West Seattle, Washington
18 Thursday
That’s Puget Park, where Christine Clark is the forest steward. She is hoping to see you there during Green Seattle Day on Saturday – or one of the two other West Seattle parks where volunteer spots remain open, asking you for just a few hours of time to restore local forests. Here’s the list of three, the times, and the links:
Puget Park
November 4, 8 am-10:30 am
seattle.greencitypartnerships.org/event/38178Pigeon Point Park
10 am-12:30 pm
dnda.org/dnda-nature/volunteerWestcrest Park
10 am-2 pm
seattle.greencitypartnerships.org/event/38115
(Salmon in Longfellow Creek – 2016 reader photo by Alex)
Longfellow Creek runs through much of West Seattle, mostly hidden between trees, and at its south end, routed underground. But out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. You’d be surprised by what you don’t know about it – why it matters, and how you can help improve its future. Next Wednesday, you’re invited to an event that will catch you up on all that. Here’s the announcement (and if you’d already seen this in our calendar or elsewhere, note that the location has changed):
Southwest Seattle Historical Society, Duwamish Alive, and Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association bring together experts and advocates to celebrate an urban creek and its wildlife.
Wednesday, November 8
Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
6 pm, reception at 5:30 pmOnce a mighty salmon-spawning stream known by Coast Salish People as t?awi, Longfellow Creek has a storied past. People and this creek have been in a close relationship for many thousands of years, from when salmon first chose to make their home here, through intense urbanization in the late 19th and 20th centuries, through today when the creek and its people are beginning to tell a new story – one of renewed hope.
Next week, SWSHS, Duwamish Alive Coalition and Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association are hosting an event at Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, located along the creek, to tell this story. Billed as a celebration of Longfellow Creek, the event brings together local experts to discuss the history of the creek, to unpack new, ground-breaking research on tire dust toxins and its impacts on local coho population, and discuss how community organizers are advocating for its protection.
The event also features a reception with a slideshow of Reese’s photographs.
Participants include Caroline Borsenik, Director of Environmental Education, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, Ed Kolodziej, Researcher, Center for Urban Waters, University of Washington, Katherine Lynch, Urban Creeks Biologist, Seattle Public Utilities, Kelly Brenner, naturalist, author, The Naturalist at Home: Projects for Discovering the Hidden World Around Us, and Tom Reese, journalist, photographer, author, Once and Future River: Reclaiming the Duwamish
The event is hosted in conjunction with the exhibit t?awi: Creek of Hope, currently on view at SWSHS’s Log House Museum at Alki Beach. The exhibit features photographs of Longfellow Creek from award-winning photojournalist Tom Reese and tells a new story of the historic creek.
From its headwaters at Roxhill Park in Southwest Seattle, Longfellow Creek flows north for four miles through the Duwamish Peninsula, navigating culverts, private property, a city-owned golf course, and a patchwork of public parks before reaching Elliot Bay – its last 2/3 mile journey is through an underground cement pipe.
Despite these challenges, coho spawn here each fall, families of beavers are active along the creek, and diverse wildlife is present throughout. “The exhibit has provided a unique opportunity to talk about the natural environment in highly urbanized and industrialized areas,” says SWSHS’s program director, Elizabeth Rudrud. “The photos stunningly describe both the power of this creek to support wildlife and persevere, but also how human impact – both negative and positive – can effect change.”
Organizers are also working with the Duwamish Tribe to contextualize the relationship of the creek to indigenous peoples through newly displayed artifacts and are planning a guided hike along the creek to observe salmon habitat with environmental educators.
Registration and information are at loghousemuseum.org.
Southwest Seattle Historical Society preserves local history through education, preservation, and advocacy. The Log House Museum, located one block from Alki Beach, is a City of Seattle Landmark. The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 12-4pm.
Duwamish Alive Coalition has collaborated with community, municipalities, non-profits and businesses within the Duwamish River Watershed to preserve and enhance habitat for people and wildlife, towards improving the health of the Puget Sound.
Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) is a non‐profit organization devoted to social, racial and environmental justice. DNDA is dedicated to preserving and increasing affordable housing for a range of incomes, enhancing the natural environment, and providing such vital resources as arts and cultural opportunities, education and youth programs for our neighbors. DNDA programs for affordable housing and wetland restoration have become models for other communities.
