(City of Seattle photos)

12:27 PM: You’ve likely heard a lot lately about the city’s plan for a pilot “dual dispatch” program as part of the new CARE department, sending non-police responders to certain types of emergency calls. Its launch was formally announced by the city today, describing this as “a foundational program for Seattle’s newest public safety department: the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) department,” the third public-safety department after Seattle Police and Seattle Fire. The new team’s apparel and vehicles were shown off too.

The city says the new CARE response team “features behavioral health specialists, who all have prior field experience along with a bachelor’s or master’s degree related to the field,” responding to certain person-in-crisis situations. Initially, they’ll be focused downtown (including the C-ID and SODO), so you’re not likely to see them in West Seattle any time soon. From the city announcement, here’s how it works, and where it will initially be focused:

The dual dispatch pilot pairs CARE responders with SPD officers, with both units dispatched simultaneously by the 911 Center, which is also housed in the CARE Department. After arriving at the scene and ensuring it is safe, SPD officers can respond to other calls while the CARE responders provide services. This initial dual dispatch pilot model will inform future development of diversified response and is designed to accommodate rapid iteration and continuous improvement. This program allows the City to deploy new teams specialized to help people in crisis, safely gather critical data to grow the program responsibly, and make an immediate impact freeing up critical and sometimes scarce police and fire resources.

The pilot is initially focused on Downtown, including the Chinatown-International District and SODO, operating from 11 am to 11 pm, a schedule that matches where and when the most frequent calls related to mental health crisis occur. …

CARE responders are dispatched by calling 9-1-1 like the City’s other emergency services. Trained call takers in the City’s 911 Center will decide which incidents are appropriate for this response. There is no number to call to directly request a CARE response. Call takers and dispatchers in the 911 Center have been trained on new protocols for sending out the new CARE responders, and SPD command staff have met with officers across precincts to answer questions about this new approach.

Calls eligible for a CARE response include low-acuity welfare checks, calls that don’t need enforcement, and others that are non-violent, non-emergent, and non-medical. In the City’s dispatch system these calls are coded as “person down” or “wellness/welfare check,” there have been 2,686 person down calls and 5,533 wellness/welfare check calls so far in 2023.

Mayor Harrell has proposed a $26.5 million budget for the CARE department next year, 30 percent more than this year, but that’s not just for the “dual-dispatch” program.

ADDED 2:04 PM: Among the community members from around the city who were invited to today’s announcement was Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker. She sent this photo of acting CARE director Amy Smith speaking during the event at City Hall:

Here’s the Seattle Channel video of the announcement event.

Share This

BIZNOTE: Update on West Seattle’s UPS Store

October 25, 2023 11:21 am

| 31 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

11:21 AM: Several readers have contacted us in the past few days, wondering what’s up with The UPS Store in Jefferson Square. It’s been having technical troubles – with signs on the door warning “system down” – and their store is listed online as “permanently closed.” After the latest question, we went over this morning to see what we could find out. First, store staff told us (as they told a reader earlier this week), the corporate website is wrong – they are NOT closed, nor planning to close – and they’ve been reporting that to them, trying to get it corrected, but no luck so far – it’s out of their control. Second, they indeed have been having persistent technical problems with their point-of-sale/shipping system – it keeps crashing – and they’re trying to get that fixed, but in the meantime, the store IS OPEN for other services (but bring cash).

5:29 PM: We’ve since heard from The UPS Store, Inc., whose spokesperson Casey Sorrell said via email:

Please note that the business located at 4742 42ND AVE SW, Seattle, WA 98116-4553 is no longer affiliated with The UPS Store. We apologize for the inconvenience and recommend customers visit nearby The UPS Store locations at: 126 Sw 148Th St., Ste. C100, Burien, WA 98166 or 17837 1St Ave. S., Normandy Park, WA 98148. For questions regarding a pending package, customers can contact Customer Service at 1-800-789-4623 or visit TheUPSStore.com for other products and services.

We won’t be able to follow up with the Jefferson Square store until tomorrow regarding what that means regarding their business’s future plans.

Share This

HPAC in person, light-rail and ferry-dock meetings, more for your West Seattle Wednesday (updated!)

October 25, 2023 10:30 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Fall colors emerging at Jack Block Park – photo by Angela Gunn)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

PEGASUS POP-UP: Pegasus Book Exchange is celebrating its “40th-ish” anniversary with a pop-up at California/Oregon – storytime at 11 am, book and merch sales 11 am-6 pm.

