West Seattle, Washington
13 Friday
7:44 AM: Crash is blocking eastbound bridge ramp to NB 99. Texter says a car is “spun sideways.” High bridge traffic is moving very slowly as a result.
7:56 AM: The assigned SFD units just all cleared.
7:59 AM: @SDOTTraffic has finally acknowledged this and spun the bridge camera to look at the scene.
8:08 AM: Ramp still closed, looks like a cleanup crew at the scene.
8:13 AM: Officers just confirmed that to dispatch, saying the crashed car has been towed but the incident-response team is working on a fluid spill.
8:31 AM: New problem – broken-down RapidRide bus reported to be blocking a lane on NB 99 at Atlantic.
8:46 AM: SDOT reports the scene is now clear and the ramp has reopened.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, August 15.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL
Remember that Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school at 35th/Roxbury, is in session.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast, same as yesterday: Cloudy, then clearing, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:06 am, while sunset will be at 8:20 pm.
(Wednesday sunset, photographed by Carol Ann Joyce)
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.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURES
See the schedule here for this week’s planned closures for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project, and remember it’s always subject to last-minute change.
Scheduled tonight: 7 pm-6 am, eastbound left lanes closed, exits to 99, 1st, 4th open.
OTHER ROAD WORK NOTES
*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.
*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders starting this week:
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 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
High Bridge – Here’s the main 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:
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!
9:47 PM: Thanks for the texts and photos. Across Puget Sound, what appears to be a new wildfire is burning on the Olympic Peninsula, visible from West Seattle (as shown above). We’re still looking for specifics. Fred sent this photo from friends in Seabeck [map], looking west across Hood Canal:
UPDATE: Just a moment after we published this – this fire-watching X/Twitter user says it’s fire 2620 and that DNR (the state Department of Natural Resources) is on it.
ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: Texter notes that the Brinnon FD was the initial responder on this. They describe the fire as being on Mount Jupiter and report that DNR has taken over.
ADDED THURSDAY AFTERNOON: Thanks to Lorabeth for that photo of the view from North Admiral last night. Meantime, DNR has sent its first news release about the “2620 Road Fire,” including this:
State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the 2620 Fire located in Jefferson County, near the town of Brinnon. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on August 15, 2024, at 12:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Tim Manly, Brinnon Fire Department.
The 2620 Road Fire started on August 14, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m. This fire is estimated at 150 acres and growing. It is burning in slash and timber and is threatening homes. Level 1 and 2 evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is currently under investigation.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the 2620 Road Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered two strike teams to help aid in containment efforts. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources.
(WSB file photo)
SDOT says it’s giving a “comprehensive review” to a letter three community groups sent regarding the Highland Park Way hill lane-conversion proposal. We’ve been reporting on the proposal since May; SDOT says it plans to convert one downhill driving lane into either a bicycle lane, a new multipurpose path, or both. Here’s the letter sent last month by HPAC, West Seattle Bike Connections, and the Morgan Community Association, spelling out concerns and offering two additional options. Here’s the letter in its entirety:
Dear Highland Park Connection Team, SDOT, & Seattle City Council Transportation Committee Members –
Thank you for the initial round of presentations aimed to improve public safety infrastructure on Highland Park Way SW, AKA Boeing Hill. We appreciate the robust effort you all made to get out into the community of users of this route.
Highland Park Way SW is a major transportation route from West Seattle. Capacity and transportation options for travel by bus, car, truck and bike are critical for resiliency of the transportation network, as we have painfully learned from the recent extended closure of the West Seattle high bridge. Added to the corridor is increasing Single Occupancy Vehicle traffic from the Vashon/Southworth/Fauntleroy ferry route and growing housing density in the region.
Highland Park Way SW is also a key segment of a potential mid-peninsula east-west bike route over the ridges and valleys connecting Morgan Junction, High Point, Delridge, Highland Park and the Duwamish Trail and South Park.
