West Seattle, Washington

03 Tuesday

66℉

month : 07/2022 296 results

SUMMER FEST COUNTDOWN: Early street closures Thursday, and other reminders
July 12, 2022 12:28 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Time to step up the West Seattle Summer Fest previews, with the festival just a few days away. As previously previewed, the fun starts early, with what’s become unofficially known in recent years as Summer Fest Eve – this year, that’s Thursday (July 14th). One important thing to know this year is that the festival-zone streets are closing earlier than before. Executive director Chris Mackay of the West Seattle Junction Association – which presents the festival – says this is what you can expect:

–California north of Oregon – closing at noon Thursday so stage setup can begin (this area will have the stage and beer garden on Friday and Saturday, Farmers’ Market on Sunday)

–California south of Oregon, to Edmunds, and SW Alaska between 42nd and 44th – closing at 4 pm Thursday for setup of booths (California) and food/kid zones

The street closures will continue until everything is broken down and packed up Sunday night.

FESTIVAL HOURS: If you’ve gone in past years, remember that these are slightly different too. Later start on Friday, with vendors open later, 1 pm-8 pm (with music continuing until 10); Saturday, 10 am-8 pm (also with music until 10); Sunday, 10 am-5 pm (no music on Sunday, because the Farmers’ Market will be on California north of Oregon)

MUSIC LINEUP: Starts at 3 pm Friday and noon Sunday – see the schedule here.

VENDOR LINEUP: See it here – including many year-round Junction businesses with sidewalk sales!

FOOD LINEUP: Here’s our preview.

We’ll be on the Info Booth team at California/Alaska again this year (our 13th) – see you at the festival!

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UPDATE: About that giant cloud of smoke – residential fire in North Highline
July 12, 2022 10:21 am
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:21 AM: Thanks to everybody who’s sent photos of this (the one above is by Paul Weatherman) smoke cloud from a fire southeast of West Seattle. The problem with trying to sleuth this is that there are several calls on the logs on both sides of the city-limit line that could apply – but according to a tweet from WSDOT (thanks to @WestSeaWX for pointing us there), it’s a residential fire near Highway 509, which is blocked northbound near South Cloverdale as a result. It’s in the 10400 block of 8th Avenue South [map]. More as we get it.

10:43 AM: Thanks to John Graham for that photo from downtown. We’ve tried to get to the fire scene but got stuck in traffic. Northbound 509 is still closed in the area, according to WSDOT.

11:08 AM: King County Fire District 2 has just tweeted that photo, saying they’re still working to knock down the fire, and adding that no injuries are reported so far.

11:41 AM: They’ve also tweeted acknowledgments: “Thank you to responding agencies for their support, including Skyway Fire, Medic One, Port of Seattle, Tukwila Fire, Renton Fire, Puget Sound RFA, Seattle City Light, PSE, Water District #20, Zone 3 Rehab, and Members of Seattle that were at the training center to assist!” Meantime, WSDOT says one lane of northbound 509 has reopened.

2:10 PM: Two more photos tweeted by fire agencies (via @ZONE3PIOS)

Northbound 509 has fully reopened,

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WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: 14 notes
July 12, 2022 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: 14 notes
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Osprey family along the Duwamish River, photographed by Steve Bender)

Here’s what’s on the list for another sunny day:

BLOCK DROP: Today’s spot to pick up and return DIY community-cleanup items is Delridge and Findlay, 9 am-5 pm.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -3.5 feet at 10:17 am – but heed the warning signs, if they’re still up, at beaches south of Alki Point (we have an inquiry out for an update).

WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN: Sunny, warm day means the city says wading pools will open. That means EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), both noon-7 pm. Also, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park will be open today as its 7-days-a-week schedule continues, noon-7 pm.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Hybrid meeting (online and in-person at City Hall) at 2 pm; here’s the agenda, which includes the resolution with the city’s recommendations about what Sound Transit should study in the final Environmental Impact Statement for West Seattle/Ballard light rail. Watch live here.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

PLAY-ALONG IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Community Orchestras invite you to play with them at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) tonight, 6-8 pm – details in our calendar listing.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, come play at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.

