West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Three Little Birds in The Junction is having a party today and tomorrow. Proprietor Jennifer Young explains, “Can you believe it? Three Little Birds is celebrating 10 years in business. We are celebrating all today and tomorrow with a big sale, prizes, and goodies. We are so grateful for our amazing West Seattle customers that have shown their love and support for ALL THESE YEARS!” The shop is open until 5 today, 10 am-5 pm Saturday: “We opened 10 years ago on 3/30 … so we are doing a 30% discount!” Three Little Birds, selling kids’ apparel and more, is at 4736 California SW, where it moved in October 2019 after being in Morgan Junction for its first five years.
(WSB photos)
11:18 AM: As reported here earlier this week, today is the first day of a clearance operation at the encampment that’s been growing on 1st Avenue South, just north of the Highway 509 Cloverdale overpass [map].
The road is narrow and traffic is backed up on southbound 1st in the area. The site includes both state and city land, so multiple agencies are involved. The first thing they’re doing is removing and towing vehicles.
Agencies on site include SDOT, SPD, SPU, and WSDOT, and they expect to be there “all day.”
Though the city and state say they’ve been planning this for months, clearance plans acquired extra urgency after a man was arrested at the encampment on Tuesday after allegedly shooting at his girlfriend.
4:18 PM: We asked state and city spokespeople for details on today’s operation. “Ten individuals were offered housing from the Cloverdale site, and all 10 accepted,” said WSDOT’s James Poling. He says the vehicles removed were on the city part of the site, so city spokesperson Lori Baxter addressed that: “A total of 13 vehicles were towed today from City property as part of this site resolution, nine of which were abandoned and partially stripped. One box truck, one RV, and one motorcycle were also included in the towed vehicles.” She added, “Outreach coordinators from the Unified Care Team were also onsite to offer same-day shelter referrals for anyone at the site that had not already received an offer of housing. One additional shelter referral was made.”
8:14 PM: We drove through the area late today – above, the view of the cleared site from the road; below, a section of fencing placed along the road just to the south:
From Angela at Budget Blinds-West Seattle (2403 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor):
This morning between 6-7 am one of our Budget Blinds vans was stolen. It was seen around 6:50am between Brandon and 46th Ave SW. A wonderful & helpful neighbor spotted the van and as it drove past her many sample books flew out and onto the street. They were picked up and stored for us to come pick up. We’ve collected 5 so far. Here are a couple photo for reference. If anyone happens to see any more books, or any info on the van, please message me?
License Plate D27632B
2006 Ford Econoline
(2023 Seattle Parks image of stadium study area for off-leash area)
It’s official: Following a recommendation vote at last night’s Parks Board meeting, Seattle Parks says West Seattle’s second off-leash area will be just south of West Seattle Stadium (the area outlined in red, above). The announcement from Parks says the “planning and construction timeline will be announced soon.” It also reiterates that Lincoln Park (the other finalist for the site, after a long study process) was “found to be unsuitable (and) not recommended for an OLA at this time based on community feedback and other existing uses). The West Seattle Stadium dog park will be funded by the Park District. The department also is planning new dog parks in South Park (near the community center) and Georgetown.
(WSB photo, Darwin’s barberry starting to bloom at Don Armeni)
Here’s our list of highlights for the day/night ahead! Most are from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Our list includes Good Friday services at many of the 14 churches who have sent us their schedules.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).
HIGH-SCHOOL SOFTBALL: One home game – West Seattle HS hosts Silas, 4 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL: Two home games – West Seattle HS hosts Lakeside, 4 pm, while Chief Sealth IHS hosts Ballard, 7 pm, both at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
WSHS BASEBALL ONLINE AUCTION: You can support the Wildcats right now, online, in advance of their in-person fundraiser:
The West Seattle HS Baseball Program is holding their annual “Grand Slam Social & Fundraiser” event on March 30th, 6 pm – 9 pm at the Alki Masonic Center. This is one of our biggest fundraising events of the year. This year our auction is online and open to the community. Many of the items were provided by local WS businesses, including the food for the event. Key sponsors: Duo Cucina, Box Bar, Pine Lake Cellars, & Georgetown Brewery. Here’s the online link, open right now: Grand Slam Social & Fundraiser Catalog
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open tonight for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
‘MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL’: Second night for West Seattle High School‘s new production, 7 pm. Ticket info is in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Byland show, sale, signing, Q & A, 7 pm. (4559 California SW)
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm show for Checkered Record, Holy Hell, J Waylon. $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight: DJ Lady Coco. (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD! Skate to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 9 pm-midnight, this week featuring NUDA, Primer, Zara. $18 cover + $5 skate rental
LATE-NIGHT SINGING: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:09 AM: The encampment cleanup at 1st and Cloverdale is affecting traffic, we’re told – avoid the area.
