West Seattle, Washington
11 Monday
(Photo sent by Eileen Wurst)
Thanks for the photos! Some smoky haze has crept back into the air, and that meant a red sunset, at the end of a day with record-for-this-date heat.
(Photo sent by Carol Ann Joyce)
The high at SEA was 90 degrees – two degrees above the previous high for this date. The National Weather Service‘s Heat Advisory alert remains in effect until 11 pm Friday, and the forecast says the haze is hanging around too.
(Photo sent by Curry Gibson)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The state’s automated tolling system Good To Go! might be a payment option for the future Fauntleroy ferry dock replacement, but it’s not worth relying on entirely, or worth giving a dedicated tollbooth.
That’s a key result from Washington State Ferries‘ long-anticipated study of how Good To Go! and advance ticketing might factor into the dock rebuild. The presentation was made at last week’s online meeting of the Community Advisory Group for the project – here’s the draft report provided to committee members. Below, WSF video of the meeting, followed by our summary:
First, for context, here’s where the project planning stands: WSF is continuing to screen nine alternatives for size/configuration of the new dock, all with footprints bigger than the current dock. WSF is expecting to zero in on a preferred alternative by the end of this year. Construction is currently expected in the 2027-2029 biennium.
The advisory-group members had long been asking for information on how alternate payment methods, both Good To Go! and advance ticketing, would affect performance of the new dock, and shape its design and operation expectations. GTG is not currently used by WSF; advance ticketing, Wave 2 Go, is, and they estimate 50% to 60% of Triangle Route (Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth) riders use that.
Unlike power outages, water outages can happen without you finding out until an inconvenient moment – you’ve prepped for a shower or bath, or to cook, or to start the washer, or many other scenarios. Seattle Public Utilities has announced it’s launching text alerts for emergency water outages, promising to text you as soon as you lose service. The announcement says all customers have been opted in to these alerts, but if you don’t want them, SPU says you can opt out. Full details are here.
3:01 PM: Two busy intersections have crash responses working right now:
(Added: Reader photo)
At 42nd and Admiral, a driver is reported to have hit a pedestrian. Low-level medical response so no major injuries, but we’ll follow up with SFD.
(Added: Traffic-camera image)
At 35th/Avalon, northbound 35th is blocked by a one-car collision. Responders told dispatch there were no injuries in this one.
3:41 PM: Both scenes have been cleared.
4:38 PM: SFD tells WSB that the pedestrian, a 73-year-old woman, was taken to a hospital by private ambulance, and confirms that the 35th/Avalon collision – reported as involving three vehicles – had no injuries.
If you have a baby on the way, Saturday morning, the Elliott Bay-facing rooftop terrace at Lake Washington Physical Therapy West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is the place to be. This announcement explains why – and how to register:
If you are expecting or know someone who is, a FREE FIT4BABY prenatal preview class is planned this Saturday, September 7, at 9 am on the rooftop terrace of Lake Washington PT.
You can RSVP with this link and we will enroll you!
The 9 am class will be followed by a short presentation and Q&A on posture and pelvic-floor function pre- and postpartum given by April Johnson PT, DPT, PCES of LWPT, who is also a FIT4BABY alum!!
April is a physical therapist and a pregnancy and postpartum corrective-exercise specialist. Her goal is to help women decrease pain during pregnancy and safely return to activity postpartum. She has a deep understanding of the issues associated with pregnancy and strives to master the whole-body approach to women’s health. This process involves restoring posture, breathing mechanics, pelvic floor function (external), strength and much more! Some of the most common conditions treated are low back pain, sacroiliac joint pain, neck/shoulder pain, diastasis recti and incontinence.
For the class, please enter Lake Washington PT through the main entrance at 1309 Harbor Ave SW, Suite A. Street parking will be available. Make sure to check in at the front desk and someone will be there to direct you to the rooftop terrace. We can’t wait to see you then!
Forecast for Saturday morning so far – more sunshine!
1:12 PM: Thanks to the reader who texted, “A truck just dumped boxes and boxes of avocados on Spokane Street (Viaduct) where the huge construction bumps are.” SDOT confirms it, though the camera is zoomed in so close, we don’t know (yet) which direction.
1:19 PM: SDOT says it’s on the eastbound side, and says a response team is on the way to clean this up. Also awaiting info on how it happened, etc.
3:32 PM: Added that photo from our original texter. Not a huge spill.
