West Seattle, Washington

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shooting investigation
July 4, 2022 12:35 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shooting investigation
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Police are in the 9400 block of Delridge Way SW right now, investigating a reported shooting. The victim apparently turned up in White Center, so there’s been no medical callout at the Delridge scene. No information on circumstances yet; we’ll update if/when we find out more.

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CORONAVIRUS: First July check of West Seattle, King County trends
July 3, 2022 9:21 pm
|    Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: First July check of West Seattle, King County trends
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

With numbers from the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard, here’s our weekly look at countywide and West Seattle-specific COVID numbers:

*3 percent more cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 1,045 new daily cases countywide (up from 1,001 when we checked a week ago)

*2 percent more hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 17 new hospitalizations daily (up from 14 a week ago)

*18 percent fewer deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 2 deaths daily (same two-week average as last week)

For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*774 cases between 6/13 and 6/27, down from 800 between 5/29 and 6/12
*14 hospitalizations between 6/13 and 6/27, up from 9 between 5/29 and 6/12
*Two deaths between 6/13 and 6/27, up from 1 between 5/29 and 6/12

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:
*81.5 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*86.3 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*51.1 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 zip-code vaccination rates for ages 5 and up (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not entirely within WS):
98106 – 88.7% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 55.2% have had a booster (up .2%)
98116 – 93.5% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 67.4% have had a booster (up .3%)
98126 – 84.1% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 57.2% have had a booster (up .2%)
98136 – 94.2% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 70.4% have had a booster (up .3%)
98146 – 83.5% completed initial series (unchanged from a week earlier), 49.6% have had a booster (up .2%)

VACCINE CLINICS: No new West Seattle pop-ups to report. 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 Tuesday-Saturday this week) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Tuesday-Friday this week). … If you need to report self-test results, that’s explained on this page.

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UPDATE: Crash at Admiral/Belvidere
July 3, 2022 7:20 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

7:20 PM: Westbound traffic on Admiral at Belvidere is being diverted because of a crash. We’ve just arrived in the area to find out more.

7:31 PM: Police tell us the driver of this car damaged a utility pole – it’s also clear they drove through some plantings along the sidewalk and in the median. The car lost a wheel along the way and left a long debris trail.

8:03 PM: The scene is clear.

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REMINDER: West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade in North Admiral tomorrow morning
July 3, 2022 6:22 pm
|    Comments Off on REMINDER: West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade in North Admiral tomorrow morning
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photo from 2018 West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade)

One more reminder before Monday arrives: The biggest holiday event in West Seattle is the 4th of July Kids’ Parade. Even if you’re not planning to participate or watch, remember that the parade crosses California Avenue SW on the way to the ending point, Hamilton Viewpoint Park, and that usually means at least brief traffic stops. It starts at 44th/Sunset [map] just after 10 am, with the National Anthem and a few words from organizers, and then SFD’s North Admiral-based Engine 29 and the legendary blue pickup truck – the only motorized participants – lead the way. The route heads a short distance west before turning south and then east toward the park, where kids’ activities and sack races await. More specifics are in our previous preview here, if you missed it. Events at the park wrap up around noon. (Latest forecast suggests the weather will improve to “partly sunny.”) The parade’s been a tradition for more than a quarter-century!

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UPDATE: California/Oregon crash
July 3, 2022 3:51 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

3:51 PM: Thanks to @WestSeaWX for the tip and photo. This was dispatched as a three-vehicle crash at California/Oregon. No word yet if anyone was hurt. SPD and SFD have been dispatched.

4:45 PM: Per @SDOTTraffic, the scene has cleared. We’re asking SFD about injuries.

7:22 PM: SFD says a 23-year-old woman who was a passenger in one of the vehicles was taken to the hospital by AMR ambulance.

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UPDATE: RV fire on Harbor Avenue
July 3, 2022 2:44 pm
|      120 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

2:44 PM: Seattle Fire has several units responding to what was called in as an RV fire on Harbor Avenue, nearest cross-street Harbor Lane. We don’t know which side of the street, but most of the dozen RVs (as of our count Saturday) are on the westbound side.

2:48 PM: Just received that photo from a reader. It’s on the westbound side.

