West Seattle, Washington
12 Thursday
(WSB photos)
In those bags were some of the 2,600 eyed coho-salmon eggs that hundreds of students and teachers in West Seattle are about to raise for the Salmon in the Schools program. Volunteer Phil Sweetland picked them up at the Soos Creek Hatchery this morning, and this afternoon, reps from the 14 participating local schools came to fetch their future fry.
Akemi Sakaida, for Alki Elementary, and Adrian Parke, for Highland Park Elementary, were among those retrieving eggs today outside the home of Sweetland and Judy Pickens, who also is a longtime volunteer with the program (among many other community roles).
Participating students this year range from preschool to high-school age. The eggs will be placed in tanks at schools, where, Pickens explains, “Students will rear their fish and learn about salmon, habitat, and stewardship until releasing their fry in Fauntleroy Creek in May.” (Almost 1,000 people participated in last year’s releases.)
Five notes for school-shopping season:
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Independent K-5 Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) is hosting its next open house this Saturday, 10 am-noon. Head of School Dr. Jorge Olaf Nelson and Tilden staff and families will be there to answer questions and talk about the school’s programs.
BRIDGE COOPERATIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Also ready to welcome prospective families 10 am-noon this Saturday is The Bridge School (10300 28th SW; WSB sponsor) – “Families will learn about our whole-child, hands-on approach to learning that includes multi-age small classes, an outdoor education program, and an emphasis on the arts.”
WEST SEATTLE PRESCHOOL FAIR: Next Monday night, it’s the return of this event bringing together representatives from more than a dozen local preschools. The Preschool Fair is set for 5:30-7 pm Monday, January 8th, in the Menashe Gym at Hope Lutheran North (4100 SW Genesee). Hope Lutheran and Westside School (WSB sponsor) are coordinating it and are two of the participants.
NEW PRESCHOOL: The Torah Learning Center of West Seattle has announced that it’s starting a Jewish Forest Preschool in the Alki area this summer, for ages 2-5. It’ll be a “nature-based preschool” featuring “exploratory play and learning.” They’re accepting inquiries at jewishalkibeach@gmail.com.
PUBLIC-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES/TOURS: We’re starting to get announcements from individual West Seattle schools and are adding them to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar as we get them. We’ve heard so far from Highland Park Elementary (dates here) and Lafayette Elementary (info here). The district website also is building a list here.
School-related info always welcome – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!
(WSB photo, last month)
The Westside Neighbors Shelter – West Seattle’s only shelter, powered by donations and volunteers – has “immediate needs,” its operator Keith Hughes tells WSB. If you can help, here’s what they’re asking for:
With the high volume of people being served, we suddenly find ourselves short on paper goods – Dixie Ultra 10″ plates, 6″ plates, 20 ounce bowls – plus powdered coffee creamer, pancake syrup, creamy peanut butter, sugar (5 or 10 lb bags), Splenda (the pink stuff), and store gift cards to buy eggs, milk, and butter.
Deliveries can be made every morning from 8 am – 10 am, and every evening 5 pm to 9 pm.
Thank you West Seattle community for your continued support of this vital service.
The shelter is in the Veteran Center/American Legion building at 3618 SW Alaska.
We’ve been working today on fact-finding regarding rumors about the future of the Fauntleroy YMCA, co-housed for more than a century with the Fauntleroy UCC church at 9140 California SW. We’ve spoken with leadership at both the Y and the church and have now received official statements from both. First, here is what the church is saying:
The YMCA of Greater Seattle very recently informed Fauntleroy Church of budgetary concerns that are affecting its Fauntleroy location.
At the request of the church and with respect to the 100-year partnership of the Y, the church, and the Fauntleroy community, immediate decisions are on hold while discussion is under way about how this partnership might continue.
Senior Minister Leah Atkinson Bilinski noted that, “In the years I have been here, I have witnessed the deep love Fauntleroy residents have for what has so long been the center of community engagement – the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, Fauntleroy Church, and the Fauntleroy Y. We do not wish to lose the Fauntleroy Y, and from initial conversation, we understand that the Y also does not wish to lose its connection or legacy in this community. As conversation continues, the Y has assured us that it will seek community input. We also plan to do so and have already briefed Fauntleroy Community Association President Mike Dey.”
And here’s the YMCA’s statement:
The Fauntleroy YMCA is open and operating as usual. We appreciate your patience and thoughtful messages.
