West Seattle, Washington

15 Tuesday

53℉

month : 05/2023 320 results

Celebration of Life planned May 13 for Helen Sardarov, 1921-2023
May 5, 2023 9:27 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather May 13 to celebrate the life of Helen Sardarov. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:

Helen Sardarov, June 16, 1921-March 4, 2023

Born to immigrants Hilda (Hakala) and Milo Jonovich from the edges of Europe in the rural community of Teanaway, Washington, Helen lived a century full of life that her parents from Finland and Montenegro could not have imagined. When Helen, her brother and parents moved to Seattle in 1936, they added 4 new residents to city’s 366,000. Her parents ran boarding houses, filled with fellow immigrants seeking community and companionship. She anglicized her name from Jelena to Helen and embraced what was then a small city. Family lore says she met her husband Frank after sneaking out with her friend Mil to a “Slavic Youth” dance. They were married 62 years, until Frank’s death on December 21, 2004. They built a house in West Seattle in the late 1940s where she lived until 2022.

Helen graduated with a secretarial degree from Edison Vocational Technical Institute. “Not much choice,” she said, “being a woman.” Nevertheless, she excelled at every position: her smarts, promise, and dependability did not go unnoticed. By the end of her career, she was a “Secretary 3” at the UW Library. She had immense pride that her daughters (Linda Clevering and Barbara Sardarov) and granddaughters (Sara, Karen, and Marie Clevering, and Kate LaSpina) had their choice of professions and graduated from college.

Helen rarely slowed down. Her garden was a magical delight for grandchildren; her raspberry jam was hoarded — relished. And she traveled, from the “Old Country” to Hong Kong and Oklahoma, where Linda and her family lived. Her daily schedule revolved around reading, educating herself, exercising, and volunteering. Never a fan of driving, she confidently rode the bus or walked for her regular errands and exercise.

Helen was stubborn, fiercely loyal, quiet, humble, and much loved.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 13 from 11-2 at the Alki Beach Bathhouse, 2701 Alki Ave SW.

You may share memories at westfordfuneralhome.com.

(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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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday info, 3rd day of closure for ramp to NB 99
May 5, 2023 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday info, 3rd day of closure for ramp to NB 99
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, May 5th. This is the third full day of closure for the ramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to northbound Highway 99, after a huge hole shut it down Tuesday evening:

(WSB photo)

WSDOT told us Thursday that the repair work is so far on schedule, which means they expect to reopen the ramp by May 13th. Meantime, you can get to NB 99 via the 1st Avenue South Bridge, or by using 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, which means later evening runs tonight and tomorrow.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule but with the chance of sailing cancellations on short notice, 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

Rainy and breezy, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise was at 5:46 am; sunset will be at 8:27 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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COUNTDOWN: 9 days until West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2023 on May 13th
May 4, 2023 9:22 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news

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!

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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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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Yes, that was thunder (and lightning!)
May 3, 2023 8:10 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Added: Photo by Lori T)

8:10 PM: It would have been hard to believe when we heard it minutes ago, except that we had just been warned by @WestSeaWx on Twitter, that “scattered thunderstorms” are drifting this way, south/southeast to north/northwest.

8:17 PM: Lightning too! This is a few hours ahead of the National Weather Service‘s note about “slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight.”

10:13 PM: Thanks for the lightning photos! The one above was sent by Satori Noël. The one below is from Scott Collins:

11:27 PM: More photos! John Skerratt sent these from Fauntleroy:

And this one’s from Aaron Brethorst:

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: Kevin Freitas sent his skycam video:

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FOLLOWUP: Washington State Department of Transportation expects 99 ramp with ‘gaping hole’ to stay closed for 10 days
May 3, 2023 3:26 pm
|      73 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

3:26 PM: The day after that “gaping hole” opened in the ramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to northbound State Highway 99, the Washington State Department of Transportation, which owns the ramp, says it’s likely to stay closed at least 10 days. We first reported on the hole starting at 6:41 pm Tuesday evening, when police suddenly found themselves dealing with multiple drivers pulled over on 99 because the hole had punctured their tires. The ramp was closed a short time later, and WSDOT crews responded. Today they are working both on and beneath the ramp; we checked out the scene at ground level. One task there is to set up a debris-containment area:

That’s both for debris that already has fallen from the hole, measured at 5 feet by 4 feet, and anything more generated by assessment and repair work. It’s a hard-hat zone, emphasizes WSDOT spokesperson James Poling, who tells WSB that crews on the ramp have been checking other areas around this one today to ensure they’re stable, and so far haven’t found anything notable. We talked with Poling at the scene below the ramp at noontime (as well as twice by phone). He says the state built this ramp in 1959 (same year as completion of the now-demolished Alaskan Way Viaduct to which it connected). We’re awaiting answers from WSDOT to questions such as when it was last inspected and what the regular inspection schedule is, as well as whether they’d had reports about this hole before, as WSB commenters say they’ve seen it for weeks.

