West Seattle, Washington
03 Wednesday
West Seattle’s biggest party of the year is just a week and a half away: West Seattle Summer Fest, Friday-Sunday, July 12-14, in the heart of The Junction. We’ve already previewed one brand-new festival feature – food and drink vendors will be serving you reusably! Tonight, more of what’ll be new at this year’s Summer Fest – extra fun at the festival Kids’ Zone. Lots of it will be free. That includes a “foam party,” a special area with big foam machines enabling everybody to get bubbly (and misting to get those bubbles off if need be). Speaking of bubbles, the legendary Bubbleman will be performing at Summer Fest, on Saturday. That’s also the day that Gary “The Balloon Guy” will be making balloon creations. Little ones also will be able to romp for free in a fenced area with grass and large toys, guided by volunteers from local schools. For slightly older kids, West Seattle Arcade will bring some free games to Summer Fest, including pinball and Dance Dance Revolution. And there’s science/tech fun too – robotics on Friday and Saturday, hands-on engineering with Pacific Science Center on Sunday. Sports get spotlighted too – soccer, basketball, and volleyball in particular, with Kid Zone sponsors Junction FC and West Seattle Reign. Then there’s the perennially popular question we always get in the Summer Fest Info Booth: “Where’s the face painter?” Two vendors will be offering face painting throughout the festival on The Junction’s midblock raised crosswalks. And last but by no means least, the inflatables – five will be available, including an obstacle course and slide; you can even buy your $20 day pass in advance online (you can do that here), with an option for a $40 day pass/festival T-shirt package), or pay $5 for each individual inflatable use at the festival. More previews to come – and we’ll see you at Summer Fest!
No summer hiatus for the Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement project. It’s still in the planning stage, working toward a decision on the size and shape of the replacement. The project’s Community Advisory Group has been waiting for results of traffic studies, which could show how technology advances in ticketing could affect the vehicle flow – for example, some group members have asked, could the new dock be smaller if Washington State Ferries used Good To Go! electronic passes to eliminate the need for most vehicles to stop at toll booths. That information is expected at the next meeting, just announced for Tuesday, July 16, 6 pm, online (first meeting since March). You can register here to observe; there’s no public-comment period, but you can send feedback any time to FauntleroyTermProj@wsdot.wa.gov. The project’s Technical Advisory Group will be meeting two days later, 1 pm July 18, also online (register here to watch). Construction of the new dock isn’t expected to start before 2027.
Stefanie sent that photo after seeing that coyote – squirrel in mouth – running across 35th and down Juneau in mid-June. We’ve been publishing coyote sightings for a decade and a half, often one-offs, but this time we have several in queue, to perhaps provide better context of how they’re living around and among us. This is important for pet owners to realize, since in addition to eating small wildlife like the squirrel in the photo, rats, and more, unattended domestic animals can be part of their diet too. Other sightings, minus prey, included this one texted a few days ago:
Not a great shot but we saw a lone coyote scampering around 37th and Henderson … Public service announcement.
Also via text, sent Monday:
There was one in Sunrise Park in the High Point neighborhood around 6:30 am … We have many outdoor cats in the area that I worry about. Looks to have headed into the ravine toward Delridge.
Early morning is a common sighting time. Aaron saw one this morning:
I was not able to snag a picture, but we just saw a coyote trotting up Frontenac and then head south on 39th in Gatewood. Have appreciated the community sharing updates on locations but this was the first time we’d seen one out and about.
Also in Gatewood, Pam reported a sighting last Friday:
For the second time in the last two weeks (?) I saw a leggy coyote heading down the alley between California and 41st, this morning, it was moving fast and carrying a critter. I sure hope it was a rabbit … might be worth letting everyone know that there’s a hunter around and to keep an eye on their pets. Here’s a good source on keeping our four-legged smalls safe.
They can travel a lot of ground, too – Terris observed this one a little over a week ago:
Coyote spotted coming across the Oregon hill (23rd/22nd, whatever we call that road) from Delridge up to Puget Ridge. It crossed the intersection where 23rd branches off and ran up by the houses on the east side of the hill along on the retaining wall. Please keep your pets safe.
