day : 19/08/2022 11 results

Just as we started getting questions about a bright line in the sky, Ethan provided the answer via Twitter – that was a string of more than 50 Starlink internet-service satellites, launched earlier today. Ethan’s photo is above; MJ‘s photo via email is below:

Here’s video of the launch. The announcer noted that Starlink is currently serving 45 markets in 38 countries. We’ve had a few of these sightings before, including this one last year.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Alki Beach Sunset Run 5K

August 19, 2022 9:45 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(2021 photo by Jerry Simmons)

As busy as Alki Beach is on a summer Saturday night, that’ll kick up a notch tomorrow night, with the Alki Beach Sunset Run 5K back for another year, its third – launched in 2019, skipping 2020, returning last year. It’s set to take off from the Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) vicinity at 6 pm Saturday (August 20th), heading to Duwamish Head and back, no road closures. Organizers describe it as a party as much as a run, with a DJ and cocktail garden awaiting participants after they finish. If you’re interested in participating, you still have time to register online – or on site starting at 4:30 tomorrow.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Suspect arrested in North Delridge rape; neighbors gather for support and safety

August 19, 2022 5:51 pm

| 22 COMMENTS

| Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

5:51 PM: Neighbors gathered at the awareness event regarding the North Delridge rape just broke out in applause at this news: SPD tweeted that they’ve arrested a suspect, an 18-year-old man, in Everett. More when we get it.

ADDED 7:42 PM: No additional information yet about the suspect, and SPD tells us they’re not expecting to have anything more to say tonight. Meantime, more than 30 people had gathered at Cottage Grove Park by the time small groups started fanning out into the neighborhood with teal balloons – for sexual-assault awareness – and flyers.

They hoped to reach neighbors who hadn’t yet heard about Monday evening’s attack, but they also wanted to be respectful of the victim’s privacy – they hadn’t spoken with her yet – so the advocacy was relatively low-key. One organizer said that just to see so much community support was heartening,

They shared stories and concerns as they prepared the balloons before heading out, One woman told us she had just been on the SW Graham stairs from High Point minutes before the victim, and apparently her attacker, traveled the same route. She said she’d been followed just months ago and hasn’t “felt safe in the area for a long time.” But she found hope in neighbors talking with each other.

One man circulated a petition with a letter he said he planned to send City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, inviting her to meet with the community on September 10th. He said he’d never seen things so bad in the neighborhood in the 36 years he’d lived there. And while an organizer expressed appreciation that two SPD officers had stopped by, she said the true power will be in neighbors banding together. “What you guys are doing is one of the most important things a community can do.”

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Speaking of transit cancellations: Any Metro hope on the horizon?

August 19, 2022 4:30 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Before today’s news of King County Water Taxi trip cancellations, we had asked Metro for an update on bus-service staffing, since we’ve noticed the deluge of missed-trip notifications most weekdays. In particular, we asked if anything specific was planned to boost reliability for the impending school year, since middle- and high-school students in particular rely on Metro service. Here’s the reply, via spokesperson Elaine Porterfield:

We continue to recruit and train part-time drivers, and train and promote drivers to full-time work, but still are working to stabilize our workforce, which we expect to continue for the next several months.

Fortunately, many routes that serve schools are frequent all-day routes and riders benefit from an additional bus arriving in the event that a canceled trip occurs. We encourage customers to use our real-time tools to see when the next bus is expected at their stop, and subscribe to receive emails or texts for routes they rely on most.

Overall, we are providing about 11,000 bus trips daily across the system, and the transition into the school year also marks the typical end of vacation, and potentially can boost transit operator availability for covering additional trips when needed.

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WATER TAXI ALERT: Two round trips between West Seattle and downtown canceled this evening

August 19, 2022 3:02 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Just in from Metro:

The King County Water Taxi‘s West Seattle route will be reduced this evening, Friday, August 19, 2022, 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.

The Vashon Water Taxi run is missing trips this pm, too.

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‘The Great West Seattle Float Hunt’ about to launch

August 19, 2022 2:08 pm

| 27 COMMENTS

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

As part of the West Seattle Best Seattle effort related to the impending reopening of the West Seattle Bridge, a scavenger hunt is about to launch. Here’s the announcement we just received:

For the first time ever, the West Seattle community will participate in what we’re calling The Great West Seattle Float Hunt! From the fiery kilns of Avalon Glassworks are born unique glass floats, each emblazoned with the spirit of West Seattle. Beginning today and going until they’re all found, these prized floats will be hidden all around West Seattle in retail stores and public spaces, secured with netting and accompanied by an instruction card. While only one per family is permitted, these floats are valuable well beyond their monetary cost since they are each singular in nature and represent the beauty of West Seattle.

Participating areas include:

Alki, North Delridge, South Delridge, Highland Park, Endolyne/Fauntleroy, South CA Ave (Edmunds and south), North CA Ave (between Admiral and AK Junctions), Avalon Way, North 35th (by the golf course), The Triangle, Alaska Junction, Admiral Junction, Morgan Junction

Organizers say they’ll be dropping hints online.

ADDED: Commenter M asked about the floats’ size. That’s part of this descriptive information just circulated by Shannon Felix of Avalon Glassworks:

Hand blown by Avalon Glassworks, the West Seattle Float is a decorative glass sphere inspired by a vintage fishing float that once buoyed a net. This sturdy ball is sealed with a Heart ❤️ WS commemorative stopper button. The design of this glass float is inspired by the West Seattle shore. Predominantly blue, the ball has spots of white creating a rocky beach foreground with ocean waves beyond. A band of transparent aqua blue represents the sky, on which sparkly blue aventurine glass shines like stars. This gazing ball is suitable for indoor or outdoor decoration and will float in a water feature, if you choose. The West Seattle Float is approximately 4.25″ in diameter.

