month : 06/2024 303 results

FOLLOWUP: Admiral library branch reopening, and why a phone outage shut it down

As reported here, the West Seattle (Admiral) branch of the Seattle Public Library was closed on Sunday, with a phone outage cited as the reason. It’s back open today, regular Monday hours (10 am-6 pm), SPL spokesperson Laura Gentry told us when we followed up this morning. As for why the branch had to close because phone service was out, she explained: “This outage impacted phones at all locations in our Southwest service region, but the difference for the West Seattle Branch was that its emergency phone line also experienced the outage. That wasn’t an impact at the other branches. Given our significant technology outage with computers and internet access still down, we felt it was a safety concern to not have an operational emergency phone line if it was needed. That’s why we closed the branch and redeployed staff to other locations.” (As noted yesterday, SPL opened the High Point branch for the day instead.) Overall, though, Gentry says the phone trouble was “not related to our ongoing technology situation.” (Here’s the latest SPL update on that.)

10 events for your West Seattle Monday

June 10, 2024 9:45 am
|    Comments Off on 10 events for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Spot the hummingbird with the summer blooms! Seen near Schmitz Park; photo sent by Stephanie)

Here’s what’s happening today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too.

AUTHOR TALK: Sarah Towle, author of the about-to-be-released “Crossing the Line: Finding America in the Borderlands,” speaks at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW) at 7 pm.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play tonight – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All welcome at free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community hosts meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

KARAOKE: 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Remembering Kenneth R. Olson, 1931-2024

June 10, 2024 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Remembering Kenneth R. Olson, 1931-2024
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Ken Olson, and sharing this remembrance with his community:

Kenneth Raymond Olson, known affectionately as Ken or Kenny to his friends and family, passed away peacefully of natural causes on June 4, 2024, in his native Seattle. Born on August 22, 1931, at Ballard Hospital, Ken’s journey through life was marked by his enduring charm, wit, and creative spirit.

Ken was a proud alumnus of West Seattle High School, where he began to shape a life full of accomplishment and service. Inheriting a strong work ethic, he took the reins of the family business, the Wardrobe Cleaners, which he ran successfully until his retirement in 1995. Ken’s entrepreneurial drive didn’t stop at the family business; he ventured into real estate and enjoyed working with various Seattle institutions, including the cruise ships docking in the city, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Seattle Sounders. His love for sports was further highlighted by his role as a part-owner and booster club president for the Seattle Rangers, the first professional football team in the city.

Ken’s passions were as diverse as his professional endeavors. He was an avid golfer, achieving the remarkable feat of shooting his age at 67. In his younger years, Ken was a fast-pitch softball player, demonstrating his athletic abilities and competitive spirit. His membership in the FreeMasons, Elks, and Eagles underscored his commitment to community and fellowship.

A true social butterfly, Ken relished socializing with friends, and he was known as an avid storyteller. In the words of Ken, “That was impressively unimpressive.” His humor and friendliness could light up any room, and his creative nature was evident in his various collections, which ranged from memorabilia to furniture and hats he made that he would joyfully share with others.

Ken is predeceased by his loving wives, Jeannette Olson and second wife Ginger Olson. He is survived by his three sons with Jeannette, Kenneth, Keith, and Kevin Olson, along with seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, all of whom he adored and cherished. Ken’s legacy is not only in the successful paths he forged but also in the warmth and laughter he brought into the lives of those around him.

Those who knew Ken would say that he lived by his own rules, he had a spirited Swedish demeanor, unwavering determination. and a reserved nature. Always self-composed, and a fortress of feelings.

Kenneth Raymond Olson’s life was a testament to the power of positivity, humor, and creativity. His friendly demeanor and his ability to find joy in every aspect of life left a lasting impression that will be carried forward by those who were fortunate enough to know him. Ken will be dearly missed, yet fondly remembered as a man who enriched the lives of many and left an indelible mark on his community (West Seattle) and beyond.

