day : 09/03/2023 11 results

(Rendering by Mahlum, from last year’s info packet for proposed zoning ‘departures’)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Seattle Public Schools says a decision is expected within days on a challenge to the plan to rebuild and expand Alki Elementary School.

The challenge focuses on the district’s determination that the project doesn’t need a full environmental impact statement (this “checklist” document was prepared instead). Three people appealed that, and a little-publicized two-day hearing was held on the challenge last month, before a hearing examiner working for SPS.

Several of the nearby residents who are opposed to aspects of the rebuild plan also brought their concerns to last Saturday’s community meeting held by local School Board director Leslie Harris at Delridge Library.

First, some backstory:

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Fallen tree blocking Fairmount

March 9, 2023 8:38 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks for the tip. A tree has fallen on Fairmount Avenue. According to the SPD radio exchange we heard just after the tip came in, it’s just north of Forest [map]. SDOT is being contacted. (For right-of-way hazards on nights/weekends, you can call SDOT’s 24-hour dispatch at 206-386-1218.)

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See how West Seattle beaches rated in testing program’s newest report

March 9, 2023 8:33 pm

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| Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Alki Beach, photographed this week by James Bratsanos)

The state Ecology Department has published its BEACH report for last summer’s swimming season – and all the local beaches where water quality was tested had a perfect summer, except one (you can probably guess which one). The Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication and Health program does regular bacterial testing at 59 beaches around Puget Sound and the ocean coast. Overall, the new report says 2022 was much better than 2021, when the late June/early July heat wave factored into many advisories and closures. This past summer, not so much. But let’s get to the local results. King County’s beach scorecard is here; testing was done regularly at Alki Beach Park, Lincoln Park, and Richey Viewpoint (Constellation Park). The first two “had excellent water quality and met swimming standards during all periods sampled,” according to the report. The third “had good water quality, meeting swimming standards during all periods sampled,” but, the report adds, “This beach was preemptively closed due to a sewage spill from a nearby condominium complex between July 5 and July 25.” (Here’s our initial coverage of that situation; the closure lasted four weeks at Cormorant Cove, which is outside the testing area.) The report says this year’s testing will start the week of May 22, and they’ll be updating their map weekly between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

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Scenes from March’s West Seattle Art Walk, brightening waning days of winter

March 9, 2023 5:42 pm

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| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

5:42 PM: It’s on! The monthly West Seattle Art Walk is happening right now at dozens of venues around West Seattle.

That’s artist Leon Lowman, at Verity Credit Union (4405 California SW; WSB sponsor) until 8 tonight. He paints abstract art in acrylics, and has been a painter since his years growing up in Puerto Rico.

ADDED 6:06 PM: We also stopped at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), always open on Art Walk night, where you can meet photographer Doug Early until 8 pm:

And at Canna West Culture Shop (5435 California SW), multimedia artist Rick Klu is showing his work until 7 pm:

See the full list of participating venues – both businesses with art and/or artist receptions, and restaurants/bars with food/drink specials for Art Walk night – by going here. The full preview of artists in tonight’s spotlight is here; we featured four in our preview last night, plus artist Reeve Washburn‘s California/Oregon pop-up here.

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UPDATE: Crash at east end of Roxbury corridor

March 9, 2023 3:57 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

3:57 PM: If you’re heading back this way from off-peninsula soon, you might want to avoid the Roxbury corridor for a while. Police are headed to a reported two-car collision blocking the southbound side just north of 4th/Olson [map]. No indication of injuries so far – SFD has not been dispatched.

