West Seattle, Washington
21 Wednesday
(WSB photo: Diesel-powered Water Taxi M/V Sally Fox, as seen Tuesday at Seacrest)
You’ve likely heard about Washington State Ferries‘ plan to build electric vessels. Our area’s foot-ferry fleet, Metro Transit‘s King County Water Taxi, is moving that way too. In a recent newsletter, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka mentioned that the Puget Sound Regional Council‘s Executive Board – on which he serves – had approved funding for “electrification improvements” to the Water Taxi. (The money originates with federal highway and transit funds, Saka added.) So we asked Metro’s Al Sanders for details. He tells WSB:
As part of Metro’s transition to becoming a zero-emission fleet, the Marine Division is researching the technology available that will allow the Water Taxis to go from using diesel-powered vessels to sailing with ships that use hybrid and/or battery-electric power.
The $1.7 million grant awarded by the Puget Sound Regional Council will be used on the design and engineering of new electric vessels and associated charging infrastructure needed to support the fleet. The grant would be used to initiate the design of two new 150-passenger battery electric vessels, along with the design of shoreside vessel charging and other electrical infrastructure at Pier 50.
When in service, the vessels will reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with water taxi service in support of the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan.
Sanders says the design work hasn’t started, so there’s no timeline for this yet. The two current Water Taxis, M/V Doc Maynard and M/V Sally Fox, were both launched in 2015, at a total cost of $11.8 million, also mostly from federal funding.
The report and photos are from Liz, near 41st and Raymond:
At 3:15 yesterday (8/20) afternoon two thieves came by in a blue and white truck and stole our e-bike. There was a motorcycle chain on the bike that they cut through, and while they worked, they wore a bright vest to appear like a utility worker.
The offenders wore a mask and their license plate is not clear enough to read. The bike is a RadRunner by Rad Power Bikes, dark green with a produce basket mounted on the back.
No police report # yet.
The Northwest Open Water Swimming Association has three swimmers planning marathon swims in the area this week, starting with one happening right now:
HAPPENING NOW: Above is a screenshot of the tracker showing where Chelsea Lee was moments ago – at 10:45 am – in her attempt to complete what’s known as the Bert Thomas Swim, almost 19 miles from Old Town Dock in Tacoma to Point Williams by Colman Pool in West Seattle. NOWSA’s Amanda Winans explains, “Chelsea trains at Alki Beach and has also completed the Amy Hiland Swim in 2022, from Bremerton to the Alki Lighthouse.” Amanda is the official observer on the support boat for this swim and is one of two other swimmers who’ve done this swim since its namesake in 1956; the other is Andrew Malinak, who is also aboard the support boat as pilot. Chelsea started in the 6 am hour this morning and if successful will reach Point Williams in mid-afternoon. (Update: As of 2:20 pm, they are projecting 3 pm-ish.) Amanda also tells us about two other marathon swims planned this week:
FRIDAY: Wendy Van De Sompele of Vashon Island – who you might know as aquatic director at Colman Pool – plans to swim from Alki Point to West Point, six miles. If successful, Amanda says, Wendy will be the first person to complete 5 out of the 6 swims in the Puget Sound Lighthouse Series. She plans to start her swim from Alki Point at 10 am Friday (August 23).
SUNDAY: This is a round trip, also from Alki Point, Amanda explains:
An all-female relay, supported by a female pilot and a female observer (local marathon swimmer Stephanie Zimmerman) will swim an unprecedented route for NOWSA from Alki Point Lighthouse, around Blake Island, and back to the lighthouse. Melissa Kegler, a Triple Crown marathon swimmer (English Channel, Catalina Channel, around Manhattan Island) spearheads the relay, which includes women covering all decades from 30-70: Becky Smith, Carol Horowitz, Guila Muir, Emily White, and Shea DeWald. They are all “Notorious Alki Swimmers” who you will find swimming regularly from the Alki Bathhouse, and Carol, Emily, and Shea are West Seattle residents. Boat support will be provided by Seastr PNW, an organization dedicated to inclusive access to waterborne activities for people who have been historically excluded from the maritime industry and water sports. They will be starting from the Alki Lighthouse at 8 am, and returning back sometime in the afternoon.
Both of those swims will use the same online tracker as today – find it here.
(Late-summer rose – photo sent by Susan Whiting Kemp)
Here’s our list of what’s happening today/tonight in West Seattle, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always preview the hours, days, and weeks ahead!):
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day, 11 am-8 pm, free.
COLMAN POOL: Swim in 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 CLOSED: The city says wading pools will NOT open today because cool, cloudy weather is expected to continue into afternoon.
SOUTHWEST POOL CLOSED: The repair/maintenance closure for West Seattle’s city-run indoor pool continues.
MAGIC SHOW AT THE LIBRARY: 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), Maritess Zurbano will amaze you with sleight-of-hand! Free.
