month : 06/2022 293 results

(WSB file photo)

As Pride month continues, you might have wondered if the West Seattle Junction Association will display rainbow flags again this year. Answer: Yes – they’ll be up for one day, 9 am-6 pm tomorrow (Saturday, June 18th). If you’re interested in helping place them and/or take them down, a few volunteer spots remain. This is the fourth year for the Junction Pride flags. (For upcoming Pride events in West Seattle, see this section of our Event Calendar.)

COUNTDOWN: 1 month until West Seattle Summer Fest! Here are the highlights, including changes and additions

June 17, 2022 3:09 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Our area’s biggest party of the year is now just a month away – West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction, Friday-Sunday, July 15-17. The music lineup is already out, as we reported three weeks ago. But that’s just part of the fun, We talked this week with West Seattle Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay about what’s different this year – and what’s not.

SUMMER FEST EVE: This year, they’re planning to close the streets (California south of Genesee to Edmunds, Alaska between 44th and 42nd) earlier on pre-festival Thursday – noon, if final approval is obtained from the city – so that setup can be further along before visitors start arriving (in past years, the setup started at 6). It’ll be West Seattle Art Walk night, with an Art of Music performance by Naby Camera at KeyBank Plaza. You can also expect buskers, and a chalk-art area, too.

SUMMER FEST, DAY ONE: Big change – opening-day hours are shifting: The festival will start at 1 pm (it’s been 10 am in past years), and booths will be open until 8 pm; music will continue until 10 pm. Artist Stacey Sterling will coordinate a community-painted sea-life mural Friday and Saturday near the booths north of SW Oregon that also will offer free “big games” for kids on Friday and Saturday. All three days, there’ll also be a ticketed kid zone with bouncy houses, on the west side of SW Alaska, managed by National Event Pros, sponsored by the Seattle Kraken. And a bonus this year – Elliott Bay Brewing Co. is celebrating its 25th anniversary and will have bonus music outside the restaurant at 7 pm Friday and Saturday nights.

SUMMER FEST, DAY TWO: 10 am-8 pm, music until 10 pm. More of what started Friday. You’ll see some community-group performances at the festival too.

SUMMER FEST, DAY THREE: 10 am-5 pm. Big change this year – the West Seattle Farmers’ Market will be on California north of Oregon, not in the KeyBank lot. That means no stage or beer garden on Sunday – that area will be dismantled after Saturday night.

WSJA has just launched its Summer Fest website – you can see the music schedule here, the food lineup (with booths on SW Alaska east of California, plus year-round restaurants throughout The Junction) here, and more. See you at Summer Fest!

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SATURDAY: What you’ll see at two-hour Morgan Junction Community Festival

June 17, 2022 1:37 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo from Morgan Junction Community Festival 2019)

for the return of its volunteer-powered Morgan Junction Community Festival tomorrow (Saturday, June 18th), the Morgan Community Association decided to keep things short and sweet. So it’s a two-hour event, 11 am to 1 pm, at Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW), starting with the ever-effervescent Bubbleman at 11 am, followed by acoustic music by Gary Benson, with community tabling throughout. So far seven organizations are tabling – including us – so you’ll have a chance to talk with:

The Whale Trail
Southwest Seattle Historical Society
CleanupSEA/Poogooder
34th District Democrats
Westside HEY (Healthy Empowered Youth)
Board & Vellum (designers of the future Morgan Junction Park Addition, so you can learn about what’s up with that)

No shopping/food booths this year, but Morgan Junction has plenty of cool places to explore within a few blocks – come to the festival and then go have lunch and/or a beverage! See you there, rain or shine.

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HELPING: ‘Fundshifting’ focus is just the beginning for West Seattle Public School Equity Fund

June 17, 2022 11:57 am

| 12 COMMENTS

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

You can’t change the past. But you can certainly try to right its wrongs, to work for a better future.

That’s the idea behind the West Seattle Public School Equity Fund, founded by (L-R above) Andrea Dimond, Kristen Corning Bedford, and Shannon Woodard. We talked with them last night at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, during a celebration of the WSPSEF’s first year.

