West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

66℉

year : 2022 3600 results

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Zippy’s Giant Burgers says Saturday will be closing day
July 8, 2022 3:25 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

(Thursday photo sent by Corianton Hale)

As reported here last night, Zippy’s Giant Burgers has closed early the past two nights, after selling out of food both nights following their announcement Tuesday that they’re closing permanently after 14 years. Just got word from Zippy’s proprietors Rahel and Blaine Cook that the overwhelming response means tomorrow (Saturday, July 9th) will be their closing day, one day sooner than first announced:

Just a heads up that tomorrow will be our last day instead of Sunday.

Our final food order that we received today won’t be enough to sustain beyond then and there are no deliveries tomorrow.

We are grateful for everyone’s support over the last few days. It has meant the world to us.

They plan to open Saturday at 10 am.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Alki Pump Station 38 work finally really about to start, city says
July 8, 2022 1:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

When Seattle Public Utilities announced in May that upgrade work was about to start on Pump Station 38 in the 1400 block of Alki Avenue SW, one key thing was missing – final permit approval. Today they’ve sent notice that the approvals are finally in and work will start “as soon as” Monday, July 18th. As reported previously (and shown in the rendering above), the overhauled pump-station site will include an art installation. The $2 million project will be built by Harbor Pacific Contractors, Inc. of Woodinville; construction is expected to last up to nine months.

Share This

HARBOR RVs: City plans ‘geoclean’
July 8, 2022 11:20 am
|      101 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, July 2)

Harbor Avenue SW has seen a fluctuating number of RVs in recent years, from a few to more than a dozen. Lately, it’s been the latter; the lineup grew about the same time as the Andover/26th sweep (we noted 9 on Harbor before that and counted a dozen RVs/trailers yesterday between the 3000 block and the Bronson street-end). The area drew another round of complaints when one RV burned last weekend, and questions about whether Harbor too would be swept. After several reader emails, we asked the city this week about plans for the area and just received this response from Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register:

With a focus on addressing public health and safety, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) performs multiple RV Remediations monthly in different areas of the City. We do site assessments where there are five or more RVs in one location. The assessments help the City determine which areas should be prioritized for cleanup.

At least three days prior to the remediation, temporary “no parking” signs are placed at the location, letting the public know about parking restrictions for a particular time period. Staff follow up with direct outreach to RV occupants starting 72 hours prior to a remediation.

Harbor Avenue SW is scheduled for an intense, one-day clean (called geographic or geoclean) next week.

Whether that means the RVs will have to be moved remains to be seen – we’re checking with SDOT about the parking-enforcement aspect of this. Past “geocleans” at various West Seattle sites have just been cleanups. We asked about the burned-out RV shell remaining from last Sunday’s fire (which SFD said did not result in any injuries); Register said it was being prepped to be “safely towed” (if that hasn’t happened already).

We also asked about the 16th/Graham vicinity, which has seen more than five RVs recently; Register said, “SPU’s upcoming site assessments will include 16th SW near SW Graham to determine if it meets the criteria for an upcoming RV Remediation.”

Share This

Shakespeare in the park and more for your West Seattle Friday
July 8, 2022 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on Shakespeare in the park and more for your West Seattle Friday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Chuck Bowden, from the roof deck of Oregon 42)

The weekend’s almost here! On the list for today/tonight:

WADING POOLS OPEN: It’s expected to be unny and warm this afternoon, 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 CLOSED: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park will be closed to the public again today for a swim meet.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham), GreenStage presents “Much Ado About Nothing,” the Backyard Bard condensed version. Free!

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

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Songwriters’ Showcase tonight at 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW), no cover.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: Fishing Trip, Puppy Feet, Dead Amy perform at The Skylark. 7 pm doors, 8 pm music, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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

Share This

PUBLIC SAFETY: 2 upcoming West Seattle meetings
July 8, 2022 9:00 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

One or both of these might be of interest:

ISLAND VIEW BLOCK WATCH: Two months ago, a resident of this complex was carjacked, and that brought safety concerns in the spotlight. Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner asked us to publish this announcement:

Date: Tuesday July 12th

Time: 6 pm- 7 pm

Location: Island View SHA Senior Living Community (3033 California Ave SW)

Topic: Community Safety and Block Watch

Please join us if you live within a few blocks of Island View to speak about what Block Watch is all about, how to report suspicious and/or criminal activity and how to assist in making your community safer.

