West Seattle, Washington
13 Friday
(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.
(WSB photos)
6:29 PM: A two-car crash – one vehicle on its side – has 35th SW closed right now near SW Thistle. Avoid the area.
6:41 PM: Our crew was told at the scene that no one is seriously hurt.
8:01 PM: As noted in comments, 35th has since reopened; we just got a chance to go back to check.
8:42 PM: As also noted in comments, police say this was a hit-run, with one driver bolting the scene. Archived audio indicates officers found the 34-year-old man quickly, barely a block away, and told dispatch he was the driver of the on-its-side Range Rover.
That’s “Wanted,” from what West Seattle musician Brent Amaker calls the “first proper album in 10 years” from him and his band The Rodeo, titled Philaphobia. This Thursday (February 8), 6-9 pm, Brent Amaker & The Rodeo will perform at Easy Street Records as part of a West Seattle Art Walk slate; it’s the kickoff to a West Coast tour that will also take them to Oregon, California, and Nevada before they return home to Seattle. If you haven’t seen them before – every member performing in black cowboy gear – Amaker describes their genre in the album announcement as “cowboy music” and “Western performance art,” filling Philaphobia with “tracks that span from rollicking motivational romps, to criminal confessions.” Thursday’s show at Easy Street is free, and the evening also will feature DJ Aleens and an art-print show by Bella Petro and Chicle de Uva.
It’s a mandatory question when you interview someone who’s reached a milestone like their 100th birthday – any secret to your long life?
Gwen Bell thinks that in her case, maybe it’s “because I’ve lived a pleasant life.”
Gwen was two days short of 100 when we talked with her on Saturday at her home east of Fairmount Park. But the celebrating already had begun.
We recorded our chat on video – it’s in two parts below. In the first, Gwen – NOT short for Gwendolyn, by the way (she says her parents decided to be efficient) – talks about her travels and her gardening, and you might even hear a few longevity tips after all.
In the second part, we talk about her jobs and her life in West Seattle – where she lived in Gatewood before she and her late husband (married 66 years, with a wedding three weeks before World War II ended) moved to a neighborhood that felt “rural” when she arrived:
As she told us toward the end of our chat, Gwen’s birthday plans included a celebratory dinner and a “Happy Birthday” serenade from her neighbors. One of those neighbors, in fact, is the person who tipped us to Gwen’s milestone birthday (thank you, Ryan!).
Two weeks ago, Greater Seattle YMCA executives promised a community survey as one of the next steps in determining the future of the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor). This follows last month’s town-hall meeting (WSB coverage here). We checked with the Y today and learned they sent the survey to meeting participants Friday and are now circulating it more widely, including this message:
… We are committed to the Fauntleroy YMCA and look forward to working with the community to determine the best use for the space. We heard a lot of great ideas, and your thoughtful feedback is crucial as we navigate to ensure the continued success of the Fauntleroy YMCA.
We also have collected all your feedback that we have heard so far from emails, conversations online and in person, and our town hall. To further gauge community needs, preferences, and interests, we’ve prepared a survey where you can rank the suggested ideas. Your input will help us prioritize and shape the future of the Fauntleroy YMCA.
Please also share this survey with your community to help us ensure no one gets left out. Let us know if you feel something is missing or if you have another idea that should be included in upcoming communication or questions that should be addressed. Thank you for your patience as we are still gathering other context that was requested.
In the meantime, if you have already signed up for a volunteer committee, we will be reaching out separately to discuss how we move forward with membership, project planning, and fundraising. If you did not have the chance to sign up, you can do so through the survey.
Any time you would like to provide feedback for the Fauntleroy YMCA, please submit it here. For other inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at pr@seattleymca.org.
The “other context” refers to a promise of a “high-level plan for moving forward” that also was promised within two weeks along with the survey; town-hall participants also had asked for more information about the Y’s finances beyond what was originally disclosed a month ago. Again, here’s the survey link. It asjs you to rate six possible ways to use what’s labeled the “Fauntleroy YMCA Community Hub” space. There’s also an open-ended question inviting you to describe other way(s) the “community hub space” could be used, as well as questions about operating hours, plus requests for feedback on planning future meetings, plus the aforementioned committee involvement.
