West Seattle, Washington

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month : 04/2023 304 results

Here’s what Alki Community Council heard from police, city attorney
April 21, 2023 10:03 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Public safety was the top topic at last night’s Alki Community Council meeting, held at Alki UCC and online, facilitated by ACC president Tony Fragada.

SOUTHWEST PRECINCT: First guest was the precinct’s night commander, Lt. Nathan Shopay, connecting from home on his night off. He said Alki had been relatively quiet lately and asked about community concerns. One attendee asked if the new traffic-calming measures in east Alki seemed to be working; Lt. Shopay said yes, adding that things would be even better if the diagonal parking area on Duwamish Head were reconfigured. One attendee said the dividers and speed bumps had led to stunt-driving and racing further west. As for crime trends, Lt. Shopay repeated what he had told the Morgan Community Association on Wednesday night (WSB coverage here) – most categories are down, except for auto theft.

CITY ATTORNEY: Ann Davison attended in person. She told ACC attendees that community-meeting attendance is important to her because she wants “to be accessible.” She first spent some time explaining how the City Attorney’s Office works, with civil and criminal divisions, and the latter primarily handling the lesser crimes known as misdemeanors. She also recapped two initiatives on which her staff has been working – “high utilizers” and “close-in-time filing.” She spent some time discussing the matter of filing charges, and noted that if crimes don’t get reported, it’s a sure bet no one will be arrested and no one will be charged. Her office has to get cases referred from police. So, she stressed, call police if you see something! She said there’s another category of assumption she’s trying to change – police sometimes sending a case directly to the City Attorney’s Office because they assume the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office won’t charge a certain type of offense. Davison says she’s been working with SPD to stress that if something seems like a felony, they will send it to the KCPAO; if they decline to file, then Davison’s staff can review.

She also spent some time discussing the civil division of the CAO. So often, municipal law offices are focused on defensive matters, she explained – somebody’s suing over tripping on a sidewalk, or challenging a law, for example. She took the rare tack of going on the offense with the Kia/Hyundai theft lawsuit. She said Seattle was the first in the nation to take that action, and now 10 other municipalities have joined. “I’m not a crowd-follower,” she said. She believes going after the car companies for their products’ vulnerabilities is merited because it’s “resource-draining” for cities to have to spend so much law-enforcement resources on this. “It was not a hard call – even if the lawsuit is unsuccessful, it’s the right thing to do,” she believes.

One last point she made – she said she’s spent time rebuilding relationships with other city departments.

Before she left, an attendee offered these parting words: “We love Joe Everett.” (He’s the Southwest Precinct liaison from the City Attorney’s Office.) His boss appeared to agree with the positive appraisal.

COUNCIL CANDIDATE: He wasn’t officially on the agenda, but City Council District 1 candidate Phil Tavel was in attendance. He was asked whether outgoing Councilmember Lisa Herbold will be endorsing him. He said they had actually had a good conversation in which he asked her to consider it; he said she didn’t rule it out.

NEXT MEETING: ACC president Fragada said guests are expected next month from SDOT (to talk about scooters) and Seattle Public Utilities. ACC meets third Thursdays most months, 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) and online (see our calendar for connection info), so that means May 18th for the next one.

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BIZNOTE: Fire Tacos invites you to Alki anniversary celebration
April 21, 2023 7:59 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Another business is celebrating its anniversary! Erika and Jorge Saldivar of Fire Tacos on Alki asked us to let you know that they’re planning a party on Monday (April 24th) to start their second year at the beach. Between 4 pm and 9 pm, they’ll be offering 99-cent tacos as part of a special anniversary menu (with some restrictions – 10 per person, no takeout or to-go orders). They’ll have live mariachi music, too. The Saldivars want you to know, “We are extremely grateful with all the love and support we have received.” If you haven’t been to Fire Tacos yet, it’s at 2738 Alki Avenue SW, west corner of 61st/Alki, a bricks-and-mortar expansion of the Saldivars’ original Kent-based food truck.

