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Still need to shred? Another West Seattle event next month
March 15, 2024 11:56 am
|    Comments Off on Still need to shred? Another West Seattle event next month
 |   Environment | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo, April 2023)

If you weren’t able to get shredding done at last weekend’s free event in West Seattle – today we have word of another one coming up. John L. Scott Real Estate Westwood (WSB sponsor) has announded the date and time for its annual free shredding event – 9 am-12 pm Sunday, April 28. They’ll be set up again in the northwest parking lot at Westwood Village, and accepting donations for the White Center Food Bank – food and/or cash. Last year, community donations totaled 1,250 pounds of food and $2,000, while more than two and a half tons of paper got shredded. So if you need to shred, set your calendar now for April 28!

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West Seattle Community Orchestras, WSHS Big Band Dinner Dance, senior-living tours, soccer, much more for your Friday
March 15, 2024 9:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Harbor Seal sunbathing along the Duwamish River, photographed by Steve Bender)

Here’s our list of Friday highlights! They’re mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

STAY & PLAY OPEN GYM: 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd), free!

JAPANESE STORY TIME: Hosted by Sayoko at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 10:30 am,

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

SENIOR LIVING TOUR: Visit Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) 2-6 pm to see Parkview Senior Residences’ independent-living possibilities! Enjoy refreshments and entertainment while you’re there.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: Final weekend starts today. Go here for cookie booths’ locations and hours.

FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).

HIGH-SCHOOL SOCCER: Two home matches – West Seattle HS hosts Nathan Hale, 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), while Chief Sealth IHS hosts Seattle Prep, 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

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).

BIG BAND DINNER DANCE: Dine, dance, enjoy both student music and the West Seattle Big Band during this benefit for the West Seattle High School music program, 6-9 pm at WSHS (3000 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS’ FREE CONCERT: 7 pm, WSCO’s second of two free almost-spring concerts, featuring a world-premiere work by Arthur Peiyaro Wang and highlighting music by other Asian composers, Chief Sealth IHS Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle).

BOBCAT BOB AT C & P: Tonight, you can enjoy a rare appearance by longtime fave Bobcat Bob at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.

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

OPEN MIC AT KENYON HALL: 6 pm signups, 6:30 pm performances at Kenyon Hall Free! (7904 35th SW)

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm, Hit It, Brother Wife, Yost. $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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

MAKE IT LOUD! Skate to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 9 pm-midnight, this week featuring PR for Monsters, Sugar Bones, Tiny Monsters. $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!

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Celebration of Life in April for Robert A. Gee, Jr., 1964-2024
March 15, 2024 9:04 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather next month to celebrate the life of Rob Gee. Here’s the remembrance being shared with his community now:

Robert (Rob) Allen Gee, Jr., 59, of West Seattle, passed away on January 15, 2024 following a sudden illness.

Rob was a lifelong West Seattleite, attending Genesee Hill Elementary, James Madison Junior High, and graduating from West Seattle High School in 1982. He served over 30 years as a dispatch driver for the Seattle Times. After his retirement in 2014, he continued to work as a ride-share driver, enjoying the flexibility in his schedule so he could be available to his family. In addition, Rob was an accomplished guitar player and shared his passion for classical guitar by giving private lessons and posting online videos.

From Rob’s earliest days, he was known and loved for his deeply kind spirit, his quiet yet strong presence, his love and commitment to family and close friends. He was a devoted and caring father to his young son Troy, taking great pleasure in spending time with him and watching him grow into the adolescent he is today. In earlier years, he enjoyed working on houses, road trips (by car or motorcycle), his Rhodesian Ridgebacks Zach and Eli, fishing, basketball, and could play a mean game of chess (even by snail mail in the pre-computer era). He attended Westside Free Methodist Church for many years.

Rob is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Beverly Gee, with whom he shared a lifelong friendship and partnership. He is survived by his son Troy, his sister Penny (Steve Oliver), close cousins Dale Robinson and Ron Moore, and other extended family.

A celebration of Rob’s life is planned for mid-April. Please visit this link to share a memory about Rob: emmickfunerals.com/obituary/RobertRob-GeeJr. Additional information on the celebration of life will be posted at the link as it becomes available.