4:11 PM: This apparently cleared quickly.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Update on Five Guys at Westwood Village

March 9, 2023 3:14 pm

| 22 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | Westwood

The recent reopening of the remodeled Westwood Village McDonald’s has brought another round of questions about the status of the planned Five Guys burger joint next door. We first reported last May that they were on the way to the former Payless Shoe Source space on the shopping center’s south side. The first visible sign of the plan was door/window wrap in November. The company still isn’t commenting, and four more months have passed with no sign of activity. That might change soon – checking city files, we discovered the building permit was just approved this week, seven months after the application went in. Speaking of applications, the franchisee has a listing posted looking for managers to work in Tukwila and then “after four months” in West Seattle, so there’s another hint at their timetable. The chain already has 15 locations around the four-county metro area.

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NEED $? Less than a week left for small nonprofits to apply for Verity Credit Union microgrants

March 9, 2023 1:35 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

If you’re part of a nonprofit that could use a $2,500 microgrant, you’ll want to apply ASAP for this program offered by Verity Credit Union (WSB sponsor) – here’s what it’s about:

Local non-profits whose work centers around social, economic, and/or environmental justice and well-being are invited to apply for a microgrant from Verity Credit Union through March 15, 2023.

Verity Credit Union’s Microgrant Program is designed to provide unrestricted monetary support for organizations whose work benefits historically underserved communities within Washington State.

The credit union aims to support organizations that may have limited access to traditional funding due to organizational size, age, or tax-exemption status. We strive to uplift and empower those doing the work of our communities. As such, the microgrant prioritizes organizations with a total asset size less than $250,000.

The deadline for Spring 2023 is March 15th, 2023. A few examples of what the grant can be used for are:

-Rent/Utility costs for organization facilities
-Staff stipends and salaries
-Improvements to operations, such as new technology or software
-Research and development to create new or improve pre-existing programs

Those interested can apply at veritycu.com/microgrant-program

Verity has a branch in The Junction, at 4505 California SW (where you’ll find artist Leon Lowman 5-8 pm during tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk!).

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WEST SEATTLE 5K: Registration now open for first one since 2019, with new features!

March 9, 2023 11:38 am

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| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(2018 West Seattle 5K photo by David Hutchinson)

As we first told you last month, the West Seattle 5K is returning this year for the first time since 2019. Today, we have details on what’s new, as well as how to register – which you can do right now. The WS5K is presented by the West Seattle High School PTSA, with co-sponsors including WSB. Here’s the update:

After a three-year break for COVID, West Seattle High School and the PTSA are excited to announce the 12th running of the West Seattle 5K on Sunday morning, May 21, 2023. All profits raised from the West Seattle 5K will provide funding for West Seattle High School to provide classroom tools, books, supplies, and much more to its students and teachers.

Thousands of runners and spectators from all corners of the Puget Sound area and beyond have participated in this 5K over the previous 11 years. Participants are drawn to the event by the family fun, the gorgeous scenery, a flat and fast course starting and finishing at Alki Bathhouse, and all the amenities that Alki Beach has to offer. Prizes will be awarded to the top three adult and student male and female finishers.

New this year is a grade-level competition among West Seattle High School students. The goal is to create a friendly competition to see which grade gets the most classmates to register. The winning grade gets out of Homeroom early for a special treat and cash ($250) to their grade-level ASB. “We have heard from event runners that they didn’t know this event benefitted the high school so we want to make sure to raise that awareness as well as get as many high schoolers involved as possible,” says Kelley O’Connor, event co-chair.

Other new 5k features include a “Sleep In” and “sponsor a student runner” options. There are buttons on the registration page to donate to the 5K if you’d rather sleep in that morning or don’t wish to run/walk. This is the community’s High School and we hope residents will feel generous in supporting the school and local students. This is a fun way to give back.
“This is a really important year for the 5K to be back,” says Brian Vance, West Seattle High School principal. “We had a levy expire in 2020-21 school year for WSHS. We are facing the loss of intervention dollars to run after-school supports, tutoring center and Saturday school. Events like the 5K make up for those lost funds.”

