West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: Jamie sent the photo, wondering about the plume of dark smoke visible in the south, as seen from the Genesee Hill vicinity. We found a callout indicating that South King County firefighters are responding to a residential fire in the 2100 block of SW 162nd in Burien [map].
As winter’s end draws near, summer planning speeds up. The regional nonprofit Birds Connect Seattle is offering its nature camps again this year, with locations including Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), and registration is open now – here’s the announcement we received:
Birds Connect Seattle started Nature Camp in 1982, and for more than 40 years we’ve built a reputation for quality environmental learning, emphasizing experiential outdoor activities that instill an appreciation for nature. Small group instruction with experienced naturalists inspires children to become explorers and stewards of nature.
This summer, we will have camp sessions for 1st-5th grades at Seahurst Park [Burien] from June 24 – August 2, and Explorer West Middle School from August 5-23. Campers will spend the week learning about local urban nature, around various themes: oceans, birds, bugs, art, and more!
Registrations are open now. Learn more here.
Two hit-run crashes early this morning:
CALIFORNIA/GRAHAM: Thanks to Steve for the aftermath photo:
According to emergency-radio archives, that car was damaged by the driver of another car that hit a tree south of California/Graham around 3:30 am. Initially SFD sent a “rescue extrication” dispatch but it was quickly cancelled when responders learned the other car was empty and its driver had fled the scene. That car (not shown as it apparently was towed away after the crash) was described as a suspected stolen vehicle, with Georgia plates and trashed ignition. According to radio exchanges, the driver who caused the crash might have been racing someone.
17TH/ROXBURY: The report and photo were texted this afternoon:
On 3/9/2024 @ 12:35 am I was driving westbound on SW Roxbury when I had a green light through 17th Avenue SW. As I entered the intersection a white ~ 2000 – 2004 Dodge Ram 4×4 pickup truck ran the red light and entered the intersection. He hit the right/front of my car. My speed into the intersection was 25mph and he looked to be going about 30 mph. The impact pushed me into the oncoming east-bound lane. The driver fled the scene immediately and left west-bound to the next cross-street and made a left heading south. I followed him about 1 block but he was traveling at a very high rate of speed. My vehicle is VERY badly damaged and I was less than 1 mile from home, so I drove there and called 911. I reported the collision to both Seattle Police dispatch and King County dispatch operators. I was told that witnesses on-scene also reported the collision to 911. My significant other drove me back to the hit-and-run scene and I retrieved a broken metal side step in the street from the truck that hit me. There were no police, fire units, or witnesses at the scene. The photo is the broken metal side step from the white Dodge Ram. It looked to be a “king cab” model and looked like it had a black roll bar. It will have driver’s side door/body damage with a broken-off step. There should be an identical step on the passenger side. The truck’s damage will include red paint. If anyone sees this vehicle or knows the owner, please call 911.
1:10 PM: Thanks for the tips. Power is out at Jefferson Square, as confirmed by the Seattle City Light outage map, which says 110 customers are affected. (One business, residence, etc. = one customer.) The map says “equipment failure” is to blame. We don’t know which businesses are affected so be forewarned if you were planning to head that way.
1:36 PM: The map indicates the outage is over.
Under the canopy on the northwest corner of 45th and Wildwood is where you’ll find a Seattle Public Utilities team until 1 pm, there to answer questions and receive comments about the revived plan for a nearby underground stretch of Fauntleroy Creek.
The project will replace an old, failing culvert beneath 45th SW with a new, “dramatically wider” one – 14 feet wide. Project team member Tracey Belding said the goal is to try to replicate the creek conditions for the fish (since Fauntleroy Creek is a salmon stream), rather than just expecting them to swim into a pipe. The project includes some above-ground features for humans, too – converting a dingy paved parking pocket into an overlook:
Belding said the design for the culvert replacement is at the 60 percent stage, but design completion is still more than a year away, so this is a good time for feedback. If you can’t get to today’s pop-up, you can answer an online survey by going here. There’s a second culvert-replacement project looming in the future too, beneath public and private property near Fauntleroy Church, but Belding says there’s no timetable right now for when that will start.
10:01 SM: Big early turnout at the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) for this year’s recycle/reuse/shredding event, scheduled to continue until noon. Waiting cars have been lined up past the college’s south entrance, but once you get into the lot, it’s fast-moving with multiple stations depending on what you brought. Check our calendar listing to see what they are and aren’t accepting.
