(Added: Photo sent by Shawn)

9:35 PM: There’s one heck of a fireworks show under way – according to the peek we could get from the end of our street, looks like it’s off south Bainbridge Island. Trying to find out whose!

9:44 PM: On Twitter/X, @westseawx unearthed an announcement from the Bainbridge Island Fire Department that there would be a “private fireworks show” tonight.

(Added: Photo by John Skerratt)

9:54 PM: The BIFD announcement said it would be “south of” the island and out of their jurisdiction, but within the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction.

10:05 PM: The BIFD announcement, and a KUOW story some have linked in comments, note that there was a similar show on the corresponding third Saturday night in September last year. We just checked our archives and it got only a fleeting mention because at that moment on that night (9/17/22) the West Seattle Bridge had just reopened.

10:23 PM: The dogs in our neighborhood are still barking. … We checked the latest Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, but it gave no hint of fireworks – the notation was just “Private Party, 2130-2200, IVO (in vicinity of) Blake Island.”

11:10 PM: For comparison, 10 years ago there was a private fireworks show off a barge off Beach Drive. The local company producing the celebration that included the show circulated an alert three weeks ahead of time.

SUNDAY EVENING: The Seattle Times identifies the fireworks company involved, and the various goverment agencies nominally involved, but still no enlightenment as to who the show was for and why.

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SUNDAY: Walk potential light-rail route with supports of ‘no-build alternative’

September 16, 2023 7:54 pm

| 87 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Tomorrow’s the day that advocates of the “no-build alternative” lead a walk along much of the potential West Seattle light-rail route. Organizers, now under the banner Rethink the Link, have an update on what they plan to discuss. As laid out here:

-You will pass businesses likely to be demolished or affected adversely in some way.
-There will be explanations of the environmental impacts on Pigeon Point, the Duwamish Greenbelt, and Longfellow Creek.
-The Walk will pass where we THINK the route and Delridge Station will go. Walkers will be able to get an idea of the scale of the structure.
-You’ll cross Avalon Way and look back to see where the proposed route will weave its way through the various Transitional Resources buildings.
-At the top of the hill, you’ll see where the proposed route transitions from an elevated track, to tracks at grade, into a “retained cut.”
-You’ll also get a general idea of where the Avalon Station will be, if it remains part of the plan

Organizers say they have one change from the list of speakers mentioned here – Longfellow Creek will be discussed by Pamela Adams of BeaverInsights. Walk participants are meeting at 11 am tomorrow (Sunday, September 17th) at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW).

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TRAFFIC ALERT: West Seattle Junction collision

September 16, 2023 7:08 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:08 PM: SPD says northbound traffic on California at Edmunds/Erskine is being diverted because of a collision. It’s reported as a driver hitting a pedestrian, and the pedestrian will be taken to the hospital. Northbound traffic is being sent down Erskine.

7:50 PM: No further information so far. We’re checking with SFD for more information about the person taken to the hospital.

EARLY SUNDAY: We haven’t heard back from SFD yet, but meantime two commenters who report being there say the victim was a bike rider who was hit by a car door.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen taupe Civic; dumped items

September 16, 2023 4:54 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen taupe Civic; dumped items

| West Seattle news

Two reader reports this afternoon:

STOLEN CIVIC: The report is from Beau: “Taupe/beige 2000 Honda Civic, license plate BLN5706. Taken from the High Point neighborhood, at the corner of High Point Drive SW and Macarthur Lane.” We’ll add the police report # when we get it.

DUMPED ITEMS: From a reader who wanted to be anonymous:

Found on Frontenac near 42nd SW. Student supplies and personal items.

Yours? Let us know and we’ll connect you.

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ORCAS: Lone whale in the area

September 16, 2023 3:40 pm

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| West Seattle news | Whales

Kersti Muul reports: “One lone male orca (likely T65A5 heading to meet family) is southbound, outer edge of Elliott Bay, past Skiff Point, Bainbridge Island.” (That’s directly across from West Point on the north edge of the bay.)

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No meeting today with your School Board director – but three dates to remember

September 16, 2023 1:06 pm

| Comments Off on No meeting today with your School Board director – but three dates to remember

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Received from our area’s Seattle Public Schools director Leslie Harris:

HUGE apologies – SPS District 6 Community Meeting is cancelled due to unforeseen mistakes in scheduling.

Next meeting (w/ lasagna) is scheduled for the West Seattle Library, October 21, 2023 – 2 – 5 p.m.

Please make sure to attend the online Well Resourced Schools [online] meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26th from 5:30 – 7 p.m. and take the poll that allows narrative answers.

And tune in to the Board Work Session on the Budget on Weds. Sept. 20th, 4:30 – 6 p.m.

seattleschools.org – for sign-in information.

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WEEKEND SCENE: West Seattle Eco-Fair

September 16, 2023 11:02 am

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| Environment | West Seattle news

11:02 AM: As previewed here, the West Seattle Eco-Fair is happening today, presented by by the Care for Creation Ministry of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Holy Rosary Catholic parishes. We dropped by early for a look at some of what you’ll see – including information you can act on, like the plastic-avoidance display featured above, and RainWise (below):

This continues until 2 pm today.

