West Seattle, Washington
22 Saturday
Quick notes from West Seattle’s southernmost “junction”:
MoCA’S NEW WEBSITE: The Morgan Community Association has relaunched its website at morganjunction.org after a hiatus. There you’ll find info about the group and upcoming Morgan-area events.
QUARTERLY MEETING NEXT WEEK: One of the events you can find out about is the quarterly MoCA meeting, set for 7 pm Wednesday, July 19th. It’ll happen online, and you’ll be able to find connection info here (as well as in our event calendar) pre-meeting. The agenda so far includes business and redevelopment updates, officer elections, and City Council candidates.
TAKEN THE PARK ADDITION SURVEY YET? Seattle Parks published a reminder today about its survey for the yet-to-be-developed addition to Morgan Junction Park. We first told you about the survey last month; it’s open until the end of the month. The park expansion was designed since four years ago, but since then, other community interest has bubbled up, particularly the desire for skating space. So the short survey asks what potential design elements you’d prioritize.
(WSB file photo)
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Starting next week, Swedish Automotive (7901 35th SW; WSB sponsor) is changing its hours. Swedish’s Todd Ainsworth says the new hours will be 7 am-6 pm Mondays through Thursdays – a four-day week with longer days. By the way, if you’re new to West Seattle, Swedish Automotive repairs and maintains more than just Swedish cars – see the list of specialties (and certifications!) on their website. That’s also where you can make an appointment; the new hours are reflected starting Monday.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: We asked Todd about the reasoning behind the change. His reply:
It’s certainly non-traditional for our industry, but the idea has caught a lot of traction in the last few years. The primary reasoning behind it is to give our staff an added benefit and allow them to have more free time to spend with their families, hobbies, etc and give them more work/life balance. There are several auto repair shops I have talked with all over the state and in different parts of the country and all of them who have successfully made the change say they only wish they had done it sooner, because the employees love it. We will be one of the first shops in our area to try it and everyone here is excited about it. It will also benefit our clients by being here for earlier drop-offs and later pick-ups.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
GREEN CR-V STOLEN AGAIN: Last April, we published Sukie‘s report of a stolen green 2000 Honda CR-V, plate AHH9110. It was found. But now, less than three months later, it’s been stolen again – near 35th/Austin. Police report # is 23-195341.
SHOOTING VICTIM SHOWS UP: Early Saturday, we reported on confirmed gunfire in the 1900 block of Harbor Avenue SW. No victims or property damage were found at the scene – but an incident summary made available today notes, “While [police were] processing the scene, a victim with a non-life threatening (gunshot wound) to his hip arrived at a nearby hospital. Officers responded to the hospital to interview the victim.”
2:31 PM: Stadium flyovers downtown often include a West Seattle pass, so in case you see/hear something, here’s what’s planned before tonight’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game at 5 pm at T-Mobile Park: Four F-35s from Hill Air Force Base in Utah will fly over during the National Anthem, according to this Deseret News report. The story might also explain the loud-but-not-on-flight-tracker jets heard (above the cloud cover) over West Seattle yesterday, as it notes that the 388th Fighter Wing, to which the F-35s belong, announced their Seattle arrival Monday. (Added: There was a Home-Run Derby flyover too.)
5:08 PM: Just heard them pass over Upper Fauntleroy.
5:42 PM: Added above – video from Andi showing the jets over West Seattle.
Just two days away …
Thursday’s the night, the east side of Hiawatha Community Center (along Walnut south of Lander) is the place, 6:30 pm is the time, and West Seattle Big Band is who you will see and hear – it’s the first of three Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association for the first time since 2019! That’s also West Seattle Art Walk night, so, the ANA tells us, “The Admiral Art Walk participating businesses have passports – those who get theirs stamped (6) and drop them at the ANA booth at the concert will be entered into a drawing for an Admiral Business Prize Pack.” Meantime, as shown on the poster above, the concert series will continue for three consecutive Thursdays – July 13th, 20th, and 27th. Bring a chair and/or blanket to sit on, picnic dinner if you want, and get ready to enjoy outdoor music.
11:28 AM: Thanks to Kay for the tip. SFD is at Highland Park Way/Austin/Holden for a natural-gas leak response; avoid the area.
11:55 AM: Highland Park Way hill is closed because of this. Neighbors remind you to please slow down when detouring through neighborhoods.
12:04 PM: We’ve arrived in the area to try to find out more. Heading eastbound on Holden, it’s closed at 11th. Also, note that Metro Route 131 is rerouted because of the closures.
12:16 PM: SFD tells us a 2″ gas line was punctured by a construction crew. City Light is also in the area because they decided to take down the power as a precaution until the leak can be stopped. Meantime, approaching the area northbound, 9th is blocked at Kenyon.
