West Seattle, Washington
13 Friday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
During tonight’s Seattle Public Schools Board meeting, president Liza Rankin was hoping to brief her colleagues on where education-funding issues of interest stand in the ongoing Washington State Legislature session.
If that briefing happens before the meeting ends, dozens of West Seattleites will be able to listen with newfound knowledge after “School Funding 101,” at which Rankin was a guest speaker, this past Monday night at Genesee Hill Elementary.
PTA/PTSA/PTOs from all around West Seattle partnered to present the educational event, hosted by the Genesee Hill PTA, whose Advocacy Committee coordinated it, citing a troubling drop in public interest regarding school funding. The night’s other guest speaker was Vivian van Gelder, vice president of the Seattle Council PTSA.
Rankin – an SPS parent herself – took to the microphone first, starting with a quick explanation of the school board’s role, a topic she said could take up an entire night all its own. “Very basically …the role of the school board is to govern as a body, be representatives of the entire Seattle community … provide direction to the superintendent about what the community expects of the local school district. A key accountability of the board is “to hire and evaluate the superintendent,” one thing the board has “100 percent control over.” In setting policy, they are authorized to direct the superintendent based on majority vote of the board. And germane to the night’s topic, state law requires them to approve a balanced budget.: “Approving a balanced budget.”
Current board focuses, Rankin said, include focusing on legislation, supporting newly elected board directors (West Seattle/South Park’s Gina Topp is one of two and was present at the event), coalescing as a board and getting clear on our governance structure, as well as partnering with families and PTA/PTSA/PTOs. Personally, Rankin said, she has a goal of getting clear on what superintendent and district should do for engagement, and what the board and directors are expected to do.
After that, van Gelder stepped up with the toplines on where funding comes from. Federal sources include Title 1, IDEA, and about-to-expire pandemic-related funding.
4:55 PM: As shown on that screengrab from an SDOT traffic camera, crews dealing with a downed wire have outside lanes blocked on southbound West Marginal and westbound (uphill) Highland Park Way right now. Avoid the intersection if you can.
5:35 PM: Metro says, via an alert, that it’s rerouting southbound Route 131 because of this.
11:59 PM: Since our last check, the camera shows, the crew has cleared and the lanes are all open again.
Thanks to Tom Trulin for sending the tip and photo! That’s Sunfish proprietor Michael Vassiliou, ready to welcome everyone back to his fish-and-chips-and-more restaurant at 2800 Alki Avenue SW, which just reopened after its winter break.
That’s the official poster for the winter West Seattle Art Walk events – with art by Suzanne Uschold, one of the artists you can meet tomorrow night during the February Art Walk. She’ll be at Hawthorne Massage and Self-Care in North Admiral (2237 California SW). We asked Art Walk director Mia Manzulli for some Thursday night suggestions; in South Admiral, she says, you’ll find Magdalena Cooney featured at Forever Young Aesthetics (3813 California SW). In The Junction, one of the newer businesses to join the Art Walk is Rush Hour (4517 California SW), spotlighting artist Alex Guyon “in their sweet little gallery space at the back of the store,” Mia tells us. Also in The Junction, ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) is having an artist reception for their new show, Scott Coffey‘s “Friend of Achilles.” Among the other Junction venues, as previewed here earlier this week, Easy Street Records has art and music (the latter, with West Seattle’s own Brent Amaker & The Rodeo at 7 pm). In Morgan Junction, Diane Venti is hosting a “reunion” show at Alki Arts (6030 California SW; WSB sponsor), with 10 artists from her original gallery space on Alki Beach. Nearby West Seattle Cellars (6026 California SW) is hosting artist Steffanie Lorig and tasting Portuguese wines. Those are just a few places you can stop; official Art Walk hours are 5 pm-“late,” but individual venues’ hours may vary. Be sure to check the walking map/full preview list, which also notes the venues with food/drink specials you can get by mentioning you’re there for Art Walk night.
