West Seattle, Washington
29 Thursday
In a Labor Day tradition, a new American flag was raised today at Alki Masonic Lodge in The Junction. The VFW assisted – with the old flag, below, are state commander Traci K. Williams (Renton #1263) and Thomas Snead (Puyallup #2224):
The old flag will be kept at the lodge in honor of a former lodge master who passed away this year. Also at today’s ceremony were members of the youth group Rainbow Girls:
Rainbow Girl Malyia Williams gave a brief speech about what the flag stands for:
Lodge 152, which is at 40th/Edmunds, has a public event coming up later this month – Oktoberfest on September 23rd.
4:38 PM: Almost 3,300 customers are out of power as of moments ago in north West Seattle. We’re working to find out if this is related to police blocking off Avalon Way between Charlestown and Yancy, where SFD has an hour-old “wires down” call.
4:55 PM: We’re getting reports of restoration, at least for some. (added) The map shows it’s down to 483 homes/businesses.
5:07 PM: Those still out are close to the original “wires down” call on Avalon, where the southbound direction is about to reopen, while northbound remains closed. (added) SFD tells us at the scene that the “wires down” were the result of a pole fire; SCL is bringing in a new pole, so the northbound side of Avalon will likely remain closed at least a few hours.
(Reader photo – pole delivery)
8:03 PM: We went through the work zone (since uphill on Avalon, aka southbound, remains open), and the crews are still working with the new and replacement poles. Also note that the continuing outage has lights dark at the Avalon/Spokane/Harbor intersection, which means it’s an all-way stop.
(Reader photo from Melissa)
8:28 PM: Other lights on Avalon are affected too – commenter KD says 35th/Avalon is still out.
11:07 PM: Not restored yet.
1:30 AM: Still out, and public-safety personnel just told dispatch that the SCL crew told them it might take another two hours.
5:30 AM: Commenters report power was restored just after 2:30.
ADDED 1 PM TUESDAY: As promised, we asked SCL about the cause. The reply from spokesperson Jenn Strang: “The cause was the center wire came loose from its head pin. When it came down, it contacted the cross arm and started the fire. We received a report of a smoking wire from Seattle Fire and were responding prior to the outage occurring. Our operations staff was able to quickly reduce the outage down to the smaller number affected. The crew deemed it necessary to replace the entire pole.”
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Last week, we reported on the city’s release of the draft Seattle Transportation Plan – an outline of goals and actions laying out a potential path forward on how people will be getting around for the next 20 years, and what projects/policies/funding it would take to get there. The first big announcement was that the city wants your feedback. Now, three more notes:
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE BRIEFING: Tuesday (September 5th) at 9:30 am, the City Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee meeting will include a briefing on the draft plan, which eventually will require a council vote to be finalized. No vote is planned at this meeting, but there is a public-comment period at the beginning. The agenda explains how to comment and/or how to watch/attend, online or in person – and if you just want to graze the toplines, it also includes this slide deck prepared for the briefing.
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: We just got word today that he draft plan will be a major topic of discussion when West Seattle Bike Connections meets Tuesday night, 6:30 pm at High Point Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW). All are welcome.
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT: Along with the release of the draft plan itself, the city also has outlined its potential effects in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, for which a formal comment period is open through October 16th. This is an entirely separate voluminous document, which you can find linked here, along with a summary and information on how to comment.
P.S. Reminder that there are two more midday “pop-ups” this week at West Seattle libraries where you can talk with SDOT reps – they’re at the end of our original story.
On this Labor Day, we have news from West Seattle’s professional, non-profit theater ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), where more than 100 local artists are employed each year. The 2023-2024 season – themed “Sometimes I Dream …” – begins with “Matt & Ben,” written by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers, directed by Zenaida Rose Smith. ArtsWest’s announcement explains:
… Matt & Ben serves as a perfectly funny introduction to a season that explores how different people pursue their dreams and promises audiences a refreshing way to end their summer. … Matt & Ben is a witty and irreverent play that reimagines the lives of Hollywood’s beloved bro-buddies, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, in the 1990s, just before they skyrocketed to fame. In a hilarious twist, Kaling and Withers wrote the roles for female-presenting performers. Seattle actors Nabilah Ahmed and Jacquelyn Miedema will portray the two Oscar-winning actors as they navigate fame, friendship, and the fateful script that would eventually become “Good Will Hunting.”
