West Seattle, Washington
14 Sunday
King County Elections has certified the final numbers from the August 1st primary vote. Now it’s on to the November 7th general election for the top two finishers in these races that were on your ballot:
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 (West Seattle, South Park, SODO, Georgetown, Pioneer Square), 36.8% turnout
Maren Costa 8,787 33.13 %
Rob Saka 6,397 24.12 %
Phil Tavel 5,324 20.07 %
Preston Anderson 2,222 8.38 %
Stephen Brown 1,659 6.26 %
Jean Iannelli Craciun 838 3.16 %
Lucy Barefoot 767 2.89 %
Mia Jacobson 472 1.78 %
Write-in 55 0.21 %
KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8 (including West Seattle, White Center, Vashon/Maury Islands, Burien), 33.7% turnout
Teresa Mosqueda 28,966 57.57 %
Sofia Aragon 18,900 37.56 %
GoodSpaceGuy 2,216 4.40 %
Write-in 234 0.47 %
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISTRICT 6 (West Seattle/most of South Park), 36.3% turnout
Gina Topp 19,845 79.70 %
Maryanne Wood 3,546 14.24 %
Rosie McCarter 1,386 5.57 %
Write-in 123 0.49 %
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION POSITION 5 (countywide vote), 30.2% turnout
Fred Felleman* 215,148 56.52 %
Jesse Tam 97,548 25.63 %
Todd Curtis 65,935 17.32 %
Write-in 2,006 0.53 %
KC Elections will release the final precinct-by-precinct breakouts here later today.
West Seattle’s emergency shelter – which runs on donations and volunteer help – is open for the hot weather, its manager Keith Hughes tells WSB, until 8 pm today and again 11 am-8 pm tomorrow “with food, water, and AC. However, we are very low in supplies, so I have attached my Supplies Wish List. Also, keeping the hall open and running the AC for days is a strain on our finances, which are all voluntary donations from the community. Pepple can donate items from the Wish List, or go to our website, westsideneighborsshelter.org and make a cash donation [update: direct link here] to help with the electric and water bill.” Here’s the wish list:
Food Pantry
Ground Coffee (Folgers 3# cans)
powdered coffee creamer (like Coffeemate)
Instant Hot Cocoa Mix (for hot water)
Bottled water
Soft drinks in cans (store brands and things on sale)Instant Oatmeal packets
Granola-type low-sugar cereal
Pancake mix, Bisquick mix
Pancake syrup, butter, jam
Canned soup, chili, beef stew
Packaged food like top ramen, Cup-o-NoodlesRice-a-roni, noodle-roni boxes
Dry pasta (spaghetti, egg noodles, macaroni )
Spaghetti sauce in jarsFood store gift cards so we can get fresh things like milk, eggs, butter, meat
Other Needs
Travel-size individual soaps, shampoo; tooth brushes & toothpaste (ask your dentist for donations) bar soap for shower, laundry detergent pods
Toilet paper and paper towels, disinfectant wipes
Single-bed-size blanket
The shelter is co-housed with the West Seattle Veteran Center/American Legion Post 160 at 3618 SW Alaska.
(Seen in Seaview and photographed by Al)
Here’s our list of highlights for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WSHS FALL SPORTS: Today is the first day of practice and/or tryouts for most West Seattle High School fall sports; our calendar listing has details.
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. (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.
DELRIDGE WADING POOL: Noon-5:30 pm – last week for this wading pool, set to close for the year after Friday. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Noon-7 pm – see weather note above. (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.
REGISTRATION FOR ESL CLASSES: 1-3:30 pm, Neighborhood House High Point is offering signups for ESL classes coming up at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAM: Kickoff event 5-7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) for a new program coming to West Seattle – our preview has info including exact location.
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, West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) has trivia hosted by Will D. … 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); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … 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)
LIVE PIANO MUSIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks. (4210 SW Admiral Way).
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)
Planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or …? If it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Jack Blondin, and sharing this with the community:
Jack Blondin
September 20, 1939 – August 2, 2023Jack passed away peacefully at home with family after an 11-year battle with multiple myeloma. He was born in 1939 in Tacoma to John and Mildred Blondin along with his sister Anne and brother Kring (both deceased). His family followed his father’s job as a Civil Engineer to Hawaii, San Francisco, Elmer City, Mill Valley, Bremerton, and Kelowna, BC, where he graduated high school. He graduated in Economics from the UW, Seattle, where he met Linda Berry, and they married in 1964.