(WSB photo, looking toward the northwest)
Last month, our brief mention of a reader-reported problem with the 47th/Admiral signal led to a comment discussion about recurring trouble there. One reader said they’d reported it in December and received an explanation that the vehicle-detection system was failing. We followed up with SDOT, which after a lengthy research period provided this response:
We completely replaced the vehicle detection system and made other repairs to this traffic signal in the summer of 2023. The old detection system originally was built with a 5-year product lifespan and had begun to show signs of failure. Since we finished these repairs, our technicians have made several field visits to test the signal, and have not observed any operational problems. The most recent site visit took place last week, when our technician watched the signal for approximately 90 minutes and did not see any issues.
Nonetheless, we will continue to take this issue seriously and will continue to make field visits if people continue to report problems. We appreciate members of the public who have taken the time to notify us when they think they see a problem, and especially appreciate when people are able to provide specific details such as the direction and time of day that they were traveling, which may help us to catch any issues that might not be occurring consistently at all times.
The signal was installed in 2015, two years after the City Council funded it following years of community advocacy for intersection improvements. As for reporting trouble – aside from using the Find It/Fix It app, you can report signal (and other) problems to SDOT via 206-684-ROAD – after-hours, 206-386-1218 – or 684-Road@seattle.gov via email.
Sent by Mike, with the victim’s permission:
My buddy Kevin, who is a longtime employee at Easy Street Records and is responsible for creating every wonderful window display we’ve had in The Junction over the last few decades, had his vehicle stolen yesterday between 1 pm and 9:30 pm in the parking lot attached to Wells Fargo on Alaska and 44th Ave. Kevin is the best and I’m hoping our watchful community will keep an eye out for my friend’s car. If spotted, please call the store at 206-938-EASY (3279).
The car has a collector plate, 5813E.
(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can look ahead any time):
ALKI CO-OP BOOK FAIR: Shop through Sunday (February 11) at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) and say you’re there to support Alki Cooperative Preschool, which will benefit from a percentage of the sale.
TODDLER READING TIME: And here’s another reason to visit the shop – weekly toddler reading time! 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SENIOR CENTER HAIRCUTS BY TALIA: Call to see if any appointments are open before Talia‘s visit to the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 2-4 pk.
FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm drop-in playspace at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
LEARN ABOUT SKI/SNOWBOARD WAXING: More fun on the slopes if you take care of your gear! 6 pm class at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) – info and registration link are in our calendar listing.
COUNCILMEMBER SPEAKS WITH KIWANIS: 6 pm at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW), City Councilmember Rob Saka talks with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle. If you didn’t get to RSVP in advance, check to see if there’s room – our preview includes contact information.
FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run! 6:15 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … 7 pm trivia at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW, White Center) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night starts 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).
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY TOUR: 6:30 pm, prospective Gatewood Elementary families are invited to visit. Meet in the library. (4320 SW Myrtle)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
A reminder from the Southwest Lacrosse Club this morning – practices start soon, so it’s signup time now:
Are you looking for a fun and fast-paced team sport for your K-8th grader? Registration is currently open for the 2024 Seattle Metro Youth Lacrosse season.
Founded in 2008, the Southwest Lacrosse Club promotes, organizes, and develops K-8 youth lacrosse from West Seattle to Federal Way. Our mission is to teach lacrosse fundamentals and good sportsmanship while emphasizing the importance of discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness. Players of all skill levels can develop their game, and we will prepare each athlete for the next level of play. No prior lacrosse experience is required; the club can provide all equipment if needed. We offer full and partial scholarships for those who qualify and have equipment available to loan.
Practices begin mid-February, and games run from March through the end of May. Check out our website or contact us at swlctitans@gmail.com with any questions.
The club is open to all for kindergarten through 2nd grade, boys for 3rd through 8th.
9:20 AM: WSF says #2 vessel Cathlamet is currently “delayed” at Vashon for “unscheduled maintenance.”
9:50 AM: The Cathlamet is back in operation.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, February 7.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Same forecast as yesterday – mostly cloudy with a chance of more rain, high in the mid-to-upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:28 am, sunset at 5:19 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and 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, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
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 opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!
