day : 07/10/2024 11 results

10:49 PM: The aurora’s out again tonight! Thanks to the reader who just sent that photo, from Fauntlee Hills. Earlier, Cami reported faint colors looking west from Alki. How long will it last? Hard to tell, but here’s one of the forecast sites recommended by West Seattle expert skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen (here’s her aurora-viewing-tips page).

11:12 PM: More photos arriving – thanks! From Lacey:

From Jessica in Fairmount Park:

From Liz in North Admiral:

12:57 AM: And from Jamie Kinney:

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UPDATE: About the SFD response at Alki Bathhouse

October 7, 2024 9:34 pm

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

9:34 PM: A few people have asked about the Seattle Fire response this past hour at Alki Bathhouse – attention-getting because firefighters extended a ladder to check out the roof.

Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photos. And thanks to Brad (via Cami) for the report that firefighters were looking into the possibility a “sky lantern” had landed on the roof. We’re following up with SFD to see if that’s what they found (the call was coded “rubbish fire,” but that’s used to cover a variety of possibilities).

ADDED TUESDAY: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Crews responded reports of smoke coming from the roof, so crews extended a ladder to climb up and investigate. No fire was found, and no injuries were reported.”

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WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: Hope for orcas, from Springer to the Southern Residents, in Thursday talk

October 7, 2024 7:44 pm

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| West Seattle books | West Seattle history | West Seattle news | Whales

This Thursday, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s monthly online author series, Words, Writers, Southwest Stories, features Donna Sandstrom, author of “Orca Rescue!” – telling the story of lost orca Springer‘s successful rescue – and founder of The Whale Trail. Here’s the SWSHS announcement:

Working Together to Save the Whales
Stories of Hope, from Springer to the Southern Residents

In 2002 a young orca named Springer was discovered near West Seattle – lost, alone, and 300 miles away from home. Six months later she was rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to her pod on the north end of Vancouver Island. Today she is thriving, with two calves of her own. It’s the only successful orca reintroduction in history!

Join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and local author Donna Sandstrom for our next Words, Writers, Southwest Stories at 6 pm Thursday, October 10. Sandstrom will share the inspiring story of Springer’s rescue, and how it led her to found The Whale Trail. Learn about current initiatives to protect the endangered southern resident orcas and how you can participate in their recovery.

Donna Sandstrom is the Founder of The Whale Trail, a west coast-wide series of sites to watch whales from shore, In 2002 she was a community organizer on the successful effort to return Springer, an orphaned orca, to her pod. Donna recently served as a member of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force, where she championed solutions to reduce noise and disturbance around the endangered southern resident orcas. Prior to founding The Whale Trail, she was a team and project manager at Adobe Systems. She is the author of “Orca Rescue, the true story of an orphaned orca named Springer” (Kids Can Press 2021), which is a 2025 Sasquatch Award nominee. She is a long-time resident of West Seattle.

P.S. “Orca Rescue” was recently published as an audio book – in which you can hear Springer’s actual calls!

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Play cribbage? New monthly West Seattle opportunity

October 7, 2024 5:17 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Every week we feature dozens of events on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. This week, a new recurring event makes its debut – a community cribbage night! Erik Walum sent the announcement:

Starting Wednesday, October 9th at 6:00 PM, I am starting a cribbage night. The event will be every second Wednesday of the month at the West Seattle Eagles banquet room. It coincides with the club’s weekly taco dinner for the public. All ages are welcome and you don’t need to be a member to participate.

No RSVP needed – just show up. The Eagles are at 4426 California SW in The Junction.

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DOG PARK: Next step toward West Seattle’s second off-leash area – ‘engagement event’ later this month

October 7, 2024 3:29 pm

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| Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(2023 Seattle Parks image of stadium study area for off-leash area)

Half a year after finalizing the location for West Seattle’s second off-leash area, Seattle Parks is inviting you to a “community engagement event” to find out more about it and offer comments. It’s set for 4-6 pm Wednesday, October 23, at West Seattle Stadium (where the new off-leash area will be created in the “unpaved overflow parking lot” south of the stadium). Parks’ announcement of the event says, “SPR’s project team and design consultant will be available to answer questions, present design concepts, and gather valuable community feedback (to) help shape the final design.” The announcement adds, “Attendees are also encouraged to bring their dogs on-leash in costume for a fun treat. SPR will be accepting pet food donations to benefit the Seattle Animal Shelter at the event or you can visit seattle.gov/animal-shelter/get-involved/donate to donate.” Parks says the off-leash area “will include fencing, seating for pet owners, and an environmentally friendly stormwater bioretention area with thoughtful plantings.” The project page says Parks is currently aiming to build the new West Seattle off-leash area in 2026.

