At the City Council‘s weekly meeting today, councilmembers voted 8-1 (Tammy Morales was the lone “no”) to approve the bill intended to crack down on stunt driving categorized under the description “street racing” (read it here). The vote followed public comment that featured Alki community leaders, starting about 4:40 into the video.

What councilmembers approved included amendments by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka to add penalties, including higher fines for second (or beyond) violations. You can read the whole bill here; here’s the council announcement’s summary of what it will do, assuming Mayor Bruce Harrell signs it:

*The new ordinance amends the city code on illegal racing by creating a new traffic infraction penalizing the registered owner of a vehicle involved in racing and by adopting the state law changes.

*Adoption of the state law now gives the City Attorney’s Office the statutory authority to now prosecute illegal racing as misdemeanor and gross misdemeanors crimes.

*Vehicle owners and participants are subject to a $500 non-criminal traffic infraction. Adopted amendments by Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) increase the fine to $800 for a second infraction, and $1,500 for third and subsequent infractions.

*Any person knowingly attending an unlawful race event with the intent to observe, support, or encourage the event may face a civil infraction base fine of $100 if they fail to leave the event if instructed to do so by officers.

If you’re wondering exactly what the bill covers, here’s part of the language:

… “unlawful race event” means an event on a street, alley, way open to the public, or off-street facility wherein persons willfully: (1) compare or contest relative speeds by operation of one or more motor vehicles, or (2) demonstrate, exhibit, or compare speed, maneuverability, or the power of one or more motor vehicles, in a straight or curved direction, in a circular direction, around corners, or in circles in an activity commonly referred to as “drifting,” or by breaking traction.

(corrected attribution) Councilmember Tanya Woo, co-sponsor of the bill, said the place for that kind of driving is at race tracks and other venues where drivers can safely pursue “their passion.” But as Pumphrey pointed out in his comments, legislation alone doesn’t accomplish anything – he spoke to the last council a year ago before they passed the “racing zone” bill authorizing cameras (which have yet to be installed) – enforcement will be key. Since this was an “emergency” bill, if and when the mayor signs it, the law changes immediately.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Piaggio scooter

July 16, 2024 5:59 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Piaggio scooter

| Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photo are from Jessica:

My scooter was stolen from Beach Dr SW today around 2 pm. It’s a blue 2022 Piaggio Liberty. My license plate is 4K4655. Police report # 24-196295.

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BIZNOTE: Starbucks closing Alki store permanently, closing Avalon store temporarily

July 16, 2024 2:35 pm

| 113 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS beverages

Starbucks has a two-part announcement – main headline is that it’s closing its Alki store (2742 Alki Avenue SW), but it’s also temporarily closing its Avalon store. Here’s the announcement we received from company spokesperson Sam Jefferies:

Starbucks is adjusting the operations of two stores in the West Seattle area.

We evaluate our store portfolio annually to determine where we can best meet our community and customers’ needs. This includes opening new locations, identifying stores in need of investment or renovation, and making decisions about store closure or relocation

After careful consideration, we’ve determined it is best to close the store at 2742 Alki Avenue. Our last day at this location will be August 11, 2024. All Starbucks partners (employees) working at that store will have the opportunity to transfer to one of our nearby locations in Seattle.

In alignment with this closure, we are happy to share that our store located at 4408 Fauntleroy Way SW will undergo a renovation and will close from July 29 until September of 2024. The store will reopen with an updated design, including the new Siren System.

ADDED: The Alki store’s been open since 1999. Its most recent renovation was nine years ago, in 2015. Its closure will leave five standalone Starbucks stores in West Seattle (Admiral, Junction, Avalon, Morgan, Westwood) as well as multiple grocery-store stands. The last standalone store Starbucks closed in West Seattle was in Jefferson Square in 2008; that one was open less than a year, and was one of hundreds of closures at that time, but the company tells us the Alki closure is the only Seattle closure they’re planning at this time … As for the beverage scene on Alki, after this closure, Ampersand will be the only coffee-focused shop in the heart of the beach, though several other places offer coffee as a sideline, and there’s a new tea shop on the way to Alki (Happy Lemon).

8 PM P.S. As noted in comments, there’s now a “Save Our Alki Starbucks” online petition.

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: The ‘famous fowl’ still wandering

July 16, 2024 1:58 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Pets | Safety | West Seattle news

Two weeks after our previous update on West Seattle’s wandering guinea fowl, we’ve received two new photos today – and since they’re still meandering into streets, we’re warning you again to be mindful. Above, a texter saw them early this morning northeast of The Junction, reporting, “The two famous fowls slowed down my morning commute”; below, Spenser saw them later near West Seattle Bowl, a favorite spot of theirs:

If you’ve missed previous reports, they’re not lost, they are reported to have a home from which they roam. We first mentioned them last September (when they numbered at least four).

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PREVIEW #1: Who’s new at 2024 West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday

July 16, 2024 11:58 am

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| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

This Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade is not only a celebration of the parade’s 90th anniversary, but will be the biggest parade in years, with more than 80 entries.

We sat in on the pre-parade lineup review last night, led by parade coordinator Michelle Edwards, for a sneak peek at what you’ll see. Today, we’re previewing some of the new participants! But first, a few of the basics:

-The route is the same – the parade is scheduled to start from California/Lander in The Admiral District at 11 am, proceeding southbound to California/Edmunds in The Junction. (Staging includes some side streets so watch for no-parking signs and heed them.)