COMMUNITY-POLICE DIALOGUES: Wherever you live in West Seattle, you’re invited to a conversation with police and researchers. Here’s the invitation:

Seattle University collaborates with the Seattle Police Department to conduct the annual Seattle Public Safety Survey as part of the Micro-Community Policing Plans (MCPP). As part of the MCPP, Seattle University will be holding a series of virtual community-police dialogues. The purpose of the dialogues is to provide community members and Seattle Police personnel opportunity to engage in conversation about the findings of the 2021 Seattle Public Safety Survey and to discuss real-time concerns about crime and public safety at the precinct and micro-community (neighborhood) level.

You don’t have to live in one of the MCPP neighborhoods to participate in the next Southwest Precinct-specific dialogue; it’s happening online at 5:30 pm Thursday, July 14th. If you’re interested, the registration link is here.

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Friday notes + weekend alerts
July 8, 2022 6:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:50 AM: The Water Taxi is on a reduced schedule this morning because of crew shortage. Next run is 8 am. Normal schedule is expected to resume with 9:10 departure.

Earlier:

6:02 AM: Good morning; welcome to Friday, July 8th.

WEATHER

The forecast is for a mostly sunny day, high in the 70s.

ROAD WORK – TODAY AND SATURDAY/SUNDAY

Today: Pavement work continues on California SW between SW Frontenac and SW Myrtle.

This weekend: Here’s what SDOT says its crews will be working on:

On Saturday we will be completing paving work on Marine View Dr SW between 35th and 39th. Paving will begin as early as 7 AM and conclude by 4:30 PM. During this work, we’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane and there may be delays for people driving.

Also on Saturday, we will continue updating signal lights on 7th Ave S and S Cloverdale St in South Park. A majority of the work will be completed on 7th Ave S with minimal impacts to S Cloverdale St.

On Sunday, we will be doing some additional vegetation cleanup and landscape work on Olson Place SW between 1st Ave S and SW Roxbury. The work is anticipated to begin as early as 5 AM through 1 PM. Traffic impacts include the closure of the right-hand curb
lane, the lane will reopen at 1 PM however we may extend working hours. Please anticipate delays while driving in the area

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth – and WSF says that probably won’t change before next spring. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

838th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; 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.)

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way (one of four recently installed cameras):

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

Share This

UPDATE: Water-rescue response off Alki, quickly canceled
July 7, 2022 9:35 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

9:35 PM: Seattle Fire is dispatching a water-rescue response by land and sea for what’s described as two paddleboarders struggling 500 to 600 yards off Alki Beach. Updates to come.

9:41 PM: Rescuers have made contact with the paddleboarders, they’ve told dispatch, and they’re “not in distress” – they’re on their way to shore. So most of the response is being canceled.

Share This

BIZNOTE: Ex-Be’s Restaurant reopening as Bonjour Vietnam
July 7, 2022 9:22 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

After a year-long closure, what was Be’s Restaurant at 4509 California SW in The Junction will reopen next week with a new name, Bonjour Vietnam. New furnishings, too.

Same ownership – Jade Nguyen, daughter of Be’s longtime owners, who (mostly) retired during the early pandemic shutdowns, after 35 years,

Jade has run The Alley speakeasy-style bar behind Be’s since 2018. She is almost done remodeling the restaurant, with plans for a soft open starting around 5 pm on Summer Fest Eve (next Thursday, July 14th). We talked with her there this evening. Changes include a higher ceiling and new lighting, plus front windows that open.

As for the food, she says the menu is still being finalized but as the new name implies, it’ll have both French and Vietnamese flavors – from escargot and paté to pho, banh mi, and vermicelli bowls. She says making a change just made sense, as trying to replicate Be’s offerings with a different chef after her parents’ retirement just wasn’t working. Another change: The restaurant space now includes a bar.