For starters, it’s about “fundshifting” – equitably distributing community contributions so that the richer schools don’t keep getting richer while the not-so-well-off schools keep scraping.

Where the past comes in is what the founders discovered when they examined the area’s “redlining” map from the 1930s (see it here) – what are now Title I schools, with the highest percentage of students from low-income families, are in the “redlined” areas. So the historical inequities continue self-perpetuating. The WSPSEF founders hope to disrupt that, in the interest of weaving together all of West Seattle’s neighborhoods and school communities, to support the entire peninsula as one community.

During this school year – with classes ending today – they’ve already raised $20,000, and will be “fundshifting” that to five elementary schools – Concord International, Highland Park, Roxhill, Sanislo, and West Seattle.

For year two and beyond, they hope to get more participation, and also to broaden the scope beyond money. The initial collaborations, they say, have already started to break down the silos of individual schools’ support communities, to discover synergies and shared challenges. In all, they want to “advocate for all students” in West Seattle.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: If you’re a member of a West Seattle elementary or K-8 school community that’s not already involved with the WSPSEF, email hello@wspsef.org, or talk with your school PTA/PTSA. If you would simply like to donate, you can send a check to the West Seattle Public School Equity Fund via its fiscal sponsor, DNDA (4408 Delridge Way SW, Seattle 98106).

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From low tide to new theater, a quick look at the rest of your West Seattle Friday

June 17, 2022 10:22 am

| Comments Off on From low tide to new theater, a quick look at the rest of your West Seattle Friday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Here are the highlights for the rest of this mid-June Friday:

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: As we’ve been mentioning in the traffic-watch notes all week, this is the last day of school for most Seattle Public Schools students. (Chief Sealth International High School has a makeup day on Tuesday.) Dismissal is one hour earlier than usual.

(Stars under Fauntleroy ferry dock, photographed by John Skerratt)

LOW-LOW TIDE: One more low-low tide – today’s tide is out to -3.5 feet at 1:48 pm. Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks from 11:45 am to 3:15 pm.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Fairground performs Americana-style music, 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). All ages, no cover.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: Rhythm & Rhymes Summer Performance Series presents Jay FIddy and Gifted Youngstaz, Amante Cruz, Eway, Lobes, Progress Supreme, Jonah The Kid, Entendres & Wffls, with special guests Tomi Jo & Eric Zazueta. 7 pm doors, 8 pm show, $10, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MIKU, AND THE GODS. 7:30 pm, it’s the second performance of this world-premiere play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), tickets available here. (Read our story about playwright Julia Izumi here.)

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

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Remembering Donald O. Charles, 1938-2022

June 17, 2022 9:40 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Don Charles, and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Donald Oliver Charles – a husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and a loyal friend – passed away May 14, 2022, with his wife by his side, and the love of family and friends seeded in his heart.

Don was born May 22, 1938 at Georgetown Hospital in Seattle. He grew up on Beacon Hill and went to Maple grade school and then on to Cleveland High School, class of ’57’. He played football for the “EAGLES.” At a dance after the game, he met his wife; they have been married 65 years.

Don worked at Boeing for 40 years, traveling all over the world. Don and Marilyn moved to Tehran, Iran and were there for 3 years, working for the Shah of Iran until the government was overthrown. They traveled all over the Mideast and saw a different world.

Don was a Mason and very active with the Nile Shrine. He was Sultan of the oriental band, and proud member of the drum section. Don also was Director of Nile Temple Guard; he also was a member of the Nile Yacht Club, while he was owner of a boat. Don was president of West Seattle Shrine Club. He hosted their annual picnic every year. Don was a true Shriner.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Claude and Henrietta Charles and son Donald Edward Charles. Don is survived by wife Marilyn Charles, his daughters Debra (Mike) Parsinen, Diana (Gary) Abels, and daughter-in-law Lisa Charles, and 5 grandchildren, brother Robert (Susan) Charles, and countless friends and extended family

A Masonic Service was held May 28, 2022 at Alki Masonic Temple. Donation to: Memorial to Shriner Hospital for Children.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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UPDATE: Car-on-side crash in Admiral

June 17, 2022 8:48 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

8:48 AM: Thanks to Bill Schrier for the photo, and to others for the tips. That car-on-side crash happened on California at Stevens, by West Seattle High School. We’re told no one is seriously hurt. SFD initially dispatched a large response; all but one unit was canceled literally one minute later, according to the incident log, and that one left the scene after 14 minutes.

