The Blue Angels have one more Seafair show, scheduled to start just after 3:30 pm Sunday. While the show is intended for spectators along Lake Washington, you can get glimpses from West Seattle – photos like Monica Zaborac‘s above, from Harbor Avenue, and the one by David Hutchinson featured in our daily highlight list today are proof. One reader has gone even farther and documented what they saw today – reader J. Newquist shares this:

On Saturday 8/3/24 I took note of “significantly loud” passes over West Seattle by the Blue Angels. As we know, by the time you hear them, it’s too late. The following is a short list of the best times to look up, if you are staying around home for the show. For reference, my viewpoint is roughly the “jog” at the north end of the West Seattle Golf Course; the corner of SW Avalon Way and SW Genesee St. Naturally our geography means it doesn’t take much to get better, or worse views, but the roar we hear are about the same. All times are based on the satellite times of cell phones, but are still approximate. Sunday’s show is expected to follow the same times as these recorded Saturday times.

3:30 pm “Fat Albert,” the C-130, turned from the north over West Seattle on its way back south. While not as loud as the jets, it is a closer view.
3:55 pm: After an over-the lake formation, one plane headed towards downtown while the other headed east towards West Seattle before turning north to regroup.
4:01 pm: Following a similar flight path to the previous entry, another solo plane headed east before turning, creating another loud roar.
4:11 pm: A diamond formation of 4 headed north towards downtown, then looped back to the west, then south, giving us the view in the included photo.

Thanks to J. for sharing those observations! (Reminder that while they’re up, SEA airport takeoffs are redirected, so there’s bonus jet noise over southern West Seattle.) The full Seafair airshow schedule is here (you may hear/see some of the other aircraft earlier).

ELECTION 2024: Three more days to vote!

August 3, 2024 9:04 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Tuesday night is the deadline for getting your primary ballot in, but so far, only 15.5% of Seattle ballots have arrived back at King County Elections. That’s slightly above the countywide 15.3% turnout. As we noted when ballots were mailed out in mid-July, voters in West Seattle will see 14 races – U.S. Senate, U.S. House District 7, Governor (28 candidates!), Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, State Attorney General, State Commissioner of Public Lands, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Insurance Commissioner, State House Representative Positions 1 and 2 (two candidates each, so they all advance to November), State Supreme Court Justice Position 2, and Seattle City Council citywide Position 8. (The West Seattle Democratic Women hosted a forum in June with four of the five council candidates; here’s our coverage, with video.)

If you’re going to mail in your ballot, get it to the U.S. Postal Service in time to be postmarked by Tuesday (August 6); if you’re using a county dropbox, get it into one by 8 pm (sharp!) Tuesday. Remember that West Seattle now has four, with the newly opened Morgan Junction dropbox (by Morgan Junction Park) – High Point Library, The Junction, and South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – exact locations here. If you’re in east or south West Seattle, the South Park or White Center library boxes might be more convenient. If you need accessibility assistance to complete a ballot, the county’s “vote centers” will be open Monday and Tuesday. Those are also the places where you can register if you’re not registered yet. The first ballot count will be released around 8:15 pm Tuesday.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, inbound

August 3, 2024 6:34 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

6:34 PM: Thanks for the texted tip! MarineTraffic.com confirms that’s the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), southbound toward Alki Point right now. Four weeks have passed since the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier headed out.

7:44 PM: Added a photo, texted by a reader who was on the Bremerton ferry when it passed Nimitz. (Thank you!)

P.S. A search for recent news about the Nimitz reveals the Navy has initiated the “deactivation” process, looking ahead to decommissioning it in 2026.

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TRAFFIC REMINDER: Eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct closed until early Monday – and next weekend, too

August 3, 2024 5:41 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

With the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct – the eastern extension of the West Seattle Bridge between the 99 overpass and the I-5 interchange – closed all weekend, we’ve been getting reports of big backups on the bridge itself. So we’re reminding you again, if you have to head off-peninsula, you might consider an alternate route, like the First Avenue South Bridge, which can take you to 1st or 4th (and on into SODO from there) or to Michigan and on to I-5. The closure is part of the project to resurface the eastbound SSV – here again, from our story this past Tuesday, is the closure schedule for the next week-plus:

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

In addition to overnight weeknight closures beyond that, the weekend-closure schedule announced earlier in July (and subject to change) includes:

10 PM Friday, August 16 to 5 AM Monday, August 19: All eastbound lanes and one westbound lane closed.
10 PM Friday, August 23 to 5 AM Monday, August 26: All eastbound lanes and one westbound lane closed.
10 PM Friday, August 30 to 5 AM Tuesday, September 2: All westbound lanes closed.