His passion was being on the water, boating throughout the San Juans and the Canadian Gulf Islands. He started as a Sea Scout, founded Far East Yachts, owned a marine electronics company, and joined Seattle Yacht Club, where he made many life-long friends and held the offices of Staff Captain, Quartermaster, Treasurer, Trustee, and was awarded the prestigious Carl Zecher award for outstanding service.
A financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in Seattle for 34 years, he brought a conservative approach and personal concern for the success of his clients. He volunteered with Junior Achievement to prepare young people to succeed in life.
Jack and Linda traveled extensively in Europe and Asia, which opened his eyes to the fact people have the same wish for peace and a good life for their families the world over. Retirement brought long summers on the boat, an annual return to Hawaii, and lots of playing dress-up with granddaughter Dori and living-room fishing expeditions with grandson Logan. Family was the most important thing to Jack.
He is survived by Linda, his wife of 59 years; daughters Christina Hasselbalch and Heidi Blondin and grandchildren Doriana Hasselbalch and Logan Blondin; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held in September. Share memories at www.emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Jack-Blondin
(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)
7:35 AM: A tree is reported to be blocking California Way between Hamilton Viewpoint and Harbor Ave.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, August 16th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The National Weather Service‘s heat alert continues until late tonight. Today’s forecast: Sunny, high in the upper 80s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:06 am; sunset will be at 8:20 pm.
(Tuesday sunset, photographed by Carol Ann Joyce)
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
As previously noted, today is the first scheduled day of 2023-2024 classes at Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school at 35th/Roxbury in Arbor Heights.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – regular schedule – check here for advisories.
Water Taxi – regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service. Check Vessel Watch to see where the boats are.
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 cam:
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!
Two reader reports:
TRAILER STOLEN: Sent by Dan:
Trailer in attached image taken from our driveway today in Fairmount Park neighborhood. No license plate or rear gate on trailer. An attempt to steal it occurred Saturday by a male and female in Ford Econoline van that now has front right damage after they smashed into my car!!
We’ll add the report # when we get it.
KIA THEFT ATTEMPT FAILS: From Carolyn:
Sometime late Sunday night/early Monday morning, someone broke into my car. Parked in front of the house (west of The Junction). They smashed the passenger-side window and attempted to hotwire the car but failed. The police report number is 23-232990. Nothing was (thankfully) stolen from the inside of the car. Car is a 2014 black Kia Forte.
One of the three street festivals coming up in the next two weekends announced its band lineup tonight. Here’s who’ll be playing at the Admiral Funktion, which the Admiral Neighborhood Association will present for a second year, 11 am-10 pm Saturday, August 26th, on California SW between Admiral and College:
Music is just part of what’ll be happening during Admiral Funktion. Festival admission will be free but ANA is fundraising to support the cost of making it happen; as they note on the crowdfunding page, any donation is welcome, and those donating $25 or more get a wristband good for food/drink discounts during the festival.
From the Grateful Dead to Neil Young to Nirvana and beyond, concert photographer Steve Schneider has photographed a half-century of music history. He’s turned much of it into a “coffee-table book” that he’ll be signing at Easy Street Records this Thursday night (August 17th). Here’s how the book is described in the announcement of its publication:
This $60 hardbound book has 220 pages of concert images with 350 photos from five decades of live music, and is printed on archival acid-free matte paper. The book features images of the Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam, the Rolling Stones, and many others. Ten of the concerts featured — including shows by David Bowie, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Neil Young, and Willie Nelson — ones where Schneider was the only photographer with access.
The title comes from some acts’ directive that photographers only shoot the first three songs, but many of the best images in The First Three Songs are from when Schneider pushed around that. A shot of the Grateful Dead at the closing of the legendary San Francisco club Winterland in 1978 was taken at 5:30 in the morning. “This was back in the days of film, and I had saved just a few frames for when they would end,” Schneider recalled. “They started on at midnight, but I saved enough to capture their good-bye early in the morning.” The Grateful Dead liked the image enough that it was used on a CD and DVD of the event, and it ended the film of the event. The band signed a copy of a 1977 New Year’s photo from the same location in Winterland. They also gave Bill Walton a 20” x 30” signed copy of the same photo.
