VIDEO: Closer look at what’s waiting for you inside Cascadia Fresh Market, as its first week continues

| Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Opening weekend is in the (shopping) bag at Cascadia Fresh Market (5444 Delridge Way SW), West Seattle’s new “fresh-food bodega.” Now, it’s full steam (or another cooking method of your choice) ahead to see if this four-month experiment works.

Co-proprietors Jill Moore and Jeremy Vrablik opened the doors after closing time tonight for a by-invitation open house to explain the market to community leaders. We dropped in to look around at what they’re selling – which will change, depending on the fresh “wholesale recovery” food they access through their main business, Cascadia Produce. And it’s not just produce!

On the shelves tonight, we saw spices, sauces, grains, beans, pastas, grits, muffin and pancake mixes, syrups, masa flour, peanut butter, canned salmon, beef jerky, canned corn, canned chipotle peppers; refrigerated and freezer cases held a variety of items from butter to yogurt to single-serving ice cream … and then of course the produce displays. Mangoes were a hit last weekend, Jill noted, and some are still in stock:

Citrus, tomatoes, tomatillos, lettuce, other salad greens, avocadoes, onions, garlic, potatoes, yams, berries (another popular item last weekend) … Did we mention the bottled Jarritos soda and Mexican Coke? Everything has a single-item price (Trader Joe’s style, no weighing). The idea is to get you to shop for smaller quantities, more often, so you’re always eating fresh.

As heard in her short speech in our video above, Jill had a message directed at some of those in attendance – “Watch how it works – then I’m going to ask you to help make it happen” in many places, since she believes it’s a model that she thinks could work in “food swamps” (lots of food, but not healthy food) and “food deserts” all over the city, and beyond. Those there to listen included State Sen. Joe Nguyễn and City Councilmember Rob Saka:

Also there, managers from the West Seattle Food Bank, which already partners with Cascadia Produce and is involved with the new market, including sponsoring a “free fridge” that’ll be the last stop for some unsold food:

Cascadia Fresh Market is for everyone, and they hope shopping there will be enough of a delight that everyone who visits will want to come back. Maybe to see what’s new – maybe to take a break in the bright, light-filled seating area. Maybe to answer a trivia quiz by the checkstand. Or if you have kid(s) with you, for the games they can play. And/or because it’s ADA-accessible – people using wheelchairs and strollers have already rolled in. Plus – no alcohol sales, a potentially appealing aspect to those in recovery. Meantime, the partnership with local schools that Jill described in our preview story is about to launch – and Jill says she’ll be talking about the store to anyone who will listen (and shop). Hours are 10 am-7 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon-6 pm Sundays and Mondays.

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SPORTS: West Seattle HS softball season ends at district tournament

May 13, 2024 9:57 pm

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

Congratulations to the West Seattle High School Wildcats softball team for another strong season, which ended tonight. The team, coached by Kyler Tsukada, made it to the district tournament again this year but lost their opening game, 9-4, vs. Renton’s Liberty High School, played at Juanita HS in Kirkland. The Wildcats finish the year 11-11.

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WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Tilden announces first-ever fundraising celebration

May 13, 2024 8:37 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Independent elementary Tilden School (WSB sponsor) is planning a party – here’s the invitation!

The Tilden School board of directors will be hosting Tilden’s FIRST-ever fundraiser on May 31st. We’re calling this Tilden PROM (Past and Present Remembering Our Magic). All Tilden alumni, current families, incoming families and friends of Tilden (18 and over) are welcome. It’ll be held at Kenyon Hall from 7-10 PM with food, drinks, live music, a short program, and catching up. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/tildenprom

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West Seattle church/synagogue hit by vandalism/theft multiple times. You’re invited to be part of ‘joyful event’ in response

May 13, 2024 5:56 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(Alki UCC photo: Celebration for newest banners, March 14 – before yet another act of vandalism)

The church Alki UCC and the synagogue Kol HaNeshamah have shared the building at 6115 SW Hinds for more than 20 years. Both hold not only regular services but also do community work as part of their commitment to social justice. And they’ve been dealing with a recurring problem: “In the past nine months, the Pride/Trans and Black Lives Matter banners hanging from the front of our building were vandalized and replaced multiple times. After the fifth recent vandalism, we began to imagine together the possibility of a different response.” You’re invited to be part of that response; details shortly, but first, here’s what’s happened so far:

 August 7, 2023: Rainbow Pride Flag and Trans Pride Flag torn down by unknown perpetrator. A police report was filed; we immediately replaced the flags.

 February 18, 2024: Rainbow Pride Flag and Trans Pride Flag torn down; report filed.

 February 27, 2024: Black Lives Matter Flag torn from its frame and security camera cord severed. Police report filed.

 On March 10, higher-quality Pride Progress Flag and Black Lives Matter flags installed on sturdy frames and dedicated on March 17.

