day : 04/05/2023 12 results

The 17th almost-annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is getting ever closer, with 400+ sales planned all around the peninsula on Saturday, May 13th, from Pigeon Point to Brace Point, Duwamish Head to Seola Beach, North Admiral to South Delridge … garage sales, carport sales, yard sales, alley sales, apartment-complex sales, business sales, benefit sales, plant sales, bake sales … The map/list, both online and printable versions, will be ready by this Saturday morning (May 6th), and we’ll announce it here on WSB as soon as it’s published; we’ll also add the link to the site menu/navigation bar when ready. Official sale hours on WSCGSD are 9 am-3 pm, but as you’ll see on the map/list, a few are starting earlier, some are ending later, some are even adding days!

FOLLOWUP: Ramp repairs, day 2

May 4, 2023 6:25 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photos, noontime today)

When we went over today for another look under the damaged ramp to Highway 99, we arrived just as that crew was ascending to the ramp’s underside. It’s been two days now since a 5′ x 4′ hole in the ramp took out tires on at least five vehicles before WSDOT ordered it closed. It’s a state-owned structure, as is Highway 99, to which the ramp leads from an exit on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. WSDOT spokesperson James Poling tells WSB that repairs remain on schedule – that’s the schedule announced yesterday, 10 days, which would mean the work is expected to be done by May 13th. He says the lift we photographed carries workers 38 feet up from ground to ramp. So what exactly is happening now? Poling replied, “Most of the concrete removal is now complete. The next repair step is building forms underneath the deck and sealing the space between the girder webs. This will take about 36-48 hours.”

As we reported yesterday, the ramp was built in 1959 and last inspected in August 2022. It remained open to traffic during the West Seattle Bridge’s two and a half-year closure, still accessible via a ramp from surface Spokane Street, except for a week-plus closure to repair a deck hole about 100 feet from this one.

P.S. We found more information about the ramp via this inventory map – including its official name, E-N Ramp, and confirmation that its inspection schedule is every two years

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COUNTDOWN: 2 days until 2nd West Seattle Art Hop & Shop, with 25 stops to hop between

May 4, 2023 4:48 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Art fans, you ready? Saturday brings the second-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop, with 25 locations around the peninsula showing and selling work by nearly 100 artists! Many are artists’ studios, not usually open to the public, so this is a rare chance to see behind the scenes. The printable map is here; the clickable online map is here; a 4-minute video preview of all the artists, organized by map stop, is here. Hop to as many stops as you’d like, even all 25 – no admission charge. Art Hop & Shop hours on Saturday (May 6th) will be 10 am to 5 pm.

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WHALES: Southbound transient orcas in the area

May 4, 2023 3:39 pm

| Comments Off on WHALES: Southbound transient orcas in the area

| West Seattle news | Whales

More wildlife news from Alki – Kersti Muul reports transient killer whales are southbound and in view from Alki. Let us know if you see them!

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CONGRATULATIONS! Lifetime Achievement Award for Bettie Williams-Watson

May 4, 2023 3:02 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

We’ve reported before on Bettie Williams-Watson, the West Seattleite who runs Multi-Communities, which works toward goals of “ending domestic and gender-based violence against Black girls and women while centering collective healing for our whole community.” She has just been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, in the annual Purple Ribbon Awards. These are national awards presented by an organization that catalogs domestic-violence shelters and programs across the U.S. According to Multi-Communities’ annual report (read it here), Williams-Watson’s organization assisted more than 2,000 people last year. This is work that she’s been doing for more than 35 years now; she tells WSB, “I still haven’t quite figured out the meaning of ‘Retirement’ and ‘Taking Time Off,’ but I am getting there. I feel so blessed in my ‘rocking chair years’ to still be able to keep busy helping to serve others, and to have such a fantastic board and other community supporters, who are the main community ingredients in making a positive impact on those we are privileged to serve.”

