(Photo tweeted by Yolanda, looking west from Fauntleroy)

Thanks for the tips and pics. Once again, a SpaceX rocket launch deploying Starlink satellites has led to a startling sighting in the West Seattle sky. This time, they launched 52 satellites for more internet connectivity in certain regions of the world. Another launch last month led to a similar sighting. Today’s launch was at 4:32 pm our time; the next one, according to EarthSky, could be as soon as Friday (September 30th).

VIDEO: ‘This kind of project isn’t supposed to happen!’ Celebrating Lowman Beach’s shoreline restoration

September 24, 2022 9:13 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photos/video)

At today’s celebration of the shoreline-restoration project at Lowman Beach Park, Duwamish Tribe member Ken Workman shared the area’s historic name: gWal, or “capsize.” That certainly was once a risk for the at-times-controversial project, which took years of building public support and seeking grant funding to become reality. The project was originally centered on removing the crumbling north seawall at Lowman, but expanded to removing its beloved waterfront tennis court and daylighting the end of Pelly Creek.

The creek end won’t really come into its own until the fall/winter rains. But the expanded shore that replaced all but a small northern stub of seawall has been a joy for park visitors since the project’s completion earlier this summer:

Before this morning’s ribboncutting, there were speeches, emceed by Deb Barker, president of the Morgan Community Association, which hosted many community discussions about Lowman – as she observed, “This kind of project isn’t supposed to happen,” and yet it beat the odds:

Other speakers in our video were Workman, deputy mayor Greg Wong, who marveled at Lowman’s natural beauty, longtime acting Parks superintendent (and former West Seattleite) Christopher Williams, and Kathryn Gardow, representing the state agency that provided some of the funding. They were all joined in the ribbon-cutting by two local students, Ken from Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) and Ezra from Gatewood Elementary. The celebration also featured The Whale Trail – Lowman is a great spot for shore-based whale-watching – and Alki Kayak Tours/Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) with stand-up paddleboarding demos. Williams also acknowledged the community:

Not only did nearby residents endure months of work on this project, but as Williams observed, they also had been through years of work on King County’s Murray Wet Weather Facility across the street (dedicated in 2017). His acknowledgment also included the Parks managers who made the project happen – David Graves shepherded it for years, including seeking grants:

And Janice Liang managed the project through its construction:

P.S. Looking into our archives for this story, we found this 2010 WSB clip with a 360-degree view of what Lowman Beach Park used to look like (not only before this project, but before the overflow facility across the street, which replaced a block of residences).

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VIDEO: 8-Bit Brass Band plays in The Junction

September 24, 2022 6:57 pm

| Comments Off on VIDEO: 8-Bit Brass Band plays in The Junction

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

There’s an old saying that the ultimate way to celebrate something is to have a “brass band” heralding it. Toward that end, the West Seattle Junction’s day of celebrating the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge has just been wrapped by music from the 8-Bit Brass Band:

Online, the band describes itself as “your geeky, mobile brass band specializing in bringing our brand of brassy, bangy, and nerdly to the streets and stages of Seattle. … We put a new twist on old favorites from video games, science fiction, fantasy, cartoons, and more.” And that they did, for the bit we recorded on video – let’s just call it Empire-ical:

At least one 8-Bit Brass Band member lives in West Seattle, Kevin Freitas. And he tipped us that another brass band is playing The Junction tomorrow – Filthy FemCorps will be in Junction Plaza Park at 12:30 pm Sunday.

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Last week for small nonprofits to apply for Verity Credit Union microgrants

September 24, 2022 3:55 pm

| Comments Off on Last week for small nonprofits to apply for Verity Credit Union microgrants

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Some West Seattle organizations have received them already – and yours might be next. Verity Credit Union (WSB sponsor) is offering microgrants “for organizations whose work benefits historically underserved communities within Washington State.” These microgrants are $2,500 each and are intended for small nonprofit organizations, with assets of no more than $250,000. The deadline for applying for this cycle of consideration is next Friday (September 30th); find out more about the program, and get the application link, by going here.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Admiral Station Apartments’ grand opening

September 24, 2022 1:15 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

The first major mixed-use project to be built in The Admiral District in several years is now open. A grand-opening celebration is happening through 4 pm today at Admiral Station Apartments (2715 California SW) – all are welcome to drop by for food (catered by Husky Deli and Puerto Vallarta), a raffle, swag, and tours through 4 pm.

