West Seattle, Washington
21 Saturday
4:18 PM: Thanks to everyone who mentioned this sighting around 3:30 pm – two Air Force C-17s passing West Seattle’s north shore, as seen in Nate Miller‘s video above (Nate says, “We’re celebrating the promotion of Lafayette’s 5th graders, and convinced the kiddos that the flyby was for them!”), and Stewart L.’s photo of one of them:
We can’t say with absolute certainty that these were from Joint Base Lewis McChord, but JBLM is home to 40 of these aircraft.
5:02 PM: One more view, from David Hutchinson at Alki:
(Photos courtesy Mode)
If your family’s summer schedule isn’t fully booked, it’s not too late to get in on these music-making camp opportunities! From Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music and Performing Arts:
Mode Rock Band camps are back and Mode Music and Performing Arts (MMPA), our nonprofit arm, is offering Pay-What-You-Can camps all summer long!
Mode’s Rock Band Camps are taught by our local, professional musicians and instructors and give your kid the opportunity to perform on The Skylark stage at the end of the week. We have missed these camps and are so excited to get back to it.
Rock bands are offered for ages 6-12 M-F from 9:00-12:00 with a performance at The Skylark on Saturday. Make it a full day by signing up for an MMPA camp in the afternoon! Afternoon options for students aged 13-18 are available upon request.
MMPA’s Pay-What-You-Can camps are running for a second consecutive summer, continuing to reach all of our community by removing financial barriers. Half-day and full-day music, theatre, and dance camps are available upon signup for kids ages 6-12 running M-F 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-3:30 all summer long.
All of our camps will be led by experienced and enthusiastic instructors who are passionate about music and arts education. Students will have the opportunity to learn new skills, develop their talents, and make new friends in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Get ready to rock and play with us this summer!
For more information on our Mode Rock Band camps, visit modemusicstudios.com/camps
For more on our MMPA Pay-What-You-Can camps, visit modemusicandperformingarts.org/camps
(WSB photo from Field Day 2018)
For 24 hours this weekend, 11 am Saturday to 11 am Sunday, the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus will again become a ham-radio hub for the annual Field Day. And it’s all open to the public – you can stop by, observe, participate, and, as organizers explain, “learn more about emergency preparedness, community engagement and service through communication, and the wide world of ham radio!” This is an annual event known as “ham radio’s open house” – and it’s nationwide, as organizers explain:
Field Day is part show-and-tell, part preparedness exercise, and part nationwide contest, aimed at sharpening technical skills and growing the hobby of amateur radio generally. Members will join thousands of other stations set up in fields and remote locations across the country for a weekend of on-air operation. This event is meant to mimic operations in an emergency situation, like an earthquake, where power, internet and cellphone service might be interrupted.
Look for antennas, trailers, and tents in and around the SSC north parking lot and field (6000 16th SW). Field Day is organized locally by Puget Sound Repeater Group and West Seattle Amateur Radio Club. You can see the detailed schedule of events by going here.
11:16 AM: We’ve gotten a few questions about a helicopter heard over White Center and West Seattle this past hour or so. The screengrab above is from Flightradar24, which identifies it as a US Customs and Border Patrol helicopter and shows the many loops it’s taken. High up – 6,000 feet – so you might not have seen it. The tracker shows its flight starting in Tacoma. As for why it’s circling, we’re looking into it.
11:58 AM: So far, we’ve talked to a variety of people (haven’t heard back from CBP yet, though) and no additional information. The Tacoma Narrows Airport, from which the tracker showed the flight originating, told us the helicopter likely just stopped there to refuel, as there’s nothing of this type based there. A check of our archives, reminds us of a similar situation in January 2019 – a Customs helicopter circling south West Seattle – here’s what we wrote then.
12:37 PM: Still no further info (we’ll update here if and when any details turn up), but the helicopter’s left this area and is back over Pierce County.
1:36 PM: As noted in comments, federal Homeland Security officers are at Westwood Village. They wouldn’t comment to us on what they’re there for, but they said the helicopter wasn’t related.
(Photo by Sonya Westcott – Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily operations continue at Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
PIZZA TO SUPPORT STUDENTS: Friends of Roxhill Elementary will benefit from part of the proceeds at Zeeks Pizza White Center (9809 16th SW, this location only) 11 am-9 pm – be sure to mention that’s why you’re there/ordering!
TREE TALK: Learn about the trees of Lincoln Park at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 11 am.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayers@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.
THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Scooby Dogs will be visiting.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run!