Schneider worked for multiple news services, and created images that the announcement says “have appeared in hundreds of newspapers and magazines,” adding that “the book also serves as a document of how concert photography is transformed with the development of digital photography, and when bands began to light their stage for video.” Thursday’s signing is set for 6 pm to 8 pm; if somehow you haven’t been to Easy Street, it’s on the northwest corner of California/Alaska in the heart of The Junction. (If you can’t get to the event but would like to buy the book, you can buy it directly from Schneider online.)
P.S. You can read more about Schneider, his book, and his work in this Seattle Now and Then installment by West Seattle journalist/historian/author Clay Eals.
(WSB file photo)
A Stage 2 burn ban is now in effect, first ordered by the King County Fire Marshal for unincorporated areas and extended into Seattle and other cities by agreement of the King Co. Fire Chiefs Association. Here’s what this means:
During a Stage 2 burn ban, any outdoor fire such as a backyard fire pit or campfire using chopped firewood or charcoal is prohibited.
Under the ban, any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or discontinue when ordered or notified to do so can be charged with, up to and including, a misdemeanor. Seattle firefighters have also been directed to extinguish any illegal fires during this ban.
Manufactured portable outdoor devices are allowed, including barbecues and patio warmers that are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Approved fuel devices – including those that rely on charcoal, natural gas, or propane gas – are also allowed.
Of note, this means no beach fires, even in the rings at Alki.
(Added: WSB photo)
4:07 PM: Just heard from Elliott Bay Brewing proprietor Todd Carden: They’re reopening EBB’s West Seattle Junction flagship location at 4:30 pm. As noted here last Friday, it’s been closed several days while plumbers worked on a stubborn sewer-line problem. Repairs are now complete.
ADDED 11:28 PM: Still some work to do, Tim O’Neill of O’Neill Plumbing (WSB sponsor) tells us: “We have been making repairs to an old sewer system that’s been functioning for a century, but finally decided to give up…….. We have found good solid pipe to connect to. The prior pipe we were following was in too bad of condition to reconnect to.” That’s what enabled Elliott Bay to reopen. Next: “Tomorrow we will be inserting a liner from where we made these repairs, out to the middle of the street to reinforce that stretch of pipe. Next step after that will be to make a smaller, yet similar repair to Talarico’s pipe that is in the same general location. We thank everyone for theit patience and please stop into these two great restaurants for a cold brew and a bite !!”
Three new-business notes today:
PET SHOP: From city permit files – All The Best Pet Care is apparently returning to West Seattle. The regional chain had a shop on Alki from 2007 to 2009 (where Outer Space Seattle is now). It’s applied for a permit to take a retail space at Maris, the Triangle-area mixed-use complex at 4722 Fauntleroy SW. We’ve had an inquiry out to ATB since seeing the application; haven’t heard back yet.
(Added: WSB photo)
WESTWOOD DAISO UPDATE: Also from the permit files – the plan for a Daiso store at Westwood Village appears to be advancing. When we first reported last month that the center’s directory map – often the first and only place WWV has “announced” new tenants – showed Daiso coming to a combination of the recently vacated ex-SportClips space and the 5-years-empty ex-Fresh Vitamins space, next to Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor). At the time, permit files showed nothing – but now there are permits both for combining the spaces and for setting up the Daiso store (which is named on the city docket). Still no word back from the company on timeline,
EX-A’LORA MORTGAGE: Readers recently pointed out that the “for lease” sign had been taken down from this standalone building at 6358 42nd SW, kitty-corner from the north side of West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). Though there’s no sign up, online searching identified the new tenant: U.S. offices for Lozano Funeral Transportation. Google’s translation of their website, which is entirely in Spanish, says it’s a branch of a century-old business founded in Mexico and specializing in repatriation – arranging for decedents to be returned home for burial.
2:15 PM: Just a reminder if you missed it in our morning traffic roundup: Vice President Kamala Harris is in the area for another hour and a half or so, and that’s not the only reason to avoid I-5 – there’s also a collision on I-5 northbound at Michigan that’s led to some snarling both ways. As for the vice president, she’s reported to be at a fundraiser in Medina right now, after a speech in Georgetown, but will be headed back to Boeing Field for a scheduled 3:30-ish departure, and when the motorcade is in motion, that will again temporarily shut down traffic.
3 PM: The aforementioned collision has SB I-5 closed at Michigan. No word if that’ll result in a vice presidential detour getting back to Boeing Field.