ISLAND VIEW APTS. BLOCK WATCH: If you live at or near the complex, you’re invited to a community-safety meeting tonight at 6 pm. (3033 California SW)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm board meeting, community welcome – in person at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) or online (register here).

OPEN MIC: 7 pm, come take the microphone at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).

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 info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to Tuesday
July 12, 2022 6:02 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning; welcome to Tuesday, July 12th.

WEATHER

The forecast is for another sunny and breezy day, high possibly into the mid-80s again (86 was Monday’s high).

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is, so far, back 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.

LOOKING AHEAD

West Seattle Summer Fest road closures/bus reroutes start earlier than past years – California north of Oregon will close at noon Thursday for stage setup, while California from Oregon to Edmunds, and SW Alaska from 42nd to 44th, will close at 4 pm Thursday. Closures then continue until everything is cleared post-festivl Sunday night.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

842nd 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 recently installed 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? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Musical accessories stolen; bicycle thief on camera; bike found
July 11, 2022 11:39 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Also in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight, three reader reports:

MUSICAL ACCESSORIES STOLEN: From Kelly:

Sometime between midnight and 4:35 pm today (7/11), my car, a white Subaru Outback, was prowled in front of my home on 39th Avenue SW, near West Seattle Bowl. The thief/thieves got away with two musical instrument cases. One is a Iron Cobra model kick pedal, and the other is a DW model carrying case that was filled with microphones, cables, and various guitar and percussion parts and accessories, small hardware like pliers and screwdrivers, towels.

If anything turns up (I searched the nearby streets and alleys) please contact me, Kelly, at 206-478-3752. Thanks very much!

BICYCLE THIEF ON CANERA: Joe‘s bicycle was stolen from his back yard near 35th/Morgan:

Here’s a photo of the bicycle, in case you find it abandoned somewhere:

DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN BIKE: Terrie found this:

We found a bike on our street that looks like it might have been stolen and dumped. Tires are flat and it might be damaged but maybe someone wants it back?

If it might be yours, email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you.

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Roof rescue at Hiawatha
July 11, 2022 9:53 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Texted photo)

Unusual call for firefighters tonight – a roof rescue at Hiawatha Community Center. A 14-year-old boy got stuck on the roof and firefighters from Engine 29 and Ladder 11 were called to get him down, which they succeeded in doing a short time ago. No other details on why he was up there or how he got up there – the center, as we’ve reported, has long been closed.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Armed man arrested outside Rep. Jayapal’s home
July 11, 2022 6:49 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

6:49 PM: A 48-year-old man is jailed at the Regional Justice Center tonight, bail set at $500,000, after he was arrested outside the Arbor Heights home of U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, armed with a handgun. Police say he was arrested just before 11:30 pm Saturday after a 911 call reporting someone driving by, yelling obscenities. According to probable-cause documents, a neighbor said the shouting included something like “Go back to India, I’m going to kill you.” Police say the suspect was standing in the street when they arrived, hands in the air, a .40-caliber Glock handgun holstered on his waist. The court documents say he told them he knew who lived at the house, and that he wanted to pitch a tent on their property. Public records including the probable-cause documents show he lives several blocks from where he was arrested. Today was his first appearance; he is not yet charged, but is being held for investigation of malicious harassment. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued successfully for the amount of bail that was set, but their request for a criminal harassment protection order was denied. The KCPAO says the suspect has no known criminal history, and a check of records verifies that.

8:37 PM: Rep. Jayapal’s office has sent a statement:

Congresswoman Jayapal confirms that incidents occurred at her Seattle home on Saturday night when she was present. The Congresswoman and her family are safe and appreciate the many calls and good wishes she is receiving from constituents. She is very grateful for the swift and professional response from the Seattle Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the FBI investigators who are working together diligently on the investigation and ensuring that she and her family stay safe. Because this is an ongoing investigation, she will not be commenting further at this time.

WEDNESDAY EVENING UPDATE: According to the county jail register, the suspect was released late today and as far as we can tell has not been formally charged so far.