(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)

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HEALTH NOTE: New provider joins Neighborhood Naturopathic West Seattle
March 15, 2024 8:29 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | West Seattle news

Neighborhood Naturopathic West Seattle (5410 California SW; WSB sponsor) has added a new care provider, and wants to be sure you know:

Neighborhood Naturopathic West Seattle is excited to announce Dr. Brie Woodruff recently joined the practice. She is trained as a family nurse practitioner and is accepting new patients.

Dr. Woodruff offers:

-Integrative primary care including annual well visits, routine follow-up care, and acute care
-Diabetes management: Type I and Type II diabetes management including: nutritional and supplemental support, oral/injectable medication or insulin management, continuous glucose monitor (CGM) management, and insulin pump management
-Menopausal transitions: including hormone therapy, medication and supplement management, and nutrition and lifestyle support
-Gender-affirming hormone therapy

You can read more about Dr. Woodruff and her practice here.

Neighborhood Naturopathic has one more thing to tell you: “We would also like to let the West Seattle community know that we continue to offer same-day visits for acute and more urgent concerns; more information can be found here.”

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Sunny Friday
March 15, 2024 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Sunny Friday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:55 AM: 35th/Juneau has cleared after a crash that blocked the southbound lanes. (Thanks for the photo!)

No serious injuries apparently, as only one engine and no medic unit was sent, but we’re following up with SFD.

9:24 AM: SFD says no one was hurt and its crew cleared the scene shortly after arrival.

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, March 15th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Even warmer today! Mostly sunny, high in the low 60s. Sunrise will be at 7:21 am, sunset at 7:15 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. 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. Per WSF alerts, this is still in effect: “Due to some unplanned bridgework maintenance at the Fauntleroy terminal, single-lane loading and off-loading will be occurring until further notice.” 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!

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DEVELOPMENT: Next round of commenting for 7617 35th SW project
March 14, 2024 8:46 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Gatewood | West Seattle news

A new sign is up at 7617 35th SW – between Holden and Ida – because the project review for that site has reached a new phase. As announced in today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin, the developers have applied for a land-use permit, now that they’ve cleared the first phase of Design Review. (That happened in December – here’s our coverage of the meeting.) The project still has to go through the second phase of Design Review, but so far, city files say it’s proposed as “a 7-story, 126-unit apartment building with 3 live-work units and retail (with p)arking for 66 vehicles …” It’s also worth noting that this is at the heart of one of the “neighborhood centers” envisioned in the newly released Draft One Seattle Plan Update. Today’s permit-application notice opens a two-week comment period; if you want to comment, March 27 is the deadline, and this explains how.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Burglary suspect charged, as family tells their story of fighting back
March 14, 2024 6:00 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, early Sunday)

“The facts of this case are terrifying.” That’s how the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office opens the charging-document summary for 29-year-old Ethan McConaghy, charged with first-degree burglary and fourth-degree assault, accused of breaking into a home near 48th/Charlestown early Sunday morning and attacking the family who lives there. (Here’s our original report.) Even more than the narrative in the charging document, that assessment is borne out by the family telling their story in their own words – including their children’s bravery. Here’s what they sent:

It was around 6:45 am and my husband and I had just woken up when we were startled by the sound of breaking glass. Thinking that our china cabinet shelves had collapsed, we went downstairs and were confronted by an intruder entering the house via our broken dining room window. We demanded he leave our house but he didn’t respond and instead, came at us. My husband stopped him physically and they began to wrestle. I yelled for our children to call 911.

I proceeded to help my husband by opening the door so he could force the intruder outside. Once out, he was again told to leave. He ignored us and came at my husband again; they wrestled, moving onto the lawn while I called out for help. The man then ducked out of his shirt and jacket, allowing him to elude my husband and run at me while I was standing in the doorway. I defended myself but was ultimately dragged down the front steps to the lawn. The man then ran back into the house; he made it to the foot of the stairs before my husband caught up with him.

