West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
(WSB photos)
Every part of Seattle actually has three city councilmembers – the district rep, and the two at-large members who represent the entire city. Approaching the midpoint of her first term, at-large Councilmember Sara Nelson visited the West Seattle Junction business district today. Her hourlong mini-tour was doubly relevant, as she chairs the council’s Economic Development, Technology, and City Light Committee, and is a business owner (founding Fremont Brewing with her husband in 2009) – she reminded the proprietors she met today that “I’m a small-business owner too.” Her tour guide was Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay, who first briefed Nelson on the state of The Junction – from public-safety concerns (including the recent hiring of private security) to event planning (with tens of thousands of people expected to converge on The Junction for West Seattle Summer Fest July 14-16. The big job is to keep The Junction “clean, safe, and fun.” They headed out to stops in three businesses – first, The Beer Junction:
Owner Allison has long been on The Junction’s Block Watch committee. She told Nelson the past three years have been especially tough for small-business owners, not just public-safety challenges, but also the 2 1/2-year West Seattle Bridge closure. Both Nelson and the assistant accompanying her said they could help with problems such as better connecting with other city agencies. From there, they headed south to Northwest Art and Frame for a chat with owner Dan:
He told Nelson things were going fairly well – his store started closing earlier, and that eliminated some problems they’d been having in the evening. He also talked about the difficulty of getting police response for thefts; Nelson said she’s working on an easier way to at least file after-the-fact reports. Meantime, she also listened as Dan spoke proudly of his half-century in business and at least one staff member who’d been working there his entire adult life.
Before Nelson’s hourlong visit wrapped up, she also stopped in at My Three Little Birds and heard about how businesses support each other by sharing real-time information on problems; Mackay noted she’s working on getting a better communication tool for businesses to use.
Before Nelson left, we asked about the day’s hottest citywide topic – Tuesday evening’s council vote rejecting the proposal she, Councilmember Alex Pedersen, and City Attorney Ann Davison had put forth to match city code with the new state law on drug possession. What now? we asked. Nelson said she wasn’t ready to talk specifics but “I’m not giving up.”
Tomorrow night, plan to wander West Seattle and enjoy this month’s Art Walk – with the return of The Art of Music. From organizer John Redenbaugh, here’s who’s performing this time:
The next free admission Art of Music performances presented by the West Seattle Junction Association are coming up on Second Thursday Art Walk Evening June 8 at THREE locations — Paul Gerard in The Junction at Wildflour Gluten-Free Baking Co. (formerly Flying Apron); Taylor John Hardin in the Admiral District at West Seattle Grounds, and Larry Murante in Morgan Junction at Zeeks Pizza.
Performances are scheduled to begin at 6 pm and run till 7:45 pm to complement and support the West Seattle Art Walk offerings.
As for the art venues – see the list above, including venues with food/beverage specials; find detailed previews here. Art Walk hours are “5 pm until late” but individual participating businesses set their own schedules.
The Hiawatha Playfield turf-replacement project was supposed to start in mid-May. But it didn’t. We got an update this afternoon from Seattle Parks:
Seattle Parks and Recreation begins construction for the Hiawatha Playfield turf replacement project on Monday, June 12, and estimates completion of the project in September 2023. SPR awarded the construction contract to FieldTurf USA Inc.
This project will replace the aging synthetic turf at Hiawatha Playfield and provide markings for baseball, soccer, football and softball. Seattle Public Schools will provide safety fencing for the outfield when baseball and softball are in play. This project will include replacing the batting cage and resurfacing the rubberized three-lane running track. View the Layout Plan here.
Online documents indicate FieldTurf USA won the contract – in a second round of bidding (they also won the first) – with a $1.4 million bid. As for the community center and play-area projects, a Parks manager provided updates at last month’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting.
Every month, HomeStreet Bank in The Junction (41st/Alaska, WSB sponsor) spotlights a different local business or nonprofit. The most-recent spotlight has been on, it’s the West Seattle Garden Tour, which is happening June 25th. Branch visitors are invited each month to enter a drawing for a giveaway from the spotlighted business/organization. On Tuesday afternoon, tour chair Jeff Daley (above center, with HomeStreet’s Joyce Leslie and Jessica Santana) visited the branch to draw the winner of two Tour tickets. You didn’t have to be present to win. HomeStreet also is selling tour tickets, or you can buy yours online here.
2:27 PM: We’ve been tracking what have become relatively frequent reports of brown water, usually attributed by Seattle Public Utilities to hydrant testing (after a recent procedure change) stirring up “sediment” (mostly rust) in the lines. Today, we have a report from Rob on 17th in Puget Ridge: “Just ran the tap and the water color is like iced tea.” If this happens to you, please always report it to SPU at 206-386-1800; we appreciate the reports as well, since there’s no other public compilation of where and when it happened.
3:26 PM: We also have reports from upper South Alki via email and Highland Park via a comment below.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports today – both the results of multiple tips (thank you!):
EARLY-MORNING GUNFIRE: In the 3 am hour today, multiple 911 callers reported hearing gunfire, from Westwood to north Arbor Heights. In one case, police were able to confirm gunfire, by finding shell casings. Officers reported finding six 9mm casings at 34th and Trenton. No injuries or property damage reported, so far. Neighbors reported hearing vehicles speeding off, but police were still looking for any home security video that might have caught one or more associated vehicles on camera.
