day : 26/06/2023 8 results

(March photo by David Hutchinson, Southern Residents seen from Constellation Park)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

News of what’s believed to be a newborn Southern Resident Killer Whale didn’t emerge until after The Whale Trail‘s summer gathering four nights ago.

Nonetheless, it was an optimistic, even jubilant gathering just the same, with an update on the resident orcas from their spring visits and the new laws meant to “give them space” on the water.

The gathering filled C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) last Thursday night, with The Whale Trail’s founder/executive director Donna Sandstrom first providing an update on her organization, which is now educating people from California to Canada about the orcas (and other sea life) with more than 130 interpretive signs installed so far, including four in West Seattle, “to connect people more deeply to the place they’re at.” Almost half those signs are in British Columbia, where the newest one – in Saturna – was just dedicated, with a special audio feature so that visitors can hear local First Nations people’s songs about the whales.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Overnight lane closures Tuesday/Wednesday for maintenance work

June 26, 2023 7:42 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Nine months after the West Seattle Bridge reopened following its 2 1/2-year closure, no new problems, says SDOT. But it’s maintenance time, and some work postponed last month is now set to start at 9 pm tomorrow night. Here’s the SDOT announcement:

We are planning overnight lane closures on the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge to perform routine preventative maintenance this Tuesday and Wednesday. There are no problems with the bridge, and crews will be working to protect the interior of the bridge by applying waterproof sealant to access hatches along the surface of the bridge deck.

The closure will begin at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27 and end by 5 a.m. the following morning. If necessary, the closure will be repeated the following night (Wednesday, June 28). This work requires dry weather and is subject to change. The bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction overnight between State Route 99 and Delridge Way SW. All on- and off-ramps will remain open as normal.

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West Seattle among six regional sites for ‘giant trolls’ that will turn ‘trash into treasure’

June 26, 2023 4:55 pm

| 42 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

You’ve likely heard of the Fremont Troll. Now get ready for the West Seattle Troll.

(Photos courtesy Scan Design Foundation. Above, Dambo troll installed in Dayton, Ohio)

As first reported by GeekWire, a Danish artist is going to install “six giant hand-built Nordic troll characters” around the Northwest later this summer – at sites in West Seattle, Ballard, Issaquah, Bainbridge and Vashon Islands, and Portland.

Artist Thomas Dambo has already installed ~100 trolls, made from recycled materials, around the world. (Currently he’s in New Jersey.) His Northwest project is being overseen by the Scan Design Foundation, whose announcement says Dambo’s work carries a “message of turning trash into treasure and building community through art” and will be “amplifying the network of cultural heritage between Coast Salish tribal communities and Danish and Scandinavian traditions (to reinforce) the shared values of environmental stewardship for watershed protection, restoration, and preservation of riparian habitats.” The artist is quoted as saying, “I want people to know that trash has value. My trolls do that, and also help me tell stories, like the legends I grew up with. In nature, there is no landfill. Nature is circular – everything has a meaning and everything is recycled.”

(Dambo troll installed in Breckenridge, Colorado)

So, you’re wondering, where will the West Seattle troll be? They’re not announcing specific locations yet but Seattle Parks is a “site partner” so it’ll be in a park; when the concept was circulated among neighborhood groups many months ago, Lincoln Park was mentioned as a possibility. The reveals are scheduled to happen between early August and mid-September – one per week, per the early concept discussion – and once complete, the trolls will remain in place “for at least three years.” As for “how big” is meant by “giant,” the early discussions suggested at least 20′ high. (The photos accompanying this story are three trolls installed at other sites in the U.S.)

(Dambo troll installed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming)

The regional project is titled “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King” and has a website, including a list of who’s funding and sponsoring the project.

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FOLLOWUP: Delridge Playfield turf project about to begin

June 26, 2023 2:38 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Seattle Parks photo)

When Seattle Parks told us last month that the Hiawatha and Delridge Playfields turf-replacement projects would overlap for about six weeks, that apparently was an underestimate. Hiawatha just started two weeks ago, with a three-month estimate, and Delridge is about to start, with a four-month estimate, so the overlap with both fields closed is likely to be more like two and a half months. Parks announced today that Delridge will close starting July 1st – this Saturday. In addition to the turf replacement, Parks says, “Accessibility issues to the exterior of the restrooms will also be addressed during the closure.” According to the city website, the winning bid – $2.8 million – was by South Seattle-based Ohno-Touchdown JV.

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BIZNOTE: Another Admiral vacancy filled – Seattle Yarn’s new home

June 26, 2023 12:28 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

12:28 PM: Thanks to Christina for the tip. If you look closely at the “Coming Soon” signs that have popped up in the corner space of 2701 California SW (next to The Good Society), you’ll see the first “o” is the logo for Seattle Yarn. The store, currently at 5633 California SW (where the space is listed as available for lease), has more than a quarter-century of history; its current owners took over five years ago. Their store is closed Mondays so we couldn’t stop in to inquire about the new plan, but we have sent a message and hope to hear back.

1:58 PM: Just talked by phone with Seattle Yarn co-proprietor Destiny Itano. She says they’re hoping to move into the new space around “end of summer” – no set date yet. They’ve been doing some work inside but she says they’re excited not about the increased visibility of that corner, but also about some things the space will enable them to do – it has some separate rooms, for example, which means they can have dedicated class space instead of “shuffling tables around” to make room on the main shop floor. She says they’re also excited to have Good Society as their new neighbor, as that opens possibilities for synergy with their groups and other activities.

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VIDEO: Peace Pole, benches dedicated at Our Lady of Guadalupe

June 26, 2023 11:36 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Duwamish Tribe | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

As noted here Saturday, the Rotary Club of West Seattle has now placed five Peace Poles around West Seattle, part of a worldwide initiative. But the story behind the one dedicated Sunday at Our Lady of Guadalupe goes beyond the poles’ inscription, “Let Peace Prevail on Earth.” This one is part of an installation meant as a reminder of those whose land it’s on:

That plaque honoring the Duwamish Tribe is on a bench made by Eagle Scout Nick Krum:

He explained the project to those gathered for the dedication:

The space with the pole and benches is in front of the church on 35th SW south of SW Myrtle.

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The list for your West Seattle Monday

June 26, 2023 9:58 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(This morning’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)>

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: First day of the season, noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day, except for chilly/cloudy days. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

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

OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic continues at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.

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

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

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

MONDAY MUSIC: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

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

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Monday notes; tree blocking road

June 26, 2023 6:03 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:45 AM: Bill Schrier reports, “A giant oak tree has fallen across Southwest Holgate Street between 44th and 45th SW.” (Photo added from his tweet:)

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Monday, June 26th, just one week and one day until the Fourth of July!

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Mostly sunny, high in the mid-70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:13 am; sunset will be at 9:11 pm.

(Sunday’s sunset, photographed by Marc Milrod)

STILL IN SCHOOL

Seattle Public Schools classes continue through this Friday (June 30).

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, with trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions possible.

Water Taxi – The West Seattle WT is on its regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Vashon Island is down to one slip at the north terminal today and tomorrow, 6 am-6 pm both days, as repairs are made – meantime, 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: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether 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!

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