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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Vigil for hit-run victim Tommy Joe Garrett

Thomas J. Garrett, known to those who loved him as “Tommy Joe,” was the 81-year-old man killed by a hit-run driver this past Monday night at 15th/Roxbury. Family members gathered there for a vigil this afternoon.

His daughter told us Mr. Garrett lived on Capitol Hill much of his life and went to Garfield High School with Jimi Hendrix. He himself was a musician and his career included many achievements including work as a TV-news photographer. His nephew talked more about Mr. Garrett’s life as traffic roared by on Roxbury:

His family says they don’t know why Mr. Garrett was in the area Monday night. They do know King County Sheriff’s Office deputies have yet to find his killer and are still seeking information on this vehicle (as reported here Thursday):

Call 800-222-TIPS if you have any information. Meantime, they are planning a memorial for him at a Buddhist temple in the Central District. And they want to ensure no one forgets him, or what happened here.

BIZNOTE: Sound Credit Union to close West Seattle Junction branch

(WSB photo from 2022)

Thanks for the tips. Customers of Sound Credit Union have received the company’s announcement that it plans to close its West Seattle Junction branch at the end of June. Here’s the announcement in its entirety:

As a member-owned financial cooperative, we continually analyze our branch locations to best serve you, our valued members. We have made the difficult decision to permanently close our West Seattle Branch, located at 4730 California Ave (SW), on Friday, June 28, 2024.

That’ll be this year’s second financial-institution closure in West Seattle, following the March closure of Wells Fargo‘s Admiral branch. It’ll be at least the second branch closure for Sound Credit Union, after its First Hill shutdown (corrected date) in March 2023. Sound Credit Union opened in the 4730 California mixed-use building as the first-ever tenant in that space, more than eight years ago. Last year, the branch was robbed three times.

CONTINUING SUNDAY: West Seattle Rock and Gem Show

Looking for something to do indoors now that the weather’s turned drippy? From our very long Saturday highlight list, this is the first day of this weekend’s West Seattle Rock and Gem Show. Every year, members of the West Seattle Rock Club spend the weekend at the Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds, enter off the parking lot) showing and selling treasures from the Earth:

Admission is free.

The show continues until 5 pm today and again 10 am-5 pm on Sunday!

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: ‘Give and take’ rummage sale at Highland Park Elementary

April 27, 2024 11:55 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: ‘Give and take’ rummage sale at Highland Park Elementary
 |   Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos)

Continuing with today’s recycling theme – a different take on recycle/reuse, the classic rummage/yard/garage sale. The PTA/PTSAs of Highland Park Elementary and Pathfinder K-8 are teaming up on this “give and take” sale today – taking donations, with the motto “Give what you can, take what you need.”

Among those making this happen at the HPE campus (1012 SW Trenton) are Gretchen, Haley, Sher, and Ellen:

The sale’s on until 3 pm!

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: 2024’s first Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church

(WSB photos)

Big demand for free dropoff recycling of what you can’t put out at the curb! The spring Recycle Roundup is happening in the Fauntleroy Church lot (9140 California SW) until 3 pm, and organizers tell us the drive-up line was more than a block long before it began. This one catches up quickly, and DTG Recycle – new parent company of longtime partner 1 Green Planet – has multiple trucks on site.

Here is the list of what they will and won’t take this time. You have until 3 pm to get there, but organizers remind you, please don’t wait until the last minute, so they can close on time without people still waiting. If you can’t get to today’s event, the church usually does it again in fall; also, Seattle Public Utilities‘ “Where Does It Go?” page can help with recycling/disposal options.

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 35+ things to know for today/tonight

(Caution, ducks crossing! Erskine Way, texted photo)

Welcome to April’s final weekend! Lots of highlights and other info for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: The West Seattle low bridge is in the 8th day of its closure to road/path traffic for upgrades and should reopen by early Monday morning. More closure details from SDOT here (including how to get free rides on the Water Taxi or Metro buses).

