West Seattle, Washington
13 Friday
Earlier this week, we noted in this light-rail-related story that a Sound Transit meeting was penciled into the Alki Masonic Lodge calendar for October 1, observing that was perhaps a hint at the timeline for the long-awaited Final Environmental Impact Statement release. Now it’s official – the Final EIS will be out on September 20, and ST has three information sessions planned, including October 1 at the Masonic Center. Here’s the full announcement from ST:
We are excited to share that the West Seattle Link Extension (WSLE) Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be published on Sept. 20, 2024! We appreciate the years of engagement with the community that have gotten us to this point.
The Final EIS includes updates based on continued design and comments received on the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) Draft EIS and responds to substantive public, agency, and Tribal comments (project-wide comments and comments specific to WSLE) submitted during the WSBLE Draft EIS comment period. The Final EIS will be available online on Sept. 20.
In the weeks following publication of the Final EIS, the Sound Transit Board will consider action to select the project to be built, based on years of technical analysis and community feedback, bringing us one step closer to providing fast, reliable new light rail connections to residential and job centers in the SODO, Delridge, and West Seattle neighborhoods. We will share more about Board meetings in future email updates. In the meantime, we will be hosting drop-in events to share information about the project and answer your questions. You can visit the drop-in sessions at any time to review materials and talk with staff.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, West Seattle
Spanish, Vietnamese, and Somali interpretation will be provided.When: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Ave SW, West Seattle
Spanish and Vietnamese interpretation will be provided.When: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Gallery B612, 1915 First Ave. S, SODO
The first ST Board meeting after the release will be 1:30 pm September 26 (board members regularly meet on fourth Thursdays); the agenda will be published here. The Draft EIS was published in January 2022.
1:13 PM: Thanks for the tips. One of today’s biggest international stories is the death of 26-year-old American citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, reported to have been shot by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, during what the Associated Press describes as “a weekly demonstration against settlement expansion.” The UK-based Daily Mail was first to note that Ms. Eygi listed herself on social media as having attended West Seattle High School. A texter tells us they remember her from the Class of 2016’s junior year and sent the yearbook photo shown at right. We have an inquiry out to Seattle Public Schools. We’ll add whatever more we find out.
3:06 PM: Multiple readers also have mentioned that Ms. Eygi attended other local schools including Alki Elementary and Madison MS. Her family is not speaking publicly, according to this statement from the organization with which she was volunteering, the International Solidarity Movement. The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) says in a news release that Ms. Eygi graduated this year from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Middle Eastern languages and cultures.
ADDED: A statement attributed to Ms. Eygi’s family has been posted on social media by a close friend. In it, they ask the U.S. government for an independent investigation into their daughter’s killing.
12:07 PM: Thanks for the tips. SDOT crews are installing West Seattle’s newest speed cushions today – including what are, we believe, the first ones ever built on California Avenue SW (not counting the raised crosswalks in The Junction). Above is the newly installed set on California just south of Myrtle, and below is the outline for a set just north of Myrtle:
SDOT also is installing speed cushions/humps on Myrtle west of California. This is all part of Safe Routes to School traffic calming around Gatewood Elementary – we hadn’t received a specific construction notice but found this mention nested in the “current projects” list on the SRTS website:
Speed humps and all-way stops on SW Myrtle St, SW Frontenac, and California Ave SW near Gatewood Elementary (expected in 2024 or 2025)
The all-way stops on Myrtle were already in. We’re checking with SDOT for more specifics.
12:51 PM: SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali tells WSB that these weren’t expected to be installed until early next year but the crew managed to accelerate. She sent a map of all the new speed cushions in this round:
(Alki’s famous ‘flower houses,’ photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always preview what’s ahead for the coming days and weeks):
SSC GARDEN CENTER: As fall approaches, plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, now until 3 pm. Plus, until 2:30 pm, while you’re there, you can visit The Otter Pup for coffee, ice cream, and other treats!
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: 1-6 pm, open in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
SANISLO ELEMENTARY BACK TO SCHOOL BASH: 5 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), with The Tim Turner Band onstage at 6 pm.
VISCON CELLARS: The tasting room/wine bar is open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
ICE CREAM POP-UP AT OUNCES: Perfect timing for a cool treat! 5:30-8:30 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), Lil’ Dipper pops up with hand-dipped cones.