3:30 PM: SB I-5 has reopened. And we have details of the incident from Bellevue PD via Twitter/X: One of their officers, while on detail because of the VP visit, fell off the Michigan ramp – an estimated 50- to 60-foot fall – but survived and was “conscious and alert” when taken to Harborview.
3:46 PM: Traffic advisory indicates the motorcade’s headed back this way now.
4:10 PM: WSDOT says highways have all reopened,
Thanks to the texter who sent the photo and report of the recently installed all-way stop, and painted crosswalks, at 44th/Lander, on the south side of Lafayette Elementary. This plan was mentioned by commenter Tony following our report last month about other school zones getting new all-way stops.
Some students in West Seattle head back to class as soon as tomorrow. For Seattle Public Schools, summer break has three weeks to go – but a lot of preparation is happening, including organizations like the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA, which asked us to share this open invitation:
The Chief Sealth PTSA is gearing up for an amazing 2023-24 school year and is looking for some folks to join us. Our primary focus as PTSA is to build community and raise funds to support the programs and activities that provide enrichment and basic needs to students and staff.
We currently have a number of positions open on the Board including Co-Treasurer, Secretary, Volunteer Coordinator, and Legislative/Advocacy Chair. These positions help make crucial funding decisions and take on projects that directly benefit the school. You don’t need to be a parent to join or take a leadership role on the PTSA – we invite all members of the school and local community who want to make a difference to sign up.
“We’ve got some exciting plans in the works for next year, including planning our first fund-raising auction in four years this December,” says incoming Chief Sealth PTSA co-President Shannon McDonald. “Becoming a PTSA board member is a great way for folks to get involved and help strengthen our school, family, and community partnerships here in West Seattle.”
If you’re a community-minded person looking to help actively support a local school and its students or have any questions, please reach out to chiefsealthptsa@gmail.com. You can also join the PTSA here. We promise it will be fun, interesting, and deeply rewarding!
(Sunrise fishing at Seacrest, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, including some indoor activities you might consider to escape the heat:
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. (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 – last week for this pool, with its season ending Sunday, August 29th. (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.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the air-conditioned 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. (5078 25th SW)
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
WINE & BUY: Free class for prospective homebuyers, 6 pm at Pine Lake Cellars (5405 California SW) – info and RSVP link in our calendar listing.
TOASTMASTERS ONLINE: Improve your communication skills without leaving your house/apartment, 6:30 pm online meeting of West Seattle Toastmasters 832 – our calendar listing has RSVP info to get the link.
THE CLAY CAULDRON: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance or drop in to work on your project(s).
NEW TRIVIA: Zeeks Pizza West Seattle recently launched a Tuesday trivia night: 7 pm, teams of up to 6, free to play, happy-hour food and beverage specials. Hosted by Geeks Who Drink. (6459 California SW)
MORE TRIVIA: Three other places to 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 see 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!
In Maui, last week’s catastrophic fires are now known to have taken at least 99 lives and done at least $6 billion in damage. People around the world are reaching out to help, including here in West Seattle, where we have updates and reminders:
FLEURT FUNDRAISING AUCTION: The Junction boutique at 4536 California SW is having an auction, Fleurt’s Keonii tells us:
Join us in supporting Maui’s recovery. We will be hosting an auction this Thursday 8/17 to Sunday 8/20 for a stunning 10″ Bird of Paradise and Pikake Jasmine candle. The highest bid contributes 100% to the Maui Humane Society’s vital work. Available for delivery in West Seattle or pick up at the shop.
They’re taking bids on social media, but you can also participate in other ways: “People can also come into the shop, email, or call with their best and final bid because people on social media will keep upping their bid price. We will collect their name, contact info and their best/final bid.” Fleurt’s hours and contact info are at fleurtcollective.com.
‘MUSUBI FOR MAUI’ TOTAL: Last weekend’s fundraiser at Marination Ma Kai and its sibling restaurants was a big success, with the help of a match from a West Seattle family:
We went into the weekend with a goal of raising $20,000 in two days. We didn’t hit that goal but instead we exceeded it due to the incredible outpouring of support from all of you and the amazing generosity of the Arakawa family.
Total Musubi Sold: 2930
Cash Received: $1,439
Arakawa Family Match: $15,000
TOTAL RAISED: $30,356.50
Continuing local fundraisers, from our previous roundup:
GRILLBIRD: The teriyaki restaurant (35th/Morgan) is inviting customers to “round up” their tabs so the extra can be donated to Maui relief – through the end of August.
