West Seattle, Washington
19 Tuesday
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
This afternoon, preschoolers from Holy Rosary School capped one of the busiest salmon-release seasons on Fauntleroy Creek since the first, in 1991.
Between April 28 and May 31, volunteers with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council hosted 720 students and 250 adults for 19 releases that introduced 2,000+ coho fry to the creek.
The total included about 400 fry reared by volunteer Jack Lawless to ensure that, even if a school lost a lot of fish, every student would have at least one to put in the water. His fish also enabled children from Holy Rosary, three other area preschools, and members of Scout Troop 284 to have a salmon-release experience.
During elementary-school releases, students explored habitat in Fauntleroy Park, and one group went on to Lincoln Park to hear the stewardship story behind Bruun Idun, the troll sculpture.
(Releases went on regardless of the weather – here, fish dipper Dennis Hinton assisted Highland Park Elementary 4th graders – photo by Tom Trulin)
“It was a very busy but rewarding season with quite a variety of enthused students,” said Dennis Hinton. Shannon Ninburg and Tom Trulin joined him in making up the release team, and six new watershed volunteers gave a hand.
Release fry and those from last fall’s spawning are now feeding primarily on aquatic-insect larva in the creek. Those that find enough food and protection will head to saltwater next spring as smolts (teenagers). From mid-March to mid-May this year, volunteers used net traps in the upper and lower creek to document 30 smolts en route to nearshore habitat in Fauntleroy Cove.
“Fry released at the big bridge in the park will linger there for a few weeks, so come have a look,” Dennis said. “Given the life cycle of these fish, the creek has salmon in it year round, so remember to help protect them by keeping dogs out of the water and leaving limbs where they are in the creek.”
(WSB photo)
Next up for the general public: the annual drumming in October to call in spawners and, if it’s successful, a weekend “open creek.”
(Rain City Ropeworks team members in 2023 world competition, photo courtesy Zack Hill)
Before they travel for national competition, West Seattle’s award-winning Rain City Ropeworks jump-rope team invites you to their show next weekend – Sunday, June 9, 2:30 pm at Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee) – here’s the invitation!
Join us for our annual Jump Rope Community Show, featuring the dynamic performances of the the Rain City Ropeworks Jump Rope Team! This family-friendly event will feature exciting routines from all team members, including members of our national team who will be traveling to Utah to compete in June. Enjoy fun audience activities, meet the team, and participate in our silent auction with fabulous items from our wonderful community sponsors. Plus, there will be other fun giveaways! You won’t want to miss this event!
Four quick biznotes:
DAISO’S OPENING WEEKEND: You might see some commotion at Westwood Village tomorrow morning – the good kind. It’s opening weekend for the long-anticipated Daiso store, starting at 9 am Saturday and 10 am Sunday, with incentives for the first 100 people to spend $30, as noted on the door signage, so lines are likely. We first reported last July that Daiso was on the way.
KNEIGHBORHOOD KNIVES: Back in April, traditional whetstone-using knife sharpener Genevieve brought her Kneighborhood Knives sharpening business to Hotwire Coffee (4410 California SW), and she told us it was her most successful pop-up ever. So she’s coming back Monday (June 3), 8 am-3 pm. Just show up with your knife/knives, and she’ll sharpen them, $10 each.
HOMESTREET BANK X M & M BALLOONS: Every month, HomeStreet Bank-West Seattle (41st/Alaska; WSB sponsor) spotlights a local business or nonprofit. This month, it’s been M & M Balloon Company, whose co-proprietor Susan Lindsay visited the branch Thursday:
She’s pictured above with HomeStreet’s Andrew Tento. As happens each month, branch visitors can enter a free drawing for a prize from the spotlighted business, so Susan chose the winning ticket for a balloon arrangement.
NEW WELLNESS SPA: One of West Seattle’s newest small businesses emailed us to announce they’re open. Emma Hetnar has opened the private wellness spa Revitalize in Highland Park. She explains, “After overcoming my own battle with chronic illness, I was inspired to create a space where others could come to relax and heal, using the same equipment that I used in my personal healing journey. These treatments have played a pivotal role in my own healing and I am passionate about sharing their transformative benefits with others.” They’re explained on the Revitalize website, which is also where you’ll find information on contacting the spa for appointments.
Two utility notes, both from readers in Arbor Heights:
ARBOR HEIGHTS POWER OUTAGE: Thanks for the texted tip about a 13-customer outage:
Seattle City Light blames it on “equipment failure.”
