day : 05/07/2023 12 results

Thanks to Rosalie Miller for sharing four wildlife views from today’s low-low tide. Above, a Blood Star. Below, a Graceful Decorator Crab:

Next, a Lined Chiton:

And a Stiff-footed Sea Cucumber:

Rosalie says she saw them all on Alki today. Tomorrow (Thursday) you have one more chance at a low-low tide, out to -3.0 feet at about quarter till 2 pm; Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be out again too.

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READER REPORT: One more ‘brush fire,’ for the record

July 5, 2023 10:11 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| High Point | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Ethan sent the photo and report:

There was a fire at Walt Hundley Playfield this evening, almost certainly caused by fireworks. Saw your coverage of the fire by the pond down the street and figured you should know about this one too.

So far, the Real-Time 911 log for today has, citywide, 22 “brush fire” notations, 6 “rubbish fire” notations, 5 “bark fire” notations, and 2 “dumpster fire” notations. Seattle residential fires believed to have been caused by people using fireworks include the one last night in Arbor Heights as well as one Sunday in the Olympic Hills neighborhood.

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See new design packet for 1116 Alki before Thursday’s review meeting

July 5, 2023 8:02 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

Tomorrow (Thursday, July 6th) at 5 pm, the Southwest Design Review Board meets online for its second “early design guidance” look at a residential project planned for 1116 Alki Avenue SW, replacing six standalone houses. The meeting includes a public-comment period; you can preview the new design options by looking at the packet here. Remember that in the “early design” phase, the project team is supposed to offer three options for the “massing” of the building – its size and shape – so these renderings do not show what the building would eventually look like, with materials, colors, etc. The three new options vary slightly but the building is proposed at six stories and around 60 units, with offstreet parking totaling at least the number of spaces required by the Alki Parking Overlay (one and a half spaces per residential unit). The project team’s “preferred option” would remove two trees that were much-discussed at the previous review (WSB coverage here), replacing them with four trees that would anchor two “corner gardens.” If you’re interested in attending Thursday’s meeting and/or commenting, go here to see how.

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BIZNOTE: 2 additions at Admiral Theater

July 5, 2023 6:21 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Admiral Theater | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips – Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) has added two new features:

MOMMY MATINEES: Fridays at 10 am, The Admiral has added special early, less-loud shows of selected movies from their current lineup, with babies and young children welcome. This is actually a comeback for a feature that the theater offered pre-pandemic – not just for mommies but for anybody caring for a very young child. UPDATE: Times vary. Here’s the list for this week (Friday, July 7):

Joy Ride (R)
Fri: 9:30 AM

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (PG-13)
Fri: 9:00 AM

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (PG)
Fri: 9:20 AM

Asteroid City (PG-13)
Fri: 9:10 AM

R.CUPS: As mentioned on the marquee, The Admiral is now offering beverages in reusable r.Cups – one of the first theaters in the nation to do so: “r.Cups are collected, washed, sanitized, then used again & again & again. r.Cups can be used hundreds of times!”

P.S. If you’re considering a movie to get out of the heat, The Admiral is air-conditioned.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Crane-carrying ship with one more stop

July 5, 2023 5:28 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Mike Y. for the photo of the Zhen Hua 23 as it passed West Seattle, northbound, this afternoon. That’s the ship we showed you June 23rd as it passed, southbound, headed for Tacoma, carrying four new port cranes from ZPMC in China. Two were dropped off at the Washington United Terminal in Tacoma; the other two are now on their way to Los Angeles. We’ll see a similar sight this fall when two new cranes are brought to West Seattle’s Terminal 5 for its second modernized berth.

ADDED: One more photo from today, sent by Jerry Simmons:

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UPDATE: People setting off fireworks blamed for High Point fire that burned close to homes

July 5, 2023 3:25 pm

| 52 COMMENTS

| High Point | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

3:25 PM: Another brush-fire response – and this time it’s big enough that Seattle Fire has just upgraded it to “brush fire major.” It was described as at least 30 feet by 40 feet, in the 5900 block of High Point Drive. It’s near the pond, firefighters are telling dispatch.

3:30 PM: Added the photo above, from Erik O, who says this was sparked by “a large firework.”

3:34 PM: They’re getting a handle on it, so dismissing some of the response. Side note – we covered a similar fire in this spot, this time of year, eight years ago.

