month : 04/2023 304 results

2 Seattle Parks notes, including why Park Rangers’ expansion won’t include West Seattle

Two Seattle Parks Department notes of interest:

SUPERINTENDENT CONFIRMATION: Six months after Mayor Bruce Harrell nominated AP Diaz to be the next Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent, the City Council is taking up the nomination. It’s the only major item at this Wednesday’s 2 pm meeting of the Public Assets and Homelessness Committee. The agenda documents include this one with Diaz’s written answers to 29 questions about various Parks-related issues as well as about his background and intentions. The committee might vote on the nomination at this meeting, but the full council would have the final say at a subsequent meeting.

MORE PARK RANGERS: City Councilmembers meeting this afternoon as the Seattle Park District Board (video above) were briefed by Diaz on the planned expansion of the Park Ranger program, spending $3 million to add “up to” 26 more rangers (right now the city has just two). But none will be assigned to West Seattle, despite our area having two of the largest parks in the city; the initial plan is for all of those Park Rangers to be deployed downtown and on Capitol Hill. From the slide deck for today’s meeting:

The geographical limitation is attributed in the short run to “bargaining constraints,” according to committee chair Councilmember Andrew Lewis, but that’s subject to change in future contract talks, Diaz said. Meantime, the department is actively recruiting candidates for the positions right now – qualifications are outlined in the full slide deck from today’s meeting. As also detailed in the presentation, the department will keep the board (council) updated on how many citations and warnings are issued, as well as how many “positive interactions” the rangers have. They hope to have the first 11 new rangers hired and trained by midyear.

ADDED TUESDAY: Some commenters wondered about the “bargaining constraints.” Christena Coutsoubos from Councilmember Lisa Herbold’s office has provided this 2008 document for context.

UPDATE: 42nd/Alaska light fixed

6:21 PM: Multiple texters have reported that the 42nd/Alaska signal in The Junction is malfunctioning, flashing red at last report, and backing up traffic – remember a flashing, or dark, signal makes it an all-ways stop. If it hasn’t yet been reported to SDOT, you can call their after-hours number at 206-386-1218, as with other significant malfunctions/road hazards (206-684-ROAD during business hours).

8:30 PM: To clarify, the light was “stuck on red.” And another texter says it’s been fixed.

BIZNOTE: Portage Bay Café adding days in West Seattle

(WSB photo from PBC’s West Seattle opening day in January)

Three months after adding a West Seattle location, Portage Bay Café says things are going so well here, they’re adding days. General manager Peter Gunnar asked us to let you know that starting next week, they’ll be open seven days a week – instead of five days a week (they’ve been closing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). So starting the week of April 10th, Portage Bay Café’s West Seattle hours at 4725 42nd SW will be 8 am-1:30 pm Mondays-Fridays, 8 am-2 pm Saturdays and Sundays.

UPDATE: Crash on eastbound West Seattle Bridge

3:08 PM: Thanks for the tips. Texters are reporting a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. SFD is sending a response to the bridge by the 1st Avenue South exit. Traffic cam is having trouble locking down on it, but it appears to be in the inside EB lane around the 99 overpass. Updates to come.

3:29 PM: Serious bridge backup as a result of the crash, as shown in the SDOT-cam framegrab above, so if you have to go eastbound, try another route or wait a while.

3:39 PM: SFD units have cleared the crash scene (we’re checking on injuries). Live traffic cam shows the backup has cleared, too.

6 PM: SFD says a 71-year-old man was treated for minor injuries.

BATTER UP! DubSea Fish Sticks now serving tickets

It’s National Fish Sticks Day (sort of). But you don’t have to go eat battered, fried seafood to celebrate. You can also buy one or more tickets to game(s) played in White Center by the DubSea Fish Sticks, now exactly two months from their home opener. Here’s the announcement:

The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team launched its single-game ticket sales for the 2023 season this morning as part of National Fish Sticks Day.

The team hosts their events at Mel Olson Stadium, which is located inside King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center and is nicknamed “The Fryer.”

The team is known for their crazy antics, including throwing out a ceremonial first fish, where the honoree flings a fish toward home plate instead of a baseball. During non-league games the team also runs an open raffle for a random fan to sign a one-day contract and lead off in the game for the Fish Sticks as the “Fan Batter of the Night.”