It’s happening in the Walmesley Center at OLG, on the northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle.

2:04 PM: Wrapping up now. Thanks to Tony Fragada for sending this view from when the event was fully up and running:

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CONTINUING SUNDAY: Second-Time Sale at Fauntleroy Church

September 16, 2023 9:51 am

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| Fauntleroy | Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

How big is Fauntleroy Church‘s Second-Time Sale? So big that about two dozen people were waiting to get in when we arrived just before the doors opened at 9 am. So much stuff, the Fellowship Hall is brimming – even some items on the stage:

And more outside!

Here’s the overview from volunteer Judy Pickens: “Bargain-priced items range from towels to fine jewelry, books to cookware, and china to furniture, all clean, culled, and well-organized. Proceeds benefit the ministries of this active United Church of Christ congregation.” (That includes community projects like next Saturday’s Recycle Roundup!) The sale is on at 9131 California SW until 4 pm today, with an encore session 11:30 am-3 pm Sunday.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another dumped Hyundai

September 16, 2023 9:37 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Reported by Claudia:

Unfortunately, it looks like we found a stolen and dumped vehicle this morning at the intersection of SW Cloverdale St & 37th Ave SW. It’s a black Hyundai Sonata with a WA license plate #AEB1901. The driver’s door has a dent and was left open. The car also looks like it was rifled through with various pens and paper scattered throughout the car and spilling out. I’m guessing the car was likely dumped sometime late at night, 9/15, or early this morning, 9/16.

I reported it to the city as an abandoned vehicle … Whoever this car belongs to, I’m sorry this happened to you.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 25 notes!

September 16, 2023 6:16 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo – Gatewood sunflowers)
Welcome to the last Saturday of summer! Here’s what’s happening:

TRAFFIC ALERT: The paving project on eastbound SW Alaska between 44th and California will resume this morning, with that side of that block closed all weekend – that means some bus reroutes, too.

ORCA HALF: This half marathon between Lincoln Park and Don Armeni Boat Ramp will start, in waves, at 7:30 am. No road closures. For people coming from the other side of the bay, an extra early West Seattle Water Taxi run has been added from Pier 50 at 7:30 am.

FREE GROUP RUN: If you’d prefer to run a shorter distance, you can get your weekend off to a good start with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.

SECOND-TIME SALE: Fauntleroy Church‘s mega-sale starts today in the Fellowship Hall. Tables and tables and tables of curated, clean, lightly used items. 9 am-4 pm. (9140 California SW)

CRAFT SHOW: Local artists are selling their work at The Missing Piece (35th/Roxbury), 9 am-4 pm. Overflow parking at Summit Atlas, kitty-corner across the intersection.

MORE SALES: See local sale listings on the WSB Community Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales board.

TAKE A HIKE! Meet at the South Seattle College Arboretum (north end of 6000 16th SW campus) for a 9;30 am guided hike into the West Duwamish Greenbelt.

WEST SEATTLE ECO-FAIR: 10 am-2 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Walmesley Center (35th/Myrtle), meet reps of local groups that can help you figure out how to respond to the ecological emergency.

SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The weekly farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is open for shopping 10 am-2 pm, prioritizing vendors of color, presented by African Community Housing & Development.

ANNIVERSARY SALE: The Discovery Shop – West Seattle (4535 California SW), which raises money to fight cancer, is having a 25%-off sale today, 10 am-4 pm.

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn about Marco’s music here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

(added) BATMAN DAY: From Tails to Astonish (4850 California SW):

Today is Batman Day! And Tails to Astonish will be passing out free Batman comics for all ages. Plus, we are having a sale of 20% off all Batman back issues and toys. Come celebrate the caped crusader!

Open 11:30 am-7 pm.

FIESTAS PATRIAS PARADE: The parade celebrating Latin American cultures is back! 11 am in South Park, from 10th/Henderson east to 14th/Henderson, north to 14th/Cloverdale, west to 8th/Cloverdale, ending slightly north on 8th.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SATURDAY COOKOUTS: Highland Park Corner Store is grilling, 11 am-2 pm on Saturdays through the end of the month. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)

INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP ON THE RIVER: Noon-3 pm, bring your own boat and join in a Duwamish River cleanup. Meetup location and registration link are on this page.

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: See what’s new at the home of West Seattle’s history – visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 12-4 pm.

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

AT THE SKYLARK: Emerald City Kings Ball at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

‘MATT & BEN’: Second weekend for the season-opening play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.

AT KENYON HALL: Jack Williams performs at 7:30 pm. (7904 35th SW)

Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? Get it on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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About that line of lights in the sky

September 16, 2023 3:58 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

The photo is from Nick, one of several people who emailed/texted late Friday night about that sight in the sky. It was another Starlink sighting. SpaceX launched another 22 internet-service satellites from Cape Canaveral, Florida, just after 8:30 pm our time Friday, and that was the fourth Starlink launch this month. However, that’s not what we were seeing here, according to FindStarlink.com – this “satellite train” was from Starlink 104, launched a week ago.

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