaluate and review the information. We will let you know when that work is complete.”

Earlier:

6 AM: Good morning and welcome to Wednesday, May 11th.

WEATHER

The National Weather Service predicts another partly sunny day, high around 60.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule, but watch @kcmetroalerts (new account) for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

Check the West Seattle Water Taxi status here.

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

STADIUM ZONE TODAY

Mariners are again home vs. Philadelphia at 12:40 pm.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

779th 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.)