This hole is not in the same spot on the ramp as the one for which the ramp was closed for repairs last year, says Poling – it’s about 100 feet from that one. (Added: This February 2022 WSB story includes a slide with three images of that hole.) That brings up another clarification this ramp was NOT closed during the West Seattle Bridge’s 2 1/2-year-long repair closure – except for the repair work a year ago, it remained open to traffic, accessible via eastbound Spokane Street. Poling says that while they are still working on a timeline estimate, they are certain this is not going to be a West Seattle Bridge-magnitude length closure. He’s expecting to have another update and some answers for us later today, and we’ll update this story.

DETOURS: If you need to get to northbound 99, use the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge, or the 1st Avenue South exit from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge/Spokane Street Viaduct, then head north and connect to NB 99 in SODO.

IF YOUR VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED: WSDOT provided this link for filing a claim.

4:30 PM UPDATE: Just talked again with WSDOT’s Poling. He says 10 days is now the official expected duration of the closure – no longer “at least” 10 days, just “10 days.” He says crews right now are preparing for the repairs by chipping away at “unsuitable” – failed – concrete around the hole, and from there “it’s a standard bridge-deck repair.” He says the ramp was last inspected in August of last year, and while he doesn’t know its regular inspection schedule, he says it’s at least every two years. Poling also says that WSDOT maintenance crews were not previously aware of this hole – he said an emergency closure would have resulted if they had been.

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UPDATE: Stuck truck blocks westbound West Seattle low bridge for 3+ hours
May 3, 2023 1:29 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

1:29 PM: Thanks to Eddie for the photo. That stalled semitruck is still blocking the westbound low bridge, which is down to one lane as a result. It’s been there more than an hour.

2:59 PM: Police have just told dispatch “the bridge is open both ways.”

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BIZNOTE: Wanna Burger and Teriyaki closes
May 3, 2023 1:02 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

That’s the sign on the door of Wanna Charbroiled Burger and Teriyaki at 1513 SW Holden in Highland Park. After a tip late Monday night about closure plans, we went over at what would have been opening time Tuesday, but they already were shuttered – no sign then, but when we went back in the afternoon, the sign had since been placed. We’ve been unable to reach the restaurant’s ownership by email or phone, and their website has gone down since it was last cached on Sunday, but staff at the SeaMart convenience next door told us that Monday was Wanna’s last day. The restaurant had been open almost a decade; among its predecessors there was the original home of the late, lamented Zippy’s Giant Burgers, which opened in the 16th/Holden spot exactly 15 years ago, moved to White Center three years later, and closed last year.

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UPDATE: Water outage in Admiral
May 3, 2023 11:50 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(From SPU outage map)

11:50 AM: Thanks for the tip. Just added to the Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map, an outage in Admiral, affecting at least 124 customers. The cause is listed as “emergency repair”; we’re asking SPU for details.

(WSB photo)

12:18 PM: The SPU crew that’s working on this is on 44th SW north of Holgate (44th is closed as a result). They confirm it’s a water-main break and they’re starting repairs.

1:16 PM: SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register says service was restored around 1 pm. What broke was a “service line,” but the water main had to be shut down for repairs.

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YOU CAN HELP: Dollars = tunes in Mode Music and Performing Arts’ GiveBIG scholarship push
May 3, 2023 11:40 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Dollars = tunes in Mode Music and Performing Arts’ GiveBIG scholarship push
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This week brought the annual GiveBIG campaign encouraging you to support local nonprofits. Mode Music and Performing Arts, based in North Delridge, is making a special request to help build its scholarship fund, to provide music lessons to students who otherwise couldn’t afford them. Received today from MMPA:

Meet Harper, one of Mode Music and Performing Arts’ students! She has been taking private vocal lessons through our scholarship program.

For Harper, singing is part of life; ask her a question, she’ll sing her answer! Harper’s moms, Krystal and Kim, told us that “Harper has literally been singing since the time she could make noise.”

Kim added, “I’m just excited to be able to encourage her to just do whatever she wants to do, and to be able to offer that experience to her, you know? It’s just so great to see her learning and becoming whatever she wants to become with doing it.”

MMPA is dedicating 25% of our GiveBIG donation total toward our private lesson scholarship program, so students like Harper can achieve their musical dreams.