ARBOR HEIGHTS BROWN WATER: Thanks to Mark for the report about “brown water near 37th Ave and 97th St” early this afternoon. No emergencies today so likely hydrant testing again, but always report it to Seattle Public Utilities‘ 24/7 hotline, 206-386-1800.
Two Crime Watch reports:
(WSB photo, Sunday morning)
ALKI BREAK-IN SUSPECT CHARGED: The man arrested last Sunday allegedly trying to break into an Alki residence is now charged. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 47-year-old Sergey Y. Maslov of Puyallup with attempted first-degree burglary. The charging documents confirm what commenters said that day – that the victim is a police officer, off-duty at the time this happened. Prosecutors say he called 911 saying the suspect was armed with a knife, trying to break into his residence, and threatening to kill him – a threat that the calltaker heard during the 911 call. Arriving officers are reported to have found the resident and the suspect in the back yard. Maslov is reported to have told officers, after his arrest, that he was looking for a pump for his bicycle – and he asked them to retrieve a laptop he was charging in the building’s laundry room. The victim told investigating officers that while he was armed with his service revolver, he never pointed it at Maslov, though he said he did identify himself as a police officer at one point. The charging documents say Maslov has no history of felony convictions but has theft, trespass, obstruction, and drug charges “pending.” He remains in the King County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. There is no mention in these documents of the other cases possibly linked to Maslov, noted in our previous followup – except a mention that the officer whose home he allegedly tried to break into had been among those responding to a similar Admiral incident a day earlier in which Maslov is suspected.
UPPER MORGAN BACKPACK THEFT: Jessica hopes you can watch for this, in case it turns up tossed aside somewhere:
My son’s school backpack was taken from my car this morning. It had his Highline school laptop in it. I don’t think he’s ever left it in the car, and I usually double check that I’ve locked the doors before I go to bed. It must have been the perfect storm of mistakes. It’s gray and from CabinZero and had a bunch of Spanish homework in it.
Here’s a stock photo of a similar backpack.
The Seattle Public Library has published another update on its tech troubles, blamed on a “ransomware event” first disclosed Tuesday. Here’s one major point:
As of Friday morning, May 31, all e-book and e-audiobook holds for Library patrons have been paused. You will not lose the holds you currently have, and you will keep your current place in the queue. Your e-book and e-audiobook holds will remain paused until access to our services is securely restored. We do not have an estimate for when that will occur, but we are working diligently to bring services back online.
SPL says you can check out physical materials but you can’t yet return them, so hold onto whatever you have until they say they’re ready – SPL promises to “update due dates once our systems are securely restored.” Go here to see the full current list of which services are available and which are not.
12:16 PM: Thanks for the tips! All signs point to Vice President Kamala Harris including a West Seattle stop when she visits the area Saturday.
First we got reader reports about a block of NO PARKING signs along 55th SW on Genesee Hill for unspecified “special events” on Saturday. This is a block east of a residence owned by the listed hosts of a reception for Vice President Harris, as published by the Northwest Progressive Institute. While out sleuthing this, we happened onto a group of State Patrol motorcycles in The Junction …
and followed them all the way to the listed fundraiser hosts’ neighborhood, where they were talking with neighbors.
What we don’t know yet is what time on Saturday the vice president is expected to visit; she’s in San Diego today. The airspace notice for Seattle is from 1:15 pm tomorrow to 8:30 pm tomorrow. As is standard with presidential/vice presidential visits, watch for short-term road closures.
9:09 PM: Her official schedule is out now. She’s due to leave LA at 1:15 pm, arrive at Boeing Field at 3:30 pm, speak at her first stop at 4:35 pm (we believe that’s the one in WS) and at a second event at 6 pm, flying back to LA at 7:05 pm.
(Photo courtesy Cascadia Fresh Market)
Three weeks after opening at 5444 Delridge Way SW, neighborhood food store Cascadia Fresh Market is expanding its hours! Here’s the announcement we just received from co-proprietor Jill Moore, including a reminder/clarification about the store’s “Free Fridge“:
We have decided to simplify/expand our hours to be open EVERY DAY from 10 am – 7 pm at Cascadia Fresh Market.
It’s a big ask to get people to change their current shopping habits and instead decide to utilize our neighborhood market. To make it as easy as possible to figure us into any routine, we are expanding our hours to 10 am – 7 pm every single day.
