West Seattle, Washington
29 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Less than five weeks remain until King County Elections mails ballots for this fall’s general election.
This time, top of the ticket for West Seattle and vicinity is electing a new City Council District 1 representative. Lisa Herbold has held the job for the eight years since the city started electing seven of the nine councilmembers by district, and she decided not to run for a third term. After an eight-candidate primary, two finalists remain in the running to succeed her: Maren Costa, who received 33 percent of the August vote, and Rob Saka, who got 24 percent.
Before the primary, we sat down with them and four other candidates for half-hour interviews, recorded on video. With the election approaching, and in advance of an intense schedule of forums and debates – including one we’re presenting on September 25th – we asked them to talk with us again. We recorded each conversation at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Costa talked with us this past Monday, September 11th. The main topic for both conversations was public safety, so that’s where we began:
If you can’t or don’t want to watch the video, here’s how the interview went:
3-0 was doubly meaningful for Chief Sealth International High School‘s football team tonight. That’s the score by which they defeated Franklin at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex – and that’s their record so far. The three points came on a field goal in the final second of the first half by #26, sophomore kicker Ogi Petronijevic (above). Otherwise, it was mostly a defensive contest – one busy tackler was #11, junior Xavier Nguyen:
During the offensive attempts, #3, senior Jeylen Pham-Alejaga, did a lot of carrying:
Another highlight of the night – the Chief Sealth cheerleaders were joined by younger protegés from their fundraising cheer camp earlier this week:
Next up for head football coach Daron Camacho and the Seahawks, the annual Huling Bowl game against West Seattle High School – that’s next Friday night, September 22nd, 7 pm, at NCSWAC (2801 SW Thistle).
That photo shared by RG in a comment shows what just discovered after going over to 16th/Holden to check – Chef Korea Miso, the new restaurant in the old Wanna Burger/Teriyaki spot, has pushed back their opening a bit. It was supposed to be today; now the sign on the door says they’ll open next Wednesday (September 20th). They told us last month the menu will be “K-food.”
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 20: We just went over; they’re not ready to open yet. They tell us they’re waiting on deliveries of the ingredients needed for their dishes. Could be tomorrow, or Friday …
Thinking about weekend brunch?
SKYLARK BRINGS BACK BRUNCH: The restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue at 3803 Delridge Way SW is bringing back brunch starting this weekend:
It’s been a long time coming, but we are finally ready to start slinging eggs and pouring those mimosas again!
Starting this Saturday and Sunday, 10:00-3:00, we’ll be offering our house-smoked meats, house made gravy and hollandaise, breakfast tacos, Benedicts, Smoked Bloody Marys, 7 Roasters Coffee, breakfast cocktails, Macrina Bakery Bread and plenty more, all made with the love that you’ve come to expect from us!
We’ll also have the SEAHAWKS on the BIG SCREEN this Sunday. Plus there’s gluten-free and veggie options, as well as something for the kiddos!
It’s sort of a soft re-launch, according to the Skylark announcement: “We’ll have a whole new staff for this so please be patient and feel free to share your feedback. We will be limiting modifications for the first few weeks as well as not doing online ordering while our crew gets things dialed in, but will always do our best to accommodate our guests’ needs.”
CIRCA SKIPS SATURDAY: No Saturday brunch at Circa in The Admiral District tomorrow because, co-proprietor Gretchen tells us, Team Circa is running in the Orca Half half-marathon – and afterward, they’ll have a staff party. But Circa WILL reopen for Saturday dinner.
Two toplines from this week’s monthly meeting of the Fauntleroy Community Association: The organization is getting ready to launch its periodic community survey. Homes and businesses in the “greater Fauntleroy area” will get postcards inviting them to answer the survey online. Questions will include opinions of the Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement (as reported here last month, the timeline for that project has now moved back) and assessment of community awareness of FCA projects and events. … Speaking of which, one update: FCA’s annual community pumpkin hunt is set for October 21st, 1-3 pm. About 200 pumpkins will be hidden in the general Endolyne business district area, and some gifts will be up for grabs, including a glass pumpkin from Avalon Glassworks. … The FCA board meets second Tuesdays most months, 7 pm, at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse; watch fauntleroy.net for updates between meetings.