11:57 AM: As noted in comments, and in email we just received, the event is over – capacity maxed out.
Partners included the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, West Seattle Junction Association, Seattle Public Utilities, Waste Management, and individual companies/organizations that actually collect and handle the materials.
The next free dropoff recycling event in West Seattle is the twice-annual Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church, 9 am-3 pm Saturday, April 27. Here’s the list of what they’ll be accepting. If you’re wondering about other ways to recycle/dispose of items – try the “Where Does It Go?” lookup.
(WSB photo: Daffodil season!)
Welcome to the second weekend of March! Here’s what’s in our Event Calendar listings for today/tonight:
FREE! FIT4MOM CLASSES: 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:15 am classes free as part of an “open house” weekend (2707 California SW) – go here to register.
FREE! GROUP RUN: Start your Saturday with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run! All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event every Saturday but please register.
REUSE/RECYCLE/SHRED: Round it up, drop it off! Free event 9 am-noon at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) north lot – see our calendar listing for what will and won’t be accepted.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Second weekend of cookie booths at various locations. Search here for your nearest locations and times.
FAUNTLEROY CREEK CULVERT INFO: The city has restarted planning for replacing two of the culverts that carry Fauntleroy Creek underground, and will have reps out in the neighborhood 10 am-1 pm today to talk about the first planned project, as previewed here. Meet them at 45th/Wildwood to see where they’re at and share your thoughts.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Scheduled to be open 10 am-2 pm today: “The Garden Center at South Seattle College provides Landscape Horticulture students the opportunity to increase their knowledge of plants while gaining real-world retail experience. Plants available for sale are selected, propagated, grown and presented by students. Additional plants are brought in from local growers.” (6000 16th Ave SW, north lot)
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open 1-6 pm, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
SOUL COLLAGE & SOUND BATH: 1-6 pm with Inner Alchemy at Move2Center Studio (3618 SW Alaska).
G. LOVE AT EASY STREET: Signing and meet-and-greet, 2 pm at Easy Street Records. (4559 California SW)
‘KING X: THE MEETING,’ 2 PERFORMANCES: Acts on Stage Theater in White Center (10806 12th SW) presents a play about the “explosive, impassioned confrontation that never happened.” 3 pm and 7 pm; the ticket link’s in our calendar listing.
GOOD SOCIETY TURNS 4: Trivia at 3 pm at The Good Society (2701 California SW), plus Lovely and Dapper Desserts on site 3-7 pm, as part of fourth-anniversary celebration.
LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET: Listen to the new album by Tierra Whack one week early! 5 pm at Easy Street Records. (4559 California SW)
MOVIEMAKERS’ SCREENING & FUNDRAISER: They’re working on “Bloodbath in Palookaville.” You’re interested in a memorable evening out. Go see and support their work at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW), 6:30 pm.
LIVE AT C & P: 7-9 pm, Cyd Smith and LaVon Hardison at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW). No cover, all ages.
LIVE AT THE EAGLES: The Ambaum Dukes play country music at the West Seattle Eagles aerie (4426 California SW), 7-11 pm.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Me VS Myself, Arms Like Cables, PRETTY AWKWARD “drag extravaganza” at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm
BEATS: Saturday night DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, Soul Focus FM. (4547 California SW, alley side)
KARAOKE: Saturday night, sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm, with Michael Van Fleet.
‘SPRING FORWARD’: 2 am Sunday, clocks move an hour ahead to start Daylight Saving Time.
Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, walk, run, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
10:36 PM: Multiple people have texted us about hearing apparent gunfire in the Westwood area. Police have been searching for evidence and finally just found it – shell casings near the 8400 block of 25th SW, not far from Southwest Teen Life Center and the Chief Sealth IHS/Denny IMS campus. No report of any injuries so far. Some 911 callers reported seeing a light-colored vehicle possibly associated with this, according to dispatch and officers.
11:13 PM: In cases like this – gunfire but no injuries reported – officers often investigate the scene and simply notify the Gun Violence Reduction Unit. In this case, though, according to radio communication, GVRU detectives were going to go to the scene, perhaps because it’s within blocks of high-profile gun-violence cases such as the January death of 15-year-old Mobarak Adam at SWTLC. Still no injuries reported from tonight’s gunfire.
11:21 PM: One parked vehicle has bullet damage, an officer just told dispatch. … The location has been updated to 25th/Cloverdale.