Please share memories, photos, and condolences for Ken on the Tribute Page at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Kenneth-Olson

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle

(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)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Monday begins

June 10, 2024 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Monday begins
 |   West Seattle news

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, June 10.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Clearing, high in the low 70s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:11 am – the earliest of the year (and that’ll be the sunrise time until June 22) – while sunset will be at 9:06 pm.

ONGOING ROAD WORK

*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.

STADIUM ZONE

Mariners are back home with a 6:40 pm game vs. the White Sox.

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: Here’s the main view:

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.

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!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Woman attacked near two schools, creek

Received tonight from a reader:

I’m writing about an incident that occurred on Tuesday, 6/4 at about 3:30 pm. I was walking my dog at the corner of SW Kenyon and 24th Ave SW (across the street from the new pedestrian pathway over Longfellow Creek). A man attacked me from behind and put me in a choke hold. I was forced to the ground, held, and groped. The attacker ultimately released me and disappeared between a couple buildings in Westhaven Apartments. I reported the event to the police.

I just want to get the word out for people to be careful in that area – especially since it happened in the middle of the afternoon. A lot of students from Chief Sealth and Denny walk through that area before and after school.

The person who attacked me was a white male, approximately in his 20s, medium height, slightly overweight. He was wearing black, gray, and white.

No other descriptive details. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 24-151643.

Rethink the Link’s ‘route walk’ draws light-rail supporters as well as skeptics

(Across from potential Delridge station location)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Today’s West Seattle light-rail “route walk” organized by Rethink the Link wasn’t a rally or protest.

What we heard and saw, walking along, was more like a collection of conversations. The three-dozen-plus participants included not just the light-rail skeptics of Rethink the Link and curious residents but also light-rail supporters, including at least one member of the Transportation Choices Coalition, and an advocate who toted this sign throughout the hour-and-a-half event:

Other transit advocates, including writers for the Seattle Transit Blog, were there too. So there were many perspectives in play as participants talked one-on-one along most of the round-trip mile-long walk from West Seattle Health Club to the middle of the low bridge and back, between multiple stops along a potential path for the train. At those stops, whoever was in earshot heard from RTL’s Alan McMurray, a route-area resident described as someone who walks to work in SODO and is therefore quite familiar with the route: “For the last four years, as I walk, I wonder how they’re going to do it.” The group gathered in the parking lot of the health club, whose management has expressed concern about a potential path that could take out its pool.

From there, walkers headed over Longfellow Creek via the SW Yancy footbridge – where environmental concerns were noted – then to Andover and into the office park that’s in a potential Delridge-station footprint, home to Alki Beach Academy and other businesses, alongside the Nucor steel plant, and looked upslope at the back of Delridge-fronting businesses also facing displacement – Ounces, The Skylark, Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music and Performing Arts. Here’s the station rendering that’s been most recently shown:

Walking toward the low bridge, participants’ attention was directed toward Pigeon Point, along which the high bridge already runs, with West Seattle light rail requiring an additional new bridge to cross the Duwamish River.

The new bridge is expected to be at least as tall as the existing bridge, McMurray noted. How that’ll be built has yet to be finalized, but it’s expected to require some digging into Pigeon Point – “some kind of major cut” –
where herons nest. One took wing as walkers looked on, while birds’ coexistence with human-built infrastructure was on display too, as peregrine falcons’ nesting boxes on the underside of the high bridge were pointed out.

After trooping back along the path on the east side of Delridge, the group stopped for another perspective of the Skylark/Mode business building, when a person standing along the road shouted, “We don’t need no damn light rail!” A few participants responded “hear, hear”; he then said cheerfully, “OK, I’m done.”

Wrapping up shortly thereafter, McMurray explained the intent of the walk was “just meant to give you an idea of what it’s going to take” to build the West Seattle Link Extension through that area. A participant asked, “What can we do?” McMurray noted that the Final Environmental Impact Statement – precursor to a final vote on a route – is expected to be published this summer, and then there’s a “30-day window” before that final action can be taken. That’s the time to “be heard … make sure they hear you,” he said. Someone else pointed out that comments can be sent to Sound Transit now, too. (Contact info is on the project website.)