(Screengrab from closest SDOT traffic camera)
11:45 PM: A 39-year-old man is being taken to Harborview Medical Center after crashing his vehicle into a pillar beneath the West Seattle low bridge. It happened on the south end of Harbor Island, at Spokane/Klickitat, less than an hour ago. Firefighters had to cut him out of his vehicle. The crash was described over emergency radio as “high-speed.”
ADDED 9:31 AM WEDNESDAY: SFD tells us the driver was in serious condition when transported.
(Photos courtesy Chief Sealth International High School)
Congratulations to the Chief Sealth International High School wrestlers for success at the Metro League tournaments – starting with the girls, who once again took the championship. Athletic Director Ernest Policarpio shares the recognition:
Here are your 2024 Girls Metro Champions!! They have won the Metros 5 years in a row, Congratulations to all the placers.
100 Tara Kankesh – 2nd
100 Lynnasia Nichols – 3rd
115 Elia Lopez – 1st
120 Petra Sheppard – 3rd
125 Sophia Andreini – 1st
130 Alyssa Reyes – 1st
135 Jennie Brown – 3rd
140 Lucy Self – 1st
145 Lanu Amituanai – 2nd
155 Amelia Wright – 1st
170 Naomi Kindem – 2nd
170 Shawn Hudson – 3rd
190 Elyse Leger – 1st
235 Natalia Allen – 1stYour boys wrestling team placed 3rd during this year’s Metro tournament! Congratulations to those who participated and those who will be moving on.
Also shoutout to Micah Policarpio for winning the 2024 Metro Outstanding Wrestler Award and finishing 45-0!
106 Stevens Nguyen – 5th
106 Carlos Garnica Gil – 7th
113 Brandon Tran – 5th
120 Xander Gomez – 2nd
126 Kody Stout – 4th
144 Xavier Nguyen – 2nd
157 Jay Johnson – 3rd
165 Micah Policarpio – 1st (Metro Champ)
165 Prince Maota – 5th
175 Eli Policarpio – 3rd
175 Nigel Wiggins – 8th
215 Anais McDaniel – 7th
285 Yusuf Donzo – 7th
285 Shane-Alen Tino – 3rd
Regional competition is set for this weekend.
One more week remains for voting in a one-race election that again this year is being conducted entirely online, for King Conservation District Supervisor. Three people are running for one position . The Duwamish Alive! Coalition, a community organization that works on activities such as habitat restoration, sent the candidates eight questions, and in partnership with Duwamish Alive! we are publishing their questions and the candidates’ replies. The candidates are Brittney Bush Bollay, Aaron Ellig, and Erik Goheen (each name is linked to their candidate statement on the KCD website, which is the source of the photos below).
What follows are the eight questions, each one followed by the candidates’ answers in rotating order (as we would do in a “live” candidate forum), unedited, and then a reminder of how to vote:
1. Why do you want to be a KCD board member?
BUSH BOLLAY: I was elected to King Conservation District in 2021, and my love for the organization and the work have only grown over the past three years. I’m excited to serve another term on the Board, helping to support and grow the District. Environmental action and local government both impact every person, every day, and that’s why they’re my twin passions.
ELLIG: My purpose for running for this seat is not politically motivated and I have no financial incentives to gain from any of the programs offered. I enjoy the programs the King Conservation District offers and regularly volunteer at restoration events they offer. I fully believe in improving and advancing existing programs that align with KCD core values of supporting local food, clean water, healthy forests, better soil, and accessible open spaces. My combination of education and practical experience planning and implementing a wide range of environmental restoration projects makes me an ideal candidate to supplement the existing board. I am uniquely qualified to provide science-based solutions for complex issues around conservation of natural resources, sustainable food production, and long-term planning.
GOHEEN: At the request of the farming community. Dairyman Bill Knutsen is retiring and we need farmers on the board. To help build a local, institutional food supply where local food is served in our schools and cafeterias. To help prevent a big fire in King County. Smoke season isn’t normal. We can do better to restore the salmon run here with infrastructure jobs, I’d like to see more of that work getting done. I want to empower local champions of the environment to succeed at their goals and I can make a leadership improvement with regards to the board.