STOLEN BOAT RECOVERED: This started out mysteriously – a boat on the rocks at Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Tuesday, as the tide went out. Readers sent photos starting with this one from Jeff:
Police were having trouble finding information for us, though it was clear from one photo from Stewart L. that officers had responded at some point:
SPD spokesperson Officer Shawn Weismiller found the report today, and tells WSB: “Boat was stolen out of a marina in Lake Washington. Officers responded to an abandoned boat at the ramp, but the tide was out, so they had to wait for high tide to recover the boat. While waiting to recover the boat, officers learned someone was in the boat. Officers responded and arrested a 58-year-old-male for possession of stolen property. The boat was recovered,”
As reported here in April, West Seattle Chamber of Commerce executive director Whitney Moore is departing, and the organization is seeking her successor. They’re now accepting applications – here’s the announcement:
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has launched a nationwide search for its next Executive Director.
The Chamber is seeking to build upon a trend of tremendous growth in membership—up 35% since 2021—with an energetic, self-motivated leader to help West Seattle businesses advocate for their needs.
“We’re at an important inflection point,” says incoming Chamber Board Chair Lindsay Wolpa. “With the West Seattle Chamber celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2023, we’re looking for a 21st-century leader who’s ready to build on a tradition of economic growth for the West Seattle peninsula’s diverse business community.”
Successful candidates are expected to improve internal operations for efficiency while maintaining the financial viability of the Chamber and communicating effectively with a committed volunteer Board of Directors. “We want to hire someone who knows how to speak with businesses and for businesses,” says Board member Claiborne Bell. “We need candidates with the networking skills and experience required to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of businesses, neighborhood organizations, Business Improvement Areas and local governments.”
Candidates should also be able to oversee and manage marketing, social media, and communications, in addition to a proven background in fiscal management, grant procurement, and contract writing. Qualified candidates may submit their resume and cover letter to hiring@wschamber.com no later than June 23, 2023.
(Constellation Park during one of this week’s low-low tides – photo by Gill Loring)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening today/tonight on what’s expected to be the warmest day of the week:
BOSS DRIVE-IN ANNIVERSARY: As reported here, today is the day Boss Drive-In (9061 Delridge Way SW, open 24 hours) is celebrating its 9th anniversary today with free fries and ice cream.
TODDLER READING TIME: Bring your little one to Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) for Toddler Reading Time, 10:30 am.
LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: 12 pm-3:30 pm, Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be back at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach Drive) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) to answer your questions as you explore the shore at low-low tide – out to -3.2 feet at 2:03 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).
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES COMMUNITY MEETING: WSF has been holding a series of meetings for communities around its system, and they’ll be focusing on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth and Point Defiance-Tahlequah routes at 6 pm tonight. Find more info and the registration link by going here.
SOUTHWEST PRECINCT CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: This month’s meeting is at 6 pm, with guest Jim Fuda of CrimeStoppers. Attend in person at 2300 SW Webster or online (that info’s in our calendar listing).
TRIVIA x 5: Here’s where to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … at 7 pm, 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)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
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)
If you are 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!
After more than 30 years with local cooperative preschools, Teacher Kylene has touched countless families’ lives. In honor of her career, a celebration is planned this Saturday (June 10th), 10 am-noon at Highland Park playground (1100 SW Cloverdale). Organizers have this invitation for families past and present: “Join us in celebration of Kylene’s teaching career and let her know the impact she’s had on your family!” They also are requesting any photos you might have – (updated) upload them here.
6:02 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Wednesday, June 7th. (added) Metro says Water
Taxi shuttle 775 is still routed off California Way following the slide that took out power last night, so that stretch may still be closed to all.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the low 80s. Also: Another Special Weather Statement warns of “elevated fire-weather conditions.” Sunrise was at 5:13 am; sunset will be at 9:04 pm.
(Tuesday sunset scene – photo by Jen Popp)
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions can and do happen at any time.
Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs Friday and Saturday nights.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so 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 main camera:
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 – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – 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 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!
Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school in Arbor Heights, will be closed today (Wednesday, June 7) because of what a message to families called a “possible school safety threat.” Parents forwarded us the message late Tuesday night:
We are reaching out to you to communicate about a safety concern that was brought to the attention of our Atlas leadership team. At Summit Atlas, we take every reported matter very seriously and act immediately. Your student’s safety and the safety of the entire Atlas community is our number one priority.
This evening, June 6, we learned of an anonymous threat of a possible school safety threat for the Atlas campus for June 7. Upon learning about this possible safety threat, we immediately called local law enforcement. We are now in ongoing conversation with the Seattle Police Department regarding the credibility of the threat we received, and the police are investigating this matter. While we continue to work with law enforcement, our school will be closed for the day tomorrow, Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
Due to this closure, we will be rescheduling our 8th grade promotion ceremony and will share details as soon as possible. While we are looking forward to celebrating the successes and achievements of our students, we hold their safety and that of our staff, as our top priority.
Tomorrow you can expect more communication with updates and our plan to support students when we return to campus. Please reach out with any information you or your student may know to atlas@summitps.org.
In community,
The Summit Atlas Leadership Team
The Summit Atlas campus is at 35th/Roxbury. As we’ve been noting in our morning transportation-info roundups, Friday (June 9th) is the last scheduled day of school.
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