Another texted photo (added above) indicates the smoke was visible from across the bay.

(WSB photo)

3:14 PM: By the time we got there, SFD and SPD had already cleared the scene, so we don’t know if anyone was hurt (we’ll follow up with SFD), but the log indicates no medic/aid units dispatched. … Past RV fires in the area include this one almost exactly a year ago and this one in 2018.

4:50 PM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley confirms no one was hurt but does not yet have information on the fire’s cause.

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WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Here’s where you’ll find it 2 weeks from today
July 3, 2022 1:15 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Here’s where you’ll find it 2 weeks from today
 |   West Seattle news

Today, the Farmers’ Market van is parked in a spot that marks the north end of its usual spot, California on the south side of SW Oregon, But two weeks from today – on Sunday, July 17th – the market will move for the day because of West Seattle Summer Fest, and its one-time-only spot is not the same as past years. As mentioned in our preview of festival changes, this year, the market on Summer Fest Sunday will be on California just north of SW Oregon – the area you see in the background of our photo. This is possible because Summer Fest music programming is planned only for Friday and Saturday, so the stage and beer gardeb will be gone by Sunday. Executive director Chris Mackay of the West Seattle Junction Association, which presents Summer Fest, says market managers are thrilled because shoppers just couldn’t seem to find the market in its previous Summer Fest Sunday spot (the parking lot behind KeyBank), even though that was its regular location for many years. So to recap: Next week (July 10th), no change, but July 17th, look north of the festival to find the market – same hours as every Sunday, 10 am-2 pm.

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Memorial planned July 15th for ‘Alki Pirate’ Gerald L. Williams, 1938-2022
July 3, 2022 11:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather July 15th to remember Gerald “Jerry” Williams, whose life included 54 years of “pirating.” Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

Gerald “Jerry” Lawrence Williams passed away on June 26, 2022 from pneumonia in Manson, WA on a family vacation with his loving wife Susan at his side.

Gerald was born March 25, 1938 in Yakima to John and Alice Williams and raised in Lake City with his brother Wayne and his sister Sharon. Jerry served in the US Navy for two years stationed at San Diego. He served on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier that deployed to Asia and received an honorable discharge. Perhaps that’s when Jerry learned his love of travel and discovery of new places.

Jerry worked in the food-distribution business for his entire career, starting off with his own business, “Jerry’s Frozen Foods.” He took pride in making his customers satisfied and he developed lifelong friendships with his customers and peers. Jerry worked at Keener Foods for many years and also Sysco. Jerry was an avid Teamster and a shop steward at some of the businesses he worked. One of Jerry’s later business ventures was his “Express Catering” food truck. Jerry served as a mentor to many in the business, including his son Jim.

Jerry loved to go camping whether it was a tent, a trailer, or motorhome. Jerry’s family has many wonderful memories of camping trips all over the Pacific Northwest growing up. Boating on the Puget Sound was another favorite activity of Jerry and Sue.

Jerry had a huge smile that brightened every place he went. He had a great sense of humor, many jokes and quick wit always ready. Although his body was hampered by Parkinson’s in his later years, his mind stayed active and his humor mischievous until his last day.

Jerry enjoyed being a Seattle Seafair Pirate from 1968 to the end of his well-lived life. He loved to dress up in costume and jewelry and storm Alki for the Landing and participate in community parades alongside his best friend Pat Patterson. He served as Captain Kidd 1980-81 and Davy Jones, among other positions in his 54 years pirating. His most cherished role for the Seafair Pirates was as Chaplain for many years, where he was able to offer support, promote goodwill, and offer prayers for his brethren and their families.

Jerry was married to the love of his life Susan in 1982 on the schooner Sylvia in Lake Washington with their 5 children, first grandchild and other family present. Jerry and Sue were handcuffed together to make sure that she was not kidnapped by the Seafair Pirates who attended the reception. The memorable honeymoon included four of the kids in a motorhome on a two-week trip around Washington state. Jerry and Susan loved each other so much, they were remarried in the Cayman Islands in a pirate wedding ceremony filmed by the Travel Channel.

Jerry and Susan both love to travel and were able to take Alaska and tropical cruises, trips to Norway as well as annual trips to Mexico. Jerry also made annual trips to the Cayman Islands with the Seafair Pirates for Pirates week.

