West Seattle, Washington
13 Sunday
Thanks for the photos! The forecast warned smoky haze would move in this afternoon, and it tinted the sunset in a big way.
Earlier this week, the state Smoke Information site suggested two fires in our state and two in Canada might contribute to the haze, which is expected to linger through tomorrow, and then get “scoured out” over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. So far the air quality isn’t horrible but it’s definitely worse than usual, so take care if you’re vulnerable.
6:40 PM: Second Thursdays bring the West Seattle Art Walk, and it’s happening right now! We stopped first at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor), featuring two artists tonight – Mike Henderson (profiled here recently) and Charlie Harries. They collaborated on work including what you see in our top photo.
Charlie is celebrating his birthday (there’s cake!) and Mike showed us his newly published children’s book “Rocks: What Are They Doing?”.
He’ll be leading a puppet-making workshop at WSR on upcoming Thursdays (starting August 15), 4-7 pm, culminating in a puppet show at the August 24th Admiral Funktion street party! Mike and Charlie are at WSR until 8 tonight. More to come – check out tonight’s featured artists and venues here!
6:59 PM: That’s some of the work of artist Matthew D Hoover, at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) tonight; he says his work often depicts places he’s been, from Eastern Washington to Tuscany and beyond.
He works in oil and acrylic, primarily. WSG is also one of the three Art of Music venues:
Joshua Dennis is scheduled to play until 7:45, same end time for Larry Murante at Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction and Fae Wiedenhoeft at John L. Scott in The Junction.
That’s a peek at part of the mural that will soon wrap around the Center for Active Living – debuting tonight at the center’s Community Open House. You can talk to artist Brady Black, who has examples of his other work too:
The mural will wrap around the front and side of the center, facing California and Oregon, and will include images of members. Meantime, inside the center at 4217 SW Oregon, you can also find out about its programs (more than 40 offered every week) and its “well-kept secret” restaurant, Margie’s Café (which you can visit even if you’re not one of the center’s 1,300+ members):
Amy Lee Derenthal is the center’s executive director:
The open house is on until 8, and then the center remains open until 10 pm for an ’80s dance party – free admission, live DJ, beverages (beer, wine, nonalcoholic) available for purchase.
P.S. Whether you stop by tonight or not – as we mentioned a few days ago, the center is welcoming new volunteers!
If you’re in the area of West Seattle shown on the map below, the city will be studying ways to increase the tree canopy in your neighborhood:
This is one of four census tracts around the city – the only one in West Seattle – covered by a state grant discussed briefly at this past Tuesday’s meeting of the Transportation Committee, chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka:
Councilmembers have to approve acceptance of grants, so that’s why SDOT had to explain this $302,000 grant to them. During the short briefing, SDOT explained that the census tracts covered by the grant average only 25 percent tree-canopy cover, and the money will be used to look for opportunities to increase that. The department provided this link to the state’s announcement of the grants earlier this year; as noted during the meeting, whatever the studies find would potentially be used to pursue other funding to actually plant trees.
Two and a half months after what was described as a “ransomware attack” dramatically disrupted the Seattle Public Library‘s operations, another milestone in restoration: As of today, the online catalog is accessible again, says SPL:
Online catalog available, including placing new holds. You can now log in to the Library’s online catalog, see your checkouts and holds, and place new holds on all items. (Please note that new holds may take longer than usual to fill initially, as we may receive a large number of requests.) … When you log into your account, please update your holds list and cancel those you’re no longer interested in, which will help us and help you! If you see anything missing or have questions, feel free to contact us at www.spl.org/Ask
SPL continues to list the status of its services here; what’s not available yet – including computers and pickup lockers – should be available by the end of this month.
Thanks for the tips on this. Crash-and-grab burglars in a pickup truck hit the Lincoln Park 76’s minimart just before 4 am today. A 911 caller reported a white Ford pickup with a double cab “ramming into the front of the store,” according to archived dispatch audio; a short time later another caller reported seeing that pickup driving away “with an ATM strapped to (it).” When we went down for a look a short time ago, store staff confirmed their ATM was taken, as did police, who tell WSB: “The vehicle backed up into the business and rammed it about three times, destroying the front doors and burglar bars. Three suspects wrapped a chain around an ATM inside the business and pulled it out. The suspects loaded the ATM on the truck, and they grabbed other items inside the store.” SPD also noted, “The estimated damage and loss to the business is over $20,000” and say detectives obtained fingerprint and video evidence. If you have any information, the incident # is 24-221091.
Still lots of time to get out on the water this summer – and you have a chance on Saturday to buy/sell gear at the annual West Seattle Boat Swap! Here are the details:
This August 10th community event is a great opportunity to buy and sell human-powered watercraft (Kayaks, SUPs, Canoes) and paddle accessories! We will have used paddle boards and kayaks from Mountain to Sound Outfitters and Alki Kayak Tours’ demo and rental fleets available at discounted rates in addition to consignment boats and gear.