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YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle’s only emergency shelter says it’s ‘resupply time’

May 4, 2023 1:57 pm

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle’s only emergency shelter says it’s ‘resupply time’

| How to help | Triangle | West Seattle news

West Seattle’s only emergency shelter – which is entirely volunteer- and donation-powered – could use some “resupplying.” Here’s the message from Keith Hughes, who runs the shelter from the West Seattle Veteran Center/American Legion Post 160 building in The Triangle:

My sincere thanks to the West Seattle Community for your continued and generous support for the Homeless Shelter at the American Legion Hall here in West Seattle. We made it through the winter and extended cold weather this spring, but the need has been great and our food and clothing supplies have been depleted. The overnight operation has ended for this season, but we are still operating the Warm-Up Center 7 day a week from 7:30 m till 10 am including a hot breakfast every morning. This is our current need list:

Ground coffee, powered coffee creamer, 12 oz Hot cups (no lids)

Instant Oatmeal packets, Instant Hot Chocolate packets

Old Fashion or 1-minute oatmeal

Pancake mix, pancake syrup, butter, peanut butter

Cup-O-Noodles, single-serving instant soups

Safeway/QFC gift cards so we can get perishables like milk, eggs, orange juice, butter

Clothing items needed: men’s socks (9 – 12), underwear L & XL, tee shirts L & XL, cotton gloves, stocking caps. NOTE: We partner with the Clothesline for outerwear so we don’t need to stock shirts, pants, and coats this time of year.

To learn more about the Shelter or make a monetary donation, you can go to our website. www.westsideneighborsshelter.org

Thank you again for your continued support. This is an all-volunteer operation supported only by the Community. We do not receive monetary aid from any governmental entities.

The shelter is at 3618 SW Alaska.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Shark washes up on Alki

May 4, 2023 11:59 am

| 22 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo sent by Chemine)

11:59 AM: Thanks for the photos and tips. A sixgill shark washed up on Alki this morning. Wildlife experts tried to save it – Kersti Muul was there, as was SR3, but Kersti tells us they couldn’t.

em>(Photos sent by Kersti Muul)

Kersti says it was a juvenile male, seven and a half feet long. (According to this species-info page on the Seattle Aquarium website, that’s about half as long as they grow to be.) Here’s a look at its namesake gills:

And its teeth:

The state Fish and Wildlife Department was going to come get it.

ADDED 4 PM: If you didn’t already see the link in a comment below, wildlife photographer Jamie Kinney has a gallery here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Business burglary; home break-in attempt; mailbox prowling

May 4, 2023 11:20 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

BUSINESS BURGLARY: Hotwire Coffee in The Junction has been burglarized again. The break-in happened on Tuesday and was reported to police on Wednesday, according to the narrative we obtained from SPD today. The police report says it happened around 4:42 am Tuesday, when “three suspects were caught on video surveillance breaking into (the) business. The suspects gained entry to the property by ramming and damaging a large metal gate on the north side of the property … The suspects damaged another gate within the property in order to access the front door of the business. Next, the suspects kicked in the front door of the business … Once inside, the suspects located a small safe underneath the counter/register.” The narrative says they then took the safe and “two containers of donuts.” Hotwire posted images on social media, noting that this was Hotwire’s third burglary in one year. If you have any information, the SPD case # is 23-119912.

HOME BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: From a reader in the Admiral area:

Between 3 and 4 am (Wednesday) while I was away, this person went to both front and back doors, smashed my front Ring doorbell camera, pried off my back-door camera, cut my front screen door and also removed the batteries from my mole repeller stakes in the back yard (maybe he thought they were surveilling him?) He did not gain entry but seemed to lurk for around 30 minutes. Please be on the lookout for this guy, I got some great pictures of him and will be filing a police report.

MAILBOX PROWLING: Sent by Kevin:

At about 2 am (Wednesday) morning a 4-door SUV was driving slowly down our street and (checking) out mailboxes; you can see them go up to ours but video ends right before they opened it. 34th and Morgan.