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FOLLOWUP: Terminal 5 ‘quiet zone’ not expected to be ready before next year
July 11, 2022 4:48 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

With windows open on warm summer nights, more people are noticing train horns. Several recent reader notes led us to check on the status of the “quiet zone” that’s part of the Terminal 5 modernization project – and while we were working on it, a mini-briefing turned up as part of a T-5 update at the District 1 Community Network‘s July meeting (WSB coverage here). The “quiet zone” is a package of crossing-safety improvements aimed at making it less likely that train operators will have to sound their horns at crossings along a six-tenths-of-a-mile stretch of track between T-5 and Riverside Mill.

The port’s project manager Curtis Stahlecker talked about it at D1CN’s meeting last week, and brought the rendering shown above. The track will have fencing on both sides, and two of the five current crossings in the “quiet zone” will be permanently closed, he said. Changes to the three remaining crossings include that #1 will be gated, and only pedestrians will be allowed to cross it; #5 will be a private, one-way-only crossing. Stahlecker was careful to remind everyone that train horns won’t be prohibited in the “quiet zone”; it’s hoped the changes will render them unnecessary, but if operators think they need to sund horns, they will still be able to.

Now the question is – how soon will the “quiet zone” be ready? At one point, it was expected to be ready before T-5’s first berth opened. That didn’t happen. Then back in February, SDOT told the West Seattle Transportation Coalition that the project would start after the West Seattle Bridge reopened. Just a few months before that, a port contingent had told HPAC it was expected to be ready in early 2023. But now it’s looking like construction will have barely begun by then, according to SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali‘s reply when we asked for a status report (SDOT is responsible for getting the “quiet zone” built):

The project is currently at 95 percent design and expected to reach 100 percent this summer. The project team is finalizing design comments related to the rail crossing, which requires communication and approval from partner agencies, including the Port and BNSF. The project is estimated to advertise early this fall and issue notice to proceed for construction before the end of the year.

One more important reminder, the “quiet zone” won’t address all local train noise – it’s aimed at Terminal 5 rail traffic; trains you hear in our area may also be serving other facilities, such as industrial businesses along the Duwamish River. But this is the most progress that has been made in efforts related to reducing train noise, which date back many years (we first wrote about one community effort in 2008).

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CORONAVIRUS: Pop-up COVID vaccination clinic at Seacrest
July 11, 2022 3:12 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Thanks to Carolyn for the tip and photo! A pop-up COVID vaccination clinic is happening right now at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW) until 6 pm – co-presented by Public Health Seattle-King County and Alki Beach Pride, according to the Public Health website.

P.S. If you miss this one, the King County page says the Community School of West Seattle is hosting a pop-up on Saturday (July 16th).

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SDOT urges you to ‘Slow the Flock Down’
July 11, 2022 2:20 pm
|      77 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

Back in May, we covered the Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board‘s monthly meeting for an update on the campaign launched in West Seattle to try to encourage drivers to stop for pedestrians. At that meeting, SDOT noted that the campaign was part of a state-grant-funded effort to also encourage drivers to slow down, qnd talked about some possible new slogans. One has just gone public: “Slow the Flock Down.”

Billboards are planned around the city, including one in West Seattle, at the north end of Delridge Way, as well as other types of advertisements, and yard signs. You can read the full SDOT announcement here, including this explanation of why they’re focusing on speeding:

Speed is the most critical factor in the frequency and severity of crashes. How fast a person is driving affects their field of vision, how quickly they can react, and the amount of time it takes to come to a complete stop. Driving the speed limit can mean the difference between life and death. The faster someone is driving, the more likely they are to be involved in a crash and the greater damage they can do. A person hit by a car traveling 30 miles per hour is twice as likely to be killed than someone hit by a driver going 25 mph.

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BIZNOTE: New ownership for John L. Scott Real Estate’s Westwood office
July 11, 2022 12:21 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

Scott Henry and Chantille Henry have a classic West Seattle story: They have been together 42 years, meeting as teenagers at Husky Deli.

For 17 of those years – since 2005 – they’ve been partners in business as well as life and love. That’s when they founded the John L. Scott Real Estate Westwood office (a WSB sponsor) with other partners. It’s evolved over time, and they’ve been sole owners for the past three years.