Two more food and drink biznotes:
(WSB photo, November 2022)
ANIMATED CAFE MOVING: After two years of operating her pink Animated Café trailer in West Seattle, Melanie – aka “Ana” – is moving across the Duwamish River. This is her last week in the lot at 4518 Fauntleroy Way SW, where she’s been since November 2022, and where she says her lease is running out with no option to renew. After a few weeks off, she expects to reopen in a new location next month: “I believe I will have a location on a major intersection in Georgetown, but I’m waiting to finalize the details. Until then, March 14th will be my last day operating for a bit.” She shared her distinctive path to entrepreneurship in a WSB story just as she launched her business.
JET CITY BEIGNET CLOSING: The popular purveyors of the New Orleans-style treats, operating in West Seattle for four years, abruptly announced this week that they’re closing the business, promising an explanation at a future date. They said next weekend, March 16-17, will bring their final pop-ups; we don’t have their full schedule, but Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) says JCB is scheduled to make its last appearance there 10 am-2 pm Saturday, March 16.
(WSB file photo from past recycling/shredding event)
Tomorrow (Saturday, March 9) is the big day – free drop-off recycling/shredding for a variety of items, in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), 9 am-noon. As noted earlier this week, the list of what they’ll take has been expanded:
ACCEPTED ITEMS
Foam blocks
Household batteries (no damaged batteries)
Florescent tubes and bulbs (no broken bulbs, limit: 4 ft.)
Small, empty propane camping canisters
Small electronics (TVs, computers, etc.)
Small appliances (non-freon)
Paper for shredding (limit: 4 boxes of paper)
Household textiles – clothing & curtains
NEW: Reusable building materials (doors, windows, cabinets, plumbing, electrical, flooring, lighting, HVAC, hardware)
NEW: Solid wood or plywood furnitureITEMS NOT ACCEPTED:
Commercial loads
Garbage
Yard waste
Household recycling (items that go in your cart/dumpster)
Hazardous waste
Automotive waste
Construction waste
Non-recyclable or reusable items
Car seats
Mattresses
Drive up, ride up, walk up to drop off. Participating organizations may have limited capacity, so don’t wait until late in the morning,
(WSB file photo)
A resident near Hiawatha Community Center told us the contractor for the long-delayed “stabilization” project was making the rounds today informing neighbors that work is about to start – and Seattle Parks has just confirmed it. Optimus Construction Co. was chosen as contractor, with a $2.5 million bid, and Parks says Optimus has received the Notice to Proceed, so they will “mobilize on site” starting Monday. Parks says that means “the contractor will set up construction fencing to allow for deliveries and construction activities on the east and south side of the Hiawatha Community Center building.” According to Parks, “This project addresses a number of major maintenance, accessibility, and program space needs at Hiawatha Community Center. It will include a seismic retrofit of the gym and brick veneer, roof replacement, and renovation of the restrooms, kitchen, childcare area and lobby spaces, in addition to relocation of the teen room.” Hiawatha has already been closed for four years; here’s our December story with Parks officials attempting to explain why.
(WSB file photo)
We told you last month that the West Seattle 5K run/walk on Alki will be back this year on May 19. As of today, registration is officially open! That means it’s time for full details – here’s what the coordinating organization, the West Seattle High School PTSA, tells us:
All profits raised from the West Seattle 5K provide funding for West Seattle High School to fund monthly staffed Saturday Study Hall that benefits an average of 100 students each session, classroom-supply needs, and student-led initiatives.
Thousands of runners and spectators from all corners of Puget Sound and beyond have participated in this 5K in the past 15 years or so. In 2023, we had almost 1,200 registrants and raised $34,000 for West Seattle High School! Participants are drawn to the event by the family fun, the gorgeous scenery, a flat and fast course starting and finishing at the Alki Bathhouse, and all the amenities that Alki Beach has to offer. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in many categories.
Coming back for a second year – we will have a grade-level competition among West Seattle High School students. The goal is to create a friendly competition to see which grade gets the most classmates to register. The winning grade gets out of Homeroom early for a special treat and cash ($250) to their grade-level ASB. “We have heard from event runners that they didn’t know this event benefited the high school, so we want to make sure to raise that awareness as well as get as many high schoolers involved as possible,” says Kelley O’Connor, event co-chair.