PRIDE NIGHT OUT: As first reported here last month, this is the first year for a new way to celebrate Pride – neighborhood block parties. We don’t have a local list but if a side street is closed near you tonight starting around 5 pm, this is probably why.
QUESTIONS ABOUT RAPIDRIDE CONSTRUCTION? The H Line is launched but (as you know if you travel on Roxbury) the work isn’t all done yet. Got questions? Ask the construction team 5-6 pm tonight. This newsletter explains how.
PREVENTING YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE: Online event at 5:30 pm – details in our calendar listing.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at The Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.
THE WHALE TRAIL: As previewed here, it’s the summer gathering, with info about the Southern Residents, the new law to “give them space” on the water, and more. 6:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Get your ticket(s) here.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM EXHIBIT OPENING: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, be among the first to see the Log House Museum‘s new Longfellow Creek exhibit during the opening reception, and learn how you can be part of it – more in our calendar listing.
AUTHOR EVENT: 6:30 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW), local author Kelly Brenner talks about her new book “The Naturalist At Home: Projects For Discovering The Hidden World Around Us.”
(added) LIVE IN-STORE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Tonight at 7 pm – “Smoke M2D6 with: AKA Quarantine Heart Throb. Album release with LIVE Performance. Free, all ages.” (4559 California SW)
There’s even more in our calendar!
Another local youth-sports team has a big achievement to celebrate – the Pathfinder K-8 volleyball team has won the district championship! Matthew Clark sent the photos and report:
(The outgoing 8th graders:. From L to R Standing: Aliza Stier, Dylan Clark, Sasha Lee, Jewel Li. L-R on the floor: Marley Grantor, Alana Patton, Stella Springwalter & Aiden Jucutan-Barbon)
The Pathfinder K-8 Varsity Volleyball team won the Seattle Public Schools K-8 Championships on Saturday, June 17. The Pathfinder team came into the playoffs winning all but one of their games. They beat Catharine Blaine K-8 in the Semi-Finals two sets to one Saturday morning. Pathfinder then went on to win against TOPS K8 (The Option Program at Seward) in two straight sets in the afternoon match. The playoff games were hosted at Louisa Boren STEM K-8. During regular season play, Pathfinder had their single loss to TOPS.
This championship win for Pathfinder marks only the third post-season championship win in the history of the school. They won the SPS K-8 Championships in Boys Varsity basketball in 2016. And in 2017, the Varsity Volleyball Team took home the trophy with Coach Coco Williams, the current Pathfinder Volleyball coach, on the varsity team her 8th grade year.
Congratulations to the whole team including the JV squad for a great season. Thank you to Coach Williams and Pathfinder Athletic Director Leanna Heritage for their strong mentorship and support of our athletes.
(The entire Pathfinder squad including both Varsity and Junior Varsity athletes. From L to R – Standing: Eloise Edwards, Aliza Stier, Dylan Clark, Sasha Lee, Jo Russo, Jewel Li, Asher Frogget, Maia Lindell-Smith, Izzy Frogget, Coach Coco Williams. Sitting L to R: Abby Peloza, Annalise Barrlett, Aiden Jucutan-Barbon, Marley Grantor, Alana Patton, Stella Springwalter, Leila Li, Zia Vallandingham, Starr Walton. Not Pictured: Cozmoke Saskill)
The champs finished the season 8-1.
6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Thursday, June 22nd, first full day of summer.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high near 70=5. Today’s sunrise was at 5:12 am; sunset will be at 9:11 pm.
STILL IN SCHOOL
Seattle Public Schools classes through June 30th.
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 – 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: 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!
(Photo by James Bratsanos)
No matter where you watched summer’s first sunset from, it was beautiful. We were at Solstice Park with Alice Enevoldsen and about 100 people who came to the park for her change-of-seasons sunset watch.
(WSB photos from here)
Alice explained “why we have seasons” after inviting everyone to watch the sunset line up with the park paths that point to precisely placed markers:
As usual, she enlisted a volunteer helper from the crowd – this time, a young sunset-watcher named June – to help her demonstrate how the tilting of the Earth factors into the seasons.
Alice noted some datapoints, such as the fact that the sun never reaches the highest possible point in our sky – it peaks at 66 degrees, and then in winter, only gets to 14 degrees above the horizon. Speaking of which, 8:58 was the exact moment the last visible bit of the Sun slipped behind the Olympics:
Alice – an educator who leads these gatherings as a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador – explains that the actual sunset moment is about 10 minutes earlier than the “official” sunset time (which tonight was 9:11 pm). Her next sunset watch will be in on the fall-equinox date, September 22nd, when sunset will be just before 7 pm.
