West Seattle, Washington
31 Saturday
Five West Seattle High School athletes are signing college commitments, and four joined in a ceremony in the WSHS Commons this afternoon – the fifth was off with teammates competing for the state championship. From left above are Elijah Brady, who’ll play football at the University of Montana; Mason Kallinger, going to Midland University for football; Owen Earls, headed to Columbia Basin College for baseball, and Alli Bennett, who’ll play soccer at Long Island University. Also committing but unable to participate in the ceremony was Jasmine Bachmeier-Emswiler, who will bowl for William Woods University; today and tomorrow she’s in Tukwila, bowling for WSHS at the 3A State Championships.
They call themselves the Silent Book Club – but they’re a roaring success. Last month almost 200 readers gathered in five West Seattle locations on Silent Book Club night – just to sit and read for an hour, followed by an optional chat time if you want to. “The ideal introvert happy hour” is how organizers describe it. Tomorrow’s the next Silent Book Club West Seattle night, and this time they’re meeting in six locations:
The Nook (2206 California SW)
Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Good Society Brewing (California/Lander)
Easy Street Records (California/Alaska)
C & P Coffee (5612 California SW)
Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW)
As noted in our calendar listing, you can show up as early as 7, read from 7:30 to 8:30, then chat if you feel like it (or keep reading).
Two milestones for one of West Seattle’s one-of-a-kind businesses – Avalon Glassworks in the Luna Park neighborhood. Here’s their announcement:
Avalon Glassworks is celebrating 30 years of business and 20 years for current owners Shannon and Jon Felix. To commemorate, the studio has created a blown glass Anniversary Float, signed AGW 2023 “30” on the sealing button.
It is a 4″ sphere in transparent burgundy red with accents of sparkly gold flecks. It can be purchased online at their Etsy store or in-person at the West Seattle location at 2914 SW Avalon Way. Avalon Glassworks’ new hours are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 12-4 pm.
Even if you don’t work for Boeing, you’ve probably heard a lot about the last 747 to be built. Today, Steve Rice photographed the above view of the jet after it left Everett for Cincinnati and delivery to Atlas Air and shared the photo with WSB. Here’s the Boeing take on its takeoff:
And she's off!
The final 747 took off this morning to join @AtlasAirWW's fleet. #QueenOfTheSkies pic.twitter.com/pZvX9AkKGw
— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) February 1, 2023
3:28 PM: As noted in today’s event list, Southwest Pool was to be closed today for natural-gas conservation. Now the pool has announced it’s open for limited operation the rest of the day:
Limited Operation for the remainder of Wednesday, Feb 1st.
Lap 3-4:30
Lap 5-6:30
Deep WX 7-8 – No instructor
Earlier, the pool’s announcement had explained, “In an agreement with Puget Sound Energy, some high volume business users are required to stop using Natural Gas to ensure an adequate supply for residential customers. Today is one of those instances.” The update warns this might happen tomorrow, so look for updates in the morning.
6 PM: Seattle Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin says the pool will be open tomorrow (Thursday).
As noted in our daily preview, today is opening day for Ali Brownrigg‘s new shop Swan Dive in The Junction. We reported on her plan two weeks ago. Swan Dive is at 4537 California SW, in the spot occupied by Virago until recently, and selling merchandise including vintage clothing:
You’ll also find new wearables including shoes, courtesy of a partnership with Clementines, with whom Swan Dive has long partnered on the other side of the bay.
Swan Dive’s hours for starters are noon-5 pm weekdays, 11 am-5 pm Saturdays, 11 am-2 pm Sundays, or by appointment – email swandivevintage@gmail.com to set something up.
Congratulations to the West Seattle High School girls-varsity bowling team – after winning their fourth consecutive Metro League championship last weekend, they are bowling in the state-championship tournament starting today in Tukwila. (Thanks for the tips!) Here’s who’s in the tournament:
State roster:
Jasmine Bachmeier-Emswiler
Malia Barker
Lauren Ellingson
Justice Jenkins
An Le
Kritsana Nathan
Ellen Torres
The state 3A tournament continues through tomorrow at Bowlero.
Thanks to Anne Higuera from longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction for that cool aerial view looking northeast across our peninsula and beyond. (If you’re viewing WSB on desktop/laptop, you can click the photo to open a larger version.) Meantime, here’s what’s happening around, and of interest to, the peninsula today/tonight:
FLOAT DODGER 5K DISCOUNT SIGNUPS: As announced last month, registration opens today for the July 22nd West Seattle Float Dodger 5K, presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank. Discount rate if you sign up today!
SOUTHWEST POOL CLOSED: This word from the city-run indoor pool:
Southwest Pool and most other Seattle Parks pools will be closed today, Wednesday, February 1st.
In an agreement with Puget Sound Energy, some high volume business users are required to stop using Natural Gas to ensure an adequate supply for residential customers. Today is one of those instances.
Currently, Meadowbrook and Rainier Beach Pools are planning to operate today.
We’ll have a separate update on this later today.
NEW STORE OPENS: It’s opening day, starting at noon, for Swan Dive (4537 California SW), the new shop we told you about two weeks ago.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
WEST MARGINAL WAY PROTECTED BIKE LANE: It’s a major topic at tonight’s monthly meeting of the city-convened Bicycle Advisory Board, so if you’re interested, go to City Hall or watch online starting at 6 pm – the agenda explains your options, as well as how to comment.
TRIVIA x 6: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
INJURY PREVENTION TALK FOR RUNNERS: 6:30 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor).
LIVE AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS: Jazz Night starts at 6:30 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
LIVE AT EPHESUS: Kimball & The Fugitive Trio now plays Ephesus Greek Restaurant (5245 California SW), 6:30 pm Wednesdays.
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Planning an event – meeting, performance, reading, tour, or … – that could be featured on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Tell us about it! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Jane Kennedy Leyva and sharing this with the community:
Jane Kennedy Leyva passed away January 31, 2023, with her daughters Lisann and Jen present in loving support.
Jane was a pioneer for Title IX sports. She played softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. She was accepted into college at the University of Washington for her grades and athletics with plans to major in physical education back in 1968. Instead she became a role model to her daughters showing them what women can do. She became a much-loved coach and foster mom to young people throughout the WS community. Her house was always loud and crazy, and full of laughter and love.
Jane is survived by her daughters, Jen, Lisann, and Megan, her son-in law Len (Jen), her grandchildren Quentin (Meg) and Lexi (Lisann), and all the extended Kennedy clan. A celebration of life is planned for March 2023.
(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)
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to February – it’s Wednesday, February 1st.
WEATHER
Some sun is expected again today, high in the upper 40s. (Tuesday’s high was 41, eight degrees below normal for that date.)
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro is on its regular schedule, but still canceling some trips/suspending some routes, so keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions. (We’re checking this week on how the bus repairs are going.)
-Regular schedule for the West Seattle Water Taxi.
–Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on a two-boat schedule – check here for alerts/updates.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Oregon), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, 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):
Low Bridge – looking east to west:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide 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 bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.
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