“As you know, Seattle Public Schools is facing an enormous budget shortfall and limited funding for the programs we know our students need,” says WSHS PTSA president Holly Rikhof. “The WSHS PTSA is dedicated to funding the academic and classroom support we have long taken for granted at West Seattle High School. Until 2023, our students benefited from a levy that funded a robust tutoring program, including school-day, after-school, and Saturday tutoring. This year, we have been able, through your generous donations, to fund a monthly staffed Saturday Study Hall that benefits an average of 100 students each session, classroom supply needs, and student-led initiatives.”
Other popular 5k features include a “Sleep In” and “sponsor a student runner” options. There are buttons on the registration page to donate to the 5k if you’d rather sleep in that morning or don’t wish to run/walk. This is our community neighborhood high school and we hope residents will feel generous in supporting the school and local students. This is a fun way to directly give back!
Registration is live now at westseattle5K.com. Pricing:
● Adults are $35 (5/13 and later is $40)
● Youth 19 and under are $20 (5/13 and later is $30)
● West Seattle High School students are $20 (5/13 and later is $30)
● West Seattle High School staff is free (need passcode and can buy shirt for $15)
● Kids under 6 are free (no shirt included, but can buy for $15)We have amazing sponsors to thank: Sea Pines Physical Therapy, West Seattle Runner, Homes By Pia, Space B.A.R. Wellness, and so many more. Please go to westseattle5K.com to see all sponsors!
The West Seattle PTSA is a 501c3 non-profit Parent, Teacher and Student Association of West Seattle High School. We provide parent education, opportunities for families to connect to the school community, and support for education through fundraising and advocacy.
WSB has signed on as media sponsor, as we’ve done every year since the first West Seattle 5K in 2009.
(Images from charging documents, Mixayboua at West Seattle Target with stolen card)
The man who stole two USPS mail trucks in West Seattle – and others elsewhere in the city – was sentenced in federal court today. 27-year-old Johny Mixayboua got a 3 1/2-year sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Richard A. Jones. That’s what federal prosecutors had recommended for Mixayboua’s convictions on charges of theft of government property, mail theft, illegal transactions on access devices, and illegally possessing a firearm. The West Seattle mail-truck thefts both happened on January 17, 2023 – one on Beach Drive SW, the other on 57th SW. Three weeks earlier, he had stolen a USPS vehicle in South Seattle and with it, a key used to access cluster mailboxes; at one point the USPS entirely shut down residential service in the 98118 for a week during the investigation. Investigators used home security video and store-security video to link Mixayboua to mail thefts and attempts to use stolen credit cards (including images from Target in Westwood Village). He was eventually found near where he was living in a vehicle near a relative’s home, and officers also found a “ghost gun,” which compounded matters as Mixayboua was already a convicted felon and not allowed to have firearms. He pleaded guilty last December to the charges on which he was sentenced today, seven months after his May arrest.
(Course map, from Emerald City Ride website)
The westbound West Seattle Bridge will be briefly bicycles-only one morning in May as part of the Cascade Bicycle Club‘s Emerald City Ride. This big in-city ride is returning this year for the first time since pre-pandemic 2019. It usually includes a stretch of major highway infrastructure – past examples have included the Highway 520 floating bridge and I-5 express lanes – and this year for the first time, that’ll be the high bridge. This is set for Sunday, May 5th, a 20-mile route that starts (at 7 am) and ends in the SODO Stadium District, outbound over the West Seattle Bridge and around Alki, to Fauntleroy, through Delridge, then returning over the low bridge. (See the course map here.)
We just talked to Cascade’s executive director Lee Lambert and media-relations manager Paul Tolmé about the ride plan. On the morning of the ride, they’ll close the bridge, plus southbound 99 from the stadium zone to the bridge onramp, from starting at 5:30. Riders start at 7, in waves, and bridge access closes at 8; all riders have to be off the bridge by 9, and the bridge will reopen by 9:30. Those are the only road closures – once off the bridge, Lambert says, it’s “rules of the road,” though he notes, “There’ll be a LOT of bicycles.” How many? Tolmé says they’re expecting at least 2,000 riders; Lambert says they’re capped at 4,000. In addition to the full 20-mile route, there’ll be shorter options, too, 7 to 10 miles. Registration opens next Tuesday (March 12) at 10 am.
Today we’re welcoming All The Best Pet Care (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW) as a new WSB sponsor. When new sponsors join us to advertise their local businesses to you, they get the opportunity to tell you about who they are and what they do – here’s what All The Best would like you to know:
Since 1985, All The Best stores have been neighborhood gathering places where pets are celebrated, and customers are introduced to a progressive nutritional philosophy. As we open our 17th store in West Seattle, we remain locally and family-owned and led. Helping people keep their beloved dogs and cats at their healthiest drives everything we do and every decision we make.
