West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
One week ago, we reported on a protest at Terminal 5 that led the Northwest Seaport Alliance to close the dock for the day. Climate activists – whose chanting was heard in north West Seattle neighborhoods – were calling attention to the continued lack of shore-power use at T-5, even though it was built with that capability. Early in the year, NWSA told us it was still the subject of labor negotiations. That’s apparently been the continued holdup, almost nine months after the terminal’s first modernized berth opened. City Councilmember Lisa Herbold had a followup in her most-recent weekly newsletter, mentioning an agreement in those negotiations, but the update wasn’t clear on whether ships subsequently had plugged in. Not yet, NWSA spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh subsequently told WSB: “The NWSA has been made aware that an interim agreement has been reached for shore power use at Terminal 5. No vessels have plugged in (yet), however, we expect the first vessel to plug into the shore power at T5 starting in October.” So far the first ship on T-5’s October schedule is due in a week from Friday.
Another of the few major high-level vacancies remaining in Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s administration is about to be filled. Tomorrow (Thursday, September 29th), the mayor will announce his nominee for Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent. Former West Seattleite Christopher Williams has been serving – for the third time – as acting superintendent, since the (second) departure of Jesús Aguirre at the start of Harrell’s term. The announcement is planned at 10 am tomorrow and will be livestreamed via Seattle Channel.
Four reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
SHOPLIFT-TURNED-ROBBERY: A 47-year-old man is in the King County Jail for investigation of robbery after an incident at Jefferson Square Safeway last night. Police say he went into the store just before 10 pm “brandishing a table knife” and “attempted to steal food items without paying before being confronted by loss prevention (who were) able to disarm the suspect and retrieve items after a scuffle.” The suspect was arrested shortly thereafter and was also found to have a warrant from a fourth-degree-assault case.
STOLEN E-BIKE: Sarah says WSB readers helped her get a stolen bike back two years ago. Now her orange and blue RadMission e-bike has been stolen.
It was stolen outside her workplace in the 4500 block of California SW earlier this week. It’s her “only mode of transportation,” Sarah says, and she’d “greatly appreciate” getting it back. (We’ll add the police-incident # when we get it.)
HIT-AND-RUN: Nancy says her Volvo was damaged by a hit-run driver at 2 pm Monday in the Les Schwab-West Seattle parking lot at Fauntleroy/Alaska. She says the culprit vehicle is a blue Prius that would have “new passenger-side damage to the front end.” Her Volvo, a silver 2017 model, was left with damage to three rear driver’s-side panels. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 2022-257855.
Those renderings were on easels at an event we covered for partner site White Center Now last Sunday, the White Center Food Bank‘s farewell party at their soon-to-be-ex-location (8th SW/SW 108th). Sometime early next year, they’ll have to vacate as that property is being redeveloped into affordable housing and a “community hub.” We’ve reported previously on the WCFB’s search for a new site, and the search is finally over – today they’re officially announcing the new location and the capital campaign to get it ready:
After years of searching for their new home, White Center Food Bank (WCFB) purchased a building in the heart of
downtown White Center (10016-10024 16th Ave SW). This location will provide ample space for WCFB to grow and is centrally located along several major bus lines. However, substantial renovations and other upgrades are necessary to make the food bank’s new home welcoming and hospitable to everyone.To raise the 6 million dollars necessary for this project, on September 25 WCFB launched their capital campaign with a group of customers, donors, staff, and board celebrating together. “This is a community effort and we know that by bringing our neighbors together, we can find a way to keep our community fed,” says WCFB Development and Communications Director, Jefferson Rose.
White Center Food Bank is looking beyond the old models of service and working to develop new ways to nourish the community with equity, accessibility, and dignity as their guiding principles. The new White Center Food Bank will be more than just a place where people can get food. It will be a welcoming community hub located directly in the heart of the changing and growing downtown White Center.
This new facility will bring together an incredible array of community programming, hosted both by the food bank and partner organizations. WCFB wants people from all walks of life to enter through our doors together, so that everyone feels comfortable receiving food whenever they need it.
“We’re excited for this next chapter to better serve the community and revitalize this part of the neighborhood. We hope that our supporters will continue to show up alongside us to ensure our community thrives,” says Carmen Smith, Executive Director.
To learn more, check out an informational video, renderings, and more here.
The WCFB’s service area includes south West Seattle as well as White Center and vicinity.
3:25 PM: What’s described as “emergency road work” on Columbia Street downtown – the “transit pathway” street – is causing delays on West Seattle-serving bus routes RapidRide C, 21, 55, 56, 57, 113, 120, 121, and 125. We’re checking to see how long it’s supposed to last.
4:46 PM: Another alert for bus riders, and other modes too – all but one lane is closed on 1st Avenue South just south of Safeco Field after a person was hit and killed. Metro says Route 21 is rerouting in that area.
5:26 PM: Updates on both:
-Detectives have finished investigating at the 1st Ave. S. scene and the street has reopened.
-On Columbia, here’s what SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali tells us: “There was a failed utility vault in the eastbound (bus lane). Crews are working to fix the issue. There is one-way traffic westbound only. Eastbound lane is closed to Metro. The Metro supervisor is onsite and has rerouted Metro bus. We are estimating that the eastbound lane will reopen (around 7 pm).”