P.S. A sky show followed the sunset watch – crescent moon with Venus right below it in the western sky.
After school was out for the day, it was time for memories at Alki Elementary, soon to be rebuilt after 111 years. People with connections to the school past and present, and other interested community members, were welcomed inside for a two-hour open house to say farewell.
Visitors were invited to write messages on the lunch-room wall:
The last day of school in the old building is Friday, June 30th; during two years of construction, Alki will hold classes at the former Schmitz Park Elementary.
(WSB photo)
Thanks to commenter James for the tip. The long-planned demolition of the ex-House of Kleen at 4425 Fauntleroy Way SW has finally happened. The demolition permit had already been in the works for months when the business moved out last fall (it’s now Alex Dry Cleaners at 4744 California SW in The Junction). But it’s not currently slated for redevelopment; as we reported in October, the property owner had told us the plan was just to demolish the 57-year-old building and clean up the site.
Last month we reported on the arrest of Johny Mixayboua, suspected in a variety of mail-theft-related crimes including stealing two USPS trucks in West Seattle. Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced a 9-count federal indictment:
The suspect in a series of mail vehicle and mail key thefts was indicted today by a federal grand jury for nine federal felonies, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Johny Mixayboua, 27, was arrested on a criminal complaint last month and is now charged with three counts of theft of government property, unlawful possession of a postal key, mail theft, possession of stolen mail, illegal transactions with a credit or debit card, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
According to records in the case, on December 28, 2022, a U.S. Postal Service vehicle was stolen from the 6300 block of South Bangor Street in Seattle. In the vehicle was a postal key that is used to access the cluster mailbox units in the 98178 zip code. The key allows the postal worker to open the back of the cluster box to deliver mail to multiple households. Since the theft of the vehicle and postal key, there have been numerous reports of cluster boxes in zip code 98178 being opened and mail stolen.
Working with neighbors, the Postal Inspection Service was able to get door camera footage showing the person accessing the postal boxes. Neighbors reported credit cards being stolen and attempts being made to use them. Inspectors were able to review images from when the credit card attempts occurred and ultimately identified Mixayboua as the person stealing the mail and attempting to use the stolen credit cards.
Additionally, local law enforcement determined that vehicles used in a number of the mail theft incidents were reported stolen.
On January 17, 2023, two more Postal Service vehicles were stolen. One in the 3000 block of Beach Drive SW and a second one in the 3600 block of 57th SW. Both are in zip code 98116. Using doorbell camera footage from the block where one of the vehicles was recovered, investigators allegedly saw Mixayboua removing mail and parcels from the stolen postal vehicle and putting them in another vehicle. Again, law enforcement traced credit cards stolen from the mail and obtained surveillance footage that appears to show Mixayboua attempting to make purchases with the credit cards.
On January 30, 2023, a fourth postal vehicle was stolen – this time from the 2000 block of S. Columbian Way in Seattle. On March 28, 2023, a fifth postal vehicle was stolen from the 5700 block of S. 129th Ave. One of the people associated with the theft matches a description of Mixayboua. In late January and February, the mail theft incidents continued — this time in the Snoqualmie, Washington area. The cluster boxes were opened with either a counterfeit or authentic postal key. Again, credit cards were stolen, and one was linked to images of Mixayboua making purchases at Target.
Throughout April, mail thefts continued from as far north as Lake Forest Park and as far south as southeast Seattle.
The postal service halted deliveries in zip code 98118 for about a week while investigators worked to track down and arrest Mixayboua.
Mixaboua apparently was living in a vehicle near a relative’s home. When he was arrested, law enforcement found a firearm that he threw into the bushes while attempting to run away and ammunition in the vehicle, resulting in the last two counts in the indictment. Mixayboua is prohibitied from possessing firearms due to multiple felony convictions in King County for auto theft, possession of stolen property, and bail jumping.
Mail theft and possession of stolen mail are punishable by up to five years in prison. Theft of government property and unlawful possession of postal keys are punishable by up to ten years in prison. Illegal transactions on an access device, possession of ammunition, and being a felon in possession of a firearm are punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Mixayboua remains in jail at the SeaTac Federal Detention Center.
