day : 01/02/2024 10 results

(December photo, courtesy WSHS Cheer)

A reader emailed to remind us that the West Seattle High School Cheer Team‘s competing at state again this year, and the tournament starts tomorrow (Friday, February 2). It’s happening at Battle Ground High School in southwest Washington. According to the tournament schedule, WSHS competes in coed tumbling, starting just after 7 pm tomorrow. As noted here two months ago, the cheer team – coached by Nadine Nguyen and Walker Layne – earned the state spot by winning their division.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue Mazda3; car prowl too

| Crime | West Seattle news

Reported via email:

A 2012 Mazda3 sedan, gun-metal blue, plate # BWY0174, was stolen overnight near 20th Ave SW & Roxbury, noticed missing today at 4:30 in the morning. A police report has been made: 24-29655.

In connection with the theft, according to the email report, another car nearby – a Honda Passport – was prowled.

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FOLLOWUP: Shooting victim’s sister announces another protest outside Chief Sealth IHS on Friday

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo, Monday)

Three days after a protest outside Chief Sealth International High School and Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center, where 15-year-old Sealth student Mobarak Adam died of a gunshot wound, another one has been announced. The victim’s sister Leyla, who spoke at Monday’s rally and march, sent this flyer, announcing the gathering for 2 pm Friday (February 2), a “protest against gun violence and finding justice for Mobarak Adam.” This past Tuesday, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office announced that the teen’s death one week earlier was ruled a homicide. No further word yet from Seattle Police about the status of the investigation. Seattle Parks, meantime, told us Tuesday they will replace the long-broken Teen Life Center/Pool camera.

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FOLLOWUP: Here’s where West Seattle’s driver-licensing office is moving to

February 1, 2024 2:46 pm

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| Delridge | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL THURSDAY STORY: The state Department of Licensing is finally confirming the new location of its West Seattle driver-licensing office. We first reported more than a year ago that they had found a site but weren’t ready to disclose it; city records suggested they were pursuing a North Delridge location. Today, the DOL announced that’s indeed where they’re moving – 2420 SW Dakota, Suite 100 [map], adjacent to other state offices. A DOL spokesperson tells WSB, “Our last day at the current location will be on Saturday, February 24. We’ll open the new location on Friday, March 1.” The current location at 8830 25th SW east of Westwood Village is being vacated because, as we first reported in 2022, the site is planned for redevelopment into what city permit records describe as “a 6-story, 144-unit apartment building (with p)arking for 20 vehicles.”

ADDED MONDAY: The DOL confirms its entrance will be at the back (west side) of the building, which carries a Delridge address in front.

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WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Double sighting

February 1, 2024 2:02 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Andrea reports a sighting shared by a neighbor while out dog-walking: “2 coyotes were spotted crossing Alaska Street at 48th Ave SW going into Ercolini Park at 10 PM last night.” Remember that coexistence with coyotes depends on keeping them at a distance, with tactics like what Jen B described in yesterday’s report.

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EARTHQUAKE SAFETY: Next step in city’s move toward requiring retrofits

February 1, 2024 12:43 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo of one of the smaller West Seattle buildings on the list, at Highland Park Playground)

One year ago, the city went public with a list of more than a thousand buildings targeted in a plan to require “unreinforced masonry” buildings to be retrofitted to meet earthquake-safety standards. The list included more than 40 buildings in West Seattle (including the small one shown above at Highland Park Playground.) Our February 2023 report also included information on how the city planned to move toward those requirements – something that’s been under discussion for more than a decade. The process continues, and today the city has announced one of the next steps – a “listening session.” Here’s the announcement:

The City of Seattle is holding a listening session for developers and owners of older brick buildings for a proposed new Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program to support funding of seismic retrofits.

The 23rd anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake is February 28. The Nisqually earthquake shook Puget Sound, injured 400 people, and did $2 billion in property damage. Amidst the recent news of natural disasters such as record-breaking freezing temperatures and flooding, we must not forget the pending disaster underfoot. Over the next 50 years there’s an 86% chance that we will experience another earthquake of similar magnitude to the Nisqually earthquake. The type of building most heavily damaged during the Nisqually earthquake, and in other earthquakes globally, are old brick buildings, often referred to as “unreinforced masonry buildings” or URMs. These buildings are prone to collapse due to their lack of structural reinforcements; they stand upright thanks to brick and mortar but have no support system for the horizontal motion of earthquakes. Seattle has 1,100 URM buildings and wants to require structural retrofits to prevent their collapse in the next earthquake that could happen any day. The City plans to adopt a voluntary retrofit ordinance by the end of 2024 and expects to follow-up with a mandatory retrofit ordinance in the near future.

