day : 22/07/2022 12 results

(Tuesday photo of signage at Cormorant Cove, where SPU says it’ll stay up)

An update from Seattle Public Utilities, 16 days after we first reported that contamination concerns had led to beach closures south of Alki Point. SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register says signs were removed today from Constellation Park (Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint) “after water samples showed acceptable levels of bacteria.” However, she added. “Signs will remain in place at Cormorant Cove Beach, keeping the area closed to water activities, until samples indicate acceptable levels.” The original problem has been fixed, she says, so they’re not sure yet what the problem is: “On July 13, a property owner on Beach Drive repaired its broken side sewer that had been discharging into the water. Because bacteria levels remain high at Cormorant Cove, additional sources of the elevated bacteria are being investigated.” Register told us a week ago that SPU planned to “issue a notice of violation … after determining cost-recovery needs”; no new information on that yet.

WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: Last look at what to know for Saturday

July 22, 2022 9:13 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

Colton Grant and Karl Coy from Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) sent that photo after decorating the company truck that’ll be in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade, one of 70+ entries. With the parade – a tradition since 1935 – just hours away, we have one last preview with what you need to know:

WHEN: Starting at 11 am.

WHERE: Starting from California/Lander and continuing south on California to Edmunds – see the route here.

WHO: People from all over West Seattle, and some beyond (Sequim, Olympia, Port Orchard, among others)

WHAT: Floats, all sorts of vehicles – cars, fire trucks, buses, boats – plus people walking, dancing, jumping, and rolling, drill teams, and yes, marching bands, like the All-City Band, which practiced last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex:

GRAND MARSHAL: Dan Austin (proprietor of Peel & Press in Morgan Junction and longtime small-business advocate)

ORVILLE RUMMEL TROPHY HONOREE: Deb Barker (longtime community advocate/volunteer, profiled here)

PARADE PRESENTERS: The West Seattle Rotary Club Service Foundation presents the parade, which is planned and coordinated by volunteers, chaired by Keith Hughes.

ANNOUNCERS: Led by West Seattle-residing journalist/broadcaster Brian Callanan – the announcing stand is at California/Alaska.

AWARDS: The parade is judged and the winners will be announced post-parade (we’ll publish the list).

STREET CLOSURES/PARKING RESTRICTIONS: The latter kick in at 7 am (don’t risk getting your car towed!); the former, a bit later. Also note that in addition to the route on California, some side streets near the start and end of the route are used for staging, so they are posted too. (P.S. Bus reroutes for Routes 50 and 128 and the C Line – info’s here.)

5K BEFORE THE PARADE: The Float Dodger 5K walkers/runners head down the route at 9:30 am – last-minute registration is available near the starting line at Hiawatha Playfield, and a free kids’ dash is set for 8:45 am.

WHERE TO WATCH: Anywhere along the route! Be near California/Lander to be the first to see everyone get going; be at California/Charlestown or California/Alaska to hear the entries announced. (Some people stake out spots early.)

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Scenes from Alki Art Fair, day 1

July 22, 2022 6:16 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

You’ll find art everywhere you look at the Alki Art Fair, where day 1 continues until 8 pm. Dozens of artists are on the promenade west of Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), showing and selling their work – including West Seattle neighbors like oil painter Rance Holiman:

And collage artist Linda McClamrock:

You can also learn about sea life from volunteers at the Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network booth:

They’re near the booth where you can say hi to Canna West Culture Shop‘s Tricia and Mimi – Canna is an Art Fair sponsor (and WSB sponsor too):

This is a bonus day for the festival, continuing all weekend – some features, including the Kid Zone, silent auction, and live music, don’t start up until tomorrow. Find the artist lineup, music lineup, and more on the official festival website.

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VIDEO: Boeing ecoDemonstrator’s West Seattle flyby

July 22, 2022 5:33 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Environment | Seen around town | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips, and to Nate Miller for the video! That jet’s low flyby over northwest West Seattle this past hour was courtesy of Boeing – Flightradar24 identifies it as the “ecoDemonstrator” jet, a 777-200ER with its underside painted with POWERED BY SAF – short for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Here’s a closer look in a photo tweeted by Bill Schrier:

(The smaller plane accompanying it is not identified on the tracker – possibly for photography.) You can read about the ecoDemonstrator program on Boeing’s website.

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UPDATE: Crash on West Marginal Way injures one person

July 22, 2022 4:32 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:32 PM: Fire and police are responding to the 5600 block of West Marginal Way SW [map] for what’s reported as a crash involving a car and semi-truck. At least one person is possibly hurt, so they’ve included a medic unit in the response.

4:44 PM: That photo sent by Matthew explains why there were initial reports that the car was on fire, though firefighters reported no sign of smoke or fire when they arrived.

5:06 PM: Matthew reports a tow truck has taken away the car, while the truck was able to move, and someone was transported by AMR; debris cleanup has ensued.