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Community, comedy, reading, music, more for your West Seattle Thursday

May 4, 2023 10:30 am

| Comments Off on Community, comedy, reading, music, more for your West Seattle Thursday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunrise scene from earlier this week, photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here are highlights for the hours ahead, mostly 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 they’re playing today.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room on the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus is open 1-6 pm Thursdays.

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), the Off The Rez 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.

SILENT BOOK CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: 10 locations this month! Start arriving at your choice of location at 7 pm. Details in our calendar listing.

AEGIS LIVING’S CALIFORNIA AVENUE PROJECT: That’s the topic of a meeting organized by neighbors, with architects and Aegis expected to attend, 7 pm in the annex (corner pop-up space) at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon)

PIANO BAR: 7 pm, upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), music, dancing, more – details and ticket info in our calendar listing.

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: 7 pm online, the monthly meeting of the community council for White Center and vicinity. Our calendar listing has attendance and agenda info.

THEATER: Opening night for “Zach” by Christian St. Croix, directed by Sara Porkalob, at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Tickets here.

JOKES AT THE JUNCTION: 8 pm at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW):

You ever hear people say “I saw that comedian when he was just getting started?” Coming to this show is how people get those stories. This is an audition show for our 10 other venues. These comics are vetted and have to submit tape to get a spot to wow our fantastic West Seattle crowd at the Great American Diner. The closer for this month’s show is Sam Miller. Sam is a National Headlining Comedian from Olympia. He was a runner-up in the Seattle International Comedy Competition. Tickets: $10

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

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BIZNOTE: West Seattle Boat Swap this weekend at Mountain to Sound Outfitters

May 4, 2023 9:31 am

| Comments Off on BIZNOTE: West Seattle Boat Swap this weekend at Mountain to Sound Outfitters

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Whether you’re interested in selling or buying, you’re welcome at this weekend’s West Seattle Boat Swap:

Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) adds, “Last call to register to sell your kayaks, standup paddleboards, and accessories! Great weekend to buy affordable, lightly loved gear! Come by and take advantage on some great summer packages and exclusive deals.” It’s happening both days at the shop in The Triangle, 3602 SW Alaska, 11 am-4 pm (if you have items to sell, drop them off Saturday morning 9-11 am – pre-register here).

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YOU CAN HELP: Gatewood Elementary’s online auction, happening now

May 4, 2023 9:00 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Another online auction open to the entire community is taking bids right now – this one’s for Gatewood Elementary and bidding runs until Friday night. Here’s the announcement we received:

Gatewood Elementary’s annual auction is this Friday, May 5th – but you can get in on the silent auction now!

The silent auction is open to everyone – no ticket needed!

All funds raised go to our Gatewood school needs, teacher & staff support, and back into the West Seattle community.

Check out specific Teacher Experiences, Favorite Books, and of course preview the art! Support big and get some cool stuff and experiences in the process.

Silent Auction closes at 7 PM on Friday, May 5th.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info, 2nd day of closure for ramp to NB 99

May 4, 2023 6:00 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, May 4th. This is the second full day of closure for the ramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to northbound Highway 99:

WSDOT said on Wednesday (as we reported here) that it expects repairs to take 10 days. Here’s the 5′ x 4′ hole that led to the shutdown Tuesday night:

(WSB photo, Wednesday)

Meantime, you can get to NB 99 via the 1st Avenue South Bridge, or by taking the WS Bridge’s 1st Avenue South exit and getting onto 99 in SODO.

TRANSIT

Metro – Downtown-bound buses that usually take the high bridge to NB 99 are detouring while the ramp is closed. Otherwise, regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening.

Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule but with the chance of sailing cancellations, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

OTHER 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 view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:

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.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Clouds and a chance of pm rain, high in the low 60, breezy tonight. Sunrise was at 5:48 am; sunset will be at 8:26 pm.

If you see trouble 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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