ALAIR/DYLAN: The South Admiral shop (3270 California SW) will send you a 10 percent discount code if you message them with word you’ve donated to Maui fire relief.
ARTIST FUNDRAISER: West Seattle artist Eileen Jiminez is donating proceeds from sales at MaeseArt “to mutual aid efforts in Maui and to directly impacted native Hawaiians.”
ROTARY DONATION FUND: There are many options for donating money rather than goods. Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Brian Waid invites support for “the Hawaiian Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund managed by Rotarians in Hawaii at www.rotaryd5000.org; the Rotarians do not charge anything for administering the funds and do not siphon off a percentage for a national organization.”
CHURCH DONATION FUND: West Seattle has three UCC churches and one parishioner has pointed out the denomination is supporting this fund.
OTHER MONETARY DONATION OPTIONS: The State of Hawai’i has an official information page about the fire aftermath, and it includes these two links:
Maui Strong Fund
Hawai’i Red Cross
Any other local (West Seattle/White Center) ways to help, please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com so we can add to this list – thank you!
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, August 15th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The National Weather Service‘s heat alert remains in effect until late Wednesday night. Today’s forecast: Sunny, high in the upper 80s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:05 am; sunset will be at 8:22 pm.
VICE PRESIDENT’S VISIT
Vice President Kamala Harris visits Seattle for a few hours today. Her published schedule starts with 11:10 am arrival at Boeing Field, from which she heads to McKinstry in Georgetown for a noon speech; after that, it’s off to a campaign fundraiser (unannounced location), and her departure from Boeing Field is expected just after 3:30 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – regular schedule – check here for advisories.
Water Taxi – regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service. Check Vessel Watch to see where the boats are.
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 cam:
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!
From an Arroyos resident:
I live in the Arroyos neighborhood and last week we had a truck following a UPS truck in our neighborhood and stealing packages from porches in broad daylight. We have a neighborhood Whatsapp and a couple neighbors reported it, one neighbor caught the theft completely on video through Ring. Another sent a picture they took driving up our hill.
(Screengrab from video)
The truck is a Ford F-250 or F-350, white w/ 4 doors, and has a black “landscaping” gate around back. The truck is pretty unique, and no plates (of course). (Saturday) night my family was returning home around 10:45 pm from a long day out and we came up right behind the truck. We drove past the truck and I snapped another picture for a better close-up and the guy saw me do it, so he ran us down in his truck and almost hit us and then tried to run us off the road. He pulled up next to the passenger side with a face mask on and was yelling at us about taking his picture and he was taking a video of us. Fortunately he didn’t actually do any damage and we got away and home safely, but needless to say it shook us up and he clearly didn’t like being “seen.” … The driver was definitely the man in the earlier pictures. I got a better picture of the unique mud flaps on his vehicle, which my husband tracked down to a Foxboro, Mass Ford dealership called Rodman Ford (logo looks like a lion). The truck and the mud flaps are pretty distinct, not to mention no plates.
This happened so far south in The Arroyos that they’re working with the King County Sheriff’s Office on the case, the sender said. If you have information, KCSO’s non-emergency line is 206-296-3311.
8:01 PM TUESDAY: Thanks to Alki Resident for mentioning in comments that KCSO has announced Robin’s been found.
EARLIER:
5:48 PM: Tomorrow, King County Elections certifies results of the August 1st primary. The two candidates advancing to the November 7th general in the Seattle City Council District 1 race will be Maren Costa and Rob Saka. Just out of the WSB inbox, five of the six candidates who aren’t advancing have sent an “open letter” saying they all are endorsing Costa:
An Open Letter to Seattle’s District One Residents,
We, the undersigned, Seattle City Council District One candidates, proud residents of West Seattle, passionate believers in the future of our great city, hereby endorse our one-time opponent Maren Costa to be the next Seattle City Council member representing District One.
We endorse Maren for the same reason we sought the office; we love Seattle and we want to see it thrive.
Over these intense past five months of campaigning, Maren has shown herself to be a serious, caring, quick study. Her growth on the campaign trail was evident to all of us. She found her voice in the truest sense. She learned how to be real in public, and we can attest, that is no small feat. At every forum, debate or community event, Maren was there – showing up with authenticity, humor and self-effacing charm. What you see is what you get; no “consultancy speak” – just Maren.
She has experience fighting for justice and a better world. She has management skills and a healthy dollop of guile gleaned in the cutthroat grind of high tech. She has the persistence and patience of a parent and a partner.
