West Seattle, Washington

13 Sunday

57℉

month : 01/2023 290 results

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 11 notes
January 8, 2023 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 11 notes
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Here’s the list for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LOW BRIDGE CLOSED: Reminder that the West Seattle low bridge is in its third week of being closed to all street and path users until it’s fixed, and there’s no word yet how long that’ll take.

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

FLYOVER & PRACTICE: As reported here earlier this week, four U.S. Army helicopters are expected to be in the area for a flyover at the Seahawks‘ final regular-season game of the year – practicing in mid-morning, then the actual flyover before the 1:25 pm kickoff. (Weather might affect this.)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As usual, 10 am-2 pm, the market offers winter produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages, nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)

ALL-GIRLS LACROSSE WINTER CLINIC: From West Seattle Lacrosse Club:

We want to invite all youth and High School age girls to our West Seattle Lacrosse Club Winter Clinic to meet our coaches and learn the game. Come join us today 12:30-2:00 pm at Hiawatha Playfield. Learn more about the club or contact us at westseattlelaxclub.org or westseattlelax@gmail.com

(2700 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 3 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), the Silver Lining Band plays. No cover.

(added) CONCERT AT WEST SEATTLE LIBRARY: 3 pm, the Ladies Musical Club performs a free classical concert at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – see the program here. (2306 42nd 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).

YOGA, MEDITATION, GONG BATH: Presented by Inner Alchemy, 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

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!

Share This

ELECTION 2023: Less than 3 weeks until your next ballot arrives
January 7, 2023 9:15 pm
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

checkbox.jpgAlthough this year’s biggest election will be the City Council primary in August, that won’t be the first election of the year. You’ll get a ballot in less than three weeks for the February 14th special election, with just one measure on your ballot: Seattle Initiative 135. Not familiar with it? Here’s the text that you’ll see:

City of Seattle Initiative Measure 135 concerns developing and maintaining affordable social housing in Seattle.

This measure would create a public development authority (PDA) to develop, own, and maintain publicly financed mixed-income social housing developments. The City would provide start-up support for the PDA. The City Council would determine the amount of ongoing City support. Before it transfers any public lands for nonpublic use, the City would be required to consider a transfer to the PDA. The PDA’s Charter would govern the election, composition, and duties of the PDA’s Board of Directors.

So what’s “social housing”? Here’s how the organization behind the initiative explains it:

Housing created outside of the private market, publicly financed and publicly controlled. Unlike public housing models in the United States, social housing does not rely on profit motives, the private market or private partnerships, which creates permanent affordability and housing free from market speculation. Residents and their homes are shielded from the free market, with specific measures prohibiting the sale and marketization of social housing to ensure it remains in the public’s hands, for public use.

Also from their FAQ page, the explanation of “who will pay for it?”, since the city “start-up support” does NOT include funding:

Our initiative follows the path of the Pike Place Market and the monorail. This is a multi-step process. We are setting up the structure and the vision to get this public developer started, then we will begin raising money. We are pursuing several options, but money that is available today will not necessarily be the extent of what’s available tomorrow.

Once the public developer is established, they can receive and request funds from city, state, federal governments, as well as private donations if those donors feel so inclined.

You can read the full text of I-135 here. For a slightly shorter overview, see this page on supporters’ site (which also includes the full text). The House Our Neighbors political committee of Real Change gathered signatures to get it on the ballot. No opposition campaign is registered, so far. Ballots are scheduled to be mailed January 25th. Not registered to vote? Here’s how to do it.

Share This

Two chances to talk with, hear from police in West Seattle this week
January 7, 2023 6:38 pm
|    Comments Off on Two chances to talk with, hear from police in West Seattle this week
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

If you have questions for police – a neighborhood concern, ongoing problem, unsolved case – you can attend both or one of these community meetings in the week ahead:

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm Tuesday (January 10th), Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill). ANA says a Southwest Precinct rep will be there.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm Thursday (January 12th), Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster). Much of this meeting is set aside for community Q&A. If you can’t go to the precinct, our calendar listing has info on video or call-in participation.