Whatever your view, McMurray concluded, “There is this common ground we all agree on – better transit.”

The still-roaming guinea fowl, growing-up goslings, and other West Seattle birds

(Photo sent by Kayano)

Almost every day, someone sends us a new photo of the still-roaming West Seattle Guinea Fowl, some still mistaking them for turkeys. So we’re opening this gallery of WSB readers’ bird photos with another mention of them.

(Photo sent by Lorenzo)

They’re not lost – we’ve been told they have a home, from which they are allowed to roam – most often seen in and near The Triangle, including in the street:

(Photo by Lisa Wallace)

As we reported earlier this spring, the Seattle Animal Shelter has tried, unsuccessfully, to corral them (they reiterated that to another reader just today) … Also often seen this spring, Canada Geese and their goslings. David Hutchinson sent this photo, observing that they’re growing up:

Here’s a view of a goose family earlier in the spring, by Angela Gunn:

Also on the shore, James Tilley photographed a Caspian Tern and Crow facing off:

In a more placid moment, this Great Blue Heron caught Benjamin Evans‘s attention:

Jerry Simmons photographed this Steller’s Jay taking time for self-care:

And here’s a Wilson’s Warbler photographed at Lincoln Park by Mark MacDonald:

Thanks to everyone who shares photos – birds, wildlife, breaking news, more – westseattleblog@gmail.com – also note that between galleries like this, we do feature bird photos with some of our daily event lists, so they’re worth a look if you don’t routinely read them!

WHALE WATCHING: Humpback off West Seattle

Whale sighting reported by Kersti Muul: “Humpback just north of Lowman Beach, mid-channel toward Me-Kwa-Mooks.” Let us know if you see it!

P.S. You can learn more about humpbacks in Puget Sound via this Seattle Channel video, produced by Annabel Cassam with photographer/editor Pete Cassam, and featuring some West Seattleites’ work – you’ll see Jeff Hogan interviewed, as well as photos by David Hutchinson:

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: What a car prowler took, then abandoned

Matthew says this happened near 47th/Hudson:

Our Subaru was successfully prowled last night. We had come back from our kids’ dance recital and accidentally left their iPad in the back seat of our car. The car was unlocked. Maybe for the best, as if they had seen the iPad (and broken) the window to get to it, then we’d have even more to deal with.

Sometime during the night the car was opened. The glove box was rifled through and the iPad was taken.

The bummer is that our 5-year-old son has hearing aids paired to that iPad so that he can play games, listen to shows and control the ambient volume of his hearing aids.

Thankfully, the iPad was signed in to an Apple ID, and Apple’s Find My was on.

This morning-when we realized it was gone-I was able to see its last-known location, where it had checked in. I biked to that location, and found nothing. I plopped down on the curb and happened to look over and saw it leaning up against the telephone pole.

My best guess is that the thief saw that it was signed in and locked to an Apple ID and would be impossible to sell without raising questions, and tossed it aside.

Still a little bit of a bummer as the screen was cracked and the iPad itself had been bent. It still functions, and we’re headed over to the store today to get it replaced under warranty.

All’s well in the end, but prowling is 100% a thing. Ah well!

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Adaptive cycling demonstration on Alki Point Healthy Street

For the second consecutive summer, Outdoors for All has brought adaptive-cycling alternatives to the Alki Point Healthy Street area – Beach Drive along Constellation Park – for free tryouts. They’re there today until 2 pm, with equipment meant to facilitate riding for people with disabilities or other challenges such as balance issues. The organization describes its year-round fleet as follows:

· Handcycles for individuals with limited or no leg movement

· Recumbent and therapy trikes for those who need more stability

· Hand and foot powered cycles for children

· Tandem cycles for individuals who want a guide while riding

· Standard 2-wheeled bicycles and Striders

For today’s event, no RSVP needed – just show up!