9:30 AM: Scene is clear.

10:44 AM: SFD tells us the driver was a 36-year-old woman who was treated at the scene and declined to be transported to a hospital.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Friday notes + weekend alerts

June 17, 2022 6:03 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning; welcome to Friday, June 17th.

WEATHER

Rain’s back in the forecast, and the high might not even get into the 60s (Thursday’s high was 67, only four degrees below normal).

ROAD WORK/TRAFFIC NOTES, TODAY AND THE WEEKEND

-Today: Seattle Public Utilities‘ pavement-restoration work at California/Myrtle continues – flaggers are there to alternate traffic through one lane at times.

-Weekend: The eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed tonight through early Monday, as previewed here. SDOT has other weekend projects scheduled:

We’re planning to complete several projects this Saturday (June 18). For all planned construction, we expect to begin work as early as 3 AM and conclude by 5 PM. Please anticipate delays, drive safely in work zones, and follow directions from signs and flaggers.

 Pavement updates on southbound SR 99 in the vicinity of S Lander St. During this work, we’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane and there may be delays for people driving.

 Pavement updates at 16th Ave SW and SW Elmgrove St (constructing median islands at the intersection). Parking will be restricted in the area however traffic will still be maintained throughout the work zone. (this has been postponed)

 Signs and Marking crews will be marking and repainting speed humps on 45th Ave SW and SW Trenton St. Contingent on scheduling availability they will also be working on SW Webster St and 12th Ave SW. We anticipate minimal impact to traffic as these are low volume, non-arterial streets.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today’s the last day for Holy Family and most Seattle Public Schools (for Chief Sealth IHS, it’s next Tuesday).

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. (There’s a reduced schedule next Monday for the Juneteenth observance.)

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

817th 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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BIZNOTES: Mountain to Sound Outfitters kayak demo; Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce debut; Pet Supplies Plus update

June 16, 2022 9:10 pm

| Comments Off on BIZNOTES: Mountain to Sound Outfitters kayak demo; Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce debut; Pet Supplies Plus update

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three biznotes tonight:

KAYAK DEMO: Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) is having its first in-water kayak demo in three years on Saturday, and if you sign up now, you can. participate for free. It’s happening 11 am-3 pm at Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor SW). As explained by M2SO:

Aquaglide Inflatable Kayaks will be our primary sponsor for our demo event, the world’s foremost manufacturer of cutting-edge inflatable technologies. Aquaglide specializes in inflatable kayaks and SUPs that perform nearly as well as rigid designs using drop-stitch technology. And this is going on in your backyard, West Seattle. No need to fight the West Marginal slog to head off our beautiful peninsula. Stick around and enjoy what we have to offer in West Seattle, and try out the best in paddlesports gear in the Northwest. Summer is just around the corner and now’s a great time to get your on-water gear dialed with your local paddlesports shop.

Pre-register here!

PAPA TONY’S HOT SAUCE: Tony Wilson is making Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce right here in West Seattle, and he’s about to debut at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. If you’re there when the market opens at 10 am Sunday (June 19th) you can even see his ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Buy a bottle and you’ll be entered in a raffle for a $50 gift card to Highland Park Corner Store. Find out more about this saucy New Orleans-founded business and its proprietor here.

PET SUPPLIES PLUS: We’ve reported previously on this locally owned franchise of a national chain coming to central Westwood Village. What we didn’t have previously was the target opening date. A spokesperson for the local franchise says they’re aiming for just before Thanksgiving. The franchisee is opening PSP’s first Washington store in Bellevue this summer, and also plans one in Federal Way.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Friday is ‘West Seattle High School Baseball Day’ in King County

June 16, 2022 7:15 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

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

(WSB photo, May)

One more honor for the West Seattle High School baseball team, which finished the year as #4 in the state and champions of the Metro League. One of WSHS’s highest-profile alums, King County Executive Dow Constantine, has declared tomorrow “West Seattle High School Baseball Day.”