Earlier:
6 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, March 29, and the Mariners have another home game tonight (6:40 pm), so if you’re traveling through the stadium zone, be aware.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Possible morning showers, then clearing, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise will be at 6:52 am, sunset at 7:35 pm.
SPRING BREAK
This is the last day before spring break for parochial schools, which are off next week, as are Highline Public Schools. (Seattle Public Schools and most secular independent schools are out the week of April 8.)
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here. One day now until the twice-yearly “service change” takes effect Saturday; here’s our look at West Seattle changes. (And if you’re taking the bus to/from the baseball game, here’s info.)
Water Taxi today – Metro will run the West Seattle Water Taxi late again tonight, for the Mariners’ opening homestand. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes. 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 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!
Only one member of the Sound Transit Board voted “no” this afternoon on the first proposed “early property acquisitions” for the West Seattle light-rail extension – 25 parcels, including three in WS, as previewed here. Board member Bruce Dammeier, the Pierce County Executive, said he was concerned about granting potential condemnation authority for some parcels before the board even took a final vote on the actual routing, which isn’t expected before midsummer. Board chair Dow Constantine, the King County Executive (and a West Seattle resident), said it’s important to work with affected businesses early, and this approval was needed before they could do that. ST staff said the routing vote would likely come long before they completed the process of buying (or, if necessary, condemning) these properties, a process they said usually takes about two years, with initial negotiations lasting at least several months, and if those negotiations don’t succeed, condemnation (taking the property by “eminent domain”) would be “further down the road.” As reported here Tuesday, these are the three West Seattle parcels (the others are mostly in SODO) that were included in today’s vote:
(WSB photo, Delridge/Andover building that’s part of Frye Commerce Center parcel)
-Parcel # 7666704005 at 2414 SW Andover, the Frye Commerce Center (home to multiple businesses, east of Nucor, including Alki Beach Academy, PNTA, Uptown Espresso, Delridge Deli Mart, among others) – 191,113 square feet, currently valued at $17.4 million per King County
-Parcel # 7666703290 at 3800 West Marginal Way SW, the Riverside Mill site, 269,452 square feet, currently valued at $14.5 million per King County
-Parcel # 9358000465 on the northwest corner of 28th/Yancy, described as “vacant” – 10,000 square feet, currently valued at $357,000 per King County
The presentation at the meeting did not elaborate on any specific properties or describe why they are needed (the Frye center, however, has been clearly shown recently as in the footprint for the “preferred alternative” Delridge station). Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell (one of the city’s two reps on the ST Board) asked what happens for businesses once authorization like this is given, saying he’s heard businesses’ concerns. They’ll get immediate notice of eligibility for relocation help, he was told. Then Dammeier voiced his concerns; staff attempted to reassure him that no tenants would be displaced before the “record of decision” (that follows the board’s final routing decision, expected to follow within a month of the Final Environmental Impact Statement release “later this spring”). Some businesses might decide they want to move sooner rather than later, he was told, but none would be forced out any time soon.
The board heard from one nearby business owner during the public-comment period at the start of today’s meeting – Erin Rubin of Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor), on property not part of today’s vote but adjacent to the Frye parcel. Saying she also was speaking for The Skylark next door, Rubin spoke of displacement concerns and the difficulty of finding a suitable location elsewhere in West Seattle. She pointed to Sound Transit policies that stipulated more consideration for businesses in those situations.
Also speaking during the comment period was Marilyn Kennell, a homeowner in the light-rail line’s potential path between the Delridge and Avalon stations. She asked for a “seat of the table” and further discussion of the impacts of the project, both financial – businesses and job losses – and environmental, citing “needless deforestation and destruction of natural habitat.”
WHAT’S NEXT: For the owners and tenants on the “early acquisition” sites, notification and negotiation. For the project overall, ST continues to proceed toward the aforementioned Final Environmental Impact Statement, which is supposed to include responses to concerns raised after the Draft EIS was released, and a final decision on “the project to be built” will follow. On the current timeline, construction is supposed to start in 2027, and West Seattle service in 2032.