I also want to remind Delridgians about our “Free Fridge,” sponsored by the West Seattle Food Bank. Note that aim of the Free Fridge is to make sure no good food is wasted – therefore, the free items are for everyone who eats food. We believe it’s our community responsibility to use food well, and taking a free banana (with some brown spots) and a green pepper (with perhaps some shoulder withering) is an act of climate heroism as well as a perfectly legitimate way to feed yourself. Many people do not think to use the free refrigerator because they kindly want to save the food for those with higher food-support needs. While that is a lovely thought, we want you to know there is enough food to discard that worry instead of the food. The Fresh Market always generates new refrigerator inputs (nature is on its own schedule). If the free refrigerator were being consistently emptied by folks, we would bring additional food for donation from our Auburn warehouse – similar to the way we filled Carrot Man’s Carrot Stand during the pandemic. There is enough affordable food to buy enthusiastically at the market, AND to take for free from the Free Fridge anytime you see something useful for your meal. The Free Fridge is for everyone, and utilizing it keeps the food fresher for all.
In addition to fresh, affordable food – and many other items too, as shown in our story from its first week – the Cascadia Fresh Market plan includes support for local schools. Its proprietors – who own Cascadia Produce – are committed to at least a four-month trial period so they’re hoping you’ll come shop and prove the need for a permanent place in Delridge to buy good food.
Just days after the West Seattle High School baseball team won the 3A state championship (WSB coverage here), one of its seniors has received Athlete of the Week honors from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. Here’s how WIAA announced it:
CADEN FAHY – WEST SEATTLE BASEBALL (SR)
(Photo by Joe Christian for WSB, from WSHS state semifinal victory over Eastside Catholic)
West Seattle senior Caden Fahy earned first-team All-Metro League honors this past week. Fahy helped the Wildcats win the Metro Championship and come out victorious in their first two games of the 3A State Baseball Championships. Over the past three games, throughout the Metro Championship and two games at State, Fahy had 11 at-bats, coming away with two singles, four doubles, and four runs. He also took the mound at the end of his last game, earning a save and helping his team move on to the 3A Semifinal game.
The Wildcats went on to win that game and last Saturday’s championship game vs. Mount Vernon. As noted here earlier this week, a community celebration for the champs is planned Monday (June 3), 5 pm, at the WSHS gym (3000 California SW).
(Majestic Mt. Rainier, photographed from West Seattle on Thursday by Molly Al-Jawad)
Here’s what’s happening – right now and in the hours ahead – from the WSB inbox and Event Calendar:
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, until 3 pm.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. Free! (1100 SW Cloverdale)
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: Teenage Graffiti, Fleabag, Atmospheric River, Ella Curtis. 7 pm, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Cello X at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW), 7 pm, no cover.
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 Chocolate Chick, 9 pm-1 am! (4547 California SW)
ROCK-N-ROLLER SKATE: “Make It Loud!” returns at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), roller skating to live bands, featuring Lemon Boy, Queen Chimera, Cottage Corpse. $18 cover, $5 skate.
LATE-NIGHT SINGING: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
REMINDER – EARLY CLOSING TIME CONTINUES AT ALKI: Through late September, the park officially closes at 10:30 pm.
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Dave Nelson and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Dave Nelson
1937~2024It is with sadness and heavy hearts we report the passing of David “Dave” P. Nelson Sr. on May 5, 2024.
A longtime West Seattle resident, Dave is well known from his years as operator of Seacrest Marina and Boathouse.
Dave was born in Renton to Jasper and Grace Nelson, and grew up in Black Diamond alongside his siblings Les, Chuck, and Linnie. His Uncle Les, who would later teach him boat building, often took him out fishing and hunting in the wilds. (Like Dave once said, “If you wanted meat in those days, you went hunting.”) Those experiences, together with the time he spent with his grandfather up in Alaska, likely cemented his life-long love of the outdoors. One of his favorite stories was his ultimate achievement out bow hunting: He decided to sneak up on a dozing buck and take it down with a knife; at the last second he reached out, tapped it with his fingers, and watched it bound off into the brush. What trophy could top that?