PUMPKIN JUNCTION: The Beer Junction (4511 California SW) continues its annual celebration of pumpkin beers today. Open noon-11 pm.

(added) GHOSTOLOGY 101: 1 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle:

Do you believe in Ghosts? Celebrate this spooky season with June Nixon from Advanced Ghost Hunters of Seattle Tacoma (A.G.H.O.S.T.), the Northwest’s oldest operating paranormal team. She’ll take you through some basic ghost hunting procedures, including equipment and techniques, as well as her favorite investigations and haunted travel stories from around the world. If you aren’t a believer now, maybe you will be. Boo! Free for members/non-members.

LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit hosts a West Seattle “station planning forum” 5:30-7:30 pm at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), with a “short presentation” at 6 pm. Here’s our preview.

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).

FAUNTLEROY FERRY DOCK: For the first time in more than a year, Washington State Ferries convenes the Community Advisory Group for the ferry-dock-replacement project, 6 pm online, all welcome to attend, info’s in our preview.

(added) BOOK SIGNING: At Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), 6-8 pm:

Book Signing for “Brooms”

Local artist Teo DuVall will be signing their newly released graphic novel ‘Brooms.’ We’ll have books available for purchase, as well as happy hour pricing on beer and wine

The author is an HPCS employee too!

TRIVIA x 6: Six places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … there’s 7 pm trivia at West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) … 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 … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run at 6 pm – tonight’s an ON demo run plus monthly birthday celebration!

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

HPAC IN PERSON: The community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge gathers tonight in person, all welcome, at the community room at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) – agenda info here.

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)

If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

14 SCHOOLS, 1 EVENT: Greater West Seattle Middle School Information Night set for November 6

October 25, 2023 9:36 am

| Comments Off on 14 SCHOOLS, 1 EVENT: Greater West Seattle Middle School Information Night set for November 6

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If one or more students in your household will be a middle-schooler next year, you might want to set your calendar for Monday, November 6th – you’ll be able to get information about more than a dozen middle schools, public and independent, in one place. The Greater West Seattle Middle School Information Night is set for 6-7:15 pm November 6th, at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s gym (7000 35th SW). Organizers so far say participants planning to be there so far include Denny International Middle School, Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), Harbor School (Vashon), Holy Family Bilingual, Holy Rosary, Hope Lutheran, Lake Washington Girls Middle School, McMurray Middle School (Vashon), Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pathfinder K-8, Rainier Valley Leadership Academy, St. Bernadette, Summit Atlas, and Westside School (WSB sponsor). If you’re interested in going to the open-house-format event, organizers request pre-registration, which is fast and easy at this link.

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Wednesday watch

October 25, 2023 6:00 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, October 25th.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Morning rain likely, partly sunny later, high near 50. Sunrise today is at 7:43 am; sunset, 6:03 pm.

ROAD-WORK ALERT

SDOT says the work on Delridge Way north of SW Genesee might continue into Thursday.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today – now on fall/winter schedule, still 7 days a week, but no late-night service Fridays/Saturdays.

Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.

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:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern 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 feed on Twitter/X 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 that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

Share This

FOLLOWUP: What’s next for Admiral Church’s affordable-homeownership plan

October 24, 2023 9:31 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Admiral Church‘s agreement to turn over its half-acre property to Homestead Community Land Trust is just the first step in what’s expected to be at least a four-year journey to transformation of the site into new homes and a new home for the church.

The projected timeline is part of what was revealed at an open-house-style gathering in the church sanctuary this past Sunday afternoon, four weeks after the church and Homestead CLT announced the plan. As we’ve been reporting, the church had been on a years-long quest to secure a sustainable future – the costs of maintaining an aging building could not be borne without some sort of change. The plan will enable “affordable” homes, offered for sale, to be built on the site along with a new “flexible” space for the church and its ministries/tenants, which currently include a preschool as well as various community groups.

The architects working on the project, Third Place Design Co-operative, were in attendance, with renderings showing possibilities for how the church site’s future housing could look and feel. They told us the predominant housing type they’re considering for this site is “three-story townhouses.” The easels offered people at the gathering a chance to place dot stickers on images they liked, from architecture to amenities such as greenspaces between the buildings, porches, small fenced yards. Some of the featured images, they told us, were from a project under way now in Tukwila.