 March 23, 2024: Black Lives Matter flag removed from its frame and later found in the street. The Progress Pride flag was partially removed from its frame. The security camera cord had been severed. Police report was filed, and the flags were replaced the same day.

 March 29, 2024: Black Lives Matter flag ripped, removing 2/3 of the image, and not recovered. Police report filed.

Rather than immediately replacing the Black Lives Matter banner after that last incident, the congregations “consulted with a local artist to collaborate on how to best transform the sign into a statement of love and justice. The words of the prophet Amos, quoted by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., called to us: ‘Let justice roll down like water.’ The scripture text will be highlighted with a river of grace flowing from the torn edge.”

As part of that, the congregations invite the community to join them in front of the building on Sunday (May 19) between 11:15 am and 12:30 pm: “50 days after the tearing of the flag, we will gather together to paint the prophetic words and evocative image on the sign.” The community is invited “to join us to add their personal expression to this community collaboration by painting a letter or splash of river. We’ll have art tables with materials for all to imagine what justice looks like.” They promise it will be an “all-ages joyful event” also including refreshments and “a sing-along to songs of love and justice with Alki UCC Music Director Stephen Anthony Rawson.”

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Concerned about crime and other safety issues? Mayor’s regional forum Tuesday for West Seattle/South Park

May 13, 2024 4:02 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | Safety | South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If you want to hear what the city is doing about crime and/or other public-safety issues – and share your thoughts about what you’d like to see done – here’s another reminder: Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 14) brings Mayor Harrell‘s regional public-safety forum. It’s happening at 6 pm at Concord International Elementary School, 723 S. Concord in South Park (here’s a map). This is the third in a series of five, one in each of the city’s SPD-precinct areas (the Southwest Precinct serves both West Seattle and South Park). Here’s how the format’s been described in media advisories:

The public forum is part of a series of forums held in neighborhoods with community members across Seattle over the next month to share more about Mayor Harrell’s public safety framework and to receive input and feedback on safety priorities, allowing neighbors to engage in direct conversation with City leaders and representatives on public safety ideas and solutions.

Mayor Harrell and City leaders will make opening remarks, followed by interactive input sessions for participants. Community members will rotate in small groups to engage directly with City leaders and provide input informing action and policy priorities.

According to an SPD event announcement, these are the city departments expected to be represented:

Seattle Police Department
Seattle Fire Department
CARE (Community Assisted Response & Engagement Team)
Seattle Police Department Alternative Response Team
PARKS – Park Rangers
Seattle Police Department Youth Liaison
Department of Education and Early Learning
Seattle Department of Transportation
King County Metro
Department of Neighborhood
Office of Economic Development
(corrected) Human Services Department
Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

They’re asking for attendees to RSVP – you can do that here.

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YOU CAN HELP: ‘Essential supplies’ needed at West Seattle’s only shelter

May 13, 2024 2:21 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| How to help | Triangle | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

If you can help, Keith Hughes at Westside Neighbors Shelter – which continues to operate year-round, entirely donation- and volunteer-powered – sent this list of donations that would be useful right now:

Here is a list of some essential supplies that we are running very short on.

Top Ramen packages
Cup-O-Noodles
Coffee Mate Creamer
Pancake syrup

8 oz paper cups (cold cups)
12 oz hot cups (without lids)
mens size large boxers and T-shirts

Thank you so much for continuing to supports our efforts to help the homeless in WS.

The center is at 3618 SW Alaska, co-housed with West Seattle Veteran Center and American Legion Post 160.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: SPD Mounted Patrol at Westwood Village

May 13, 2024 1:30 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police | Westwood

Thanks to the texter who sent the photo – a Seattle Police Mounted Patrol sighting at Westwood Village. They’re seen around West Seattle on occasion, as they’re based here, at Westcrest Park (as shown in this WSB story from last year); SPD has told us in the past that this is one of the places they go to get acclimatized to being around people and traffic. Community interaction is the unit’s main job, aka “relational policing” –

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ELECTION 2024: Here’s who’s running locally

May 13, 2024 11:47 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Now that Filing Week is over, the ballot lineups are set for local offices – here’s who you’ll see on the August primary ballot (unless they withdraw by the deadline later today):

*34th District State Representative, Position 1 – incumbent Rep. Emily Alvarado (D) vs. Kimberly Cloud (R)

*34th District State Representative, Position 2 – incumbent Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D) vs. Jolie Lansdowne (R), who ran for Position 1 two years ago

*City Council citywide Position 8 – Councilmember Tanya Woo‘s appointment to this nonpartisan position runs through fall, so there’s an election for one more year of this position’s unexpired term; Woo has filed, as have Saul Patu, Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Saunatina Sanchez, and Tariq Yusuf

*King County Superior Court – 54 judicial positions are open; not a single one has drawn multiple candidates

You can see the lineups – with links to the candidates’ websites, if any – including statewide, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate races, by going here. Primary Election Day is August 6.