5:23 PM: SFD says a woman in her mid-20s was taken to the hospital, in stable condition when transported.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, Bremerton-bound

July 22, 2022 4:14 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

While at the beach checking out day 1 of the Alki Art Fair (more on that a bit later), we spotted the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) passing south Bainbridge Island, inbound toward Rich Passage. It’s been two weeks since the Bremerton-homeported aircraft carrier headed out. It’s been out on training missions before its next deployment; USNI News reported on strike-group members out with it this time.

~~P.S. As mentioned here last night, tomorrow’s West Seattle Grand Parade is scheduled to include a 21′ replica of the Nimitz, brought by a military-history group.~~ (Friday night note, just got word this parade entry has canceled.)

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Protecting part of Fauntleroy Creek – with volunteers and coconuts

July 22, 2022 2:50 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(Photo by Judy Pickens – volunteers Steve Winter and Tim Wulfekuhle)

Coconuts are tropical, but here in the decidedly non-tropical Northwest, they’re helping save a stretch of West Seattle’s Fauntleroy Creek. The photo and update are from Judy Pickens:

Several years ago, increased flows during the rainy season began eroding a section of bank in lower Fauntleroy Creek. In response, the Fauntleroy Watershed Council got state approval to install coconut-fiber coir logs to stabilize the bank and encourage vegetation. Today, volunteers Steve Winter, Mark Sears, Tim Wulfekuhle, and Pete Draughon lugged five replacement logs down to the creek and staked them into place.

Private donations to the Fauntleroy Watershed Stewardship Fund enable the council to respond before such small problems seriously threaten restored habitat. Find out more about this fund at fauntleroywatershed.org.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stoplight scare; stolen construction-equipment trailer; car break-in

July 22, 2022 1:08 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOPLIGHT SCARE: Anne shared this report as a safety alert to keep your car doors locked – even when you’re in the car:

I wanted to share what happened to me yesterday so others can be more vigilant. While in my car and waiting at a stoplight near Westwood Village, a young man walked up and tried to open the passenger-side door. I had my purse on the passenger seat, and I think he was simply cruising up the line of waiting cars looking for an easy snatch. Luckily, the door was locked, and he simply slapped the window and continued walking up the street. Please let your readers know to keep their doors locked and purses tucked out of sight!

This was at 26th and Barton.

STOLEN EQUIPMENT TRAILER: The report and photo are from Susanna at Niederberger Contracting (WSB sponsor):

We are offering reward $ for information leading to the recovery of our equipment trailer. We use this trailer for our local West Seattle construction company.

It was stolen likely within the last 5 days from SW Walker and 42nd Ave SW. Thieves broke the lock and made off with the 20-foot tilt trailer. Would seem like someone saw something as it would have been a bit of bit of a process to cut the lock and hitch it to another truck and drive off in the neighborhood one block east of California. It’s the trailer only that was stolen not the excavator. It had a winch attached to it. The police report number is 2022-188144.

CAR BREAK-IN: Usually when we get photos and reports from Kersti Muul, it’s about wildlife. In this case, it’s a Crime Watch report – her car was broken into in Seaview:

They stole everything out of my glove box and console and made a huge mess. 46th and Findlay.

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PLAY BALL! West Seattle Little League brings back Sandlot Fun Days for softball, baseball

July 22, 2022 11:32 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Kids 7 to 12 years old are invited to West Seattle Little League Sandlot Fun Days starting next week, even if they have no experience playing baseball/softball! Here’s the announcement:

West Seattle Little League is bringing back Sandlot Fun Days for a second season after the success of the inaugural series last summer.

The Sandlot games are a player-led, unstructured opportunity for players to come together for a fun, relaxed game of baseball or softball, where kids make the rules, make the lineups, and make the calls. Like a pickup game in any sport, it all starts with showing up. Every Sandlot game will be its own party, and every party is about having fun and just playing.

Sandlot Fun Days are open to anyone ages 7-12 – no prior experience required and players are not required to reside within WSLL boundaries.

If you know a kid who wants to try baseball or softball in an informal environment, please spread the word!

Where:
Bar-S Playfield, 6425 SW Admiral Way

When:
All game times should start by 6:00 pm. Plan to arrive between 5:30-5:45 pm.

Thur, July 28 | Ages 7-8 | Baseball (coed) and softball
Fri, July 29 | Ages 9-12 | Softball
Thur, Aug 4 | Ages 7-8 | Baseball (coed) and softball
Fri, Aug 5 | Ages 9-12 | Baseball (coed)
Thur, Aug 11 | Ages 9-12 | Softball
Fri, Aug 12 | Ages 9-12 | Baseball (coed)
Fri, Aug 19 | Ages 9-12 | Baseball (coed)

*Dates are subject to cancellation or merging of teams onto a single field if we’re unable to yield enough players.

Registration: For more info on Sandlot Fun Days and to register, visit the WSLL website.