This group endorsement is more notable because some of us have non-trivial policy differences with Maren on some of the issues that dominated this campaign season. But, in spite of those differences, we believe Maren’s openness, transparency and candor make her more likely than her general election opponent to be a successful collaborator on the Seattle City Council.
Onward,
Phillip Tavel
Administrative Law JudgePreston Anderson
LICSW, MPAStephen Brown
President, Eltana BagelsLucy Barefoot
Outreach Specialist, Office of the Secretary of State of WashingtonMia Jacobson
Longshoreman
We received the letter from Tavel, who says he is the group’s spokesperson (and we’re asking him a few followup questions). The only primary candidate not on the list is Jean Iannelli Craciun.
8:46 PM: First a note – we’ve corrected Tavel’s profession and first-name spelling, which were erroneous in what was originally sent to us. Meantime, we asked Tavel for a little more on how the group endorsement came about; he said he, Anderson, and Brown were talking post-election and agreed that they felt “District 1 would be in considerably better hands with Maren”; they invited the others to join them, including Craciun, who did not sign the letter, Tavel says, because “she had already endorsed Maren and… was the first to do so.” (Costa also says Craciun had previously endorsed her.) Meantime, Saka’s campaign has sent a news release reacting to the group endorsement, saying he “expressed his deep shock and dismay with the decision of his former opponents to endorse Costa, a move he believes contradicts the spirit of change and progress that their campaigns initially advocated for” and quoting him as calling the group endorsement a “political stunt.” … (added) Costa, meantime, told us when we asked for comment on the group endorsement, “I was quite surprised and thankful for my fellow candidates’ support. We all got to know each other quite well on the campaign trail. Good group.”
5:10 PM: A texter sent that photo as several other readers were asking if we knew anything about that dark smoke from downtown. It’s a fire response logged to Fairview and Mercer, in the South Lake Union area, just re-coded on the 911 log to “encampment fire.” Firefighters are still working to extinguish it, according to radio exchanges.
6:06 PM: SFD says the fire is under control and that no one was hurt.
ADDED TUESDAY: Regional media has long since picked up on this – our initial basic item was published because they were slow on the uptake and we were getting lots of questions. But for the record, here’s the SPD report summary posted today:
At 1654 hours, officers responded to assist SFD with a fire that occurred in an encampment located near Minor Ave N / Mercer St. The encampment was in a vacant lot near an apartment building. SFD put the fire out before it could damage the apartment building. No one was in the encampment during the fire and the only losses were tent structures and personal property inside the encampment and plant life. Witnesses described a suspect who may have started the fire. Officers located that suspect in the area. The suspect provided information indicating that he lived in the encampment and accidentally started the fire. The suspect was taken into custody for Reckless Burning 1st degree.
Sent by Susan:
Was stolen overnight in Gatewood. Ford F-350 white King Ranch special Edition truck. W (University of Washington) sticker on back canopy window and also on trailer hitch. License plate B67087N, SPD incident # 23-232975.
Just announced by SDOT: The city is adding three new traffic-enforcement cameras, and one of them will be for bus-lane violations on the West Seattle Bridge (the other two will be downtown block-the-box cameras). From the announcement:
… The new cameras will allow the city to collect a larger data set for a more robust analysis of the impact and effectiveness of these types of automated enforcement programs. The city expects to install the cameras at the three identified locations at the beginning of September. There will be a 30-day warning period to ensure the public has adequate notice to learn the rules of the road. … The locations were selected due to the large volume of pedestrians present combined with a high rate of observed violations by drivers.
This is part of a “pilot program” resulting from legislative authorization of more uses for automated enforcement cameras. Separate from the one-month grace period, the city says, first-time violators will get a warning letter, and $75 tickets after that. Where does the money go? The announcement notes:
Under state law, half of the net revenue from the traffic cameras will go to a Washington Traffic Safety Commission fund for bicycle and pedestrian safety projects, and the other half of the net revenue must be used to build safety and mobility improvements for people with disabilities in Seattle. SDOT plans to invest this in building more accessible walk signals which vibrate and make a noise to let people with limited vision or hearing know when it is safe to cross the street.
As with other automated enforcement cameras – like school-zone speeding and red-light running – the announcement notes, “To protect privacy, the cameras will only record vehicle license plates and not the people inside the car. The photos are only intended to be used for enforcing the bus lane and blocking the box laws, and are not intended for other law enforcement action.”
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