West Seattle, Washington
29 Thursday
6:01 AM: Good morning and welcome to Thursday, May 12th.
WEATHER
The National Weather Service predicts rain at times today, windy too, high in the 50s.
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.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
780th 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 city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
(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.
(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:
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.
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.
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!
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!!!
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.)
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 city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are 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.
We’re now four days away from the planned return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, with more than 300 sales of all sizes registered for Saturday (May 14th), as shown on the map. Before we get to tonight’s featured list, a word about the weather. Yes, right now the forecast suggests rain is likely on Saturday. In 17 years, we’ve never had a rainout on WSCGSD; not to say it’s been completely dry – one year had some morning showers, but sellers and buyers carried on. So this has been an implicit “rain or shine” event, though we’ve never explicitly stated that (unlike the Garage Sale Day that inspired WSCGSD’s founders, in Phinney/Greenwood, where the registration form does declare it “will be held rain or shine”). Regardless, Tuesday is too early for the Saturday forecast to be locked in, especially in this unusual spring, where almost every day starts with a partly-to-mostly cloudy forecast, yet the sun often manages to break through in a big way.
Meantime, after rolling out the benefit-sales list last night, tonight we’re featuring business sales:
#4 – Wanderlust Nursery (plants)
#8 – David Robertson Design (staging company)
#97 – Hotwire Coffee (hosting multiple sellers)
#108 – Click! Design That Fits (loft sale)
#156 – Freshy’s (hosting multiple sellers)
#252 – C & P Coffee Company (hosting arts/crafts sale)
#253 – Thunder Road Guitars (annual WSCGSD sale)
#291 – Heartbeet/Youngstown Coffee (used restaurant items)
More WSCGSD news tomorrow, and see the map page for late updates to the list.
7:59 PM: SFD has sent a “scenes of violence” response to a report of a possible shooting victim in the 2500 block of Harbor Avenue SW. Police are there investigating. Updates to come.
8:02 PM: So far officers are telling dispatch that this appears to be unfounded – a report of a “flash” was instead a motorcyclist clipping an RV and causing sparks. (added) The SFD response has been canceled.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
While the Westside Awards are presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the words of gratitude from this year’s recipients make it clear that the awards are more about community than commerce – while embodying how the two are intertwined.
The winners were honored at the first in-person Westside Awards breakfast since 2019, held this morning at a new venue, the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge.
Speaking toward a sea of tables, WSCC executive director Whitney Moore noted the Chamber’s membership now stands at 231. She yielded the podium to emcee Brian Callanan, longtime local broadcast journalist who’s with the Chamber as director of the annual Loop the ‘Lupe event in West Seattle (June 4th this year).
The four winners, chosen by the WSCC from community nominations (here’s the full list of those), were announced last month – but this was everyone’s chance to see, hear, and applaud them.
Last night we published Stephen‘s reader report about his car getting spattered by concrete and rocks while he was driving under the west end of the West Seattle Bridge on Monday afternoon. Others reported in comments that it had happened to them, We asked SDOT about it this morning. This afternoon, we have their reply:
Yesterday, crews were grinding the bridge deck in preparation of the concrete overlay coming to the Fauntleroy Expressway. The grinding machine removes old concrete and preps the surface for paving and sprays water while it’s working to keep dust under control. Unfortunately, [it] went deeper than expected, and a combination of the existing concrete and water dripped through the bridge deck and onto the ground and some cars below. Initial inspections show no serious damage to the bridge structure or deck that won’t be fixed when the new pavement is laid.
If someone believes their private property – including their vehicle – was damaged, then they can file a damage claim with the city through our online portal at Filing a Damage Claim | seattle.gov. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused for anyone who has been affected.
The Fauntleroy Expressway is the formal name of the west end of the bridge, before and as it curves up toward Fauntleroy Way.
ADDED: In response to a followup question, SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali said the problem was caused by failure of a “sensor,” which has since been replaced.