The westbound side – which is much newer than the eastbound side – is getting repairs, not full resurfacing, so that’s the reason for only one weekend closure. But keep in mind this all could change – we’re publishing updates when available as well as daily info in our weekday morning traffic roundups and weekend morning event lists.

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: 2024 Duwamish River Festival

August 3, 2024 2:38 pm

| Comments Off on VIDEO, PHOTOS: 2024 Duwamish River Festival

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

The annual Duwamish River Festival is a chance to get up close and personal (free kayaking!) with the waterway that many West Seattleites know mostly as the waterway over which they ride or drive to connect to/from the rest of the city. It’s so much more, and that’s why the Duwamish River Community Coalition presents the festival every year. It’s also a chance for glimpses into the many cultures who share its shore:

That video is from the Seattle Classical Thai Dance performance this afternoon – in the first hour, festivalgoers also saw the Aztec group Tlalokan:

The stage slate for the festival, which continues until 5 pm today, is in our calendar listing. The stage is at the north end of the festival zone at Duwamish River People’s Park and Shoreline Habitat (8700 Dallas Avenue S.; map)

Those dozens of booths feature community groups, environmental organizations, and government agencies offering information and activities. Seattle Parks has a booth featuring naturalists ready to talk with you about wildlife:

(L-R, Miranda, Lizzy, Marielle, Nicolasa)

DRCC, the hosting organization, can talk with you about many community projects, including an effort to learn more about the Duwamish Valley’s air-quality problems by reaching South Park and Georgetown families with children who have asthma (email joseph@drcc.org):

(DRCC’s Thuy and Van)

The Environmental Protection Agency has huge cleanup projects to discuss – and simple ways to see what’s at the heart of it all, like this little fish pond:

There’s personal action you can take – with recycling and composting items that don’t belong in the trash – look for the Seattle Public Utilities “Where Does It Go?” team:

Other city departments there include City Light, SDOT, Sustainability and Environment, Emergency Management, and the Office of Police Accountability. Got light rail questions? Sound Transit is there too:

You can also learn about community projects including Reconnect South Park and the next round of Duwamish River sewer-overflow-prevention work. The Duwamish Tribe is participating as well – Ken Workman was there to welcome everyone in Lushootseed:

At their booth, you can get stickers, buy T-shirts, and learn about the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, just across West Marginal Way from Duwamish River shores:

(Kate and Lucas)

From West Seattle, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association is represented too:

(Ranny, Louisa, April)

This is all a fairly easy walk from the heart of the South Park business district (we parked near the southwest end of the South Park Bridge), or there are shuttle locations (see our calendar listing).

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WEEKEND SCENE: Big Blue Truck’s first day back in West Seattle

August 3, 2024 12:37 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news

As previewed here last month, The Big Blue Truck (WSB sponsor) is back in West Seattle. The Northwest Center‘s donation dropoffs have resumed after a four-year hiatus, and every weekend you’ll be able to bring these items to its Junction location:

*Gently used clothing
*Shoes
*Books
*Textiles – including towels and sheets
*Small household items

(Here’s a detailed list.) Starting today, you can find the truck in the WaFd Bank lot at 4102 California SW, 9 am-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays. The organization explains, “Big Blue Truck sells donations of gently used clothing, textiles, and shoes to partner Value Village, using the proceeds to support Northwest Center programs and services for children and adults with disabilities.”

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UPDATE: Gas leak closes SW Webster west of 35th

August 3, 2024 11:40 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

11:40 AM: Thanks for the tips and photo! SW Webster in Gatewood is blocked just west of 35th SW [map] because of a gas leak. One texter tells us nearby residents have been evacuated until Puget Sound Energy can get there and shut off the gas.

11:47 AM: Firefighters have just told dispatch that PSE has arrived.