Phone outage closes Admiral library branch

(Added – WSB photo)

Thanks for the tip! The West Seattle (Admiral) library branch is closed today because of a phone outage. The High Point branch is open instead, until 6.

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 17 options!

June 9, 2024 6:12 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 17 options!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Seen at Constellation Park at low tide – photos by SF)

Here’s our Sunday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!

BOWLING BENEFIT: 9 am-11 pm, bowl at West Seattle Bowl (39th/Oregon) and tell them you’re there to support the Madison Middle School ASB, which will benefit from a portion of the proceeds.

ADMIRAL CHURCH FOOD DRIVE: Launching today – drop off donations at the church (4320 SW Hill) 9 am-noon.

MINI-POLAR PLUNGE: 9 am every Sunday, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: 9 am, meet at Ampersand Café (2536 Alki Avenue SW) for this week’s Sunday Funday Run.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market is open today, 10 am-2 pm as usual, on California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon, offering almost-summer vegetables, flowers, fruit, and plants, plus baked goods, cheese, fish, meat, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.

FREE ADAPTIVE-CYCLING RENTALS: 10 am-2 pm, as previewed here, the organization Outdoors for All will be at the Alki Point Healthy Street (Beach Drive section) with free-to-ride adaptive cycles, meant for people with challenges from disabilities to balance issues.

‘RETHINK THE LINK’ WALK: 10 am-noon, opponents of West Seattle light-rail plan are leading a walk along part of its potential route, as previewed here, starting from West Seattle Health Club (28th/Andover).

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Daily operation continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

COLMAN POOL: Another “preseason weekend” continues for the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

NEPENTHE SUMMER MARKET: Noon-5 pm at 9447 35th SW, stop in to see what local creators are offering, plus free coffee and tea.

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Today brings your second chance this year to visit the historic lighthouse most Sundays through the summer – free tours begin at 1 pm, and the last tour of the day starts at 3:45 pm. (3201 Alki SW)

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -2.3 feet at 1:28 pm (here’s the monthly tide table). Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 11:30 am-2:30 pm.

JUMP ROPE SHOW: 2:30 pm at Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee), Rain City Ropeworks will put on a show for you! Full details and ticket link are in our calendar listing.

CIRCLE OF SONGS: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), monthly acoustic event.

‘CLYDE’S’ AT ARTSWEST: 3 pm performance for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – “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.” Find the ticket link and more info in our calendar listing.

LISTENING PARTY: 3 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), listening party for L’Impératrice‘s new release “Pulsar.”

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Conclude your weekend with music by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.

Are you planning something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

UPDATE: Initial ‘rescue extrication’ response for bus crash on Roxbury

3:18 AM: SFD and SPD are arriving at the scene of a crash for which the dispatch was initially a “rescue extrication” callout. They’re describing the crash as involving a bus hitting a fence at 22nd/Roxbury. At least one person is reported injured.

3:21 AM: Apparently no extrication needed after all, so the response is being downsized.

3:25 AM: The bus involved is apparently a Metro coach, as officers have asked dispatch about whether a Metro supervisor is on their way and what kind of tow the transit agency will use.

9:29 AM: SFD tells us that indeed, only one person was hurt, a woman in her early 30s treated for minor injuries at the scene.

HELPING: Food drive starting tomorrow; two volunteer work parties this past week

Tonight, three notes about helping – one way you can do it, two ways others did it earlier this week:

FOOD DRIVE: Admiral Church‘s summer food drive starts tomorrow (Sunday, June 9):

This June, we are launching our annual Summer Food Drive. Our mission is to combat hunger, and we can’t do it alone. We’re teaming up with both our local community and the White Center Food Bank. This initiative not only provides immediate relief to those in need, but also fosters a sense of unity and shared responsibility in our community. So join us this summer, and let’s fight hunger together! Please contact Susan Oatis to learn more: susanoatis1@gmail.com

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: At Pigeon Point Park, dozens of volunteers joined the Green Seattle Partnership, DNDA and others at a mega-work party this past Wednesday to commemorate World Environment Day.

