West Seattle, Washington
21 Friday
(Photos by Joe Christian for WSB)
10:59 PM: The West Seattle High School Wildcats will play Mount Vernon HS for the state 3A baseball championship on Saturday night. That’s after West Seattle’s just-concluded shutout defeat of Eastside Catholic, 6-0 in Pasco. This is the third consecutive year the Wildcats have made it to the state final four – but the first time since 2013 that they’ve slugged their way into the title game. Details from tonight’s win, plus photos, coming up later!
ADDED 3:01 AM: #27, senior Miles Chandler, got the win for the Wildcats, pitching 5 shutout innings – with five strikeouts – despite a bit of turbulence in the 1st inning, when he got into a bases-loaded jam, but got out of it without yielding a run. That was the biggest threat the Crusaders posed for the entire game.
#7, senior Caden Fahy, had four of the six WSHS RBI, starting with two when he hit a triple in the top of the third.
That brought in #13, senior Parker Eley, and #14, junior Clay Pecore, who had a 2-for-3 night.
With a single in the fourth, Fahy brought in Pecore again, and #1, junior Dex Pudduck.
That was after #5, senior Matthew Hazelgrove, had smacked a two-run single of his own, which scored #24, junior Lukas Cheha, and #42, senior Sabin Tomlinson.
#6, senior John Langen, closed the shutout by holding Eastside Catholic to two hits in two innings.
Head coach Dylan Mclauchlin and the Wildcats are scheduled to take the field at 7:15 tonight (Saturday, May 25).
The time might vary depending on the games that precede it (which is why this game started so late). The Mount Vernon Bulldogs got the other championship-game spot by beating Edmonds-Woodway 9-7 earlier in the evening. While this is WSHS’s third year in a row to reach the semifinals, it’s the first trip in almost a quarter-century for Mount Vernon.
Tomorrow (Saturday, May 25) you have one more chance to talk with SDOT reps in person about the Highland Park Way hill project – a proposal to remove one downhill motor-vehicle lane and replace it with a protected bike lane, an expanded multi-use path, or (eventually) both. SDOT will be at the Delridge Farmers’ Market (9421 18th SW) 10 am-2 pm Saturday. Meantime, as we reported yesterday, attendees at this month’s HPAC meeting had some questions the SDOT reps were unable to immediately answer – so we sent some of those questions to the department, and got answers late today, as follows:
WSB: “What are the cost estimates of the three options? … And how much money has been spent so far on this very early stage of the project?”
SDOT: “We are engaging the community to shape the scope before we develop draft cost estimates for the options. Generally speaking, Option 1 (protected bike lane) has fewer construction needs since it removes a travel lane and adds concrete barriers. Option 2 (multiuse path) has more complex construction needs since it involves moving a curb line, potential drainage work, and a wider landscape buffer and path. So far, we have spent $145,000 for this project.”
WSB: “(SDOT reps at the meeting) had the current car traffic data. What is the most recent bicycle usage and pedestrian usage data for that section of HP Way?”
SDOT: (Provided table as seen below)
“We plan to collect additional data this summer.”
WSB: “It’s oft-cited ‘if you build the infrastructure (for riders) they will come.’ So it was asked (at the meeting), what is the bicycle usage data for other semi-new lanes in West Seattle, like the Delridge lane post-Delridge rechannelizing?”
SDOT: “We have not measured the bicycle usage on Delridge since the project was completed. We do have data from the West Marginal Way SW Safety Corridor Project, gathered from August-October last year:
“·Weekday bike volumes have increased by 144% from an average of 103 bikers before the project was installed to an average of 251 daily bikers. Weekend bike volumes have increased by 53%.
“·The number of people walking or using a mobility assistance device (like a wheelchair or accessibility scooter) increased significantly, 96% on weekdays and 91% on weekends.
“Here are a few local and national studies showing the effect of bike lanes:”
seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDOT/About/DocumentLibrary/Reports/NE65thSt_Evaluation_Report_91620-1.pdf
trec.pdx.edu/research/project/583/Lessons_from_the_Green_Lanes:_Evaluating_Protected_Bike_Lanes_in_the_U.S._
nacto.org/2016/07/20/high-quality-bike-facilities-increase-ridership-make-biking-safer/
Those aren’t all the questions HPAC attendees had, just the ones we asked SDOT in followup, so watch for more info from HPAC. Meantime, whatever you think about the project, you can also comment – June 15 is the deadline – via this survey, or via email at HighlandHolden@seattle.gov, or via voicemail at 206-900-8741.
Thanks to Jason Grotelueschen for the photo from Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, where a rainbow graced West Seattle Junction FC‘s first regular-season victory tonight, 1-0 over Lane United FC from Eugene. Tonight’s lone goal came 12 minutes in, by Junction FC’s co-captain #7 Jafer Mustafa. The club plays again at home at 2 pm Sunday vs. United PDX.