As noted in the FAQ Pam shared, as well as many infosheets (like this one) that we’ve shared over the years, avoiding feeding coyotes – intentionally or unintentionally – is the best way to avoid you and/or your pet coming into close contact with them.
Thanks to all the WSB readers who help watch for cars reported as stolen. Here’s the latest report, from Sura:
My green 1998 CR-V was stolen early this morning, July 2, from where I always park it, across from my house at 30th & Henderson. I don’t have a photo of it, but pretty standard, normal aging scratches, rack on top, spare tire on back. WA license #338XKY. Police report #24-180819. I love my car. If you see it or the license plate, please call me: 805-698-3332.
(Reader photo of fireworks debris collected post-Fourth at Walt Hundley Playfield park)
The annual announcement is just in – Seattle Parks will turn on the lighting at fields around the city for two nights in hopes of discouraging fireworks use. The list includes the same four as last year – two of which have since received new turf:
Delridge Playfield, 4458 Delridge Way SW
Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave. SW
Walt Hundley Playfield, 6920 34th Ave. SW
West Seattle Stadium, 4432 35th Ave. SW
Parks’ announcement says the lights at those fields (and most others on its list) will be on from “approximately” 9 pm Wednesday and Thursday (July 3-4) nights and turned off at 11 pm, with roving security then monitoring fields until 2 am. The list does not include Seattle Public Schools-owned fields (which include West Seattle’s Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex and Madison Middle School); the district has historically just had roving security monitoring its fields.
(WSB file photo)
As is customary on the Fourth of July, the West Seattle Junction Association will place dozens of American flags in the heart of the business district – with volunteer help. WSJA’s Stacie Woods tells WSB they have enough help in the morning but need more in the afternoon to remove the flags, 4-5 pm. All ages welcome – sign up to help out by going here!
(WSB photo, July 2023)
Before the barbecue – before the beach – Independence Day begins with the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade. We have more details today of what’s happening before and after the parade, thanks to Megan Erb, who’s organizing the parade again this year for the Admiral Neighborhood Association.
As always, the parade starts from 44th/Sunset shortly after 10 am. Eliza Cooper will sing the anthem, on behalf of Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor), and you’ll hear words of welcome from organizer Megan as well as ANA president Joanie Jacobs and City Councilmember Rob Saka. Again, here’s the parade route, proceeding west and then east to Hamilton Viewpoint Park (to be in it, just show up! also, please avoid parking oon the parade route):
If you are traveling in the area Thursday morning, note that traffic on California Avenue SW will be stopped by officers at SW Atlantic as the parade crosses. At the park, you’ll find free post-parade fun – including sack races by age groups, starting with 3-year-olds (there’s usually a grownup round too).
Activity booth/table providers (parade co-sponsors):
–Mode Music, Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor), South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools, Bridge School Cooperative Elementary, Holy Rosary School, Dragonfly Yoga & Pilates, Mathnasium, Wicked Rae’s Art Studio, Admiral Neighborhood Association
Plus food/treat trucks/carts.
– Lil’ J’s Super Dawgs, West Seattle Grounds, Seattle Sorbets, NWTXBBQ, LaLa’s Lemonade
At the park for up-close visits:
– SFD, SPD vehicles
Also at Hamilton Viewpoint: Four portable restrooms thanks to Potter Construction (WSB sponsor). The post-parade festivities usually wrap up at the park around noon, and it’s on with the rest of the holiday!
(Summer garden flowers photographed by Gary Pro)
Here’s what’s happening, as listed on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (send us your event any time – westseattleblog@gmail.com):
TRANSPORTATION LEVY: The City Council is meeting right now as the Select Committee on the Transportation Levy, to finalize and vote on the renewal/expansion of the city transportation levy, to go to voters this November (after a council vote next week). The agenda, with documents for the basic proposal and various amendments, is here. If the meeting’s still happening when you see this, you can watch live via Seattle Channel
FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Our calendar listing has information on where and when kids 1-18 can get free food.
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Advocacy from afar, 10:30 am-noon every Tuesday at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Daily operation continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: Continued daily operations for the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the 7-day-a-week wading pool is open today, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. There is a public-comment period – in person or by phone – if there’s something you want to tell the council. The agenda explains how. You can go to City Hall downtown or watch live via Seattle Channel (and comment by phone).