From speaking with SDOT staff and our constituencies over the last month of outreach we all agree with the perception that the hill:
• Encourages vehicle speeding and unsafe driving practices due to the 11% grade.
• Needs better facilities separated from vehicle traffic for those walking, biking and rolling.We also heard numerous remarks regarding the lack of solutions offered by SDOT for improvements. All options put to the public so far were variations of a single idea. Will the agency be listening to the feedback from the public and pivoting to responsive design options, or just checking the “outreach completed†box in their workplan? Working in true partnership with community is a two-way communication.
Concerns we have heard about the design to date:
• Loss of vehicle carrying capacity and lanes needed to stack vehicles at the bottom of the hill as drivers self-sort to access West Marginal, the First Ave South Bridge, SR599 and SR509.
• Unsafe bus/bike/vehicle interactions as coaches stop to serve transit riders.
• Driver fear of head on interactions with opposing traffic.
• Loss of capacity for large semi-trucks, garbage trucks, emergency vehicles, snowplows,
tandem gravel trucks, and the like. While not designated as a “freight routeâ€, the fact of the matter is that it is frequently used as such by delivery vehicles of all sorts and sizes.
• Reduction in resiliency of the route (which is prone to interruption by landslides, downed trees, accidents, etc.) The five lanes at the base of the hill are needed to route traffic around these short and historically long term interruptions as noted by Seattle Police Department.
• As has been stated numerous times in public conversations, this route is an essential option for folks living on the West Seattle peninsula at large to access the rest of the City, providing redundancy in emergency situations such as the closure of the West Seattle High Bridge, low bridge maintenance, etc.
• Pedestrians and drivers fear of road rage incidents from choked off traffic produced in a single lane of downhill traffic.
• Adverse Impacts to egress/ingress for residents on the east side of Highland Park Way who rely on SW Othello St. There are at least 79 households currently that rely on that route to get out of the neighborhood.
• High volumes of runoff water on the roadway surface during rain events causing unsafe conditions for bike-riders.
• Non-intuitive bike riding on the “wrong sideâ€, riding on the left of oncoming bike riders instead of on the right in two-way bike lanes.
• This type of roadway design should not be considered as ‘one size fits all.’ The improvements should be related to the unique hillside conditions as well as the needs of the project.
• We have seen multiple examples of this sort of bicycle mitigation done as “paint-and-post” protected bike lanes on other city streets. Protection for cyclists is minimal, and much of it appears as clutter to our city, with frequent vehicle damage breaking off white poles and creating garbage in the roadway. This is an entry portal into our area, a beautiful greenspace and natural corridor. Any work done should complement this in design and materials and provide robust protection for people biking and walking.
• Our area has been overlooked for decades by the City and lacks infrastructure taken for granted elsewhere. We expect this project to be a step to rectify this in a quality manner.In conclusion, given these concerns, we are not satisfied that this is the best solution that can be attained for the two problems above. We urge SDOT to go back to the drawing board, and suggest study of the following ideas:
Option 4:
• Replace the existing narrow asphalt sidewalk with a wide multi-use path on south side, outside of existing roadway, with a curb separating downhill bike from uphill bike/pedestrian traffic. Unlike the SDOT concepts, put the downhill bike lane on the right of uphill lane (as is the custom in the US).
• Avoid the dangers of bus pullouts into a downhill bike lane as in SDOT concepts. There is plenty of right-of-way width for a good design. Toward the top and at the base of the hill some retaining walls will be needed, some poles will need to be relocated and a small number of trees would need to be removed. It is worth funding a project that meets safety standards and is intuitive, comfortable, and predictable for all users.
• Maintain existing vehicle lane configurations.
• Enforce speed limits with enforcement cameras and police patrols.Option 5:
• Narrow HP Way SW to one vehicle lane at the top of the hill as cars start downhill from the Highland /Holden intersection. Convert the right-hand lane for downhill bike traffic and replace the existing sidewalk with a multi-use path for uphill bike and uphill and downhill pedestrian use.