To Shop:
11 am-4 pm on Saturday
– Cashiers & sales staff are available to help!To Sell:
MUST REGISTER ONLINE to sell gear at the Swap!
– Day Of Drop Off on Saturday, 8/10, 9 am-11 am
– Pick Up unsold Items on Saturday, 4 pm-5 pmQUESTIONS? Email gearswap@m2soutfitters.com
We start today’s highlight list with tonight’s biggest event:
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Second Thursday brings the West Seattle Art Walk! From North Admiral to Morgan Junction, dozens of businesses welcome you to stop and see art and/or enjoy food/drink specials. Here’s the list:
You can preview specific venues and participating artists here; most receptions run 5 pm-8 pm. Also tonight:
THE ART OF MUSIC: Three musicians comprise tonight’s Art of Music lineup, at three venues, all free mini-concerts scheduled for 6-7:45 pm – here’s a preview of Larry Murante, who will be at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW):
The Art of Music presents Larry Murante from JaroslawMedia on Vimeo.
Fae Wiedenhoeft will be at John L. Scott in The Junction (4555 California SW):
Joshua Dennis will be at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW):
Now, here’s what else is happening for the rest of your Thursday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GLASS FLOAT HUNT: The second week begins for the hunt presented by the West Seattle Junction Association and WS Chamber of Commerce -go here to see how to join the search if you’re not in the hunt already!
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: If you need late-summer-and-beyond plants, the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Annuals, perennials, sun, shade, natives, edibles, ground covers … wide variety!
SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm, free.
COLMAN POOL: You can swim today in this 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.
DELRIDGE & HIAWATHA WADING POOLS: These two part-time wading pools are also open today, noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW and 2700 California SW)
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 open Thursdays-Saturdays 1 pm-6 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Food too – stop by to sip and nosh!
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at 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 you’ll find Project Pizza at HPCS.
UNDER-21 OPEN MIC: Monthly event presented by Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) next door at The Skylark – signups 5 pm, music at 6. This month’s optional theme – hits of the ’80s and ’90s. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE: 5 pm-8 pm, visit the Center for Active Living, take a tour, see the final design for its new outside mural, more. (4217 SW Oregon)
VISCON CELLARS: Along with Art Walk participation, 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.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for a group walk in Lincoln Park – details in our calendar listing.
‘THE FIRST WORLD FLIGHT’: The speaker series Words, Writers, Southwest Stories focuses on aviation history tonight – 6 pm online presentation; details and registration link are in our calendar listing.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run.
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 it’s blues night.
COFFEEHOUSE OPEN MIC: All genres welcome at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.
TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).
’80S DANCE PARTY: Free dance party with DJ spinning’80s hits – come in retro clothing if you want – beverages available for purchase. 8 pm at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Though Seattle Public Schools classes are still four weeks away, tryouts and practices for fall high-school sports are as close as two weeks away. West Seattle High School asked us to share the info packet for athletes and families looking ahead to fall sports – girls’ Swim & Dive, Volleyball, Soccer, Cross Country, Golf; boys’ Football, Cross Country, Golf. The packet has info on start dates, coach contacts, and what to do before the season, starting with registration; here’s the packet, and here’s the registration link. Also note that the WSHS calendar has “Fall Sports Family Night” set for 7 pm September 3.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, August 8.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Starting at noon, we’ll be under a Heat Advisory. Aside from that, the forecast is for sun, mid-80s, with haze/smoke in the afternoon/evening. Today’s sunrise was at 5:56 am, while sunset will be at 8:32 pm.
(Sunday at sunset, from Lincoln Park – photo by Tom Trulin)
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule for both routes.
Metro buses today – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.
EASTBOUND SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT’S NEWEST CLOSURE SCHEDULE
*The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. Here’s the newest closure schedule, including eastbound left lanes closing tonight 7 pm-6 am (remember that the entire eastbound direction closes again this weekend).
OTHER ROAD WORK NOTES
*Here’s the latest on the East Marginal Way S. project, particularly of note for people who travel by bike between downtown and West Seattle:
WHAT: Updated detour route for people biking on East Marginal Way S
WHEN: Starting as soon as August 12 and lasting for several weeks
WHERE: People biking will be routed onto the street of E Marginal Way S in temporary protected bike lanes from S Spokane St to north of the Terminal 30 parking lot at approximately S Stacy St. At the T30 parking lot / S Stacy St, people will be routed back into the existing bike lanes and sidewalk on the west side of the street. Please note that the T30 parking lot is south of the main T30 entrance.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, at least into early 2025. Lane closures have begun on the top deck too. But SDOT now says it will NOT have weekend closures of the entire bridge.
*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. Watch for no-parking zones and steel plates, plus flaggers.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (Some important 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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