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO CLUB: First July class, 6 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW).
STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm Tuesdays all summer, bring the little one(s) to Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW) for storytime plus a garden activity.
FREE ASL CLASS: The series of introductory ASL classes continues; you can start at any time. 6 pm at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW), info here.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm tonight, play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Everyone’s welcome! Gather at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – weekly Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 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; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Event coming up? Are community members invited? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Right about this time Monday, we reported on the first day of this year’s summer meals program to keep local kids from going hungry.
Today, the other side – for those who can offer help instead of needing it, here’s what the West Seattle Food Bank is looking for right now. We asked WSFB development director Robbin Peterson what’s at the top of their list:
“We need everything, but because of our ability to purchase at lower than retail – we really need dollars. For example, if someone donates a can of tuna – we love that. But for the price of that one, we could get three from our suppliers.” Here are multiple ways to give money..
If you’d rather give food, Robbin says, “We need kid-friendly snacks and heat & eat meals. Lots of the kids experiencing hunger this summer also need to be able to prepare this food themselves; for themselves and their siblings while their adult caregiver is working. Mac and cheese, canned pasta in sauce, canned stews, canned protein like tuna and chicken to make sandwiches, and snacks.
“Also – we want garden produce!!! Plums! Squash! Tomatoes! Anything people like to grow, we’d love to have to redistribute to families. Kiddos need healthy, fresh fruit and veggies and we’d love to have garden produce to supplement what we can offer.”
And if you’re growing herbs in your garden, those are welcome too: “Food banks rarely get spices, so fresh grown herbs can be a fantastic addition to our offerings and give flavor to the basics. Have a rosemary or oregano plant over growing? We’ll take the excess!” You can bring donations to WSFB HQ on the southeast corner of 35th/Morgan between 9 am and 3 pm any weekday (till 7 pm on Wednesday).
Robbin added: “Also, while not food, we are already looking for donations of back-to-school clothes for The Clothesline. The families who rely on clothing banks start looking early so they have time to find what they need for everyone. New or gently used kids shoes, coats, jackets, and clothing as well as new socks and underwear are always needed and appreciated. Clothesline donations can be taken directly to that location, 4425 41st Ave. SW, Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday 10 am-1 pm.”
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, July 2.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Clearing, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:16 am, while sunset will be at 9:10 pm.
(Monday sunset, by Curry Gibson)
ROAD WORK
*No work Monday on the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, but SDOT placed signage saying the Fairmount Avenue closure will start next Monday (July 8), lasting up to seven months.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Meantime, extra daily weekday midday Vashon Water Taxi runs to downtown start today.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route, but now with the unscheduled “bonus boat” on weekdays when available; check WSF alerts for last-minute changes and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
(Photo courtesy Charcuterie by Annalise)
Annalise Johnson has set the grand-opening date for the new Morgan Junction storefront of her business, Charcuterie by Annalise. She’s been remodeling 6032 California SW (next to Alki Arts, in the former Youngstown/HeartBeet space), and a ribboncutting is planned for 11:30 am Saturday, July 27, followed by an open house. Annalise’s business isn’t new – it’s been a mobile business for three years, with what she describes as “beautiful and delicious custom charcuterie spreads for every occasion.” With the new storefront, she’ll expand to “a unique food experience destination for the community, with scrumptious charcuterie boxes and charcuterie sandwiches for lunch pickup as well as curated gift baskets, cheese tastings, educational demos, and collaborations with other local woman-owned small businesses.” She’ll also use the back of the space as her prep kitchen for catering orders, which can be picked up there too. Her hours for what she describes overall as an “edible art food experience” will be 11 am-6 pm Wednesdays through Sundays.
(WSB photo)
Thanks for the tips! SDOT has placed signage at both ends of Fairmount Ravine – Fairmount and Harbor, and Fairmount and Forest – with the dates that Fairmount Avenue will be fully closed as part of the Admiral Way Bridge seismic-strengthening project: Starting next Monday (July 8) and potentially continuing into late February. (When SDOT announced last week that work would start “as soon as” today, they told us they still didn’t have detour plans ready to announce but that “traffic control” wouldn’t be needed immediately.) The project will also include some lane closures and two full weekend closures of the bridge itself, but we checked after verifying the Fairmount signage tonight, and there’s no signage up top – on or near the bridge – yet. We’ll circle back with SDOT tomorrow.