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COUNTDOWN: One month until first West Seattle 5K in four years
April 21, 2023 5:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

One month from today – at 9:30 am Sunday, May 21st – Alki Avenue SW will fill with runners and walkers during the first West Seattle 5K since 2019. This is presented by, and benefiting, the West Seattle High School PTSA. If you haven’t registered yet, keep in mind that now’s the time to get in at the lowest price – general registration goes up May 1st, student fees on May 15th. (As announced last month, this year WSHS students have an incentive to participate – the grade that registers the most participants gets a cash grant!) The West Seattle 5K is powered not only by registration fees but also by community sponsors – see them here. Ready to register? Here’s the link.

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UPDATE: Big initial response but small fire in 5200 block of Delridge Way SW
April 21, 2023 4:11 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

4:11 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” to the 5200 block of Delridge Way SW for a reported residential fire. Updates to come.

(Photo sent by Margaret)

4:14 PM: Turned out to be an “exterior fire, (put) out by occupant,” firefighters just told dispatch, so they’re canceling most of the response.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: 5 things to do on Earth Day in West Seattle
April 21, 2023 2:17 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

Saturday is Earth Day. If you’ve already browsed our West Seattle Event Calendar, you know it’s a big list (and our morning preview will have even more). Here are five highlights:

RECYCLING: Fauntleroy Church‘s twice-yearly Recycle Roundup happens 9 am-3 pm in the church lot at 9140 California SW. It’s a free dropoff event – here’s the list of what they are and aren’t taking this time.

RAINWATER ALTERNATIVES: Learn about RainWise during a 10 am-1 pm garden celebration at Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle) in Gatewood.

SAFE DISPOSAL: Unwanted/unneeded prescription drugs are often flushed – polluting the water – or worse. One way to safely dispose of them is via Drug Take-Back Day at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), 10 am-2 pm. No questions asked, all types accepted, says precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner.

SEATTLE’S BIGGEST FOREST: Learn about the West Duwamish Greenbelt – Seattle’s biggest remaining forest, and it’s right here in West Seattle! – during a 3 pm panel discussion at the Duwamish Longhouse (4705 West Marginal Way SW). Among the panelists are local nature steward Kersti Muul and Ken Workman from the Duwamish Tribe.

TIMEBANKING AND GARDENING: Learn about both at Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon) at a 3-5 pm work party with West Seattle Timebank volunteers. All welcome – kids too. Take home fresh-grown organic produce!

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From the ‘dumped-likely-stolen’ file: New hot spot to find stolen cars? Plus, possible prowling bycatch
April 21, 2023 12:16 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports:

NEW HOT SPOT FOR ABANDONING STOLEN CARS? From Charlie:

Noticed this car on the corner of Myrtle and 47th AVE SW across from The Kenney property again. It is a Ford Fusion, light brown in color. The rear bumper is completely missing though the license plate is visible, WA CBX5707. The front bumper is also damaged along with the windshield and the driver side window is broken out. It has been sitting on this corner for nearly a day now according to the neighbor and efforts to contact the police have been fruitless. This is the second such vehicle to be dumped in the area and it seems like this is becoming a great place to drop stolen cars as the area is very quiet and it is unlikely to be observed after dark.

The previously dumped car was a white Hyundai Sonata left there last week, and Charlie reported making contact with both SPD and its owner, who retrieved their vehicle.

POSSIBLE PROWLING BYCATCH: Todd spotted this along Bonair in Upper Alki – mostly trash but a few things that might be bycatch from a car prowl, such as the Hyundai Tucson collateral and baseball notepad:

If any of this is yours, email us and we’ll connect you.

Charlie

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UPDATE: Brown water in Alki area
April 21, 2023 11:40 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

FRIDAY MORNING: Jean reports brown water in the 3000 block of Alki Ave SW. If you’ve noticed it too, be sure to call Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800 – sometimes the cause can be as simple as SFD hydrant testing in the area, but sometimes it’s first word of a major problem nearby.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON: We also got a similar report from Jenn in the Alki area. And both say it hadn’t cleared up even hours later.

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Shop, help, play, laugh, listen – here’s the lineup for your West Seattle Friday afternoon/evening
April 21, 2023 10:50 am
|    Comments Off on Shop, help, play, laugh, listen – here’s the lineup for your West Seattle Friday afternoon/evening
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Alki Beach scene, photographed last week by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

The weekend’s about to begin!

LAUREN’S JEWELRY ANNIVERSARY SALE: Everything at Lauren’s Jewelry (in Westwood Village; WSB sponsor) is on sale, 10 percent to 50 percent off. Open today until 6 pm.