We’re spotlighting this trio of events in case you haven’t already seen them in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
STEVE HULSMAN MEMORIAL RIDE: This Saturday, Cascade Bicycle Club is gathering riders to remember the West Seattle man killed in a collision with a driver in Arbor Heights last year:
Please join us on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 9:00 am for a memorial ride to celebrate the life of Steve Hulsman, the long-time Cascade member and volunteer Ride Leader who was tragically hit and killed while biking in West Seattle in December.
We will gather at 9 a.m. in the main parking lot at Lincoln Park in West Seattle [8011 Fauntleroy Way SW], where Steve’s family and close friends will speak about his life and love of bicycling. We will also hear from elected officials about the need for continued investment in protected bike lanes and active transportation infrastructure to improve safety for people biking and walking. Before departing by bike, we will raise a toast to Steve (coffee, Nuun, and orange juice will be provided). The ride is expected to start at about 10 a.m. following a safety briefing from Cascade Ride Leaders. All riders must wear a helmet and attend the safety briefing to participate.
The ride is offered in three distinct routes, 14 miles to 42 miles. Full details are on the Cascade website.
TRY OUT ADAPTIVE CYCLES: Outdoors for All is returning to West Seattle’s Alki Point Healthy Street (Beach Drive north of 63rd SW) this Sunday with another free adaptive-bike demo event for people with disabilities. This will be like the one back in June, from which the organization shares this photo:
The organization says this is for “anyone age 7+ who needs an adaptive bike due to permanent or temporary disability, or those who are no longer comfortable riding a 2-wheeled bike due to balance and coordination issues.” You’ll find them there 10 am-2 pm Sunday (September 8).
LEARN ABOUT GREENWAYS: Stu Hennessey is organizing a bicycle tour of West Seattle Greenways at noon Saturday, September 14, free, no registration required, with West Seattle Bike Connections. Stu explains, “I feel that this safer route plan has not been fully understood by cyclists and motorists alike. This is an educational ride with stops to explain connections and future Greenway prospects. The 12-mile route has some hills. Most streets are quiet and have low traffic count and low speed limits.The ride will be un-mapped while we ride together. No one gets left behind.” Just show up at his shop, Alki Bike and Board (2606 California SW; WSB sponsor), before departure time.
(Dahlias, photographed in north Genesee Hill by Janelle Otterholt)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Thursday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can preview the hours, days, and weeks ahead any time):
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!
NAVIGATING MEDICARE: Trying to sort it all out? This 11 am presentation at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Orchard) can help.
UNDERSTANDING THE LOW-FODMAP DIET: Spend a little time to learn a lot in this free webinar with Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor), 12:30 pm-1 pm online. Our calendar listing has the registration link.
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 Impeckable Chicken at HPCS.
VISCON CELLARS: 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.
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.
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: First game of the season for the West Seattle High School Wildcats, hosting Bainbridge HS at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm.
PIANO BAR: Music, dancing, fun at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), with Larry Knapp at the keyboard. 7 pm. $10 entry; beverages available for purchase.
TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).
COMEDY: Jokes at The Junction, 8 pm at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW) – tickets still available at last check!
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
As the new school year scales up, we’re back to spotlighting school-related fundraisers – here’s an announcement from the Madison Middle School PTSA:
Madison Middle School PTSA has a shiny new website thanks to a parent volunteer and we are holding our back-to-school fundraising drive through September 30.
With these donations we can fund field trips and enrichment opportunities such as online curriculum access, guest speakers, professional development, and magazine subscriptions. With the community’s generous donations last year, we were able to purchase new outdoor seating for the cafeteria, new books for the library, fund the entire 7th and 8th grades for a walking field trip to view “Boys in the Boat” at the Admiral Theater, provide community dinners, guest speakers, teacher appreciation and more! These funds also helped teachers buy basic necessities like graph paper, highlighters, and art supplies. Thank you in advance for your support! Donations can be made here. Go Bulldogs!
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, September 5, and almost everyone’s now back in school
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The National Weather Service‘s Heat Advisory alert for our area takes effect at 8 am today. Today’s forecast calls for sun and a mid-80s high. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:34 am, while sunset will be at 7:40 pm.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE
*Here’s the plan for this week’s work on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project. Again tonight – the two left eastbound lanes will be closed 7 pm to 6 am.
*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.
*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 (explained at that link).
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch. You’ll find no-parking zones and steel plates, plus flaggers.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule for both routes.
Metro buses today – Regular schedules.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Note that the “unscheduled third boat” will not be available today because it’s temporarily moving to another run.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually 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!
Police responding to reports of suspected gunfire in South Delridge have found confirmation. Officers just told dispatch they’ve found casings at 17th/Barton. No reports of injuries so far. No witnesses, either (and thus, no descriptions).
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