The Fish Sticks recruit players from colleges across the country to come and play for the months of June and July. The 2023 summer roster is composed of players from thirty different colleges. The players report in late May and play with the team to hone their skills and hope to one day play professionally.

“We’re not in the baseball business, we’re in the fun business, where there happens to be a baseball game going on. Our goal is that this is the most fun you’ve ever had inside a baseball stadium. From the music, great food, beer and crazy promotions, this will be something you’ll never forget,” exclaimed General Manager Justin Moser.

Single-game tickets for DubSea Fish Sticks games are only $12, and Opening Night on Saturday, June 3rd, is expected to sell out quickly. Flex Ticket Packs with options ranging from three to ten games packages are also available. The team will host 26 home games this summer, including every Saturday night from June 3th – July 29th. The team will host the Battle for West Seattle, a charity softball game celebrating the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s 100th anniversary. They have also been selected to host the MLB JR Home Run Derby Regional Competition, where winners will go on to compete at T-Mobile Park as part of All-Star Week.

The Fish Sticks also partner with youth organizations and nonprofits to run ticket fundraisers at every game and sell discounted group packages.

You can find more information and secure your tickets for Opening Night at The Fryer online at GoFishSticks.com/tickets.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen black Tucson

From Gabrielle:

My sister’s car got stolen overnight from 27th Ave and SW Holden Street; kitty-corner from E.C. Hughes Park. She last drove it at 9:30 pm on April 2. It’s a black 2018 Hyundai Tucson. (Stock photo of same make/model) The license plate number is CFW5133. There is no front plate, only a rear plate. Unique characteristics include a cow spots license plate frame, a pink dragon figurine on the dashboard, and trinkets hanging from the rear-view mirror including an Ariana Grande air freshener.

We’ll add the police report # when we get it.

REGISTRATION TIME! Starting now, sellers can sign up for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2023

If you’re planning on having a sale as part of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day this year – Saturday, May 13 – registration is now open! WSB has coordinated WSCGSD since its fourth year (2008) and as usual we’ll be making a map and list of sales and circulating it far and wide. WSCGSD become one big day of person-to-person recycling and neighbor-meeting, whether you just walk over to see the nearest sale(s) or plan a trip around the peninsula. To facilitate advance planning, we make the map and list available a week in advance, so we open registration early in April and keep it open for about three and a half weeks. Before you register, be sure to have the description (up to 20 words) ready to include in the form. Fees are the same they’ve always been – $12 individual sale, $20 organization/school/business, $30 block sale – and you’ll be taken to PayPal to pay, but you don’t have to have a PP account – you can also use a card. Here’s the link. Registering will get you a confirmation note from us as well as a PayPal receipt; if you don’t get one or both, check your spam folder. Questions/problems, email us at our general box – westseattleblog@gmail.com – which is also how to let us know if your organization is planning a site open to multiple small individual sellers, or a post-sale donation dropoff, etc. Thank you!

WEST SEATTLE MONDAY: 11 notes

(Sunday photo by James Bratsanos)

Here’s what’s up for the rest of your Monday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

NEW LIBRARY SCHEDULE: Today’s the first day of new hours for Seattle Public Library branches, as previewed here.

BABY STORY TIME: Speaking of libraries, Baby Story Time is back, noon-12:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “Morituri.” Free popcorn! Contact SCWS to register in advance.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm, councilmembers preview the week ahead (here’s the agenda) and get another briefing on the ongoing State Legislature session. You can watch online or on cable via Seattle Channel.

FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Free Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.

SPORTS: Home game for West Seattle High School boys’ soccer vs. Cleveland at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle); the undefeated WSHS baseball team also hosts Cleveland tonight, 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

NEW OPEN MIC: You’re welcome at the new weekly BedHead Open Mic at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.

D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, even first-time players. $5.

MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Have a West Seattle/White Center event for our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

YOU CAN HELP: Four West Seattle options for spring Duwamish Alive!

April 3, 2023 9:09 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Four West Seattle options for spring Duwamish Alive!
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

When we first reported last month on plans for the spring Duwamish Alive! multi-site habitat restoration/cleanup event, the full list of West Seattle opportunities was still a work in progress. Now with less than two weeks to go, there are four West Seattle sites still accepting volunteers for April 15th – one of which is for kayakers. Duwamish Alive! is set for 10 am-2 pm that day, rain or shine, at these West Seattle locations (and others further south in the watershed):

Pigeon Point, Seattle with Delridge Neighborhood Development Assn

həʔapus Village Park, Seattle with DIRT Corps

Herrings House Park, Seattle with Green Seattle Partnership

Duwamish River Kayak Cleanup, Seattle with Puget Soundkeeper Alliance

You can go here to find the links.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: First weekday of April

April 3, 2023 6:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: First weekday of April
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:33 AM: Texter reports stalled truck on West Seattle Bridge ramp to NB I-5.

