West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
10:19 PM: SPD and SFD are responding to what’s at least the third reported crash on the West Seattle Bridge today. This time, a texter says, it’s an SUV that crashed into/near the “Welcome to West Seattle” sign on the westbound side of the Fauntleroy end. One vehicle, according to the dispatch.
11 PM: We haven’t heard anything further about circumstances, but apparently no one reported serious injuries – SFD closed out of the call fairly quickly, with no unit on scene longer than 19 minutes.
If you enjoy growing vegetables – and helping others – here’s a way to do both this spring. It’s a new effort called Heron’s Nest Sprouts, and it’s offering free plant starts later this month for would-be giving gardeners. Here’s how organizers explain what’s planned – and what’s been happening to prepare for it:
Feeding hungry people in Seattle involves a complex patchwork of programs and funding, but part of the work is simply growing vegetables! Seattle is dotted with “Giving Gardens,” many situated at our community P-Patch Gardens–including Delridge, High Point, Solstice, and others in West Seattle–and they are an important piece of this puzzle, growing fresh produce for those in need. Gardens in the Seattle Giving Gardens Network pledge their harvest for donation to community food programs. Last year, the growers generated 44,400 pounds of produce.
For 15 years, Ballard Sprouts volunteers have supported these gardeners, growing over 20,000 vegetable starts each spring and donating them to the Giving Gardeners. This year, a new sister project has emerged to supplement their efforts: Heron’s Nest Sprouts.
On Saturday, April 15 from 10 am to 4 pm, about a thousand plants will be available to pick up for the first time at Heron’s Nest, where 12 enthusiastic volunteers have been quietly growing seeds in the greenhouse since February. Pots of lettuce, chard, pac choy, mustard greens and kale will be available. Any gardeners interested in growing to donate to their community can come to get as many free starts as you need. Seattle Giving Garden Network will happily get you started in growing to give.
An added bonus to this happy occasion is the first Art Market of the year at Heron’s Nest that same day, giving space to Indigenous and other artists to display and sell their work. The public is invited to come visit Heron’s Nest, browse the art, and learn more about the Giving Garden program.
Heron’s Nest Sprouts hopes to continue next year and expand its production, because after next season, the Sprouts program will lose their Ballard location. The goal is to develop several new sites similar to Heron’s Nest Sprouts to continue the work going forward. Anyone with an interest in starting a Giving Garden, volunteering with Heron’s Nest, or who knows of an available greenhouse location elsewhere in the city should email the Seattle Giving Garden Network at info@sggn.org.
Heron’s Nest is located at 4818 15th SW [map]. Turn west onto Puget Way from West Marginal Way, south of the Duwamish Longhouse, and follow a short winding road to the entrance. The property is being restored by a passionate group of volunteers with the mission of community outdoor education. Besides the greenhouse, there are raised beds, a chicken run, the forested Duwamish Greenbelt, and space for community events such as the art market, outdoor movies, skill workshops, a tool library, and sustainable and traditional indigenous farming practices. The Heron’s Nest site is available by reservation for workshop space, classes, all-ages activities, cultural education, gatherings, meetings, music, art, and more. Check the Heron’s Nest events page for their updated calendar.
Heron’s Nest is accepting online donations to further their efforts, and volunteer help is appreciated as work continues at the site. Email HeronsNestOutdoor@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer or rent the space.
What services are most important for older and/or disabled people? What needs aren’t being addressed? A city agency is looking for your answers, to be sure it’s properly prioritizing. Here’s the announcement we received this afternoon:
Aging and Disability Services (ADS), a division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) that serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County, monitors trends and issues affecting older people and adults with disabilities in King County. ADS invites all members of the public to complete a survey, commenting on aging and disability service priorities.
Every four years, ADS and more than 600 other Area Agencies on Aging throughout the United States develop an Area Plan that charts the course each agency will follow to address emerging needs, while also working to create age-friendly communities. The Area Plan describes the function of ADS, presents relevant demographic trends for King County, and outlines major goals and objectives for addressing trends, issues, and needs. To support development of the Area Plan for 2024–2027, ADS is examining changing trends impacting older adults and people with disabilities, and inviting community input on goals and objectives.
“We listen and we form strong bonds with the community,” said ADS Director Mary Mitchell. “We have a very strong interest in racial equity. People of color should not experience disparities. To that end, we particularly want to hear from older people, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in BIPOC communities.”
ADS has posted a 2023 Community Engagement Survey online at bit.ly/40HJDv6. The deadline for completion is Friday, April 21.
In July, ADS will publish a draft Area Plan for 2024–2027 online at agingkingcounty.org/area-plan and schedule a public hearing. After a final draft plan is approved by the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services and key partners will be submitted to the State Unit on Aging (part of the DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration). Following state approval in early 2024, the final plan will be posted online.