(WSB photo, July 2023)
After the 4th of July, you have two days to gird yourself for West Seattle’s next big summer event, the Seafair Pirates’ Landing at Alki. They’ll be storming the shore Saturday (July 6), usually near Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki). Though their arrival is usually preceded by offshore cannon fire, and a whole lot of ferocious-sounding “arrrrr”‘s, once ashore, the Pirates are usually seen gruffly yet cheerily handing out stickers and posing for photos. It’s their 75th anniversary, and they’re expecting to land in the 1 pm-1:30 pm vicinity, according to the official announcement (which you can read in our calendar listing); they’ll be led by their newest Captain Kidd (Jay Albrecht). Once they’ve landed and mingled, they usually sail off on land instead of sea, via their trusty ship-on-wheels Moby Duck, which you’ll also see in the West Seattle Grand Parade two weeks later (Saturday, July 20).
More than a year after Steve Daschle left Southwest Youth and Family Services (as reported here) after more than 30 years as executive director, the Delridge-based nonprofit has announced a new leader who is no stranger to the organization:
Southwest Youth and Family Services (SWYFS) is delighted to announce the appointment of Essence Russ as the new Executive Director. Essence succeeds Steve Daschle, who retired in 2023 after more than three decades of dedicated leadership.
Essence Russ brings over a decade of experience in management positions within the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as a Director for TAF@Saghalie, a school district where 80.1% of the student body is non-white, and 30.4% are multilingual learners. At TAF@Saghalie, Essence has been instrumental in maintaining programs and recruiting and training a dedicated staff team. She firmly believes in the core value that every student is capable of learning and succeeding, and she works to ensure that families are seen, heard, and valued as partners in their student’s education.
Before her tenure at TAF@Saghalie, Essence served as Program Manager of Statewide Initiatives for the College Success Foundation. In this role, she supported the WCAN (Washington College Access Network Team) as well as the Passport to Careers contract through WSAC (Washington Student Achievement Council). She supported alumni of foster care in finding success in their post-secondary endeavors. Her mission was to create a just and equitable society through education.
Essence’s career in the nonprofit sector has included several leadership positions in Seattle. Most notably, she served as Director of the Family Resource Center for SWYFS from 2017 to 2020. During her time at SWYFS, Essence learned about different cultures, supported families, and established lasting community partnerships.
“Essence’s deep commitment to equity, education, and community makes her the perfect fit for leading SWYFS into the future,” said August Rowe, Acting Executive Director. “We are excited to welcome her back to the SWYFS family and look forward to the innovative leadership she will bring to our organization.”
The new executive director starts in two weeks, on July 15. If you’re not familiar with SWYFS, its website explains the services it offers – including behavioral health, education, and family support.
(WSB photo)
1:07 PM: Thanks for the tips. A man was found dead this morning on a bench at Junction Plaza Park. SFD was dispatched just after 11:30 am and verified that the man had died; police responded to the scene too. We don’t yet know anything about the circumstances of his death or the discovery of his body, but we’re not seeing any indication of a crime investigation. Official determination of the cause of death will be up to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (whose crew has arrived to take away the man’s body – that’s their van in our photo above).
4:24 PM: SFD says the man was in his early 50s.
ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: According to the KCMEO, he was 52, and died of an unintentional overdose: “Acute drug intoxication including methamphetamine.”
(WSB photo, past and future Alki Elementary site)
As promised, deputy Hearing Examiner Susan Drummond has issued her ruling today on the second Alki Elementary rebuild appeal, a challenge to the city decision allowing less parking than zoning requires. This time, Drummond has dismissed the appeal. We recapped the backstory here; in short, Seattle Public Schools originally proposed building the new school with no parking, though zoning required 48; the city approved that, but in response to an appeal of that approval, Drummond told the district and city to revisit the parking situation. The district came up with a new plan for 15 spaces, the city approved that too, an appeal was filed, but Drummond’s ruling today says 15 spaces enough. Her decision concludes:
… The District substantiated that the anticipated parking demand can be accommodated on site with spillover parking on the street within 800 feet of the site, while still allowing adequate on-street parking capacity. The expert testimony supporting the approach was credible. The District’s experts arrived at similar if not the same conclusions and substantiated those conclusions. As District briefing noted, opposing testimony included irreconcilable or unsupportable conclusions, and did not meet the burden of proof required to reverse the Department’s decision. The School District and Department took the parking concerns seriously and balanced the issue against educational needs to ensure the code criteria were addressed. The Department’s decision approving the parking departure should be upheld.