I had followed my husband inside and we tried to hold the intruder back, but he was able to struggle up the stairs. He then managed to break free and enter our younger daughter’s room, but he came back out immediately. She was not there because she had locked herself in our bedroom and was on the phone with 911. He then broke down the door to our bedroom and rushed our daughter, knocking the phone out of her hand. At that point, my husband was able to stop him by jumping on top of him. I grabbed our daughter and took her downstairs, yelling to our older daughter to call 911 and that we needed to leave immediately. When we caught up with her, she was on the phone with 911, and we were all able to get out of the house together.

Our children ran for safety while I ran to the neighbor’s house to get help. When I returned to our house with my neighbor, my husband had the man pinned down. I then left to locate our daughters. While I was looking for them, the police arrived, and I directed them to the scene. Our daughters had hidden themselves safely out of sight and were soon found by the police. Eventually, the police brought the man out of our house, and he was taken away in their custody.

We appreciate the help and kindness of our neighbors and the police response. We are proud of our daughters. They reacted quickly and effectively; they got the police to our house, took care of each other, and found safety. My daughters and I are in awe of how my husband handled the situation. Through this ordeal, we are closer as a family. We can only hope that as we heal mentally and physically from this experience, the person who caused this trauma is also getting the help he needs so we all can grow from this terrible experience.

The suspect remains in the King County Jail, held in lieu of $50,000 bail. The charging documents list his “last known address” as several blocks south of the crime scene; the family had never seen him before. His only listed prior conviction is for DUI, 13 years ago; he also has a recent DUI case that is not yet resolved.

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West Seattle Art Walk, all around the peninsula! Our 3 stops
March 14, 2024 5:44 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Art Walk, all around the peninsula! Our 3 stops
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

5:44 PM: Until 8 tonight – and beyond, at some venues – the West Seattle Art Walk is on!

That’s Rance Holiman, showing his paintings tonight at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor), our first stop of the night.

6:40 PM: Second stop of the night – Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), hosting painter Michael A. Knutson:

See his new work, “lone portraits of common natural creatures set to vast backdrops.” Also while at the winery – tasting fees are waived on Art Walk night!

7:20 PM: Continuing south, it’s a group show tonight at Alki Arts (6030 California SW; WSB sponsor):

Above, that’s Rob Roy Chalmers; below, Reeve Washburn:

If you don’t get out tonight, many of the venues (and definitely Alki Arts!) show art all month … find out about tonight’s displays by going here!

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BIZNOTE: The Swinery announces it’s closing
March 14, 2024 3:37 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

After 15 years at 3207 California SW, The Swinery is closing. Its proprietors asked us to publish this announcement:

Dearest customers, it breaks our hearts to announce that the Swinery will be closing March 24th, 2024.

The economy has made it impossible for us to continue.

Since 2009 we have had the pleasure of getting to know you, and watching your families grow.

We will not be leaving our beloved West Seattle, so hopefully we’ll see you around town.

Follow us on Facebook, you never know when or where the Swinery may pop up next for your Cassoulet, sausages etc…

Thank you all for everything,

Kim and Danny

The Swinery’s original ownership founded the butcher shop/eatery in 2009; it’s had much acclaim, and even national-TV spotlights – along the way. Kim – who has worked there since that first year – and Danny bought it in 2018. They’ve turned to community help in recent years, and have had The Swinery on the market, but have now decided to close their doors.

ADDED: Kim says she’d like to build an email list to notify people if they do a pop-up, community BBQ, etc. – if you’d want to be on that list, kimanneleveille@gmail.com is the address.

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If you see what looks like a motorcade …
March 14, 2024 2:07 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

… it’s training, according to a notification given to dispatchers and heard on police radio a short time ago. They were planning to head into West Seattle from the southeast, toward Lincoln Park.