Dave was drafted into the Army in Sept. of 1957; the first thing he learned was that the Army doesn’t mess around when they serve notice. The way he told the story, he went down to the Army office, slammed his draft notice down on the desk with a “You can’t take me! I’m in school!” and then stormed out. They replied by grabbing him off the street and throwing him on the bus for boot camp. Not one of his favorite stories. Still, like everything else he put his mind to, he excelled. He was trained as an aviation mechanic with a specialty in recon helicopters before being transferred to Fort Lewis. He served as crew chief from July 1958 until February 1959, earning a Good Conduct medal, and then as crew chief in the U.S. Army Reserve until his Honorable Discharge in August 1963.
Besides being a mechanic, Dave was also an accomplished shipwright. He worked for and learned the trade from his Uncle Les at Nelson & Hanson Boat Works from 1969 to 1978; his collection of blueprints, photos, and descriptions of boats built there are testament to how much Uncle Les and that work meant to him. He worked at Lake Union Drydock on large ships, where he again ended up running a crew. One of the ships that benefited from his expertise was the steamer Virginia V. This historic wooden vessel, still in operation on Lake Union, was one of the last of the Northwest’s “Mosquito Fleet” of steamers that served the communities on Puget Sound in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the ’70s and ’80s, Dave helped run K & H Research Inc. developing oil spill booms; he also managed Nor-Westerly Inc., a fiberglass manufacturer. But most everyone knows Dave from Seacrest down on Elliott Bay. He took over Lloyd’s Boathouse and Seacrest Marina in 1972, keeping the doors of that historical wooden building and its 150 boat slips open until 1980 when the city closed it. That’s the Dave most people knew: Behind the counter, chatting with people about where the fish were biting, heading out to the boat lift to run someone’s boat down to or out of the water, heading upstairs to get some work done on a boat, manhandling rental boats and running them out of or down to the water on the railroad track-like rails he built (and that are still in use). And doing most of the mechanical maintenance to keep all the machinery and rental boat engines up and running — with help from all those who wanted to give him a hand the same way he readily helped them when they needed it.
Once the city closed the old building, he operated Seacrest Boathouse out of a trailer and shipping container until the current building was completed in 1989. Through hard work and self-sacrifice he kept the doors open on the last of the 35 original boathouses in Elliott Bay, and the last place you could rent a boat to go fishing. In doing so he helped the Tengu Club, founded by Japanese fishermen in the 1900s, continue their long and storied tradition of Sunday fishing derbies in the depth of winter that began in 1932 — Sunday noodles with the Tengu fishermen in the Boathouse was the stuff of legend. He also supported the local chapters of numerous clubs helping preserve and protect the fisheries of the local Bay and rivers: Trout Unlimited, the Seattle Poggie Club, the West Seattle Sportsmen Club, and the Puget Sound Anglers. Dave also worked hands-on with the Pacific Northwest Steelheaders Association in their efforts to repopulate the sound and its rivers with salmon. Young salmon from the hatchery were kept in the Boathouse pens for several months so they could imprint on the Duwamish River before their release. No one who witnessed the salmon smolt boiling up in the pen while feeding could ever forget that sight. In the same way the hundreds of young people who participated in the Kids’ Derbies, or anyone joining any of the other fishing derbies run out of Seacrest, including the Seattle Police and Fire departments, would never forget Seacrest or Dave. Washington State Fisheries, NOAA, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the University of Washington Department of Oceanography all conducted fishery research from Seacrest. And everyone appreciated the appealing food service he, Edie Cooper, and her daughter Katrina put together in the new building when it was completed.
Behind the scenes, one of Dave’s less obvious talents was fishing herring. That’s a forever memory — heading out after dark with Dave on his custom-built herring boat, getting a lesson in spotting and netting herring balls, off-loading a successful catch into the Boathouse herring pens. And then scooping them out again at 3:30 in the morning to bag them up for the fisherfolk heading out for that dawn bite, armed with their fresh herring and a cup of thick, black boathouse mud to keep them awake. (Herring scales no extra charge.) Seacrest was the last place in the Bay where you could get fresh and live herring, and it was thanks to the time and effort Dave put into keeping those herring and pens in such good shape. It is truly astounding, all of things Dave did for the fishing community.
He retired from the Boathouse at the end of 1993; the fishing restrictions and closures that are good for the salmon were not kind to the boathouse business. To honor his hard work and perseverance and to show their love and appreciation, key individuals in the fishing community worked to have January 22, 1994 proclaimed Dave P. Nelson Day by the King County Executive, the Seattle Mayor, and, most meaningfully to Dave, the Tengu Club.