Right now, we find ourselves at a crossroads with how we use our space at the Fauntleroy YMCA in a fiscally responsible and mission-impactful way – and we need our community’s input and support. We look forward to working with the Fauntleroy church and our community as we explore options. We will not make any hurried final decisions, especially considering our nearly 100-year legacy of serving the Fauntleroy community. We are currently in the process of reaching out to members for their collaboration and support.
January is the kickoff of our annual membership drive, leading into our Annual Fund Drive in February. Now is the perfect time for community to lean in to help revitalize our operations at the Fauntleroy Y. Please encourage your friends to join us on the road to our Annual Fund Drive kick-off as they begin their New Year’s resolution to take care of their health. Get involved with our upcoming fundraising campaign by emailing us at cking@seattleymca.org or by donating today to help us get started!
If you have any other thoughts or ideas, we would love to hear them. Please email us at pr@seattleymca.org.
The Fauntleroy YMCA has long been co-managed with the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle. According to the Y’s website, the Fauntleroy location is currently open three mornings a week. Along with the Y, the Fauntleroy Church campus is also home to a preschool that is not affiliated with the church or Y.
ADDED 3:55 PM: The YMCA also just announced a community meeting:
We will also host a town hall on January 19 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Fauntleroy Church community gathering hall. We invite you to join us in an open dialogue about the Fauntleroy Y’s future, ask questions, and share your ideas and collaborative concepts for the space and how we can best serve the community sustainably.
(August 2023 photo by David Hutchinson)
Yes, that’s Blue Angel, singular, though our file photo shows them all. Just a heads-up, especially for the eastern West Seattle residents/workers who have eyes on Boeing Field, that one of the U.S. Navy demonstration team’s jets will be visiting next Monday (January 8). It’s the annual wintertime visit to look ahead to the Seafair Air Show (this year’s dates are August 3-5). The jet’s expected arrival on Monday is 3:45 pm, though a Seafair spokesperson notes that time is approximate.
(SDOT photo – new signage for Alki Point ‘Healthy Street’)
One month ago, we reported on the new design for the permanent features of the Alki Point “Healthy Street” – Beach Drive northwest of 63rd, and Alki Avenue west of 63rd. Much ensuing discussion focused on the parking situation. This week, SDOT sent a newsletter recapping the design plans and adding the finalized parking stats for those concerned:
# of ADA parking spaces: 3
# of speed humps: 3
# of parking we’re removing (on Beach Dr SW from 3300 Beach Dr SW to 64th Ave SW): approx. 61 spaces
# of parking spaces available (on Beach Dr SW from 3300 Beach Dr SW to 64th Ave SW): approx. 48 spaces
# of parking we’re removing (Cul-de-sac area: raised crosswalk to 64th Pl SW): approx. 6
SDOT adds, “Existing public parking has also been identified in the area for possible re-striping, improved signage, or other updates to better indicate its availability for visitors.” Construction of the permanent features is expected to happen this spring.
(Early-morning fishing at Seacrest Pier – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
From reading to running, here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PRESCHOOLER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), every Thursday morning!
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Llama Fusion.
FREE ECO-ARTS CLASS: 4-7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – drop in!
VISCON CELLARS: The winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle. Starting tonight at 7, this is also a site for tonight’s Silent Book Club (see below).
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, starting at 5 pm. Timed tickets and info here.
WESTSIDE SCHOOL VIRTUAL INFORMATION NIGHT: 6-7:15 pm, online info night for prospective preschool through 4th-grade families to find out more about Westside School (WSB sponsor) – our calendar listing explains how to RSVP.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood.
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.
BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
SILENT BOOK CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: 11 locations for tonight’s gathering, from West Seattle Grounds in the north to Dubsea Coffee in the south – they’re all listed (along with some specials) in our calendar listing. 7-9 pm, choose where you want to be, BYOB(ook), and enjoy!
YOGA, BREATH WORK, GONG BATH, MORE: 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.
Planning something that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
If you have a new or little-used coat, or other warm clothing, that you can donate, the holiday drive at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (WSB sponsor) has been extended a few more days – here’s the update we received:
This has been a stellar year for donations, and we want to thank all of you for helping our community in need.
We are wrapping up this year’s collection this Friday. This is your last chance to bring us your gently used warm weather clothes to 3435 California Ave SW.
For further information, contact the State Farm office at 206-932-1878.
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, January 4th.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
More rain in the forecast, high in the upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:57 am, and the sun will set at 4:31 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
ROAD WORK
As previewed here, pole installation for the permanent Highland Park Way/Holden signal is expected to result in lane closures again today.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
(The video options on SDOT’s camera map still don’t work; SDOT told us they’re working on it, but they don’t know when the feeds will be fixed.)
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, 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 – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide 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 opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water, 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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