This site is part of the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle’s largest contiguous forest. Art was incorporated into Wednesday’s activities:

DNDA has many other volunteering opportunities coming up as part of its work to synergize art, nature, and community – check out the calendar here.

CENTENNIAL TLC FOR THE MOUNT: Providence Mount St. Vincent sent this photo from a Day of Service there on Friday involving volunteers from both Deloitte and Providence:

The Mount says more than 70 volunteers participated, working around the grounds on “shared spaces, gardens, and residential rooms”; this was part of The Mount’s centennial celebration and Deloitte’s “Impact Day.”

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Field full of fun for Loop the ‘Lupe 2024

(WSB photos, video)

They ran, they climbed, they walked, they rocked! More than 700 people – plus friends-and-family cheering sections – converged on Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point today for this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe, a suite of events that fill the field with fun. The first two events of the day sent runners out onto Seattle’s only 5K obstacle course:

The 5K was offered as an option without obstacles, too. And for participants in their golden years, Loop the ‘Lupe offered a short, flat course for the Senior Saunter:

Final race of the day was the Youth Dash; you can find results for all the events by going here. Part of the Loop the ‘Lupe fun is everything happening around the field, like the live music courtesy of West Seattle School of Rock:

Community organizations and businesses supporting this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe included three WSB sponsors – Bryan, Charlie, and Zoe were there from Fitness Together West Seattle in The Junction:

Mark and Jack were there for Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle on Harbor Ave:

Gene and Michele were at Loop the ‘Lupe on behalf of West Seattle Runner in Admiral:

Part of today’s fun – a memento for Loopers – these medals!

Post-race food and drink was available too:

Race organizer Brian Callanan says the turnout was a bit above last year. Proceeds go toward the extensive social outreach done by Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose parish and school are next to today’s venue.

One-time chance to see West Seattle filmmaker’s award-winning ‘Ultimate Citizens’ at The Admiral!

June 8, 2024 4:15 pm
|    Comments Off on One-time chance to see West Seattle filmmaker’s award-winning ‘Ultimate Citizens’ at The Admiral!
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

When we told you a month ago about West Seattle filmmaker Francine Strickwerda‘s award-winning film “Ultimate Citizens screening at SIFF, the showings were only scheduled off-peninsula. But now you have a chance to see it at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) – thanks to a local school team! The screening is 6:30 pm this Wednesday (June 12). It’s organized by Lafayette Elementary‘s first-ever Ultimate Frisbee team, in partnership with the filmmaker. From the announcement:

ULTIMATE CITIZENS is the story of Mr. Jamshid, a Seattle primary school counselor who uses the sport of Ultimate Frisbee to help immigrant and refugee children find belonging on their way to compete in the world’s largest youth tournament. Please join us for a special screening of this inspiring and award-winning documentary, fresh from the Seattle International Film Festival. Filmmaker Q&A to follow the screening. Bring your family, your Ultimate Frisbee team, or your school class! Tickets are $10.

One showing only – buy your ticket(s) by going here.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen e-bikes

2:17 PM: Ashley hopes you will be on the lookout for her stolen e-bike, taken from the Marq West apartments on Avalon: “My e-bike was stolen last night. It’s a Magnum green step-through e-bike with a basket on the back. Has a Harry Potter decal on the right side below the battery mount.” She says someone else’s bike was stolen too, and there was an attempted motorcycle theft as well.

3:06 PM: Since we published that report, we’ve received this, from Amanda:

Please be on the lookout for a stolen electric bike. My roommate Elliot‘s electric bike (black colored, still had their white helmet on it) was just stolen from the parking lot of the Rite Aid on California Ave.