Dave was married to his first wife Sharon until 1980; they had four children Dave loved very much. He married Edie Cooper in December of 1994, and in the early 2000s they retired up to their dream property on Whidbey Island. There Dave stayed busy taking care of their 10 acres which included a large garden and small apple orchard, feeding the resident deer population every morning and evening, sharing his love of nature and fishing with Edie’s grandchildren, fishing out of his boat while he was able and off the shore after. True to his nature, Dave took care of Edie at home during her long bout with Parkinson’s until shortly before her passing in 2018.
He was also preceded in death by his brother Chuck Carter, beloved sister Linnie Griffith, oldest son Eric, and daughter Rose Donavick. He is survived by Rose’s husband Mark Donavick; brother Les; son David Jr. and his two children; daughter Lorna Osterbeck, her husband, their two children and grandchild; nieces and nephews; and Edie’s four children, Jerry Strassburg, Katrina Barmuta, Karl Strassburg, and Kevin Varden, and their spouses, children and grandchildren.
Dave lived a long and full life, and touched so many with his kindness and generosity. He will be missed by all, and forever in our thoughts.
(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)
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, May 31.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the upper 60s.. (Watch the extended forecast, currently: “A late-season atmospheric river will bring moderate to heavy precipitation from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday across all of western Washington.”) Today’s sunrise was at 5:15 am; sunset will be at 8:58 pm.
WEEKEND ALERTS
*The White Center Pride Street Festival will close 16th SW between Roxbury and SW 100th for most of Saturday.
*From WSDOT: “The right lane on SR 99 northbound at milepost 27.17 near the First Avenue Bridge will close beginning at 6:00 am until about 1:00 pm on (Saturday).”
=ONGOING ROAD WORK
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
STADIUM ZONE
If you’re going through SODO tonight, note that the Mariners play the Angels, 7:10 pm, with fireworks afterward.
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. And since it’s Friday, sailings run later into the night.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route, although there was some crewing doubt last night, so be sure to check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is. … Work at the Southworth terminal is continuing to close some lanes there.
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. (The low bridge has been reconnected to the feed, too.)
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!
ORIGINAL REPORT: Police responding to suspected gunfire in North Delridge have just told dispatch that they’ve found evidence – shell casings on the one-lane bridge across Longfellow Creek near 28th SW and SW Nevada [map]. There’s a report that someone saw a person in a vehicle firing a gun, possibly a dark SUV. No injuries reported so far.
ADDED MONDAY: Police finally released a bit of additional information – that they found a total of three casings. No injuries or damage otherwise.
ORIGINAL THURSDAY NIGHT REPORT: As a City Council committee led by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka continues reviewing the proposed transportation-levy renewal/expansion, Saka has released results of his survey about levy priorities. We published the participation link back in early April. He told his email-newsletter list today that more than 1,800 people took the survey; here’s how that broke out geographically:
Here’s how he wrote about and showed the results:
Of the high-level survey responses, the categories of “Street Repaving” (including filling potholes!), “Bridge Maintenance and Repair” (not surprising given the extended closure of the West Seattle bridge!) and “Safe Crossings, More and Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Better Lighting, Safe Routes to Schools” tied for the top combined first, second, and third choices of respondents.
I do understand that the categories of Personal Safety, Pedestrian Lighting at Stops, and, More Transit Routes & Stops, and New Sidewalks also ranked high and is strongly corroborated by the many qualitative comments.
And while other categories may not have ranked as high, they will likely be included in the final proposed Transportation Levy package – all which will be ultimately for the voters to decide on this Fall’s ballot.
The graph below shows the categorization of some of the major qualitative comments received. I read the many comments which, together with the quantitative survey results, will help inform my Office and guide my decisionmaking as we move forward together.
Soon, I will be sharing my draft “Chair’s Amendment” to the Mayor’s proposed Transportation Levy renewal package and this information will be available on Council’s website.
In the meantime, Councilmember Saka notes that one public hearing and four other meetings – all of which also include public-comment periods – remain for levy consideration:
June 4, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting
June 4, 4:30 PM | Second Public Hearing
June 18, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting
July 2, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting
July 9, 2:00 PM | Full Council Meeting – Final Adoption of Proposed Levy Package to go before Voters in November 2024 General Election
Agendas explain how to comment, and will appear on this page when posted.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: A new council memo details key points of Saka’s aforementioned levy amendment, though the specific text is not yet available.