(WSB photo, Bubbleman at 2022 Morgan Community Festival)
The season of big events has begun – and we have an update on one of June’s biggest events, the Morgan Junction Community Festival. It’s set for 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, June 15 – three weeks from tomorrow – and the entertainment lineup is set, with a big comeback: Bubbleman returns! Here’s the latest festival lineup, from the Morgan Community Association:
ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE: Morgan Junction Park
10:00 to 10:45 – The Bubbleman: Returning Festival favorite featuring good clean fun
10:50 to 11:40 – Raymond the Magician: Artful, innovative, and very, very cool
11:45 to 12:35 – Gary Benson: Our local folk-rock favorite
12:45 to 2:00 – The Potholes: Still slinging funky-fusion, guac and rock right back at ya!!PLUS:
-Community Vendors in the Zeeks/Whisky West parking lot
-First Responders on California
–MJAWA‘s All Wheels meet-up on BeveridgeMore details at the MoCA website: morganjunction.org/festival
Questions for the Festival Team – mocacnc@gmail.com
All this will be happening in and around Morgan Junction Park, on the west side of California SW a short distance north of Fauntleroy Way SW. (WSB is media sponsor for the festival.)
(WSB photo from last week, Beach Drive alongside Constellation Park)
1:57 PM: Another update in the longrunning saga of the Alki Point Healthy Street (both Alki Avenue and Beach Drive west of 63rd SW) – just in from SDOT, a few more changes to the plan:
We’re moving forward with Alki Point Healthy Street upgrades, based on robust community input over the past several years.
We paused the installation briefly to meet with marine mammal and environmental stewardship stakeholders and listen to their concerns. Construction is now expected to begin as soon as June.
This Healthy Street offers a unique space for community members to walk, bike, and roll while taking in views of Elliott Bay and West Seattle’s Alki Beach and marine reserve.
Newest features in response to community feedback include:
*Welcome signs
*Additional load zones that can be used by school buses
*Inviting community artwork celebrating nature
*Adding parking time restrictions and guidelines on more nearby streets to make it easier for visitors to find a space.Previously announced additions based on community requests:
(One of the ‘nearby locations’ for public parking. Photo by David Hutchinson)
*A 10-foot path along the beachfront separated from people driving,
*Three new ADA-accessible parking spaces,
*New public parking signs and guidelines at two nearby locationsToward the end of the year, we’ll share an evaluation with vehicle speeds, foot traffic, and parking use, and include a user experience survey.
We’re following up with SDOT to ask exactly where the loading zones and parking-time restrictions are planned to go.
6 PM: Here’s what SDOT sent in response to our questions:
*We will explore adding loading or other special event zones large enough for school buses on Beach Dr SW near 63rd Ave SW.
*We will add parking signs and paint parking guidelines in the parking lot near the Alki Point Lighthouse to make it clear that this is a free public parking lot. There will be a 4-hour parking time limit except for one ADA parking space.
*We will be adding 4-hour parking signs on the east side of SW Benton Pl, and adding parking guidelines to clearly define the parking spaces as separate from the roadway.
The last two seem to refer more to the “previously announced additions” than the “newest features,” so we’ll be looking to clarify further with SDOT after the holiday weekend.
1:42 PM: Two weeks ago, we reported on West Seattle Health Club‘s request for member support in opposing a possible light-rail route that would among other things take out their pool, which in turn followed County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda‘s plea to the Sound Transit Board to consider alternatives that would spare area businesses. Today, WSHC has sent a followup with word that the concerns are gaining traction. Thanks to those who forwarded us the email, which tells members, in part:
… Your support has made a difference. The Executive’s office has responded positively to our request, and questions are being raised about modifying route options. The original plan to finalize this location in June has been delayed. A summary of all the public comments they received on the gym/pool was read out loud into the record at yesterday’s Sound Transit Board meeting and the turnout was impressive. Executive Dow Constantine has requested that Sound Transit host a community forum. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
Our petition will remain available at the front desk and online at https://chng.it/VH4L96c6Dn . Additionally, we invite you to join members of our community for a “Walk the Route” event on Sunday, June 9th at 10 am, starting in our parking lot and ending at the West Seattle lower bridge. …
The next step before the ST Board can finalize the West Seattle routing will be the release of the final Environmental Impact Statement; for months, ST has said only that it’s expected to be out “midyear” (we’re checking on whether they’ve refined that timeline yet). Environmental studies are continuing (as noted here last week).
2:44 PM: ST spokesperson Rachelle Cunningham says “summer” is the only current timeline for the final EIS. She also says that since Executive Constantine just made the community-forum request yesterday, there’s nothing official on that yet, but we might hear more next week.
