day : 10/05/2024 12 results

9:05 PM: You might have heard about the solar storm that’s led to a strong possibility of the aurora – aka Northern Lights – over our area tonight. West Seattle’s expert skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen has a standing page of links you can use to check the forecast – including one that points to this:

That should be the newest image from the NOAA site, looking ahead about half an hour; also note that UTC is seven hours later than our time. Alice’s page also has viewing advice; let us know what you see – we’ll be watching too, and updating.

10:14 PM: Haven’t heard/seen any WS reports yet, but the National Weather Service office up on Sand Point says they’ve got a bit of color in the sky.

10:52 PM: In comments, Liz reports seeing it. And via Twitter/X, so does Alicia.

10:58 PM: Texter says this is what they’re seeing from the West Seattle Golf Course:

11:03 PM: Another texted photo, looking toward downtown from Blair DeWeese:

11:14 PM: Now getting lots of reports. People are seeing it from Hamilton Viewpoint (Blair’s pic above) and Myrtle Reservoir parks, among other places. Here’s one just texted from Myrtle:

11:29 PM: From Hoa Vong at Delridge/Brandon:

11:52 PM: Many more photos in comments below (thank you!).

EARLY AM NOTE: We’ve received more pics in email too and will add some here later this morning. And we’ll be on watch to see if the aurora returns tonight, given that the solar storm apparently isn’t over yet.

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SOFTBALL: It’s on to district playoffs for West Seattle HS after two games today

May 10, 2024 8:48 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos. Above, #9, senior Caitlin Gordon)

Metro League tournament play wrapped up tonight for the West Seattle High School softball team, after two games – one victory, one loss. In their first game of the afternoon, the Wildcats beat Seattle Prep, 12-5. Our photos are from the second game, a 15-5 loss to Lincoln.

(Above, #12, sophomore Mackenzie Curry Uzwack)

The Wildcats ended the tournament with sixth place. Now it’s on to the District 2 tournament, which starts Monday.

(Above, #13, freshman Violet Faull)

They’ll be playing on the eastside, at Juanita HS in Kirkland – first game, 6 pm Monday vs. Liberty.

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One more reminder! Saturday is West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day

May 10, 2024 7:25 pm

| Comments Off on One more reminder! Saturday is West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day

| Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Hey, Sale #274! Thanks for putting up the “official sale” sign (it’s a template we email to sellers so they can use it if you want to)! Our photographer noticed it while en route to a story he’s covering right now. Perfect timing for this final West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day Eve reminder that we are now less than 14 hours away from 500+ sales of all sizes, all over the peninsula, as mapped here. The map page is where you’ll find other updates, such as last-minute cancellations (which are noted in the online-map list, but not the printable version, so if you’re using that to plan your day, please check the numbers on the cancellation list) plus links to our previews this past week with some mini-lists of sales. One more mini-list tonight – here are the ones signed up as block sales (including some alley or apartment-building sales):

#26: 9240 2nd Ave SW
#42: 7742 15th Ave SW
#80: 2303 Walnut Ave SW
#162: 2719 47th Ave SW
#236: 2203 California Ave SW
#244: 3630 46th Ave SW
#262: 3050 36th Ave SW
#289: 7333 29th Ave SW
#296: 6741 38th Ave SW
#297: 5626 29th Ave SW
#307: 3279 38th Ave SW
#310: 5914 34th Ave SW
#352: 7026 30th Pl SW
#446: 6041 California Ave SW
#487: 6307 46th Ave SW
#488: 6043 48th Ave SW
#495: 3910 SW 109th St
#501: 10014 4th Lane SW

We’ll be doing as-it-happens coverage tomorrow as usual, so photos (from buyers with cool finds as well as sellers) are welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com or texted to 206-293-6302 – please be sure to include the relevant sale number!

P.S. And don’t forget to set out your food donations for the letter carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger food drive! (If you didn’t get the special blue bag, any bag – generally plastic is sturdier – is OK.)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Burglar poses as salesperson

May 10, 2024 5:30 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

A reader near the south end of Lincoln Park reports a burglary at their home around 1:30 pm Wednesday, with images from their security camera:

This guy came to my door trying to pose as some sort of a salesman and as soon as he determined we were not home broke into our house and helped himself. His shirt is very distinctive and he has a tattoo on his left arm.

The police incident is # 24-125113. We asked SPD for any additional details from the report; they told us, “Officers found a sliding glass door forced open and searched the home. It appeared someone had ransacked several rooms.”

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FOLLOWUP: Next phase of Alki Point Healthy Street construction starts ‘as soon as Monday’

May 10, 2024 3:01 pm

| 31 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

3:01 PM: Two and a half weeks ago, SDOT announced it was about to start work on some of the permanent features of the Alki Point Healthy Street (Alki Avenue SW and Beach Drive SW between 63rd SW and Alki Point) project. We haven’t been back yet for a look at that work, primarily described as added speed humps, but today, SDOT sent an update – the next phase of construction starts “as soon as Monday.”