ArtsWests artistic director Mathew Wright calls it a “biting and brilliant comedy about celebrity and the Hollywood dream.” After a preview performance at 7:30 pm Wednesday (September 6th), “Matt & Ben” will continue at 7:30 pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 3 pm Sundays, through October 1st. You can get tickets online by going here.
(Late summer’s classic flower – a dahlia, photographed by Susan Whiting Kemp)
Good morning! Holiday notes:
TRANSIT/TRAFFIC
–Metro is on a Sunday schedule
–West Seattle Water Taxi is also on a Sunday schedule
–Sound Transit buses and light rail are on Sunday schedules too
-If you’re going to an area of the city with pay-station street parking, there’s no charge today
-Check local traffic cams here, citywide cams here
HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT
Last day of the season for city outdoor aquatic facilities – After today, city-run wading pools, sprayparks, and outdoor pools are all closed until next year – so it’s your last day for Colman Pool, open noon-7 pm, and Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm. The forecast so far doesn’t seem to meet the bar for opening Lincoln Park’s wading pool, but the hotline (206-684-7796) will say for sure after 9 am.
Last scheduled night of the season for 10 pm closure and beach fires at Alki
Community stand-up paddleboarding – Alki Kayak Tours’ weekly 6 pm SUP event is scheduled from Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW) at 6 pm.
Art on the Corner – artist’s home-studio sale benefiting food banks, ~8:30 am-5:30 pm at 39th/Holden
NOT HAPPENING TODAY
Banking (holiday)
U.S. Postal Service (holiday)
Libraries (closed)
Many Parks facilities (here’s the list)
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET
Partly sunny by afternoon, with a high in the upper 60s. Sunrise will be at 6:31 am, sunset at 7:43 pm.
(Added: Reader photo)
11:39 PM: Police have told dispatch that a crash in the 1900 block of Harbor Avenue SW is blocking the road in both directions. No serious injuries reported but police say the three people in one of the cars fled the scene on foot. Officers are calling for two tow trucks as well as SDOT cleanup for a fluid spill and debris on the road.
12:26 AM: Police just told dispatch that the road has reopened. No further word on the occupants who fled the scene from one car, nor on whether the car was stolen.
(Water Taxi during August sunrise – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
With Metro making its fall “service change” adjustments to bus routes this weekend, you might be wondering about the West Seattle Water Taxi. Its summer schedule, with late-night runs on Fridays and Saturdays, is planned to last six more weeks, until October 14. Before the pandemic and West Seattle Bridge closure brought big changes, the Water Taxi downshifted in fall/winter to running five days a week, commute times only. But the past two years, Metro has kept the foot ferry running all day, seven days a week, year-round. We asked Metro repeatedly whether that would continue this year; the answer was that they didn’t know yet. So with fall approaching and no announcement yet, we asked County Councilmember Joe McDermott if the council had perhaps been briefed on a plan. In fact, he told us, Metro notified the County Council in mid-June that it would continue all-day, every-day service again this year. The memo sent to councilmembers noted that not only does that make for a service on which customers can rely, but a survey of Marine Division staff showed it’s popular with them too “as they will no longer be laid off during the winter months (allowing) Metro to be more competitive for workforce in the challenging marine industry.” The memo also noted that ridership last winter, after the West Seattle Bridge reopened, was even higher than the previous winter, when it was still closed. And the memo included one more point – that “the extended service bridges an important gap in our current bus service, due to bus operator workforce shortages.”
West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center was brightly decorated this afternoon for one of the most festive occasions of fall, Tết Nhi Đồng, the Children’s Moonlight Festival. It drew a sizable crowd of all ages:
While a lion dance and martial-arts demonstration were part of the afternoon, kids’ activities were the centerpiece:
Young participants got lanterns for a parade around the center’s North Delridge grounds before the festival wrapped up. Never been to the Cultural Center? In addition to special occasions like this, it’s open most Saturdays for the general public to visit.