Share This

COUNTDOWN: One week until West Seattle Summer Fest Eve
July 7, 2022 8:36 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

We’re now looking ahead daily/nightly to the return of West Seattle’s biggest party of the year, Summer Fest. While official festival dates are Friday-Sunday, July 15-17, the night before has taken on a life of its own, with people enjoying wandering the Junction streets closed for festival setup. As with most years, this year Summer Fest Eve (Thursday, July 14th) is also the monthly second Thursday West Seattle Art Walk night. You can see the list of participating businesses/venues and some early previews on the Art Walk website. The Art of Music is back, with two performances on Art Walk night, one that will be outdoors in The Junction and in the heart of Summer Fest Eve – awardwinning West African musician Naby Camera will be playing 6-7:45 pm at KeyBank Plaza.

While wandering The Junction on Summer Fest Eve, you can also expect to see and hear buskers, and look for a chance to get creative with chalk art! You can also visit Mural Alley – the midblock breezeway on the west side of California SW between SW Alaska and SW Edmunds – to see the community murals from Summer Fest 2018 and 2019, and get inspired to join artist Stacey Sterling in creating one this year (Friday and Saturday).

A highlight of years past has been food/drink venues setting up temporary sidewalk cafés; this year, some are already in place, so you can dine/drink outdoor, Or just wander! We’ll see you in the street (California between Genesee and Edmundsm Alaska between 42nd and 44th) one week from tonight.

Share This

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Sellout crowds for Zippy’s Giant Burgers in final days
July 7, 2022 7:17 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

(Wednesday photo sent by Carolyn Dean)

A lot of people want to go to Zippy’s Giant Burgers (at least) one more time before they close forever after Sunday (as announced two days ago). Two nights running now, we’ve gotten word that they’ve sold out and closed early. The lines started early, too = we went over this morning to confirm they had reopened after the early closure last night, and in the 11 am hour there was already a line out into the parking lot.

(Thursday photo sent by Corianton Hale)

So if you’re going, get there early tomorrow if you can – we’re told they plan to open at 10 am. (Thanks to everyone for the tips and photos!)

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Charges filed in three cases
July 7, 2022 5:11 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed charges in three West Seattle cases of note:

THE CASE OF THE SLEEPING STOLEN-TRUCK SUSPECT: 24-year-old Hunter L. Boyce is charged with felony stolen-vehicle possession in a case we previously noted here – the theft of a landscaper’s work truck off West Marginal Way. Its owner reported the pickup was taken while he was out of town June 24-26. On June 29th, police found it in a North Seattle QFC parking lot, known to police as an area with what the charging papers describe as “high crime, including stolen vehicles.” They discovered three men sleeping inside. Boyce was asleep in the driver’s seat. The charging documents say he acknowledged knowing the truck was stolen but claimed somebody else had stolen it, a man he said he had gone to the lot to meet to get drugs. One of the other two men had an unrelated warrant and was arrested for that; the third, who was described as having a lot of personal property with him including “two pet mice,” was let go. Boyce remains in the King County Jail; he’s also being held for failing to appear in a separate burglary case.

ANOTHER ASLEEP-IN-A-CAR CASE: 45-year-old Kalin W. Laing is charged with unlawful gun possession after an arrest that started with him being found asleep in a car. In this case, it was a white 1999 BMW parked with both doors open and no plates, in an apartment building lot near 47th/Charlestown on June 22nd. Police found that the car had not been reported stolen but its title had been canceled. Laing, the charging documents say, had difficulty explaining whose car it was, but said he was at the building to visit someone he knew. Police discovered a gun and also found that he was a convicted felon, so that’s what led to his arrest and the charge. Laing, who lives in Port Orchard, remains in jail, bail set at $2,700.

THE CASE OF THE 3-MONTH-LONG BURGLARY: Sometimes charges aren’t immediate. This is one of those cases. The KCPAO charged 49-year-old Justin K. Dumas in June with second-degree burglary for a case in which he was arrested in April. He is accused of living in an apartment in Arrowhead Gardens, a senior complex in southeast West Seattle, without authorization, even changing the locks so management couldn’t get in. They had called police after discovering they were unable to enter an apartment that had been the subject of noise complaints for a month, even though it had supposedly been without a tenant for five months. Management gave officers permission to forcibly enter, and that’s when they found Dumas lying on a bed. Not only was he not authorized to be there, he was also too young to live in the complex anyway, according to the charging documents. Jail records show he spent five days in jail at the time of his initial arrest in April but is not currently in custody.

