West Seattle, Washington
13 Friday
(#23 Olivia LaForest boots a shot on goal)
Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Special to West Seattle Blog
Tonight, the Chief Sealth International High School girls’ soccer team took on the Sultan Turks in Division 2A postseason play.
It was a cold, crisp night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. For the first half,
the Sealth girls dominated the time of possession and fired off several promising shots on goal. The Sultan goalie stood strong until, with under 5 minutes to play in the half, freshman Olivia LaForest rocketed a shot off the goalie and then punched in the rebound. The Sealth Seahawks led 1-0 at half-time. The home team pulled away in the second half as Sultan could not keep pace with the athleticism and superior footwork of the Seahawks.
(Head coach Mike Rillo with three-goal Riley Yip)
Senior Riley Yip repeatedly broke through the Sultan defense on the way to scoring 3 unanswered goals. Final score: Sealth 4-0 over Sultan. Sealth’s next game is at (updated) 5 pm on Wednesday night at NCSWAC against Lindbergh. The winner of Wednesday night’s game is guaranteed a slot in the State tournament.
Haven’t voted yet? Planning to use a USPS box instead of a King County Elections dropbox? A longtime reader who is also a letter carrier based out of a West Seattle post office has advice for you – anonymously since they’re not authorized to officially speak for USPS. Here’s the note they sent us:
I would like you to remind the people on the West Seattle Blog that they can drop their ballots off in any USPS collection box tomorrow. Remember that these boxes have specific pickup times located on the box by the mail slot, letting the consumers know the earliest that the designated carrier can pick up the mail in that collection box.
We are advised at the 98116 station that we will be doing multiple pickups on our collection box with most carriers picking up right before their 8-hour shift (~3:15 pm). I would highly advise people to not use the collection boxes after 3:00 pm as we cannot guarantee any ballots deposited at the time to be postmarked Nov 5 as they may not be serviced again at this time. (I cannot count how times many ballots I have collected the next day that will not be counted because of not being postmarked on the correct day.) After 3:00 pm I would recommend voters to drop off at any ballot dropbox locations or any mail carrier they see on the streets after 3:00 pm. Routinely the last truck leaving for the plant is ~5:30 pm but I assure you there will most likely be a late one running because of the Nov 5 elections.
We at the USPS in Washington State take great pride in being part of one of the fairest ways of holding an election. We have made great effort and work long hours to deliver ballots and information to the general registered voters and it would be a shame if we did not pass on this information in regards to our collection boxes. Thank you for your time and consideration on this sensitive but important matter.
P.S. County stats show 62 percent of ballots so far have come in via drop box, 37 percent via USPS.
That’s the scene Jeff Helman caught at Constellation Park as gusty winds blew from the southwest for a while today. Not too much trouble this time around – here’s a different view on the water, from James Bratsanos:
Tomorrow’s weather, much calmer – chance of showers, partly sunny, single-digit windspeed.
From north to south, coyotes’ resurgence continues in West Seattle. Here are the most-recent reports we’ve received:
HIGHLAND PARK COYOTE: Just received via text this morning, Jessica spotted a coyote on their camera about 10 pm Sunday near 20th/Holden.
“I do see a lot of cats roaming around ,, might be good to share (another) announcement,” Jessica suggested.
JUNCTION-AREA COYOTE: From Micah:
Early (Thursday) morning, caught a coyote next to my house in the Junction. First time I’ve seen one in the Junction. I was in my car, 39th between Genesee and Dakota 3 am Thursday morning, Halloween. It was dark and of course they’re pretty elusive.
GATEWOOD COYOTES: Last Sunday via text: “Just saw two coyotes cross 35th Ave SW at Myrtle heading west.”
NORTH ADMIRAL COYOTE: From Greg, a recent North Admiral sighting:
We share coyote videos and photos (scroll through our archive here) for awareness and education, not alarm; here’s one of many info-sheets with advice on co-existence.
Less than 28 hours remain to vote! Above is the ballot dropbox at Morgan Junction Park (6400 block of California SW), where portable lighting and no-parking signage are in place, looking ahead to tomorrow. Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker has talked with King County Elections about requesting traffic control for election night, particularly out of concern for pedestrian safety. She’s been told they expect plain-clothes security at the box as well as a nonprofit organization to mediate any confrontations or disputes. At least one local political group is expected to have monitors there too. Another reminder – you need to get your ballot to a dropbox by 8 pm sharp tomorrow. West Seattle has four, all mapped here along with the others around the county. We don’t have full election-night details for the others but we know traffic control is expected near The Junction’s box starting around 12:30 pm and that the High Point Library box also has portable lighting and no-parking signage in the vicinity.
P.S. As of about 4 pm, 59 percent of Seattle voters’ ballots had been received by KC Elections. The first and only KCE count on Election Night usually happens around 8:15 pm.