BENEFIT BOOKFAIR: Shopping for books? Do it at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) and tell them you’re there for Tilden School.

GARDEN CENTER OPEN: First Friday this season that you can shop at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open with a wide variety of plants, until 3:30 pm. (North end of campus, 6000 16th SW)

BENEFIT BEVERAGES: Get a drink at Hotwire Coffee (4426 California SW) and tell them you’re there for Genesee Hill Elementary. Open until 5 pm.

BENEFIT RUMMAGE SALE: First day of the White Center Library Guild‘s spring rummage sale, inside the library (1409 SW 107th). Plant starts too! Proceeds support library programs.

SCRABBLE CLUB: Come play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café in the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: 1-6 pm, open for visits at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

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

HIGHLAND PARK CORNER STORE AFTER HOURS: New chance to hang out at HPCS, 6-9 pm, as explained in our calendar listing.

MUSIC AT THE SPOT: 6 pm, Interlucid Eltro pop at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way).

OPEN MIC AT KENYON HALL: Signups at 6, music at 6:30 – free monthly singer-songwriter open mic at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – details are in our calendar listing.

SPORTS: One high-school home game tonight – 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Chief Sealth IHS plays baseball vs. Ingraham.

COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Harp music with Halcyon the Mermaid at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm.

LAUGH UNTIL YOU DIE: Comedy gaming experience at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 7 pm. Get tickets here.

SOUND BATH FOR THE NEW MOON: 7:30-8:45 pm with Maari Falsetto at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $45.

AT THE SKYLARK: Forest and the Evergreen, Saloon, Teenage Graffiti, doors at 6 pm, music at 7 pm, all ages, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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

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RETURNING: Healthy Kids Day brings free fun to West Seattle YMCA on April 29
April 21, 2023 9:48 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Before we get to today’s preview list, a reason to set your calendar for next Saturday (April 29th) – the fun, free Healthy Kids Day is back at the West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor). From 10 am-1 pm, kids are welcome on the Y’s grounds in The Triangle for activities including face painting, a bounce house, a quiet area, and a special appearance from the UW Huskies football team, plus healthy snack demonstrations, water safety activities, prizes, summer camp crafts, and sports challenges. No membership required – this is open to all.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday morning + weekend notes
April 21, 2023 6:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday morning + weekend notes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, April 21st.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast for today: Cloudy, chance of afternoon rain, high in the 50s. (Possibly the 60s by Tuesday!) Sunrise 6:10 am, sunset 8:07 pm.

WEEKEND

*Weather permitting, SDOT tentatively plans to install jersey barriers for the West Marginal Way protected bicycle lane this weekend.

*In the SODO stadium zone, Mariners host Cardinals all weekend – 7:10 pm tonight, 6:40 pm Saturday, 1:10 pm Sunday.

*Second cruise-ship stop of the year is Saturday at Pier 66 downtown, same one as the first, NCL Norwegian Bliss.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to get them, check channels like this).

Water Taxi – Now on the spring/summer schedule, which adds Friday/Saturday night runs starting tonight.

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). Thank you!

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ELECTION 2023: Jean Iannelli Craciun ‘soft-launches’ Seattle City Council District 1 campaign
April 20, 2023 11:59 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By this time next month, we’ll know who’s formally filed for the August primary – including the Seattle City Council District 1 seat, which Lisa Herbold is relinquishing after two terms. We’ve already introduced you to five people who have announced early-stage campaigns. Now, a sixth – Jean Iannelli Craciun. She now has a campaign website as part of her “soft-launch.” Craciun is founder of the Diversity Center of Seattle, which she moved to West Seattle two years ago. On her website, she says, “The complex issues we face today in West Seattle have left many of us feeling frustrated and even hopeless. Solutions have eluded our best-intentioned leaders for too long. It’s clear we need a different approach – and I’m here to shake things up! I’m running for Seattle City Council because I care deeply about West Seattle and bring a unique perspective as a researcher, mother, small business owner and diversity proponent, with a lifelong commitment to community engagement. I’m all about getting people excited enough – and feeling safe enough – to get involved, share ideas, listen to different perspectives, and act.” Craciun’s campaign announcement follows those of Stephen Brown, Preston Anderson, Maren Costa, Rob Saka, and Phil Tavel; as we’ve done with all the announced candidates, we hope to bring you a sit-down video interview with Craciun shortly. So far, though the recent remapping process expanded D-1 outside West Seattle/South Park, everyone running lives in WS. As noted above, the field will be final after Filing Week, May 15-19.