That’s about to change. The John L. Scott Ballard-Madrona Group office has acquired John L. Scott Westwood. The 51 Westwood office brokers will join The Madrona Group’s roster of 16. But home sellers and buyers won’t see much of a change – the office in central Westwood Village will remain open, and Scott Henry will stay on as managing broker for the first year of the transition.

We talked with the Henrys about their decision to sell the office. It’s been more than a business for them over the years – also a springboard for community events, such as the annual free shredding/food-drive day supporting the White Center Food Bank. But “we thought it was time to roll back our responsibilities a little” while continuing that community involvement. Once the transition is over, Scott will have “just one full-time job” – selling real estate with son Daniel. Chantille is assisting with the transition too but then plans to “take a few months off to figure out what’s next.”

They’re proud of working to increase the brand’s visibility in the area (their office serves part of Burien too), with ~450 transactions a year. “We’ve built up a nice reputation, and have great agents we’re super-proud of.” They say new owners Jason Fox and Joe Kiser are “like-minded (and will) support agents like family.”

And the Henrys promise their support for West Seattle will continue: “We love our community and we’re still part of it.”

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Fire response on Harbor Island
July 11, 2022 11:15 am
|    Comments Off on Fire response on Harbor Island
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

In case you’ve seen/heard the big response on Harbor Island – an electrical fire was reported aboard a Navy ship at Vigor Shipyard. The fire’s just been declared “tapped” and they’re dismissing units.

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From meditation to trivia, here are the options for your West Seattle Monday
July 11, 2022 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on From meditation to trivia, here are the options for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(‘Neighborhood mandala,’ explains photographer Rosalie Miller)

Here’s what’s happening:

CLEAN! Block Drop supplies are at Dragonfly Pavilion (28th/Dakota) in North Delridge until 5 pm.

WADE! Three local city-run wading pools are open today, EC Hughes (above) at 2805 SW Holden noon-7 pm; same hours for South Park at 8319 8th Ave. S. And Lincoln Park at 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, noon-7 too.

SWIM! Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shore is also open noon-7 pm.

MEDITATE! Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm.

PLAY PINBALL, FREE! The Admiral Pub‘s 16 pinball machines are open for free play 7-10 pm Mondays. (2306 California SW)

PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Have something that should be listed on our calendar and in our daily previews? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Four chances to ‘Play-Along in the Park’ with West Seattle Community Orchestras
July 11, 2022 9:36 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

The heart of summer is the time to be outdoors as much as possible – and that’s why the West Seattle Community Orchestras are bringing back Play-Along in the Park, starting tomorrow (Tuesday, July 12th)! Here’s the announcement:

West Seattle Community Orchestras’ second annual Play-Along in the Park is here! Dust off your instruments and join us this summer for a series of FREE music-playing sessions!

Sessions run every Tuesday, July 12-August 2 at Lincoln Park, 6:00-8:00 PM.

You do not have to be able to attend every week to join. This series is designed for you to join when you are able and experience the joy of playing in an ensemble!

You will be expected to bring your own music stand and chair.

Each week there will be two different groups.

6:00 PM – 6:45 PM is for musicians looking to play an easier repertoire of music. Has it been years since you’ve picked up that violin but you’re interested in reliving the magic of playing in an ensemble? This time slot is for you! This music is classified at a beginner level.

But if you’re looking for more of a challenge, or play regularly and just want to enjoy playing in the summer evening with a group, join us from 7:00-7:45 PM for a slightly more difficult repertoire, at an intermediate level.

Please feel free to join us for one OR both time slots!

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@wscorchestras.org

Registration is open now! form.jotform.com/211898433133154

If you’re wondering “where in Lincoln Park?” – the meadow near the north (largest) parking lot.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to Monday
July 11, 2022 6:01 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning; welcome to Monday, July 11th.

WEATHER

The forecast is for a sunny and breezy day, high possibly in the 80s.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is canceling some evening trips, as announced last night.