LIBRARY CLOSURE: The Southwest Library is closed Saturdays through June 4.

WATER TAXI’S LATER-EVENING RUNS: Second weekend of spring/summer season the West Seattle Water Taxi, which means later-evening runs tonight.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER GROUP RUN: The store‘s where to meet for the weekly free group run at 8 am. (2743 California SW)

FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event every Saturday but please register.

FAUNTLEROY CHURCH RECYCLE ROUNDUP: 9 am-3 pm, bring your recyclables to the church parking lot (9140 California SW) for free drop-off recycling – but check this list first to see what they will and will not take.

WHITE CENTER SPRING CLEAN, SECOND ROUND: Help clean up the south end of downtown White Center – meet your fellow volunteers at 9 am in the Saar’s parking lot (16th/107th).

ALL-WHEEL AREA COMMUNITY MEETING: 10 am-noon at By & By Skate Shop (4502 California SW), come hear and talk about the plan for an “all-wheel area” at Morgan Junction Park.

SHELTER VOLUNTEERING: As explained in our preview, outdoor help is needed today at 10 am at Westside Neighbors Shelter (3618 SW Alaska).

NANTES PARK VOLUNTEERING: 10 am-1 pm, come help weed and mulch at this little park! (5062 SW Admiral Way)

DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY, WITH SHREDDING: Bring your no-longer-needed prescription medication – and your shreddable items, plus food-drive donations – to the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) lot, 10 am-2 pm – more info here.

ROCK AND GEM SHOW: 10 am-5 pm today and Sunday at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) – free admission – displays and activities for all ages.

SALE AT HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY: Unique rummage sale:

It’s time for the Spring Rummage Sale at Highland Park Elementary: April 27th from 10:00 am-3:00 pm! This year, Pathfinder K-8 PTSA and Highland Park Elementary PTSA are joining forces to bring this event to our West Seattle community – come show up for your schools and neighbors!

This is a give and take event. Give what you can, take what you need. Kids grow fast; let’s move some resources around our community! Books, puzzles, games, youth/infant/adult clothing, shoes, kitchen items, sporting goods, garden tools, toys, linens, etc.

(1012 SW Trenton)

TOOL LIBRARY SALE: Big sale at the West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW), 10 am-3 pm.

SPRING NATIVE ART MARKET: Today and Sunday, 10 am-5 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

ARK PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, you’re invited to visit. (4113 SW 102nd)

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am-11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD SALE: Rummage-sale items and vegetable starts, 11 am-3 pm. (1409 SW 107th)

FLASH TATTOO OPEN HOUSE: Kingtide Ink welcomes you in for a flash tattoo, 11 am-8 pm (4222 SW Walker).

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

READY FREDDY PREP PARTY: Free 45-minute event with disaster-preparedness coach Alice Kuder of Just In Case (WSB sponsor), 2 pm at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW) – email alice@justincaseplans.com to be sure there’s room.

(added) VIGIL: 3 pm vigil in memory of Thomas J. Garrett, the 81-year-old man killed by a hit-run driver, at 15th/Roxbury.

NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.

LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: (Update, sorry for original error, The Hellflowers’ show is SUNDAY, not today)

(added) DINNER AT THE EAGLES: 5:30 pm, dinner and music:

Saturday the 27th.. Anne Weglin and her crew are taking over the kitchen again and making an outstanding meal. Starting @ 5:30 pm for $15 they’ll have “Chicken Marbella with Saffron rice, Salad and Lemon bars for dessert.” The proceeds of this meal will be going to Fogerson Athletics who provides athletic equipment and scholarships for local families in need! We will also have a band playing from 7-10. Join us in jamming out to the Soulful 88’s –
West Seattle Eagles this Saturday the 27th until we sell out, cash only

(4426 California SW)

INSTRUMENTS OF CHANGE: If you have tickets, tonight’s the West Seattle Food Bank‘s benefit gala dinner/auction,, 6-9 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).