2. What are your qualifications for this position?
ELLIG: I have a master’s degree in environmental science and am a certified professional wetland scientist (PWS) that specializes in ecological restoration of riparian and aquatic habitats. For the past 10 years, I have worked as a private consultant and public sector biologist as a subject matter expert for wetland and stream restoration. I have been involved in projects big and small and understand the actual effort and costs associated with getting things off the ground. We need a candidate that understands the process of starting with a conceptual idea, permitting, design, and project development. I have proven experience working effectively with local cities and counties as a third-party consultant to ensure projects are code compliant and conducted in environmentally responsible ways. My current position with Sound Transit focuses on environmental mitigation that aims to maximize environmental benefits for communities we operate in.
GOHEEN: B.A. Political Science, Western Washington University. Farm owner/operator the last 7 years. I am a user of KCD services: plant sale customer, conservation planned, conference presenting, riparian planting, pea-patch volunteering, habitat building participant in the programs. Former site and stormwater researcher with Building Code Innovations database. Trained Firefighter Type 2 (wildland) and Eagle Scout, former IAMAW machinist in Alaska salmon industry. My background spans a wide breadth of KCD’s suite of services, programs and policy areas.
BUSH BOLLAY: In addition to my three years of on-the-job experience, including serving as Board Vice Chair and Auditor this year, I have nearly a decade of local and state environmental work to my name. I understand not only the science of conservation and climate change, but the political and economic forces that influence our environmental work in King County. I’ve also spent these years carefully listening to and developing relationships with community members, elected officials, and other conservation partners, which strengthens my work on the Board.
3. What are your priorities if you are elected?
GOHEEN: Vote NO, big westside fire. There are simple and holistic remedies to prevent fires, good science. Smoke season isn’t normal. King County should lead on this work.
Support a local food system. Farms have been swept aside by the KCD at the exact wrong moment. A workforce of young and aspiring farmers, but grants designed to support them aren’t moving the needle.
Clean Water Now. I like the Duwamish River’s wet weather treatment station and there are jobs to be had boosting salmon success in this field. The Duwamish river and the ship canal should be viable habitat, too.
BUSH BOLLAY: My top priorities are:
-Fixing our election process to make it easier for people to vote and to run
-Removing barriers that make it harder for small organizations, new organizations, and people not fluent in English to use our programs
-Finding new partnerships and funding opportunities and cutting red tape so we can do more conservation work, faster
-Protecting farmland by fighting climate change and our farms’ number one enemy, urban sprawl
ELLIG: As a certified professional wetland scientist (PWS), my priorities are supporting and advancing programs that focus on riparian restorations, wetland enhancement, and stream buffer enhancement across the county. The benefits gained from the relatively small investment are huge. This will involve partnering with local agencies, local community organizations, and private land owners through voluntary or subsidized conservation and restoration. Some projects will come to the board through grant applications, but others require outreach and partnership.
4. What would you like to accomplish?
BUSH BOLLAY: In my successful second term I’ll bring more cities into the Conservation District, so we can help more people in a wider area. I’ll bring our farmers and local food vendors a fairer, more effective grant process and greater economic growth. I’ll double and triple down on outreach so more King County residents will be familiar with the Conservation District and our work and will participate in our elections by either running or voting. Finally, I’ll address the number one concern of my constituents and bring our elections to the modern era — first by moving our three elected positions to districts, then to a paper ballot like every other election in Washington State.
ELLIG: The King Conservation District has many wonderful programs and services designed to benefit people and the environment, but many of these are underutilized. Raising awareness of KCD programs by providing public education and technical assistance will be a primary goal of mine. The election should also be more recognized by being on the standard election ballot held in November. This has been an ongoing objective many KCD board members have tried to initiate, and I intend to fully support that effort to receive legislative approval.