Seattle Police have announced an arrest in connection with the disappearance of 58-year-old Leticia Martinez-Cosman. They’re not going into details of their case against the 46-year-old man, but he is being held for investigation of potential charges including homicide, kidnapping, assault, and theft. Since he is not yet charged, we are not publishing his name; he was booked into the King County Jail just after 4 am today, so his first court appearance won’t be until tomorrow, and the documents related to that should reveal some information about the case. Online records show his local history includes stolen-car-related cases in King County in 2014. The missing woman was last seen at last Friday’s Mariners game at T-Mobile Park. SPD is still asking for information on where she is or what may have happened – call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
(WSB photo, June 2020)
Four months after a King County Superior Court jury found 65-year-old Michael L. Dudley guilty of murdering two people and stuffing their bodies into suitcases later found in local waterways, he’s scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow. The suitcases were found in 2020 off Alki and in the Duwamish River. The victims, 35-year-old Jessica Lewis and 27-year-old Austin Wenner, had been renting a room at Dudley’s house in Burien before he shot them to death. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommends basically that Dudley spend the rest of his life in prison – the recommended sentences for the murders and the use of a firearm in committing them would total 560 months, their memo says – more than 46 years. He’ll be sentenced at 10 am tomorrow.
Nos Nos Coffee House at 35th/Graham in High Point is expanding hours. Proprietor Khalid Agour wants you to know that the shop is now open weekdays 7 am to 5 pm and weekends 8 am to 5 pm – closing three hours later than they had previously. Nos Nos has been open on the ground floor of Upton Flats since late 2019.
11:16 AM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip – she reports that J-Pod orcas are headed southbound, slowly, from the Bainbridge ferry lanes, mid-to-east in the channel. Let us know if you see them!
11:47 AM: We’ve also heard from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, who also reports the orcas are headed this way and adds, “We’ll be at the Whale Trail sign at Charles Richey Sr Viewpoint with binoculars to share around noon. Bundle up!” (That’s also known as Constellation Park, Beach Drive between Alki Avenue and 63rd.)
1:21 PM: Both Kersti and Donna report the whales have turned around and are headed back northbound.
(Schmitz Park photo by Rosalie Miller, who explains, “Western Coltsfoot, native perennial in our wet forest”)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PASSOVER CONTINUES: Tonight’s the second night.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Here’s our list of churches we’ve heard from, some with Holy/Maundy Thursday services tonight; list additions still welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayers@gmail.com to see where they’re 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 Bella ‘Mbriana truck will be visiting.
SUB-2-MINUTE FILM FEST: 6:30 pm at Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW; WSB sponsor), explained in our calendar listing.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Meet up at Highland Park Corner Store at 6:30 pm Thursdays for a ~3-mile run.
WEST SEATTLE SILENT BOOK CLUB: Starting at 7 pm, this month’s gathering is at nine West Seattle locations! Details are in our calendar listing.
(Photo courtesy The Potholes)
THE POTHOLES AT THE SKYLARK: West Seattle band celebrates their EP release with a show tonight at 7 – details in our calendar listing. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
PIANO BAR: 7-10 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), with Larry Knapp and friends. $10 entry fee.
COMMUNITY MEETING: If you live/work in White Center or another part of unincorporated King County just south of West Seattle, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is your community council, and its monthly meeting is at 7 pm tonight online – details and connection/call-in info are in our calendar listing.
JOKES AT THE JUNCTION: 8 pm at Great American Diner (4752 California SW), comedy! Get your $10 ticket here.
If you have something to add to our calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering John F. Watson and sharing this remembrance with the community:
John was the first-born child of Frank and Helen Watson in West Seattle in 1947. He passed away 3/22/23 in Gig Harbor.
John attended Holy Rosary Grade School and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1965. He then attended Highline CC and University of Washington before starting an illustrious career at Boeing. He spent over 30 years at Boeing, making many life-long friends. John always loved being on the water and owned 2 beautiful yachts, the Scorpio and the White Cap. He loved taking friends and family out on Lake Washington, Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, and the San Juans. He was kind beyond words and generous to a fault. He was an avid bridge player and art collector. Loved dogs, Cadillacs, Thunderbirds, and cookies! His health deteriorated over the last year, making life difficult.We are thankful to his many friends who helped care for him, including, but not limited to, Rosalie, Mike, and Janis. He is survived by his two brothers Ric and Andy Watson, sister Debbie Coghill, their spouses, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who all adored him.
(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)
11:20 AM: Texter says 12th/Holden is down to one lane while City Light works on getting power to the new pedestrian signal.
Earlier:
8:25 PM: Thanks for the tip. Per SDOT, “Collision on the West Seattle Bridge EB at the midspan blocking the center lane and bus lane.”
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, April 6th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The forecast for today: Rainy, breezy, high in the low 50s. Sunrise 6:38 am, sunset 7:46 pm.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to receive them, watch channels like this one).
Water Taxi – Regular schedule. P.S. Late-night Friday/Saturday trips resume April 21; to prepare for the summer season, there will be no WS WT service the weekend of April 15-16.
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 southwestward toward it:
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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