Thanksgiving Day is three weeks away. So tonight, West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) invited a few guests over to serve up samples of what you might want to serve during the holidays. In addition to vendors – like, above, Macrina Bakery and Eltana Bagels – they’re also dishing up deli-cooked dishes, like roasted turkey and stuffing:
You can even make dessert decisions:
The “Holiday Taste” event is on until 7 tonight. You can order from the holiday menu any time through the Monday before Thanksgiving (November 20):
Thriftway is at California/Fauntleroy.
The West Seattle Water Taxi‘s 2 pm run was delayed a bit today, and the explanatory alert was terse: “Crew of the Doc Maynard rescuing a barge that was adrift along the Seattle waterfront.” We asked Metro spokesperson Al Sanders for more info, and here’s what we received:
(Photo courtesy Metro)
Preliminary details from MV Doc Maynard Capt. Dan Krehbiel:
The Doc Maynard, a King County Water Taxi, was en route to Pier 50 from Seacrest Dock at approximately 1 p.m. when the crew spotted a fully loaded container barge dangerously adrift from Pier 18 near Harbor Island, headed across Elliott Bay.
When the Water Taxi crew didn’t spot a tug next to the barge, they moved to intercept the vessel, which was moving toward the vicinity of the Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium, and attempted to push the barge away from the heart of the waterfront.
Captain Krehbiel was able to use the Doc Maynard’s bow to push and direct the barge north, where it eventually landed in the vicinity of Pier 66. Tugs arrived to pin the ship to the terminal until the barge owner could arrange transport.
The Doc Maynard did not sustain any damage to the bow, which steered the wayward barge away from the waterfront. Water taxi service was delayed by approximately 15 minutes as a result of this incident.
A Twitter/X user got it on video – watch here. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the barge mishap.
(USCG photo)
ADDED 6:49 PM: Kevin Freitas shares this time lapse from one of his cameras on this side of the bay:
3:01 PM: We happened onto that scene this morning while headed just east of the West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way intersection, where a double-digit lineup of RVs has been parked for some time. Before we could start making inquiries about the operation, breaking news interrupted. We have an inquiry out to the city now – but we’ve also heard from someone about one item left behind, and the hope that its owner can be found. Sent by Matthew:
Seattle police recovered a brand new Miller 260 arc welder/generator today 11/2/23 as they were removing the RVs and trailers in the 7400 block of W. Marginal Way SW. If anyone knows who the owner of this stolen generator is, please contact SPD officer G. Barreto at SPD7590@seattle.gov
5:17 PM: As for the city operation today, spokesperson Lori Baxter tells us:
As part of our commitment to make public streets, sidewalks, and spaces clean, open, and accessible to all, the City’s Unified Care Team (UCT) conducted an RV remediation this morning in the W Marginal Way SW and 2nd Ave SW vicinity.
Six of the eight RVs onsite early this morning voluntarily moved from the area. Two RVs and three vehicles, including one vehicle confirmed as stolen, were towed from the site by Seattle Police Department’s Parking Enforcement division. As part of UCT’s cleaning efforts, crews then removed 7,100 pounds of debris from the site.
Outreach providers have been engaging onsite for a number of weeks leading up to the remediation to offer those living onsite a shelter placement. A total of 15 offers of shelter were made, with three individuals accepting referrals.
UCT will be closely monitoring this area in an effort to prevent repopulation of the site.
(Added: WSB photo)
10:38 AM: Police have converged on Pathfinder K-8 in Pigeon Point and here’s what we know. The original call that came into 911 was from a passerby who claimed they saw a man with a gun “walking into the school.” According to radio communication, police have NOT found anyone so far but are searching the school. More information as we get it.
10:45 AM: Just to be clear – NO REPORTS OF GUNFIRE. Police, including SWAT officers, are clearing the school room by room. The original description of the person a passerby said they saw was “unknown-race male, 5’5″ to 6’0″, medium build, red puffy coat.”
10:52 AM: Police have just told dispatch “We’ve cleared the whole structure and found no evidence of a weapon, a suspect, or a shooting.” … Individual classrooms remain locked and sheltering in place, they added. (Update – school staff in comments says it’s a lockdown.)
11:04 AM: They’ve been trying to get back in contact with the original caller, who was apparently on their way off-peninsula when they called in the report. … Meantime, SPD has sent a media team member, who will eventually brief us outside the school.
11:17 AM: They’re now checking individual classrooms. Meantime, Police Chief Adrian Diaz is there and has just briefed us.. Notes from our crew in a moment.
11:22 AM: Chief Diaz says there were two 911 calls of concern. One was the original one reported above. The second one, which has come up in comment discussion below, was a 911 call claiming there was a “school shooting” somewhere – no location given. That was an unfounded call – there has been no gunfire anywhere, school or otherwise. No injuries of any kind. Police will stay at the school through day’s end.