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BIZNOTE: Mashiko adds lunch
March 14, 2024 12:46 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Another option for lunch in West Seattle! After many years of serving dinner only, West Seattle Junction Japanese restaurant – with a focus on sustainable seafood – Mashiko has added lunch. Proprietor Allison Hill emailed to share the news that they’re open for lunch 11:30 am-2:30 pm every day but Tuesday. They’re offering online ordering too: “We have Bentos, Donburis, and so much more!” Mashiko is at 4725 California SW.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Mini-mart break-in
March 14, 2024 11:56 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Another business burglary early today: Just after 1 am, we heard police dispatched to a suspected burglary at the gas station/mini-mart on the northwest corner of 41st/Admiral. Little subsequent information was exchanged over the air, so we followed up with SPD’s media office today. They confirmed the mini-mart was burglarized: “Officers found a broken front glass door at the business and an employee outside. No one was found inside. It appears (the burglar) used a rock to break in and steal items.” The description provided by SPD is “short white man in his 30s to 40s with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a dark jacket, gray hoodie, dark pants, and black shoes.” If you have any information, the incident number to reference is 24-070026.

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West Seattle Art Walk with scavenger hunt, museum quirkiness @ Southwest Stories, dog-park hearing, much more for your Thursday
March 14, 2024 10:51 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Art Walk with scavenger hunt, museum quirkiness @ Southwest Stories, dog-park hearing, much more for your Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Tonight is West Seattle Art Walk night, with a scavenger hunt, and that leads off our event lineup – first, this month’s list of where to find art and/or artist receptions and/or food/drink specials:

To get specifics about tonight’s events, browse the previews on the Art Walk website; here are two highlights:

SCAVENGER HUNT: Starting at 5 pm, go on a St. Patrick’s Day-theme scavenger hunt for a pot of gold – well, next best thing, for a chance to win prizes from local businesses! Our preview explains how.

JET CITY CAULDRON: Pop-up shopping with multiple artists/vendors will be awaiting you 5-9 pm inside Jet City Labs (4547 California SW),

Now – here’s what else is up today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop-in space open at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau) until noon.

FREE CHEESEBURGER: Duke’s Seafood on Alki (2516 Alki Avenue SW; WSB sponsor) continues celebrating its reopening with a new offer – free cheeseburger with any entree, through Tuesday (March 19). Open 11 am-10 pm.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Wine bar and tasting room open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.

STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm class at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Just four days remaining for in-person cookie-selling season – use this search tool to find a “cookie booth” near you.

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Original Philly’s.

FREE ECO-ARTS CLASS: 4-7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – you’re invited to drop in!

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH – CLOTHING EQUALITY: 4:30 pm presentation at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), learn about the fight over pockets! Free admission.

VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.

WONDERFUL, WEIRD, WORRISOME … What might you find in Washington’s museums? Harriet Baskas will reveal the secrets during this month’s Words, Writers, Southwest Stories online presentation, 6 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering to attend.

MAYOR’S PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM: As previewed here, the mayor and the city’s public-safety chiefs open a series of forums tonight about how to make Seattle safer, 6-7:30 pm, to be streamed live.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)

DOG-PARK HEARING: The proposal for a second official off-leash area in West Seattle, at a city-owned site south of WS Stadium, gets an official public hearing tonight with the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, 6:30 pm. Our preview has information on how to comment, either remotely or by going to the meeting downtown.

BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.

OPEN MIC: Express yourself at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm.

THURSDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Burger Planet (9614 14th SW) in White Center now has Thursday night trivia at 7 pm – prizes!

Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this one? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Mariner Moose in Morgan Junction
March 14, 2024 9:48 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

We’re just back from the Morgan Junction Starbucks, where the Mariner Moose has arrived. As announced last month, this is the latest stop on the Mariners’ “March to Opening Day” regional tour, starring the team mascot. You can stop by the shop (southwest corner of California and Fauntleroy) until 11 am to see The Moose. They’re giving away T-shirts, hats, and Starbucks gift cards, plus a drawing for tickets. The Mariners’ home opener is two weeks from today – Thursday, March 28, vs. the Boston Red Sox.