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Alki Art Fair day 1, and what else is up for the rest of your West Seattle Friday

July 22, 2022 10:21 am

| Comments Off on Alki Art Fair day 1, and what else is up for the rest of your West Seattle Friday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Brian Michel)

The forecast promises the sun will show up later. Here’s what else is on the way today:

WADING POOLS OPEN: Sunny and warm weather is expected this afternoon, so the city will open the pools that are scheduled for Friday operations. In West Seattle, that means Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW), noon-5:30 pm, and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm. Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale is open 11 am-8 pm, too.

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park is open to the public today, noon-7 pm.

ALKI ART FAIR: Three days this year! Day 1 of the Alki Art Fair is happening 2-8 pm. Booths are mostly on the promenade near and west of Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki); go into the Bathhouse to bid in the silent auction supporting the festival. Preview this year’s artist lineup here. Our most-recent preview is here.

PLAY CODENAMES ONLINE: Play Codenames online with the West Seattle Timebank tonight at 6:30 pm. Our calendar listing explains how to RSVP and get the link.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at Camp Long (5200 35th SW), GreenStage presents “Pericles.” Free!

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

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Remembering Robb Mason, 1958-2022

July 22, 2022 9:00 am

| 24 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

One week after the still-unsolved hit-run crash that killed Robert “Robb” Mason as he rode his bicycle home from his workplace in West Seattle, his family and friends are sharing this remembrance:

Robert J. Mason, “Robb,” 63, residing in Seattle, passed away on July 15th, 2022 after having been the victim of a hit-and-run driver while commuting home on his bicycle.

Born in Van Nuys, CA, Robb graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma with a BFA in Communications & Broadcast Journalism. Later in his career, Robb discovered his true calling and retrained as a massage therapist at the Brian Utting School of Massage in Seattle. He opened his own practice, RMBodyWorks, in 2003 as a licensed massage therapist. He also completed additional training at the National Academy of Sports Medicine, with an emphasis on core fitness and balance/stabilization techniques.

In addition to his private practice, Robb also worked at Highline Physical Therapy in West Seattle. As a massage therapist, Robb saw his role as that of a facilitator for positive change and healing, using his massage techniques and listening skills to make a positive difference in his clients’ lives. He was seen by colleagues and clients alike as an astute and caring clinician.

A sports and physical fitness enthusiast throughout his life, Robb enjoyed track, baseball, skiing, cycling and golf. In later years, he became an avid hiker, enjoying multiple trips to the Alps in Switzerland to hike with members of his extended family. He marveled at the beauties of nature on these trips, and they served to deepen his reverence and respect for the environment.

Robb and his wife sponsored a child, Alexander, in Ecuador.

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Claudia Mason (née Perotto), and by his sister, Faith Mason. He is predeceased by his parents, William and Imogene Mason, and his brother, Charles.

A private memorial service for Robb Mason will be held on Monday, July 25th, 2022 for relatives and close friends.

Due to the tragic circumstances of his passing, a memorial vigil ride in honor of Robb Mason will be organized by Seattle Critical Mass on July 29th, from downtown Seattle to the site of the collision on SW Spokane Street, just east of the West Seattle low bridge.

The Seattle Police Department continues to investigate this collision and have asked anyone with information about it to call the Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

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

July 22, 2022 6:02 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning; welcome to Friday, July 22nd.

WEATHER

Cloudy morning, sunny afternoon, high around 70. (Thursday’s high was 81.)

ROAD WORK TONIGHT

Overnight work expected again tonight, for “overhead work on the bridge.” Impacts include:

Detours for those using SW Spokane Street between Delridge Way SW and SW Avalon Way (between 10 PM and 5 AM).
Lane reduction on southbound W Marginal Way SW between 17th Ave SW and Chelan Ave SW (between 7 PM and 6 AM).
Detours for those accessing westbound SW Spokane Street at East Marginal Way S (between 10 PM and 5 AM)

FIRST WEEKEND HEADS-UP – 5K + PARADE

The Float Dodger 5K and West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday (July 23) will close California SW between Lander and Edmunds until early afternoon. Watch for parking restrictions on side streets, too, especially near the start and end of the route. Watch here for word of bus reroutes.

SECOND WEEKEND HEADS-UP – ROAD WORK

From SDOT:

On Saturday and Sunday, we’ll be repairing sidewalks and building curb ramps on 37th Ave SW and Fauntleroy Way SW. We’ll being working as early as 8 AM and conclude by 4 PM. During this work, we’ll need to close a northbound travel lane. People driving should anticipate delays while traveling in the area.

Also on Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM to 5 PM, we’ll be paving 35th Ave SW between SW Morgan St and SW Holly St. We’ll be paving the eastern side of the street and traffic impacts include closing one lane in each direction. Parking will also be restricted while we complete this work. Please navigate the area with caution.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; 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 – and WSF says that probably won’t change before next spring. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

852nd 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.)