• As traffic reaches Othello St, move all bike and pedestrian traffic off road to the right onto a widened and improved off-road bike/pedestrian pathway. This allows the bus coaches to pull over to serve the Othello bus stop while letting vehicle drivers pass them to the left. It also keeps this area wider where the most active landslide slopes are on the uphill side.
• As the roadway opens up into two downhill lanes, vehicles will be approaching the curve, where most drivers naturally slow down, keeping traffic speeds down.
• The right of way below Othello Street is much wider at this point and can support a widened bike path without retaining walls until near the base of the hill.Note that Option 5 would cost less than option 4, but is less intuitive for bike riders, requiring either a bike crossover at Othello, or riding on the “wrong side†on the lower section as in SDOT’s options.
We understand that solutions retaining the lower three eastbound downhill traffic lanes may require more work like drainage and retaining walls on the trail, but feel that the option should be studied. We also suggest consideration of automated camera enforcement of the speed limit in any solution proposed.
We also suggest a pilot of any design(s) chosen to go forward that would reduce vehicle roadway width. By installing temporary orange traffic buffers like those recently placed on the 4th Avenue South Bridge drivers can experience the conditions and make further improvement suggestions.
We look forward working together in authentic collaboration to develop a safer route for all.
Highland Park, Riverview & South Delridge Action Coalition (HPAC)
West Seattle Bike Connections (WSBC)
Morgan Community Association (MoCA)
SDOT’s James Le sent the groups an acknowledgment of the letter yesterday, six weeks after they sent it to SDOT; he wrote, “We want to assure you that we have received your letter and we’re taking a comprehensive review. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll get back to you with our response soon.” HPAC’s Kay Kirkpatrick confirmed that was the first they’d heard from SDOT since sending the letter (which you can read in PDF here).
If you know a student who could use some help gearing up for the new school year, they’ll want to be at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle) this Friday afternoon – here’s why:
(2023 photo courtesy 1World1Sky)
1World1Sky is pleased to announce the “Backpack for Kids: Summer Bash†event, taking place in the heart of West Seattle. In collaboration with the Seattle Police Department (SPD), Target, Operation Engage, and other valued community partners, we are hosting an exciting Back-to-School celebration on August 16th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Southwest Teen Life Center.
The event will feature a giveaway of over 600 backpacks filled with essential school supplies, helping families prepare for the upcoming school year. Attendees can also enjoy a range of summer activities, including a BBQ provided by SPD, games, inflatables, a live DJ, and more. With offerings for students from Kindergarten through high school, there’s something for everyone.
We invite you to join us at the Southwest Teen Life Center on August 16th as we celebrate the end of summer and the start of a fantastic school year!
Three updates to share:
SHIPSHIP: If you haven’t been to Jefferson Square lately, you might not know that what used to be The UPS Store is still in operation, with a different name. Here’s what they want you to know:
We are thrilled to announce that The UPS Store has transitioned to an independent shipping store under the new name ShipShip! While our name has changed, our commitment remains the same. We’re still locally owned and operated, with the same friendly staff you know and trust.
As part of their transition celebration, they’re offering BOGO on mailbox services – 3-, 6-, and 12-month plans.
HOMESTREET BANK: You have two more weeks to get into the West Seattle branch (41st/Alaska; WSB sponsor) to see their latest local-organization showcase, for West Seattle Food Bank. Earlier this summer, they showcased Menashe and Sons Jewelers for two months, and Jack Menashe returned (below, with HomeStreet’s Sharon Lingbloom and Andrew Tento) to draw a winner for a gift certificate:
Enter the new HomeStreet drawing when you visit and see what WSFB is offering for a donated prize!
EX-SWINERY OWNERS: Kim promised updates after The Swinery closed, and sent this:
Hello, dear friends and customers. We miss you all so much. I want to give you an update. We are now happily settled in, and working at Elliott Bay Brewery on California Ave. We’ve always loved their food, and their staff are so much fun. We are learning a lot of new things and having an amazing time. Please stop by for a bite, delicious beer and a hug.