12:16 PM: Texter says neighbors just got the all-clear.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Birdhouse burglary

August 3, 2024 10:40 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Another business burglary this morning: The Birdhouse on SW Henderson west of 35th in Upper Fauntleroy tells us their coffee shop was broken into around 3:10 am today. The images are from their security camera.

(updated) Amber at The Birdhouse says, “He got away with ice cream and our kitchen speaker 🙄 I think he got scared when he saw all the cameras. He messed with them and then took off on the bike. The police got a partial print from one of the cameras he touched so we are just hoping something will come of it.”

If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 24-215780.

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Duwamish River Festival, Big Blue Truck’s return, major traffic alert, more for your West Seattle Saturday

August 3, 2024 6:07 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Welcome to the weekend! We start with a traffic alert:

EASTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSED: The Spokane Street Viaduct is the continuation of the high bridge from the Highway 99 overpass to I-5, and its eastbound side (at left in the traffic-cam view above) is closed all weekend, until early Monday morning, for the ongoing resurfacing project. If you’re on the eastbound high bridge, you’ll be detoured onto the exit to northbound 99; that exit will remain open all weekend.

Otherwise, here’s what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):

SUMMER SCRAMBLE: Third day of the four-day West Seattle scavenger hunt organized by Alice Kuder – still time to jump in! Solve the clues, win a treasure chest – as explained here.

GLASS FLOAT HUNT: Third day for this, too – continuing into mid-August. 100 handcrafted glass floats were hidden around West Seattle – details here!

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.

ART ON THE CORNER: 8 am-3 pm at 39th/Holden, artist Bonnie sells her work to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank.

BIG BLUE TRUCK RETURNS: First day of the Northwest Center‘s donation-dropoff truck‘s return to West Seattle! You’ll find it outside WaFd Bank (4102 California SW). Our calendar listing has info on what items the truck will accept. 9 am-5 pm.

HEAVILY MEDITATED: New location for free community meditation, 9 am at Schmitz Preserve Park (5551 SW Admiral Way).

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

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: You’re invited to join others taking a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Summer gardening season isn’t over yet – and fall’s in view – add something new! Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

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

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.

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

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: Spraypark season continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

LIBRARY SALE: The White Center Library Guild‘s two-day sale continues today, raising money for library programs, 11 am-3 pm, books and “gently used treasures.” Originally announced as a “sidewalk sale” but we stopped by Friday and it’s indoors – air conditioning! (1409 SW 107th)

DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL: Celebrate Seattle’s only river at Duwamish River People’s Park and Shoreline Habitat (8700 Dallas Ave. S., South Park), noon-5 pm, as previewed here – entertainment, free kayaking, more.

POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), bonus weekly session of long-distance advocacy, drop-ins welcome.

COLMAN POOL: Open noon-7 pm on the Lincoln Park shore – find the session schedule online. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, the season continues for the only 7-days-a-week wading pool in West Seattle, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

HIAWATHA WADING POOL OPEN: Also open today, noon-5:30 pm. (2700 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE WINE WEEKEND: We checked while making this list, and online tickets are sold out!

FREE COOL TREAT FOR YOUR PUP: Perfect on a warm summer day. Noon-3 pm at All the Best Pet Care (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor), bring in your dog for a free frozen treat!

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. Last chance to see its award-winning Longfellow Creek exhibit! (61st/Stevens)

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

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

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” 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.

(Blue Angels photographed from Duwamish Head on Friday by David Hutchinson)

BLUE ANGELS: They are scheduled to go up from Boeing Field around 3:35 pm again today, for the second of three Seafair airshows.

SUNRISE HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY: 5:15-10 pm, music, food, pet parade, bouncy house, more, on 30th SW between Myrtle and Othello – details in our calendar listing.

WORKING CLASS JONES: Live at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm – free but you need to RSVP; link’s in our calendar listing.

CIRCLE OF SONGS: Acoustic music live at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, no cover, all ages.

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

LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Sawyer Best & The Mighty Wurlitzer, 7 pm, organ music and silent film. Ticket link is here. (7904 35th SW)

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Glyf, The Last Minute Maybes, High Tide Fiasco at The Skylark tonight, doors at 7, $10 cover, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).

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

West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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