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BIZNOTE: Anniversary sale at Lauren’s Jewelry
April 20, 2023 10:04 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: Anniversary sale at Lauren’s Jewelry
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

Thinking about a jewelry gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or some other upcoming occasion? Or – shopping for something for yourself? Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village has deals for you as part of the shop’s Anniversary Sale. It’s been a year since Lauren Wiggins renamed the shop, two and a half years after she took over what is one of the few independent locally owned businesses at WWV. Through April 30th, everything at Lauren’s Jewelry is 10 percent to 50 percent off. The shop is open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays (and having an online sale too).

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1 week left to register for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day!
April 20, 2023 7:21 pm
|    Comments Off on 1 week left to register for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day!
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Planning a sale on Saturday, May 13th, for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day? If you’re not already registered, you have one more week – we close registration at 11:30 pm next Thursday, April 27th. WSCGSD is one big day of person-to-person recycling and neighbor-mingling, 9 am to 3 pm, though some sellers start earlier and/or end later. This will be the 17th almost-annual WSCGSD; we’ve coordinated it since the fourth year, 2008. As of right now, 239 sales are signed up, all sizes, all neighborhoods, all around the peninsula. Sale descriptions will be included with the (searchable) online and printable map/list versions, both available one week in advance, by Saturday, May 6th, here on WSB and at westseattlegaragesale.com. Sales will be numbered as always so sellers can invite friends, family, and co-workers to “sale #xx.” Ready to register? Here’s the link.

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SAFETY: West Seattle Junction Association hiring private security patrols
April 20, 2023 3:58 pm
|      67 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, December 24, 2022)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It wasn’t the first time a West Seattle Junction business had been hit by crime, but the crash-and-grab attempt at Menashe and Sons Jewelers on Christmas Eve was the most jolting, in multiple ways.

That shop and others have taken individual steps toward fortification in the meantime, and the West Seattle Junction Association has been increasingly focused on security strategies in addition to what’s already in its portfolio – from parking to planters, festivals to flags. Now it’s planning a major move: Hiring private security patrols.

WSJA executive director Chris Mackay tells WSB, “We signed a contract with Praetorian to have 6 patrols a night on both foot and car to cover the entire Junction 7 nights a week from 9 pm to 5 am. We may increase these hours in response to incidents.” The patrol personnel will start as soon as next week and will not carry guns.

That’s not all Mackay says WSJA is doing: “We are addressing better lighting, creating a phone tree for businesses, creating a cheat sheet for merchant of ‘who to call,’ and directing businesses toward help with locks and gates. Everything is under way now.” Regarding lighting, “All city lights which were out have been called in through Find It Fix It.” Mackay also spoke with the Parks Department, which committed to increased lighting in Junction Plaza Park at 42nd/Alaska.

She adds, “I am also taking to SPD to get more presence from Community Service Officers.” CSOs are uniformed civilian SPD personnel who currently work citywide as community liaisons and problem-solvers.

DATA: SPD crime stats are not broken out between businesses and individuals, but looking at the West Seattle Junction stats on the SPD dashboard so far this year, through the end of March, 11 robberies, 12 aggravated assaults, 43 burglaries, and 107 larceny/theft incidents were reported. Compared to the totals for all of last year, robberies are slightly up, burglaries are about the same, and both aggravated assaults and larceny/theft reports are down. Last year in turn was up from 2021 totals, especially in aggravated assaults, which went up more than 60 percent from 2021 to 2022, and larceny/thefts, which increased 25 percent between the two years.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Fire near I-5/West Seattle Bridge interchange
April 20, 2023 3:05 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo. The Seattle Fire response for what’s described as an “encampment fire” on that slope over northbound I-5 has been affecting the interchange with the West Seattle Bridge. WSDOT says fire crews are “blocking the Spokane Street on-ramp to NB I-5,” so if you need to get to I-5, you might try it from points further north or south for a while. The eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct is backed up, as this framegrab from the traffic cam shows.