Jerry was asked to perform many blessings and wedding ceremonies including those of his daughters Lori to Mike and Shelly to Chas and his granddaughter Carrie to Mike.

Jerry and Susan were faithful members of Westside Presbyterian Church. He served on two missions to Romania and one to New Orleans after Hurricane Rita.

His heart for the homeless was legendary. He organized and delivered supplies and offered prayers at the encampments with friends. He was involved in the CitiTeam Men’s shelter organizing groups to help cook and serve.

Jerry was preceded in passing by his parents, brother Wayne, and daughter Debbie. Jerry is survived by his wife Susan, children Lori (Mike) Lesieur, Shelly (Chas) Arch, Jeff (Susan) Bowe and Jim (Lisa) Bowe. Grandchildren, Carrie, Josh, Russell, Taylor, Mikey, Hanna, William, Trilby and Alexus, Jaren, Liam and Weston. Great-grandchildren Lilya, Sofia, Christian, and Colt.

A memorial service will be held at Westside Presbyterian Church at 1 pm Friday, July 15, 2022. Jerry will be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery in Covington at a future date.

(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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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Holiday weekend, day 2
July 3, 2022 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Holiday weekend, day 2
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by David Dimmit, from Lincoln Park)

Here’s what’s up for the hours ahead:

ROAD-WORK REMINDERS: From SDOT, eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, plus access to it and the Highway 99 loop ramp, is closed ~6 am-4:30 pm for pothole repair. And WSDOT continues its “Revive I-5” SB lane closures for expansion-joint work.

CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, find fresh food – produce, meat, fish, cheese, beverages, baked goods, and prepared food – and plants at the weekly WSFM. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: If the city opens wading pools today, the only one in West Seattle will be the one in central upper Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm.

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool on the Lincoln Park shore (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society museum< is open on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm, (61st/Stevens)

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Weekly tours are back, as reported here. First tour at 1 pm, last at 3:45; here’s how it works.

MIKU, AND THE GODS. At 3 pm, it’s the closing performance at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), tickets available here. (Read our story about playwright Julia Izumi here.)

LIVE AT EASY STREET: The Darts and Sinister Six perform at 4:30 pm, free, all ages. (California/Alaska)

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).

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

LIGHTS ON: Second night that Seattle Parks is turning on lights 8:30-11 pm at four local fields to discourage fireworks.

SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

Have an event to list for our calendar? We update it daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SUMMER: More free West Seattle outdoor concerts this month!
July 2, 2022 9:24 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Up for outdoor music? Later this month, you have abundant options without leaving the peninsula. We’ve already talked about West Seattle Summer Fest – now just two weeks away, July 15-16-17 in The Junction, with music on Friday and Saturday. Also ahead:

(WSB photo from 2019 Concert in the Park)

CONCERT IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Big Band‘s annual summertime concert is at a new location this year, since Hiawatha (as previously discussed) is unavailable. You can enjoy the WSBB’s swinging sounds at 7 pm Tuesday, July 19th, in High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham).

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS: At 8:30 pm Saturday, July 16th, at the Seattle Chinese Garden (6000 16th SW), and same time Thursday, July 21st, at High Point Commons Park, the Seattle Chamber Music Society brings this series back to West Seattle. An up-and-coming chamber ensemble will play live for a half-hour, and then you’re invited to stay and watch a big-screen presentation of one of the SCMS’s Summer Festival Concerts.

ALKI ART FAIR: The three-day beach festival celebrating creativity is back, and music’s a big part of it. On Friday night (July 22nd), a DJ will spin. Then on Saturday and Sunday (July 23rd-24th), two full slates of live performers – morning through evening on Saturday, morning through afternoon on Sunday. You can see the full lineup on the Alki Art Fair website.

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WHALES: Opportunity for orca viewing at sunset
July 2, 2022 8:11 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

8:11 PM: With just enough daylight left to offer a chance to see them, orcas are in the area. Kersti Muul just sent word that “transients, including the rarely seen T72 with a rolled dorsal fin, are heading south/southwest from Elliott Bay.” Let us know if you see them!

