West Seattle, Washington
07 Sunday
Police are investigating gunfire just north of Westcrest Park. After a 911 call from a home near 5th SW and SW Cloverdale, officers went to the area and have told dispatch they’ve found 25 shell casings at an intersection in the area. No injuries or property damage reported so far. The original caller was reported to have said a “silver vehicle” might have been involved.
Congratulations to eight West Seattle High School athletes who will continue their studies – and their sports – at college. The school held a National Signing Day ceremony for them today; athletic director Corey Sorenson sent photos. Here are the seniors and where they’re going:
From left:
Lucy Larson – Basketball, Seattle University
Caden Fahy – Baseball, University of Pennsylvania
Tristan Buehring – Baseball, Whitman College
Bobby Trigg – Baseball, Bellevue College
Miles Chandler – Baseball, Washington State University
Matthew Henning – Baseball, University of Washington
Simon Vance – Golf, Southwestern Oregon College
Bo Gionet – Football, Central Washington University
One week until Valentine’s Day. But we learned last week, not all heart-light displays are a salute to the lovers’ holiday. In Gatewood, neighbors decked their block with hearts as a tribute to a departed neighbor. And tonight’s photo, from Pauline, is a tribute to her mom – named Joy: “Mom really was about Peace, Love, and Joy.” (If you have heart lights up, photos welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
During tonight’s Seattle Public Schools Board meeting, president Liza Rankin was hoping to brief her colleagues on where education-funding issues of interest stand in the ongoing Washington State Legislature session.
If that briefing happens before the meeting ends, dozens of West Seattleites will be able to listen with newfound knowledge after “School Funding 101,” at which Rankin was a guest speaker, this past Monday night at Genesee Hill Elementary.
PTA/PTSA/PTOs from all around West Seattle partnered to present the educational event, hosted by the Genesee Hill PTA, whose Advocacy Committee coordinated it, citing a troubling drop in public interest regarding school funding. The night’s other guest speaker was Vivian van Gelder, vice president of the Seattle Council PTSA.
Rankin – an SPS parent herself – took to the microphone first, starting with a quick explanation of the school board’s role, a topic she said could take up an entire night all its own. “Very basically …the role of the school board is to govern as a body, be representatives of the entire Seattle community … provide direction to the superintendent about what the community expects of the local school district. A key accountability of the board is “to hire and evaluate the superintendent,” one thing the board has “100 percent control over.” In setting policy, they are authorized to direct the superintendent based on majority vote of the board. And germane to the night’s topic, state law requires them to approve a balanced budget.: “Approving a balanced budget.”
Current board focuses, Rankin said, include focusing on legislation, supporting newly elected board directors (West Seattle/South Park’s Gina Topp is one of two and was present at the event), coalescing as a board and getting clear on our governance structure, as well as partnering with families and PTA/PTSA/PTOs. Personally, Rankin said, she has a goal of getting clear on what superintendent and district should do for engagement, and what the board and directors are expected to do.
After that, van Gelder stepped up with the toplines on where funding comes from. Federal sources include Title 1, IDEA, and about-to-expire pandemic-related funding.
4:55 PM: As shown on that screengrab from an SDOT traffic camera, crews dealing with a downed wire have outside lanes blocked on southbound West Marginal and westbound (uphill) Highland Park Way right now. Avoid the intersection if you can.
5:35 PM: Metro says, via an alert, that it’s rerouting southbound Route 131 because of this.
11:59 PM: Since our last check, the camera shows, the crew has cleared and the lanes are all open again.
Thanks to Tom Trulin for sending the tip and photo! That’s Sunfish proprietor Michael Vassiliou, ready to welcome everyone back to his fish-and-chips-and-more restaurant at 2800 Alki Avenue SW, which just reopened after its winter break.
That’s the official poster for the winter West Seattle Art Walk events – with art by Suzanne Uschold, one of the artists you can meet tomorrow night during the February Art Walk. She’ll be at Hawthorne Massage and Self-Care in North Admiral (2237 California SW). We asked Art Walk director Mia Manzulli for some Thursday night suggestions; in South Admiral, she says, you’ll find Magdalena Cooney featured at Forever Young Aesthetics (3813 California SW). In The Junction, one of the newer businesses to join the Art Walk is Rush Hour (4517 California SW), spotlighting artist Alex Guyon “in their sweet little gallery space at the back of the store,” Mia tells us. Also in The Junction, ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) is having an artist reception for their new show, Scott Coffey‘s “Friend of Achilles.” Among the other Junction venues, as previewed here earlier this week, Easy Street Records has art and music (the latter, with West Seattle’s own Brent Amaker & The Rodeo at 7 pm). In Morgan Junction, Diane Venti is hosting a “reunion” show at Alki Arts (6030 California SW; WSB sponsor), with 10 artists from her original gallery space on Alki Beach. Nearby West Seattle Cellars (6026 California SW) is hosting artist Steffanie Lorig and tasting Portuguese wines. Those are just a few places you can stop; official Art Walk hours are 5 pm-“late,” but individual venues’ hours may vary. Be sure to check the walking map/full preview list, which also notes the venues with food/drink specials you can get by mentioning you’re there for Art Walk night.