See the full proclamation here.

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CLOSURE ALERT: Eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct work this weekend

June 16, 2022 3:55 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

For the second time in four weeks, SDOT will close the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct – the West Seattle Bridge extension east of Highway 99 – this weekend. The reason is the same as the last closure – pothole work. The on-ramp from eastbound SW Spokane Street to the Spokane Street Viaduct, along with all eastbound lanes of the SSV, will close at 9 pm Friday (June 17th) and reopen by 5 am Monday (June 20th). SDOT says detour signs will be in place along lower Spokane Street.

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‘Summer of Safety’ program to offer free activities for teens/tweens at one West Seattle location

June 16, 2022 2:16 pm

| Comments Off on ‘Summer of Safety’ program to offer free activities for teens/tweens at one West Seattle location

| Delridge | West Seattle news

11-to-15-year-olds not involved in other organized summer programs will have a place to go as part of the Seattle Parks “Summer of Safety” program, explained here. The 10 community-center locations where it will operate in July and August include Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW). The announcement explains:

Most sites will provide a free lunch through the City’s Summer Food Service Program. Regular SOS activities will include field trips, arts and crafts, as well as sports and athletics. The program will operate rain or shine and no sign-up is required; youth can drop in on any day and at any time during the program’s regular hours.

Dates and hours at Delridge CC are Mondays-Friday, noon-5 pm, July 5th through August 26th.

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UPDATE: City clears, cleans SW Andover encampment site

June 16, 2022 10:11 am

| 191 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news

10:11 AM: As announced, the city is clearing the mostly-RVs encampment on SW Andover and 28th SW right now, for the first time in the six-plus years that people have been living in a line of vehicles there. Some of the RVs were already gone before tow trucks and other city crews started showing up:

SW Andover is closed west of 26th, and 28th is closed north of Yancy.

Police are there as well as cleanup crews.

So far our crew has seen two passenger cars towed, and noted that the agencies responding include the Seattle Animal Shelter, as there are pets there too. (added) This sign is up, listing the vehicles towed so far:

(added) Trucks were towed too:

12:10 PM: One RV trailer remains. Heavy equipment is scooping up piles of debris.

That’s on Andover. 28th (below) is also clear of vehicles – to Yancy; several are in view south of Yancy, by Dragonfly Park.

Police, SDOT, SPU, and cleanup-contractor crews are all still there. We’ll be going back later for another update.

5:06 PM: Back at the scene. Roads have reopened. City crews are all gone. So are all the vehicles and all the junk.

Also gone: All but one RV to the south on 28th by Dragonfly Park.

5:49 PM: Just received from the city:

Prior to the start of today’s RV Remediation and encampment removal on SW Andover Street between 26th Ave SW and 28th Ave SW, six RVs, three trailers, one box truck, three vehicles, two tents and 13 people were on site.

Four RVs and two trailers with a total of 9 people self-relocated from the area. The owners of the remaining two RVs and a box truck accepted referrals to hotels through King County’s Health Through Housing program and their inoperable RVs and truck were towed.

The occupant of the third trailer received a referral to a tiny house yesterday (6/15) and abandoned the trailer. That individual also relocated one of the vehicles from the site.

Two vehicles were abandoned and towed by the City.

One person residing in a tent was referred to 24/7 enhanced shelter.

In total, there were 12 referrals into enhanced shelter or tiny house village options from this location since outreach began on May 19.

During today’s RV Remediation, crews removed and disposed of an estimated 50,000 pounds of trash and debris.

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7 for your West Seattle Thursday

June 16, 2022 9:43 am

| Comments Off on 7 for your West Seattle Thursday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Highlights for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (bee/lavender photo by Rosalie Miller):

SECOND-LOWEST TIDE OF THE YEAR Today’s tide is out to a mega-low -4.1 feet at 12:58 pm, second-lowest low tide of the year. Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks from 11 am to 3 pm.