Thanks for the tips on an update from the parent company of JaK’s Grill about their impending move:
We first wrote almost two months ago about a new tenant for the ex-Lodge space at 4209 SW Alaska; commenters said JaK’s Grill planned to move there from its original nearby location, and we soon discovered a permit filing confirming that. Now the parent company 509 Hospitality has revealed more in a newsletter update:
After nearly 25 years, JaK’s Grill West Seattle is moving across Alaska Street to the former Lodge space! This new location gives us the chance to bring you an even better dining experience in a bright, modern setting—while still staying in the neighborhood we love. Although we initially planned to renovate our current space, this opportunity felt like the perfect fit.
We’ll keep things running through the transition, with a short closure in late March 2025 before reopening in early April. Come by our original spot before the move, and join us in April for the same great food and drinks in a refreshing environment.
The Lodge closed at the end of last year.
(Saturday image from SDOT camera looking west across low bridge)
On Saturday, we reported on the West Seattle low bridge going out of service for hours. Following up today with SDOT, we learned from spokesperson Mariam Ali that this all traces back to the September crash that closed it for six days:
We’re still uncovering small electrical issues that have arisen since the crash into the barrier. It seems the impact has caused an intermittent electrical short, which is tripping the fuse. The sporadic nature of this problem has made it tough to diagnose.
Additionally, there’s another intermittent issue that led to longer closures, like the one we saw on Saturday. This problem involves the controller mistakenly registering that the barrier is fully closed when it isn’t. The root of the issue lies in a mechanical gear that triggers a limit switch as the barrier opens and closes. Sometimes, this gear can slip or skip a tooth, throwing it out of sync with the gate’s movement. We’re continually making adjustments to minimize this movement and keep the gear aligned, but the problem persists.
We are working with the barrier manufacturer to find a more permanent fix.
Texter reports brown water in the Arroyos/Arbor Heights area. Nothing on the Seattle Public Utilities water-outage map. Any time this happens, be sure to report it to SPU at 206-386-1800 (and let us know too).
10:51 AM: Thanks to KT for the tip. 223 :customers are out on the south side of Roxbury from roughly 20th to 27th; KT reports the 26th/Roxbury light is out. According to the City Light power-outage map, this started about half an hour ago; no listed cause yet, but that coincided with a burst of strong wind. It’s the only sizable outage so far in the city.
12:53 PM: Restored.
(SDOT camera image, California/Alaska)
Here’s our highlight list – mostly indoors! – for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FOOD/CLOTHING DRIVE CONTINUES: Second week of the dropoff drive at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW) to benefit students and families served by the Care Center, until 4 pm.
BABY STORY TIME: Noon-12:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
NATURALIZATION INFORMATION: Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) hosts an info session with city, federal, and nonprofit organizations’ representatives to provide information and answer questions, 4 pm.
SPORTS: One girls-soccer postseason home match today (if there’s no rainout) – Chief Sealth IHS hosts Sultan, 5 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
HOLY FAMILY BILINGUAL SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 5:30 to 7 pm, prospective families are welcome to visit the school at 20th/Roxbury.
GREATER WEST SEATTLE MIDDLE SCHOOL INFO NIGHT: As previewed here last night, more than 10 middle schools – not just from West Seattle, but also from Burien and Vashon among other places – will have reps in one place to answer your questions, 6-7:15 pm at the Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle) gym.
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, including first-time players.
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm evening group with Listening to Grief, preregistration required. (4034 California SW)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Four places to play tonight – Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm sessions … 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: You’re 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 – Monday nights, live music from The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
SING! 9 pm is the start time 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!
With steady rain, you never know what’s going to float past on Puget Sound. RJB emailed from Beach Drive to report, Nice paddle board with attached paddle just swept by heading toward Emma Schmitz Overlook. Northbound.” No pic, but if you’re missing one, there’s where to start your search
The West Seattle High School PTSA invites you to a showcase of student talent at its fall fundraiser in a week and a half, launching this year’s “direct give” drive. Along with buying tickets, there are three other ways to help, per the PTSA’s announcement:
Celebrate WSHS at the PTSA Fall Fundraiser
Join Us for a Showcase of Student Talent
Friday, November 15, WSHS Commons, 5–7 pm, $20 TicketsWe’re kicking off our Direct Give donation drive with a “happy hour” celebration of West Seattle High! Explore student art, music, and drama. Your ticket includes appetizers prepared by our culinary arts students and one mocktail. Come celebrate, while raising money to fund grant requests from staff and students. Bid on generously donated auction items and raise your paddle for our school!
Donations Needed: Please consider a donation for our auction.
Sponsor This Event: Check out our sponsorship packages.
Volunteers Needed: Sign up here for set-up, clean-up, and everything in between.
Can’t Make the Party? Make a gift directly on the PTSA website.
The PTSA’s other fundraising events include the West Seattle 5K – save the date for that, May 18, 2025!
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, November 4, the first weekday since the fall time change, last day before Election Day..
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Rainy and windy, southwest gusts up to 33 mph, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:59 am, while sunset will be at 4:46 pm.
ROAD WORK
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is now closed after the Friday switchover, with one lane each way on the north 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 striping closure planned for today has been canceled because of the weather.
TRANSIT
Washington State Ferries today – Regular 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Sealth back as the unscheduled third boat; check here for last-minute changes.
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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