West Seattle, Washington
10 Monday
Four miscellaneous West Seattle business notes:
SPIRIT-ED AGAIN: Apparently the Westwood Village space where Bed Bath & Beyond closed two and a half years ago still doesn’t have a permanent tenant waiting in the wings. The temporary store Spirit Halloween is coming back for a third year, per signage we spotted, confirmed on the company website.
COFFEE CLOSURE: Reminder that the drive-thru Starbucks at Avalon/Fauntleroy is now closed for about a month of remodeling, as mentioned when the company announced the upcoming permanent closure of its Alki store. (That store’s last day is August 11; Avalon/Fauntleroy is expected to reopen sometime in September.)
SPEAKING OF REMODELING: That’s what’s happening at the Junction 7-11, according to the staff member we asked tonight after a few reader questions about the big containers in the store’s parking lot. The store remains open. No details of the remodeling, and there’s nothing in online permit files, so we’ll have to inquire further.
ELSEWHERE IN THE JUNCTION: The restaurant Raccolto, on the north edge of The Junction, has been closed since Thursday, dealing with “plumbing issues.” The note on the door expresses hope for “tomorrow,” though we don’t know how long that’s been up. (Thanks to Ian for the tip.)
Several readers asked about a big law-enforcement response at Roxbury Safeway early this evening. On Seattle Police radio, we heard SPD officers sent to back up King County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were “fighting with a suspect,” but the response was called off fairly quickly, as the suspect was reported to have been taken into custody. We just got information from KCSO on what led to this – spokesperson Det. Michael Ramirez says it was dispatched just after 5 pm as a “possible robbery in progress.” Arriving deputies wound up in “a brief struggle” with the suspect, he says, before they were able to make an arrest. Det. Ramirez adds that no injuries were reported and the suspect was taken to King County Jail to be booked for investigation of robbery.
ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Bail was set today at $10,000 for the suspect, who is 33. He does not appear to have a felony record, though the docket lists many misdemeanor cases in various jurisdictions.
(SDOT camera view, Monday night)
As reported here, the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project got started last night. Today we have new details from SDOT on the extent of closures planned in the next two weeks.
TONIGHT (JULY 30) – one or two eastbound lanes closed, 7 pm-6 am
WEDNESDAY NIGHT (JULY 31) – full eastbound closure, 7 pm-6 am
THURSDAY NIGHT (AUGUST 1) – full eastbound closure, 7 pm-6 am
FRIDAY NIGHT TO MONDAY MORNING (AUGUST 2-5) – full eastbound closure, 10 pm Friday to 5 am Monday
TUESDAY NIGHT (AUGUST 6) – one or two eastbound lanes closed, 7 pm-6 am
WEDNESDAY NIGHT (AUGUST 7) – full eastbound closure, 7 pm-6 am
THURSDAY NIGHT (AUGUST 8) – full eastbound closure, 7 pm-6 am
FRIDAY NIGHT TO MONDAY MORNING (AUGUST 9-12) – full eastbound closure, 10 pm Friday to 5 am Monday
During all of those closures, SDOT says, the eastbound ramp to northbound 99 will remain open; all eastbound-side ramps beyond that will be closed.
ALSO NOTE: The state will close the Highway 99 tunnel for maintenance 10 pm Friday (August 2) to 6 am Saturday (August 3).
That’s the mural “Old Mud Hole” – now repaired, weeks after a tagger used red paint to vandalize it. When we reported on the damage last week, West Seattle Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay was still working to figure out how to restore it, since the WSJA’s graffiti team said they couldn’t do it without destroying the underlying mural. Then on Monday, a reader texted us a photo of someone at work on the mural:
And this morning, we found the tagging gone. It reminded us of what happened seven years ago, when another Junction mural was vandalized by tagging, and a mystery artist appeared to clean it up. Mackay tells us this is the same artist: “We talked last night and she got on it. Her name is Tess Morgan. She is a trained artist and has worked on other WS murals.” (Our archives show this one in 2012.)
Sent by Susan:
My 2006 silver Chevy Trailblazer was stolen last night in (the 4400 block of) SW Juneau St., West Seattle. License BWW8642, silver with back bumper sticker about dogs making our lives better. Police report 24-211543. Picture of one similar.
Call 911 if you find it.
(Photo by Gary Jones – USS Sampson passing Alki)
12:32 PM: As noted in our daily event list, today’s the day for Seafair‘s downsized Parade of Ships, this year featuring one U.S. Navy destroyer and several U.S. Coast Guard boats. The official “parade” is along the downtown waterfront, but the participating ships sail eastward along Alki and the rest of West Seattle’s north-facing shoreline along the way, so we’re watching from Luna/Anchor Park, as the ships approach Alki Point for their eastward turn. In addition to the ship announced this morning by the U.S. Navy, USS Sampson (DDG 102), online tracking identifies the USCG participants as including Terrapin, Osprey, Sea Lion, buoy tender Henry Blake, and newly commissioned David Duren. (Seattle fireboat Leschi is heading out to greet them.)