WEST SEATTLE PUBLIC EQUITY FUND: Learn about this new collaboration between PTAs to “fundshift” – bring the family to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) to learn and celebrate, as explained in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK GATHERING: Potluck in the park! 6 pm at Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon) – details in our calendar listing.

AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 6 pm for Madam Monarch, King Sheim, Sprig, Miranda Kitchpanich. $10 advance, $15 at the door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm in-person (Alki UCC, 6115 SW Hinds) and online (see our calendar listing for connection information and agenda highlights).

MIKU, AND THE GODS. 7:30 pm, it’s opening night for the new world-premiere play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), tickets available here.

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

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PLAY PREMIERE: ‘miku, and the gods.’ opens tonight at ArtsWest. Here’s what playwright Julia Izumi hopes you’ll experience

June 16, 2022 8:59 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Tonight, New York City playwright Julia Izumi will be at West Seattle’s ArtsWest Playhouse for the opening performance of her world-premiere play “miku, and the gods.“

Not that she’s just dropping in to check it out. She’s been here for a month, collaborating face-to-face with director Alyza DelPan-Monley and the cast/crew as they brought her play – billed as an “epic adventure” – to life. “For a play, unlike novels, the final form is not the written form – I can’t possibly know what it’s supposed to look or sound or feel like until I see it embodied.” She appreciates the actors “rolling with the punches and taking the edits as they come, even if they memorized the script!”

Now it’s time to bring in the audiences.

We talked with Izumi earlier this week on a sunny morning in The Junction, about her career as well as about her play.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday notes

June 16, 2022 6:02 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday notes

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:18 AM: Two traffic notes – a crash at Barton/Henderson, and the closure of SW Andover west of 26th SW and 28th SW north of Yancy for the mentioned-below RV-encampment sweep.

========

6:02 AM: Good morning; welcome to Thursday, June 16th.

WEATHER

Partly sunny, high in the 60s (Wednesday’s high was 62, nine degrees below normal).

ROAD WORK/TRAFFIC NOTES

–Seattle Public Utilities‘ pavement-restoration work at California/Myrtle continues – flaggers are there to alternate traffic through one lane at times.

-SW Andover between 26th and 28th is expected to have a variety of city vehicles working on the “remediation” after 9 am.

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Today’s the last day for Westside School (WSB sponsor); for Holy Family and most Seattle Public Schools, Friday is the final day (for Chief Sealth IHS, it’s next Tuesday).

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. (Looking ahead – there’s a reduced schedule next Monday for the Juneteenth observance.)

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

816th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

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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FOLLOWUP: What the city’s saying before Thursday’s Andover RV camp ‘remediation’

June 15, 2022 8:23 pm

| 36 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news

As we’ve been reporting, the city is about to launch another “remediation” at the 6+-year-old mostly-RVs encampment along SW Andover between 26th and 28th SW. The remediations in December and April only resulted in junk removal, but there are indications this one will be more sweeping. Last night, we reported on an announcement from West Seattle Health Club that it had been told the area will be entirely cleared. We’ve gone through the area three times today to look for signs of advance preparations; we saw one trailer being towed from the west side of WSHC by a pickup truck, and noticed green tags along with orange tags on the vehicles, all titled FINAL NOTICE. And early this evening, we received this from Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register, from whom we had requested details of the plan:

On June 13, parking enforcement officers visited SW Andover St between 26th Ave SW and 28th Ave SW to provide 72-hour notification to RV and vehicle occupants of the exact area that needed to be free of vehicles so Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) crews could perform an RV Remediation to thoroughly clean the area and dispose of trash and debris on June 16. At the time of the notification, there were 15 RVs, 11 vehicles and one utility trailer.

Additionally, to address a nearby sidewalk obstruction due to an encampment, the City posted a notice on June 14 that all personal items must be removed from the encampment by June 16.

For almost a month, the HOPE Team, within the Human Services Department that coordinates homelessness outreach and referrals to shelter, in coordination with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) and outreach providers, including REACH, LEAD, Urban League, Catholic Community Services’ SCOPE Team, St. Vincent de Paul’s RV Project, and the Scofflaw Mitigation Team, have been intensifying outreach to this area to connect those residing onsite in vehicles and in the encampment with vehicle maintenance support and offers of shelter and services.