7:08 AM: Texter reports crash at Admiral/California, blocking a turn lane.

Earlier:

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, April 3rd.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast for today: Mostly cloudy, chance of showers (maybe even thunder), high around 50. Sunrise 6:44 am, sunset 7:42 pm.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY FOR TRUCKERS

Over the weekend, the Northwest Seaport Alliance issued this directive to truck drivers heading into Terminal 5 in West Seattle, warning them not to back up onto the low bridge.

STADIUM ZONE

Baseball at T-Mobile Park in SODO again tonight, as the Mariners open a three-day series against the Angels, 6:40 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 TaxiRegular schedule.

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.

NEW THIS WEEK: Seattle Public Library’s expanded branch schedules start Monday

As announced in February, Seattle Public Library branches are expanding their schedules, and that means – among other things – that all branches in our area will be open seven days a week. The new schedules start tomorrow. Here again is the list of what those schedules will be:

Delridge Branch, 5423 Delridge Way SW
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday

High Point Branch, 3411 SW Raymond St.
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

South Park Branch, 8604 8th Ave. S
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave. SW
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday

West Seattle Branch, 2306 42nd Ave. SW
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday

Tomorrow is also when Story Times start returning to SPL branches, as noted here last week – first one will be tomorrow at noon, Baby Story Time at the Southwest Branch.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 stolen vehicles – 1 found fast – and a reminder

April 2, 2023 6:48 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 stolen vehicles – 1 found fast – and a reminder
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

STOLEN PICKUP: Sent by Jack:

Woke up today at 2 am and my 1997 white Chevy pickup, license plate C16787P, was stolen. This is a old truck and easily recognized by the heavy damage on passenger door and also the bed of truck. If found or seen, please call 911.

We’ll add the police incident # when we get it.

CAR STOLEN, QUICKLY FOUND: Sent by Miranda:

I had my 2014 Kia Soul stolen sometime early this morning or last night. I was not aware my car had been stolen until the police arrived at my home this morning to advise they had recovered it. It was stolen from 30th and Webster and found at 37th and Warsaw. I have the car in my possession again but wanted to report the theft.

REMINDER: If you have questions for local police, and/or want to hear the latest on local crime trends, the Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meets Thursday (April 6th), 6 pm at the precinct (2300 SW Webster), as previewed here. We haven’t yet received the link for attending online but will add it to our calendar listing when we do.

ELECTION 2023: Voting starts this week for behavioral-health levy

This week, King County Elections will send out your ballot for the April 25 special election, with one issue on the ballot: The countywide levy to fund crisis-care centers. King County’s website is in transition this weekend, so we don’t have access to all the relevant links, but here’s an info-sheet about the levy. As we reported in January, it’s a nine-year levy to raise a total of $1.25 billion to fund these four county-specified goals:

*Create five new regional crisis care centers

*Preserve and restore the dramatic loss of residential treatment beds

*Grow the behavioral health workforce pipeline

*Provide immediate services while centers are being constructed

Ballots are scheduled to go into the mail on Wednesday (April 5th), with dropboxes and voting-access centers opening Thursday. You’ll have until April 25th to get your ballot postmarked and into USPS mail, or (by 8 that night) into a dropbox. (West Seattle’s dropboxes are on the south side of SW Alaska just west of California, on SW Raymond just east of 35th SW, and in front of the South Seattle College [6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor] administration building.)

THEATER: One-night, free West Seattle performance of ‘Friends Across the Wires’ explores WWII Japanese American incarceration

This Friday, for one night only, the Seattle Historical Theatre Project comes to West Seattle for a free performance of “Friends Across the Wires,” which producer Tamara Bunnell explains “is an original play exploring the impact of the WWII Japanese American Incarceration on young people in Seattle.” The production is touring the region, and the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) performance at 7:30 pm Friday (April 7th) is a late addition to the schedule, so they want to be sure the word gets out. Here’s the announcement:

Seattle Historical Theatre Project presents
FRIENDS ACROSS THE WIRES

The Seattle Historical Theatre Project is pleased to announce upcoming tour details in West Seattle for their theatre production of Friends Across the Wires, an original play exploring the impact of the WWII Japanese American Incarceration on young people in Seattle.