(WSB photo, Thursday evening)
12:22 PM: Thanks for the tip! The residents’ group that’s been long campaigning for changes on Harbor and Alki Avenues is getting another of their requests granted: SDOT has started installing “No Parking 11 pm-5 am” signs on Harbor. The request was reiterated at a community meeting with city officials back in June (WSB coverage here), and one of the group leaders, Mike Gain, says he’s been in continuous contact with the city in the ensuing months. According to his correspondence with SDOT, the department sent notices of the impending sign installation to 500 residential/business addresses “along the Harbor Avenue SW corridor” in late August. Gain says SDOT plans to put up the signs in four “segments” and what’s up now, toward the southern end of Harbor, is just the start. He says, “Hopefully this will eliminate the overnight parking of the RV’s, trailers, and vehicles that have been parked and lined up on Harbor Avenue for years.” (Last time we checked, just a few remained.) We have an inquiry out to SDOT to find out more about the signage plan, including locations – in his collaboration with the city, Gain had recommend the signs be “strategically placed.” We’ll add whatever we hear back.
8:18 PM: Here’s the postcard SDOT says it sent to nearby addresses. It says the restrictions won’t affect areas adjacent to commercial/residential properties but does not specify exactly where that’s referring to.
Just texted by Kersti Muul: “We’ve got transients coming at a good clip from West Point, Seattle side, southbound. The 65As.” Let us know if you see them!
Thanks to Shannon for the photo – and to John for the first word via a comment with a screengrab of the ferry-dock camera! That was NOT “our” troll being trucked out of West Seattle this morning – it was the future Ballard troll, after arriving via ferry from Vashon Island. It will be placed at the National Nordic Museum for an unveiling on Monday – the last of the six trolls that artist Thomas Dambo is placing around the Northwest.
(Thursday morning fog bank, photographed by James Bratsanos)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Free drop-in indoor gym for kids 5 and under and their caregivers, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
JAPANESE STORY TIME: Sayoko invites you to High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 10:30 am.
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FOOTBALL: High-school season continues, with one local team playing a home game – Chief Sealth IHS vs. Franklin at 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). At West Seattle Stadium, Seattle Prep plays Garfield at 7 pm.
FLUTES IN THE FOREST: Free classical-music concert in Schmitz Park (enter at Admiral Way/Stevens), 5 pm.
OPEN MIC: Monthly event at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), signups at 6, music at 6:30.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Art Frankel at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.
LIVE IN-STORE AT EASY STREET: Keith Lowe at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm.
‘MATT & BEN’: Second weekend for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Emerald City Kings Ball drag event, doors 7 pm, show 8 pm at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
West Seattle High School‘s care coordinator Stacey Fernandez asked us to share this with you:
I serve students and families that are in need of basic needs resources, and over the years the number has drastically increased. This week, I have officially kicked off the first food drive of the year. All food and hygiene products collected will benefit WSHS students. The food drive will go on until September 29th. Food items could be dropped off at the front office, Monday – Friday 8 am – 4 pm. I will hold two after school collection times where I will be accepting donations at the school’s historical entrance (the entrance that directly faces Hiawatha). The dates for the after-school collections are: Tuesday, September 19, 4 pm – 6 pm, and Tuesday, September 26, 4 pm – 6 pm.
Here’s the list of most-needed items.
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, September 15th.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the mid-70s. Sunrise today is at 6:46 am; sunset, 7:21 pm.
(Thursday’s sunset, photographed by Brooke Gosztola)
WEEKEND ALERTS
–Junction paving: The work that started last weekend on eastbound SW Alaska between 44th and California continues this weekend. Here’s the alert:
SDOT will replace several damaged concrete panels at this location.
o Work will occur Sat. and Sun. 8 am – 6 pm. Parking restrictions & lane closures will be in place 8 am Sat. – 7 am Mon. to allow the concrete to cure.
The two eastbound lanes of this block will be closed from 8 am Sat. Sept. 16th to 7 am Mon. Sept. 18th .
o The westbound lanes of this block will remain open at all times.
Parking will be restricted from 8 am Sat. Sept. 16th to 7 am Mon. Sept. 18th .
o “No Parking” signs will be placed on the west side of California Ave SW
from the intersection of SW Alaska St to ArtsWest.
o “No Parking” signs will be placed on 44th Ave SW between SW Oregon St and SW Alaska St.
Sidewalks will remain open at all times.