As of June 15, these outreach efforts have resulted in at least nine referrals to 24/7 enhanced shelter spaces or tiny houses. For additional details on these coordinated outreach efforts, please reach out to KCRHA, who also recently awarded a contract to the Low-Income Housing Institute (LIHI) to develop a safe lot program.

With a focus on addressing public health and safety, SPU performs multiple RV Remediations monthly in different areas of the City. Staff do site assessments where there are five or more RVs in one location. The assessments help the City determine which areas should be prioritized for cleanup.

At least three days prior to the remediation, temporary “no parking” signs are placed at the location, letting the public know about parking restrictions for a particular time period. SDOT staff follow up with direct outreach to RV occupants starting 72 hours prior to a remediation.

If a car is towed from a public street, instructions to locate the vehicle and documents required to release the vehicle are available online. The first step to find and reclaim a vehicle is to call Lincoln Towing at 206-364-2000 or search for the vehicle on Lincoln Towing’s www.SeattleImpound.com website. More information on 72-hour parking enforcement can be found here: City of Seattle 72-Hour On-Street Parking Ordinance – Transportation | seattle.gov.

Any personal items remaining on June 16, will be stored per City policy. People can retrieve their items by calling 206-459-9949, and we will work with individuals to make arrangements for delivery.

The count of 15 RVs matches what we observed this afternoon. Meantime, we had also asked City Councilmember Lisa Herbold and her staff on Friday for any details of the plan, as she had previously mentioned she planned to meet with the mayor’s office. She sent us this reply today:

I have been in regular contact with both the HOPE Team at the City’s Human Services Department, and Marc Dones, ED of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, as well as communicating with housed neighbors reaching out to my office. HSD and KCRHA met with Nucor and the Alki Beach Academy last week, I was in on that meeting and I have been advocating that we address – before enforcement of the parking prohibition scheduled this week – the urgent needs and requests of the people living in RVs and tents in the area, including a dumpster to help with trash as well rats, repairs for the vehicles, and facilitating the opportunity to visit Camp Second Chance, where 20 new tiny houses will soon be available.

Camp Second Chance is West Seattle’s only city-supported tiny-house encampment, on Myers Way in southeasternmost West Seattle.

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UPDATE: Motorcycle rider crashes on Harbor Avenue

June 15, 2022 6:07 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

6:06 PM: Police and fire are at the scene of a motorcycle crash on Harbor Avenue. They are blocking Harbor at Don Armeni. We just arrived to find out more.

6:16 PM: The motorcycle rider has been taken to Harborview. We are told he hit a pole outside a condo building on the south/eastbound side of the street. Traffic is being detoured through Don Armeni.

7:08 PM: Commenter reports the road has reopened. We have a message out following up on the rider’s condition.

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: The police summary released today says that “an individual was test driving a motorcycle, without a helmet, at speeds of 70 + MPH, on Harbor Av SW. He was also weaving in and out of traffic. Eventually the motorcyclist struck a vehicle and flew 80-feet onto the roadway. He suffered injuries to his head and to his body. Seattle Fire reported he was, “somewhat stable” and had him rushed to HMC via a medic unit.”

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FOLLOWUP: What workers are doing at future West Seattle Junction park site

June 15, 2022 5:38 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Desiree for sending the photo and tip that work is happening at the long-“landbanked” West Seattle Junction park site on 40th SW between SW Alaska and SW Edmunds. No, this isn’t actual park development, according to Seattle Parks’ Kelly Goold, who we contacted to ask about the work. Goold explains that what’s happening is “installation of a temporary irrigation system and a temporary lawn – something to make it usable and accessible to the neighborhood.” This work should be done in about a week. So when will the site then be unfenced and “usable”? Goold told us, “When we can pull the fence down depends on how fast the grass establishes. Generally after 3 mowing cycles grass is established enough for use. So hopefully sometime mid-July.” Goold says the “long-term” plan for the site remains park development, but that was paused two years ago (along with the other two West Seattle “landbanked” park sites, 48th/Charleston and the Morgan Junction expansion) when the pandemic put city finances into question. The city bought the site nine years ago for $1.4 million; at the time of the last public design meetings in 2018, cost of developing it into a park was estimated at almost $2 million.