That’s an 18-home development on land previously owned by Riverton Park United Methodist Church, according to Homestead CLT’s executive director Kathleen Hosfeld, who was also at the Admiral gathering, standing by an easel explaining the “Net Zero” building philosophy for which they aim – energy-efficient, which in turn means lower utility bills.

Another Homestead rep staffed a general Q&A table, including how their model works (here’s how). 60-65 percent average mean income (AMI) is their sweet spot for potential buyers; 80 percent AMI is the ceiling to qualify. They are able to offer lower prices to qualified buyers because of subsidies from public (like the Seattle Housing Levy, which is on the current ballot) and private funding, These have to be the buyers’ only homes, and they can’t be rented out – the owner has to live there. If they want to sell their home, they can find a qualified buyer on their own, but most work with Homestead, which has a long waiting list. They even have a tiebreaker system if needed.

The open house ended with a moment of recognition for City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who helped connect Homestead CLT with Admiral Church years ago. Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom offered a few words of appreciation, telling the backstory of the church’s journey to this point (including this meeting we covered four years ago), and the councilmember briefly spoke:

We asked Hosfeld where the project goes from here: “What happens next is we start the design process. We need to engage the civil engineer, geotech and other advisers to study the site, and model out what we can build. That’s probably a 4-6 month process. Once we have some concepts to share, we’ll reach back out to the neighborhood for some input again. In the meantime, we’ll meet with the immediate neighbors across the street and make sure we set up a good communication system with them.” If all goes well, construction of the as-yet-undetermined number of homes could start in fall of 2025 and last about a year and a half. If you have questions for Homestead, you can email westseattle@homesteadclt.org.

SIDE NOTE: We noticed on the Homestead website that the first of its now-245 homes in trust was referred to as the “Delridge House.” Indeed, Hosfeld told us, it all began with a little house that was moved off the site of the Delridge Library to a site elsewhere in Delridge. The nonprofit made this video a few years back telling the story:

Hosfeld says the original owner of the “Delridge House” has since sold it – but as with the other homes they’ve acquired or built, it will forever remain in trust.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 more stolen Hyundais

October 24, 2023 9:00 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two stolen-car reports, both Hyundais:

STOLEN FROM AVALON GARAGE: Christina sent the report and video clips:

I would like to report that my car was stolen at 1:24 am today in the locked garage of my apartment building at 3015 SW Avalon Way. The attached footage shows two men who seem to be working together to steal my car.

I would appreciate if you could post about this and have people on the lookout for a black Hyundai Tucson with tinted black windows and a California license plate (#7ZEB142).

STOLEN FROM 35TH SW: Sid sent this Monday:

Unfortunately, my house guests had their car stolen right in front of our place at some point yesterday, probably (Sunday) night. It was parked right in front of the bus stop at the intersection of 35th Avenue and Cambridge. It was on 35th, on the west side of the street, if anyone has a ring doorbell with view of that spot.

Silver Hyundai Elantra 2018
Plate 8NPK018

Share This

WEST SEATTLE HALLOWEEN: Two simply spooky displays

October 24, 2023 8:10 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HALLOWEEN: Two simply spooky displays

| West Seattle news

Two more reader-contributed display spotlights tonight, with one week to go until Halloween:

Lorabeth sent that photo – no location – and commented, “Love the imagination that resulted in this!” Below, Jaime and Jill sent a pic of their home on Delridge near Trenton:

Thanks again to everyone who has sent pics and tips this season! All the displays we’ve shown can be seen if you scroll through our Halloween archive; we’re also linking them on our West Seattle Halloween Guide page, where you’ll find dozens of events happening in the next Hallo-week!

Share This

ALSO WEDNESDAY: Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement project’s Community Advisory Group reconvenes

October 24, 2023 6:03 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Both of West Seattle’s major transportation projects have their first community meetings in months – and both are happening tomorrow night. Earlier today, we published a reminder of the Sound Transit light-rail meeting; we’ve since been reminded (thank you!) that the Community Advisory Group for Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy dock-replacement project meets Wednesday night too, This meeting is online, 6-8 pm. We first mentioned this meeting two months ago; it’s the first time WSF has convened this group since September of last year. Since then, as we also reported in August, WSF has pushed the construction timeline back two years, to 2027-2029. There’s no agenda posted yet for tomorrow’s meeting, but advance materials sent to group members indicate they’ll get a briefing on possible alternatives for how the dock could be rebuilt at its current location. You can go here to register for the meeting link.