–Orca Half: This half-marathon from Lincoln Park to Don Armeni starts at 7:30 am Saturday. No road closures.
–Fiestas Patrias parade: Parts of major South Park streets South Cloverdale and 14th Avenue South will be blocked for this parade 11 am-12:30 pm Saturday.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also 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/X 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!
Last month, thanks to a reader tip, we reported on Seattle Parks‘ plan to add pickleball stripes to three of Solstice Park‘s six tennis courts as part of resurfacing work. That didn’t go over well with tennis players. Now, Parks has changed its mind, sending this update late today (thanks to the readers who forwarded it to us):
We greatly appreciate the robust feedback received about dual striping at the Solstice Park tennis courts.
The department is pleased to announce the creation of a dedicated pickleball court at Lincoln Park, keeping the Solstice Park tennis courts intact as a dedicated tennis site with no dual striping.
In the department’s 2021-2022 Outdoor Pickleball plan, Lincoln Park had been considered for a dedicated pickleball site, but lacked sufficient funding, opening the dual-stripe proposal at Solstice. However, thanks to recent funding allocations, SPR can now create a dedicated pickleball court at Lincoln without alterations to the Solstice courts, which will allow opportunities for tennis and pickleball to occur at their respective sites.
We will make every effort to post updated information about the Lincoln Park pickleball project on this project page so that you may follow the project’s progress.
There’s nothing there yet, though, and no details of a specific location – we’ll ask Parks about that tomorrow.
If you run a business, your fellow entrepreneurs at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor) have two chances ahead this month for you to get helpful info during free presentations/workshops.
SEPTEMBER 22: At noon Friday, September 22nd, West Seattle Coworking is hosting “a presentation from master librarian Jay Lyman on the vast collection of business tools available for free to Seattle Public Library patrons. Typically, many sophisticated business softwares require the purchase of expensive licenses if you access them privately. The library pays these licenses so you don’t have to. To learn which tools are available, and discuss some applications for your business’ needs, reserve one of the remaining seats here.
SEPTEMBRER 26: At noon Tuesday, September 26th, at WS Coworking, “a more interactive workshop on common-sense marketing. Choosing what marketing works for your business needs and where your time and resources are better spent can be a daunting task by itself. Join Barney Cohen (a fellow coworker and successful entrepreneur) in this interactive workshop. Bring your questions as well.” You can register here. https://westseattlecoworking.zohobackstage.com/CommonSenseApproachtoSmallBusinessMarketing
Beautiful night to go out and enjoy art, food, and drinks! The West Seattle Art Walk is on – venues, artists, and food and drink specials are all listed here. Our first stop:
Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is hosting the work of artist Jenna Brechbeil, “showcasing a new collection of modern watercolor paintings on wood panel.” Viscon Cellars also offers a wine special for Art Walk night – tasting fees waived.
ADDED 6:12 PM: We just stopped at Doll Parts Collective (4832 California SW) and met 14-year-old crocheter Violet McKernan.
Here’s some of her work:
Violet, a Chief Sealth International High School student, just started crocheting around Thanksgiving last year and discovered she was good at it and loved doing it. If you don’t get to Doll Parts tonight, Violet’s work will be on sale there all month!
ADDED 6:33 PM: We went to The Admiral District to visit West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor), where artist Jan Brown is showing her work tonight:
She told us she has paintings in multiple genres – including work inspired during the pandemic, when people asked her for paintings they could use as backdrops during Zoom meetings! West Seattle Realty has snacks, too, if you stop by tonight.
7:04 PM: Tonight’s two Art of Music performances are still under way – we went to CAPERS (4525 California SW), where you’ll find Guitar Gil:
He’s there, and Trevor Ras is at Welcome Road Winery (California/Charlestown), until 7:45 pm.
7:44 PM: Our last stop, Verity Credit Union, where the passing of the Art Walk leadership torch continues:
Last night when we introduced you to new Art Walk director Mia Manzulli (above left), we noted that she and outgoing longtime Art Walk leader Reeve Washburn (above right)would be hanging out tonight to talk with any and all community members who came by. And many did!
“Every mom is an athlete.” That’s the premise driving West Seattleites Jess Fleming and Karlie Causey as they release a line of “high-impact nursing & pumping sports bras” via Kickstarter, for their company Jen & Keri (which already sells other items). They explain:
Unlike traditional nursing sports bras with fasteners like clips, zippers, or velcro, Jen & Keri’s approach stands out in the world of postpartum attire with a unique focus on activewear designed specifically for the needs of moms, not just their babies.