POTTERS’ NIGHT AT THE CLAY CAULDRON: 6:30-9 pm, guided projects or bring your own, $40; our calendar listing explains how to RSVP. (5214 Delridge Way SW)
AT KENYON HALL: Doors at 7 pm for Mary Flower with Doc Stein and Spud Siegel. Check here for tickets/reservations. (7904 35th SW)
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Songwriters’ Showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Amelia Day stops at ESR on her West Coast tour, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
MEET THE ARTIST: Reception for Marci Carlson at Spruce Hill Winery (2960 4th Ave. S., SODO; WSB sponsor), 7 pm. Contact info@sprucehillwinery.com for a reservation!
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
MAKE IT LOUD: Tonight’s bands at Southgate Roller Rink are Mother Root, Contraband Countryband, Guilty Bystander. 9 pm doors, $18 cover, $5 skates, 21+. (9646 17th SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Lady Coco! (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
Anything missing? If you have something else to add to our event lists and calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather Monday to remember Gladyne Douglas, and are sharing this remembrance with her community:
Gladyne Rose Douglas passed away peacefully in West Seattle on August 16, 2024 at the age of 90. It was exactly eight months after the passing of her loving husband, Richard “Dick,†of 70 years.
Gladyne is survived by her five children: Debbie Valentine, Steve Douglas (Terry), Deanne “Coco†Douglas, Susie Szatkowski (John), David Douglas (Laura); eleven grandchildren: Curtis, Jr. (Sara) and Dennon Douglas-Majors; Chad, Rory (Laura Belle), Brady (Samantha), and Jake Douglas; Natalie Ceis (Nate); Jason and Matthew Szatkowski; Benjamin and William Douglas; and four great-grandchildren: Curtis Douglas-Majors III; Cormac, Augustin, and Jett Douglas. She was preceded in death by her sister Geri Thibodeau (Joe), along with her loving husband Dick.
Gladyne was born on January 25, 1934 in Seattle, to Guido and Annie Lucchesini. They moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming when she was about 2 years old, and her sister Geri was born there when she was 7. They relocated frequently within California, moving to Burlingame, where she stayed until she was 12. Then they relocated back to West Seattle, where her father took over the family business, The Delridge Tavern. Gladyne attended Holy Rosary High School, an all-girls school at that time. She went on to attend the University of Washington (UW) for 2 years, where she studied business and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. During her time there, she formed lifelong friendships with many of her sorority sisters.
At fourteen, as a cheerleader for Seattle Prep, she first laid eyes on Dick Douglas at a Seattle Prep football game and developed a serious crush on him, though she was too young to date. During Rush of her Freshman year at UW, Dick, a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, caught sight of her. It was during her sophomore year that they finally became acquainted. Their first date was in February, and by March, Dick had given her his fraternity pin. In October of that same year, Dick proposed to Gladyne.
During Dick’s leave from the Army, he and Gladyne were married on December 26, 1953, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle. Following the wedding, they traveled to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where Dick was stationed. They settled into the officers’ quarters, and Gladyne was absolutely thrilled to leave her parents’ house behind. However, after six months, Dick was deployed to Korea, and Gladyne returned to Seattle to live with her family. Dick returned when their first child was nearly one month old; they settled in West Seattle; and Dick began his career with Boeing.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Gladyne and Dick raised their growing family together. Gladyne excelled as a Master bridge player, a seamstress, and an upholsterer. She was an avid reader who also enjoyed playing board games and cards with friends and family. In 1971, she launched a successful career as a realtor with Sound Investments, a challenging feat in a male-dominated industry at that time. Known for her integrity and honesty, Gladyne earned a strong reputation in West Seattle, securing numerous sales awards and the trust of many clients. Despite her success, she chose to leave real estate in 1984 to accompany Dick to Saudi Arabia for a Boeing assignment.
Gladyne and Dick spent two years in Saudi Arabia until 1986, where they explored many exotic destinations across the Middle East. During this period, Gladyne traveled with a women’s group to India, with the highlight being a meeting with Mother Teresa. Upon returning from Saudi Arabia, she reentered the real estate field for two years before retiring for good. Dick retired in 1990, and they split their time between summers in Seattle and winters in Sun City West, Arizona, where Gladyne had many hobbies, a few being: volunteering within the community, participating in bridge tournaments, and playing tennis.