ADDED: Thanks to Lynda Bui with the Cultural Center for video of the lion dance:
Vovinam Martial Arts from Burien performed the lion dance as well as the martial-arts demonstration, while artist Rick Klu did face-painting.
(WSB photo)
After two reader tips, we just went over to the Walgreens in South Delridge and confirmed it’s closed, with the front entrance boarded up. Its website also describes the store as currently “temporarily closed.” Archived police-radio audio explains why: Around 5:45 am, a 911 call came in from a security firm monitoring live video of the store and seeing a vehicle crash into the entrance. Police arriving in the area saw a white pickup truck speeding away, though the audio isn’t clear on whether that was definitely the vehicle involved. We don’t know what if anything was taken from the Walgreens, since the store is closed and we won’t be able to request the police-report narrative until after the weekend.
We start this bird gallery with a sighting northeast of The Junction. We heard about those birds from two people this week, including Ian, who sent the photos.
Brought back memories of The West Seattle Turkey, though online matching suggests these are probably Guinea Fowl – perhaps with a home nearby, because the sightings were in the same general area.
Other recent photos (thanks for everyone who continues sending bird pics) start with two charming Steller’s Jay views by Jerry Simmons:
Two more backyard birds – a Northern Flicker, photographed by Samantha Wren:
And a Red-breasted Nuthatch, from Jon Anderson:
And two waterfowl – a Western Sandpiper, photographed by James Tilley:
And Gene Pavola‘s photo of a Great Blue Heron:
Thanks again to everyone who shares photos, from birds to breaking news – if not urgent, email is the best way, westseattleblog@gmail.com, but otherwise, you can also text us 24/7 at 206-293-6302.
First one appears to be a definite candidate for the dumped-likely-stolen file:
Abandoned burgundy KIA found on 27th and Kenyon. Obvious signs of being stolen (broken windows, ignition, etc.) and signals of drug use. This has been reported to police and assume it will be towed soon. Also footage from camera shows multiple people and cars involved during the dump.
The second one is a little more of a mystery. The reader report came in Saturday; we looked about an hour ago, and the truck is still there, so we’re publishing this:
Appears to be abandoned at 41st and Ida. Half in parking strip. Side work door attempted to be pried open.
It’s also parked facing the wrong way. The person who emailed said they’ve reported to police. Also of note – that’s the same Gatewood intersection where a stolen Hyundai was dumped earlier this week.
Both of West Seattle’s public high schools have started their football seasons with victories. We covered West Seattle HS‘s home win on Friday; then on Saturday, Chief Sealth IHS opened their season on the road at Bellingham. That game ended with a 32-27 victory for the Seahawks. Next week, head coach Daron Camacho‘s team is on the road again, 5 pm Friday (September 8th) vs. Lakeside at Memorial Stadium downtown.
The latest in the resurgence of West Seattle coyote sightings is from Alexis: “My brother saw a coyote last night at 48th and Hinds heading south.” We publish these for awareness, not alarm; you can help ensure uneventful coexistence by not providing potential food sources, from outdoor pet food to unsecured trash to unaccompanied pets. You can read more about them in this state Fish and Wildlife fact sheet. (See past sighting reports by scrolling through this WSB archive.)
(Saturday’s sunrise, photographed by Stewart L.)
Day 2 of the holiday weekend – here’s what’s happening:
ART ON THE CORNER: Gatewood artist Bonnie is again selling her work to benefit local food banks. 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, stop by 39th/Holden.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering late-summer fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.
DONUTS ON DELRIDGE: 10 am-2 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), Dough Joy Donuts will pop up.
FREE STARCYCLE CLASS: 10:15 am – our calendar listing explains how to register, and has other free-class dates. (4532 42nd SW)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm, second-to-last day. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: The weather forecast is iffy so check the hotline after 9 am, 206-684-7796; if it’s open, it’ll be noon-7 pm, second-to-last day of the season. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, rain or shine, second-to-last day of the season for this outdoor salt-water pool, open noon-7 pm. See the session schedule here.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Last chance this year for a free tour, 1-4 pm, last tour starts at 3:45. (3201 Alki SW)
CHILDREN’S MOONLIGHT FESTIVAL: 2-4 pm at Vietnamese Cultural Center (2236 SW Orchard), crafts, treats, lion dance, face painting, and a lantern parade.