Their design not only improves the ease of nursing & pumping pre or post activity, but also significantly improves upon the daily quality of life for active moms. … This new style of bra looks and functions like a traditional sports bra, but with the full functionality of a nursing bra. By taking an athlete-first approach in their design, this new nursing bra empowers new moms to tap into their sense of self and move with confidence during this transitional phase of life. … Jen & Keri’s bras are purpose-built to support athletic movements with novel bounce-reducing designs that provide compression without constriction, while still offering amazing breathability.
Their wide straps and waistband target maximum support for all of life’s movements, and their buttery-smooth fabric is perfect for sensitive skin. Above all else, Jen & Keri’s bras are built without any cumbersome clips, zippers, or velco, ensuring moms never have to sacrifice form over function, and enabling them to be worn long after infancy.
The founders are both former college athletes; Causey is a chiropractor and Fleming is a strength coach. They say they’re also concerned about sustainability, so their bras are made with “recycled, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 fabric.” If you scroll down their Kickstarter page, you’ll see details of how the new bras work, what colors and sizes they’re available in, and more. (That’s also where you can support their crowdfunding campaign – the only way to get this specific line of bras right now.)
More opportunities to see and hear Seattle City Council District 1 candidates Maren Costa and Rob Saka before ballots arrive in mid-October:
FRIDAY AND BEYOND: We mentioned earlier this week that we have recorded new half-hour individual interviews with the candidates. We plan to publish them, with video and with written summaries, tomorrow (Friday) night, realizing that many may not have time until the weekend to watch half-hour interviews. Public safety was the major topic.
MONDAY: Morgan Community Association is part of a coalition sponsoring Seattle Fair Growth‘s forum for candidates from all districts, online Monday night (September 18th). The announcement says, “The questions will concern density, affordable housing, our tree canopy and how they fit in our Comprehensive Plan.” District 1, 2, 3, and 7 candidates will be questioned starting at 7 pm. The viewing link and other details can be found here.
SEPTEMBER 25: We’ll be presenting a West Seattle-focused in-person forum at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) the night of Monday, September 25th. (Start time TBA – we’ll have logistics finalized shortly.) We’ll solicit questions from readers in the preceding week.
OCTOBER 3: Seattle CityClub and GSBA will present a District 1 debate in the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm on Tuesday, October 5, in-person and livestreamed. More info here, as well as a registration link which the sponsors say offers a chance to suggest a question.
OCTOBER 5: The Harbor-Alki Neighbors’ Group has announced an in-person “town hall Q&A” with the candidates at 7 pm Thursday, October 5th. The venue will be Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill).
If your organization is presenting an event with both candidates, open to the community and/or viewable via livestream, please let us know so we can add it to the list – thank you!
Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:
TROLL VANDALIZED: Thanks for the tips, and to Tom Trulin for the photo. 20 days after the completion of Bruun Idun the troll sculpture in Lincoln Park, someone has vandalized her with spray paint. Per our policy, we are not showing it in its entirety; basically it’s black spray paint in an outline of shorts. The sculpture was privately funded, built with the help of local volunteers as well as artist Thomas Dambo and his crew, but it’s on Seattle Parks land, so we asked about their vandalism-response plan for the troll, and just got this response: “We’ll be cleaning off graffiti today. And we plan to address any [other] vandalism as it comes.” 3:47 PM: Tom just sent a new photo – the troll’s been cleaned:
CARS VANDALIZED IN SCHOOL LOT: Reported by Erin:
My daughter’s car and two others were vandalized at the West Seattle High School parking lot last night. Sometime between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m. The girls’ volleyball team was at an away game and when they came back there were three cars that had windows broken out and windshields vandalized. All three cars were different makes and models and were not parked next to each other. Ours was a Hyundai but had The Club – thanks to the Seattle Police – so at least it didn’t get stolen! We’ve all filed police reports and are checking to see if there is video footage (from the school).