Gladyne had a deep appreciation for the arts, from museums and theatre to symphony performances. Each year, she and Dick looked forward to their annual trips to Ashland, Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival.
Gladyne had a true gift for making every holiday and special occasion memorable. Her wonderful cooking and eye for making everything look beautiful created an atmosphere of warmth and joy at every gathering. A woman of strong Catholic faith, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Whether she was hosting friends and family at her home or simply enjoying time with loved ones, her vibrant spirit and positive outlook touched everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed by all.
Her funeral will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 11 am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Douglas residence.
To share your condolences and memories of Terry, visit www.emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Gladyne-Douglas
(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)
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, September 6.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The National Weather Service‘s Heat Advisory alert for our area continues until 11 tonight. Thursday had a record high, 90 at SEA; today’s forecast calls for hazy sunshine, high in the 80s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:35 am, while sunset will be at 7:38 pm.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT WEEKEND PARTIAL CLOSURE, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE
*This week’s work on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project concludes with an all-weekend half-closure:
*First, the two inside eastbound lanes will be closed 7-10 pm tonight. Then, for the rest of the weekend, 10 pm Friday to as late as 5 am Monday:
EB Full Closure
EB Off-Ramp to NB SR-99 OPEN.
1st Ave Off-Ramp Open
4th Ave Off-Ramp Closed
WB Inside Left Lane Closure
NB I-5 Off-Ramp to WB Spokane Viaduct Closed
Ramp to Lower Spokane St will remain open
Other projects:
*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).
SODO WEEKEND NOTE
Seahawks‘ season opener Sunday, hosting Denver at Lumen Field, 1:05 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule for both routes. Later runs tonight since it’s Friday.
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!
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
The West Seattle High School football season started with the usual exuberance Thursday, as the team burst onto the field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex flying both a Wildcat flag and American flag, ready to face their visitors from Bainbridge HS. The weather was perfect; supporters were in the stands:
And a sizable cheer team was there to lend their support.
The first quarter was more about defense than offense – a busy night for #13, junior LJ Moody, started with an early stop.
Midway through the quarter, the Spartans were first to score, with a field goal. Late in the quarter, the Wildcats got closer to the end zone than they’d made it previously, thanks in part to a big carry by #2, senior Sam Turner:
But time ran out and the 1st ended with the score still Bainbridge 3, WSHS 0. Head coach Anthony Stordahl‘s team got their one and only touchdown in the second quarter.
Credit that to #12, sophomore Desmond Parkinson:
#34, junior kicker Scott Bremen, got the extra point:
And that gave West Seattle the edge at halftime, 7-3. But they lost the lead with 5:56 left in the third quarter, when Bainbridge got a TD (though the Wildcats kept the Spartans from scoring the point after), followed by another less than half a minute later. Bainbridge added one more midway through the fourth quarter, and the Wildcats just couldn’t get a comeback going; final score was Bainbridge 23, West Seattle 7.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Wildcats host Interlake, 7:30 pm Friday, September 13, at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
(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).
In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
REPEAT MAIL THIEF BACK IN JAIL: We’ve reported before on 40-year-old Jason A. Turner, mostly in connection with Delridge-area mail theft, most recently in 2021. Tonight he is in jail again after a series of incidents in Westwood, at the end of which police say he was found in possession of “a large (amount) of mail.” He is not yet charged but we are identifying him because he is still in Department of Corrections “community custody” as the result of a sentence in previous mail-theft convictions.
The Westwood incidents started with a woman calling to report that a man had broken into her fenced yard and knocked on her window while he stood outside her house, exposing and touching his genitals. Before police caught up with him, he was reported to have engaged in the same behavior a few blocks away, in two Westwood Village stores, Spirit Halloween and Marshall’s. Officers found Turner in the center parking lot. In addition to the mail found on him, they also found “a photocopy of a passport and a Social Security card.” That was basis to book him for investigation of identity theft, as well as – for the first incident – investigation of burglary with sexual motivation. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney says they asked for $100,000 bail and the judge set the amount at $50,000. Meantime, a DOC spokesperson tells us that Turner has been serving “a 12-month term in Community Custody on five counts of Possession of Stolen Mail. His supervisory period is scheduled to end on 2/28/2025.” (Since he’s in the state system, that’s why we have access to a mugshot.) Court records indicated that followed a three-month jail sentence. We’ll find out tomorrow if he’s charged in this new case and what happens next. Conditions of his community custody – Washington’s version of probation – include “not to possess others’ mail or financial information.”