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OPEN HOUSE: Tour Village Green’s independent senior-living residences Friday
March 14, 2024 8:46 am
|    Comments Off on OPEN HOUSE: Tour Village Green’s independent senior-living residences Friday
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

If you, or family members, are considering a senior-living move, and interested in independent living, you’ll want to visit Village Green West Seattle (WSB sponsor) to tour the Parkview Senior Residences tomorrow (Friday, March 15). 2-6 pm, you are welcome to visit for an open house and tours, with light refreshments and entertainment. Village Green says Parkview offers “comfortable community living … private, spacious residences in an independent setting, complete with full kitchens and in home laundry.” They’re at 2615 SW Barton. Questions before you go? 206-937-6122 or WSinfo@villagegreenretirement.com.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to Thursday
March 14, 2024 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, March 14th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Getting warmer! Mostly sunny today, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise will be at 7:23 am, sunset at 7:14 pm.

ROAD-WORK ALERT

One more reminder about work starting on the north section of the East Marginal Way project.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. 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. Per WSF alerts, “Due to some unplanned bridgework maintenance at the Fauntleroy terminal, single-lane loading and off-loading will be occurring until further notice.” 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!

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‘We vilified businesses for too long,’ city councilmember tells West Seattle small-biz proprietors gathered to share concerns
March 13, 2024 11:09 pm
|      58 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

For the third time in a week, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka sat down this afternoon to talk with a group of West Seattle constituents.

Last Wednesday, it was the District 1 Community Network; last night, it was the Admiral Neighborhood Association; today, it was a group of more than a dozen people, primarily small-business proprietors, gathered by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Saka heard a lot about public safety and street disorder. But he also got an earful about the effects of a relatively new city law co-sponsored by his D-1 predecessor Lisa Herbold – the App-Based Worker Minimum Payment Ordinance that took effect in January, which some restaurateurs say has resulted in delivery costs going up and business going down.

Today’s gathering was part of a small-business-focused “listening tour” that Saka says is spanning the five neighborhoods in D-1; he’s already been to Pioneer Square, SODO, and Georgetown, and will finish the tour in South Park. Today’s West Seattle participants gathered with Saka (who was accompanied by chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko and district-relations director Leyla Gheisar) at Realfine Coffee‘s 35th/Kenyon shop.

(WSB photos. Councilmember Saka with Elliott Bay’s Todd Carden, Easy Street’s Matt Vaughan, and in background Realfine’s Julie Mierzwiak)

After some introductory chatting and coffee orders, the group trooped a few doors down to The Westy to hear from Saka, followed by Q&A.

Read More

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‘Creating a Safer Seattle’: First in a series of forums with mayor, chiefs Thursday
March 13, 2024 9:03 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The question is often asked: What are city leaders actually doing to improve public safety? Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced a series of community forums to try to answer that question. The first is tomorrow night (Thursday, March 14), 6-7:30 pm. In-person attendance at the downtown library is already maxed out but it’ll be streamed live via Seattle Channel (with a recording available afterward). The mayor will talk with moderator Enrique Cerna, and a panel discussion featuring other leaders including the city’s three public-safety chiefs – CARE Chief Amy Smith, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, Police Chief Adrian Diaz – will follow. Next month, forums are promised in all five SPD precinct areas, so that means there’ll be one in West Seattle/South Park, though specific dates and locations haven’t yet been announced. The forums are described as “open discussion(s) about community safety challenges, accomplishments, and opportunities.”

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Two charged in murder of man shot on Delridge, found on bridge; one linked to other West Seattle gunfire the same day
March 13, 2024 6:59 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(July 2023 framegrab from SDOT traffic camera)

Last July, we reported on a deadly shooting with two scenes, miles apart – it happened near Delridge Library but the victim, 26-year-old Rayshawn Parker, was found in a crashed car at the eastbound West Seattle Bridge’s 4th Avenue exit. Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced that two suspects are charged with murdering Mr. Parker — 17-year-old Tacoma resident Lederian N. Thomas and 22-year-old West Seattle resident Derrion M. Lewis, who is already in jail, charged in two other murders that happened in South King County days after this one. The charging documents also appear to solve a non-injury shooting in West Seattle earlier in the day.