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ELECTION 2022: You might vote in November on a big change in local voting

June 15, 2022 4:56 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Right now, many local positions are on the ballot in odd years. That could change for some King County positions, under a county-charter amendment that got county council committee approval today. The amendment would move elections for county executive, county assessor, county director of elections, and county councilmembers to even-numbered years. Supporters say that would mean higher voter turnout for those races, since even-numbered years tend to draw more voters because of higher-profile races. Opponents say this could mean the local races would get lost in the clamor over those higher-profile races. The next step for the proposal is a vote by the full County Council on June 28th; if they approve the amendment, final say would be up to King County voters this November.

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PHOTOS: 2022’s lowest tide draws crowds to West Seattle beaches

June 15, 2022 1:58 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

1:58 PM: Thanks to Tom Trulin for the photo! Just after noon, as we’ve previewed, the low tide was out to the lowest point of the year, -4.3 feet. The photo is from Lincoln Park, one of two places where Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists have been out to educate shore explorers. If you couldn’t get out today for a look, tomorrow just before 1 pm will bring the second-lowest low tide of the year, out to -4.1 feet. (Got a photo to share from today? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

4:39 PM: Thanks for the additional photos! The next two are from Bruce Gaumond at Constellation Park:

Also from Constellation Park, this one’s by Bonnie Drexler:

Even more from Constellation Park – the next three are by David Hutchinson:

8:35 PM: Even more photos – first, from Rosalie Miller, a gumboot chiton and decorator crab:

From Denee Bragg, who’s been flagging by the northwest end of Constellation Park and reports “It has been the best “office” I’ve worked at in a long time!”

From Eddie, a view of Luna/Anchor Park:

From David Dimmit:

Photographed by Ashwin Moodithaya, a moon snail:

From Dawn Hepburn at Lowman Beach:

Laura White, at Constellation Park, says, “Delightful to see also how respectful everyone was of the animals.” She sent this photo of a young explorer:

Jerry Simmons noted Bey the bald eagle out on the tideflats, with a crow hassling her:

This one’s from Yazmín Penzien:

Thanks again for all the photos!

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WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Sneak peek at early design concepts for Alki Elementary rebuild

June 15, 2022 11:58 am

| 32 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Early design concepts for “the new Alki” (Elementary) made their public debut at an online community meeting last night.

The school is being rebuilt with $67 million from the 2019 BEX V levy; the existing gymnasium and adjacent community center will remain. Construction is expected to start in about a year and will last two years.

The meeting began with greetings from Seattle Public Schools‘ project manager Brian Fabella, a West Seattle resident, and Mason Skeffington, Alki Elementary’s principal, who acknowledged the School Design Advisory Team‘s work in the planning process over recent months. Architects from Mahlum also were there, as was a rep from Cornerstone General Contractors, the Bothell-based firm that will build the school.

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Lowest low tide of the year, ArtsWest’s new play, more for the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday

June 15, 2022 10:30 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(We’ve seen a lot of these lately. Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Here are highlights for the hours ahead:

LOWEST TIDE OF THE YEAR Today’s tide is out to a mega-low -4.3 feet at 12:09 pm, lowest low tide of the year. Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks until 2 pm.

VACCINATIONS: Seattle Public Schools students, staff, and families, can get initial-series or booster COVID vaccinations 3-6 pm at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW).

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES MEETING: 6 pm online, it’s the second of two systemwide community meetings for Washington State Ferries users. Our preview has the registration link.

LIVE MUSIC: Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.

KUNDALINI YOGA, MEDITATION, SOUND BATH: New night and location – Inner Alchemy now presents this weekly event at Jet City Labs, 7:30 pm Wednesdays. (4546 California SW, upstairs(

MIKU, AND THE GODS. 7:30 pm, it’s the preview performance of the new world-premiere play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), tickets available here.

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

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm on Wednesdays, Kimball and The Fugitive Trio play live at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).

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 to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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