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BIZNOTE: Soft-opening day at Tony’s Market
April 20, 2023 1:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

Thanks to Arlene for the tip! Tony’s Market at 35th/Barton has soft-opened. Official opening day isn’t until Saturday, proprietor Joey Genzale told us when we went over to investigate, but you’re welcome to stop by now. Some produce is in stock already, but he says local growers are having some challenges because of the still-cold weather.

This year Tony’s aims to help you grow your own produce, too, with plans to offer herb and vegetable plant starts, as well as bagged mulch/soil for your garden.

Official hours again this year starting Saturday (April 22nd) will be 9 am to 7 pm daily. (If you’re new – Joey has operated the market since its founder and namesake, his dad Tony Genzale, died 12 years ago. Along with produce and more in the spring/summer, Tony’s Market sells pumpkins during Halloween season and Christmas trees during the holiday season.)

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Progress for Morgan Junction Park expansion, festival preview, and what else Morgan Community Association discussed this quarter
April 20, 2023 11:59 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The biggest news from last night’s online quarterly meeting of the Morgan Community Association was a progress report on the Morgan Junction Park expansion site.

While this long-empty site awaits first a cleanup of contaminated soil from its dry-cleaning past and then funding for its much-delayed development, local skateboarders turned it into an unofficial skatepark for a while last year, until Seattle Parks‘ crackdown ended that. More recently, supporters of skating on the site proposed ways to revise the years-old Parks design for the site’s future. They weren’t at last night’s MoCA meeting, but the Parks manager who is point person for the site’s future, Kelly Goold, was.

“Things are moving,” Goold said. The grading permit for removing the contaminated soil was issued earlier this month, and now he’s negotiating a price with a “pre-approved” contractor, Clearcreek/Holt Services. The job will in essence “dig a big hole,” taking away the contaminated soil and replacing it with clean fill. This work is expected to start in July/August, when the ground-water table will be at its lowest, and will last about two months.

What happens after that isn’t settled yet – though, while Parks is committed to fully developing the site by 2026, Goold said they might be able to get construction going in “late 2024” (by which time the city will have owned the site for a decade). Post-cleanup, it will be open to some kind of activation in the meantime. So they’ll have a community conversation to talk about that as well as possible changes to the design (which is now 4+ years old), such as incorporating a “skate dot.” Should that conversation be a traditional community meeting, or an on-site tabling event, or both? No conclusion was reached.

Attendees also pointed out that the existing Morgan Junction Park needs lawn help. For concerns like that, Goold suggested reporting it to Parks – the more reports the better – via email (pks_info@seattle.gov) and/or Find It Fix It.

Other topics during last night’s meeting facilitated by MoCA president Deb Barker included festival plans, a major redevelopment project, an update from police, and a new board member:

Read More

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Run, eat, learn, watch, listen, protect, more … your West Seattle Thursday options
April 20, 2023 10:39 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Duck family photographed in Lincoln Park area by Tom Trulin)

Got your ducks in a row for the rest of today/tonight? Here’s what’s happening:

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

STEERING-WHEEL LOCKS: 100+ more free steering-wheel locks are available for theft-vulnerable Hyundais and Kias, 2-4 pm at Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster)

CANNABIS 101: Learn all about using it and shopping for it during this presentation at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 3 pm.

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 Georgia’s Greek Food Truck will be visiting.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at The Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

FLY-FISHING BOOK EVENT: 6:30 pm, free event at Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW; WSB sponsor) for “Fly Fishing Russia: The Far East.”

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

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Southwest Precinct police and City Attorney Ann Davison are the scheduled guests, and all are invited to attend either in person at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) or online (see our calendar listing).

LIVE PIANO MUSIC: With Chris Crow at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm.

LIVE BLUES MUSIC: At The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7 pm.