(WSB photo, this morning)
11:54 AM: Earlier this week, we wrote about the longrunning leak that’s left the street chronically wet at California/Edmunds, and Seattle Public Utilities‘ response suggesting our inquiry was the first they’d heard of it. Multiple readers, however, said they’d reported it to the city weeks and months ago. While we awaited a response to our followup inquiry, another commenter pointed out that no-parking signs were placed nearby for work tonight – and today, SPU’s Sabrina Register confirms that:
Thank you for bringing this leak to our attention, and to the customers who reported it to our Operations Response Center (ORC: 206-386-1800), the best route to report flooding and ponding issues and sewer backups. Our crews respond to roughly 800-1,000 potential water leaks alone in any given year, so we appreciate customers helping us find leaks across the City.
The ORC did receive reports of this leak, and we apologize to those customers who felt like their reports were ignored. With the exception of significant, emergency repairs, we perform the work in a more planned and coordinated manner, which can take some time to get the required permits and approvals.
The leak is scheduled to be repaired this evening (September 14), pending coordination with affected businesses in the vicinity. On these types of planned repairs, we work with local businesses in advance because their water service is often shut off for a temporary, multi-hour period, and we can sometimes get the work done in the off-hours or middle of the night to limit those impacts.
So if you see SPU crews at work there tonight, that’s what’s going on. (So far, the SPU water map – which has a list of emergency and scheduled outages – does not include this work.)
ADDED THURSDAY EVENING: While we were in The Junction for the West Seattle Art Walk, we noted the work had begun:
The northbound lanes were blocked but two-way traffic was continuing via a temporary repurposing of a southbound lane.
The monthly West Seattle Art Walk, featuring two Art of Music mini-concerts, tops the Thursday list. Here’s the venue map/list for this month:
To see which artists are featured, and who’s having receptions, go here. Hours vary by venue but generally start as early as 5 pm and continue as late as 9 pm. … As noted in our story last night, new Art Walk director Mia Manzulli and outgoing coordinator Reeve Washburn will be at Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW) 5-8 pm for a meet-and-greet … The Art of Music features Trevor Ras at Welcome Road Winery (California/Charlestown) and Guitar Gil at CAPERS, both performing 6-7:45 pm – details here.
Here’s what else is happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HISPANIC PRIDE MONTH: Observe it with a special presentation, “The Art of Rebellion: Social Justice and Chicana/Chicano Visual Arts,” featuring West Seattle artist and gallery owner Jake Prendez at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 11 am. Free admission.
DROP-IN ASSISTANCE: Neighborhood House has resources to help with a variety of things – noon-1:30 pm today, drop in to talk about utilities. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to find out where they’re playing today.
SOCCER: One high-school girls’ soccer home game today, at 4 pm – West Seattle HS hosts Lincoln at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle).
THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Impeckable Chicken will be visiting.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run!
EXTRA WATER TAXI RUNS: If you’re going to see Beyoncé at Lumen Field – travel by water!
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at The Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.
WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society presents Richard Middleton-Kaplan talking online about human-rights activism, 6 pm. Our calendar listing has the registration link.
BLUES NIGHT: 7 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
THURSDAY NIGHT CORNHOLE: Go play at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm.
OPEN MIC: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all genres welcome.
‘MATT & BEN’: Week 2 begins at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.
Look ahead any time with our calendar!
Starting Friday, there’s a new place for little ones and caregivers to play indoors – Arbor Heights Community Church is reopening its “Stay ‘n’ Play” indoor gym for ages 5 and under. It’ll be open for drop-ins (but not dropoffs) 10 am to 11:30 am on Fridays. The area is set up with toys and indoor play equipment, and there’s no charge. The church is at 4113 SW 102nd.
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, September 14th.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly sunny, high in the low 70s. Sunrise today is at 6:45 am; sunset, 7:23 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Water Taxi – Extra West Seattle/downtown runs tonight because of Beyoncé‘s concert – as announced here – otherwise, regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also 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/X 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!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Back in May, the call went out for a new West Seattle Art Walk director, to transform the year-round, peninsula-wide event – from a volunteer-powered WS Junction Association side project into a standalone nonprofit.
Now, the new director is in place: Mia Manzulli. And you can meet her during the September Art Walk tomorrow night. In advance of that, we sat down with her to talk about what’s ahead.
The West Seattle Art Walk dates back at least 17 years – we found a mention of “revived” art walks organized by Junction businesses in fall 2006. The basic current premise is simple – businesses stay open late on the second Thursday evening each month, hosting an art display, often with the artist there to talk with visitors. The Art Walk is enhanced by participating food/beverage venues offering specials that night. Participating venues sign up quarterly.