(SDOT current/future cross-section comparison, from project webpage)
For the first time since SDOT announced last Friday that it would proceed with the Alki Point Healthy Street plan, adding a few features, we’re hearing from the group that had been fighting the plan. Alki Point For All says it wants to clarify that the SDOT changes did not constitute a compromise. Here’s their statement:
Last week the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced that it is proceeding with construction at Alki Point, with changes based on community feedback, including ours. To clear up any confusion caused by that announcement, the changes are not responsive to our concerns. SDOT has not addressed the substantive issues we have raised regarding the harmful impact of this project on social equity, safety, and marine education and conservation. At a recent meeting we encouraged SDOT to consider solutions that would better meet the needs of the wider community, while still achieving its goals. The small cosmetic changes announced last week bear little resemblance to the ideas we proposed, as described below.
1. Transformative Art. We encouraged SDOT to consider street art as way to organically slow traffic and increase safety. Bloomberg Philanthropies has proven this concept in projects all over the country: Asphalt Art Initiative and Asphalt Art Safety Study. We suggested that local artists like the Youngstown Arts Collective could be engaged to create the design. In piloting this approach, Alki Point could serve as a model for other Healthy Streets, and bring communities together rather than dividing them. Instead, SDOT will add decorative art to their existing design — missing the point, and the opportunity.
2. Welcome Signs. We proposed replacing the Street Closed signs with signs that said “Welcome to Constellation Marine Reserve. Go Slow.” The goal of that change was to alert drivers they are entering a special place, and encourage (or require) them to slow down, while at the same time welcoming the public to use a public space. SDOT liked our idea for “Welcome” signs, but plans to install them in addition to, not instead of, the Street Closed signs. It’s hard to imagine a more confusing message: welcome, and stay away.
3. Bus Parking. SDOT’s solution is insufficient for the need—the spaces they’ve identified are too small. When students come to Alki Point for field trips, the number of busses can range from two to nineteen. We recommended that SDOT contact schools to determine the actual need.
4. Time / Area Closures. Instead of a permanent “rolling” lane, we proposed using time and area closures such as car-free Sundays. Shorter temporary closures would be safer for people who want to recreate in the street, and allow more people to access the area year-round. That suggestion was ignored.
In October 2022, SDOT announced its preferred design for Alki Point, which called for the loss of five parking spaces on Alki Ave SW. In December 2023, the agency revealed its final design, which for the first time included the addition of a “rolling” lane and the loss of 62 parking spaces along the west side Beach Drive. These significant changes were made too late for public comment, without stakeholder notification or engagement, and in violation of their own guidelines for Healthy Streets.
SDOT has broken faith with its constituents in both how its decisions were made and how they are described. This latest announcement is more of the same. We expect more from a city that values transparency and accountability in governing. Nearly 1800 people have signed our petition asking the Mayor to halt this project.
So beyond this statement, what does the coalition plan to do? we asked on followup. Spokesperson Donna Sandstrom replied, “We are considering our next steps. Our goal in writing this was to set the public record straight – SDOT’s announcement created a false impression that they were responsive to community feedback. They were not. For now we are still encouraging people to sign our petition. We’re working on a website and reaching out to the people who came to our meeting. We see this as the first leg of a relay. We didn’t achieve our first goal of halting construction, but we are confident that this wrong will be righted in the long run.” She says the group also is heartened that City Councilmember Rob Saka has pledged to evaluate the project in the fall. Meantime, SDOT said earlier this week that construction of the permanent features, including a walking-and-rolling path replacing waterfront parking spots, will resume as soon as this Saturday (June 1).
(October 2023 WSB photo of Lincoln Park ex-site)
One week after Seattle Parks announced it had ditched the plan for converting former tennis courts in Lincoln Park to pickleball courts, it’s out with a citywide update on pickleball and tennis, including a reiteration of its Lincoln Park intentions, and a bit about Solstice Park (both of which we’ve boldfaced below for emphasis):
Seattle Parks and Recreation is excited to announce several developments based on the 2022 Outdoor Pickleball Study and the recent 2024 SPR Pickleball and Tennis Vision presented to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners …
… First and foremost, SPR is announcing the establishment of two sport-specific hubs: Green Lake Park (East Courts) will be a dedicated pickleball hub, and Lower Woodland Park (Lower Courts) will be a dedicated tennis hub! These two locations are excellent models for the start of sport-specific hubs in the city. SPR will use these models to pilot new initiatives as we refine the “hub specific” model for implementation elsewhere.