Share This

UPDATE: Crash on Spokane east of low bridge
July 7, 2022 4:02 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:02 PM: Police and SFD are at the scene of a crash on SW Spokane just east of the low bridge, and officers have told dispatch that Spokane is blocked both ways. One of the vehicles involved in the crash is a Metro bus. More info when we get it.

4:16 PM: An aid car’s been requested, which indicates at least one person will be taken to the hospital.

4:39 PM: Traffic is now getting by both ways again.

7:25 PM: We followed up with SFD – turns out SFD did not need to take anyone to the hospital after all. SFD checked out three people, spokesperson David Cuerpo says:

34-year-old female with no reported injuries.
41-year-old female with minor injuries and did not require transportation to a hospital.
12-year-old female with minor injuries and did not require transportation to a hospital.

Share This

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, northbound
July 7, 2022 2:17 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

2:17 PM: Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo, and to others for the tips. The Bremerton-homeported aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is outbound again, passing West Seattle while heading northbound earlier this afternoon. It’s currently off the west side of Whidbey Island, according to MarineTraffic.com. The last sighting here was less than two weeks ago, as Nimitz returned home from training.

4:35 PM: One tipster earlier mentioned the Nimitz was closer to Alki than usual when passing, The photo just added above, sent by Michael Ostrogorsky, shows what that looked like. Meantime, the carrier is now out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, westbound.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit staff unveils ‘example’ as board approaches next major decision
July 7, 2022 12:47 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

As the Sound Transit Board gets closer to choosing a West Seattle/Ballard light rail “modified preferred alternative” for the final phase of environmental study, its Executive Committee just got its first look at an “example” drawn up by staff. You can see it in its entirety in the full slide deck; here’s the slide with the West Seattle section:

The “example” includes the West Seattle Junction “medium tunnel” (41st SW) option that the city is also supporting (as reported here earlier this week). While a Junction tunnel previously was expected to require “third-party funding,” this is now considered to be comparable in cost to an elevated option. As for Delridge, the “example” proposes the Andover lower-height option, aka DEL-6, which has been at the center of a lot of discussion lately because its displacement would include Transitional Resources, which provides supportive housing and behavioral-health services, and the Alki Beach Academy child-care center. TR’s CEO Darcell Slovek-Walker was among the speakers at the meeting-opening public-comment period, saying, “Not all displacements are created equal,” saying DEL-6 would take out two of their buildings housing formerly homeless people living with mental illness, as well as their headquarters.

Meantime, ST’s Cathal Ridge, while presenting the “example,” also made note of previously presented modifications that are still in play for cost-saving consideration, including eliminating the Avalon station, which he said could save $60 million:

Board chair Kent Keel took pains to stress that the “example” is a starting point for board discussion, not a fully shaped proposal awaiting approval or rejection. Some discussion ensued at today’s meeting, but rather than opinions on specific sections, it focused on the fact the board probably needs extra time before making a decision – so that may not happen at their July 28th meeting after all. Next discussion will be one week from today, when the board’s System Expansion Committee meets (1:30 pm July 14th). Whatever “modified preferred alignment” the board settles on, that still won’t be the final decision – that would follow the final Environmental Impact Statement next year.

Share This

DEVELOPMENT: Key approval for South Delridge mixed-use project
July 7, 2022 11:32 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

(9218 18th SW rendering by Caron Architecture)

Last December, the mixed-use project proposed for 9218 18th SW [map] got final Southwest Design Review Board approval (WSB coverage here), and today, after staff review, the city has published a key decision for the project, which is summarized as “a 5-story, 48-unit apartment building with retail,” with 28 offstreet-parking spaces. Publication of the decision opens a two-week appeal period; this notice explains how to appeal. The project still needs other permits/approvals before construction can begin.

BACKSTORY: The proposal for this site first appeared in city files in March 2020; it was originally envisioned with up to 76 units, but that number dropped as the project went through reviews. The triangular site was upzoned during the HALA process.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE THURSDAY: Here’s the list
July 7, 2022 10:31 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE THURSDAY: Here’s the list
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Wednesday’s sunset, photographed by Lynn Hall)

Here’s what’s happening (and NOT happening) in the hours ahead:

SOUND TRANSIT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Happening now (10:30 am-noon), this committee of the Sound Transit Board is having its monthly meeting; an update on the West Seattle/Ballard plan is on the agenda (which explains how to watch).