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

841st 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 recently installed 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? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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Terminal 5, Department of Neighborhoods, West Seattle Dog Park Coalition, more @ District 1 Community Network
July 10, 2022 11:56 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The heart of summer is usually light on community meetings, but the District 1 Community Network had an information-packed July meeting this past week.

Three topics brought guests to the online meeting.

TERMINAL 5: The Northwest Seaport Alliance – which oversees cargo operations for the ports of Seattle and Tacoma – had updates on Terminal 5, the West Seattle facility that opened one “modernized” berth to ships earlier this year and continues construction on a second berth. For one, they’re now not expecting operations to launch at that second berth until early 2024.

As of the meeting on Wednesday night, the first berth had handled 38 vessel calls, out of 299 total in Seattle and Tacoma during the same time period.

Read More

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YOU CAN HELP: Four ‘Block Drop’ DIY cleanup chances in Delridge this week
July 10, 2022 10:28 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

We reported earlier this month on Block Drops, a project created by local Girl Scouts Paige, Evelyn, and Emma to make it easier for community members to clean up their neighborhoods. On behalf of the project, local cleanup organizer Erik Bell sent word that four Block Drops are planned in Delridge this week – four daylong chances for you to go get equipment, do a bit of cleanup, and know that the results will be tended to. Here are the dates and locations where supplies will be available (pickup and dropoff), 9 am-5 pm each day:

Monday, July 11 – Dragonfly Pavilion (28th & Dakota)
Tuesday, July 12 – Delridge & Findlay
Thursday, July 14 – Cottage Grove Park (26th & Brandon)
Friday, July 15 – Delridge Playfield (26th & Genesee)

These Block Drops are listed here, and you can watch that webpage for others coming up.

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WATER TAXI ALERT: Two West Seattle evening roundtrips canceled for Monday
July 10, 2022 8:42 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Just announced by Metro:

The King County Water Taxis West Seattle route will be reduced tomorrow evening, Monday, July 11, due to a shortage of available workforce.

The following trips from Downtown Seattle to West Seattle are canceled: 5:25 p.m. and 6:05 p.m.

The following trips from West Seattle to Downtown Seattle are canceled: 5:45 p.m. and 6:25 p.m.

Please note: There is a two-hour gap in scheduled sailings to West Seattle between the 4:45 p.m. trip and the 6:45 p.m. trip and riders are encouraged to consider alternate travel plans.

Other scheduled trips are expected to operate using available crew members.

Some Water Taxi runs were also canceled last Friday because of a crew shortage.

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CORONAVIRUS: Newest numbers for West Seattle, King County
July 10, 2022 7:12 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Every Sunday, we check numbers from the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard for our weekly look at countywide and West Seattle-specific COVID numbers:

*9 percent fewer cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 956 new daily cases countywide (down from 1,045 when we checked a week ago)

*8 percent more hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 20 new hospitalizations daily (up from 17 a week ago)

*18 percent more deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 3 deaths daily (up from last week’s two-week average of 2 daily)

For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*781 cases between 6/20 and 7/4, up from 729 between 6/6 and 6/19
*18 hospitalizations between 6/20 and 7/4, up from 10 between 6/6 and 6/19
*One death between 6/20 and 7/4, same as between 6/6 and 6/19

VACCINATION: As announced last month, the Western States review workgroup has affirmed that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe and effective for children 6 months to 4 years old. Also, boosters are recommended for everyone 5 and up. Checking vaccination rates:
*81.6 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*86.4 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*51.2 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster (up .3% from a week ago)

*In West Seattle, here are the vaccination rates by ZIP code for ages 5 and up (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not wholly within WS):
98106 – 88.8% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 55.3% have had a booster (up .1%)
98116 – 93.5% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 67.6% have had a booster (up .2%)
98126 – 84.2% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 57.4% have had a booster (up .2%)
98136 – 94.3% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 70.6% have had a booster (up .2%)
98146 – 83.6% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 49.7% have had a booster (up .1%)

VACCINE CLINICS: New pediatric clinics were announced this week by Neighborhood Naturopathic (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle – check to see if appointments remain. Otherwise, look for opportunities here.

TESTING: If you want to get tested and don’t have or want to buy a home kit, public testing sites include the city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Monday-Saturday this week) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday this week). … If you need to report self-test results, that’s explained on this page.