ADDED: If you didn’t see it in comments, here’s the photo Ian posted of T72:

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Here’s why you’re hearing/seeing Caspian Terns less often
July 2, 2022 6:16 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

That’s a Caspian Tern, photographed in May by James Tilley. Even if you can’t recall seeing one (or more), their distinctive prehistoric-esque call has been unmistakable in flyovers (you can hear it here). In past years they’ve frequently flown over West Seattle on their way to and from a nesting spot on a rooftop near the eastern shore of the Duwamish River – one where last year’s record heat wave killed more than 100 of their chicks. This year, community naturalist Kersti Muul says, they didn’t return to nest at that spot. But they didn’t go far, she learned after research – they’re on a roof at the south end of the downtown waterfront, near the Coast Guard station. (They’re easy to hear, we learned while driving northbound on East Marginal Way toward downtown late last night.) She says more than 1,000 terns are there, but so far they don’t seem to be nesting, which means they’re two months behind schedule – usually by now, nesting season is far enough along that some of the babies are starting to take short flights.

P.S. We asked Kersti what if anything community members can do to help the terns, Here’s her reply:

This is a link for SCAN (Seattle Conservation Action Network). Seattle Audubon will notify you when opportunities arise to advocate for a Seattle-area cities where people and birds thrive. It’s a good tool to streamline advocacy on big items; people don’t have to search around.

Also, the terns were impacted by an extreme weather event last year related to climate change. We are losing canopy cover [trees] at an alarming rate throughout Seattle and King County, both illegally and legally. I urge people to be thoughtful and climate-focused when considering tree work and removals. While we are working hard to get better tree protection laws, we can simply choose to protect ourselves, our climate, our neighbors; human and non-human, by advocating for tree retention. Urban heat islands are increasing, and urban habitat is severely fragmented, and lacking. Trees are vital to the success of all species.

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UPDATE: Emergency response for people in trouble in the water off West Seattle
July 2, 2022 5:35 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:35 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a water-rescue response toward Seacrest by land and sea after a report of a possible overturned kayak with two people aboard. Updates to come.

5:38 PM: Firefighters arriving at the scene say two people have been rescued by other kayakers, one already towed in and one more on the way. The big response is affecting street traffic, so avoid the area for a while.

5:41 PM: Both rescued kayakers are reported safely ashore and SFD is canceling all but two of its responding units.

ADDED: Jen from Alki Kayak Tours says in a comment below that the people in trouble were in a skiff, not a kayak, and that AKT employees rescued them.

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Eagles’ neighborhood perch
July 2, 2022 2:52 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

You might not think twice about seeing a Bald Eagle soaring overhead, or perched in a tree … but Jennifer was surprised to see these two hanging out on her neighbors’ roof in North Admiral, near 45th/Seattle, and sent the photo (thank you!).

P.S. While eagles are no longer officially a threatened/endangered species, they are still protected.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Flag vandalism
July 2, 2022 1:38 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Kim:

We have been celebrating Pride month at our home and now twice our pride and BLM flags have been torn down at 47th and Hinds St.

The first was in the first days of June and now again the night of July 1.

If anyone has information about it please let us and know, and keep flying your flags and signage! Seeing that our neighborhood supports all families and voices is one of the reasons we cherish living in West Seattle.

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COUNTDOWN: 3 weeks until parade-preceding Float Dodger 5K
July 2, 2022 11:59 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo, Float Dodger 5K)

On this semi-quiet-so-far holiday weekend, we’re reminding you about some of the huge West Seattle summer events happening later this month. On Saturday, July 23rd, it’s a doubleheader, with the West Seattle Grand Parade preceded by the Float Dodger 5K. The run/walk is presented again this year by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), and registration is open. Participants head down the parade route – on California SW from The Admiral District to The Junction – and back, starting at 9:30 am (an hour and a half before the parade begins). Post-Float Dodger, a beer garden – also featuring root-beer floats – awaits you at a beer garden near the start/finish line at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW). Both the run/walk and beer garden are fundraisers for the West Seattle Food Bank. For the youngest members of the community, a free Kids’ Dash precedes the Float Dodger 5K. You can sign up for either or both by going here.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: Holiday weekend, day 1
July 2, 2022 6:34 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday night photo by Kanit Cottrell)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, inbox, and archives, here’s the list for today:

TRAFFIC ALERTS: From SDOT:

-Eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, plus access to it and the Highway 99 loop ramp, closed ~6 am-4:30 pm for pothole repair
-Repairs on damaged lane divider of eastbound SW Spokane near 11th SW, ~6 am-5 pm
-Signal-light updates at 7th/Cloverdale in South Park

Also, WSDOT plans more “Revive I-5” lane closures.

WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO CLUB: 9:30 am at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW), it’s the first July class – all welcome.

WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT HIKE: Explore tribal use of native plants during this hike – meet at 10 am at The Heron’s Nest (4818 15th SW). More info in our calendar listing.

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

WADING POOL/SPRAYPARK: If the city opens wading pools today (they’ll update at 206-684-7796 around midmorning, and we’ll update here – UPDATE: open!), the pool in central upper Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) would be open noon-7 pm. Regardless of the weather, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) will be open 11 am-8 pm.

COLMAN POOL:You can swim at the outdoor pool on the Lincoln Park shore (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm.

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

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society museum is open on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

DUBSEA FISH STICKS: See the DubSea Fish Sticks at 6:05 pm vs. Diamond Sports, Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd) – ticket info here.

MAD CUTAWAYS: 4-piece band performing at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover.

AT THE SKYLARK: Live music from Craptastica, Speedball Devils, Lust For Glory, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

AT DRUNKY TWO SHOES: Great American Trainwreck with Dysfunction Junction, doors at 7, music at 8. (16th SW & SW 98th, White Center)

MIKU, AND THE GODS. Penultimate performance, 7:30 pm curtain at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Tickets are available here.

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

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two thefts
July 1, 2022 7:31 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports about thefts:

THIEVES ON WHEELS: Kevin was loading his car in the 3800 block of 34th SW around 4 am today, going back and forth to his house, when he looked up to see two people on what he described as “a moped” by his car, then speeding off with three bags, including one that contained his wallet, passport, computer, and cash, He jumped in his car and tried to follow then but they turned around at 35th and Avalon and got away. No description, he says, other than that “the guy on the back had one of those reflective vests.” He did get two of his bags back – tossed by the thieves during their getaway – but not the one with the valuables. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 2022-166046.

BUSINESS THEFT:Crossfit Loft sent this video of a thief at their business today:

They say he stole sunglasses and sweatshirts, and was last seen running southbound on California. They believe he’s hit other local businesses too. The SPD incident # is 2022-168132.

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UPDATE: Sprinkler credited for controlling apartment fire south of West Seattle Junction before firefighters arrive
July 1, 2022 3:47 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Sprinkler credited for controlling apartment fire south of West Seattle Junction before firefighters arrive
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Added: WSB photo)

3:47 PM: Seattle Fire units are arriving at The Blake Apartments at 5020 California SW for what’s described as a fourth-floor kitchen fire.

3:52 PM: This will tie up traffic for a while because of the big response, so avoid California just south of The Junction for a while. Meantime, firefighters report that the fire is under control thanks to a sprinkler.

(Added: Texted reader photo)

3:56 PM: Fire now reported “tapped” (out).

4:01 PM: No injuries reported, says SFD, which is dismissing some of the responding units.

4:06 PM: Firefighters on scene tell us this was a “room fire” and confirm that the sprinklers got it under control even before they reached it. Traffic on California is currently shut from Edmunds to Brandon. Residents of the building, meantime, aren’t being allowed back in just yet, while firefighters check a few more things to be sure it’s safe.

4:55 PM: Police have told dispatch that traffic is now getting through via the center lane and southbound lane.

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SPORTS: West Seattle Little League softball, baseball All-Star teams’ latest big wins
July 1, 2022 2:38 pm
|    Comments Off on SPORTS: West Seattle Little League softball, baseball All-Star teams’ latest big wins
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Congratulations to three West Seattle Little League softball and baseball teams for big wins! The updates are from WSLL’s Kristin Widman:

Juniors softball secures spot in district 7 championship

Three cheers for the Juniors (13-14 year olds) softball team, who won their game on Wednesday to advance to the WA District 7 championship game in their inaugural season with West Seattle Little League! The game starts at 10 am on Saturday, July 2 at Mt Rainier High School (22450 19th Ave S) in Des Moines. WSLL is excited to field 2 softball All-Stars teams (Juniors and 10s) this year and watch the teams thrive and represent the best of West Seattle.