WADING POOLS OPEN: Partly sunny and warm today, so the city will open the pools that are scheduled for Thursday 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 also open, 11 am-8 pm.

COLMAN POOL CLOSED: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park is NOT open to the public today, because of a swim meet.

LIVE MUSIC AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS: Starting at 6:30 pm, enjoy solo piano music at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Come try something new at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.

BATTLESTAR KALAKALA: Doors 8 pm, music 9 pm, for first-Thursday funk at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 21+, $15 cover.

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

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Pencil Me In For Kids school-supply drive donation time
July 7, 2022 9:37 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

The new school year is two months away but it’s time for donations to the long-running Pencil Me In For Kids school-supply drive. Several businesses are dropoff spots, according to this update from Judy Pickens:

Canine Casa Pet Salon owner Cherie Rahm and client Moose received materials this week from volunteer Doug Gunwaldsen as the Fauntleroy community kicks off its support of West Seattle Rotary‘s annual Pencil Me In For Kids school-supply drive. Salon customers are invited to drop off supplies through July 31 to equip students in need when they return to area schools.

Other donation bins are at Fauntleroy Church, West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA, Treo Organic Salon, and Wildwood Market in Fauntleroy, plus Keller Williams Seattle (5446 California Ave. SW). Cash donations are also welcome here so that drive coordinators may buy supplies in bulk.

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Welcome to Thursday
July 7, 2022 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Welcome to Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning; welcome to Thursday, July 7th.

WEATHER

The forecast is cloudy but probably rain-free, high in the 70s.

ROAD WORK

Pavement reconstruction continues on California SW between SW Frontenac and SW Myrtle.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth – and WSF says that probably won’t change before next spring. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

837th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; 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.)

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way (one of four recently installed cameras):

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

Share This

COUNTDOWN: 9 days until West Seattle Summer Fest! 2 ways to enjoy the Kids’ Zone
July 6, 2022 11:28 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 9 days until West Seattle Summer Fest! 2 ways to enjoy the Kids’ Zone
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Just nine days to go until the return of the peninsula’s biggest party of the year – West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction, Friday, July 15th through Sunday, July 17th – shopping, music, food, kids’ activities. Tonight, two notes about the Kids Zone at the festival:

First, if you’re bringing kid(s) to Summer Fest and want to get your festival preps out of the way early, you can buy passes for the inflatables in advance online – $20 per day, for unlimited use of all five (including a giant slide and obstacle course). Passes will be sold at the festival, too, if you want to wait to buy until you get there. The inflatables are just part of the options for kids at Summer Fest. Also planned: Big games (free to play!) on Saturday, north of SW Oregon. Yes, you’ll also find face-painting at the festival. Plus a “Whale Trail” scavenger-ish hunt with prizes – more details on that soon,

If you won’t be there with kid(s), maybe you can spare a little time to ensure the youngest festivalgoers have fun. West Seattle Junction Association events are community-volunteer-powered, and that includes Summer Fest. Volunteers are needed, ages 15 and up; Chris Mackay of WSJA notes, “Volunteers get cool festival T-shirts and will be part of our gift lottery, with two winners per day getting over $100 worth of loot!” You can see the time slots and tasks available, and sign up, by going here.

We’ll be spotlighting Summer Fest (for which WSB is a co-sponsor) daily/nightly from here on out – tomorrow, a look ahead at this year’s plan for what’s become known over the years as Summer Fest Eve! (If you missed our overview about what’s different at Summer Fest this year, see it here.)

Share This

SURVEY: Help Alair write a ‘love letter to West Seattle’
July 6, 2022 7:44 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Alair Gift Shop proprietor Shandon Armstrong is looking for a few good stories. Well, more than a few. She would love to be overwhelmed with good stories – as in feel-good stories. She’s opened a survey you can reply to share yours. Here’s the explanation:

West Seattle is such a one-of-a-kind place.

And it’s been a long few years.

We all need to hear the good things. We need to remember the heartwarming stories that give us faith in humanity. The neighbors that are lifting each other up and doing great things for one another.

We are going to post about these stories, share them, holler them, and give those people that are exhausted and feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders a place to read good story after good story.