Also in Crime Watch tonight – two robberies disclosed in summaries from the holiday weekend, released by SPD today:
MONDAY MARIJUANA ROBBERY: Police say this happened at a marijuana business in the 6900 block of West Marginal Way SW at 5:30 pm. Three people held up an employee at gunpoint and threatened to kill him if he didn’t let them inside, the summary says, adding that the employee’s wife – “who works inside, allowed the suspects in to save her husband’s life.” They left with “bins of marijuana, approximate value of $15,000,” in a vehicle, no description of it or them in the summary.
FRIDAY HOME-INVASION ATTEMPT: This summary says that just after 4 am in the 5400 block of 17th SW, would-be home invaders tried to pry open and kick down a door; they were gone before police arrived. Officers say “it was discovered that an unreported home invasion occurred here the week prior. … During that incident, victim found suspects inside home with younger sibling, holding them at gunpoint. They demanded jewelry known to be owned by the victim. They left with the victim’s purse and containing a large amount of cash.” No description info in this summary either.
The West Seattle Art Tour is just two and a half weeks away – and organizers have announced two ways you can preview it!
The West Seattle Art Tour, September 21, 2024, 10 am – 5 pm, is at 14 artist-hosted locations across West Seattle. This free, self-guided tour features a full spectrum of art, a chance to meet and talk with 55 participating artists, and the opportunity to purchase exceptional works of art, all while exploring West Seattle’s beautiful neighborhoods.
Get a sneak preview of 2024 West Seattle Art Tour during September 12th West Seattle Art Walk! A sampler of art from 2024 West Seattle Art Tour locations will be on display during September 12th West Seattle Art Walk, 5:00-8:00 pm at NOR Design and Construction, 5953 California Ave, Suite #100.
What you can do right now: Maps and Artist Gallery are Up! Visitors can plan their tour with the just-released online map, print off a paper copy of the map, and peruse a virtual gallery of all 55 artists on the Tour website.
West Seattle Art Tour is organized by an all-volunteer committee of more than 20 artists and art lovers with support from West Seattle Art Walk. Individuals interested in supporting the West Seattle Art Tour can reach out to WSArtHop@gmail.com.
This is the third year for the Art Tour (previously known as Art Hop & Shop).
(Alki photo sent by Jolie Bass-Walden)
Today’s most dramatic weather feature was the morning fog. Tomorrow and Friday, different story, says the National Weather Service – it’ll be afternoon heat. The Heat Advisory alert for those two days, first issued Tuesday, still warns of potentially record highs, 80s to 90s (normal for this time of year is mid-70s). So don’t store your fan(s) just yet! The alert officially takes effect 8 am Thursday and will continue until 11 pm Friday.
Final results are in for the one loose end from the August primary – the by-hand recount required for state Commissioner of Public Lands race, because the original count had the second- and third-place candidates only 51 votes apart. Final recount results, certified today, didn’t change the top two – the November 5 election will be between Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler, a former U.S. House Rep. from southwestern Washington, and Democrat Dave Upthegrove, a King County Councilmember from Des Moines. The recount changed the margin between Upthegrove and Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson by only two votes, so they finished 49 votes apart. The Commissioner of Public Lands position is open because two-term incumbent Hilary Franz decided to run for Congress in District 6; she finished that primary in third place. General-election ballots will start arriving in mailboxes around October 18, a little over six weeks away.
3:35 PM: Thanks for the tips. SFD and SPD are on the scene of what was dispatched as a three-vehicle collision at Fauntleroy/Alaska, said to be blocking most of the intersection (partly shown in traffic-cam screenshot above), so avoid that area for a while.
4:20 PM: Metro alerts indicate traffic is flowing again. We’re checking with SFD on whether anyone was hurt.
5:29 PM: SFD tells us one person was checked out, a woman in her early 60s, and that she did not need further treatment.
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