(WSB photo, looking toward the northwest)
Last month, our brief mention of a reader-reported problem with the 47th/Admiral signal led to a comment discussion about recurring trouble there. One reader said they’d reported it in December and received an explanation that the vehicle-detection system was failing. We followed up with SDOT, which after a lengthy research period provided this response:
We completely replaced the vehicle detection system and made other repairs to this traffic signal in the summer of 2023. The old detection system originally was built with a 5-year product lifespan and had begun to show signs of failure. Since we finished these repairs, our technicians have made several field visits to test the signal, and have not observed any operational problems. The most recent site visit took place last week, when our technician watched the signal for approximately 90 minutes and did not see any issues.
Nonetheless, we will continue to take this issue seriously and will continue to make field visits if people continue to report problems. We appreciate members of the public who have taken the time to notify us when they think they see a problem, and especially appreciate when people are able to provide specific details such as the direction and time of day that they were traveling, which may help us to catch any issues that might not be occurring consistently at all times.
The signal was installed in 2015, two years after the City Council funded it following years of community advocacy for intersection improvements. As for reporting trouble – aside from using the Find It/Fix It app, you can report signal (and other) problems to SDOT via 206-684-ROAD – after-hours, 206-386-1218 – or 684-Road@seattle.gov via email.
Sent by Mike, with the victim’s permission:
My buddy Kevin, who is a longtime employee at Easy Street Records and is responsible for creating every wonderful window display we’ve had in The Junction over the last few decades, had his vehicle stolen yesterday between 1 pm and 9:30 pm in the parking lot attached to Wells Fargo on Alaska and 44th Ave. Kevin is the best and I’m hoping our watchful community will keep an eye out for my friend’s car. If spotted, please call the store at 206-938-EASY (3279).
The car has a collector plate, 5813E.
(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can look ahead any time):
ALKI CO-OP BOOK FAIR: Shop through Sunday (February 11) at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) and say you’re there to support Alki Cooperative Preschool, which will benefit from a percentage of the sale.
TODDLER READING TIME: And here’s another reason to visit the shop – weekly toddler reading time! 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SENIOR CENTER HAIRCUTS BY TALIA: Call to see if any appointments are open before Talia‘s visit to the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 2-4 pk.
FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm drop-in playspace at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
LEARN ABOUT SKI/SNOWBOARD WAXING: More fun on the slopes if you take care of your gear! 6 pm class at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) – info and registration link are in our calendar listing.
COUNCILMEMBER SPEAKS WITH KIWANIS: 6 pm at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW), City Councilmember Rob Saka talks with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle. If you didn’t get to RSVP in advance, check to see if there’s room – our preview includes contact information.
FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run! 6:15 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … 7 pm trivia at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW, White Center) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY TOUR: 6:30 pm, prospective Gatewood Elementary families are invited to visit. Meet in the library. (4320 SW Myrtle)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for 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!
A reminder from the Southwest Lacrosse Club this morning – practices start soon, so it’s signup time now:
Are you looking for a fun and fast-paced team sport for your K-8th grader? Registration is currently open for the 2024 Seattle Metro Youth Lacrosse season.
Founded in 2008, the Southwest Lacrosse Club promotes, organizes, and develops K-8 youth lacrosse from West Seattle to Federal Way. Our mission is to teach lacrosse fundamentals and good sportsmanship while emphasizing the importance of discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness. Players of all skill levels can develop their game, and we will prepare each athlete for the next level of play. No prior lacrosse experience is required; the club can provide all equipment if needed. We offer full and partial scholarships for those who qualify and have equipment available to loan.
Practices begin mid-February, and games run from March through the end of May. Check out our website or contact us at swlctitans@gmail.com with any questions.
The club is open to all for kindergarten through 2nd grade, boys for 3rd through 8th.
9:20 AM: WSF says #2 vessel Cathlamet is currently “delayed” at Vashon for “unscheduled maintenance.”
9:50 AM: The Cathlamet is back in operation.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, February 7.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Same forecast as yesterday – mostly cloudy with a chance of more rain, high in the mid-to-upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:28 am, sunset at 5:19 pm.
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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