(Got a biznote? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!)
Romance-novel lovers have a place to meet their match(es) this Saturday in West Seattle. We just heard about the Emerald City Romance authors and readers event, noon-5 pm Saturday (August 17) in Brockey Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) – promising “author meet-and-greets, book signings, flash tattoo art, and more.” More than 50 authors will be there:
There are two tiers of tickets – $10 general admission, $30 VIP admission to get in early (11 am), both available here. Thanks to one of the participating authors, West Seattle resident Annie Marcus (who’ll be there with her first book “Small Town Romance“), for sending word about the event!
For 30 years, the Seattle Public Library has welcomed volunteers to help local students with their homework during drop-in after-school hours. This year, they’re recruiting volunteers for free Homework Help tutoring at the High Point and South Park branches. Citywide, last school year, SPL says 1,100 students used Homework Help more than 4,400 times, aided by more than 180 volunteers. SPL says 60 percent of the students reported better grades as a result of the help they received. You can be part of kids’ success this year! Here’s what SPL wants prospective volunteers to know:
The Library requests a volunteer commitment for the school year, specifically from Sept. 16, 2024 through June 12, 2025. Volunteer shifts are available Monday through Thursday between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and each shift is approximately two hours.
Volunteers must be 18 or older. Having competence in another language, especially Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali, Oromo and Spanish, is also helpful. The majority of students served by the program are youth of color, with 90% of students reporting their parents speaking a language other than English at home.
Volunteer tutors receive an orientation and additional materials about working with youth and concepts such as social-emotional learning and growth mindset.
During Homework Help sessions, volunteers help students with homework, play learning games, read to students, or work with them on academic worksheets. Volunteers work with students individually and in small groups. High-school students can get help with not just academic subjects but with other priorities such as college essays.
Because Homework Help is a drop-in program, students can show up any day to receive help, and they do not need to have a Library card to attend. Snacks are provided at every Homework Help session, courtesy of The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Hunger Intervention Program.
Can you help? Or, have a question? You can email SPL’s Volunteer Services Coordinator at volunteer@spl.org (and find more info here). They’re hoping to hear from new volunteers ASAP as the new school year approaches, but they do also accept volunteer applications throughout the year.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
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!):
DONATE FOOD! The almost-daily summer food-donation drive continues for one more week at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) – you can drop off nonperishable items until noon.
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: Also at Lincoln Park, the 7-day-a-week wading pool is open noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.
DELRIDGE WADING POOL: Also open today, next to Delridge Community Center, noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
TODDLER STORY TIME AT THE LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
SUMMER OF LEARNING CELEBRATION: Kids who participated in the Summer of Learning program are invited, with their families, to a celebration 3-4:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).
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 RUNS: 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.
FULL FIT INFO NIGHT: Also at West Seattle Runner, 6:30 pm, info night for the Full Fit free group-training program to get ready for a full 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).
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 6:30 pm pre-meeting program spotlights Get Out The Vote work with Postcards to Voters; 7:30 pm meeting includes half-hour Town Hall with County Executive Dow Constantine and Deputy County Executive Shannon Braddock, plus endorsement votes. In-person meeting at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds).
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.
ALKI UCC CONCERT SERIES: Tonight at 7 pm, <strong>Eric Likkel Trio (jazz) in the side courtyard. Free but $20 donation suggested for the musicians. (6115 SW Hinds)
MUSIC BINGO X 2: Two options! Play weekly 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!
(West Seattle Grand Parade 2024 photo courtesy Endolyne Children’s Choir)
Maybe you saw them in the West Seattle Grand Parade, or in The Junction before last December’s tree lighting? The Endolyne Children’s Choir serenades much of West Seattle each year, and young singers interested in being part of it are invited to register for the choir’s fall season. Registration for singers in grades K-12 opens at 10 this morning; here’s what the choir promises:
Our fall session will offer singers a rich experience of the sights and sounds of the season. Students will embark upon an autumnal musical adventure, with songs delving into the traditions and harvests of the fall. The journey continues with singers showcasing the beauty of the holiday season in our spectacular “Winter Fantasy” performance. Along the way, choristers will explore different modalities and diverse musical styles, while making friends, having fun, and honing ensemble skills
You’ll find the registration link on the choir’s main webpage.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, August 14.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL
Today Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school at 35th/Roxbury, becomes the first West Seattle school to start 2024-2025 classes.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast: Cloudy, then clearing, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:04 am, while sunset will be at 8:22 pm.