(Photo by Javier Fosado – SFD fireboat Leschi with USS Sampson)
The Sampson and some of the USCG vessels will be open for tours on the downtown waterfront Wednesday-Sunday; see the schedule here.
12:54 PM: Now passing Duwamish Head, with the Sampson leading the way.
1:39 PM: The ships have moved on to downtown.
2:42 PM: Here are our pics with a closer look:
(Admiral Way Bridges from Fairmount Avenue, via Google Maps Street View)
The Admiral Way Bridge earthquake-strengthening project is now in its fourth week. Work is primarily continuing under the bridge, where Fairmount Avenue is closed to all traffic until early next year. But some work is planned on the deck, as we’ve reported. Now, though, there’s a big change in the plan. Thanks to MJ for the tip on this – SDOT confirms that it is no longer planning two weekend-long full closures of the bridge. Lane closures are still planned (no official schedule yet).
(Flower at West Seattle Bee Garden, photographed by Susan Whiting Kemp)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, as listed on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (send us your event any time – westseattleblog@gmail.com):
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Advocacy from afar, 10:30 am-noon every Tuesday at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SEAFAIR PARADE OF SHIPS: While headed downtown, a scaled-down Seafair fleet should be passing West Seattle’s north-facing shores around noon. According to an announcement this morning, one U.S. Navy ship is participating, guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102), and U.S. Coast Guard ships TBA.
SOUTH PARK SPROUTS GARDEN CLUB: Calling families with kids 6-12 – come help beautify the SP Library branch and learn about nature while you’re at it! Noon-1 pm; more in our calendar listing. (8604 8th Ave. S.)
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 wading pool is expected to be open today, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area, with the weather due to warm up this afternoon.
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. Today’s agenda items include the confirmation vote for Amy Smith as CARE Department Chief. 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.
PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK WITH WSCO: 6 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), the final night this summer you can bring your musical 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.
OPEN HOUSE: West Seattle School of Rock (4701 41st SW, outer east Jefferson Square) invites you to visit 6-8 for a free class, door prizes, more.
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.
TOASTMASTERS 832: The West Seattle group meets online at 6:30 pm and invites you to work on your leadership and communication skills with them. Our calendar listing explains how to RSVP for the link.
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).
(update: canceled tonight, back next week) BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – weekly Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
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!
A memorial service is planned at 4 pm today in Normandy Park for the woman who served as a state legislator for our area for many years. Georgette Wald Valle was just four months away from her 100th birthday when she died on July 10th. Ms. Valle was a Democrat who served 12 terms in the State Legislature, including representing the 34th District 1987-1997. This photo was taken during those years, in 1989:
(Photo from Paul Dorpat Collection)
That’s Ms. Valle at right during a demonstration on the Admiral Theatre‘s closing night, when its future was in question. In addition to her service as an elected official, she also was involved with a long list of organizations from here to Burien, among them the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Senior Center of West Seattle (now the Center For Active Living), and Southwest Youth and Family Services. She founded the Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Park (to which you’re invited to donate in her memory). Environmental advocacy was a passion of hers, and environmental issues were a major part of what she championed in the Legislature. Ms. Valle stayed active long past her political career, which also included a stint on the Burien City Council; WSB archives feature this photo of her at the 2011 34th District Democrats‘ baseball game.
(With Ms. Valle and then-34th DDs member Karl DeJong is then-governor candidate Jay Inslee)
Ms. Valle, who was born into a Minnesota farming family, is survived by her two children and four grandchildren. Her memorial service is planned for 4 pm today (Tuesday, July 30) at Normandy Park UCC (19247 1st Ave. S.), to be followed by a reception.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, July 30.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Rain possible this morning, becoming sunny later, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:45 am, while sunset will be at 8:45 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES, WITH METRO FLEX
Metro Flex – Second week for this on-demand service in Delridge (and South Park), starting a two-year pilot. Here’s how it works.
Metro buses – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. The real-time map will show you where the boat is.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.
ROAD WORK
*The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project has begun, first with weeknight overnight lane closures, 7 pm-6 am, then with several all-weekend one-direction closures, starting this weekend. Here’s last night’s update.
*The first new speed cushions/humps are in along Harbor Avenue, as we reported Sunday.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, likely into early 2025. We’ll have an update on this project later today.
*The 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.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (West Seattle Bridge cameras are back but some others remain out)
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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.
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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