3:45 PM: If you’re in the area and noticing a helicopter, that’s just the helicopter that local TV stations share.

4:45 PM: The fire is extinguished but burned perilously close to homes, as photos shared by commenters show. (And the one added above, from Tori.) We’re there checking into the aftermath too.

4:58 PM: The charred slope is extensive – that’s the best we could do to show how extensive.

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UPDATE: Boat mishap on West Seattle low bridge, cleared after 3 1/2 hours

July 5, 2023 2:36 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT camera images except as otherwise credited)

2:36 PM: As the traffic-camera image above shows, the westbound low bridge is blocked right now by a truck that lost control of a boat it was towing/carrying and people who are trying to help remedy the situation.

2:39 PM: Police have arrived at the scene.

2:48 PM: Thanks to Otto for the photo taken around 2:10 pm, showing the boat fell off its trailer.

3:39 PM: Still not cleared, but traffic is getting around.

4:30 PM: Tow rigs have now arrived.

5:03 PM: Eastbound traffic is being held, the live video feed shows, while one rig attempts to lift the boat.

5:37 PM: The boat has been moved – and now the low bridge is opening for maritime traffic.

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WEST SEATTLE SUMMER: Here’s this year’s outdoor-movie plan

July 5, 2023 1:34 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUMMER: Here’s this year’s outdoor-movie plan

| West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

(WSB photo, Camp Long, July 2022)

Several readers have asked recently about this year’s plan for summertime outdoor movies. The West Seattle Junction Association is presenting one movie event this summer, the newest Super Mario Brothers movie, Friday, August 18th, in the meadow at Camp Long (5200 35th SW), same location as last year’s movies. Start time will be “when it’s dark enough” (sunset on that date will be 8:16 pm). It’s free, and you’re encouraged to bring non-perishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank.

Other organizations are planning movies too: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene‘s Movies in the Park continue at Maarten Park next door (42nd/Juneau), with movies on the calendar for this Friday (July 7th) at 9 pm and August 4th at 8:40 pm. And as previously noted, Alki Beach Pride on Sunday, August 20th, also will include an outdoor movie, “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” at Alki Playfield (59th/Lander) around 8 pm.

Anybody else with outdoor-movie plans in West Seattle? Let us know so we can add to the list – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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CONGRATULATIONS! 30-year anniversary for Eva Thomas at Village Green West Seattle

July 5, 2023 11:59 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

The executive director of Village Green Senior Living (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle is celebrating a milestone. Here’s the announcement we received:

Cheers to 30 years! Eva Thomas has been working for Village Green West Seattle, formerly known as Daystar, for 30 years officially as of June 10th; she is pictured here with director of operations Kim Salas and owner Diane Powell. Eva shared her story with her team and mentioned she wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. Eva started as a housekeeper and eventually became the Maintenance Director. She has worked almost each position in the community. In 2021 she became the Executive Director, and our team wouldn’t want any other fearless leader. So again, cheers to 30 years!

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WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: The list for today/tonight

July 5, 2023 10:30 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Mount Rainier view from West Seattle, photographed by Jamie Kinney of jamiekinneyphotos.com)

Quiet morning but most of the usual Wednesday activities are back today/tonight – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

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

DELRIDGE WADING POOL: Noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

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

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -3.8 feet at 12:59 pm; Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out 11 am-3 pm at Constellation (63rd/Alki) and Lincoln (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) Parks.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – repair 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)

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)

‘HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH’ Tonight’s performance of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) is at 7:30 pm – check here for tickets.

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!

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YOU CAN HELP: Alki Beach Pride call for volunteers

July 5, 2023 9:04 am

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Alki Beach Pride call for volunteers

| How to help | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Many big West Seattle summer events are still to come – and many run on volunteer power. Among them, Alki Beach Pride, which is sending out this call:

Alki Beach Pride is on Sunday, August 20th and volunteers are needed for the day of. Short shifts are available throughout the day for a variety of tasks. Find out more at alkibeachpride.org – here’s where to sign up!

This year’s festival includes activities closing a section of Alki Avenue that afternoon/evening.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Post-holiday Wednesday

July 5, 2023 6:03 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Post-holiday Wednesday

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Wednesday, July 5th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high in the mid-80s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:18 am; sunset will be at 9:09 pm.

TRANSIT

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

Water Taxi – The West Seattle WT is on its regular schedule. (Here are changes planned for the upcoming All-Star Week.)

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. 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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