Someone in the parking lot was kind enough to snap a video after they noticed the chain being cut, by someone in a black T-shirt and red shorts.

I’ve attached the clearest picture from the video, of the thief riding away with the bike.

No incident # in either theft yet but we’ll add if/when we get those numbers. (UPDATE: For the theft reported by Ashley, it’s 24-155579.)

COUNTDOWN: 1 week until Morgan Junction Community Festival

Festival season continues one week from today with the Morgan Junction Community Festival, presented by the Morgan Community Association, 10 am-2 pm Saturday, June 15 – maybe you’ve seen the new posters around:

Post-pandemic, MoCA presented a smaller-scale festival, but this year more of the original features are back, including booths with community organizations and businesses. Free entertainment will fill the festival, starting with the back-from-retirement Bubbleman at 10 am – see the full lineup here. And you can find out more about the plan for an all-wheels area in the park at a design open house hosted by Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association. It’ll all happen in and around Morgan Junction Park – on the west side of California just north of the intersection with Fauntleroy – next Saturday.

FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Triangle Route returning to 2-boat service

June 8, 2024 8:37 am
|    Comments Off on FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Triangle Route returning to 2-boat service
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

8:37 AM: Thanks for the tip. Washington State Ferries has only one boat running on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, because M/V Kitsap is having mechanical trouble. That leaves only M/V Kittitas in operation.

10:08 AM: If you’re waiting, you can check Vessel Watch to see how close (or far) the ferry is.

12:40 PM: Per text alert from WSF, the Kitsap is returning to service at 12:45, on a run from Vashon to Southworth.

Loop the ‘Lupe, storytimes, swimming, tunes, tide, talk with your School Board rep, more for your West Seattle Saturday!

(Blooming dogwood, photographed by Jerry Simmons southeast of The Junction)

Welcome to a summerish weekend! Here are the highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S FREE GROUP RUN: The store is where you and other runners will meet up for the weekly free group run at 8 am. (2743 California SW)

FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event every Saturday but please RSVP.

DELRIDGE STRENGTH COMMUNITY WORKOUT FUNDRAISER: Work out at Delridge Strength (5050 Delridge Way SW), 9 am, by donation to help Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) move out of light rail’s path – details and RSVP link in our calendar listing.

FUNDRAISING PLANT SALE: One last plant sale for Amy‘s Lung Force Walk team, 9 am-noon – details in the calendar listing. (3703 SW 107th)

STORYTIME AT SEOLA POND: 10 am, first in a series of “read-alouds” at Seola Pond (map) with local teacher Isabelle – bring a blanket to sit on.

DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more. (9421 18th SW)

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

STORYTIME AT THE BEE GARDEN: 10 am at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham), Seattle Public Library librarians will lead storytime.

WEST SEATTLE DISCOVERY SHOP SALE: 50 percent off everything in the store, 10 am-4:30 pm, raising money for the American Cancer Society. (4535 California SW)

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

LOOP THE ‘LUPE: Today’s the day! Obstacle-course 5K (elite or family wave), or 5K fun run, or Senior Saunter, or Kids’ Dash, all options with staggered starts 11 am-1 pm for this fundraising event benefiting Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s social-outreach work. Music, food, drinks at Loop the ‘Lupe central on Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle) too! Packet pickup/last-minute registration starts onsite at 10 am. Full details here.

BAGELS AND PIZZA AT THE P-PATCH: You’re invited to Barton Street P-Patch (34th/Barton) today for fresh-baked bagels (11 am-1 pm) and/or pizza (4-6 pm, live music too) – donations support the garden.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Third weekend of the season – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

COLMAN POOL: Also the third weekend for the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

MAKERS’ ART MARKET AT ALKI: 30+ artists/vendors, noon-5 pm at the beach.