LIVE AT C & P COFFEE: Singer-songwriter Paul Gerard at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

THE BYRD ENSEMBLE: As previewed here, the acclaimed chamber-vocal ensemble is singing a program featuring Allegri‘s “Miserere” at 7:30 pm tonight at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (42nd/Genesee), and you can get 30 percent off general, senior, and/or student tickets by buying online with the code WSBLOG30.

AT KENYON HALL: Tonight’s originally schedule flamenco performance is canceled, according to the KH website.

FINAL WEEKEND FOR ‘ENGLISH’: The play by Sanaz Toossi, directed by Naghmeh Samini, continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Ticket link and more info are in our calendar listing; online tickets are sold out but you can check with the box office.

DRAG AT THE SKYLARK: Tonight’s the night for the monthly West Seattle drag extravaganza West End Girls, hosted by Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) – doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm, all ages, tickets online or at the door.

BEATS: Saturday night DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Robin Burrowes debuts in the Room. (4547 California SW, alley side)

KARAOKE: Saturday night, sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.

Planning a happening? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire east of Schmitz Park

ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:46 AM SATURDAY: What started as a report about a fight east of Schmitz Park has turned into a gunfire investigation. Police have told dispatch they’ve found at least one casing in the 3000 block of Garlough SW (vicinity map). No reports of injuries but officers have told dispatch this might be related to an attempted auto theft. No other details so far.

ADDED TUESDAY: Here’s the police-report summary:

At approximately 0130 hours, multiple callers reported that six people were in a physical altercation in the area of Garlough Av SW and SW Hanford St, when one of the parties involved fired a gun. All participants were said to have then fled in a vehicle, traveling northbound. Officers arrived and canvassed the area for evidence, finding a spent shell casing. There was no indication that anyone was shot and an area check for possible suspects met with negative results.

SUMMER CAMP: Still openings for music and theater with Mode Music Studios and MMPA!

Summer break is now two months away, and it’s been a while since we reminded you about some local options for camp. When last we spoke with Erin Rubin from Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music and Performing Arts, she said they still have some openings, so check it out if your summer’s not yet all booked:

ARE YOU READY TO ROCK WITH MODE MUSIC STUDIOS?!

It’s time for a summer of Rock Bands with Mode Music Studios! We’re offering camps for ages 6-11 and 12+ this time around. Camps run 9-12:00 for our 6-11 crowd and 12:30-2:30 for our 12+. Finish up the week with a Saturday live performance at our favorite neighbor venue, The Skylark, next door!

Turn it into a full day of camp for our 6-11’s by signing up for an afternoon of music and theatre classes at our nonprofit MMPA – keep scrolling for more info and sign up for a rock band at the link below!

modemusicstudios.com/camps

MMPA PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN MUSIC AND THEATER SUMMER CAMPS – LET’S GET CREATIVE!

All of our MMPA camps are offered as half and full days at a pay-what you can rate, so they’re accessible to everyone. Half-day camps run 9-12:00 and 12:30-3:30 and are available for grades K-5. Hang with us for lunch in-between and double up for a full day of fun! Don’t miss out on another creative summer with us. Click the link below to sign up!

modemusicandperformingarts.org/camps

PICKLEBALL: Parks says Lincoln Park decision due soon

Though Seattle Parks paused the plan to set up pickleball courts on a Lincoln Park slab that once held tennis courts, its final fate has yet to be announced. Last night, before giving the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners a presentation about Parks’ “Pickleball and Tennis Vision,” deputy superintendent Andy Sheffer said they were “on the cusp of a decision” about it. Superintendent AP Diaz also promised that “more information on Lincoln Park is coming.” But that was all meant mostly to make sure those in attendance who were interested in LP – the subject of several public comments at the meeting’s start – knew it would not be specifically addressed in the presentation. Here’s what was:

Parks officials said that pickleball is growing, and while they said their presentation did not include “solutions” for addressing the need, they promised it would lay out a “path to find solutions.” That path includes designating four “hubs” around the city, two each for pickleball and tennis. Locations were listed for three, but not for the south pickleball hub (which would be for the area including West Seattle, though not necessarily in West Seattle):

Here’s how a hub would work:

No prospective sites for the “south” hub were mentioned; early in the presentation, this slide showed where dedicated pickleball and tennis courts are located in the city now:

You can see the full slide deck here. There was a heavy emphasis on encouraging use of pickleball rackets using noise-reduction technology, as part of the “vision,” to address persistent concerns about the sport’s noise; the Parks officials also promised to improve communication, in part by setting up online and in-person groups.

No timeline was mentioned for the next update.

FREE: Compost giveaway in West Seattle on May 4

April 26, 2024 4:59 pm
|    Comments Off on FREE: Compost giveaway in West Seattle on May 4
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news

(File photo via SPU)

ORIGINAL REPORT: We’ve gotten some questions about whether Seattle Public Utilities is planning a West Seattle compost giveaway this year. One has appeared on SPU’s Beyond the Cart page: 10 am-1 pm Saturday, May 4, in the Westcrest Park P-patch parking lot. SPU reminds those interested, “These events give away bulk compost, so remember to bring a shovel and a container to load and haul your compost.” There’s a limit, too, although not listed currently on the SPU page.

ADDED TUESDAY: Important additional info from SPU:

This year, Seattle Public Utilities is adopting a more focused community approach by hosting smaller compost events. The primary objective is to channel resources towards communities that historically face challenges in accessing composting. This more targeted approach is being led by community partners, like Grow Northwest, in West Seattle.

Those who attend will be provided up to 6 cubic feet of compost (unlike previous years where SPU offered a maximum of 14 cubic feet).

To mitigate traffic congestion and enhance accessibility, vehicles will not be permitted to drive up to the compost collection area. Attendees will be directed to park nearby and access compost on foot.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police search for suspect after shoplift-turned-robbery

3:05 PM: If you’re noticing police activity in the Westwood Village/Roxhill Park area, it’s because of a shoplift-turned-robbery at the shopping center. According to the dispatch, Ross security tried to stop a shoplifter, who subsequently flashed a gun. They were last seen heading toward Roxhill Park. We haven’t heard a description so far. The Guardian One helicopter is arriving to help with the search.

3:08 PM: According to the description just given to the helicopter crew, they’re looking for a “light-skinned Black man, 25-30, 5’10”, medium build, black face cover, black hoodie with a tie-dye shirt.”

3:22 PM: No one matching that description was in view from the air, so the helicopter has moved on.

5:48 PM: Commenters say the robbery was at Marshalls, not Ross, though the latter is what was initially dispatched. A final written report won’t be available before Monday.

VIDEO: ‘The Mount’ celebrates a century

(WSB photos and video)

Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s centennial celebration opened ceremonially, including the opening of a time capsule, with a little help from a team from West Seattle’s Nucor steel mill, which produced steel that built “The Mount” a century ago.

It’s a day full of history, including photos and items dating back to the elder-care and rehabilitation facility’s early days in the 1920s.

Both County Executive Dow Constantine and Mayor Bruce Harrell issued proclamations in honor of the occasion:

Reflections about the Sisters of Providence founding The Mount were shared by Providence executive Dianna Reely, after an introduction by emcee Brian Callanan:

A rededication ribbon-cutting followed:

As noted in our calendar listing, you still have time to go to The Mount (4831 35th SW) and participate in today’s celebration – with an ongoing open house this afternoon and a free family movie at 5 pm.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Recycling and drug disposal Saturday, shredding both days

Here’s a reminder about three events this weekend that can help with your spring cleaning in a variety of ways:

FREE RECYCLING SATURDAY: That’s the list from Fauntleroy Church for its twice-yearly Recycle Roundup, happening 9 am-3 pm Saturday (April 27) in the church lot. (You can also see it here in PDF.) Just drive up or ride/walk up and Recycle Roundup partner DTG Recycle/1 Green Planet will take your item(s). The lot is at 9140 California SW.

