West Seattle, Washington
10 Tuesday
Two days before their first game as the DubSea Fish Sticks, collegiate baseball players from all over the country were at the stadium in Steve Cox Memorial Park today for practice. It’s the team’s home stadium for the summer, and the first game is Saturday night.
Today, the players were mostly wearing apparel from their college teams – but the brand-new Fish Sticks uniforms and hats were awaiting pickup:
This year’s roster features players from 30 different colleges, according to Fish Sticks general manager Justin Moser. He promises a trip to the park will get you more than baseball – they’re also offering food, beer, music, and “crazy promotions.”
The Fish Sticks will play 27 home games, including every Friday and Saturday from June 4th to July 31st. Single-ticket prices are $12 adults, $8 youth (12 and under), seniors, and military, or you can get discounted tickets in “flex packs” for three to 14 games. If you haven’t been to Steve Cox Memorial Stadium, it’s at 1321 SW 102nd. Opening-night game time is 6:35 pm Saturday vs. the Everett Merchants.
One reader report tonight in West Seattle Crime Watch: It’s not surprising to hear about a case of gas siphoning, given the current prices. The victim, who wants to remain anonymous, says this happened between 10:30 and 10:50 am today “in the alley of the 3200 block, between Hanford and Hinds & 44th Ave SW and California Ave SW. … A man came onto our property and siphoned gas out of our truck.” They saw him as he left in an older gold Chevy Silverado, license plate starting with C539. The siphoner was described as white, “maybe in his 40’s or 50’s, short mustache, maybe short beard, dirty black hat with white writing/pic on front, wearing a light blue shirt or jacket, with a darker blue collar sticking out.” The victim said they were primarily contacting us so that others are aware this can happen.
8:31 PM: Thanks to Susan for the tip. 10 homes are without power in Upper Morgan. Susan reports, “Looks like and sounded like a transformer blew, in the alley between 38th & 39th and Morgan.”
9:13 PM: Short-lived outage, according to this update from Susan: “Wowser, they were quick. Truck got here 10 minutes ago and they are rolling out already.” The map hasn’t updated yet but Susan says the power’s back.
(WSB photo from 2019 Loop the ‘Lupe)
Even if you’re not registered yet, it’s not too late to get in on this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe, four events this Saturday (June 4th) at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle). For one, you can still register online – price goes up tonight at midnight. You can get a discount if you sign up for Loop the ‘Lupe AND July 23rd’s Float Dodger 5K (look for the bundling option here). Packet pickup is tomorrow, 4-6 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for those who have registered by then – and your bib number will be good for a discount on shoes and running gear while you’re at WSR. You can also wait to get your packet on race day, and if you decide to wait until then to sign up, on-site registration starts at 10 am. (Event schedule: 11 am obstacle-course start, 11:45 am 5K, noon Senior Saunter, 1 pm Youth Dash.) One more thing – even if you’re not running/walking/etc., you are invited to the barbecue and beer garden – $4 burgers/hot dogs and $5 Georgetown beer), with live music from West Seattle School of Rock. You can also donate on-site to the Loop the ‘Lupe beneficiary, Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s community programs (explained here).
Nice afternoon to walk on the beach. You can do that along the entire stretch of Lowman Beach now – but aside from the beach, most of the rest of the park remains fenced off, though the work to remove its seawall and restore its shore is done. It’s been eight months since work started in earnest on the $1.2 million project, which matches the duration estimate Seattle Parks gave at the time. Asked about the project’s status, Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor told WSB, “The project is substantially complete. The park is partially fenced off to allow lawn to establish. This year we had such a cold spring so it’s taking longer for lawn to establish. We anticipate removing the fence around the turf this summer. The new beach area is currently open to the public. People can access from the street-end access point.” (That’s on the south side of the park and requires clambering over driftwood to get to the water.)
1:32 PM: Back in mid-April, we were first to report on a neighborhood campaign to save the chestnut tree shown above, on private property but in the path of a public project – a curb ramp to help people crossing SW Fontanelle on the east side of Fauntleroy Way, just north of Solstice Park. Its roots had grown under the sidewalk. In late April, as reported here, the city arborist came out for a look, and said they would determine within a few weeks whether the tree could be saved. Today, we have word from SDOT that they’ve found a way. From spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:
We are pleased to share that we have found a solution which will allow us to repair the sidewalk and build an accessible curb ramp at the corner of Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Fontanelle St without removing any trees.
We have heard from many community members who were concerned about the possibility that this tree might have to be removed as a part of our curb ramp project to improve accessibility in this neighborhood. While SDOT had never determined that it would be necessary to remove the tree, we are glad that we were able to find a solution which maintains the health of this tree and resolves the community’s concerns.
Our updated curb ramp design will allow us to build a new parallel/corner curb ramp with minimal tree root trimming that should not harm the tree. SDOT worked closely with Seattle Public Utilities, which will relocate the fire hydrant near the chestnut tree at the northeast corner of Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Fontanelle St. The new location for the fire hydrant will continue to provide the same level of fire protection for the neighborhood, and allow us to build a new curb bulb to make room for a curb ramp that meets ADA standards without harming the tree.
We anticipate completing this curb ramp work in the next two to three weeks, depending on weather conditions. Our contractor is scheduled to begin excavation work to decommission the existing fire hydrant and install a new fire hydrant as soon as Friday June 3.