JEWISH STORY HOUR: 3:30 pm, the Torah Learning Center of West Seattle will present a story hour at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:58 PM: Seattle Police say northbound 35th SW is blocked at Rose in Gatewood because of a crash. No SFD medical response so far so apparently no serious injuries, but avoid the area for a while.
(Added: Reader photo)
10:48 PM: Police just told dispatch that northbound 35th is open again.
(WSB photo from 2019 Fiestas Patrias parade)
Before summer officially ends, another tradition will return for the first time in four years – the Fiestas Patrias parade in South Park. Sea-Mar Community Health Centers present the parade, and a weekend-long festival at Seattle Center, as a celebration of Latin American culture, and two weeks from today will bring the first parade since 2019. You can watch along 14th Avenue South (Henderson north to Cloverdale) or South Cloverdale Street (14th west to 8th, where the parade ends at the community center) starting at 11 am Saturday, September 16th.
(Photos courtesy Camp Long)
One week from today, you can get up in the treetops at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) for a donation that helps the park’s popular ropes course thrive. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share about a fundraiser that the park’s Advisory Council is presenting:
Come join us for an opportunity to get out onto the High Ropes Course at Camp Long while supporting our programs! Funds raised will be used to purchase needed replacement gear for programs and towards purchasing equipment to improve accessibility of our challenge course.
September 9th
12 slots in the morning from 9 am to 12 pm
12 slots in the afternoon from 1 pm to 4 pm
Suggested donation of $75 per slot or $200 for a family of 3
You must register at this link: form.jotform.com/camplongchallenge/camp-long-pay-to-play-fundraiser
AND you must follow up by calling in and paying for your slot – instructions are on the form. Slots are not confirmed until paid for
Participants must be:
12 years old or older
Able to fit into our harness and helmets which accommodate a range of sizes that most people 12 and older are able to fit
Wear CLOSED-TOED SHOES the day of the event and other weather-appropriate clothes
Confirm registration by calling in for payment
Submit a completed and signed waiver for each person participating
The challenge course was installed a little over a decade ago.
Thanks for the tips. Almost four years after opening Nos Nos Coffee at Upton Flats in High Point (35th/Graham), Khalid Agour has sold the shop to his longtime coffee provider, QED Coffee. Contacted by email, QED’s Matt Greenfield explained why it’s been a low-key transition and what’s ahead:
Having worked as Nos Nos’s coffee partner for years, when Khalid approached us about taking over Nos Nos we were both excited and honored. Nos Nos has a special place in the community and my partner lives only a few blocks away, so it is also part of our personal neighborhood. We took over Nos Nos on somewhat short notice because we did not want to see it sold off to some random “no longer local” group.
In the short term we will be transitioning to QED signage in the next few weeks and will slowly be expanding Nos Nos’ beverage and food options. However, it is our intent to keep most of Nos Nos unchanged. We were lucky enough to retain the same kitchen staff and our in-house food options will continue to be the same.
So Nos Nos may be transitioning to QED, but we intend to retain the things that made Nos Nos the special place that it is.
QED actually had a West Seattle shop for a while last decade, in the space now occupied by (for a few more weeks) Youngstown Coffee.
P.S. Nos Nos founder Agour continues to work on an expansion of his original West Seattle establishment, Itto’s Tapas on the north end of The Junction (California/Genesee). He says that “will be more of a wine bar with different food than Itto’s.”
(WSB photos)
It’s all about love. For a second year, a family who lost a loved one too soon is celebrating his memory with a community event, and you’re invited.
Just getting going in the gym at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle) is the second “Long Live King Cee Day.” The namesake is Antoine D. Matthews Jr.; tomorrow would be his 34th birthday, if he hadn’t lost his life to gun violence almost two years ago. His family is working to serve and inspire youth, with the affirmation “MOBB (My Obstacles Became Blessings).”
“King Cee” is remembered by family and friends for his big heart; he was also known nearby for his sports days at Chief Sealth, just across the street from where this event will continue until 7 pm, with youth activities, performances, food, and more. The gym is on the south side, lower level, of SWTLC.