DRUG TAKE-BACK WITH SHREDDING SATURDAY: Also on Saturday, the twice-yearly Drug Take-Back Day dropoff event is happening outside the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), 10 am-2 pm, and this year SPD is offering free shredding, too (up to three boxes) – bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank.

FREE SHREDDING AND FOOD DRIVE SUNDAY: On Sunday (April 28), 9 am-noon, you can shred with John L. Scott Real Estate Westwood (WSB sponsor), which will be accepting food/money donations for the White Center Food Bank. Look for the canopy and truck in the northwest lot at Westwood Village (west of the former Bed Bath and Beyond, north of the future Daiso).

Registration is closed and the lineup is set for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024 on May 11!

Two weeks from tomorrow, on Saturday, May 11, West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day will be nothing short of amazing. Registration is closed as of 12 hours ago (sorry, no way to sneak in late signups this year, the database is locked down) and we have 525 sales registered – the most ever, by far! We’re almost done reviewing the registrations, and compiling a list of highlights (one sale, for example, promises “Grandpa’s mystery novels that he wants someone to read” while another has “So many wool shirts!” and another says it’ll be a “plumber’s dream,” and there are sellers with gear for a wide range of pastimes, from sports to camping to fishing to kayaking to skiing and … well, watch for the previews). So what happens now? We’re working on the map and printable guide so they’ll be ready for perusal one week before WSCGSD, so look for the links here and at westseattlegaragesale.com on Saturday, May 4. If you’re a seller, tell your friends, relatives, co-workers, etc. that West Seattle is the place to be on May 11. Official WSCGSD hours are 9 am to 3 pm, but some sellers are opening earlier and/or closing later, while some are adding extra days – all that will be in the guide. Wondering about the point of all this? One big day of person-to-person recycling, where you get to meet neighbors and new friends, in the community-building spirit of the nonprofit that founded WSCGSD in 2005 (turning it over to WSB in 2008). So as we always say … stand by for updates!

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your West Seattle Friday

April 26, 2024 10:18 am
|    Comments Off on Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your West Seattle Friday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Crow at Seacrest, photographed by Robin Sinner)

Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FINAL DAY FOR TRANSPORTATION LEVY FEEDBACK: Got something to say about the mayor’s proposed renewal/expansion transportation levy? Today’s the final day for feedback on the draft – go here to provide yours.

WATER TAXI EXTENDED HOURS: Second Friday for the Water Taxi’s spring/summer hours, which add Friday and Saturday later-evening service each week.

STAY & PLAY INDOOR GYM: Free drop-in play, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

LIBRARY CLOSURE: The Seattle Public Library‘s just-announced closure days continue; the West Seattle (Admiral) branch will not be open, but it’s regular hours today for our area’s other libraries.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: Providence Mount St. Vincent is celebrating its 100th anniversary today starting with a 10:30 am ceremony, continuing with a noon “group hug” photo outside the building, and including a free outdoor family movie at 5 pm. (4831 35th SW)

WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD SALE: Not just rummage-sale items, but plant starts too! 11 am-3 pm. (1409 SW 107th)

SOCCER SENIOR NIGHT: Big night for the Wildcat boys – here’s the announcement:

Tonight is Senior Night at Walt Hundley Field when West Seattle hosts Eastside Catholic at 4:00. Seniors Sam Holman, Charles Twombley, Will Jacobs, Finn Olander, Rex Reifel, Aleister Alfstad, Gavin King (L to R), and Hayden Rayner, and Devon Ghali (not pictured), will play their final game for the Wildcats.

(Photo by Brandon Faloona)

A short ceremony to honor the seniors will follow the game.