Share This

Teenager investigated for DUI after crash at Walnut/Hinds
January 7, 2023 2:51 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

SPD has released information today about a crash last night at Walnut/Hinds in which they are investigating a teenage driver for DUI. Above is a photo sent to us today by a neighbor; police say two people were taken to the hospital after the 6:30 pm crash, including the “male juvenile” driver. Police say witnesses told them the driver was speeding before hitting another car and then a utility pole, Their report continues:

Officers also observed drug paraphernalia in the suspect vehicle. A Seattle Police Drug Recognition Expert responded to evaluate the male driver of the suspect vehicle, who exhibited signs of impairment. Officers obtained a search warrant for a blood draw. The male juvenile suspect was processed for driving under the influence and ticketed for additional traffic citations, then released to his guardians.

His age wasn’t in the report, and the case isn’t yet in the public files of the Municipal Court website. Here’s another neighbor photo of the damage done to the utility pole, which is now leaning:

Neighbors say there have been multiple collisions at this intersection.

Share This

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Sailing race on a soggy day
January 7, 2023 2:00 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos of the sailboats off West Seattle this afternoon! Above, Chris Frankovich‘s view from Seola; below, Brooke Gozstola‘s view from further north:

And from Mike Fischer, who notes that this is the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race.

According to the TTPYC website, more than 50 yachts were registered for the race. The race course – starting and finishing in Des Moines – is outlined here.

Share This

SPORTS: High-school basketball scores
January 7, 2023 1:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Now that we’re past winter break, we’re in the heart of high-school basketball season. Varsity teams from both local schools had games last night. Both West Seattle High School teams played Seattle Prep at home – according to the Metro League scoreboards, the girls won 48-31, boys won 48-44. Chief Sealth International High School played at Nathan Hale – girls won 41-21, boys lost 46-37.

NEXT GAMES: The West Seattle girls are scheduled to play this afternoon at Peninsula HS in Gig Harbor; both Chief Sealth teams play Lincoln at home next, boys at 7:30 pm Tuesday, girls at 7:30 pm Wednesday; the West Seattle boys play at Garfield at 7:30 pm Tuesday.

Share This

SURVEY: Metro recruiting study participants
January 7, 2023 10:40 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

While looking for transit-related information, we happened onto a Metro survey – in this case, a survey that’s being used to find participants for a study seeking feedback on “trip-planning tools like maps, schedules, and alerts.” The deadline for the survey is tomorrow; its questions involve demographics and transportation habits. They’re offering incentives – drawings for $100 gift cards among people who take the survey, and $150 compensation for respondents chosen for the study. If you’re interested, you can answer the survey here.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 12 notes
January 7, 2023 6:34 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Caity Gerhardt)

Here’s what’s happening on the first Saturday of 2023, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:

LOW BRIDGE CLOSED: Reminder that the West Seattle low bridge is in its third week of being closed to all street and path users until it’s fixed, and there’s no date estimate for that yet.

SATURDAY MORNING ULTIMATE: 8 am at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW), drop in and play with the West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee Family.

TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 10 am-noon, prospective families are invited to visit this independent K-5 school (WSB sponsor) that’s “been providing academic, engaging, individualized education since 1985, in West Seattle.” Our calendar listing explains its location at 4105 California SW.

BRIDGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 10 am, this cooperative elementary school serving children 5-11 in multi-age classes welcomes prospective families. (10300 28th SW)

HARBOR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 10 am, prospective families with 4th-8th graders are invited to visit this independent K-8 school on Vashon Island, (15920 Vashon Highway SW)

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

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: 10 am-4 pm, the garden’s centerpiece courtyard is open, while the rest of the garden’s grounds are accessible dawn to dusk. More info here. (5640 16th SW)

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – full details in our calendar listing.

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

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open to visitors noon-4 pm. (3003 61st SW)

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

FREE COMMUNITY HEALING NIGHT: 6:30 pm at Alki Beach location that will be sent to you upon registration – see our calendar listing.