Additionally, the Belltown Pickleball Courts at the intersection of 5th Ave. and Taylor Ave. are now conducting a “Quiet-Paddles” only pilot. Players must use their own paddles – or check out a loaner paddle from nearby businesses – that meets criteria for Quiet-Category paddles certified by USA Pickleball. These products deliver essentially 50 percent or less of the acoustic footprint of equipment commonly used in the play of pickleball.
SPR is moving forward with new outdoor court capital development. This summer SPR will be resurfacing and restriping the tennis courts at David Rodgers Park tennis courts, Amy Yee Tennis Center outdoor courts, and, if budget allows half the tennis courts at Solstice Park (with the other half planned for resurfacing in 2025). Additionally, we will be adding noise-reducing fence technology to the courts located at Miller Park and Laurelhurst Park to mitigate noise associated with pickleball play.
SPR will not be pursuing the proposed pickleball courts at Lincoln Park. The fence surrounding the existing court slab will be removed and the area will remain “undeveloped” until a more suitable site can be identified and agreed on by community members.
SPR has launched a new online engagement hub at Project: Racquet & Paddle Sports (seattleparksandrec.com) which will be a one-stop shop for all racquet and paddle sports in the City. The community who visit the online hub may engage with planning efforts, connect with other community members, get updates about planned events, and provide feedback on SPR’s efforts to improve and increase all racquet and paddle sports courts and programs.
Lastly, SPR is working through re-vamping the online reservation system and the “Rules of the Court” at all facilities to simplify and clarify when and how the courts are used for the sports of pickleball or tennis. Look for changes coming to the online system, as well as new signs and banners posted at courts over the next few months.
We’re seeking comment from Parks on one followup point – whether the old slab at Lincoln Park will stay or go. As for Solstice Park, it was originally scheduled for resurfacing and restriping last year – and after we learned and reported the plan to add pickleball striping, the now-scrapped Lincoln Park pickleball alternative emerged.
Two more window signs of note:
TOP POT DOUGHNUTS: When we reported a month-plus ago that Top Pot Doughnuts was returning to West Seattle, we noted that sources had told us the location would be the ex-Wildflour/Flying Apron spot at 4709 California SW. Thanks to Anne for the tip that proof has appeared in the windows today:
Our photographer talked to Top Pot employees working in the space today and they said they’re hoping to be open “in a couple months.” A company spokesperson told us by email “summer.”
PEARLS: We noticed this sign, and empty windows otherwise, while passing Pearls (4800 Delridge Way SW), and stopped for a closer look:
No further info so far. We’ve added it to our watch list for future reopening.
Thanks to Lauren for the tip and photo. MOD Pizza has closed what was its first West Seattle location, on the east side of The Junction, in The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW). Its Westwood Village location remains open. The now-closed location opened in February 2018. Besides its employees and fans, another group will be affected by the closure – the many nonprofits, sports teams, etc. for which it’s held dine-out fundraisers. The Seattle-born chain closed more than two dozen stores earlier this year, according to reports.
(ABBAgraphs at The Mount, WSB photo from 2019)
As noted here two weeks ago, the Admiral Neighborhood Association is relaunching its summer concert series as Admiral Music in the Parks, and has chosen three locations for this year’s three shows:
Thursday, July 18th 6:30 pm @ Belvedere Park
Thursday, July 25th 6:30 pm @ California Place Park
Thursday, August 1st 6:30 pm @ Hamilton Viewpoint
ANA has now made its first band announcement – not for the first date, but for the third – ABBAgraphs will bring the music of ABBA to the final show on August 1st! All shows are free – bring your own blanket/chair.
P.S. ANA is still seeking concert sponsors – you can contact them here to find out more about that.
The next production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) is just one week away:
(ArtsWest photo)
ArtsWest will produce “Clyde’s” by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat, Ruined). This co-production with The Hansberry Project will be directed by Seattle theatre staple Valerie Curtis-Newton. The cast features Reginald Jackson, Deja Culver, Jacob Alcazar, Joe Moore, and Tracy Michelle Hughes playing the titular role. Clyde’s performs at ArtsWest from June 6 through June 30, 2024. Tickets are available online at artswest.org or by phone at 206-938.0963.