‘FRIENDS ACROSS THE WIRES’ PERFORMANCE: Tonight at 7:30 pm is the rescheduled performance of this play telling the story of WWII Japanese-American relocation through its effects on youths. Free admission. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW)

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

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Memorial party next month for Noreen E. Wilde, 1964-2023
April 20, 2023 9:58 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are planning a party to celebrate Noreen Wilde‘s life on May 20th. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community now:

Noreen Eliza Wilde 3/13/1964 – 3/18/2023

“I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints…” -Billy Joel

Noreen grew up the second youngest in an LDS family in West Seattle and graduated from Chief Sealth High School. She was a voracious reader of books throughout her life, and she was a champion speller and grammar queen. Noreen enjoyed walking in the woods, growing flowers, the Methow River, candles, making jewelry, attending the symphony and other concerts, brewing kombucha, and baking delicious treats, among many other things. Noreen was irreverent and hilarious and generous, passionately liberal, and a fierce defender of reproductive freedoms. She was a devoted Aunt and Great Aunt to family and friends alike and always had a gift for connecting with and uplifting young people. The three great loves of her life were Reggie, Viggo, and Brodie. Noreen was among the minute percentage of folks who survive with pancreatic cancer for over five years. She will be remembered as an expansive, resilient, and wonderfully unique individual by all who knew and loved her.

Gifts in her memory can be made to Abortion Care Network: abortioncarenetwork.org/donate

There will be a memorial party and BBQ celebrating Noreen’s life with stories, games, and food on May 20, 2023, in Tukwila. If you would like to attend and want more information, please text or call her niece Jessica at 206 9one5 9five5five.

Your comments with memories of Noreen are heartily encouraged and welcomed.

(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)

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Brown-water reports in Gatewood
April 20, 2023 9:43 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Two reports of brown water in Gatewood: Grace emailed this morning about experiencing the problem near 39th/Elmgrove. And we belatedly discovered a message from Brad, also in Gatewood, reporting dark water early Wednesday afternoon. Save this number in case it happens at your home, business, or school – 206-386-1800, a 24/7 number for Seattle Public Utilities.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info
April 20, 2023 6:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, April 20th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast for today: Cloudy, chance of rain, high around 50. Sunrise 6:11 am, sunset 8:06 pm.

SCHOOL STREET

SW Lander between California and 45th continues the “School Street” test – explained here.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to get them, check channels like this).

Water Taxi – Now on the spring/summer schedule, which adds Friday/Saturday late-night runs starting tomorrow.

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). Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Suitcase grabber, package thief, vandals, and a reminder
April 19, 2023 11:59 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

SUITCASE GRABBER: If you see a dumped suitcase, it might be Kandie‘s:

My suitcase was stolen around 5:15 today right in front of my house at 34th and Myrtle while I was unloading my car. A maroon sedan w/dark tinted windows pulled up guy jumped out grabbed suitcase and they sped away. It contained 90 percent of my personal belongings, shoes, jewelry, clothes etc. – I couldn’t get a license plate in time. Picture is of the smaller suitcase for reference.


Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

The report has preliminary tracking number T2300848.

PACKAGE THIEF The report and photos are from Alan:

This person took 3 packages from our porch. About 11:00 am, which was 30 minutes after FedEx delivered one.

Dressed all in black, hat and face covering. Driver waited in the white car. Pigeon Point on 23rd Ave.

No report # yeet for that one or this one:

VANDALISM: A Highland Park resident reports her house was egged and wonders if it’s happened to anyone else recently. She wasn’t home when it happened so doesn’t have an exact time.

REMINDER: Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner has about 100 more steering-wheel locks to give away to Hyundai/Kia drivers at risk of theft, 2-4 pm Thursday at the precinct (Delridge/Webster). She says it only took about an hour and a half Saturday to give away that amount, and 50 people were in line when the giveaway started.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Deadly West Seattle Bridge crash, 4 weeks later
April 19, 2023 10:54 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(SDOT camera image from shortly after crash)

Four weeks ago today, two 18-year-olds died in a crash on the West Seattle Bridge. They were killed early March 22nd by a wrong-way driver going eastbound on the westbound lanes. Readers have been asking what’s happened since then. The wrong-way driver, who survived, is still at Harborview Medical Center, listed in satisfactory condition. We don’t know much about him other than that he is 36 years old and has a West Seattle address. He is not yet charged, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is not commenting on the status of the case, but police have said he will be booked into the King County Jail when discharged from the hospital. There’s no indication of how soon that will happen, as we don’t have details of his injuries, just his condition. The victims, Khalea Thoeuk and Riley Danard, have been lain to rest and remembered at a memorial service in Snohomish County.

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