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BIZNOTES: 4 quick West Seattle food updates

August 19, 2022 12:10 pm

| 22 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Quick notes on local food/beverage venues:

OPEN REALLY LATE: The South Delridge burger joint Boss Drive-In (9061 Delridge Way SW) has extended its hours.

Thanks to Mike for the tip.

MOVING SOON: As announced by a banner in the 4500 block of Fauntleroy Way SW, that’ll be the new home of El Chapulin Oaxaqueño food truck in about four weeks.

We stopped by the truck’s longtime location in The Junction, by Lula Coffee‘s drive-thru, to ask about the reason for the move; they said the main motivation is that they need more space. (Thanks to Ian – who also sent the photo – and Ivy for the tips.)

CHICKEN SANDWICHES: As hinted when Ma’ono closed its West Seattle restaurant, its popular chicken sandwiches will be popping up at proprietor Mark Fuller‘s newest venture, the Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way). Mondays and Tuesdays, 4 pm-10 pm, for starters.

ICE CREAM: If you haven’t been to Youngstown Coffee (6032 California SW) in Morgan Junction lately, you should know in these waning weeks of summer that they’re now carrying six-ounce pre-packed cups of Ice Cream Social, homemade-style ice cream from Tacoma, in a variety of flavors. (Vegan options, too.)

Food news? Other biz news? Breaking news? Tips always appreciated via westseattleblog@gmail.com or texted to 206-293-6302.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen maroon Cherokee

August 19, 2022 10:57 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news

The latest stolen vehicle to watch for is this one reported by Marci:

My husband‘s 2001 maroon Jeep Cherokee, license # AGU7905, was stolen sometime after midnight last night. We live on SW Hanford Street near West Seattle High School.

It has a Seahawks bumper sticker and a trailer hitch on the back.

The SPD incident # – which helps for reference if you see it and call it in – is 22-219259.

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WEST SEATTLE FRIDAY: 7 notes

August 19, 2022 10:29 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Reflection after last week’s rain – photo by Jerry Simmons)

Here are notes for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM CLOSED: Reminder that the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s museum at 61st/Stevens is only open Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4 pm, no more Fridays.

WADING POOLS OPEN: Though it’s cloudy now, the city does plan to open the wading pools today. This is the final day of operation for Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW), noon-5:30 pm; also open today (with its season continuing through Labor Day) is 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.

NEIGHBORHOOD AWARENESS: Four days after a woman was attacked and raped in North Delridge, residents plan to gather at 5 pm at Cottage Grove Park (5206 26th SW) to fan out with teal balloons – for sexual-assault awareness – and flyers.

SANDLOT FUN DAYS: Tonight’s West Seattle Little League pickup game is for all 9-12-year-olds interested in baseball – details in our calendar listing. At Bar-S Playfield (64th/Admiral).

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Singer-songwriter Herky Cutler performs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.

MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm doors, 9 pm music, East of Friday with The Pioneer Squares.
(3803 Delridge Way SW)

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

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: This year’s final West Seattle Outdoor Movie

August 19, 2022 9:18 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

Today’s rain should be long gone by Saturday night, when the comeback season of West Seattle Outdoor Movies concludes. The fifth and final movie of the season is the original 1985 classic “Back to the Future” (trailer above). It’ll be shown on the wall in the Hotwire Coffee courtyard (4410 California SW, just north of the Junction post office). Gates open at 7:30 pm; sunset’s at 8:12 pm, movie at dusk, with preshow musical entertainment from West Side Music Academy. Free admission; bring your own chair/blanket!

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

August 19, 2022 6:01 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, August 19th, now less than one month until the expected West Seattle Bridge reopening date.

WEATHER

Partly cloudy and warm today, with the high possibly into the (corrected) low 80s. (WEATHER UPDATE: The steady rain wasn’t in the forecast, which now is updated to call for a “slight chance” of thundershowers this morning, “slight chance” of showers this afternoon.)

FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI

Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

ROAD WORK – TODAY

Spot repaving work on California SW north of Admiral Way is under way.

ROAD WORK – THIS WEEKEND

Here’s what SDOT has announced:

We will be completing several projects this Saturday. Work is expected to begin as early as 6 AM and conclude by 5 PM. Please anticipate delays, drive safely in work zones, and follow directions from signs and flaggers:

-We’ll be working in south Delridge at 16th Ave SW and SW Cambridge St to update curb bulbs and curb ramps. We’ll maintain one driving lane of traffic in each direction.
-We’ll be replacing concrete panels as part of necessary maintenance work on 16th Ave SW and SW Myrtle St. We’ll maintain one lane of traffic in each direction.
-To improve visibility due to overgrown landscaping, we’ll be on SW Roxbury St at Olson Place SW to clean the median islands located at the intersection. We will close a driving lane in both directions on either side of the median, so people driving can expect delays.
-We’re paving 8th Ave S from S Kenyon St to S Portland St in South Park. We will restrict parking and maintain one driving lane of traffic in each direction.

On Saturday and Sunday, our traffic signal crews will be replacing overhead signs and complete signal wiring activities on 14th Ave S and S Cloverdale St. The work is anticipated to begin as early as 7 AM and conclude by 3 PM. We anticipate minimal traffic impacts as a majority of the work will be completed from the sidewalk, however, please navigate the area with caution. A detour will be set up for people using the sidewalk.

On Sunday, to help keep West Seattle Bridge traffic moving efficiently, we will be paving a median island on West Marginal Way SW, just north of the Highland Park Way SW intersection. Work is anticipated to begin as early as 7 AM and will conclude by 3 PM. Please anticipate delays while driving through the area.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

880th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 30 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; 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.)