12s baseball – state-bound

The 12s All-Stars baseball team went undefeated in their tournament run and fought off a tough South Highline National LL team on Thursday, winning 7-2. Parker Manderino launched a home run in the first inning. The 12s move on to the state tournament starting July 16 at 4:30 pm at Lynndale Park (18927 72nd Ave W) in Lynnwood.

11s baseball – state-bound

The 11s All-Stars baseball team also won big on Thursday, defeating Renton LL 13-3. They tallied a total of 10 hits in the game. Brookes Kalivoda drove in 5 runs on 2 hits including a home run. The 11s state tournament run begins July 16 at Federal Way National Little League Complex (450 SW Campus Dr).

For the All-Stars tournament schedule, visit the WSLL website: https://www.westseattlelittleleague.com

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BIZNOTE: New ownership blossoms at Flower Lab
July 1, 2022 12:38 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Flower Lab in The Admiral District has a new owner. But if you’ve been a customer, you probably already know Katie Ellison. Here’s the announcement:

Wendy and Paul Damoth, the previous owners of Flower Lab, have sold the business to longtime employee and florist Katie Ellison.

Katie and her husband Ryan, who’s been a postal carrier working at the West Seattle Post Office for more than 10 years – along with their children Roman (age 4) and Malcolm (age 2) – are excited for the opportunity to continue serving the West Seattle community for all their floral needs.

Located in the Admiral Junction, and sharing their location with Bebop Waffle Shop, Flower Lab is open for walk-in shopping and city-wide flower delivery.

Current Flower Lab hours are 8:30 am-3:30 pm weekdays, 9 am-2 pm Saturdays, closed Sundays.

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FOURTH OF JULY: Seattle Parks’ lights-on plan to discourage fireworks will last three nights this year
July 1, 2022 11:54 am
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | Safety | West Seattle news

(Reader photo of fireworks debris at a local park in 2020 – one that did NOT have lights on)

11:54 AM: Seattle Parks has made its annual announcement that some playfields will be illuminated to discourage fireworks use. This year the plan stretches across three nights, Saturday through Monday (July 2-4). At the affected West Seattle fields, it’ll be lights on at 8:30, lights out at 11. One other difference: Last year’s announcement said the fields will be “monitored” 9 pm-4 am, but this year it’s 9 pm-2 am. Here are the four West Seattle fields affected:

Delridge Playfield, 4458 Delridge Way SW
Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave. SW
Walt Hundley Playfield, 6920 34th Avenue SW
West Seattle Stadium, 4432 35th Ave. SW

This announcement only involves Seattle Parks facilities – we don’t usually get similar announcements from other entities that have fields in the area, such as Seattle Public Schools (though we’re inquiring).

4:54 PM: SPS says they have no lights-on plans but will have security monitoring their fields.

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Six options for July’s first West Seattle Friday
July 1, 2022 10:53 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous


(Photo by Caitlin Gerhardt)

If you’re not busy getting ready for a holiday-weekend trip, here are five possibilities for the rest of this sunny Friday:

(added) FOOD FUNDRAISER: Chef Gino of TheHomeSkillit.com is cooking and selling food to help fundraise for his July 4th event feeding people in need. Find him until 6 pm today outside The Home Depot (SW Webster west of Delridge).

WADING POOLS OPEN: Sunny and warm today, so the city will open the pools that are scheduled for Friday operations. In West Seattle, that means Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW), noon-5:30 pm, and 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 will be open today as its 7-days-a-week schedule continues, noon-7 pm.

(added) BASEBALL: The DubSea Fish Sticks host Diamond Sports at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd, White Center) at 7:05 pm. Tickets here!

MIKU, AND THE GODS. 7:30 pm curtain for the world-premiere play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Tickets are available here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: Kayce Guthmiller, Marina Demarco, Anna Preston perform at The Skylark. 7:30 pm doors, 8 pm music. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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

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