The appellants now have three weeks to request judicial review of the decision. We’ll be asking if they intend to do that. Construction of the school – at the site where the old Alki Elementary was demolished after last school year – is still awaiting building permits that can’t be issued until the case is closed.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
With a holiday in view, things are starting to get quiet – but you still have options for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Daily operation continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of locations and times.
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is now open weekdays too, noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the 7-day-a-week wading pool is open today noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.
BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Four places to play tonight – 6:30 and 7:30 pm music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All welcome at free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community hosts meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE: 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The city’s Summer Meals Program opens today at 70 sites citywide. Kids and teens ages 1 through 18 can get “free, healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks,” according to the announcement, which adds, “Each participant can receive up to two meals or one meal and one snack per day, to be eaten onsite.” The program will operate through August 23, and this page has multiple ways to find the site closest to you and the hours it’s open – West Seattle sites on the list include High Point Community Center, Highland Park Playground, Roxhill Park Playground, Salish Landing, and High Point Commons Park (opening July 8). If you have questions, email SFSP@seattle.gov.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, July 1.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Clearing, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:16 am, while sunset will be at 9:10 pm.
ROAD WORK
*Some work on the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project could start this week, but SDOT hasn’t released detour plans yet and says they’re not needed because the early work does not require traffic control.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Meantime, extra daily weekday midday Vashon Water Taxi runs to downtown start today.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route, but now with the unscheduled “bonus boat” on weekdays when available; check WSF alerts for last-minute changes and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (as of early this morning, most were functioning again(
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Some of the questions posed to State Sen. Joe Nguyễn during his Saturday morning Town Hall were about the biggest issues faced by state government – like school funding, public safety, and climate response.
Then, there was the attendee who wanted to know who had the power to keep the Blue Angels away.
Sen. Nguyễn, a West Seattle-residing Democrat in his second term as senator for the 34th Legislative District, spoke to and with more than two dozen people scattered around the back garden at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). As announced, the Town Hall lasted an hour – we recorded it on video:
Many of the questions were about climate/sustainability, not surprising considering that Nguyễn chairs the State Senate’s Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee. But school funding carried the most immediacy, given that Seattle Public Schools‘ superintendent Dr. Brent Jones has cited inadequate state funding as a reason he’s considering closing ~20 schools.
(WSB file photo from a movie night at Camp Long)
Camp Long has set the date for three outdoor movies this August – now the park staff is hoping you’ll help choose which movies are shown. Movie nights will be Fridays – August 2, 9, 23 – “shortly after dusk.” You’re invited to choose your first, second, and third choices from a list of more than 30 movies – go here to cast your votes!
(WSB photo, 34th/Morgan)
Though most of the attention has gone to the Alki Point stretch, West Seattle has two other “Healthy Streets,” and SDOT sent an announcement this week that it’s done with work on what was the first one announced in 2020, officially the “High Point Healthy Street” though it stretches into Sunrise Heights. After a downsizing decision last year, SDOT retained the designation for 34th SW between Graham and Holden. Most of what the “construction” entailed was the placement of permanent concrete-base signage, including some with planters, as shown above, and pavement markings around the signs. SDOT says it will decide by year’s end whether the other West Seattle Healthy Street, Delridge/Highland Park, will become permanent; community advocates have long been requesting that if it does, the Trenton stretch is removed, as that’s a major neighborhood connection street.
Thanks to Teri for the photo. As noted in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and today’s highlight list, former longtime West Seattle Nursery employee Linda Hornberg has written a book “for children of all ages,” and she’s at the nursery until 3 pm signing and reading from “Picture a Garden“ – all welcome to stop by! The nursery is at California/Brandon.
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