We visited Admiral Station, which has 49 apartments – 12 already leased – earlier this week for an advance tour. Here’s what we saw:

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UPDATE: Here’s why Junction TrueValue was unexpectedly closed this morning

September 24, 2022 11:41 am

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:41 AM: Thanks for the tip. We went to Junction TrueValue after a texter said it was unexpectedly closed for “a medical emergency.” When we got there, we found a responder from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, which handles death investigations. TrueValue staff told us that a customer came in this morning and collapsed; medics were called and tried to revive him but could not. That’s all we know so far; the store is expected to reopen at some point this afternoon.

11:55 AM: Just got word that the store has reopened.

2:40 PM: TrueValue clarifies that the person did not come into the store – he was found just outside before they opened, and they called 911; the emergency response kept them from opening until the ME responder subsequently completed their work. SFD tells us the man who died was 29 years old.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Drop-off recycling in Fauntleroy

September 24, 2022 9:49 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

No waiting in the lot at Fauntleroy Church when we went over to check on the early turnout at today’s Recycle Roundup. Just drive/ride/walk into the lot at 9140 California SW, and the crews from 1 Green Planet will assist you in getting your recyclables into one of their big green containers..

This is free (though you can donate to help them cover the costs if you want to). The list of what they’re accepting, and not accepting, this time is here.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 19 things to know

September 24, 2022 6:30 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday night sunset, photographed by Lynn Hall. Tonight the sun sets at 7:03 pm)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, and other previews, here are events and notes for your Saturday:

ROAD WORK: From SDOT:

-We’re paving a section of Sylvan Way SW between SW Orchard St and SW Sylvan Heights Dr from about 7 AM to 4 PM.

-We’re replacing concrete panels at the intersection of 34th Ave SW and SW Barton St. We expect to start this work around 7 AM and conclude by 3 PM.

-We’re also paving on California Ave SW between Admiral Way SW and SW Walker St, with work starting around 7 AM and ending by 4 PM.

RECYCLE ROUNDUP: 9 am-3 pm, bring your non-curbside recyclables to Fauntleroy Church‘s lot, for free (donations accepted) recycling with 1 Green Planet. Here’s the list of what will/won’t be accepted. (9140 California SW)

GARAGE/YARD SALES: See (and post) listings in the WSB Community Forums.

‘CARE FOR THE STRANDED’: 9:30 am-12:30 pm “walkshop” in Lincoln Park, explained in our preview.

LOWMAN BEACH CELEBRATION: 10 am-noon, celebrate and learn about the seawall-removal/beach-restoration project completed this summer. Activities plus a ribboncutting ceremony (10:15-10:40ish). (7017 Beach Drive SW)

SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP: 10 am-noon, Combat Arts Academy (5050 Delridge Way SW) hosts this workshop for women (ages 13 and up)_ Register here; pay what you can.

SALE AND BARBECUE: 10 am-6 pm, Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) is having a one-day sale to celebrate the bridge reopening, open 10 am-6 pm. TRG and co-housed The Bass Shop (also a WSB sponsor) are also hosting a barbecue noon-3 pm. (6400 California SW)

WESTFEST, DAY TWO: 10 am-10 pm, the festival on the campus of Holy Rosary School offers games, entertainment, food, and fun. Free admission. The entertainment lineup is in our calendar listing. (42nd between Dakota and Genesee)

SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The twice-monthly farmers’ market centered on BIPOC growers and makers continues into the fall at Hope Academy (9421 18th SW), 10 am-2 pm.

MORNING MUSIC AT C & P: 10:30 am-noon, Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION SIDEWALK SALE: All day, shop The Junction to celebrate the bridge reopening – our preview includes some of the participants and what they’re offering. (Anybody else? Comment below!)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society museum on Alki is open (61st/Stevens).

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Open to visitors noon-3 pm, as noted here. (2234 SW Orchard)

ADMIRAL STATION GRAND OPENING: The newly built mixed-use apartment complex at 2715 California SW invites you to visit 1-4 pm as they celebrate its grand opening. Husky Deli ice cream!

WINE TIME: The Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) tasting room – selling wine by the glass or bottle – is open 1-6 pm. (5910 California SW)

8-BIT BRASS BAND: See and hear the band live on the southwest corner of California/Alaska at 5:30 pm.

LIVE AT EASY STREET: In-store show at 6 pm, Ten Miles Wide. Free, all ages. (California/Alaska)

EVENING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Citizens of Earth, 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Free, all ages.

DRAG AT THE SKYLARK: West End Girls, doors at 7 pm, show at 8. $15 at the door. All ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Something to add, for today/tonight or beyond? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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