The longtime West Seattle Art Walk coordinator is Reeve Washburn, who will join Mia at Thursday night’s meet-and-greet. They’re working together until September 30th, and then Mia goes solo.
She’s an East Coast native who’s lived in West Seattle for a year, moving here with her husband because of his job. They have family on the West Coast and have settled in comfortably. “It feels like we’re finally home!”
Her background is in teaching, writing, and editing, but she has art chops, working as an art coordinator at schools, working with visual-arts programs. Having enjoyed that kind of work, she thought the Art Walk role “looked really interesting.” It’s an opportunity to not only make that transition into a nonprofit organization happen, but also potentially to fold in other events under the same umbrella, for example, the West Seattle Art Hop.
During their transition work together, Mia and Reeve have met with other Art Walk organizers around the city, and she says that was enlightening in an unexpected way – they learned that the West Seattle Art Walk already has more organizational strengths, such as the “library” of artists that businesses can contact as potential exhibitors, rather than constantly launching their own searches. That also results in an array of potential poster art from which to choose each quarter. “Other art walks don’t have that.” And the West Seattle Art Walk doesn’t have to scrounge for participants – businesses often reach out to them, expressing interest in being part of it. “That says a lot about the community here,” Mia observed. “So many artists here, so much potential.”
What’s she going to tackle first, on the path to Art Walk transformation and growth? “Signage and wayfinding – people don’t necessarily know who’s where, or even that the Art Walk is happening.” So consistent signage for participating venues will be a step toward that. Rethinking the Art Walk map will be another step. Right now there are paper maps printed well in advance, not reflecting last-minute changes. “We’ve got to think about the map as an app – get it to be more useful, interactive, tech-savvy.” A bit of website streamlining is likely, too.
Going back to her roots in education, she would like to see more youth involvement in the Art Walk, from student exhibitors to improved connections with schools. She welcomes new volunteers, too – roles include photography and neighborhood coordination. (By the way, as noted when recruiting began, her job is a volunteer position for starters, too.)
And she would love to hear your ideas. Thursday night’s meet-and-greet is one opportunity – you’ll find Mia and Reeve at Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW) 5 pm-8 pm. If you can’t catch up with them then, you can email Mia with your thoughts, volunteering inquiries, etc. – mia@wsartwalk.org.
Most importantly – she hopes you’ll just get out on Art Walk night and explore! The new director says the Art Walk’s value is in supporting artists and getting people into local businesses, “making supporting businesses part of your daily experience.”
The fall quarter starts in two weeks at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), and SSC has an acting president in place. Here’s the announcement we received today:
Dr. Sayumi Irey, an educational leader committed to antiracist and sustainable educational transformation with over 25 years of experience, became South Seattle College’s acting president on Sept. 1, 2023 and will serve in this role during the 2023-2024 academic year. Dr. Irey was named to the position by Seattle Colleges Chancellor Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, and steps into the role after the retirement of Dr. Jean Hernandez, who served as interim president at South during the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I believe that Dr. Irey is the best fit to ensure leadership stability through this coming year,” Dr. Rimando-Chareunsap said. “She brings to the role deep knowledge of the priorities and directions in which South Seattle College is already actively engaged.”
A national search for South Seattle College’s next permanent president will start this fall.
Prior to becoming acting president, Dr. Irey served as vice president of instruction at South Seattle College since 2019. She has also been a longtime equity and social justice leader in our state, having founded the statewide Social Justice Leadership Institute (SJLI), a non-traditional leadership program to train historically marginalized staff and faculty of color in Washington State to succeed in leadership roles. Under Dr. Irey’s continued leadership, over 200 staff and faculty have taken part in SJLI from across the state’s community and technical college system.
Dr. Irey started her higher education as a student in the Washington state community and technical college system, and holds a master’s degree in Library & Information Science and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership & Policy from the University of Washington.
“As a first-generation TRIO student, I started my community college experience in Washington State,” Dr. Irey said. “As a student, I met faculty members who changed my life in many positive ways and met staff members who were kind, caring, and supportive. I see that vital mission carried on today at South Seattle College, and I continue to be proud of our staff and faculty members and grateful for the care they show to our students, community and each other. I know our work changes people’s lives.”
South Seattle College is headquartered on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge at 6000 16th SW.
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