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.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURES
See the schedule here for this week’s planned closures for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project, and remember it’s always subject to last-minute change.
Scheduled tonight: 7 pm-6 am, eastbound left lanes closed, exits to 99, 1st, 4th open.
OTHER ROAD WORK NOTES
*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.
*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders starting this week:
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 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
High Bridge – Here’s the main 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:
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!
(WSB photo, July)
If you went to Summer Fest – whether for three minutes, three hours, or all three days – the West Seattle Junction Association has a few questions for you. Answer their survey and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a Junction gift card. Most are yes/no questions but two are open-ended, so you can provide festival feedback to help them make it better. Here’s the survey link!
(First two photos by Steven Director)
Thanks for the photos! This turned some heads in the Alki area this afternoon, particularly once it was airborne:
Information in the top photo points to two websites, neither Seattle-based – the Airtime Aircraft site (Florida) says this is a “Light Sport Amphibious Trike,” calling it “The Perfect Recreational Aircraft.”
(Photo by Javier Fosado)
This one is registered in Florida, too, to Amphibian Air, whose social media page mentions a road trip – with a photo taken here today – but no details (we’re sending a message to ask).
ADDED: Dave responded to our message with this comment below, saying he’s in the area offering “introductory flights.”
One week after voting ended in our state’s primary, the vote-counting is mostly done, though the election results won’t be certified for another week. We’re checking back on a few races of note:
CITY COUNCIL CITYWIDE POSITION 8: Whoever wins in November gets to serve the final year of this unexpired term – and then next fall there’s a vote for a full four-year term. Challenger Alexis Mercedes Rinck will be on the November ballot along with appointed incumbent Councilmember Tanya Woo; none of the other three candidates got out of single digits. Current count for the top two, with 43 percent citywide turnout:
Alexis Mercedes Rinck – 98,902 – 50.17%
Tanya Woo – 75,684 – 38.39%
STATE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS: There’s been some suspense about whether the November contest would be between two Republicans, but King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove of Des Moines, a Democrat, has been holding onto second place for a few days now. Current count for the top three:
Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) – 408,179 – 21.9%
Dave Upthegrove (D) – 390,973 – 20.98%
Sue Kuehl Pederson (R) – 385,510 – 20.68%
STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL: West Seattleite Nick Brown, a Democrat and former U.S. Attorney, is headed for the general against Republican Pete Serrano, mayor of Pasco. Current count for the top two:
Pete Serrano (R) – 792,016 – 41.82%
Nick Brown (D) – 672,076 – 35.48%
34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE: Though each race has only two candidates, they were on the primary ballot (and will be on the November ballot too) because that’s the law for partisan races, so here’s a look at the current count for both seats:
Position 1
Emily Alvarado (D)* – 37,746 -86.45%
Kimberly M. Cloud (R) – 5,820 – 13.33%
Position 2
Joe Fitzgibbon (D)* – 37,418 – 85.36%
Jolie Lansdowne (R) – 6,366 – 14.52%
If you’re interested in seeing how the results have evolved over the week, here’s what these races looked like after the first count last Tuesday.
P.S. Updated state results are here; updated King County results are here.
(Photo via Instagram)
A decade after opening his fly-fishing-and-more-for-outdoors shop at 42nd/Oregon, Dave McCoy has landed a new, more-visible location for Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor). But he’s staying in The Junction – Emerald Water Anglers’ new home will be the former Bin 41 space at 4707 California SW. He’s doing extensive work on the space right now (photo above), planning to be open there in late September. Though the EWA store dates back to 2014, Dave’s business, with guide services as well as full-service fly-fishing outfitting, started long before that, in 1999. EWA also offers classes and hosts events including book launches and film screening, along with selling fishing gear and outdoor apparel. So look for all that in the new space this fall; meantime, you can still visit EWA’s original location at 4502 42nd SW (which is now officially up for lease).