9:27 PM: Police are searching by ground and air right now for three people suspected in what they’re describing as a “home-invasion robbery” in the 3600 block of California SW [vicinity map]. The descriptions broadcast so far are a white man, 18, 6′, 190 pounds, white Nike Tech sweatshirt (whose identity may be known), armed with a bb gun; a Black male (age not mentioned), 5’8″, slim, all-black clothing, red Jordan shoes, armed with a hammer; and a Hispanic male (age not mentioned), 6 feet tall, white shoes.
9:46 PM: The helicopter moved on as they’d exhausted the possibilities, plus there was a lag of up to half an hour between when the robbery happened and when it was reported. But officers are still searching on the ground, including checking for video cameras in the area.
FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: We asked SPD for whatever summary/narrative they have. So far: “At (9:08 pm), the victims were inside their apartment located at the 3600 block of California Ave SW. Three (people) entered through the front door and began grabbing items inside the apartment. (They) grabbed the victims’ cell phones, long BB gun, and marijuana products. The victims were able to recover their cell phones, and the (robbers) exited the apartment. Patrol, K9 and Guardian 1 responded to the scene. The suspects weren’t located. The SPD Robbery Unit was notified about the incident. This is an open and ongoing investigation.”
(WSB photo),
Never mind the weather – it’s a taste of summer tonight at Husky Deli in The Junction: First night of the season for its evening ice-cream window. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays – for starters – when the store closes at 7, the ice-cream window opens for sidewalk-side access, until 9. Husky Deli proprietor Jack Miller laughed at the weather’s refusal to behave for the window’s opening night, but noted with his usual sunny disposition that warmer, drier weather is due back soon.
(Added: Google Street View image)
Thanks to the multiple readers who sent word that they’ve received an announcement of Gentle Dental closing its office in the strip mall at 35th/Fauntleroy. Gentle Dental is part of a chain with more than 100 locations, mostly on the West Coast; the chain announced its affiliation with what was Smiles by Bond at that location in 2015. Today’s emailed announcement says the closure is effective tomorrow and refers patients to the Capitol Hill Gentle Dental office (206-757-2896) for account inquiries and “seamless transition of (their) dental records.” No reason is given for the closure.
With the weekend approaching, a few updates if you hadn’t checked our lists lately:
(WSB file photo)
EGG HUNTS: Four parks, one church, and one beer garden (Ounces, which is also bringing in the Dick’s Drive-In burgers-and-shakes truck) on Saturday, six churches on Saturday – here’s our updated list.
SUNRISE (AND OTHER) SERVICES: On Easter Sunday, our list now includes three sunrise services – on Alki Beach at 6:30 am with the pastors of all three local UCC churches, at Forest Lawn at 6:30 am with the West Seattle Ministerial Association, and at Westcrest Park at 6:45 am with All Souls. A variety of other services are on our list (which also includes Holy Week services in the days ahead of Easter); if your church hasn’t yet sent information, it’s not too late – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photo, December 2023)
West Seattle’s only emergency shelter – powered by donations and volunteers – is moving into spring mode. Its manager Keith Hughes sent a list of its current needs:
I want to thank the West Seattle Community for their generous and continuous support of our efforts to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing Homelessness in the West Seattle community.
For the springtime we are running the Morning Warm-Up Center every day from 7:30 am to 10 am, with breakfast, shower, and laundry available. Our current needs to sustain this effort are:
Regular oatmeal, instant oatmeal, instant hot chocolate, pancake mix, pancake syrup, cornbread mix, tea bags, 12-ounce hot cups (paper, no lids please), regular paper napkins, laundry detergent pods, toilet paper, paper towels.
You can take donations to the shelter at 3618 SW Alaska.
STOLEN SUV: From Jennifer:
(Photo altered to obscure face)
Our 2002 white GMC Denali was stolen from in front of our house this morning around 6:15 am. We live on Holly Pl SW and Fauntleroy Way SW. License plate number is AFN5614. Police report: 24-084094.