We continue keeping track of brown-water instances when we get reader reports about them – otherwise there’s no public way to track them via the Seattle Public Utilities website. Today we’ve heard from one reader who is seeing it near Fauntleroy/Trenton, which is by the south end of Lincoln Park. In many cases, it’s because of SFD hydrant testing stirring up “sediment” (rust) in the lines, but nonetheless, any time it happens at your residence or business, please report it to SPU – 206-386-1800.
(June photo)
“Coming soon” is about to change to “open now”! Two months after we reported that Seattle Yarn was moving to The Admiral District, the one-of-a-kind shop has announced that today is opening day in the new location. Among other things, the new location will facilitate more dedicated class space. Seattle Yarn is now at 2701 California SW; hours are on their website.
(Bumblebee resting on cucumber leaf – photo sent by Suzanne)
Here’s what you need to know about today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
METRO SERVICE CHANGE: Today brings one of Metro’s two annual “service changes.” Check here to see if the route(s) you use are on the list.
FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend off to a running start with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
ART ON THE CORNER: Gatewood artist Bonnie is again selling her work to benefit local food banks. 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, stop by 39th/Holden.
FREE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS: If you have a Hyundai or Kia, go get your free steering-wheel lock at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), 9:30-11:30 am, while they last.
TAE KWON DO: First class of the month for the West Seattle Tae Kwon Do Club at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW), 9:30 am, all levels welcome.
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.
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.
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)
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Highland Park Spraypark is open through Labor Day), 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Last Saturday of this year to swim at the city-run outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), open noon-7 pm (session schedule here).
WADING POOL: Also the last Saturday of this year for the Lincoln Park pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 12-7 pm, in the upper park near the north play area.
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.
‘LONG LIVE KING CEE’ DAY: For the second. year, the family of the late Antoine D. Matthews Jr is hosting a community celebration in honor of his birthday, Performances, food, raffles, face-painting, games for kids. 1-7 pm at Southwest Teen Life Center. (2801 SW Thistle)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Hillside ’77 with Conversation Pit, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
LIVE AT C & P COFFEE: 7 pm-9 pm, Circle of Songs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover, all ages.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Wyatt Silva, Pilot Seat, Oscar Warnersmith at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors 7 pm, music 8 pm, $10.
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!
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Waving their flag and bursting through a banner, the West Seattle High School Wildcats roared onto the Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex field tonight for the first time this football season. Two-plus hours later, they left the field victorious over Columbia River High School (Vancouver, WA), but only after some literally last-minute drama.
But first – new head coach Anthony Stordahl‘s team got off to a strong start, taking the ball on an interception just half a minute in. They needed a while to break through the Rapids’ defense but with 4:28 to go in the first quarter, #1, senior Leland Gayles III, got the first TD.
The Wildcats got another one in the final minute of the first quarter, with #45, junior Cole Edwards, recovering a Columbia River fumble in the end zone.
The Wildcats capitalized on another of their opponents’ mistakes in the first :15 of the second quarter, when #7, junior Alex Jorge, followed an interception with a run most of the way down the field. That eventually set up a field goal by #34, sophomore kicker Scott Bremen, that boosted the WSHS lead to 17-0 with 10:27 to go in the first half.
The Rapids finally got on the scoreboard with a touchdown at 7:16 left in the half, and that was the end of scoring before halftime, when everyone left the field with WSHS up 17-7.
In the second half, more big runs – including two by #2, junior Sam Turner – paved the way for a touchdown pass at 7:26 caught by #5, senior Gibson Aguilar.
With the point-after kick, WSHS was up to a 24-7 lead. A few minutes later, a spot of trouble – a short-lived physical altercation at midfield, broken up quickly by coaches and refs, saw (corrected) two players, one from each team, ejected. The next significant action in the game didn’t come until the final minute, when Columbia River scored two touchdowns, resulting in a final score of 24-19. Close call, but reason for WSHS fans to join the expanded Cheer Team in celebrating.
NEXT WEEK: WSHS has an early home game, 4:30 pm, next Friday (September 8th) at NCSWAC, against Franklin.
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