West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Ten months after the Northwest Seaport Alliance – the cargo-focused partnership of the Seattle and Tacoma ports – opened the first modernized berth at Terminal 5 in West Seattle [map], work continues on the second. And the first is not yet fully operational – as we reported last Monday, the shore-power system hasn’t been used yet. That was one of the T-5 topics discussed at two meetings this past week – on Tuesday, the NWSA managing members (Seattle/Tacoma port commissioners), and on Wednesday, the District 1 Community Network (a coalition of advocates from organizations in West Seattle and South Park). Here are the highlights of what we saw and heard:
Terminal 5’s north berth had 52 vessel calls through August. More than 30 percent of those ships’ cargo was moved through the terminal on rail (one of the dock’s major attributes), 40 percent of the containers that move through the terminal are empties, being shipped back overseas. That still leaves a lot of cargo being handled with trucks, and a focus right now is to find close-by parking so the trucks don’t wind up overnighting in neighborhoods – they’re working to create about 100 spaces on Harbor Island, along 11th and 13th SW. They’re also working on creating parking at T-25 (map), which could hold more than 300 truck spots.
Back to rail – many residents near T-5 have eagerly awaited the Quiet Zone, crossing modifications that should result in less train-horn-blowing. Though it’s part of the T-5 project, SDOT is leading the construction, and expecting to put the project out to bid before year’s end. Here’s the overview of what it’ll involve:
Because of questions at a past briefing, the NWSA reps also brought this graphic showing the Quiet Zone in the context of the 5-way intersection by the major entrance to T-5:
But at both meetings, the shore-power issue sparked the most discussion. The attempt to connect a ship was apparently made on October 8th. The problem that got in the way was described as two computer systems talking to each other (or not, in this case). Wasn’t it tested earlier? staff was asked at the NWSA meeting. The reply was that training had been done, but “each ship is a little different” and they just didn’t know how it would play out until they actually tried to plug a ship into the system. So now they’re troubleshooting. An ILWU Local 19 rep at that meeting, there to comment on another agenda issue, pointed out that their workers had been connecting cruise ships at Pier 91 in Magnolia to shore power “for years.”
Full details of the NWSA briefing on T-5 are in this memo and this slide deck.
Tomorrow (Monday, November 7th), for the first time since 2019, area middle schools will have reps in one place at one time so prospective families can find out more about them. Here’s how organizers explain the Greater West Seattle Middle School Information Night:
We invite families to join us at Our Lady of Guadalupe (gym) at 6 pm for a short presentation from several school counselors and time to visit school representatives at their tables to ask questions and acquire information. This event is free and designed to represent public, private/parochial, independent, and charter-school options. Please help us plan accordingly by registering for this event here or scan the QR code on this flyer. Questions? Contact Sally Heit at Hope Lutheran School at sheit@hopeseattle.org or Ted Holmes at Westside School at tedh@westsideschool.org
Schools Attending:
Denny International Middle School
Explorer West Middle School
Harbor School (Vashon)
Holy Family Bilingual School
Holy Rosary School
Hope Lutheran School
McMurray Middle School (Vashon)
Our Lady of Guadalupe
St. Bernadette (Burien)
Summit Atlas
Westside School
OLG is at 35th/Myrtle.
MONDAY UPDATE: Two more schools have been added – Madison Middle School and Rainier Prep.
One more sports note: After the Metro League high-school volleyball tournament wrapped up Saturday with games at the Denny/Sealth campus, West Seattle High School had won enough of its matches to finish in eighth place and advance to the district playoffs. Those will happen at Lakeside School Thursday through Saturday (November 10-12); WSHS opens with a must-win match against Mercer Island at 5:30 pm Thursday. (Here’s how to get tickets.)
Three student athletes from West Seattle have a share of a state championship. Thanks to Nate Trius for the report:
(Seattle Prep photo: Middle three are from West Seattle: Miles Trius [994], Jack Henzke [968], Carter Joy [972])
Yesterday in Pasco, Seattle Preparatory School took 1st place in the Washington State XC country meet 3A division . Led by Coach Andrew Walker – former Prep XC runner and Gonzaga runner – who has been cultivating this driven team for the last 4 years. 3 of the 7 runners hail from our own WS community. Carter Joy (senior) and Jack Henzke (junior) attended Holy Rosary, while Miles Trius (senior) attended Our Lady of Guadalupe. All three competed in their earlier years against each other in the CYO athletic programs. When they met again at Seattle Prep, they ran as teammates. Seattle Prep has not brought this 1st-place state win in 22 years. Big day for these boys, their school, and broader Seattle community. This state has some of the top runners in the country and it is an honor to be the winners this year!