P.S. For those who asked about perennial candidate Goodspaceguy – he’s filed for U.S. Senate.

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Alki Point Healthy Street opponents announce Tuesday community meeting

May 13, 2024 9:49 am

| 180 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(Added, WSB photo: SDOT truck at project site this morning)

Just announced by the coalition opposing the Alki Point Healthy Street plan, with SDOT planning to launch major construction shortly – a community meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, May 14):

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
What: Alki Point For All Presentation and Community Meeting
Where: C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW
When: Tuesday May 14th, 6:30 to 8:30
Doors open 6 PM
Tickets: FREE
Prergister at brownpapertickets.com – Pre-registration recommended but not required.

Alki Point is one of the places that sets Seattle apart. A public shoreline and city park offer spectacular views of Puget Sound, adjacent to a marine reserve. People come from all over the world to visit the Lighthouse; to storm-watch, bird-watch, whale-watch, and go tide-pooling; to walk, bike, skate, run or simply enjoy the view. Alki Point has provided respite and recreation for generations.

For nonprofit organizations and schools, Alki Point offers a unique opportunity to educate and inspire. From octopus to orcas, the site offers direct and easy access to a marine ecosystem a front door to the Salish Sea.

That’s all about to change. As early as this week, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will begin construction on a project that will radically alter the use of this public space. SDOT will replace most of the parking on the beach side of the street with a 10-ft-wide “walking, jogging, rolling” lane. The harmful impacts of this change haven’t been considered, and key questions haven’t been answered.

For example, the loss of parking means that even fewer people will be able to visit Alki Point. Traffic will be pushed into nearby neighborhoods, where parking is already a problem. ADA parking spaces will only be on the east side of the street, away from benches, the beach and the view. Where will the school busses park? Marine conservation and outreach will be crippled.

Join us Tuesday night at C&P to discuss these and other changes. In February the Alki Point for All coalition launched a petition directed to Mayor Harrell, asking that the City halt this project until its impacts were fully considered. More than 1350 people have signed the petition so far. change.org/AlkiPointforAll.

The group will present updates about their efforts, including a recent meeting with SDOT. The group will also share their ideas for how street art could be used to calm traffic, increase safety, and create a Healthy Street that better serves the needs of the wider community.

There is no charge for this event. Pre-registration is recommended but not required. Pregistering will help us estimate how many people to expect.

The Alki Point for All coalition consists of organizations (The Whale Trail and Seal Sitters) and individuals (Vlad Oustimovitch, Leo Shaw, Bill Rogers.) Hope to see you there!

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Celebration of Life on Sunday for Jack D. Blanchard, 1934-2024

May 13, 2024 9:00 am

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| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather Sunday (May 19) to remember Jack Blanchard. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:

Jack Dwight Blanchard passed away peacefully on April 29, 2024.

Born April 21, 1934 in Everett, Washington, to Gilbert and Doris Blanchard, he graduated Everett Memorial Stadium High School in 1952, and the University of Washington in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry.

He met Carol Jeanne Lenzie in November 1952 on a blind date and they married on May 27, 1955. Carol, the love of his life, passed away on February 19, 2011. His sibling, Carol Edna Blanchard, passed away on November 28, 2022.

He is survived by his children Jim and Dodie and their families. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren created many wonderful memories with Grandpa Jack.

Jack was a kind, thoughtful man with time for anybody and everybody. He will be so missed.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at 4:00 PM at The Kenney in West Seattle, where he resided for the past seven years, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Monday begins

May 13, 2024 6:03 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, May 13.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Forecast says the sun’s going away for a day: Cloudy, high in the low 60s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:33 am; sunset will be at 8:38 pm.

(Some Sunday sunset color to the NW, photographed by Gene Pavola)

ROAD-WORK ALERTS

*SDOT says the permanent Highland Park Way/Holden signals are now working. But they have more to do at the intersection:

Over the next couple of weeks we will repair the sidewalk at the northwest corner of Highland Park Way SW. It was damaged by freight trucks driving over it when turning right onto SW Holden St. To address this, we will also adjust the lanes on Highland Park Way SW to allow for wider turns.

Additionally, we will rebuild the curb ramps on the northwest and northeast corners of Highland Park Way and SW Holden St to address issues caught during our ADA accessibility inspection. This work is scheduled from May 10 – 24 and you may have already seen crews working. Our work hours are generally from 7 AM – 4 PM. However, we will need to work overnight to adjust the lanes, which involves removing the current traffic lane markings and repainting the lines to mark the new lane widths.

*PSE’s Beach Drive gas-pipeline project could start this week.

*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; check for 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 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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