Thanks to the anonymous reader who sent that photo of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as it passed West Seattle, headed for Bremerton, this past hour. It’ll be homeported there while getting work done at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard; for almost a decade, it’s been homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. The carrier was last seen here in 2013, when it was headed for San Diego.
The development files have been fairly quiet lately, aside from townhouse projects, which aren’t always noteworthy, but this is an exception, as it’s one of the larger such projects we’ve seen in a while, and on a high-visibility site: Two years after the sale of three 80-year-old duplexes across from Cormorant Cove Park, there’s an early-stage redevelopment plan. Nine 3-bedroom townhouses, with nine offstreet parking spaces, are proposed to replace the boxy duplexes on the corner of Beach Drive SW and SW Orleans (which hold the official addresses 3702-3708 Beach and 6011 Orleans). Seven units would face Beach, two would face Orleans. These are the last un-redeveloped parcels on the inland side of the 3700 block of Beach Drive. A Seattle investment entity affiliated with architecture firm MG2 – whose name is on the site plan – bought the site for $3 million in 2022.
August is usually a time of few community meetings, but there are exceptions, and tomorrow night brings one of them. The 34th District Democrats‘ monthly meeting is happening in-person at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), 7:30 pm Wednesday following a 6:30 pm pre-meeting presentation. During the regular meeting, County Executive Dow Constantine and Deputy County Executive Shannon Braddock – both West Seattleites – are scheduled for a half-hour mini Town Hall. Also on the agenda – though the group has already made most of its endorsement votes for the year, its endorsed presidential candidate is no longer running, so they’ll be voting on whether to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris‘s candidacy. A few other issues are up for endorsement votes too. Only members can vote, but the meeting is open to all to attend, non-members included.
(Photo by Steve Bender, who believes that’s a California Little Blue Butterfly)
Here’s our highlight list for the rest of today/tonight, as shown on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (send us your event any time – westseattleblog@gmail.com):
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open daily through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: Also just under (corrected) three weeks left to visit 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: Also at Lincoln Park, the wading pool is expected to be open today, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area, with sunbreaks and 70-degree weather due this afternoon.
E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL: Also open noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm weekly meeting, with public comment in person or online – the agenda explains how. Mid-year budget issues are the key items today. Watch via Seattle Channel.
FREE DROP-IN CLIMBING: Another chance to try out Schurman Rock at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) – two free sessions, 5 pm and 6:30 pm, with signups starting half an hour before the session begins.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm Tuesdays all summer, bring the little one(s) to Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW) for storytime plus a garden activity.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm tonight, play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: All runners welcome! Meet up at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – weekly Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Planning an event? Are community members invited? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Winning teams: The Admiral Pie Rats; Lucy & Annie’s Big Adventure; Bean House; and, We’re FINE!)
The annual Summer Scramble treasure hunt is over, after a fun four days for searchers and participating businesses. Organizer Alice Kuder shares this wrap-up announcement:
Eighty-one teams participated in the second annual Summer Scramble Treasure Hunt, which ran from Aug. 1st-4th here in West Seattle. Scramblers searched for twenty-five locations, following clues provided by the hunt orchestrator, Alice Kuder. Hunters who sent in selfies showing themselves in front of the correct locations qualified for prize treasure chests filled with booty donated by generous local businesses.
Eleven teams solved all twenty-five clues, and 510 selfies were submitted in all. A drawing determined the four teams that won treasure chests. They are: The Admiral Pie Rats; Lucy & Annie’s Big Adventure; Bean House; and, We’re FINE!