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN PICKUP: Jessica emailed this morning, hoping you can be on the lookout for her pickup:
My truck was stolen from outside my house in the Admiral District. 1989 GMC Sierra 2500, light brown with orange accents. Collector’s plate 6367F. Police report number: 24-33805
Meantime, weekend summaries made available by SPD today include these two West Seattle incidents we hadn’t previously heard about:
ALKI GUNFIRE: SPD says officers were flagged down near 62nd/Alki just after 1 am Saturday by someone reporting this incident, described as: “Four victims were involved in a verbal altercation with a male in a black SUV. Suspect in the SUV fired a single shot and then fled southbound. Evidence of the shooting was recovered.”
ASSAULTED BY INTRUDER: According to the SPD summary, this happened just before 1:30 am Sunday. The original call to the 7500 block of 21st SW was for a burglary; officers say they found someone “that the reporting party wanted removed.” That person was not arrested – until, SPD says, they assaulted an officer, resulting in a call to SFD for medical assistance, after which, the summary continues, “the suspect then assaulted a Medic, an AMR crewmember, and another officer.” We’re following up. ADDED: SFD tells us, “Medics were called in to assist AMR with a patient. One SFD medic and an SPD officer were treated for assault.” The suspect, however, was the only one who had to be taken to the hospital, a man in his late 20s.
(Northwest Seaport Alliance photo)
Last week, a reader asked about a sighting of two car-carrier ships in Elliott Bay. At the time, we only found one via the MarineTraffic.com tracker – Platinum Ray, still anchored in the bay today, but shown as eventually bound for Tacoma, where such cargo is routinely handled. Then today the Northwest Seaport Alliance explained the other one:
Terminal 46 marked a significant milestone on Friday, February 2nd, as it welcomed the arrival of the GLOVIS vessel Silver Sky transporting automobiles destined for Canada.
More than 2,500 automobiles discharged at Terminal 46, in The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) gateway, where they will await transport to Canadian KIA and Hyundai dealerships later this month.
Terminal 46 is on the downtown waterfront. The NWSA announcement refers to this as “the first automobile vessel in more than 20 years to call the North Harbor [Seattle],” but our archives note that one unloaded at West Seattle’s Terminal 5 in 2015. (Update: NWSA has updated to say it was the first such call at T-46 in 20+ years.) As for whether more such deliveries are ahead, the NWSA says it “hopes (Terminal 46) will be utilized to support additional cargo movement in the coming months.”
(Kite-surfing off Alki – Sunday photo by Javier Fosado)
Here’s what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for this afternoon/evening:
SEED GIVEAWAY SURVEY: Today’s the deadline to reply to this quick survey for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s program to give away seed packets to parents and teachers, so kids can learn about growing food.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Also planned today: An introduction to this year’s budget process. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
TODDLER GYM PLAYTIME: Free indoor drop-in playspace 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center. (9050 16th SW).
‘PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING 101’: Join parents, teachers, and others from around West Seattle at this free educational event starting at 6 pm at Genesee Hill Elementary (5013 SW Genesee), as previewed here. Child care available.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MEDITATION ON ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community invites you to Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) for meditation. 7 pm.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three options tonight – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE: 9 pm, Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(File photo, courtesy Seattle Parks)
Spring is now just six weeks away. If you’re thinking of volunteering during this year’s warm season, here’s an opportunity – the annual call for Seattle Urban Nature Guides, which we were asked to share with you:
Become a Seattle Urban Nature Guide! Seattle Parks and Recreation Environmental Engagement Unit is offering free volunteer guide training. Inspire change through education, enrich the experience of park visitors, teach families and school students in nature, and share with your community. Applications are due March 15th; training begins April 12th.
Apply online at seattle.gov/parks/volunteer/environmental-education-volunteering#SUNG
If you have questions about the program, PKSNatureFieldTrips@seattle.gov is the address.
6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Monday, February 5.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Cloudy, breezy, chance of rain, high in the 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:30 am, sunset at 5:16 pm.
(Saturday sunset from Constellation Park – photo by Jen Popp)
TRANSIT NOTES
Sound Transit note – The 1 Line is back to normal starting today, after 3 weeks of work.