GOHEEN: Empower emerging leaders. Building trust with the non-regulatory, voluntary services offered for more meaningful projects. Speeding up Seattle’s clean water plan and infrastructure. Lots of jobs to be had in Clean Water Now. Seeing the local farmers scale up to send fresh food home with 10,000+ food-insecure kids in Seattle Public Schools every week. There are many aspiring farmers, and land to be worked sustainably.
(WSB photo, January 8)
One month after those trucks brought in the equipment for Westwood Village‘s new gym Fitness 19, it’s finally about to open. Thanks to Christopher for the tip that Fitness 19 has announced it’s opening its doors tomorrow (Wednesday, February 7, 8 am), after passing its SFD inspection. As we first reported one year ago, it’s opening in the three-years-empty 24 Hour Fitness space on the breezeway. According to its website, the fitness chain has locations in 12 states.
Multiple readers have reported that athletic activities scheduled for Monday evening at Delridge Playfield were canceled because of theft/vandalism affecting the lights – again. We also heard from John, who sent this photo:
John, a retired electrician, explained what he saw while walking around the fields: “Damaged power pipe and cut cables. I called Seattle City Light. Tested cables. which were dead. But still connected to transformer.” That was midday Monday; John subsequently talked to an SCL crew member who, he reported,”said a high voltage crew would be called out to disconnect the cables from the transformer. The parks department will need to call out an electrical contractor to repair the cables from the service drop into the electrical main switch gear.” We’ve been waiting to hear back from Seattle Parks and City Light on a repair timetable. We’ve also asked about what’s being done to prevent recurrences (not only has this happened recently – we even found this story from more than a decade ago.)
Thanks to Ian for the photo and tip. The former Service King at 4501 38th SW is getting new signage today – for Crash Champions. The two collision-damage-repair chains announced a merger a year and a half ago. Crash Champions’ 500+ locations now include more than 30 in this state, half of which are listed online as former Service King sites.
Separate from this, we noted in 2017 that the land holding this business and the auto-parts store next door had been sold to an Eastside investor for $4.4 million; we noticed today that the owner’s website shows a future mixed-use project for the site, though there’s nothing about it (yet) in the city permit system – we’ll follow up.
The Seattle Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners won’t be hearing the final choices for new dog parks this Thursday night after all – the meeting’s been canceled. That announcement comes one day after an update that the meeting would include a briefing on the plan but not a public hearing. Today’s cancellation notice promises only, “The items that were going to be covered in this meeting will be moved to a future meeting.” (This was the only major item on the agenda.) The board usually meets twice a month. West Seattle’s not the only area of the city where Parks has been mulling additional off-leash areas, but it’s been closely watched since the department announced Lincoln Park and West Seattle Stadium sites as the finalists. Last month a Parks executive told the Fauntleroy Community Association that the site on the south side of the stadium property would likely be the winner, but the plan hasn’t been officially unveiled yet
(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Last time we visited the 911 Center downtown, it was 2010, and media was there because SPD was launching a long-since-discontinued service, tweeting about stolen cars.
We visited again last Thursday. The 911 Center is still co-housed with SPD’s West Precinct. But it’s no longer part of SPD – it’s part of the third public-safety department the city now calls CARE (Community Assisted Response and Engagement).
Our visit was intended to be educational, an introduction to what CARE does and where it’s headed. The department also includes the CARE Team, the “crisis responders” introduced last October; they are currently based on the other side of downtown, in a small space on the ground floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower, which houses hundreds of other city workers.
(City of Seattle photo)
(Alki on a recent windy day – photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s our daily reminder of what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop in Tuesday mornings until noon at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).
ART & CRAFT FELLOWSHIP: Drop in at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW) until noon. “Bring your paints, collage materials, jewelry findings, knitting, sewing or craft supplies and join others in creative endeavors. Be encouraged and encourage others!”
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. There is a public-comment section – in person or by phone – if there’s something you want to tell the council. The agenda explains how.
DINE OUT FOR ALKI CO-OP PRESCHOOL: 4-9 pm at Mioposto (2141 California SW), drop in and tell them you’re supporting Alki Co-op. Takeout too (but not via DoorDash).