-The main parade announcing stand is at California/Alaska, with Brian Callanan and Christa Callanan, Again this year, there also will be an auxiliary announcing stand at California/Charlestown, with members of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle

-As we’ve already reported, the Grand Marshals are the players and coaches of West Seattle High School‘s state-championship-winning baseball team, and the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Community winners are Bianca Thomka and Neil Duncan.

Here are five of the new participants:

DUWAMISH TRIBE: Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen is expected to be at California/Alaska shortly after 11 to give a blessing before the parade arrives in The Junction

SAYAW FILIPINO FOLK DANCE TROUPE: A “student-based” group

COMERFORD SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE: As seen at West Seattle Summer Fest!

ORCA NETWORK PARADE POD: An entry in honor of the whales whose waters we share

WEST SEATTLE MRS. ROPERS: An entry with a sense of humor and 1970s TV roots (as seen in a pub crawl last year)

We’re working on daily previews for the rest of the week. Other parade entries include the Seafair Pirates and Clowns, marching bands, specialty vehicles, schools, businesses, nonprofits, youth groups from Scouting to sports, among others. And all that doesn’t just happen spontaneously – coordinator Michelle has worked hard on outreach; every year there are other areas of the region having parades on the same summer Saturday, so there’s something of a competition for entries. (This year it’s Des Moines.) Michelle is second-generation parade coordinator; her dad Jim Edwards, coordinator emeritus, works on logistics, especially the 13 amateur-radio operators in communication along the route, while her mom Barbara Edwards has long coordinated the judging. The parade is presented by the Rotary Club of West Seattle Service Foundation, represented at last night’s lineup review by Keith Hughes (who runs the building where it happened – home to the Westside Neighbors’ Shelter, American Legion Post 160, and the West Seattle Veteran Center).

It’s all powered by volunteers, sponsors, and donations – plus, spectators: If you can, show up on the sidelines along California on Saturday and cheer, to help make sure all that hard work producing a parade (something most neighborhoods in the city don’t have) is worthwhile!

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Ferry-dock meeting, West Seattle Big Band, play along with WS Community Orchestras, more for your Tuesday

July 16, 2024 10:21 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Reader photo, Luna/Anchor Park)

Here’s what’s up for the rest of today/tonight, as listed on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (send us your event any time – westseattleblog@gmail.com):

FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Our calendar listing has information on where and when kids 1-18 can get free food.

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Advocacy from afar, 10:30 am-noon every Tuesday at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

COLMAN POOL: Continued daily operations 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.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the 7-day-a-week wading pool is open today, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm weekly meeting, with public comment in person or online – the agenda explains how. Watch via Seattle Channel.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

FERRY TERMINAL COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP: 6 pm online, public invited to observe (but no Q/A/comment period) at the next meeting of the group providing feedback on the ongoing planning for replacing/expanding the Fauntleroy ferry terminal. You can register here to get the link.

PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK WITH WSCO: 6 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), the second night this summer you can bring your instrument to play along with the West Seattle Community Orchestras – or just listen in! Off the north parking lot. Our calendar listing includes a link for players to preregister.

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm Tuesdays all summer, bring the little one(s) to Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW) for storytime plus a garden activity.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm tonight, play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

FREE TRACK RUN: All runners welcome! Gather at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).

WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND CONCERT: The West Seattle Big Band‘s annual free Concert in the Park, brought to you by the West Seattle Grand Parade, is at 7 pm at High Point Commons Park (Graham/Lanham) – bring your own chair/blanket/picnic!

BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – weekly Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE PFLAG: Third Tuesdays at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), 7 pm. (Check with the church before you go in case there’s a summer schedule change.)

TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

Event coming up? Are community members invited? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Run the route! Parade-preceding Float Dodger 5K, starring you, just four days away

July 16, 2024 9:04 am

| Comments Off on Run the route! Parade-preceding Float Dodger 5K, starring you, just four days away

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB file photo, Float Dodger 5K)

Saturday brings the 10th anniversary of the 5K that’s the opening act for the West Seattle Grand Parade – the Float Dodger 5K. You can run or walk the parade route, from Admiral to The Junction and back, and then enjoy a root-beer float as parade time approaches. Costumes welcome for Float Dodger, too (but not mandatory). Best of all, your entry fee supports the West Seattle Food Bank – the 5K’s organizers at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) set it up as a fundraiser, so the more people are in it, the more $ for WSFB in its work providing not only food but also emergency assistance to keep people from becoming homeless. The Float Dodger 5K starts at 9:30 am Saturday, with a free Kids’ Dash before it, at 8:45 am. Register for either or both here!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Tuesday begins

July 16, 2024 6:00 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, July 16.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast: Sunny, high in the low 80s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:28 am, while sunset will be at 9:01 pm.

ROAD WORK

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project has begun; here are more specifics. Fairmount Avenue is now closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, likely into early 2025.

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

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch.

SATURDAY CLOSURES FOR PARADE AND 5K

Early reminder – Saturday brings the West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K on California SW between Admiral and The Junction, and that means street closures (including some side streets for staging) – heed the no-parking signs, because those who don’t WILL be towed.

PSA: SCHOOL ZONES

A reader suggested the reminder that some school-zone beacons – and speed cameras – are operating throughout the summer, so don’t ignore them.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Back to regular schedules; 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, and the unscheduled third boat may should be back, per WSF.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (Minus the ones that were still down early today)

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

South Park Bridge:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

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!

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