Relocating the fire hydrant requires a temporary water outage, which is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, June 6. Impacted customers have been notified by SPU, and more information about the planned water outage can be found on SPU’s Water Outage Map.
We will continue with sidewalk demolition work followed by concrete pouring throughout next week. We will perform some minimal tree root trimming as we remove existing sidewalks to prepare for the concrete pour. We will have our urban forestry team on site to help monitor this work and ensure the health of the tree.
We’re checking with the resident who led the fight to save the tree and will add her comment when we have it.
1:59 PM: That resident, Sara Macko, says, “I am incredibly overjoyed that we could all come together and keep this corner of the world beautiful and sustainable for our environment!” She’s grateful to everyone who joined in the effort, and to the city reps who worked with her, and adds, “We taught a 9 year old girl, Piper, that if you believe in something, work hard at it, and bring your peers and neighbors together, you can make your dream a reality! I am beyond thrilled.” She hopes to host a celebration, soon, with her band playing, next door at Solstice Park, “an opportunity to bring our West Seattle community together to thank them all for their support, and to rejoice near our infamous tree.”
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: Regarding the cost, SDOT’s Bergerson says, “A preliminary rough estimate is that this may add as much as $35,000 – $45,000 to the project, including both SDOT’s and SPU’s costs.”
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning:
CHELAN CAFE ATM THEFT: Thanks for the tips. Shown in our photo above is the bar door at the Chelan Café, damaged when burglar(s) broke in early today and stole the ATM. We just went over to the Chelan to confirm the break-in. They believe it happened less than half an hour after the last employee locked up for the night and left around 3:45 am. If you have any information, the case number is 22-139316.
CAR PROWLS: From Eric:
This morning at 6:15, I found that my car (47th and Andover) had been prowled. All the glovebox contents were sitting in the passenger seat, driver’s side door was ajar. Guess I left it unlocked last night.
When taking my kid to the ferry, I saw some paperwork strewn about on 47th and Dawson. I picked it up. Was a car registration for someone else on 47th (5400 block). I placed the paperwork under their windshield wiper and could see that their glovebox contents were also out.
DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN BICYCLE: Recognize this bike? The photo and report are from Ken:
This bike was abandoned in our yard (37th SW and SW Charlestown area) 3 days ago. I’m assuming it was “borrowed” and then left because of a loose seat and rubbing tire. It’s not a great bike but possibly “the best bike I ever had” to the owner. For identification purposes, it is a Huffy brand, Summit model. There is no visible serial number.
If it’s yours, contact us and we’ll connect you.
On what just might be the warmest day of the year so far – if it does get into the mid-70s – the West Seattle Junction‘s hanging flower baskets have finally arrived! A few weeks later than usual this year because, well, spring itself has been running late. Installation began early this morning. The baskets are partly funded by annual “adopt-a-basket” donations; they’ll be up until blooming season runs out in late summer/fall.
(Harbor seal at Constellation Park, photographed by David Hutchinson)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BENEFIT: 6-9 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), come support Maslow’s Closet, a “basic-needs pantry” assisting Lafayette Elementary families.
TAE KWON DO CLASSES: First June class for the West Seattle Tae Kwon Do Club is 6 pm tonight at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW). Join at any time!
ROBOTICS OPEN HOUSE: From the Skunkworks team:
I wanted to invite those parents with teenagers to join an open house for the Skunkworks robotics team. They will take you and train you in hands on engineering. The equipment and mentors to kids ratio is amazing. It’s also pretty much free, as the only cost is a $25 4H cost for the year.
They meet currently 6-8pm Tues/Thursday at the old Beverly Park Elementary School Building (map).
The Skunks are recruiting and we’re having an open house on Thursday June 2nd at 6:30 pm. If you are interested in coming to see the robots, equipment and hang with us at the open house, please fill out this form so we know who to expect.
forms.gle/qMFXLr7TJtUqbMyZ6
BOARD GAME NIGHT: Come try something new at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.
SHERIFF AT NORTH HIGHLINE UAC: 7 pm, newly confirmed King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall talks with the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council – the community council for White Center and vicinity – at its monthly meeting, held online. Attendance info is in our calendar listing.
BATTLESTAR KALAKALA: Don’t wait to see them at West Seattle Summer Fest! It’s the monthly funk-and-groove night at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors at 8 pm, music at 9 pm, $15 cover, 21+.
If you have an event for our calendar/daily lists, please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
An update today from the family of another person for whom an event hadn’t yet been planned when we published their remembrance. This Saturday, family and friends of Stephen L. Fuller will gather:
The celebration of life for Stephen L. Fuller will be at Fauntleroy Church UCC, 9140 California Ave SW, on June 4th, beginning at 3:00 pm, with a reception to follow at Salty’s on Alki – The Alki Room, 1936 Harbor Ave SW, from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
We ask that people wear something that exudes how our father lived – in fashion and fun. Please come in color, dressed to party, laugh, love, and, only occasionally, cry. All are welcome!
6:04 AM: Good morning; welcome to Thursday, June 2nd.
WEATHER
Another cloudy forecast with a high in the 70s (Wednesday hit 71).
ROAD WORK AHEAD
*Still watching for Seattle Public Utilities to start that long-promised pavement-restoration work at California/Myrtle/Frontenac.
*The Highway 99 tunnel will be closed this Friday night for monthly maintenance.
*More “Revive I-5” lane closures are expected this weekend.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
801st 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 (one of four new cameras!):
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.
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