(34th/Myrtle)

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open tonight for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Acid Tongue onstage at 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Sugar Bones, Thief Motif, M. Femme. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

FINAL WEEKEND FOR ‘ENGLISH’: At ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. If the ticket link in our calendar listing shows that it’s sold out, check directly with the AW box office.

DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! (4547 California SW)

MAKE IT LOUD! Skate to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 9 pm-midnight, this week featuring Gender Envy, Fox Medicine, Mutual Stoke. $18 cover + $5 skate rental

LATE-NIGHT SINGING: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

YOU CAN HELP: Westside Neighbors Shelter needs outdoor ‘helping hands’ Saturday

April 26, 2024 9:27 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Westside Neighbors Shelter needs outdoor ‘helping hands’ Saturday
 |   How to help | Triangle | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, November 2023)

When that Peace Pole was installed last November outside the building that holds the Westside Neighbors Shelter (currently in operation as a warming center), West Seattle Veteran Center, and American Legion Post 160, future plans were described for more. If you can spare some time tomorrow morning, you can help – Catherine sent the announcement:

(Here is) a request for volunteers to show up this Saturday April 27th at 10 AM at our WS Warming Center, 3618 SW Alaska St. (American Legion Hall) to help Keith Hughes with a special project. He is removing sod and installing a gravel path and Peace Poles in front of the center. Keith has plans and materials; he needs helping hands. Interested folks can show up at 10 am Saturday or contact me for more information: catherinemann (at) comcast.net

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday and weekend info, plus low-bridge closure day 7

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, April 26.

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE

The West Seattle low bridge is closed for a seventh day, expected to reopen no later than early Monday morning; here’s SDOT info about the closure, including how to get free bus or Water Taxi trips.

SDOT’s update at end-of-day Thursday: “The new control system is in. You may see the bridge opening and closing as we conduct test openings for the next few days. These tests determine if the new control system is working as intended.”

ROAD-WORK ALERTS

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues at Delridge/Oregon, down to two lanes for the project’s duration, up to one year.

*Final work on the permanent Highland Park Way/Holden signal is under way, as previewed here.

*If you’re going to Westwood Village, note that road work is under way at the center, requiring some detouring:

STADIUM ZONE

The Mariners are back in town, starting a homestand at 6:40 pm tonight vs. Arizona.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Showers, high in the upper 50s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:59 am; sunset will be at 8:15 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule, including the later-evening trips for spring/summer schedule tonight and Saturday. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

1st Ave. S. Bridge:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

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!

VIDEO: South Seattle College shows off expanded solar array

(Photos courtesy South Seattle College)

It’s Earth Week and South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) used the occasion to show off the solar array installed a few months ago atop Cascade Hall on the north end of campus as part of the larger Seattle Colleges systemwide campaign to decarbonize. It’s an 82-kilowatt array, successor to the building’s original 7-kilowatt array, supported with state financing that will be paid back over 15 years by energy savings. SSC’s Steve Abercrombie led a tour of the installation atop the roof:

But first, those gathered heard from not only Abercrombie but also reps from partner McKinstry – which is helping with a variety of energy-efficiency campus upgrades – and from Seattle City Light, which supported the Seattle Colleges installations with $425,000 in renewable-energy credits:

The array is not only generating power, but it and the arrays at the other Seattle Colleges campuses are also integrated into the curriculum, including sustainable building.

Abercrombie says, “Students get tours of the arrays to understand the mechanics of the siting, installation, and considerations for solar. They then engage in projects related to solar feasibility, planning, and renewable energy financing through several of our classes.” They also use the real-time data to learn about performance evaluation and, ultimately, workforce opportunities. He says those “include identifying and practicing 21st century skills like troubleshooting and communication that are the heart of careers like energy analysis and commissioning.”

LAST CALL! Want to be part of this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival?

As mentioned in our coverage of the most-recent Morgan Community Association meeting, the group’s summer festival is expanding again this year, getting closer to what it used to be, including an area for community groups and vendors. If you’d like to be part of that, MoCA wants to hear from you ASAP – here’s the reminder:

The date for the Morgan Junction Community Festival is on the horizon, so we need to make the LAST CALL for Festival Vendors and Nonprofit Booths!!