Something to add to our calendar – event, class, game, music, theater, comedy, outdoor activity, or … ? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

Post-holiday recycling – trees and lights
January 7, 2023 2:29 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Holidays | West Seattle news

On this first post-holiday weekend, you might be taking down the tree, lights, etc. So here’s one more reminder about recycling:

TREES: If you have curbside pickup, you can put yours out in 4-foot-max sections, through month’s end. Or, take your tree – up to three per vehicle – to the not-far South Transfer Station. (Here’s the original announcement.)

LIGHTS: You have dropoff or even mail-in options if you have lights, working or not, that you want to recycle – King County’s website has an updated-for-this-season list.

Share This

SATURDAY: Open houses for three schools
January 6, 2023 8:15 pm
|    Comments Off on SATURDAY: Open houses for three schools
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Looking ahead to next school year? Three schools are having open houses tomorrow (Saturday, January 7th):

TILDEN SCHOOL: This independent elementary school‘s open house for prospective families is set for 10 am-noon:

We invite you to visit the school, tour our campus, and chat with the teachers and specialists who make Tilden extraordinary. Tilden School has been providing academic, engaging, individualized education since 1985, in West Seattle.

We are housed in (but not affiliated with) the First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, on the corner of California and Dakota – their back door is our front door! Enter on the west side of the building, in the alley, across from the south end of the parking lot.

The official address for Tilden School (WSB sponsor) is 4105 California Avenue SW.

HARBOR SCHOOL: This independent K-8 school is on Vashon Island and invites prospective families of 4th through 8th graders to visit for its 10 am open house:

Visit our campus on Saturday, January 7th to learn about our outstanding academic program, robust travel study program, individualized approach to instruction and annual camp adventures. We hope you’ll come to campus, meet our wonderful faculty & staff and learn more about our school! RSVP at https://bit.ly/3Uu387v

Harbor School (WSB sponsor) is at 15920 Vashon Highway.

BRIDGE SCHOOL: This co-op elementary school also is having an open house, 10 am-noon Saturday:

The Bridge School, located at 10300 28th Ave SW, is a cooperative, multi-age, progressive elementary school program that fosters authentic learning through whole child development.

Questions before or after this open house? membership@bridgeschoolcoop.org or 206-922-1202.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Store-robbery suspect arrested; JTF burglary reported
January 6, 2023 5:56 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two items in West Seattle Crime Watch this evening:

ROBBERY SUSPECT ARRESTED: Seattle Police just announced an arrest in the early-morning holdup at the 35th/Barton 7-11 on December 4th. They say the 22-year-old man was identified through evidence gathered by detectives and arrested Thursday in Auburn. He is in the King County Jail, bail set at $750,000. No word on other suspects’ status in the case; when the robbery happened, police said three people were involved, and that they also were likely suspects in a holdup a short time later in Burien.

JTF BURGLARY REPORTED: Police were dispatched today to investigate a reported burglary at the Seattle Fire Joint Training Facility on Myers Way in southeast West Seattle. Dispatchers told officers that the burglar(s) were reported to have taken $5,000 in training equipment. We asked SFD for comment, but they said information would have to come from SPD, so we’re now awaiting that.

Share This

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Here’s how app-based free Water Taxi/bus rides will work
January 6, 2023 3:55 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

As promised, SDOT has gone public before week’s end with details of how you can ride the West Seattle Water Taxi and/or Metro buses fare-free for the duration of the low-bridge closure. As SDOT reps told West Seattle Bike Connections on Tuesday, the plan uses the Transit GO app, so if you’re interested, you have to download that if you don’t have it already. Here’s what happens from there, as explained by SDOT:

-Click on “Rewards” and enter code LOWBRIDGE23 to get 1,500 points for your next ride. Please note: there may be a slight delay in these points appearing.

-Tap “Redeem” and then select the free ride of your choice (King County Metro bus or West Seattle Water Taxi).

-Go to “View Ticket” and then confirm your order (required).

-Then, activate your ticket and show it to your transit operator.