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
LEARN ASL: Free weekly classes, 6 pm at West Seattle’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW). Start any Tuesday night! Details in our calendar listing.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Run with friends old and new! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: You’re invited to WSBC’S 6:30 pm online meeting at High Point Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) – our calendar listing has info.
TOASTMASTERS 832: You’re invited to their 6:30 pm online meeting – our calendar listing has RSVP info so you can get the link.
OPEN CHOIR REHEARSAL: Interested in singing with a choir? The Boeing Employees Choir – not limited to Boeing employees – rehearses in West Seattle, 6:30 pm at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska), and you’re invited to drop in.
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! – Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm Tuesdays. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 3: Three places to play Tuesday nights – 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 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
BINGO AT TALARICO’S: New, 8 pm bingo every Tuesday. (4718 California SW)
What’s ahead? Preview it via our event calendar – and if you have something to add, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Rendering from Sound Transit’s draft environmental impact statement on West Seattle extension)
Toward the end of last October’s West Seattle meeting about light-rail station planning, Sound Transit managers promised a followup event here in “early” 2024. Last night, they announced the date: March 5. They’re promising that what they bring will reflect what attendees said at the October event plus via other means of feedback – “a summary of community priorities for future light rail station design in West Seattle and SODO, based on feedback we heard from the public in fall 2023.” Currently three stations are planned on this side of the Duwamish River – Delridge, Avalon, and The Junction – and ST has presented relatively detailed layouts for the likely locations, though the exact routing hasn’t been finalized yet (that’s expected in the second half of this year). So set your calendar for 5:30-7:30 pm Tuesday, March 5, same place as the October meeting – the Alki Masonic Center at 40th/Edmunds. The $4 billion West Seattle light-rail extension is still projected to start service in 2032, after five years of construction starting in 2027.
6:02 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Tuesday, February 6.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly cloudy with a chance of more rain, high in the mid-to-upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:30 am, sunset at 5:16 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and 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, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
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 opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!
All four local varsity high-school teams had opening-round Metro League postseason games tonight. Only one was a home game, the Chief Sealth IHS girls vs. Nathan Hale:
(WSB photos: #24, Sealth junior Fahima Mohamed)
The Seahawks also had the only victory of the night among the four local teams, 48-18.
The CSIHS girls (10-10) play next at Bishop Blanchet, 5:30 pm tomorrow. As for tonight’s three road games:
CHIEF SEALTH BOYS: The Seahawk boys’ season ended tonight with a 68-64 loss at Ingraham and a 3-18 record.
WEST SEATTLE BOYS: After tonight’s 74-48 loss at Rainier Beach, the Wildcat boys (12-10) play Nathan Hale at Lincoln HS, 5:30 pm Thursday,
WEST SEATTLE GIRLS: The Wildcat girls (11-11) lost tonight at Seattle Prep, 50-42. Their next game is also at 5:30 pm Thursday, at home vs. Holy Names.
Via email, another report of a stolen vehicle to watch for:
My sister’s car was stolen this weekend, off the street just outside our alleyway – Genesee between 44th Ave SW and 45th Ave SW. It was taken sometime between Friday 02/02 at 6:00 pm and Sunday 02/04 at 7:00 pm. It’s a black 2013 Hyundai Elantra with WA plates CFU2256. In terms of unique identifiers, the car has a pink rear license plate frame and an expired Texas registration sticker in the driver’s-side front windshield. The SPD incident # is 24-33676; please contact them with any information.
The new City Council starts committee meetings tomorrow (Tuesday, February 6). First up: The Transportation Committee, chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka of West Seattle. When his committee meets at 9:30 am, the agenda includes public comment, an “Introduction to SDOT” (here’s the slide deck), and an “Introduction to Term Permits and Street Vacations” (here’s that slide deck). See the agenda for information on how to participate in the public-comment period, in person at City Hall or via phone; if you just want to watch the meeting, it’ll be live via Seattle Channel. You can look ahead to other council-committee meetings by checking this page, which links agendas once they’re available.
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