(WSB photos)
Work has begun at 3618 SW Alaska – home to West Seattle’s only cold-weather shelter as well as veterans’ organizations – getting a new roof after ~40+ years. As we reported last Friday, this is a gift – with labor, materials, and even the dumpster all donated; Adaptive Roofing is installing the roof in partnership with Malarkey Roofing Products, Stoneway Roofing Supply, Do It Right Roofing, and DTG Recycle.
The work is expected to take just under a week; we’ll check back.
(WSB photos)
Thanks to Nicole Sipila of the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA for telling us about last night’s Senior Honors & Awards presentations for the school’s Class of 2023. We attended the event in the CSIHS auditorium. Above are students who received the Seal of Biliteracy, in which we’re told Chief Sealth had the district’s largest number of participants! Next, valedictorian Kayla Buechler:
Salutatorian Merichle Nguyen:
Cords were presented for other academic achievements – single cords for 3.2-3.49 GPA (57 recipients), double for 3.5 or higher GPA (130 recipients):
And the Robert Jackson Block Award was presented for distinguished students in art (Shelby Dow), theater (Shanti Rose Birch), and music (Riley Pomeroy Tobin):
Scholarship recipients were honored too, including 64 recipients of the Promise Scholarship, The ceremony featured a performance by senior members of the CSIHS Jazz Band:
The Chief Sealth Class of 2023’s commencement ceremony is next Tuesday (June 27th), 8 pm at Memorial Stadium downtown.
Reminder (for next year if your school’s already out for summer) – if something’s happening at YOUR school that the community should know about, tell us! Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/call 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Thanks for the tips/questions about a big police response at 35th/Morgan. We went over to find out what was going on. Police say they got a report of a fight involving at least one person with a gun. No shots reported fired but the reportedly armed person is being questioned.
(Silver sunrise concludes spring – photo by Stewart L.)
Many midweek ways to have fun, and other options, are on our list for the hours ahead:
TODDLER READING TIME: Bring your little one to Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) for Toddler Reading Time, 10:30 am.
ALKI ELEMENTARY FAREWELL: As previewed here, Alki Elementary School (3010 59th SW) is hosting an open house 4-6 pm for alums (and any other interested community members) to say goodbye to the old building, set for demolition and replacement.
MARINER MOOSE: The Moose is a special guest at a Mariners watch party at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), starting at 4 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 OUNCES: 6:30 pm with Jared and The Wingtips. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
(added) DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: Emma Yeager‘s “Oh Me of Little Faith” will be screened, with director intro and Q/A, at Trinity Church, 6:30 pm. (7551 35th SW)
PIANO NIGHT: By request, with Chris Crow, at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm.
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)
SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: Alice Enevoldsen will be at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, uphill past the tennis courts and P-Patch) at 8:30 pm for her quarterly change-of-seasons sunset watch. Come learn about what happens at the solstice and what else is going on in the sky over West Seattle. (Actual sunset expected around 8:55 – the moment the sun drops behind the Olympics.)
KARAOKE AT BENBOW ROOM: 9 pm-2 am – info in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(added) FREE PIZZA: Up to two free slices of pizza per person at Pagliacci tonight after 9 pm. (4449 California SW)
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!
(Photos courtesy Randall Hauk)
More word of local youth sports accomplishments! Last weekend we mentioned West Seattle Baseball‘s tournament at the Pee Wee fields in Riverview. Thanks to Randall Hauk for sending this report with photos – and a look ahead:
All three West Seattle Baseball baseball teams competing at the Lower Riverview Pee Wee Fields came away with hardware last weekend at tournaments hosted by the local PONY youth baseball organization.
Ten teams from the greater Seattle metropolitan area visited our neighborhood Saturday and Sunday to compete in the 10U Summer Kickoff. The hosts fielded two teams in the tournament, each of which advanced to championship games that were scuttled by late-day rainstorms.
The 10U Red All-Stars emerged from Saturday pool play as the #1 seed in the Gold Bracket after defeating Ballard Little League 10-0 and Seattle PONY 12-2. Sunday saw the Red squad beat North Seattle PONY 6-2 in a semifinal matchup before the weather took away the possibility for the Red team to play #2 seed Bellevue Nationals. The teams walked away as soaking-wet and happy co-champions.
The 10U Navy All-Stars reached the championship of the Silver Bracket via a thrilling 3-1 extra-innings victory over Ballard Sunday afternoon. Their title game also was washed out by the rains, forcing the squad to split the spoils with Kirkland Nationals.
Meanwhile, the 9U Junior Shoot-out was contested by six teams from the regions, including groups from Bothell and Puyallup.