The play follows best friends Kiyoko and Peggy, students at Seattle’s Broadway High School, from the bombing of Pearl Harbor through the end of Kiyoko’s incarceration at Minidoka. Extensively researched and built from personal interviews, primary sources, and other historical material, the play is designed to teach about the Incarceration while examining themes of friendship, injustice, and resilience. The play will be presented at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center on Friday, April 7th, at 7:30 pm.

Performing the play in West Seattle is a unique opportunity to shed light on some of the neighborhood’s history. Audience members will have the opportunity to learn about the West Seattle community’s specific responses to the rise of anti-Japanese American rhetoric prevalent in the United States during the war years. Generously funded by 4Culture Arts and Heritage and Kip Tokuda Memorial Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program grants, this and all performances are offered free-of-charge.

In the photo are cast members Caylin Morrison as Ume, Emma Chang as Kiyoko, and Isaac Tian as Torao. Laura Ferri is playwright and director. Seats at Youngstown on Friday will be first-come, first-served. You can find out more about “Friends Across the Wires” here.

WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: 10 new views

Thanks to the readers who’ve sent bird photos in recent weeks – enough for the first gallery of spring! First, two views of Steller’s Jays, above from an unidentified texter, below from Danelle Jay:

Next, a Sharp-shinned Hawk from Mark Dale:

From David Butler, a Raven:

Marc photographed this Barred Owl:

James Hiersche sent this photo of a Bald Eagle over Lincoln Park:

From Ann Anderson, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet:

Two from Mark MacDonald – a Spotted Towhee:

And a Goldeneye:

Finally, from Stringtie – a Herring Gull with a snack:

Thanks as always for sending bird photos so we can share with your West Seattle neighbors! westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to send non-breaking-news photos like these, but if you decide to text instead, please include your name so we can credit you – thank you!

GARAGE SALE DAY: Ready to register? Signups start Monday!

Just under six weeks to go until this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, one peninsula-wide day of sales big and small, held annually on the second Saturday in May. This year’s date is May 13th. WSB has coordinated Community Garage Sale Day since its fourth year in 2008, and we make a map and list that’s available online one week in advance. To get on the map, you register with us, choosing individual, organization/school/business, or block-sale level, pay a nominal fee ($12/$20/$30, unchanged all these years), and provide sale location and description info – up to 20 words. We ask that sales span the basic WSCGSD hours of 9 am-3 pm, but you’re welcome to start earlier and/or end later – some even add extra days – just include that info in your sale description when you sign up. Registration opens tomorrow (Monday) and continues for three and a half weeks – we have to close semi-early to get the map/list ade in time for that one-week-in-advance release. We’ll announce it here when the registration form is activated and ready to go!

SAVE THE DATE: July 13 celebration of life for Daniel M. DeSantis

When Dan DeSantis died in July 2020 at age 75, it was just a few months into the pandemic, and impossible to gather for memorials. Now that a few years have passed, his family is ready to invite friends and relatives to a gathering this summer. We were asked to share this announcement:

Save the Date

Celebration of Life for
Dan DeSantis
July 13th, 2023
4 pm-8 pm

(updated) This will be held at Dakota Place Park (California/Dakota).

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 12 notes!

April 2, 2023 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 12 notes!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Lincoln Park – photo by Arlene Rubin)

Here’s our quick lineup of highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ROAD-WORK ALERT: West Marginal Way bike-lane construction north of the Duwamish Longhouse is expected to continue.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES: We’re continuing to update the online list – see today’s lineup here. Also, here’s what we have so far for the Holy Week/Passover list, today through Easter. (Got changes/additions? Let us know!)

BENEFIT BAKE SALE: In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility (which was Friday), Youngstown Coffee (6032 California SW) has a benefit bake sale all weekend – info here (third item). Open 8 am-4 pm.

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

DOING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW) will host its second mini-volunteer fair. 1-3 pm, West Seattle Garden Tour is there to talk about how you can help.

MUSIC AT C & P: Musicians for the West Seattle Food Bank, featuring Jasper Tollefson and Christy McWilson, 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, but bring food/money to support WSFB if you can!