We encourage customers to bring their dogs (and adventuresome cats) to the store so we can make them feel as special as they are, give them treats, and better understand their needs. Regular customers tell us their dogs practically drag them into the store whenever they’re near! We also provide free same-day delivery for local orders $75 and up.
Our most popular promotion is our birthday club. Customers who sign up for our free Healthy Rewards program are eligible for a discounted shopping spree on their pet’s birthday or gotcha day. They also receive a free tote bag that features custom-commissioned work by a local artist. The reusable tote contains a toy, a birthday hat, samples, and treats. Healthy Rewards members also receive points for purchasing items from participating brands, and when 400 points are accumulated, they receive a store credit.
All The Best is committed to giving back to our local pet rescues and our community at large. Each year, we donate hundreds of gift cards to local nonprofits and nearly half a million dollars worth of food and supplies to numerous pet rescues and food banks.
We consider working toward a more sustainable future another important part of helping to build a better community. We are active members of the Pet Sustainability Coalition. With their guidance, we are making great strides in reducing waste by converting every possible All The Best brand package to recyclable packaging. Our customers share our concerns and help make this initiative a success by consistently returning qualifying pet food packaging to us to be recycled.
We look forward to meeting our West Seattle neighbors – and their pets!
We thank All The Best Pet Care in West Seattle 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!
(WSB photo, Thursday)
Here’s our list of Friday highlights! They’re mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: Second week starts today. Go here for cookie booths’ locations and hours.
FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).
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).
‘INGRESS’ FILMMAKER @ THE ADMIRAL: As previewed here, see “Ingress” at the Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) tonight at 7 pm, followed by Q/A with director/screenwriter/star. Rachel Noll James.
‘KING X: THE MEETING’: Acts on Stage Theater in White Center (10806 12th SW) presents a play about the “explosive, impassioned confrontation that never happened.” 7 pm; the ticket link’s in our calendar listing.
HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL: One home game – West Seattle HS hosts Bainbridge Island, 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
MUSIC BINGO: Anniversary edition at The Good Society (2701 California SW), 7-9 pm tonight.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Tonight, you can enjoy the Songwriters’ Showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
KENYON HALL CABARET: All-ages drag event, 7:30 pm, at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – reservations link is in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, The NightCry, Casual Panic, Michael Weber. $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight: DJ Buttnaked. (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD! Skate to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 9 pm-midnight, this week featuring Panda Conspiracy, Bigtooth, Annie J. $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!
(Red-breasted Merganser, photographed by Steve Bender)
Good news for beginning birders! Camp Long can help your knowledge take flight – we just received this announcement:
Sign up now for the Birding Basics three part Series in West Seattle, This 3-week course starts tomorrow at Camp Long.
March 9th-March 23rd, 2024, 9 am-11 am
$30/individual, $80/family of 3-5
Haven’t been to Camp Long? 5200 35th SW.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, March 8th.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high in the low 50s. Sunrise will be at 6:35 am, sunset at 6:05 pm.
GET READY TO SPRING FORWARD
Daylight Saving Time starts this Sunday morning at 2 am, when we “spring forward” to 3 am (and the sunsets will suddenly be after 7 pm).
ANOTHER WEEKEND NOTE
Saturday morning, 16th SW northbound on Puget Ridge may have a backup of vehicles on the way to the recycle/reuse event (9 am-noon, north lot at South Seattle College [WSB sponsor]).
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. 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, 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!
(WSB photo: Post-meeting, CARE Chief Amy Smith, SPD Deputy Chief Eric Barden, City Councilmember Tanya Woo)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Seattle’s third public-safety department, CARE (Community-Assisted Response and Engagement), currently encompassing the 911 Center and a startup team of crisis responders, got the spotlight at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council.
About 20 people were there and heard from CARE’s acting chief (pending City Council confirmation), Amy Smith. The meeting was coordinated and facilitated by Mark Solomon, the South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator who’s been filling in at the Southwest Precinct too, until Jennifer Satterwhite, this precinct’s longtime CPC, returns from maternity leave. Attendees included Seattle Police Deputy Chief Eric Barden and recently appointed citywide Councilmember Tanya Woo.