As soon as Monday, May 13, crews will begin the next phase of construction on the permanent treatments for the Alki Point Healthy Street. This work will include:

-A 10-foot-wide shared walking/rolling space
-Three ADA parking spaces
-Stop controls at intersecting streets
-Pavement markings, parking signs, and striping the public parking lot

Unauthorized on-street parking located within 20 feet of intersections will be removed for new installation.

The project page elaborates on the zone numbers shown in the map above.

ADDED 6 PM: David Hutchinson sent this photo of the lines for the new path, roughed out:

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HAPPENING NOW: Online auction for Madison Middle School PTSA

May 10, 2024 1:58 pm

| Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Online auction for Madison Middle School PTSA

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

More than 200 items, from local business gift cards to exotic getaways, are up for bidding right now during the Madison Middle School PTSA‘s online auction. All are welcome to participate. It’s open until Saturday night; the PTSA says auction proceeds go to “help support supplemental activities and materials for our students and faculty.” Browse the items and register to bid by going here!

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SDOT unveils new proposals for bike lane or trail expansion to replace downhill driving lane on Highland Park Way hill

May 10, 2024 11:33 am

| 94 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news

Back in 2020, SDOT shelved a plan for a bike lane on the Highland Park Way hill. The idea resurfaced in a 2022 application for federal funding, but there was no design at the time. Now there is, as one of three options SDOT is proposing for the Highland Park Way hill, just unveiled today. All three would remove one motorized-vehicle lane on the downhill (north/eastbound) side, “to provide an improved path for people to walk, roll, and bike between the Highland Park and Riverview neighborhoods and the Duwamish River Trail.” They’re asking for feedback starting now. Here are the three options, as described and shown on the project page:

Option 1: Downhill Protected Bike Lane

For Option 1, we propose replacing the right northbound driving lane on Highland Park Way SW with a downhill protected bike lane. The bike lane would run parallel to the existing path and include a concrete barrier to divide the bike lane from traffic. At the intersection of Highland Park Way SW and West Marginal Way SW, we would add a diagonal bike crossing to connect people to the Duwamish River Trail … We would also add lighting and make some repairs to the existing path to improve accessibility for people walking and rolling.

Option 2: Multi-use Path

For Option 2, we propose replacing the existing path and the right northbound driving lane with a multi-use path. The multi-use path would include a wider landscape buffer and a wider path for people walking, rolling, and biking in both directions. This path will include bus stop landing pads in the landscape buffer, so people have a paved area to wait that is off the multi-use path. As in Option 1, we would add more lighting for people traveling along the path at night and add a diagonal bike crossing at the intersection of Highland Park Way SW and West Marginal Way SW to connect people to the Duwamish River Trail.

Option 3: Combination of Options 1 and 2

Option 3 is a combination of Options 1 and 2. In this approach, we would build the protected bike lane first – as it takes less time and less money to build – and then develop the new multi-use path later when additional funding is available.

You can see maps and more information – including the SDOT answer to “why not expand into the greenspace rather than remove a driving lane?” – on the project page.

FEEDBACK: This survey is open until June 15. Or you can email highlandholden@seattle.gov. SDOT also plans various info events over the next two weeks, also listed on the project page.

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UPDATE: Power outage at Pathfinder K-8

May 10, 2024 11:03 am

| Comments Off on UPDATE: Power outage at Pathfinder K-8

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

11:03 AM: What’s shown as a one-customer power outage on Seattle City Light‘s map is affecting about 500 people – because that one customer is Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point. No word yet why the school – and apparently ONLY the school – lost power; we’re checking with SCL.

1:49 PM: The outage is over, according to the map; still waiting for SCL’s response on what went wrong.

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Early WSCGSD sales, low-low tide, roller skating x 2, music, more for your West Seattle Friday

May 10, 2024 9:49 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Here are your Friday highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

EARLY WSCGSD SALES: Several West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day sellers are starting one day early and are open today – listed in this preview – the numbers cross-reference to the official map. (The photo above is from #389 and #448, in the 5600 block of 42nd SW, raising money for The Mount.)

WATER TAXI EXTENDED HOURS: The Water Taxi’s spring/summer hours add Friday and Saturday later-evening service each week.

STAY & PLAY INDOOR GYM: Free drop-in play, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

LIBRARY CLOSURE: The Seattle Public Library‘s temporary closure days continue; the West Seattle (Admiral) branch will not be open, but it’s regular hours today for our area’s other libraries.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -3.0 feet at 1:06 pm. (Thanks to John D. Skerratt for the photo of the sunflower star, a species he notes was hit especially hard in recent years’ die-offs.)

SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS: Metro League tournament play continues at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) with West Seattle HS vs. Seattle Prep at 3:30 pm and opponent TBD at 5:30 pm.