Nate included this link to an online video interview with the champs.
Today we have enough contributed bird photos for one of our periodic game-day galleries (Seahawks vs. Cardinals – it’s all about birds today). Above is Kersti Muul‘s photo of four Bushtits – tiny yet fierce-looking birds. Below, James Tilley caught Sanderlings in flight at Constellation Park:
Also from James, a Savannah Sparrow at Alki:
Vincent Marx photographed this White-crowned Sparrow along Harbor Avenue:
A Sharp-shinned Hawk caught Hans A.‘s eye in Delridge:
And John Skerratt noticed this Anna’s Hummingbird taking a break:
Though Halloween is over, we can’t resist another of Jerry Simmons‘s seasonal images – here, Steller’s Jay meets skeleton:
And he sent another one that is both a reminder and also an advance alert for next year:
If you haven’t yet taken down your Halloween decorations – particularly if they include fake webbing – the sooner the better. And you might consider not using that material next year. It’s a hazard to birds and other wildlife.
P.S. Before we go, thanks again to everyone who shares photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com (if it’s breaking news, you can text 206-293-6302).
The photo and report are from Mark in Alki:
My orange RAD Cargo E-Bike got stolen overnight November 6, 2022. The individual who stole my Ebike left a gray blanket there. They cut through my U-Bolt Cable Lock to steal my bike which was attached to our condo’s railing.
SPD Incident #22-298702.
MONDAY UPDATE: Just got a call. Police found it “by the RVs near Salty’s.”
Want your holiday decorations to do good as well as look good? This announcement offers a way to do that:
The Bridge School Holiday Wreath Fundraiser: Embrace Community and Shop Local!
Place orders by November 10th
Items will be available for pickup at The Bridge School on November 17th
The holidays will be here before you know it. Buy beautiful, long-lasting wreaths & holiday decor while supporting a local, independent elementary school and a local, family-owned farm this holiday season!
Check out our Wreath Catalog and order here: fundraiser.support/WreathSale
The Bridge School is a cooperative elementary school at 10300 28th SW.
P.S. Holiday fundraisers are one of the many things we feature in our forthcoming West Seattle Holiday Guide – now’s the time to send info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Newest framegrab from West Seattle Bridge high-rise cam)
We start with a reminder that you might encounter “rolling slowdowns” on the West Seattle Bridge, and temporary stops on its onramps, 7 am-noon today, because of a crew filming a commercial, as first reported here Thursday. We’ll be checking it out later for an update. Meantime, here’s what else is happening today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.
ALKI BEACH COMMUNITY CLEANUP: 10 am-2 pm, join in the monthly cleanup. Meet at 2452 Alki SW. Equipment provided if you don’t have your own.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market offers fall produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. California SW between Oregon and Alaska.
FAUNTLEROY FINE ART & HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW FINALE: Final day of the show/sale at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), 11 am-2 pm. Lineup is in our calendar listing.
MONKEYPOX VACCINATIONS: Noon-4 pm at Lumber Yard Bar (9620 16th SW, White Center).
PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 2-4 pm, you’re invited to visit A Child Becomes Preschool (WSB sponsor), which serves children 2 1/2-5 – tour the classrooms, meet the staff. (4320 SW Hill)
BALLARD SEDENTARY SOUSA BAND: 2:30 pm at Kenyon Hall (7504 35th SW), the longtime favorites – “Seattle’s only non-marching marching band” – are back.
MUSICIANS FOR THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: 3-5 pm, live music to help the West Seattle Food Bank at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
ONE-WOMAN SHOW: Tia Naché‘s one-woman show “That Talk You Do“ continues today, 3 pm, at Acts on Stage in White Center. (10806 12th SW)
NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
SHELTER OPENS: At 5 pm, the emergency cold-weather shelter/warm-up center in the West Seattle Veteran Center (3618 SW Alaska) opens for the first time this season. Our preview story includes information on requested donations.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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