11:45 AM: Now our crew says the school’s announced that it’s closing for the rest of the day and setting up procedures for parents to sign out and pick up kids. The police response is downsizing.
12:25 PM: We’ve left the school too but expect more information later – we have followup inquiries out both with police and the district. We have also added three more photos above.
2:42 PM: For the record, here’s the official district statement, from SPS spokesperson Bev Redmond via email:
Earlier today, a concerned citizen contacted 911 to report a potential safety issue regarding the sighting of an individual with a weapon on the Pathfinder K-8 campus. In response to this report, and in close coordination with the Seattle Police Department (SPD), the school initiated a lockdown procedure as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
During a lock-down classroom and exterior doors are locked. Students remain indoors and in their classrooms until the lockdown has been lifted.
We are pleased to report that after a comprehensive safety sweep of the school and campus, SPD confirmed that there was no credible threat to our students or staff. The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority, and we are grateful for the swift and thorough response of the SPD in this matter.
As of now, the school has transitioned to a shelter-in-place status, maintaining heightened security protocols to ensure ongoing safety. We want to assure all families that Pathfinder students and staff are safe.
During a shelter-in-place, all exterior doors are locked and students remain indoors while the normal instructional day continues.
The school will continue with the school day as scheduled, following the standard Thursday dismissal time of 3:25 p.m.
We understand that incidents like these can be concerning, and we will continue to communicate with the Pathfinder community as we receive further updates and information.
The “continue with the school day” conflicts with what the principal said when we reported it above, but hopefully families have received updates. The district has not yet answered our question about the Genesee Hill shelter-in-place, which appears to have been related to a second unfounded 911 call.
2:55 PM: SPS has just answered that question, also via email: “Genesee Hill was placed in a shelter-in-place as a precaution until SPD could clarify the focal point of the 911 call. Genesee Hill was the former location of Pathfinder K-8.”
During evening Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church last night, somebody slashed tires on at least nine vehicles in the church parking lot. We asked police about it today after hearing the dispatch around 9 pm last night. SPD tells us, “The incident is thought to be related to [an earlier call], given the time and proximity, in which a man appearing to be in crisis was said to be harassing people outside the church. There is no indication at this time that parishioners were targeted because of their beliefs, but the matter is being documented and routed as a bias incident.” If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 23-316877.
(Have we seen the last of these for the season yet? Dandelion gone to seed, photographed by Gary Pro)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE CONTINUES: Just a few more days. Until 6 pm, Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open – go in to see the work displayed by community members in its annual Southwest Artist Showcase.
LEARN ABOUT MEDICARE: 11 am presentation at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
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.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room and wine bar open 1-6 pm on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus (6000 16th SW).
WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY ‘TASTE’: The holiday season starts sizzling with the annual sampling event at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor), 4-7 pm.
THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), El Koreano will be visiting.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run!
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.
SILENT BOOK CLUB: 10 locations this month where you can go read and chat – or not! – starting at 7 pm. Special deals and features too (like “Horror Night” at Till Dawn!) – see our calendar listing.
PIANO BAR: 7-10 pm, music and beverages at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). $10 cover.
BLUES NIGHT: 7 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY? The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, the community council for White Center and the rest of North Highline, meets online tonight at 7 pm. See the meeting preview and how to connect by going here.
THURSDAY THROWDOWN: All-vinyl DJ night at Revelry Room (4547 California SW, alley entrance), 8-11 pm.
We publish daily lists like this one as reminders, but you can look ahead any time, to any day, by scrolling through our full calendar!
Four years ago, we told you about the search for a swim coach at Chief Sealth International High School. Stephanie Hunt read about it here, got the job, and less than three years later was honored as Metro League Coach of the Year. Now she’s sent this announcement about the search for a new boys’ swim coach:
CSIHS is looking for a Swim Coach who is available early mornings and Friday afternoons to lead our Boys Swim Team this school year. Red Cross lifeguard certification is required. Our current coach is stepping back to focus on coaching diving for the Metro League. For additional information or to apply, please contact Athletic Director Ernest Policarpio at edpolicarpio@seattleschools.org.
9:14 AM: Police have just been dispatched to check out a report of an “eight-foot tree branch” in the southbound lanes of West Marginal Way just north of Highland Park Way.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, November 2nd.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Rain, then some sun, then more rain,, breezy, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise today is at 7:54 am; sunset, 5:50 pm. Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am Sunday, when we “fall back” an hour.
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!
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