As with the annual Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt, Summer Scramble is designed to provide fun for everyone and to promote lesser-known local businesses spread across West Seattle neighborhoods. Both annual events are orchestrated by Alice Kuder, Preparedness Coach with Just in Case, and REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, as her gift to the community.
Please show your appreciation to the following businesses that helped make this event happen. West Seattle is the best Seattle!
Shug’s Soda Fountain, Dumplings of Fury, Alki Aloha Style Salon, Mis Fit Strength Studio, Rush Hour, Alki Beach Academy, Meat the Live Butcher, Banh Mi XO, Nacho Mama’s Fry Bread Café, Center Sign Shop, Swedish Automotive, Good Day Donuts, West Seattle Bowl, West of Chicago Pizza, West Seattle Wonder Dogs, Ounces Taproom, Admiral Theater, Kenyon Hall, The Kenney, Seattle Sorbets, The Birdhouse, and Avalon Glassworks.
Reema Rafii, REALTOR® with eXp Realty, and Randy Winn also provided valuable assistance with this year’s Scramble.
Watch for word of Winter Wander when the holiday season approaches!
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, August 13.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast: Cloudy, high around 70. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:03 am, while sunset will be at 8:23 pm.
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.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURES
See the schedule here for this week’s planned closures for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project, and remember it’s always subject to last-minute change (last night, in fact, the two left EB lanes weren’t closed after all).
OTHER ROAD WORK NOTES
*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders starting this week:
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.
*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
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!
Police checking out reports of possible gunfire have found confirmation of it. They have found “bullet damage to a street sign” and a “bullet fragment” at 29th and Kenyon. 911 got at least three calls – and we got a text – hearing what was described as “rapid gunshots … followed by a single shot,” just before 11:30 pm. No report of injuries.
A busier-than-usual Sunday news stream swept away our chance to show you this until now, but it’s too cute to just skip. Every August, the Neighborhood Farmers’ Markets offer kids the chance to use free zucchinis and accessories to build and race “vegetable vehicles,” and yesterday was West Seattle kids’ turn. Above is our video of two young racers giving it a try. Volunteers, including members of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, helped kids pick out the components:
Then, the task of creating that “vegetable vehicle”:
And the final touches before moving on to the track:
The Zucchini 500 is on its way next to the farmers’ markets in Lake City, Columbia City, and Magnolia.
(WSB file photo)
Eight years ago, we reported on Azuma Sushi in The Junction closing on Sundays after 16 years of being open every single day. Now, owners Harry and Jennifer are going to get a more extensive break – they’re retiring, after running their restaurant for almost a quarter-century! But Azuma Sushi will stay open, and will even bring back sit-down dining. Here’s the announcement sent to us:
Azuma Sushi Transitioning to New Ownership
In some ways, it seems like only yesterday that we first opened our doors. But January 18, 2000 is more than twenty four and a half years ago now! Starting from that very first day, West Seattle has welcomed us with open arms, and we are so grateful to our customers, old and new, for helping us build a successful business, and really, achieve the American dream. You have been with us through so many ups and downs through the years, and we couldn’t have done it without your support. That is especially true of the recent pandemic, which tested all of us so much. It has been such a joy to get to know you, see your kids grow up, and become friends with you. Our family, including our kids (who you may remember helping out from time to time), has so many fond memories of the times we all shared together.
That is why it is bittersweet to announce that we are retiring, and that Azuma Sushi will be transitioning to new ownership. August 30th will be our last day. After that, Azuma will be closed for about a month, until the reopening date of September 28th. Don’t worry, we are keeping things in the Azuma family and will be around in the fall (with reduced hours!) to help with the transition to new ownership. We are excited to see where Jenny (a former waitress that many of you probably remember) will take things and know that you will be excited to once again be able to dine in at Azuma. We hope that you will embrace the new Azuma and that it can continue to be a part of the West Seattle community for many years to come.
Thank you, again, from the bottom of our hearts. It has been a pleasure to serve you, and we will miss seeing you all.
– Harry and Jennifer
Azuma Sushi is at 4533 California SW.
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