P.S. We asked Parks two followup questions about the October 23 event – where exactly at the stadium, and is it strictly “drop-in”? Spokesperson Rachel Schulkin replied, “The gravel overflow parking lot that is usually chained/blocked off. Take the turn off of 35th Ave SW down the driveway toward the stadium/golf course and it will be immediately on the right. We’ll be the first thing people see when they pull into the stadium/golf course driveway so it should be easy to find as if they use the address for the stadium/golf course. And yes, this will be a drop-in event.”

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DEVELOPMENT: Next round of comments for 2236 Alki SW

October 7, 2024 1:42 pm

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| Development | West Seattle news

West Seattle’s been fairly quiet for development applications lately. One project appeared on today’s Land Use Information Bulletin – the six townhouses (with nine parking spaces, as required by the Alki Parking Overlay) planned for 2236 Alki SW [map], replacing the 108-year-old triplex shown above. We reported briefly in May when the project was in early stages; now the project team has formally applied for a Shoreline Substantial Development permit (since it’s across the street from the bay), and that opens a comment period. Today’s notice explains how to send your comment in, deadline November 5.

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ORCAS: Transient killer whales back in the area

October 7, 2024 12:30 pm

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| West Seattle news | Whales

The group of transient killer whales known as the T65Bs are back in the area, Kersti Muul tells us – southbound toward Alki Point at last report.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: The Fine Baking Co. still on the way

October 7, 2024 11:29 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The journey to opening a storefront can be a long one. More than a year has passed since we first told you about baker Chely Smithgall‘s plan to open a storefront for her Fine Baking Co. at 6971 California SW in south Morgan Junction. Her window signage is up but she hasn’t opened yet, so we checked in. She had good news: “We are finally approved! We are working on some last details and running tests on the new equipment, hopefully we’ll be ready in a couple of weeks.” She’s gained a reputation already, selling cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, personalized printed cookies, and other “treats” as a “home baker with a cottage food permit.”

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The list for your West Seattle Monday (updated)

October 7, 2024 9:49 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle online | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jerry Simmons, showing what he called a ‘cloud flower,’ seen ‘blooming’ during Sunday’s sunrise)

Here’s our highlight list for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Visit Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am to 6 pm today, to see the art work community members are showing at the library this month!

COMMUNITY CUP SHOWCASE: Multiple artists’ cup creations, on display all month at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW), open until 2 pm.

SPORTS: The Chief Sealth International High School slow-pitch softball team (6-5) hosts Lincoln for two games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 4 and 5:30 pm.

FOOD TRUCK IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Rotating weekly food-truck visit, 4000 block of SW 107th, 4 pm.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! FOUR places to play tonight – Music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All are invited to free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community also hosts Monday night meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley in back of Bonjour Vietnam is open – tonight you can listen to live music from The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

SING! 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

If you have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Pendant found with photo of baby. Finder hopes for a reunion.

October 7, 2024 9:11 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Though we have a lost/found/non-pets board in the WSB Community Forums, we periodically post unusual discoveries here on the main page, and this is one of those, from Felicia in South Delridge:

Recently when I went out to my car I noticed somebody left a little memorial charm on a nail on my garage. It looks a little banged up, so I’m suspecting somebody found it on the ground and assumed it was mine and left it there for me to find but it does not belong to me. I’m trying to get the word out as wide as I can because sadly, this is a memorial pendant for a small baby. It does not have a name, but the back says “J.H.H.T.T. 08/04/2020 – 10/02/2020”

I’ve attached photos of the charm in hopes it might be published to the blog and be reunited with the person who loved this child.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Monday watch

October 7, 2024 6:00 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:18 AM: Collision blocking 1st Avenue S. and SW Kenyon in southeast West Seattle – involving a truck and a motorcycle; the rider is being taken to the hospital, and crews say there’s a slick to clean up on the street.

Earlier:

6:00 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Monday, October 7th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Becoming sunny, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:17 am, while sunset will be at 6:35 pm.

(Sunday sunrise, photographed by Stewart L.)

ROAD WORK

*SDOT has not announced any dates yet for the remaining work on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project.

*The Highway 99 tunnel will close for maintenance and inspections again next weekend – 10 pm Friday (October 11) to 6 am Sunday (October 13).

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides later this month, exact date TBA. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues too, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat.” Check for alerts here.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

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.

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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