GEORGETOWN CARNIVAL: Your neighbors across the river would love to see you noon-10 pm today for all manner of fun, on Airport Way South between Lucile and Vale – see our calendar listing for more info.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

PET ICE-CREAM SOCIAL: Just in time for potential 80-degree weather – frozen treats for pets are in the spotlight at Mud Bay-Admiral (2611 California SW), noon-4 pm.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -3.0 feet at 12:45 pm (here’s the monthly tide table). Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 9:30 am-1:30 pm.

TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: With everything going on in Seattle Public Schools, it’s a key time to be heard by the board, and our area’s rep Gina Topp will be at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) 1-2 pm for listening and Q/A.

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY SPRING RELEASE: Four new wines are released today and the tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.

PRIDE STORYTIME: Miss Lacey hosts Pride Storytime for all ages, 4:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

‘CLYDE’S’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm performance for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – “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.” Find the ticket link and more info in our calendar listing.

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 – more info here.

BEATS: Saturday night, DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Jeremy Linden spins. (4547 California SW, alley side)

KARAOKE: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.

Planning a happening? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

UPDATE: Crash on westbound West Seattle Bridge

11:54 PM: A crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge is blocking most lanes near the Admiral Way exit. No injuries, according to SFD, so its units are clearing quickly, but police remain on scene and are arranging for at least one tow truck.

12:33 AM: Haven’t heard or seen an all-clear, but the live camera shows the bridge traffic flow moving normally.

12:49 AM: Not clear yet. Officers just told dispatch they’re temporarily diverting all WB traffic off the bridge at Admiral.

1:02 AM: Reopened, police just informed dispatch.

District 1 Community Network’s final meeting, report #2

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Community-group meeting seldom have surprise endings. Wednesday night’s District 1 Community Network meeting did, as a scheduled discussion about logistics quickly pivoted into a disbandment decision.

More on that later. First, here’s what else happened:

HIGHLAND PARK WAY HILL PROJECT: James Le from SDOT, who led the project presentation and discussion at HPAC last month (WSB coverage here), did the same at the D1CN meeting. He was joined by project teammate Willow Russell. We’ve written about this project several times since it emerged four weeks ago – four years after SDOT decided to shelve a possible uphill bike lane for the stretch. Le recapped the three options – all of which would replace the current outside downhill vehicle lane: A protected bike lane, a multi-use path, or eventually both. This was the last scheduled public presentation during the feedback period, which is scheduled to close in a week.

After a relatively short presentation, the SDOT reps fielded questions.

Read More

STORYTIMES: Four notes for West Seattle families (updated!)

If you’re interested in taking your little ones to organized storytimes, take note of these additions to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

READ-ALOUDS AT SEOLA POND: Isabelle, a teacher who lives in Arbor Heights, is hosting “community read-alouds” for kids and their chaperones at Seola Pond three times a month through August. The first one is tomorrow (Saturday, June 8) at 10 am. “All ages and family members are welcome – I recommend bringing a blanket to sit on and be ready to make lots of friends with other kiddos.” Other dates are June 15, 29; July 2, 16, 27; August 10, 14, 24 – all at 10 am. If you haven’t been to Seola Pond before, here’s where to find it.

PRIDE STORYTIMES: Miss Lacey, a local nanny, is hosting Pride storytimes this month and has set the first date – 4:30 pm tomorrow at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond). She says all ages are welcome; dates and times for two more Pride storytimes later this month are yet to be announced.

STORIES AND MORE WITH THE REAL PURRDIE BURRDIE: Storytelling is part of four family-fun events that West Seattle artist and author Danitra Hunter – creator of the Purrdie Burrdie character – will be presenting at local parks, four consecutive Saturdays, 1-5 pm, starting June 22. We’ll take a closer look at her plan as this gets closer but you can set your calendar, for starters.

(added 10:49 pm) STORYTIMES AT THE BEE GARDEN: Thanks to Lisa for sending this after seeing our original mention of the three above! Per this announcement, Seattle Public Library librarians will be at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham) at 10:30 am Saturday mornings in June for outdoor storytimes.