TODDLER STORY TIME AT THE LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
PAINT AT THE PUB: 4 pm watercolor-painting workshop with Emily Lee at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) – beginners welcome, all supplies provided, $20. Registration link is in our calendar listing.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.
FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.
‘GET FIT’ INFO NIGHT: Also at West Seattle Runner, 6:30 pm, info night for the Get Fit free group-training program to get ready for a marathon!
TRIVIA x 4: Four places where you play tonight: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
YOGA IN THE PARK: Two West Seattle teachers lead this outdoor-yoga event at Myrtle Reservoir Park (35th/Myrtle), 6:30 pm – follow the link for ticket info.
MUSIC BINGO X 2: Two options! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … At Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo at 7:30 pm Wednesdays, hosted by Mingo Maniac.
OUTDOOR YOGA AND MORE: Outdoor Kundalini Yoga, Breath Work, Meditation and Gong Bath, 7 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW), ticket info in our calendar listing.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The spotlight is yours! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Planning a show, presentation, meeting, open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can get it onto West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather August 30 to remember Terry Sackett, and are sharing this remembrance with her community now:
Marilyn Theresa Sackett, lovingly known as Terry, was born on July 31, 1946 in Glendale, California, and passed away on August 11, 2024. Moved to West Seattle at 5 with her family. Terry grew up on Marshall Avenue, attending Holy Rosary Elementary, graduating in 1960, and Holy Names Academy, graduating in 1964 before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from the University of Washington in 1971.
In 1969, Terry had the opportunity to travel to Europe and Japan to visit family and friends, a journey that ignited her lifelong love for exploration. On July 1, 1972, she married David Sackett. They shared a love of reading and music. The following year, she embarked on a remarkable 36-year career at Boeing as a Technical Drafter for the AWACS program, a trailblazer in her field as one of the few women to hold such a position at the time. In 1976, Terry and David purchased a home just a block from her childhood residence. A few months later, their daughter Danielle was born.
Terry was a devoted mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her daughter, especially after her divorce in 1987. Choosing to remain single, she dedicated her life to raising Danielle. In 1990, Terry welcomed John into her life, who would later become her son-in-law. She guided him through college, teaching him to read and how to study, ensuring he would be a strong partner for her daughter.
The 1990s were marked by Terry’s love for travel with her family, particularly to Long Beach, Washington, her favorite destination. She cherished her stays at The Breakers, where she enjoyed flying kites, strolling along the boardwalk with her family, and indulging in a passion for fishing. Though she dreamed of moving there, life kept her in Seattle, where she continued to visit and create lasting memories.
In 1994, Terry became a grandmother to Christopher L. Otey, her pride and joy. She attended his baseball games, took him to school, and spent countless hours nurturing his growth. She also cherished her two other grandchildren, Miranda J. Otey, born in 2003, with whom she shared a special bond as fellow middle children, spending mornings watching Looney Tunes and completing puzzles together. Abigail J. Otey, born in 2012, the youngest of the family, held a special place in Terry’s heart. She helped Abigail with her schoolwork, attended her ballet performances, and enjoyed late-night conversations that stretched into the early morning.
After retiring from Boeing in 2009, Terry spent her days enjoying her favorite game shows, relaxing, and doting on her grandchildren. She often traveled by train to Portland with her grandson Chris to visit family. Terry had a deep love for dogs, with her favorite being a beloved companion named Dogberry. She was passionate about education and family, values she instilled in all who knew her.
Terry was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Margaret Dearey. She is survived by her older brother James (Jim) Dearey, her younger brother William (Bill) Dearey, Daughter Danielle Otey, her grandchildren, and her beloved family members.
Terry’s legacy of love, dedication, and strength will be cherished by all who knew her. Her memory will forever be treasured by her family and friends. Services will be held at Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle on August 30, 2024, at 11 am.
To share your condolences and memories of Terry, visit EmmickFunerals.com/obituary/Marilyn-Sackett
(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)
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, August 21.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Showers possible, thunderstorms possible this evening, high near 70. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:14 am, while sunset will be at 8:09 pm.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURES, AND OTHER ROAD WORK
The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. Here’s the tentative plan for the rest of the week – overnight tonight, eastbound left lanes are expected to close 7 pm-6 am, which means the eastbound exits to 1st and 4th would stay open.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge. Next week, the north half of the bridge will close, and the south half will carry traffic both ways temporarily. (That’s what the “Traffic Revision August 26” portable signs are about.)
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch. Watch for no-parking zones and steel plates (many on northbound side right now), plus flaggers.
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.
STREET CLOSURE SATURDAY
The Admiral Funktion festival on Saturday (August 24) will close California between Admiral and College from morning through evening (festival hours are 11 am to 8 pm).
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge – Looking east:
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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