7:34 PM: Update from SDOT’s Ethan Bergerson: “SDOT Crews have installed a steel plate to cover the failed utility vault, which is owned by Verizon, until more permanent repairs can be made. The eastbound transit lane is now open to buses.” He added this photo:
1:56 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are at Don Armeni Boat Ramp because of what you can barely see in this photo – a submerged vehicle. From talking to police, and from area resident Stewart L., we’re told this was a mishap with a vehicle and trailer rolling into the water in the process of launching a boat. The boat’s OK; the vehicle and trailer are submerged. A tow truck is there but the driver says he needs a different truck to make the retrieval, so that won’t be happening for a while. No injuries reported.
3:20 PM: Commenter Kalo reports the vehicle (a pickup) and trailer are now out.
4:06 PM: Thanks to K for posting that photo in a comment below.
Two South Admiral businesses are celebrating this Saturday:
(Elizabeth, Marva, Amy, Heidi @ Dragonfly)
DRAGONFLY YOGA PILATES DANCE: Back in June, we mentioned Amy Sennett-Starner‘s plan to open a studio at 3270 California SW, above Alair Gift Shop. Now almost four months and one name change later, her studio is open as Dragonfly Yoga Pilates Dance, with a grand-opening celebration on Saturday (October 1st) – ribbon-cutting at 8:40 am, first class at 9 am, refreshments after class.
INNER ALCHEMY CRYSTAL SHOP: Also on Saturday, this shop at 3043 California SW is having a grand reopening celebration, starting with a ribbon-cutting at noon, and raffle prizes and treats until 6 pm. Proprietor Maari Falsetto says regular hours after that will be Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, noon-6 pm.
(Seen from Brace Point – photo by Dave Buchert)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Wednesday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, inbox, and previews:
ART EXHIBIT: Second of three days you can see portraits by Jeff Benesi at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW). Open for viewing until 1 pm.
BLOCK DROP: Today you’ll find DIY cleanup equipment at Fauntleroy’s Endolyne Junction (45th/Wildwood).
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Get food from/at MOD Pizza at Westwood Village (2800 SW Barton) today, 10:30 am-10 pm, and help Friends of Roxhill Elementary – here’s how.
BRING IN YOUR ART: Today’s the first of three days in which everyone is welcome to bring artwork to the Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) for this year’s Southwest Artist Showcase, which starts Sunday. Branch hours today are noon-8 pm.
LIVE AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS: Jazz Night, with piano and bass, starting at 6:30 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.
WORDSWEST RE-REUNION, WITH PIE: Four kinds of pie are promised – and spotlights on the newest books by two writers, Katy E. Ellis and Susan Rich – as the WordsWest Literary Series curators (Ellis, Rich, and Harold Taw) “re-reunite” at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). ICYMI, here’s our preview chat with Rich and Ellis.
HPAC RECONVENES: The community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge meets online at 7 pm, and all are welcome – agenda and attendance info is on the HPAC website.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: At 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
ARTSWEST PREVIEW NIGHT: Pay-what-you-can preview of the new ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) play “Swimming While Drowning,” 7:30 pm curtain. Tickets are available online.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have an event – one-time or recurring – to add to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Spawning pair, photographed last year by Tom Trulin)
Will this be another amazing year for salmon spawners returning to Fauntleroy Creek? The first people to know will be the volunteers watching for them. You could be one of them – creek steward Judy Pickens sent this announcement:
Fauntleroy Creek salmon watch to start October 16
If getting cold and wet is a small price to pay for a front-row seat on spawning season in Fauntleroy Creek, now’s the time to sign up for Salmon Watch 2022. Last year, 15 volunteers counted a near-record 244 spawners.
The watch will start Sunday, October 16, and go until about Thanksgiving. Watchers will document coho spawners in the lower creek, near the fish ladder (across from the ferry terminal). A veteran watcher will provide training during your first shift. For details, contact Judy Pickens at judy_pickens@msn.com.
October 16 is also the day of the annual all-ages drumming to call in spawners. Barring serious rain, it will start at 4:00 pm near the intersection of SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way (across from the ferry terminal). The sound of a drum will guide you down a driveway to the site right on the creek.
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, September 28th.
WEATHER
Here’s the forecast – rain expected, high in the mid-60s.
TRANSIT INFO
Metro buses are on their regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
No changes in ferries (check here for alerts/updates) or West Seattle Water Taxi service (which will continue at all-day/every-day levels through fall and winter).
ROAD WORK
–Seattle Public Utilities will close Sylvan Way between Home Depot’s eastern access and SW Orchard for a “natural drainage” project that will take about two weeks. This notice explains. (We didn’t get to check Tuesday if it had started yet.)
-Just south of the city-limit line, King County is scheduled to continue repaving Myers Way between 99th and 108th.
BRIDGES
High Bridge – here’s the lone reactivated camera atop the span.
Low Bridge: Open to anyone who wants to use it.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: For those still finding it more convenient.
Highway 99: Whichever bridge you’re using to get to it, here’s a look at northbound traffic on 99 at Lander.
All currently functional city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
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