Share This

BIZNOTE: Here’s why Pegasus Book Exchange has an extra space in The Junction this week

October 24, 2023 4:48 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The pop-up-shop space on the ground floor of the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon) is hosting an outpost of Pegasus Book Exchange this week. Emma Epps of Pegasus explains why: “This week we are celebrating Pegasus’s 40ish Anniversary! ’40ish’ because the store was actually founded in 1977, but it’s now been in my family for 40 years.” So for special events and extra selling space, they’ve added the pop-up through Sunday (October 29th). Here’s the schedule Emma sent:

The location of all these events is 4500 California Ave SW (the Senior Center Annex at the corner of California & Oregon), NOT the main store.

10/25, 10/26, 10/27, 10/28 – 11 am Kids’ Storytime (special guest on Saturday)

10/25, 10/26, 10/27, 10/28, 10/29 – 11 am-6 pm Pegasus Book Exchange Pop-Up Shop with shirts, stickers, totes, 40% used kids’ books, and free tote bags!

10/28 Open House with Fred Epps, owner of Pegasus Book Exchange

The main shop is open too, but the pop-up is where you’ll find all of the above. And remember that Sunday is Halloween in The Junction (along with the regular West Seattle Farmers’ Market), so you can stop by the Pegasus bonus space while visiting for one or both of those!

Share This

UPDATE: About the sea-lion carcass on Harbor Avenue shores

October 24, 2023 3:02 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: We’ve received several reports in recent days of a dead sea lion – some have mistaken it for a whale calf, but it’s not – seen on the shore at Seacrest and Don Armeni. The most recent photos show it’s marked with bright-green paint, which means it’s already been officially noted. We asked Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network‘s David Hutchinson about it – he sent this reply with a photo of one of the signs SSMMSN has posted:

Seal Sitters has been monitoring the location of this California Sea Lion carcass since Friday (10/20) when it washed up by the north end of Don Armeni. Since then, it has floated to Cove #3 by Marination.

Signs have been posted and Seal Sitters has contacted Seattle Parks about removal and disposal. The carcass has been marked with green spray paint – this is done for ID purposes in case it floats to a different location.

If you see any type of marine mammal, dead or alive, on a West Seattle beach – or one that appears to be in distress r deceased offshore – call Seal Sitters MMSN’s hotline at 206-905-SEAL.

ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: An update from David Hutchinson:

Seattle Parks removed the California Sea Lion carcass today. During the night it had floated up from Cove 3 to the Don Armeni boat ramp. This made it accessible to their equipment – this was a large animal, approximately 8 -9 feet in length. No necropsy was done due to advanced decomposition. I was contacted last evening by a reporting party who sent photos from 10/7 showing it floating in Elliott Bay on that date. Thanks to those who called the Seal Sitters’ Hotline, and helped us keep track of its location.

Seal Sitters is responsible for responding to reports of any dead marine mammal on West Seattle beaches. For cases like this, where the carcass has to be left on the beach, our responders often mark it with bright spray paint. Many people who resight and report the carcass to our hotline (206-905-7325), are then able to identify it as the same animal rather than reporting it as a different case each time it’s resighted. If the carcass is in good enough condition, a necropsy is usually performed to try to determine cause of death. All cases are documented and entered into the NOAA National Marine Mammal Stranding Database.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Avalon 7-11 robbed

October 24, 2023 1:22 pm

| 39 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Checking the police-call list, we noted a robbery response around 3:45 am. The police-radio archive didn’t yield much information so we asked SPD’s media office what they had. Their summary: Three people walked into the store; two “pulled out a firearm and pointed it at the clerk.” They then “stole cash and merchandise” before leaving in a vehicle believed to be a “4-door, newer-model, red sedan.” The only additional information we got from dispatch broadcasts is partial descriptions of the robbers: 1 white, 2 Black, all three male, wearing black jackets. Police asked dispatch if the Guardian One helicopter was available to help search; it was not. The last armed robbery we reported at this store was a month ago. If you have any information, today’s police incident # is 23-307945.