-Once your ticket has been used, you’ll automatically be rewarded with another 1,500 points for your next ride. You’ll continue to earn free tickets while this rewards program is in effect.

As for how long that’ll be – how long the low-bridge closure will last – no new info on that. Meantime (as also noted on Tuesday), the funding for the bus/Water Taxi rides is coming from the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure, a .15% sales tax (15 cents on a $100 purchase).

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Admiral corner mailbox stolen, again
January 6, 2023 1:54 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Look closely at the top half of that photo and you’ll see bolts that formerly held the Admiral Way/Belvidere USPS mailbox. We got a tip this morning that the big blue collection box was missing again, more than 11 years after its previous theft. A spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service confirms to WSB that the mailbox was indeed stolen – and says it’s just been recovered this past hour “in the Burien area.” We have followup questions out including when it happened (we recall seeing the box in place just a few days ago) and what you should do if you might have had mail in the box; we’ll add whatever we hear back.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE FOOD: First day for Portage Bay Café in The Junction
January 6, 2023 12:26 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photos)

As announced last week, today is opening day for Portage Bay Café‘s new West Seattle Junction location, the former Agave Cocina spot at 4725 42nd SW. We just went over for photos.

Today is a soft-open day, for which they took a limited number of reservations, so they opened at 9 am and are closing at 1 pm. Regular hours will be Thursdays 8 am-1 pm, Fridays 8 am-1:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 8 am-2 pm, Mondays 8 am-1 pm, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Above is the famous “bar” where you can choose toppings for your pancakes or french toast. For now, we’re told, they’re offering the same breakfast/brunch menu as the other PBC locations, but once they’ve truly settled in after a few weeks or so, the chef will also have a location-specific fresh sheet. We first reported Portage Bay’s West Seattle plan in August; this is the southernmost location for the mini-chain, founded a quarter-century ago by John Gunnar.

Share This

From spelling to sports, 6 options for your West Seattle Friday night
January 6, 2023 11:11 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunrise photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

The weekend is almost here! Your options for the rest of today/tonight include, (mostly) from our West Seattle Event Calendar:

AFTER-SCHOOL MAGIC LEAGUE: Weekly 4-6 pm event for 12+, $5 per player – learn about and play “Magic: the Gathering” at Meeples Games (3727 California SW)

DJ AT EASY STREET: Alternative 12″ singles with Depeche Mike, 6-9 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW).

FREE INTRODUCTION TO PRANIC HEALING: 6:30 pm at Alki location that will be sent to those who register – the link is in our calendar listing.

SOUND BATH: 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), offered by Inner Alchemy – details in our calendar listing.

SPELLDOWN AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7 pm for this 21+, one-night-only “adult spelling bee” – details in our preview, including ticket link. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Varsity home games tonight at West Seattle High School vs. Seattle Prep – 7 pm girls, 8:30 pm boys. (3000 California SW)

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! :

Share This

NEW FOR 2023: ‘Lion Den’ for kindergarteners
January 6, 2023 9:45 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

An announcement for families with kindergarteners:

Cub Scout Pack 282 Kindergarten Den Starting!

Calling Kindergarten Girls and Boys! Cub Scout Pack 282 will be starting a Lion Den in the new year! Have your Kinder join us with their grown-up January 10th at 6 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California Ave). Please direct any questions to Margaret at megamead@hotmail.com or via text at 206-769-6522.

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday notes
January 6, 2023 6:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday notes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, January 6th.

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE

This is the 15th day the low bridge has been closed to surface traffic.

Here’s our latest update.

ROAD WORK

–Seattle Public Utilities has a lane closed in the 1400 block of Alki SW for the pump-station project

WEATHER & WATER

More rain expected today, breezy, high in the low 50s. (Thursday was warmer than predicted, with a record-for-the-date high of 59, 12 degrees above the historical norm.) … Also, although the 6:06 am high tide should be considerably lower than what we saw December 27th, there’s a Coastal Flood Advisory alert through 9 am.