JEWISH STORY HOUR: Torah Learning Center of West Seattle presents this story hour at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 3-4 pm.

TIM’S TAVERN OPENING WEEKEND: 4:30 pm doors, 5 pm show on the third day for the new Tim’s Tavern in White Center (16th/98th) – see the musician lineup here.

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.

LATIN SUNDAYS: DJ at The Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), starting at 9 pm.

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!

UPDATE: Crash at 35th/Fauntleroy entrance to eastbound West Seattle Bridge

(SDOT camera images)

12:02 AM: A crash reported as involving two vehicles has the eastbound entrance to the West Seattle Bridge blocked right now, according to what officers have told dispatch. So far, SFD hasn’t been summoned, so apparently no serious injuries.

12:37 AM: Police have taken one of the drivers, a woman, into custody, and a tow truck has taken away the most seriously damaged car, seen in the top image. SDOT is cleaning up the debris.

The other car involved is on the right side of the SDOT camera image above.

12:48 AM: Police are reopening the inside eastbound lane at the crash scene.

YOU CAN HELP: School art fundraiser

April 1, 2023 10:12 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: School art fundraiser
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

We often feature school fundraisers, most commonly for sports or music. Tonight, we have a teacher seeking a community boost for an arts project. From “Ms. A” at Chief Sealth IHS:

Hello, West Seattle community! In the Chief Sealth International High School Art Department, in our Ceramics class, we are grading up for our 4th annual Raku firing event on May 25. This is led by Eric from Seattle Pottery and is a fun technique we’ve been privileged to have students participate in!

This event does cost over what we expect our students to pay in everyday art fees. Typically the cost runs close to $700 plus about $150 for the clay. I am reaching out to you, our community to help make this happen. Please consider donating. It’s a great way to involve all students in the process of firing and see the connection between art and physics in real time! We appreciate your support! Thank you,

Carolyn Autenrieth, Ceramics and IB Art teacher

TO DONATE: Use the link here or the QR code.

We asked Ms. A for a few more details: “We have $220 from donations, and I have $200 from a grant, but we still need about $400 for the RAKU event. Of course, anything extra just helps our underfunded department continue! Ceramic Glazes have gone up about 40% for some, and those changes eat into our regular budget.” P.S. If you’re unfamiliar with Raku, here’s an explanation.

FOLLOWUP: Fauntleroy Creek culvert troubleshooting not done yet

April 1, 2023 7:51 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Fauntleroy Creek culvert troubleshooting not done yet
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(Thursday photo by Tom Trulin)

On Thursday, we mentioned Seattle Public Utilities workers’ efforts to troubleshoot a partial blockage of Fauntleroy Creek at the 45th SW culvert that carries it underground. Creek steward Judy Pickens reports that “the blockage at 45th remains in place after a long day of trying. The city crew will be back Tuesday morning to install a full bypass; locals will notice a hose across the roadway. It should enable removal of enough of the jam to assess the condition of the culvert.” In the meantime, what she termed a “duck pond” resulting from the blockage is re-forming in Kilbourne Ravine (by Fauntleroy Schoolhouse) and Fauntleroy Watershed Council volunteers are helping monitor it. As Judy explained on Thursday, this is a “delicate time for fish in the creek,” one of Seattle’s few remaining salmon-spawning streams.

About the Coast Guard helicopter

Thanks to John Skerratt for the photo. From the “in case you wondered too” file, that’s the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter that was looping the west-facing West Seattle shore for a while this past hour or so. It’s currently on its way back to Port Angeles. Earlier, police/fire were checking out a report of possible windsurfers in trouble, but that was debunked last we heard, though the USCG helicopter, and vessel, had already been dispatched.

UPDATE: Crash at 29th/Thistle

4:37 PM: Thanks for the tip. SW Thistle is closed between 28th and 30th right now – in the Southwest Pool vicinity – because of a crash. We’re seeing one badly damaged vehicle at the scene but still trying to find out more about what happened; the driver is being taken to a hospital by private ambulance.

4:40 PM: We’re told the driver was coming down Thistle eastbound at high speed, hit the pedestrian island, lost control, hit a parked car, and came to a stop by the tennis courts west of Southwest Pool.

5:50 PM: SFD tells us the driver, a 22-year-old man, was in stable condition when transported.