TRUCK-THEFT VICTIM: Just a few blocks south of there, near The Kenney, one of its workers’ trucks was stolen recently. Rick from The Kenney’s new management company says the victim is crowdfunding for help:
I’m sure you’ve heard about a couple of vehicle thefts that have occurred in the neighborhood around The Kenney. One of the thefts involved a vehicle owned by one of our staff members, Erick. Seattle Police were able to recover his truck but with substantial damages. Erick is working to help support his parents in Eritrea and the repairs are over $4,000. We are supporting his fundraiser on GoFundMe to help cover the costs.
STOLEN LAPTOP: Sent by Beth:
I had my car broken into at the Westwood Target (Wednesday) evening. I made the mistake of leaving my work bag on the floorboards of my front passenger seat while I ran in to grab a pickup order. While I’m sure my belongings are long gone, thought it was worth a mention as I was parked very, very close to the front of the lot/ front of the store so this seemed incredibly ballsy.
I’ve shopped/parked here a million times and never imagined I’d be in this situation so if it can save someone else the headache to be extra careful, at least there is some solace in that.
On the off chance it shows up as dumped somewhere, the most important thing that was stolen was a Microsoft Surface Pro 9. It was in a black carrier inside a pink/beige Anthropologie bag. It’s password protected, so if someone happened to find it I can prove ownership.
(Tulip, photographed by Janelle Otterholt)
Here’s what’s up today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Our list includes services tonight at many of the 14 churches who have sent us their schedules.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop-in space open at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau) until noon.
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Get food from MOD Pizza at Westwood Village 10:30 am-11 pm, use the special code in our calendar listing, and part of the proceeds will benefit the West Seattle High School softball team.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Wine bar and tasting room 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.
SOUND TRANSIT BOARD: 1:30 pm meeting includes scheduled vote on “early property acquisitions” for West Seattle light-rail extension. The agenda explains how to comment and how to attend, either online or in-person downtown.
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm class at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
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 Tummy Yummy Thai.
FREE ECO-ARTS CLASS: New time – 5-7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – you’re invited to drop in!
VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.
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. (Walking option, too!)
BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: Online meeting at 6:30 pm with topics including the East Marginal Way project that’s now under construction. Connection info is in our calendar listing.
PARKS BOARD: The Seattle Board of Parks Commissioners‘ agenda for tonight (6:30 pm, online or at Parks HQ downtown) includes a final vote on the off-leash-area plan that includes a new dog park at West Seattle Stadium.
‘MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL’: Opening night for West Seattle High School‘s new production, 7 pm. Ticket info is in our calendar listing.
THURSDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Burger Planet (9614 14th SW) in White Center now has Thursday night trivia at 7 pm – prizes!
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!
You might already have seen this in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – PFLAG is expanding to West Seattle. Now we have the group’s announcement with full details:
PFLAG Seattle, an organization dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them, is excited to announce that, starting in April, it will add a fourth monthly meeting to its roster with a group that will meet in person in West Seattle. With this fourth meeting, PFLAG Seattle now offers a meeting every week of the month.
PFLAG support meetings provide a comfortable and confidential atmosphere of openness where parents, families, friends, and LGBTQ+ individuals can share their experiences and support each other with love and pride.
Cori Luckenbach (above left) and Debbie Gordon (right) will co-facilitate the meetings. Andrew Conley-Holcom (above right), pastor at a North Admiral church, will host them.
“I have wanted North Admiral to have structured opportunities to discuss gender, sexuality, and intersectional liberation for as long as I’ve been here,” said Andrew. “I am over the moon excited to work with Cori to bring PFLAG to this wonderful neighborhood.”
Andrew identifies as a cisgendered heterosexual white man, who is seeking to build authentic relationships and shared power within North Admiral. His wife grew up in a queer family, and he has seen the impact groups like PFLAG can have on a young person’s sense of self, family, community, and worthiness.
The two facilitators of the West Seattle meeting are varied in their life experiences and backgrounds. This should work well to support the PFLAG community in West Seattle.
Cori Luckenbach lives and works in West Seattle. She is the owner of Bebop Waffle Shop and has spent the last 10 years employing and making safe space for all spectrums of genders and sexuality. Cori grew up queer in Seattle and has been married to her wife for the last seven years, raising their 9-year-old son. She is now looking for ways to work directly with her community. She lived in New York City for four years and was art director at GO NYC, a lesbian lifestyle magazine. She also co-created One Million Tampons where they raised menstrual products for people in need. Cori wants to give back, learn and “help others find love, acceptance, and celebration. All people benefit from the expansion of queer definitions and experience. What a beautiful time to grow up in the revolution of gender and who we are as humans.”