CARE DEPARTMENT: Chief Smith was the meeting’s spotlight guest, there to introduce herself and talk about the department (which we featured here after talking with her at CARE HQ downtown a month ago):
If you weren’t there or don’t have time to watch, here’s our summary:
Next week, the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ spring concerts will include a world-premiere composition – and you can see/hear it for free! Here’s the WSCO announcement of what’s planned:
West Seattle Community Orchestras’ ensembles will be performing on Tuesday, March 12th, at 6 pm and on Friday, March 15th, at 7 pm, at Chief Sealth International High School. Concerts are free.
On Friday night, the Symphony Orchestra is proud to world-premiere Majestic Peaks from Chinese composer Arthur Peiyaro Wang. The Wind Symphony orchestra will also honor Asian composers and Asian-inspired music with pieces from Japanese composers Yukiko Nishimura and Studio Gibli’s icon Joe Hisaishi.
On Tuesday night, the Debut and Concert orchestra will range from Offenbach, to Beethoven, through Bernstein’s West Side Story.
WSCO was founded in West Seattle in 2002 and has served hundreds of students and adults alike, providing a community for musicians of all ages and abilities with opportunities for performance and growth. Visit the WSCO website for more information about the concerts or how to become involved as a musician or volunteer.
The venue is at 2600 SW Thistle; the auditorium is on the west side of the campu.
Laurel emailed us wondering about what appeared to her to be a high percentage of RapidRide runs being handled by non-RR coaches – running with the green/yellow or blue/yellow buses instead. She said that as a rider, it’s more than just what the bus looks like: “When there are not ORCA readers throughout the bus and when there are fewer doors, many of the ‘rapid’ benefits of load/unload disappear.” We went out to look for examples of fill-in RapidRide buses, and in fact, the first four we saw, on both H and C Lines – including the one in our photo above – were not red/yellow RR coaches. So we asked Metro’s Jeff Switzer about it, mentioning Laurel’s concern about card readers. He replied, “We intermittently make coach substitutions to ensure a trip is delivered. By the way, more blue/yellow and green/yellow buses also have ORCA readers at back doors as well as at the front door as we phase that in. Also, because RapidRide routes have high frequency, there will be another bus shortly behind, which is most likely a red RapidRide coach. As we hire more mechanics and better match our fleet with service, we’ll go back to seeing 100% (or close to it) of RapidRide service delivered by red buses.”
Early-bird discounted tickets are available right now for the West Seattle Food Bank‘s 17th annual Instruments of Change Gala and Auction on April 27th at The Hall at Fauntleroy. From the announcement:
Enjoy an evening of celebration and giving to support the West Seattle Food Bank in their mission to prevent hunger and homelessness for our neighbors.
The West Seattle Food Bank plays a crucial role in providing food, clothing and rental assistance to individuals and families in need throughout West Seattle. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit their programs and help the community.
Tickets for Instruments of Change Gala and Auction are available for purchase online. If you purchase “Early Bird” tickets or a table by March 15, you will save $25 per ticket and be entered into a drawing for a $100 auction credit to use at the event. The final date to register is April 16, but hurry – tickets are limited and sell out fast. If you are unable to attend, but would like to support, you can make a donation on the registration page.
Sponsorship opportunities and auction donations are also available for businesses looking to show their support and give back to the community. West Seattle Food Bank would like to thank this year’s current event sponsors Cascadia Produce and Pet Supplies Plus.
Here’s how the night will unfold:
Happy Hour will begin at 6 pm with hors d’oeuvres and drinks served while guests enjoy games, a photo booth and silent auction. During the dinner and seated program, learn about the impact and accomplishments of the organization thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, through a video by Straight8 Films. The evening will also celebrate this year’s IOC award winner, C & P Coffee, selected by WSFB for their ongoing support. Guests will then have a chance to bid on live auction items including exclusive trips and experiences, then wrap up the evening with a Dessert Dash.
For more information about the Instruments of Change Gala and Auction, including sponsorship opportunities, auction donations or hosting a table, please contact Breanna Bushaw at breanna@westseattlefoodbank.org or 206-686-4521.
We’ve signed on as media sponsor – see you there!
After six days, that slide on Lincoln Park’s north-shore trail is cleared, and the path has reopened. That’s according to Seattle Parks‘ communications team, with whom we checked after a reader sent the top photo on Tuesday, saying the trail was still blocked. Parks says a crew cleared the slide this morning. We got first word of it after a reader tip last Friday.
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