These stories will go hand-in-hand with a new design that we are launching in the next couple of days/weeks.

It’s like our own West Seattle gratitude journal.

Our love letter to West Seattle and all of the people that make up this amazing neighborhood.

West Seattle. Best Seattle.

Again, here’s the form to use to share your story – or, you also can email info@alairseattle.com.

Share This

FOOD/DRINK BIZNOTES: Ma’ono closed; Admiral Benbow open; West of Chicago update; Best of Hands x Easy Street
July 6, 2022 5:48 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Food/drink notes:

MA’ONO: Though its website says the West Seattle fried-chicken-and-more restaurant is “temporarily closed,” tipsters told us it was permanently closed, and we’ve been trying for a week to reach its owners to confirm that. Yesterday we caught up with Mark Fuller at his new project, the Admiral Benbow revival, and he declined comment on Ma’ono’s status. However, Seattle Met is quoting him as confirming he has closed and sold the West Seattle Ma’ono. The restaurant at 4437 California SW was first opened by Fuller and wife Marjorie Chang Fuller as Spring Hill in 2008, and they morphed it into Ma’ono in 2012.

(added) ADMIRAL BENBOW: Speaking of which – it opened tonight. Main food item, hot dogs – so far!

WEST OF CHICAGO: Shawn Millard was hoping to open the new sit-down home of his deep-dish pizza at 3770 SW Alaska this week, but we went over to check and learned they’re coping with a few last-minute equipment problems, so they won’t be able to open sooner than next week. West of Chicago Pizza Company formerly served its signature pizzas out of a Delridge commissary kitchen; we first reported in October that he was taking over the former Chaco Canyon Organic Café space in The Triangle.

BEST OF HANDS X EASY STREET: Beer and music collaboration for these two – starting today, Best of Hands Barrelhouse has rolled out three new hazy IPAs in cans and on draft. One of them is the Easy Street Records “house IPA,” The Bar Is Open! To celebrate, a release party is planned at Easy Street (California/Alaska) this Saturday (July 9th) at 6 pm – with live music from local bands Panic Grass and Lite Sleeper (which, Best of Hands’ announcement points out, features Frank Gross of Thunder Road Guitars [WSB sponsor]).

Share This

HELPING: 10-year-old’s bake sale for Ukraine
July 6, 2022 3:55 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | How to help | West Seattle news

For the next two hours, until 6 pm – or until sold out if that happens sooner – cookies and cupcakes await you at 10-year-old Gwendolyn‘s bake sale to support World Central Kitchen’s work in Ukraine. You’ll find her at 44th SW and SW Othello [map], kitty-corner from West Side Unitarian Universalist. Laurel sent the announcement and says Gwendolyn is selling “traditional iced and plain sugar cookies and vegan, gluten-free chocolate cupcakes. Everything is nut-free. Price: “We are using a Pay What You Will model. We accept cash (with limited ability to make change), Venmo and PayPal.” Gwendolyn says, “I thought it would be a nice thing to do. I recently donated some money to World Central Kitchen to support Ukraine but I felt like I still needed to do more.” You can help her do just that!

Share This

WEST SEATTLE BEACHES: Condo sewage leak closes shoreline south of Alki Point
July 6, 2022 2:30 pm
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Cormorant Cove Park)

Thanks for the tip about the warning signs up along part of West Seattle’s shores. Waterfront areas south of Alki Point are posted as “closed” because of water pollution. We asked Seattle Public Utilities about it and just received this statement detailing the reason for, and location of, the closures:

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Spill Response was notified Tuesday afternoon of a potential sewage discharge from a condominium complex located on Beach Drive. The source of the sewage does not involve SPU infrastructure. SPU crews are working to determine the number of units that may be discharging. No discharge volume estimate is available at this time.

Per protocol, SPU notified Dept. of Ecology, Public Health-Seattle & King County, and Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Signs are posted at public access points including Cormorant Cove Parklet, Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint at Alki beach, and the Andover Place street end beach access. Once the discharge has stopped, SPU will conduct sampling to determine if the beach may be reopened.

SPU property owners are responsible for maintaining their sewer lines, and any discharges from unmaintained lines can result in fines.

Charles Richey Viewpoint includes the area more commonly known as Constellation Park.

Share This