Debbie Gordon is an experienced PFLAG facilitator who will assist Cori and Andrew. Debbie is the mom of an adult transgender person. In the 10 years since her kid came out as non-binary, Debbie has learned that she is a pretty typical PFLAG mom. She loves her kid to pieces and wants to support them any way she can. She found PFLAG Seattle when she was looking for answers and community — she found both in PFLAG. She is happy to be working with Cori and Andrew in expanding the PFLAG community to West Seattle.
The first meeting of the West Seattle PFLAG group will be Tuesday, April 16, from 7:30 p.m to 9 p.m. and will continue every month on the third Tuesday. If you are interested in attending, go to the PFLAG Seattle website (https://www.pflagseattle.org/) and register. Registration is required for each meeting to ensure a safe space. Location details for the meeting will be provided upon registering.
Other PFLAG Seattle meetings occur in person in Renton on the first Wednesday of the month, online and in person in Capitol Hill on the second Monday of the month, and online on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, March 28, and it’s Opening Day for the Mariners – which means extra traffic in the stadium zone before and after the 7:10 pm M’s game vs. Boston. (And possibly a flyover.)
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Will the T-Mobile Park roof be open or closed? Hard to tell, given the showery forecast, with possible pm thundershowers again, high in the low 50s. Sunrise will be at 6:54 am, sunset at 7:34 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here. Two days now until the twice-yearly “service change” takes effect Saturday (March 30); here’s our look at West Seattle changes. (And if you’re taking the bus to/from the baseball game, here’s info.)
Water Taxi today – Metro will run the West Seattle Water Taxi late for the Mariners’ opening homestand. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes. 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 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!
(WSB photo)
Thanks to this WSB commenter for mentioning that those “no parking” signs had been placed near the 1st/Cloverdale encampment, one day after a gunfire report led to this arrest and weapon seizure. We’ve reported before on the encampment, which is on both state and city land; representatives of both governments said at last month’s meeting of HPAC, the nearest community coalition, that a resolution was in the works. After hearing about the “no parking” signs today, we checked with WSDOT spokesperson James Poling, who replied, “Our collaborative monthslong work with our partners at this site has led to the final steps of a site resolution taking place at this location, with the city’s no parking signs part of that process.” The signs are marked with the dates March 29 (Friday) through April 2 (Tuesday). HPAC also says they’ve been told the site will be cleared within a week.
TC reports seeing mail theft happen just before 4 pm today:
Two men smashed the window on the mail truck parked on my block and drove away with a tray of mail. The men were white but I couldn’t say how old they are or anything like that. Both wore face masks and hoodies pulled up. I got a picture of their SUV and submitted a police report online, and I talked with the postal worker and helped clean up the glass.
We’re at 47th and Andover. The mail carrier told me that there’s a shortage of mail trucks because so many are out of commission, waiting on window replacements.
… the answer is “tentatively.” A few readers asked us if a flyover is planned tomorrow night as the M’s open the season vs. the Boston Red Sox (7:10 pm Thursday, T-Mobile Park), so we asked the team. M’s spokesperson Sarah Alamshaw replied, “Weather dependent, there will be a flyover tomorrow.” Right now, the late-afternoon weather looks unsettled, like today, but we’ll see how things go. We don’t know (yet) which aircraft will be waiting in the wings – but we’re checking around and will add to this whenever we find out. (Last year, the flyover featured helicopters from Joint Base Lewis-McChord‘s 16th Combat Aviation Brigade.)
The long-in-the-works East Marginal Way Corridor Improvement Project has begun, on a path many West Seattleites take into downtown. If you have questions, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s meeting Thursday is the place to get answers – SDOT will be at the online meeting to talk about the project. The agenda for WSTC’s every-other-month meeting also includes a representative from the office of City Councilmember Rob Saka, who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee. All are welcome at the 6:30 pm meeting; see our calendar listing for online/phone connection information.
The West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) is taking the first step toward expanding its hours, a key community request in the past few months’ discussion of the location’s future. Here’s the flyer in circulation today:
(Reader photo)
West Seattle/Fauntleroy Y branch executive Cleveland King tells WSB that the April 1 change will be a “soft open,” giving members the chance to adjust their schedules to new hours (50 percent more than the hours Fauntleroy’s been open in recent years). He says they’ll also be announcing new programs when the expanded hours are finalized in mid-April. And he says community members can help by showing support: “As we continue to grow, we will need the community to re-engage with our Fauntleroy YMCA.”