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).

GROWN FOLK SKATE: Adult drop-in skating at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW), 6-9 pm.

LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: New Age Healers with The Purrs at 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)

COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Songwriter’s Showcase 7 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: West Seattle’s own Aaron Semer, VITO, Lookout Mountain Lookout. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! (4547 California SW)

MAKE IT LOUD! Skate to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 9 pm-midnight, this week featuring Sun Mother, Tongues, TBA. $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!

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YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle ways to be in One Seattle Day of Service

May 10, 2024 9:00 am

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle ways to be in One Seattle Day of Service

| How to help | West Seattle news

One week from tomorrow, thousands of people will volunteer at dozens of sites around the city for the One Seattle Day of Service announced by Mayor Harrell. If you’re not already signed up to help out somewhere, his office sent this list of West Seattle opportunities:

Volunteer opportunities and event partners:

Alki Beach Beautification Event (sponsored by Pearsall Properties) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Don Armeni/Seacrest Park Beautification from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

West Seattle Junction Plaza Park Beautification (sponsored by West Seattle Junction Association) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Kiwanis Club of West Seattle Street Beautification Event (sponsored by Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, Key Clubs West Seattle and Chief Sealth International High School) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

High Point Open Space Association Bee Festival Event from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (three shifts)

Dirt Corps West Seattle Park Beautification Event (sponsored by Dirt Corps) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Riverview Neighborhood Cleanup from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

West Seattle – First Tongan UMC Street Beautification Event (sponsored by First Tongan UMC) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

West Seattle – Arbor Heights Elementary Gardening Event (sponsored by Arbor Heights Elementary School) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Delridge Roxhill Park Beautification Event from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

African Community Housing & Development Community Engagement and Market Cleanup from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (two shifts)

Residents can sign up for volunteer shifts by going to seattle.gov/dayofservice.

(We went to that page and found the “text-based” option – direct link here – easiest to scroll through; use the District 1 tab.)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Friday info, with presidential visit and more ahead

May 10, 2024 6:00 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, May 10.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

It’s really happening! Sunny, high near 80. Today’s sunrise was at 5:37 am; sunset will be at 8:34 pm.

ALERTS

FRIDAY & SATURDAY: Still looking for specifics President Biden‘s route, but we know he’s due to arrive sometime after 5:15 pm today and leave by 2:45 pm tomorrow, per the airspace advisory, and that Air Force One will use SEA, not Boeing Field. We’ll update here when we find out where he’s going after landing. (4:55 pm: That info STILL hasn’t emerged. But he’s on the way – Air Force One left the Bay Area around 3:20 pm. …. 5 PM: Just turned on the TV; he’s here, and will be heading downtown shortly. … 5:30 PM: He’s arrived downtown.)

FRIDAY: Also Friday night, the Mariners are back home, vs. the A’s at 6:40 pm.

SATURDAY: From Seattle Public Utilities, covering the next two Saturdays:

On Saturday, May 11 and Saturday, May 18, SPU contractor crews will be performing pavement restoration on Sylvan Way SW between SW Orchard St and Delridge Way SW as part of the Longfellow Natural Drainage System (NDS) project.

To perform this work safely and effectively, Sylvan Way SW between Home Depot’s eastern access and SW Orchard St will be temporarily closed to traffic. Local access will be allowed to driveways east of the closure on Sylvan Way SW. Signage and flaggers will be on site to direct traffic. Working hours on May 11 and May 18 will be 7 am – 7 pm.

ALSO SATURDAY: Residential streets will be busy since it’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day at more than 500 locations around the peninsula and a bit beyond, 9 am-3 pm.

ONGOING ROAD-WORK ALERT

*SDOT’s info page for the Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project is updated with more details about the ongoing work at Delridge/Oregon, which is narrowed as a result:

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule, though presidential travel might affect the pm commute; check advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule, including Friday later-night runs. 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 last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Low bridge: Open.

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

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 open for vessel traffic. (We’re aware that the low bridge hasn’t shown up in this feed since the recent closure, and we’re awaiting word from SDOT on whether that’ll be fixed.)

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!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation

May 10, 2024 12:23 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, EARLY FRIDAY: Police following up on multiple 911 calls about suspected gunfire have confirmed it. Officers just told dispatch they’ve found “a bunch of casings” at 32nd SW and SW Raymond, plus “bullet damage” at a nearby residence. No word of any injuries, and no description of who was responsible, though the 911 callers were reported to have heard “a vehicle” in the area.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: A few more details from the SPD incident summary:

At 0011 hours, officers responded to a shots fired call near 32 Ave SW/SW Raymond St. The suspect exited the vehicle and shot at least 29 rounds at a house. The house was struck multiple times, and it was occupied by five children and three adults. Officers arrived and checked on the welfare of the occupants of the house. Officers checked other houses nearby. The occupants didn’t report any injuries.

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