The West Seattle 9U All-Stars rebounded from a pair of losses on Saturday to emerge as champions on Sunday, beating Bothell Thunder 14-4 and New Level 11-7 before finishing with a 8-3 victory over Liberty in a rain-shortened championship game.
While West Seattle Baseball is proud of all its teams and players for their performances over the weekend, the league is just as proud of the efforts of its team of volunteers, who put on an amazing event that drew praise from many attendees, including one dad who took to the KJR radio airwaveS to share his appreciation of the weekend:
West Seattle Baseball hosts two more tournaments this coming weekend (June 24-25) with the 8U and 7U teams taking the field as ten more teams come to our neighborhood for more baseball fun.
Also, for those wanting to get in on the West Seattle Baseball fun, registration for Summer Crush baseball and softball is closing soon, so sign up today!
6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Wednesday, June 21st; summer arrives at 7:57 am.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Finally a forecast approaching normalcy: Mostly sunny, high near 70. Today’s sunrise was at 5:12 am; sunset will be at 9:11 pm (and you can watch it with Alice!).
(Last spring sunset, photographed by David Hutchinson)
STILL IN SCHOOL
Seattle Public Schools continue classes through June 30th.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, with trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions possible.
Water Taxi – The West Seattle WT is back to its regular schedule.
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: 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!
Half a dozen Alki-area residents told city councilmembers today that they support a proposal that would be a ‘first step” toward automated speed cameras on three streets that would be designated as “racing zones.” We first reported last week on the proposal sponsored by West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold and co-sponsored by Councilmember Alex Pedersen. Today the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee, chaired by Pedersen, got its first look at the proposal – just a briefing, not a vote; you can see it in the video above, starting 47 minutes into the meeting. This proposal would align city code with state authorization for additional uses of automated enforcement cameras and would designate certain city streets as “racing zones” eligible for them.
The supporters comprised the entirety of commenter turnout for the meeting – five in person at City Hall, one by phone, speaking right at the meeting’s start. The in-person comments were led by Mike Gain, one of the leaders of an Alki/Harbor Avenues resident group that, as he told the councilmembers, has been working with city reps for months on solutions to street disorder including racing/speeding. He said cameras would be a “safety tool” and would be “incredible” to get. Other speakers talked about the racing and stunt driving they see regularly, and the dangers it poses, along with the noise.
The briefing yielded little new information beyond what we previewed here last night, aside from stressing that if cameras are eventually deployed, state law requires half the revenue from citations to go to the state, for the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Account.
What was not discussed, because it’s still several steps down the potential path to camera installation, is where they would be used and how they would be used. Even if this bill is passed, it wouldn’t happen fast – an equity analysis is required, and then SDOT and SPD would have to come up with an implementation plan, and the mayor would be expected to specify funding. An already-authorized plan to double the number of school-zone speed cameras around the city is still in the planning stage.
By the time this committee votes on the “first step,” the list of potential “racing zones” around the city will likely be longer than the initial six (Alki, Harbor, West Marginal, plus three in Northeast Seattle) – during the briefing, Councilmember Dan Strauss, whose district includes Ballard, said he intended to propose two streets including Seaview from the Ballard Locks to Golden Gardens, and Pedersen said he expected other proposals. July 6th is the date he set for that; the committee could vote on the idea July 18th. A full council vote would follow that. How long the subsequent steps would take after that – the time that would elapse before potential camera installation – too soon to say.
(WSB photo, Sunday)
If you went to last Sunday’s Morgan Junction Community Festival and visited the Southwest Seattle Historical Society booth, you would have seen Clay Eals helping kids paint stones and answering questions. He was there as a volunteer, helping out the organization he served as its first executive director. The focus of the group’s booth at the festival was the Save The Stone Cottage preservation effort. Eals has been involved with many other campaigns to protect icons of local history, like the Hamm and Campbell Buildings in the heart of The Junction. That work is one reason why Historic Seattle is honoring him as a Preservation Champion. Eals is also an author and journalist, with a long body of work, including, most recently, “Now and Then” columns for The Seattle Times. Historic Seattle’s Erika Carleton tells WSB that Eals’ written work educates and inspires people: “In years past (the award recipients) have often been architects or structural designers … but sometimes it makes sense to think about somebody like Clay, who as a writer, journalist, advocate, plays a really important role … he tells the stories!”