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

–Metro is on a regular schedule today but still down buses for repairs – keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on its two-boat schedule- check here for alerts/updates.

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Updating this recent report, five are now live. Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.

High Bridge – the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route.

Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most 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 a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

Share This

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: No estimate yet for reopening; free-transit announcement expected Friday
January 5, 2023 9:43 pm
|      55 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Tomorrow marks two weeks since the West Seattle low-bridge breakdown left it out of service to street and path traffic. Here’s the latest:

(SDOT photo)

That’s SDOT director Greg Spotts visiting the low bridge today for a firsthand look at the repair work. (He chronicled his visit in this Twitter thread.) No new estimates of how long the bridge will be closed, though. We asked today if there’s a date yet for removing the leaky cylinder, which SDOT says has to be done before they can estimate a timeline for repairs; spokesperson Ethan Bergerson replied, “We’re continuing our preparations, such as securing all the necessary equipment, and haven’t scheduled the exact day and time yet.” (Back on Tuesday, he said they hoped to remove it within a week.) We also asked how long until they announced details of the plan to offer free Water Taxi and bus rides; Bergerson said, “We are currently working with King County Metro to finalize everything in order to offer free transit. We hope to be able to make an announcement tomorrow.” SDOT reps told West Seattle Bike Connections on Tuesday that the free rides – funded by city dollars – would be available to everyone, not just bike riders, whose only alternative to the low bridge is a lengthy detour about which riders have raised safety concerns.

The low bridge broke down on December 23rd, with SDOT blaming multiple issues, most significantly an “intensified” leak in one of the four 15,000-pound cylinders that open and close the 31-year-old bridge for vessel traffic.

ADDED 10:23 AM: While we await full details, SDOT wants to reiterate what we reported Tuesday night – that the free-ride offer will be available via the Transit GO app, so if you’re interested, you’ll need to download that in advance.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Theft in apartment lobby
January 5, 2023 8:21 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The photos and report are from management at City Watch Apartments (4744 41st SW) in The Junction:

They report this happened between 7 and 8 am this morning: “This couple was caught on camera wandering around our lobby this morning and stole 2 boxes of food and a package that was left for a resident near our mailboxes.” The two are believed to be associated with a dark-blue PT Cruiser that has been seen in the neighborhood before. No police report # yet.

Share This

BIZNOTE: From driveway to storefront
January 5, 2023 7:15 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Back a few years, when events were few and far between, Herbert Shepard set up rock and mineral shows under a tent in his Pigeon Point driveway.

(2021 photo)

Now he has a storefront, explaining, “After a long search we have found a location to open a retail and wholesale rock facility. It’s 1500 square feet, which is awesome and infinitely better than our one-car garage.” The World’s Fossils and Minerals is a short hop across the bridge in SODO, at 2700 4th Ave. South [map]. The proprietor adds, “Free 1-hour street parking. Entrance is up the stairs just west of the red and white Mallet Design Build sign. Open Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 am-4 pm, except Thursdays noon-6.”

Share This

SALMON IN THE SCHOOLS: Egg-arrival day in West Seattle
January 5, 2023 4:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Almost 2,000 coho salmon eggs were distributed to local teachers from a Fauntleroy carport today, steps from the creek into which those that hatch will be released this spring. It’s an annual rite for Judy Pickens and Phil Sweetland, volunteers with the Salmon in the Schools program, picking up the eggs at Soos Creek Hatchery in the morning, then distributing them to program participants hours later. They, and other volunteers, took the eggs to schools pre-pandemic; now teachers come to their carport for the handoff instead.

(Judy and Phil with teacher Angie from [corrected] Arbor Heights)

Once at school, the eggs are placed into tanks where students care for them and learn about them as they grow. Our Lady of Guadalupe sent this photo taken after their pickup, as 1st graders watched the tank placement:

In the spring, salmon fry are brought to the creek and released – students participate in that too, as we show you every year. This year’s participating schools, in addition to OLG, include Alki, Arbor Heights, Gatewood, Highland Park, Roxhill, and Sanislo Elementary Schools, plus Louisa Boren STEM and Pathfinder K-8s, and Westside School (WSB sponsor), plus three local preschools. The Fauntleroy Watershed Council is raising 500 additional coho eggs as backups.