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!
Reported tonight by Jenny via email – this van was taken overnight from an apartment parking lot off Fauntleroy Way north of Fairmount Park:
It’s a white Chevrolet van, with ladders on top when taken; plates BFB7562, SPD report number 24-32912. Call 911 if you see it.
Lori wonders if this is happening to anyone else tonight: “Started noticing brown water at our house, near intersection of Erskine & 46th SW.” Nothing on Seattle Public Utilities‘ map so far; if you have water trouble, including discoloration, be sure to report to SPU at 206-386-1800.
Three biznotes:
MORE VALENTINE’S FOOD: The latest venue to send word of a special Valentine’s menu is Camp West in The Junction (4539 California SW). They’re offering a special three-course prix-fixe menu (see it here) for $60/person. On Valentine’s Day, 4-9 pm, that’s all Camp West will offer; it’ll also be an option for the subsequent four days, February 15-18. They recommend reservations, which can be booked online. (Anybody else with Valentine specials? Let us know!)
SEAFOOD SALES: Planning a home-cooked Valentine meal? Or Super Bowl or Lunar New Year or … hey, no special occasion necessary. WSB sponsor Seattle Seafood Center (717 S. Michigan in Georgetown) has extended sales on crab, lobster, and ahi tuna.
HOMESTREET SPOTLIGHT: Every month, HomeStreet Bank in The Junction (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) spotlights another local business/nonprofit, with a display and an invitation to customers to enter a drawing. Last month’s spotlight was on Sports Medicine Northwest:
(HomeStreet’s Joyce Leslie, center, with Sports Medicine NW’s Alicia Pond and Dr. Skylar Pond)
Sports Medicine NW’s co-proprietors stopped by HomeStreet on Friday for the monthly drawing. This month’s spotlight at the bank is on Mighty House Construction.
From bake sales to galas to levies to basic property taxes – how does public-school funding work, and how can parents, teachers, and others advocate for what their local school(s) need? Monday night (February 5) everyone’s invited to learn and talk at “Public School Funding 101,” presented by more than half a dozen local PTAs/PTSAs/PTOs, including the PTA at Genesee Hill Elementary, which is hosting the meeting (5013 SW Dakota). Scheduled guests for the discussion are Seattle Public Schools Board president Liza Rankin and Seattle Council PTSA advocacy/policy manager Vivian van Gelder. It starts at 6 pm and on-site child care will be available.
(WSB photos)
High-school softball season is still about a month away, but some of West Seattle HS‘s team members were on the field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex this morning for a special event – mentoring younger players.
The clinic was for West Seattle Little League softball players in two groups – first the Rookies and Minors (League age 7-10 or for beginners), then Majors and Juniors (league age 11-14 or for advanced players):
Participants got to practice hitting, throwing, catching, fielding, and running:
The clinic was created three seasons ago by Kamil Ygnacio, now a senior, to help raise softball’s community visibility:
Clinic participation has doubled over the years – 60 players this time around. The clinic was free of charge for WSLL players but donations were welcome to help the WSHS softball program (you can chip in here – specify that it’s for softball).
Thanks for the tips! We just caught up with West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen finishing this new signal-box portrait, on the southwest corner of California/Frontenac south of Morgan Junction. It’s a portrait of Mike Starr, original Alice in Chains bassist, who died in 2011 at age 44. Hansen estimates he’s painted about 75 boxes – in and outside of West Seattle – since starting in 2018 with Jimi Hendrix at California/Fauntleroy. You can see many of them, and some of his other work, on his website. We asked him what’s next; nothing specific yet, but he said there’s a lot of maintenance to be done this spring.
A reader reports their home was broken into between 3:30 and 4:20 pm Thursday, February 1. It happened in the 2400 block of Myrtle, a block off Delridge. The victim explains, “Our neighbor’s security camera caught this footage of 3 men walking out of our driveway (his footage is about 28 minutes behind the actual time) … The gray/silver minivan was waiting for the 3 men, all dressed exactly the same.” They appear in the distance in the upper left of the video around :16 in:
The minivan then headed west on Myrtle toward Delridge. The victim adds, “They used a crowbar to open the front door and stole cash and jewelry, mostly family items not replaceable. I am usually home during this time and ran a random errand, so it seems like they were really watching as the window was very small, or they had a stroke of great luck with timing!” The SPD report number is 24-30292.