Share This

WEDNESDAY: Sound Transit’s next West Seattle meeting

October 24, 2023 11:59 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

Reminder if you’re interested in Sound Transit‘s West Seattle light-rail plan, tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 25th), ST is hosting a “station planning forum.” It’s scheduled for 5:30-7:30 pm – with a “short presentation at 6 pm” – at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) and will cover the stations in West Seattle and SODO. Recently, ST officially separated planning for the West Seattle and Ballard extensions, since the latter has fallen further behind and needs a new draft Environmental Impact Statement. Next key date in the West Seattle plan is the release of the final Environmental Impact Statement, which ST now says is due out in “mid-2024.” That would be followed by a final board vote on routing (“alignment”) for the extension. At the Wednesday meeting, ST says it will show “updated designs” for the stations – West Seattle has three proposed, Delridge, Avalon, and The Junction, though the possibility of dropping the Avalon station has not yet been formally ruled out. Current estimated date for West Seattle light rail to start service is late 2032.

Share This

13 options for your West Seattle Tuesday. Plus, a true night owl

October 24, 2023 10:21 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Seen at Alki Beach. Photo by Theodore Furr)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), meet up for long-distance political networking.

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE CONTINUES: Noon to 8, Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open, and you’re invited to come see the work displayed by community members in its annual Southwest Artist Showcase.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

LEARN ASL: Free class, 6 pm at West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW) – info’s in our calendar listing.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

FREE TRACK RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

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).

SELF-DEFENSE CLASS: 7 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) – details in our calendar listing, including how to check if there’s still room to sign up.

SING! Singers have an open invitation to join the Seattle Metropolitan Singers – “all treble voices welcome” – just show up for one of their rehearsals, Tuesdays 7-9 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).

TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

You can look ahead any time via our event calendar – if you have something to add to it, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

Memorial service Sunday for Jennifer J. Lantz, 71

October 24, 2023 9:00 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather Sunday to remember Jennifer Lantz. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing:

On August 21, Jennifer Jane Lantz passed away from natural causes at her home in north Seattle. She was 71 years old.

Jennifer was born to Ruth and Ware Lantz in West Seattle and had all the privileges that went with being the youngest of five children. She earned the nickname “Winky” as a funny toddler, and kept it through high school (Sealth ’69). Her playground was the Fauntleroy beach and Lincoln Park, and local adventures included riding bikes to Alki and the Alaska Junction, and time on the water at the family summer lake place and in family boats on Puget Sound. She grew up through the Fauntleroy YMCA, participating in “gym and club,” tumbling classes, Junior Leaders, ski lessons, Camp Colman summer camp for 10 years. After high school she spent time living in Mexico, and later volunteered with an international organization to inventory indigenous weaving styles in remote Guatemalan villages. That ignited her love of travel and indigenous arts.

She married Bill Osteen in 1993 and they traveled to cities and backcountry in Bali, Central America, Turkey, and Romania, among others. Highlights always included the local markets, eating local food, and absorbing local traditions. In 1998 they traveled to China to adopt their daughter Jane Ming, a most cherished event in their lives. In later years, Jennifer raised Jane as a single parent and saw her through to her bachelor degree in math at Western Washington University.

Jennifer’s calling was horticulture, in which she earned a degree. She gained experience at several large-scale nurseries in the Portland area, and discovered that it was not a field that paid well. She subsequently trained in computer programming, and when she moved back to Seattle, she worked at PEMCO Financial Services, writing program for banks to borrow funds overnight.

After starting her family, she turned to more flexible work (and her love) in landscape design and gardening, and developed a devoted following. She was indeed a gardener extraordinaire. The garden was where she felt at peace and spent much, time, rain or shine. She also loved classical music and was a voracious reader, both of which sustained her as she became less able to garden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ware and Ruth Lantz and her sister Christine Lantz. She is survived by her daughter Jane Ming Lantz Osteen, and her 3 siblings: Paul (Kathy) Lantz, Judy Leary, and Susan Lantz-Dey (Mike Dey).

A memorial service will be held October 29 at 1:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amnesty International amnesty.org, Northwest Harvest northwestharvest.org, or charity providing housing, clothing, food for underserved people.

(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)

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Tuesday info

October 24, 2023 6:03 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, October 24th.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rainy, high in the low 50s. Sunrise today is at 7:41 am; sunset, 6:05 pm.

ROAD-WORK ALERT

SDOT says the work on Delridge Way north of SW Genesee will continue a few more days, possibly into Thursday.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today – now on fall/winter schedule, still 7 days a week, but no late-night service Fridays/Saturdays.

Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.

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:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern 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 feed on Twitter/X 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 that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

Share This