The Morgan Junction Community Festival returns to Morgan Junction on Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. It features live entertainment in Morgan Junction Park, and the return of the popular vendor booths with everyone’s favorite local businesses, artisans/crafts people, nonprofit organizations, and government groups in the parking lot behind Zeeks Pizza. 

Applications for the vendor booths are found at the Morgan Community Association (MoCA) website morganjunction.org/festival. Application deadline is 5:00 pm April 30, 2024. 

Contact the Morgan Junction Community Festival team at mocacnc@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you for helping make the June 15th Morgan Junction Community Festival absolutely amazing!

 

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen 4Runner; fencing thief on video

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN 4RUNNER: Sent by Lauren:

1988 4Runner STOLEN!!! Please keep an eye out for my truck! It occurred at around 4 am on Friday morning the 19th. It was parked across the street from Fauntleroy Park on SW Barton/SW Henderson when it was stolen. They drove it east on Barton up toward 35th when they took off. It wasn’t super dirty like in the pic when it was taken but please use it as a reference. Plate CV1083A. It is light blue with a black top and hood, and rhino coating on part of the detachable hardtop, tops of doors, as well as the rear storage area inside. Newer camo interior, sunroof, and Grey dash. Please, please contact the police and reference incident # 2024-105705 if you see it. My dad is the reason I was able to get this truck and he has since passed. It is very special to me.

FENCING THIEF: The owners of the ex-Midas site at 4457 Fauntleroy Way SW had fenced it off for environmental cleanup. Then on Sunday, just before 6 pm, a man went onto the property, started removing clamps from the fencing, stacked the panels up, and drove a vehicle in to take them away.

Here’s an image of the thief.

And the vehicle’s rear end and plate:

If you have any information, you can refer to police report # 24-906637.

Side note: Regarding the site’s future post-cleanup, we asked about a notation in city files that it might become a Sherwin-Williams paint store. That’s one possibility, the owners say, but there’s “no lease or commitment” and the site could go to “another interested business.”

Decision delayed for Delridge/Highland Park ‘Healthy Streets’ future, HPAC hears at April meeting

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Alki Point Healthy Street: Permanent.

High Point Healthy Street: Permanent.

Delridge/Highland Park Healthy Streets: Undecided.

And it might remain that way until late this year, the community coalition HPAC heard last night at its monthly meeting, facilitated by co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick.

SDOT’s Michael Taylor-Judd was there for the discussion during HPAC’s meeting at Southwest Library. He stressed that while he’s an outreach person for the Healthy Streets program, he’s not a decisionmaker, but promised he would convey what he heard. Here’s the stretch under discussion:

Taylor-Judd said it will get upgraded signage by summer, he said. He was asked to describe what a “Healthy Street” is; he went back to their pandemic roots, acknowledging the city said it was originally temporary, but “what we heard from the public was that people really liked the increased space” to walk, roll, and ride. “That led to an evaluation of all of them … to see if this is something that neighborhoods want to keep or not.” In most cases (Alki Point being an exception) these were rolled out on streets already designated as greenways, Taylor-Judd said. They are intended to be “safer routes” for people to use. They were evaluated on factors such as whether more people are walking, rolling and biking, is there neighborhood support, are fewer people driving? The stats he showed dated back to 2020 and 2021, but he said new data is to be collected soon. Two attendees said they haven’t seen pedestrian or bicyclist traffic on these stretches of streets. He said the decision is not likely to be made until year’s end, later than originally thought. The three questions would be:

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FOLLOWUP: Here’s the plan for yearlong Delridge Pedestrian Bridge project

(WSB photo, Tuesday)

As we’ve been noting in our weekday-morning traffic notes, the project to reinforce the Delridge Pedestrian Bridge is officially under way. SDOT says it’s expected to last about a year, during which time the Delridge/Oregon intersection will be narrowed. Here’s the official fact sheet for the project, and today we also have more information about the phases of work:

To complete the work as safely and efficiently as possible, the bridge will be closed to people walking, biking, and rolling during construction. In addition, we will be closing sidewalks and car lanes under the bridge on Delridge Way SW in three phases to divert people walking, rolling, biking, and driving away from where work is occurring. At least one lane of travel in each direction and a sidewalk on one side of the street will be maintained throughout each phase.