That means, if we reach our GiveBIG goal of $10,000, we can allocate $2,500 to music lesson scholarships.

The remainder of what we raise for GiveBIG goes toward making our pay-what-you-can programming possible, helping to cover the operating costs of our programs so that we can continue to offer free and discounted arts education.

Harper is one of the many students we reach through our arts programs. In 2022 alone, we served 234 kids and offered over $15,000 in scholarships to our group classes and camps at our location in Delridge! We also served nearly 100 students in our after-school arts programs in Fall 2022.

Your support for MMPA on GiveBIG matters so much! You will make a difference for our after-school programs, group camps and classes, and private music lesson scholarships. Take a moment today to make a gift to support accessible arts education in West Seattle. Click here to donate! Thank you for giving big and supporting accessible arts education today!

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From theater to trivia to tools, and more for your West Seattle Wednesday
May 3, 2023 10:12 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Metatrichia floriformis slime mold, photographed at Schmitz Preserve Park by Rosalie Miller)

Here’s what’s happening today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Ages 2-6 welcome to drop in and play, weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), 3:30-5 pm.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – fix it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

TRIVIA x 6: Here’s where to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

BASEBALL: Chief Sealth IHS hosts Ballard in a postseason game, 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

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

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

KARAOKE AT BENBOW ROOM: 9 pm-2 am – info in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

Planning an event – presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or … – that could be featured on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Tell us about it! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Keith Holsman, 1941-2023
May 3, 2023 9:13 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Keith Holsman and sharing this with his community:

Keith Holsman passed away April 12, 2023, at age 81.

Keith was born in Bigfork, Minnesota, September 24, 1941, to Marie and Spencer Holsman. Spencer was an officer in the Boilermakers union and was deployed to Kennewick, Washington, then to Seattle, where the family settled near Schmitz Park. Keith met his lifelong partner, Donna Huntley, at Madison Junior High School. The pair started their courtship and held hands as they crossed the street to West Seattle High School, where they graduated in 1960. Keith and Donna married in 1962 and had their first child, daughter Kelley, in 1964, then son Jeff in 1967. The family of four settled in Fauntlee Hills and have remained in West Seattle.

Keith started his career as a Boilermaker at Todd Shipyard, then changed trades to Sheetmetal Local 66, where he worked as Journeyman. In the 1970s, Keith had several stints in Prudhoe Bay Alaska working on the oil pipeline which he termed as the “wild west.” Keith retired from Local 66 in the mid-1980s and began to purchase apartment buildings with Donna. Keith was a jack of all trades and could do all tasks involved with managing the apartment buildings. He loved his tools and bought the best, the biggest, and the most powerful. “Tim the Toolman” from the TV show Home Improvement would have been envious.

Keith was loved by his three grandchildren, who were lucky enough to have him in their lives into their adulthood. Sadly, on April 5, 2023 Keith had a heart attack and passed away a week later with his family at his side. Keith is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Donna, their two children Kelley Porter (Mike) and Jeff Holsman (Marianne), and their three grandchildren Amanda Dray (Matthew), Chris Porter and River Porter (Schantell).

The family wishes to thank the staff at Cherry Hill Swedish Hospital for their care and support.

We will miss his great one-liners that will live on in our family and keep us chuckling for years to come. Life is not the same without 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)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday info, with closure continuing for ramp to NB 99 (updated)
May 3, 2023 6:00 am
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, May 3rd. We start with a continuing closure that started Tuesday evening:

The ramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to northbound Highway 99 is closed until WSDOT – which is accountable for the ramp, as it’s a state structure – can repair a large hole that started blowing out tires during Tuesday’s pm commute (WSB coverage here). WSDOT had hoped to fix it quickly but realized it was a bigger job than first believed. We will find out more later today about the timeframe. Meantime, if you have to get to NB 99, use the 1st Avenue South Bridge, or take the WS Bridge’s 1st Avenue South exit and get onto 99 in SODO.

9:22 AM UPDATE: Longer story later, but we just spoke with WSDOT again, and they say it’s closed “until further notice” as they evaluate how to repair it and whether the ramp itself is “structurally sound.” They also say the hole is not in the same spot as was fixed a year ago – it’s about 100 feet away.

11:59 AM: WSDOT expects the ramp to be closed for at least 10 days. We’ve just been over to the scene beneath the ramp. (added) Here’s a closer look at the underside of the 5′ x 4′ hole:

(WSB photo)

TRANSIT

Metro – Downtown-bound buses that usually take the high bridge to NB 99 will have to detour 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 making way for sun, high in the upper 60s. Sunrise was at 5:49 am; sunset will be at 8:24 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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