Family and friends will gather February 17 to celebrate the life of Tom Slattery, and are sharing this remembrance with his community now:
Tom Slattery, 74, died the morning of January 22, 2024, surrounded by family, following a courageous battle against lung disease.
For his children, grandchildren and community, Tom leaves a legacy of advocacy for children, education, racial justice, and nature preservation.
Tom was born December 4, 1949, to Joseph and Helen Slattery in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He grew up an active and curious kid in Columbus, Ohio developing an early love for books and cars. Tom attended and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1971 with a degree in education.
Following college, Tom moved to San Francisco, California. In San Francisco, Tom would meet his wife and best friend, Pat Reh, and they would welcome two of their three sons, Rob and Reed. Dale would arrive after the family settled in Washington state.
Tom enjoyed sharing music with others nearly as much as he enjoyed listening to it himself. Nothing would make him happier than turning someone on to a new favorite song or artist. He also had a gift with words and could easily evoke laughter through his quick wit and clever turn of phrase.
Throughout his adult life, Tom was never far from a camera. The result is literal volumes of photos of his family, friends, places he traveled, cars he admired, plants and birds. Oh so many photos of birds. He loved the minute details that differentiated them and the wide range of colors displayed on their feathers. He also felt this way about his four grandchildren that continuously delighted him and kept him young.
Tom spent the second half of his life in White Center with a backyard that yielded the many vegetables he would grow, sanctuary for the many birds he would photograph, and a place for his children and grandchildren to gather and play. It was in White Center that his commitment to community, specifically to the safety and wellbeing of children, would take root and grow. He served 16 years on the Highline School Board and worked for several non-profits toward these ends.
In retirement, he turned those countless photographs into books that he would gift to family and
friends. He would spend hours building intricate and different birdhouses he would display throughout the house. Together with his wife Pat, there were numerous trips to places such as Costa Rica, Belize, Palm Springs, San Miguel de Allende, and a final trip taken in the fall of 2023 on a riverboat cruise north on the Mississippi River, surely evoking the tales of his beloved author, Mark Twain.Tom is survived by his wife Pat; his sons Rob (Marissa), Reed (Roxanne), and Dale (Jean); his grandsons Isaiah, Marcos, and Lucas; his granddaughter Izzy; and his brothers Bill, Ed, and Joe. He was preceded in death by his parents and many dear friends.
A memorial gathering is scheduled for Saturday, February 17, at 3:00 p.m. at Mount View Elementary School. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to Kubota Garden Foundation.
(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)
(Photo by Dan Stegner)
Sunday’s here, and our calendar has these 10 highlights for the hours ahead:
ANIMATED ANNIVERSARY, DAY 2: The Animated Café pink coffee-and-more trailer is celebrating two years in business all weekend, with balloons and “$2 off for anyone who comes dressed up in a fun animated-themed outfit.” Open 9 am-3 pm today. (4518 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at 9 am at rotating locations – today it’s Caffe Ladro (7011 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE BEE GARDEN NEEDS YOU: 10 am-noon, help out as the Bee Garden looks ahead to spring! (Graham/Lanham)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering winter vegetables and fruit as well as cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.
SUNDAY SMALL BIZ POP-UP MARKET: While you’re at the Farmers’ Market, detour into Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) 10 am-2 pm to browse small local businesses selling their creations.
LOCAL COMPANY AT REMODELING EXPO: If you’re going to the Northwest Remodeling Expo downtown (11 am-5 pm at the Convention Center, 705 Pike), look for longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction.
‘BORN WITH TEETH’: First matinee for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm – tickets here.
MUSICIANS FOR THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: 3-5 pm, music at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – bring money and/or nonperishable food to support their donation drive for the WSFB.
DRAG BINGO: 5:30 pm at The Locöl (7902 35th SW), free, 21+.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: See and hear the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.
Planning something that belongs on our calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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