ORIGINAL WEDNESDAY REPORT: Just received – this West Seattle teenager is missing (updated flyer):
That’s all the information we have right now – will add anything more, including the police report #, when we get it.
ADDED THURSDAY: The police report number is 24-079360. We received an updated flyer today and substituted it for the original one.
SATURDAY: The flyer has been updated again.
Today we welcome Just in Case Disaster Preparedness Services as a new WSB sponsor – here’s what to know about what they can do for you:
Alice Kuder is on a mission. She wants every household in West Seattle to be prepared for the next, inevitable, natural disaster. Her goal is to see an emergency Flee Bag™ in every home.
A Flee Bag™ (aka, Go Kit or Bug-out Bag) is a portable tote such as a duffle bag, backpack or luggage containing basic emergency supplies to get you through the first 1-3 days following a disaster. And assembling a Flee Bag™ is a first, important step toward disaster preparedness.
“Everyone wants to be prepared for disasters, but many, if not most people allow fear and procrastination to prevent them from taking even the first steps,” Alice explains. “It’s just human nature. It may not be completely rational, but disaster preparedness has a lot in common with buying insurance and writing a will. Everyone knows that they are things you should do, but sometimes we get afraid that preparing for bad things will bring them on. It’s not true, of course, but that fear is still an obstacle. In reality, preparation provides peace of mind.”
Alice founded her business, Just in Case, to help people surmount those common hurdles and propel them toward preparing for disasters.
One means of achieving her goal of “a Flee Bag™ in every home” is to offer a series of free, Ready Freddy Prep Parties at various times and locations throughout West Seattle. Participants are invited to BYOB (bring your own bag) and begin creating Flee Bags™ on the spot with inexpensive supplies she will make available at cost.
The first prep party will be 7 PM Easter Sunday, March 31 at West Seattle Coworking, 9030 35th Ave SW. The second will be 7 PM, Sunday, April 7 at The Missing Piece Cafe, 9456 35th Ave SW.
Alice is also a residential real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Northwest Real Estate. She sees a symbiotic relationship between selling homes and making them safe for their inhabitants. Her passion for promoting preparedness is obvious. “The resources for DIY disaster preparedness are easy to find online, but they are scattered all over the internet and none of them do a good job of helping you figure out how to customize a plan for your particular situation. One-size-fits-all emergency supply kits really don’t cut it.”
The Just in Case website offers a combination of free resources and paid services. The free, downloadable resources (e.g. supply checklists) make it possible for most anyone to do their own preparations. The paid services are intended for those who lack the time, energy and interest to do it on their own.
“Just in Case is a truly unique approach to helping with disaster preparedness, in that I meet with clients one-on-one in their homes, and conduct a Readiness Assessment. Together, we review what they have, what they need, what they know and what they need to learn in order to be fully prepared for the next disaster. Following that assessment, we tour their home and property to determine where they can store the supplies and where to shelter in each room if the ground starts to shake.”
But the service doesn’t stop there.
“After the in-home visit, I prepare a customized action plan, dividing the tasks up into manageable chunks over the course of eight weeks. I check in with the homeowners at the beginning of each week to see what they have accomplished, and what’s on their list for the coming week. Most people tell me that this accountability significantly contributes to their success.”
You may recognize Alice as the orchestrator of the free community events Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt and Summer Scramble Treasure Hunt, both of which entice hundreds of West Seattelites to participants each year. Why does she sponsor these events for free? “It’s my way of giving back to a community that I love. I don’t have kids of my own, so my neighbors are even more like family to me. ”
Alice admits that maintaining the “free” aspect is more challenging as she heads into her lower-income, retirement years. She is counting on Just in Case to succeed and produce the income necessary to “keep all these balls in the air.”
“The folks in the Office of Emergency Management tell us that it is likely to be at least two weeks before the public can expect to get any help following a major earthquake. A real catastrophe will require everyone working together and sharing resources, so when one person prepares for emergencies, it benefits us all. I want Just in Case to be a valued leader in our community’s efforts to be prepared, not scared.”
We thank Just in Case Disaster Preparedness Services for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
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