The City hasn’t previously mandated seismic retrofits of URM buildings due to the associated expense. A 2019 study estimated a retrofit would cost nearly $650,000 for the average three-story URM building. Inflation, worker shortages, and other factors have surely increased cost projections. Since City Council passed joint resolutions 32033 and 32111 in support of creating a URM program, the City is making progress in establishing retrofit standards and identifying funding resources for building owners.

The City of Seattle is holding a listening session for developers and owners of URM buildings for a proposed new Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program to support seismic retrofits of URM buildings. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) and Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) are hosting this meeting on Tuesday, February 27 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room in Seattle City Hall. You can register and view the meeting agenda for this in-person event on the Unreinforced Masonry Buildings website.

The proposal for this potential new TDR program was developed by the Alliance for Safety, Affordability, and Preservation! (ASAP!) and would allow URM building owners to voluntarily sell unused development rights to fund seismic retrofits. The City wants to hear from URM building owners and developers regarding the merits of this proposal.

The listening session will include a:

Presentation on the City’s current and planned progress with URM retrofit requirements and legislation
Conceptual overview of transfer of development rights
Facilitated session to consider various scenarios and perspectives of the proposed program

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen truck

February 1, 2024 11:26 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Via email – this truck was stolen overnight:

Date: 01/31/24
Time: Last seen at 8 pm
Location: 30th SW /Morgan Street, West Seattle
Make/Model: 1997 Ford Econoline
Color: White
License Plate: C98764G

Additional Identifying Features: American Data Guard (ADG) on both sides of the truck

Call 911 if you see it.

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THINK SUMMER! Loop the ‘Lupe returning for 2024

February 1, 2024 10:39 am

| Comments Off on THINK SUMMER! Loop the ‘Lupe returning for 2024

| West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2023 Loop the ‘Lupe)

Now that February is here and spring is in sight … we can start talking about summer, too. Our area’s only obstacle-course 5K is one of the multiple events that will again comprise Loop the ‘Lupe, which raises money for Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s social-outreach programs. This year it’s happening on Saturday, June 8 – and registration just opened. Early registration means you get in at the lowest rate. If you don’t want to tackle the obstacle course, there’s an obstacle-free 5K fun run, a Senior Saunter, and a Youth Dash. The schedule, prices, and registration links are all on this page. Fees go up on March 22, so if you can’t register right now, you can use the “Share This” link to send this to yourself as a reminder!

P.S. Last year had the biggest Loop the ‘Lupe turnout ever – see our coverage here.

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‘Born With Teeth,’ Silent Book Club, Piano Bar, more on the list for your West Seattle Thursday

February 1, 2024 9:04 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Cedar Waxwing, photographed by Jerry Simmons)

Here’s what’s happening on the first day/night of February, mostly from our Event Calendar:

LOUISA BOREN STEM K-8 TOURS: 9:05 am-10;15 am elementary, 10:30 am-11:30 am middle – visit and tour! (5950 Delridge Way SW)

FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Open until noon, drop in at the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).

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.

UNDERSTANDING POWERS OF ATTORNEY: Free informational presentation at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 1 pm.

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 Five Hooks Seafood.

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.

WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO: First February class is at 6 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

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.

BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.

PIANO BAR: Larry Knapp and friends play music for a fun night at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 7-10 pm, $10.

SILENT BOOK CLUB: 12 places in West Seattle and White Center to read and talk, or not, tonight! They’re all in our calendar listing. Wherever you choose to go, it’s happening 7-9 pm.

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: Live in White Center or points south? Your community council meets online at 7 pm – attendance info and agenda highlights are in our calendar listing.

YOGA, BREATH WORK, GONG BATH, MORE: 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Opening night for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.

(added) COMEDY: Late word from Cozy Comedy:

February 1, 8 p.m. Jokes at the Junction at Great American Diner

Tonight we have a very special show. It’s our last audition show for the Washington’s Funniest Mammal Comedy Competition. The competition will be held throughout February between 50 of our state’s best comedians. The winner takes home $2000. Tonight 8 comics vie for a few final spots. Tickets $10 at CozyComedy.com.

Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this one? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: February begins

February 1, 2024 6:00 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: February begins

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Thursday, February 1st!

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

After three consecutive record-for-the-date highs of 61, yesterday dropped to a non-record 60. Today’s high is expected to be in the mid-50s, mostly cloudy, rain likely. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:36 am, sunset at 5:10 pm.

(Tuesday sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor at Lincoln Park)

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

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 opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem 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 they’re not already on scene). Thank you!

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