Registration is live now. Adults are $35. Late registration for adults starts 5/1 at $40. Kids under 6 are free. Youth 19 and under are $20. Late registration starts 5/15 at $30. West Seattle High School staff members get to register at same rate as students. We brought student/staff rate down to $20 (was $30 in previous years). Students and staff go up to $30 during late registration starting 5/15.

We have amazing sponsors to thank: Portage Bay Cafe, School of Rock, Sea Pines Physical Therapy, West Seattle Blog, Dragonfly Yoga Pilates Dance, and West Seattle Realty and so many more. Please go to westseattle5k.com to see all sponsors!

That is also where to go to sign up.

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Art, history, piano, poetry, more on the West Seattle list for today/tonight

March 9, 2023 9:49 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunrise photo by Susanna Moore of WSB sponsor Niederberger Contracting)

Here are highlights for the rest of your Thursday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayers@gmail.com to see where you’ll find them playing today.

FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: 2-6-year-olds welcome 3:30-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), the Where Ya At Matt truck will be visiting.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: It’s the second Thursday and that means art all over the peninsula! 5 pm is the official start time but as noted in our preview last night, some artist receptions are starting earlier. Food/drink specials are part of the Art Walk too! Plan your evening with this month’s full list of participating venues and artists – find it on the Art Walk website.

WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: Annabel Quintero‘s memoir of surviving 9/11 – and more – is in the spotlight at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s monthly writer showcase, 6 pm, at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) or online. Registration required – the link is in our preview.

SUMMIT ATLAS OPEN HOUSE: Prospective middle/high-school families can sign up for a tour time at West Seattle’s only charter school (9601 35th SW) – starting at 6 pm.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Meet up at Highland Park Corner Store at 6:30 pm Thursdays for a ~3-mile run.

DIODE EDITIONS POETRY READINGS: 7 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – go here to see who’s reading.

PIANO COVERS BY REQUEST: Tonight’s live music at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way) with Chris Crow, 7 pm, by request!

If you have something to add to our calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU’RE INVITED: Community Week at Louisa Boren STEM K-8

March 9, 2023 8:50 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Some schools have open houses for current families. Some have them for prospective families. What’s happening next week at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 is something different – “Community Week” activities. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:

Come back to school with Louisa Boren STEM K-8 students March 13-17 to calculate pi, race the world’s smallest solar car, explore your local environmental impact, and engage in more activities focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Louisa Boren STEM K-8 school in West Seattle is hosting STEM Community Week March 13-17, 2023 for school families and the broader community. Among the many favorite activities taking place: Girls Rock Math will calculate pi with wikki sticks on Pi Day March 14; attendees will explore blood and guts with the Pacific Science Center on March 15; and University of Washington’s Clean Energy Institute will run a solar-car derby on March 16.

School principal Ben Ostrom said, “Instilling a sense of curiosity and desire to learn more about the world around them through science, technology, engineering and math is sparking lifelong learning for our future builders and thinkers who will tackle big issues in the future.”

“When parents, caregivers and neighbors are involved in students’ education, students get better grades, have better attendance records, drop out less often, have higher aspirations, and more positive attitudes toward school and homework. STEM Community Week provides a perfect opportunity for friends, family and neighbors to invest in our students,” said 5th grade teacher Matthew McGavick.

The week’s activities include: a nature walk, math exploration, science experiments, an engineering workshop and culminates with a student art showcase, and a raffle of art, goods, and services from local businesses. Schedule and other details are available at stemk8pta.org.

The school is at 5950 Delridge Way SW.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday morning

March 9, 2023 6:02 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, March 9th.

WEATHER

The forecast for today: Mostly cloudy, might start with some showers that could include snow. High near 50. Sunrise 6:34 am, sunset 6:06 pm. (We “spring forward” an hour Saturday night/Sunday morning.)

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – Regular schedule.

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations remain possible, so check notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts. Note: March 18th service change info is out now – here are the West Seattle plans.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

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 (unless SDOT turns the camera):

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

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 on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, 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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