Share This

WEATHER ALERT: Coastal Flood Advisory for Friday morning
January 5, 2023 3:14 pm
|    Comments Off on WEATHER ALERT: Coastal Flood Advisory for Friday morning
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

With a fairly high tide – 12.2 feet – arriving amid somewhat unsettled weather, the National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory alert for Friday morning. The alert will span 3 to 8 am; high tide is at 6:06 am. The NWS explains, “A Coastal Flood Advisory indicates that onshore winds and tides will combine to generate flooding of low areas along the shore.” The current forecast predicts a windy night but it’s expected to calm down by morning,

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Coordinating South Park’s flood recovery
January 5, 2023 1:15 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | South Park | West Seattle news

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We’re an environmental organization, not an emergency organization.”

Despite that observation, Duwamish River Community Coalition executive director Paulina López and staffers from her organization have been on the ground – and, at first, in the water – in the South Park flood zone, continuously, since the river overflowed its banks December 27th.

(Reader photo, December 27th)

We talked with her at the Resource Center, the nerve center of recovery efforts in north South Park at midday Wednesday, where South Chicago Street [map] is lined with trailers and tents – temporary office space, hygiene facilities – and storage pods for residents who had to get belongings out of flooded homes.

We went to South Park to find out more about what sort of help is most needed now, and will be needed in the future.

Our first stop was the Duwamish River Community Hub, in the heart of “downtown” South Park at 14th Avenue South/South Cloverdale, the former pizza joint converted into a community space by the Port of Seattle. Right now it’s serving as a dropoff and storage spot for donations, as well as a place flood victims can go get some of those donated items, like food staples. But food is no longer on the “most needed” list as of today’s update.

Back at the Resource Center, both López and DRCC’s Robin Schwartz told us that some of the larger items will be needed later, when families are either able to move back into their homes or into someplace new. Even finding places for flood victims to stay is a challenge – the city has arranged for lodging through at least January 11th, but these are families who in many cases have jobs and students and who want to stay in or near the South Park area.

DRCC is working to transition some of this assistance over to other community/social-service organizations whose missions better synergize with it – such as Villa Comunitaria and Khmer Community of Seattle King County. What DRCC wants to prioritize for its part, López says, is health and safety. They have been pushing for Public Health – Seattle & King County to come out and survey the homes that flooded to assess whether they’re safe enough to be reoccupied. And she has her eye on the big long-term “systemic” needs of which this situation has been a painful reminder.

Even balancing the recovery work with ongoing life in the neighborhood is a challenge. While we were speaking with López, someone from a nearby business came over to say cars – ostensibly belonging to people involved with the recovery work – were blocking their gate, and she had to go try to spread the word about that. We continued the conversation with Schwartz, who not only is a DRCC staffer, but also a resident of one of the flooded neighborhoods, though she said her home only took in inches of water, compared to others whose basements were swamped by feet of it.

As the recovery operation continues, there’s a looming concern about the next “king tides,” less than three weeks away – the basic prediction is slightly higher than December 27th, but the river may stay within its banks in the absence of atmospheric conditions such as those that intensified last week’s tides, Still, the city – and the residents and businesses – have to be ready. (We’re following up with Seattle Public Utilities to find out about their plans.)

For now, here are ways you can help:
-The aforementioned “current needs” list, updated again today, is here
–DRCC’s crowdfunding page THURSDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Financial donations are now directed to three community organizations – the two mentioned above and Cultivate South Park – find direct links on this page
-Two families have GoFundMe pages that were posted in this WSB comment thread

And if you’re offering help, patience is a plus too. Community organizations can get overwhelmed in situations like this, especially in the early going, but the needs will stretch on for weeks and even months, so if you reach out with an offer – maybe you have an appliance you could donate to someone who lost theirs in basement flooding – understand that you may not hear back immediately.

Share This