The charging papers total 16 pages. Here’s the distillation: Investigators believe the Delridge murder was the result of an “orchestrate(d) … gunfight with rival gang members” at the gas station south of the library, which left behind “over fifty shell casings from three different caliber handguns” while the victim, mortally wounded, sped away in his SUV, crashed at the offramp, and collapsed to the ground. The next morning, a shot-up Chrysler was discovered in Tukwila and impounded; fingerprints found in it traced to Lewis and the vehicle’s owner, a Westwood resident with whom he was believed to be in a relationship at the time. Investigators also say that a week earlier, during a “separate investigation,” Lewis was seen driving the same vehicle to a meeting with his Department of Corrections case officer at the DOC’s office near 35th/Morgan. (Both he and Thomas have records).

The narrative details hours of taunting social-media videos Lewis allegedly recorded leading up to the gas-station shootout, apparently trying to goad rivals – he and Thomas are described as members of a different gang from the victim. And it links Lewis to the non-injury shooting that closed down 35th SW near Findlay hours before the Delridge murder (here’s our coverage of that gunfire incident). Evidence cited in the charges includes ballistics matches, cell-phone records, and social-media posts (primarily Instagram).

The KCPAO says both are in custody, charged with second-degree murder; online records show Lewis has been in jail since last August 1st, but since juvenile-detention records are not available online, we don’t know how long Thomas has been held – he is charged as an adult, though. Both are scheduled for arraignment March 25.

UPDATE: SPD says Thomas was arrested this past Tuesday.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Daiso uncloaks at Westwood Village
March 13, 2024 5:34 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

Eight months after we first reported that Westwood Village had a Daiso store on the way, the space is finally sporting signage. We have been passing by every few days or so and noticed the signage this afternoon. Daiso is moving into a combined space (formerly SportClips and Fresh Vitamins) a few doors north of Ross. While the signage simply says “spring” for its projected opening, one WSB reader who’s a frequent customer at another Daiso store in the region says the staff there told him they’re aiming for May. The only other claimed-but-not-open-yet space at WWV is the future Panda Express north of QFC.

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SUMMER JOBS: Take a swing at working for the DubSea Fish Sticks
March 13, 2024 3:57 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | White Center

With spring now less than a week away, we’re talking today about summer … jobs. We have an announcement from the DubSea Fish Sticks baseball team, which plays home games at nearby Steve Cox Memorial Park:

The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team is holding a job fair Sunday, March 17, 2024 at Mel Olson Stadium inside King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park. The job fair will run from 11 am-3 pm.

The team is currently looking to hire 50-60 part-time employees for the months of June and July. High school and college students are welcome to apply with select positions being available to those 14 years of age and older. There are select positions such as the concession manager, beer garden servers and security that do require the applicant to be 21 years of age or older.

The job fair will allow those interested in working for the Fish Sticks to find out more information about each position, apply, and interview on site. For those that are interested but cannot attend the job fair they can apply online at GoFishSticks.com/jobs. Positions that are currently available include mascot performer, concession manager, concessions, ticketing, merchandise, game day operations, beer garden servers, and security. The Fish Sticks also have multiple summer internships in digital marketing, and video production.

The DubSea Fish Sticks’ season begins on Saturday, June 3rd, and runs through August 3rd. They will host 27 different home shows (games) this summer at Mel Olson Stadium (aka The Fryer) at King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park. The team hosts upward of 40 college players from around the country for the summer; they will play 45 games throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The stadium is at 1321 SW 102nd.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen gray Hyundai Accent
March 13, 2024 2:25 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen gray Hyundai Accent
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Reported via email:

My 2012 gray Hyundai Accent was stolen from our parking garage last night at Bradford Court I had two steering wheel locks on it. The rear window has a 12 sticker. Police Report: 24-069376. License Plate: AIC4926.

Call 911 if you see it.

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VIDEO: Airlifting part of Don Armeni Boat Ramp’s second replacement dock
March 13, 2024 1:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Joan Mussa for the photo and video of part of the second new dock being placed at West Seattle’s Don Armeni Boat Ramp:

The project website explains in detail why Seattle Parks couldn’t fulfill the initial promise of keeping one dock (float) open at all times, and says there won’t be one available until “late March,” but adds that “boaters can put their boats in without floats during non-working hours.”

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