Eals has been “telling the stories” for half a century, in a storied career dating back to his first newspaper job in Oregon in 1973. Here on the Duwamish Peninsula, his five years as editor of the West Seattle Herald/White Center News in the ’80s included producing the most comprehensive book of local history to date, West Side Story. More recently, he wrote the award-winning biography of musician Steve Goodman, “Facing the Music,” first published in 2007, and edited “Seattle Now and Then: The Historic Hundred,” published in 2018, co-authored by Paul Dorpat and Jean Sherrard.
“He gets the stories out there. That’s super valuable for us,” Carleton adds, noting that historical preservation is not always the sexiest topic.
Eals is appreciative of not only the honor but the mission, and those who also walk its path. “I’m deeply honored, and I trust that the ceremony on September 28 will bolster the preservation cause citywide, just as it has in previous years. It’s all about identifying and saving the gems that make us unique so that they can keep functioning and inspiring us all down the road. None of us does preservation work alone. I truly believe in the well-worn phrase ‘It Takes a Village,’ and I’m grateful to know first-hand that many in West Seattle and in the city as a whole are key parts of that village.”
The September ceremony he mentioned is Historic Seattle’s Preservation Celebration, at Washington Hall in the Central District. Attendees will celebrate honorees also including this year’s other Preservation Champion, Dorothy Cordova. Eals shared this photo from a coincidental meeting with her at her Central District-based Filipino American National Historical Society Museum office, weeks before Historic Seattle announced the awards.
(Photo by Ben Laigo, May 18)
You can see who, and what, else Historic Seattle is honoring this year by going here.
Both of these reports are from Ty in North Delridge, whose truck was stolen:
My truck was stolen sometime on 6/16/23. It is a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 4×4, license plate C78292T. There are cracks on the rear fender on the passenger side. Police report # 23-168808
Shortly after that report, Ty sent this:
I ran across this truck down from my block. It’s a F350 FX4. There aren’t any plates and it’s been vandalized. It’s just south of Juneau and 26th Ave SW across from the Seattle City Light substation.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Ty says the Silverado’s been found, in Lakewood.
Thanks for the video (above, from Dustin) and photo (below, from McKenzie) – they and others wondered about military helicopters flying over West Seattle around 10:15 this morning.
Absent something like a sports-game flyby, it’s not easy to find out why a military helicopter’s passing by, but we’ve finally heard back from a source at Joint Base Lewis-McChord who says those were Apaches and a Chinook, “visiting the (Museum of Flight, at Boeing Field) for their organizational-day activity.”
(WSB file photos)
No matter what the weather’s doing, summer is about to arrive, and the biggest events of summer are on the way. Today marks exactly two weeks until the 4th of July, which traditionally starts with a people-powered parade – here’s an update from organizers:
We’re two weeks away from the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade! Parade yard signs are popping up around the neighborhood! This year’s event is being sponsored by 13 local West Seattle businesses and groups, including several new sponsors!
Mode Music Studios – New sponsor
Admiral Neighborhood Association
Outer Space Seattle
South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools
Holy Rosary School
Neighborhood Naturopathic
Fit4Mom West Seattle
Sensa Play
West Seattle Food Bank
Potter Construction
South Seattle Crossfit – New sponsor
West Seattle Blog – New sponsor
Westside School – New sponsorThree food trucks and one coffee cart will await hungry parade-goers at Hamilton Viewpoint Park! Welcome back two past-parade food trucks, Mini the Dough-nut and Lil J’s Super Dawgs. This year Homebites is joining the line-up. West Seattle Grounds will have a cold-brew coffee cart. The park will also feature several kids’ activity tables and potato-sack races for kids of all ages – including adults!
The parade is made up of you, the community! Parade-goers decorate bikes, strollers, scooters, and themselves and walk through the Admiral neighborhood starting at 10 am from Sunset Ave. and 44th Ave. SW [map]. SFD Engine 29 and the Seattle Police Department will be on hand to kick off the parade and ensure a safe event for all! Join the fun and walk with the parade, or put out a lawn chair and cheer the parade on! There’s a fun option for all!
Parade organizer Megan Erb says starting next year; the parade will be rolled in the Admiral Neighborhood Association programming to ensure the parade continues to stay a staple of the community. The parade is a volunteer-based event with local businesses’ support to help cover the costs and keep the event free and open to all! If you want to get involved this year or next, contact Megan at meganerb@hotmail.com.
The parade is a long-running West Seattle tradition, dating back to the mid-’90s.
Several readers have mentioned it’s slow going on the westbound West Seattle Bridge, east of 99 – and this is why: One of those periodic backups of port-bound trucks. So if you’re headed this way from off-peninsula, you might consider an alternate route.
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