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WEST SEATTLE BEACHES: Low-low tides are back, starting Monday
July 10, 2022 5:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Photo from June’s low-low tide, sent by Chris)

Not only will the weather be perfect for beachgoing this week, so will the tide conditions, Starting tomorrow, you have six days to explore the shores during low-low tides. From the chart:

MONDAY – 9:29 am, -2.6 feet
TUESDAY – 10:17 am, -3.5 feet
WEDNESDAY – 11:06 am, -4.0 feet
THURSDAY – 11:55 am, -4.0 feet
FRIDAY – 12:43 pm, -3.6 feet
SATURDAY – 1:31 pm, -2.8 feet

As usual during low-low tide periods, the Seattle Aquarium‘s volunteer beach naturalists will be stationed at two local beaches to answer questions – Lincoln Park and Constellation Park (south of Alki Point), these days and times:

Wednesday, July 13: 9:30 am−1 pm
Thursday, July 14: 10 am−2 pm
Friday, July 15: 10:45 am−2:15 pm
Saturday, July 16: noon−3 pm
Sunday, July 17: 1:15−3:15 pm

Wherever you go to explore, please tread lightly – the mega-low tides expose animals and plants that are usually underwater.

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UPDATE: About those military flyovers
July 10, 2022 2:34 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

2:34 PM: We’ve received a few questions about what seems to be an increase in military flyovers in recent days, including one over the north end of the peninsula a short time ago. That one, like at least a few of the others, was a C-17 Globemaster cargo aircraft out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the South Sound, as shown on this screengrab from Flightradar24:

Given the base’s proximity, flyovers aren’t that unusual, and while we don’t so far have comment on this one, they’ve often turned out to be training, as explained here.

3:53 PM: Thanks to a lead from commenter Sven, we’ve discovered via Twitter that today’s flyover was in connection with a pregame event at the OL Reign match. Similar demonstration for Saturday’s Sounders match. (We’ve reported on many baseball/football flyovers in years past but not so many for soccer.)

4:45 PM: Thanks to Jennifer Moore for the photo of the C-17, just added above.

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WHALES: Transient orcas visible from West Seattle
July 10, 2022 12:42 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the report – transient orcas are in the area, headed southbound, just south of Discovery Point on the north edge of Elliott Bay, which means they should be visible from Alki with binoculars. Let us know if you see them!

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Memorial planned July 23rd for Norma D. Arbow, 1935-2022
July 10, 2022 11:14 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather July 23rd to remember Norma Arbow. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with her community:

Norma D. Arbow passed away in her sleep from congestive heart failure on JUNE 22, 2022. She was born in Seattle – where she attended Magnolia grade school with her fraternal twin sister Barbara. They attended Franklin High School, then Seattle U, where she met the love of her life, our Dad – Don Arbow. They married in JUNE 1956; after their first child Donald Arbow was born, they went to Milwaukee so Dad could attend Medical school, where MOM had 2 more daughters – Diana & Barbara. They moved back to West Seattle after Dad graduated from Medical school. They had 2 more children – David in July of 1966 & Chris in July of 1968. After mom retired from Insurance, she volunteered at the West Seattle Food bank & Our Lady of Guadalupe – she had also been a member of the Gardening club, which she attended with Aunt Bernie.

Mom had the gift of gab – loved animals, gardening, food – really good food & her family & all family celebrations; she will be missed

She is preceded in death by her husband Don Arbow (1987), Her parents Lavine and Peter, her sister Barbara. She is survived by her children – Don Arbow, Diana Arbow, Barbara Arbow (Chris), David Arbow (Deanna), Chris Arbow. Grandchildren Daveanna, Sarah, Audrey, Josslyn, Mariah. Great-grandchildren Aubree, Ari, Finn.

A funeral mass will be held @ Our Lady of Guadalupe on July 23rd, 11:00 AM; she will be interred on Monday, July 25th @ Forest Lawn.

In lieu of flowers, Mom would love if you can donate to the WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK or SEATTLE HUMANE SOCIETY.

(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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