We understand these closures will impact everyone who uses the bridge and Delridge Way SW regularly and we will do what we can to minimize impacts. The three phases will include the following closures:

Phase One
Our first phase of sidewalk and lane closures is currently in progress. Delridge Way SW will be reduced to one lane in each direction, with car traffic shifted to the east. Between SW Genesee St and SW Oregon St, the sidewalk on the west side of Delridge Way SW will also be closed while crews work on the west side of the bridge. We will share a map showing the sidewalk and lane closure soon.

Phase Two
During the second phase of sidewalks and lane closures, Delridge Way SW will be reduced to one lane in each direction, with car traffic shifted to the west. Between SW Genesee St and SW Oregon St, the sidewalk on the east side of Delridge Way SW will also be closed while crews work on the east side of the bridge. We will share a map showing the sidewalk and lane closure in phase two as we approach the end of phase one.

Phase Three
Our final phase of sidewalk and lane closures will reduce Delridge Way SW to one lane in both directions. The innermost lanes will be closed and traffic will be shifted to the outermost lanes while crews work underneath the middle of the bridge. The sidewalks on both sides of Delridge Way SW will remain open to people walking and rolling during this phase. We will share a map showing the lane closures in phase three as we approach the end of phase two.

Though the project page doesn’t cite a number, the city previously has listed the project budget as $5 million; the successful “base bid” by Ferndale-headquartered contractor IMCO Construction is shown online as $2.3 million. At one point the city contemplated demolishing the bridge rather than upgrading it, but community feedback led to the city scrapping that idea.

SIDE NOTE: An earthquake-safety project is ahead for the Admiral Way bridges over Fairmount Ravine, too. The city is in the process of finalizing the contract for the north bridge, so we should have a timeline soon.

BIZNOTES: HomeStreet Bank x SW Seattle Historical Society; Little Donkey brunch; Molly Moon’s timeline

Three business notes:

HOMESTREET X SWSHS: We photographed Bob Livingston of HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) and Elizabeth Rudrud from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society as HomeStreet wrapped up its month of spotlighting SWSHS at the West Seattle branch. Visitors have had the chance to enter a drawing for two free tickets to the upcoming SWSHS gala, and the drawing was held Wednesday. Elizabeth told us they’ve added a third guest speaker to the gala on May 3 (tickets and info here): Michael Halady, the Duwamish artist who carved the story pole now at Admiral Way Viewpoint Park. Live-auction items at the gala include making your own ice cream with Husky Deli and a custom mural with Desmond Hansen. If you can’t get to the gala, the online auction – open to all – starts next Monday (April 29), with items including a three-day stay at a lodge near Yellowstone. Preview – and register for – the online auction by going here.

LITTLE DONKEY BRUNCH: When the new restaurant at 3401 California SW opened in February, the proprietors said they’d be adding brunch – and that finally launches this week, every Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm. Here’s the menu.

MOLLY MOON’S TIMELINE: Almost three weeks now since we reported Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream is moving into 4540 California SW in The Junction. It’s not going to happen as quickly as you might expect – Katie from Molly Moon’s answered our followup inquiry: “Of course everyone wants to know ‘when will you be open?’ and all I can say is that we want to be open as soon as possible! So much of the timing is out of our control (permitting, construction schedules, etc) but if it goes our way, we’d love to be scooping cones and cups by this fall!” City records show the company has indeed applied for permits, so the process has begun.