(Reader photo from Me-Kwa-Mooks response)
Police find stolen cars every day, in varying circumstances. Two this morning in West Seattle had similar circumstances – both were found with people asleep inside. A short time ago, one such “vehicle recovery” was a startling sight for people in the Me-Kwa-Mooks Park vicinity on Beach Drive – police moved in on the stolen vehicle with guns drawn after finding people inside (they told dispatch they had placed “Terminators” around the vehicle so those inside couldn’t try to make a getaway). Earlier, a stolen work truck was found near Delridge/Orchard; we were about to publish a Crime Watch report about it when we heard the recovery discussed on police radio, and the person who had sent us the stolen-vehicle report told us this vehicle also was found with people asleep inside. We know the truck was stolen on Puget Ridge, but otherwise, no further details in either incident yet, including whether any of the people found in the vehicles were arrested.
(Orange-crowned Warbler photographed in Arbor Heights by Erin B. Jackson)
Here’s what’s happening – right now and in the hours ahead – from the WSB inbox and Event Calendar:
ROXHILL ELEMENTARY JOG-A-THON: Your support welcome! Happening today:
Today, Roxhill Elementary School will host our Annual Jog‐A‐Thon. The Jog-A-Thon is a fundraiser where students will raise money partly to support the 5th grade overnight outdoor learning field trip to Nature Bridge. This fundraiser is a huge help to offset the cost of the trip for 5th graders, staff, and chaperones to attend, including transportation costs, meals, and other expenses. During this 4-night stay, students engage in various outdoor learning activities that build students’ self-confidence, team building skills and knowledge of physical sciences. It has been a tradition for many years that each 5th grade class attends an outdoor learning education overnight field trip. It is the experience of a lifetime!
In addition to supporting the 5th grade outdoor field trip, money raised may go toward funding other school field trips. If you would like to donate to our fundraising effort, click the link.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, until 3 pm.
LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: First day of thes season for volunteer Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists! The tide bottoms out at -2.5 feet just after noon; they’ll be at Constellation Park (63rd SW/Beach Drive) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, near Colman Pool) 10:30 am-1:30 pm.
MEMORIAL DAY POPPIES: Get yours at American Legion Post 160 today and through Memorial Day weekend. (3618 SW Alaska)
VISCON CELLARS: The tasting room/wine bar is open tonight for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
AT THE SKYLARK: Caspian Coberly, Ben Root, No Monaco. Doors at 6 pm, music at 7, $15 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
WATCH WSHS IN STATE BASEBALL SEMIFINALS: West Seattle High School plays Eastside Catholic in the state 3A baseball championship semifinals in Pasco at 7 pm but we’re told by a team parent that the game will be streamed onscreen here in West Seattle at Good Society, so join fans there! (California/Lander)
GUITAR CONCERT: Tracy Moore and Peter Janson at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW), 7 pm, no cover.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: In-store performance by Girl and Girl, celebrating their album release, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION FC: Second home match at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm vs. Lane United FC – tickets available online.
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
DJ AT REVELRY ROOM: DJ E-Pop, 9 pm-1 am! (4547 California SW)
LATE-NIGHT SINGING: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
REMINDER – EARLY CLOSING TIME STARTS AT ALKI: Starting tonight, through late September, the park officially closes at 10:30 pm.
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB file photo, sign at site last October)
9:18 AM: Seattle Parks has dropped its plan to convert former tennis courts in Lincoln Park into pickleball courts, according to the advocates who led a campaign against the plan. Sandy Shettler says, “Parks informed us that they will not be building pickleball courts in Lincoln Park! They even suggested that they are open to our hope to depave and rewild the cement pad.” Kersti Muul adds that Parks has told her “the fencing [around the site] will be removed by the end of the week.” We’re following up with Parks today to see what their West Seattle pickleball plan will now focus on.
We reported last month that Parks deputy superintendent Andy Sheffer had told the city Parks Board that a decision was close. We first told you about the pickleball-conversion proposal first in September, when Parks dropped a plan to add pickleball stripes to Solstice Park tennis courts, and pivoted to the Lincoln Park conversion concept, which drew intense opposition.
12:27 PM: Parks spokesperson Christina Hirsch confirms this: “Seattle Parks and Recreation has made great progress identifying another location to add another pickleball court to West Seattle and thus has decided to no longer pursue creating courts at Lincoln Park.” That new location has not yet been disclosed; there are various already-discussed possibilities – for example, while speaking to the Fauntleroy Community Association earlier this year, deputy superintendent Sheffer suggested there might be possibilities with the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot (which is shared by Seattle Public Schools and Parks), and previously, Hiawatha had been under consideration as a “pickleball hub.”
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, May 24, and Memorial Day weekend is on the way.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Cloudy with possible showers, high in the upper 50s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:21 am; sunset will be at 8:51 pm.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL
Heading out of town? These WSDOT charts might help you plan when to be on the road.
ROAD-WORK REMINDER
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
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. P.S. Metro tells us NO extra late-night runs after the Billy Joel concert tonight – just the regular Friday night schedule.
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. … Starting this week, work at the Southworth terminal is closing some lanes there for about 3 weeks.
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. (Except the low bridge, for now; SDOT says it’s working on it.)
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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