In this 2022 Tony Award®-Nominated Best Play, creating the perfect sandwich is the shared quest of the formerly incarcerated kitchen staff of Clyde’s, a truck stop cafe. As the shop’s mischievous owner tries to keep them under her thumb, the staff work to see themselves as whole—to dream again—despite their pasts.
Through the lens of comedy and food, Nottage asks us to consider the long-term weight of the criminal justice system, the difficulties of reentry, and how we view second chances. Joe Moore, who plays Jason in the show, points to the fact that while we live in a country with “by far the biggest incarcerated population in the world,” there is “very little support” in the system for formerly incarcerated folks. This show calls us to “reflect on our own biases, and… open ourselves up to empath[y].” We hope you will join us.
ArtsWest will present Clyde’s, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm.
Before the official June 6 opening, there’s a Wednesday night (June 5) preview – check for tickets here.
(Osprey, photographed by Dan Ciske)
Here are highlights of what’s happening in the hours ahead!
INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Until noon, you’re welcome to drop in with your little one at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau) for free indoor playtime.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Need plants? The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar now open Thursdays-Saturdays 1 pm-6 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Food too – drop by to sip and nosh!
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm class at what’s now the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Project Pizza.
VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL TALENT SHOW: Cheer for the students and enjoy their performances tonight, 6:30 pm in the WSHS Theater (3000 California SW), $5 at the door, bring cash for that and concessions.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)
BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this one? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
8:41 AM: Out on the eastbound bridge this morning and noticing very heavy traffic, both headed for the exit to 99 and beyond – so if you haven’t headed out yet, allot more time!
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, May 30.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Should see some sunshine, high in the low 60s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:16 am; sunset will be at 8:58 pm.
=ONGOING ROAD WORK
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
STADIUM ZONE
If you’re going through SODO today, note that the Mariners have a day game vs. Houston, 1:10 pm.
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. … Work at the Southworth terminal is continuing to close some lanes there.
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!
(WSB file photo)
June is Pride Month, and special events start as soon as the calendar changes. Here are announcements we’ve received so far, through the first half of the month:
JUNE 1 – WHITE CENTER PRIDE STREET FESTIVAL: 11 am-11 pm Saturday, June 1, on 16th SW in the heart of White Center between SW Roxbury and SW 100th, music, performances, more (toplines here). It’s free, but if you buy a wristband, that’ll connect you with special deals:
-Expedited access to VIP drink lines
-Backstage experiences
-Premium seating
-All-day discounts at 15+ bars and restaurantsFrom Happy Hour prices to $5 Wells, $4 Pints, $4 Slices – exclusively for wristband holders.
You can buy yours online for $15 (that link is also where you’ll find the list of participating venues), or look for the White Center Pride booth at the festival on Saturday.
JUNE 1 – JOKES AT THE JUNCTION PRIDE SHOW: The monthly Jokes at The Junction show at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW) features an all-LGBTQ+ slate this time, 8 pm Saturday, June 1. West Seattle’s own Cozy Comedy presents host AJ Norris, headliner Ricci Armani, plus Javann Jones and Novae Simper. Get your ticket(s) here now.
JUNE 8 – AZUQAR! DANCE NIGHT At The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), “a Sapphic Dance Night for BIPOC + Allies,” billed as a pre-Pride kickoff. 8 pm Saturday, June 8 – more info here.
JUNE 14 – PRIDE IN OZ: 7 pm Friday, June 14, doors open at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) for this all-ages drag show, hosted by Jizzuhbell Johnson. Tickets are on sale here.
JUNE 15 – PRIDE WITH POLLINATORS: 10 am-1 pm Saturday, June 15, it’s a volunteer restoration event at Westcrest Park:
Come celebrate Pride Month with Dirt Corps and Green Seattle Partnership‘s annual “Pride with Pollinators” restoration event! We’ll be honoring the beauty of diversity by tending to our vibrant pollinator garden and caring for the amazing creatures that help it thrive. We’ll get our hands dirty by removing invasive blackberry shrubs and applying nourishing mulch to prepare for new native plantings this fall. We’ll also be watering last year’s plantings to ensure our garden stays colorful and diverse.
Gloves, tools, water, snacks provided – register here.
Got something to add to our list/calendar for Pride in West Seattle/White Center – or other calendar events, for that matter? Please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
P.S. The West Seattle Junction Association currently plans to fly rainbow flags (like the one in our photo above) on Sunday, June 30, and is recruiting volunteers to place and remove them that day – you can sign up here.
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