Last October, we brought you first word that West of Chicago Pizza Company planned to move from its Delridge kitchen to a sit-down space in The Triangle, 3770 SW Alaska, formerly home to Chaco Canyon Organic Café. This week West of Chicago announced that the “last day of operation at the Delridge location will be Sunday, May 29th” and that the deep-dish pizza place “anticipates opening our doors at the new location somewhere around the end of June and the beginning of July.” (Thanks to Greg for the tip.)
Two major developments in the ongoing plan to replace the Fauntleroy ferry terminal/dock:
ALTERNATE LOCATIONS DISCARDED: Above is the WSF recording of last Wednesday’s Community Advisory Group meeting for the project. One major development – the possible alternative locations proposed in the early going are not going to advance to the next level of review. So what they’re looking at is what could be built in the same location – a same-size dock, a larger dock, etc. Still under consideration are possible offsite holding areas, coupled with a new dock in the same location. Here’s the slide deck with highlights including the list of which alternatives are advancing and which are not.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS: WSF has just formally announced the next round of community meetings, plus an upcoming “online open house,” as your chance to find out where the planning is at and share your thoughts. The online open house is set for May 18th through June 13th – no link yet; the community meetings will be held online, noon-1:30 pm May 24th and 6-7:30 pm May 25th. WSF says both meetings will cover the same information; register to attend by going here for May 24th, here for May 25th.
Two development notes this norning:
4508 CALIFORNIA SW: Going through The Junction this morning, we noticed crews putting up scaffolding in front of the three vacated business spaces that comprise this about-to-be-built mixed-use building, indicating demolition is approaching. When approved in 2019, the project was described as 58 apartments, 12 lodging units, 17 underground parking spaces, and ground-floor commercial space; other details are in our coverage of its final design review. This will be the first construction project on California SW in the heart of The Junction since the two projects built last decade one block south.
3201 SW AVALON WAY: This week’s first city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin brought word of a key land-use approval for this 8-story, 144-unit mixed-use building with 70 off-street parking spaces, proposed to replace the Golden Tee Apartments. Project details are in our coverage of its final design review last September. This approval opens an appeal window – deadline to file one would be May 23rd; the official notice explains how.
(Monday night photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE: The Public Safety and Human Services Committee meeting that starts at 9:30 am includes possible votes on proposals related to police hiring. You can watch via Seattle Channel.
DEMONSTRATION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: 4:30-6 pm at 16th/Holden, Scott leads this long-running weekly demonstration for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
SOUND TRANSIT COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP: 5 pm online, the advisory group for the Duwamish/West Seattle leg of the light-rail expansion meets for the final time. Find the viewing link here.
CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 6 pm online, this is the monthly opportunity for questions and comments about West Seattle’s only city-sanctioned tiny-house encampment. Participation info is in our calendar listing.
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), it’s the every-other-month general meeting of the community council for the Admiral area.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) and online, the monthly FCA board meeting welcomes community members. Here’s the agenda; here’s how to register to attend.
TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
See more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
So many of the remembrances we published these past two years ended with the promise that a celebration of life would be scheduled at a later date. One such was that of Ralph L. Heitt, remembered here in April of last year. Now we have an update on plans for a gathering: “A memorial/celebration of Ralph’s life will be held at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 1501 32nd Ave S., Seattle, on May 28th, 2022 at 11 am.”
6 AM: Good morning and welcome to Tuesday, May 10th.
WEATHER
The National Weather Service predicts a partly sunny day, high in the 50s.
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 TONIGHT
Mariners are again home vs. Philadelphia at 6:40 pm.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
778th 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 city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are 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.
Two more West Seattle Crime Watch reports before the night’s out:
GUNFIRE INVESTIGATION: Police have told dispatch they found at least five shell casings in the 4400 block of 26th SW, after going to the area to check out 911 callers’ reports of hearing suspected gunfire. No injuries reported so far.
STOLEN RED TAHOE: Lexy says this happened in Admiral:
Red 2003 Chevy Tahoe. Stolen sometime last night or this morning. BZE4423 plate number. Case number 22-116443.
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