12:39 PM: SFD has closed out the call and buses have resumed their regular routing, indicating roads have reopened (we’re headed back to check).
12:45 PM: Confirmed – all back open.
4 PM: We asked SDOT if the crew was theirs or a contractor’s, since they’ve been working in the area. Here’s the response from spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:
Workers for KC Equipment punctured a gas line this morning at 10:45 am. KC Equipment is a private construction firm on contract with SDOT to build a new traffic signal at SW Holden St and Highland Park Way SW. KC Equipment immediately reported the incident to Puget Sound Energy.
Puget Sound Energy crews arrived on site and confirmed that they had patched the line and that the area was safe shortly after noon. Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department, and Seattle City Light were all also on-site to assist with ensuring public safety.
He adds that no injuries were reported.
10:35 AM: As reported on our partner site White Center Now, SPD is assisting King County Sheriff’s Deputies with a response in the parking lot between 14th and 15th south of Roxbury. At the scene they told us that they’re after a man who had made threats to passersby and who is refusing to come out of a van. KCSO says the man is believed to be experiencing a mental-health crisis. 14th SW is blocked south of Roxbury; 15th was too, but is reported to have reopened; avoid the area.
12:26 PM: We’re back in the area to check on the situation. The lot south of Bartell Drugs is still taped off with a major police presence. 14th SW has reopened, so this situation is now confined to the parking lot.
4 PM: As commenter “Alki Resident” notes below, the person has been taken into our custody since our last check at the scene.
(Dark-eyed Junco, photographed at Lincoln Park by Jamie Kinney)
Civic involvement, musicmaking, and more, all on the list of what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.
E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (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.
(added) GIVE BLOOD! Bloodworks Northwest says it has openings for donors today and tomorrow at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW) – sign up here.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm stories and activities for kids at the Delridge P-Patch, weekly throughout the summer starting tonight. (5078 25th SW)
PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Community Orchestras welcome you to sit in with them, playing at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – 6 pm easy music, 7 pm intermediate music. Audience welcome too! More info in our calendar listing.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Monthly board meeting, open to community members, 7 pm, online or in person at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) – attendance info’s here.
MORE TRIVIA: Three places where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
You can look into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather July 30 to celebrate the life of Bob Hereford, and are sharing this remembrance with his community:
Robert Roy Hereford, age 73, passed away on 6/9/2023 after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer 22 months earlier. Bob’s strong will and good humor during his chemotherapy allowed him, and those who loved him, to enjoy the gift of many treasured bonus days, including time spent with his wife, Karen, exploring the San Juan Islands on their Nordic tug, Shearwater.
He was born and raised in West Seattle. He joined the Air Force in 1969 and served until 1973, mostly in Thailand. There, he discovered photography, which became his life’s passion and career. He was a much-beloved employee at Seattle Central College, working as the school photographer, until his retirement in 2014.
But he also developed a second passion, when he was introduced to commercial salmon fishing in Alaska in 1981. His first season in Bristol Bay hooked him. He eventually became the skiff man on a seiner skippered by John Nevin out of Kodiak, AK. John and his family came to be very dear friends, and Karen often joined at the end of the season to fish, crab and enjoy adventures around Anton Larson Island.
He could always be counted on, to be there if you needed him, and to entertain with his stories and laughter. He was honest and generous and kind, but also mischievous. He loved conjuring surprises, especially for Karen, some of which are legend.
His loss is immeasurable to all who knew him.
He was so grateful for the care he received from the Swedish Cancer Institute, Dr. Philip Gold, his nurse Nancy, Dr. Christine McConnell, her nurse Charlie, and all the other incredible nurses and staff there.
He is predeceased by his father Clyde, his mother Helen, and nephew Jake, and is survived by his wife Karen, sister Robin, brother David (Natalie), nephews Sam, Reif, Tyler, and Joshua.
A celebration of his life is planned for 7/30. Contact his wife, brother, or sister for details. Please consider donating to Swedish Cancer Institute, or Fishermen’s Memorial Fund.
(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)
9:58 AM: 14th SW south of Roxbury is blocked because of a standoff.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Tuesday, July 11th.
ALL-STAR GAME DAY
The All-Star Game at T-Mobile Parkis at 5 pm tonight, so SODO will be busy. For transit changes, see below.
TRANSIT
Metro – Free to ride again today.
Water Taxi – Free to ride again today. Added night runs tonight – here’s the schedule.
Sound Transit – Also fare-free today.
Washington State Ferries – No All-Star changes. 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. See Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny, high in the mid-70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:23 am; sunset will be at 9:06 pm.
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST
In The Junction, parking restrictions start tomorrow, street closures and bus reroutes start Thursday. Here’s our preview.
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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