West Seattle, Washington
23 Monday
Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 29) is the day our state will officially observe Lunar New Year. We’ve received announcements about three celebrations coming up in West Seattle as the Year of the Snake begins:
(2023 photo courtesy Vietnamese Cultural Center of West Seattle)
SATURDAY, VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center at 2236 SW Orchard welcomes everyone to join its Vietnamese New Year celebration this Saturday (February 1), noon-3 pm, with festivities including a lion dance and flag-raising.
FEBRUARY 7, WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: For the second year, the WSHS AAPI Club and Chinese Program are presenting a Lunar New Year celebration, promising food, music, and culture, 7-8:30 pm in the school’s commons (3000 California SW).
FEBRUARY 8, SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: The garden just north of the South Seattle College campus (6000 16th SW) promises a Lunar New Year Festival, with performances and other activities, 11 am-3 pm. Free, but $6 donation appreciated.
(WSB photo from 2024 Loop the ‘Lupe)
Even as another near-freezing night begins, and as the possibility of snow lurks in the forecast, we have reason to think summer: Registration is open for this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe, with participation options including Seattle’s only 5K obstacle course! WSB has long been a community co-sponsor of Loop the ‘Lupe, and we’re sharing this announcement from organizers:
The early deadline for the BEST price on Loop the ‘Lupe, the only obstacle-course race in Seattle city limits, expires on Friday, January 31st! Register before midnight on January 31, use the coupon NEWYEAR5 at checkout, and save up to 40% off what you’d pay on race day. (Psst: Lock down even more discounts when you register 4+ people at a time!) Loop the ‘Lupe is Saturday, June 7, at Walt Hundley Playfield.
Sign up at loopthelupe.com.
(WSB file photo, Fauntleroy WSF terminal)
If you have questions about Washington State Ferries – given that West Seattle has a WSF terminal – you can mark your calendar for February 12-13. Those are the dates announced today for WSF’s next systemwide community meetings, to be held online. The first one will be at noon Wednesday, February 12 (register for the link here); the second one, at 6 pm Thursday, February 13 (register for the link here). WSF says they plan to discuss topics including electrification and workforce development; the Fauntleroy dock-replacement project is likely to be at least mentioned too, as the decision on a “preferred alternative” draws near – here’s our coverage of last month’s meeting about that.
That’s a chocolate waffle that a WSB reader reports getting at Happy Lemon on Alki as its second customer during a soft open today. It’s been 7 1/2 months since we reported the chain planned to open its second West Seattle shop at 2718 Alki SW, which had been vacant since a dry cleaner closed six years ago. (Friday, January 31, is official opening day, according to this page. Our tipster says they’re planning specials Friday and Saturday.)
1:15 PM: If you’ve been tracking national news, you have likely heard about the many orders and policy directives issued by the new federal administration. One today also has the potential for many city-level effects, so we’re checking on those. It’s an order from the federal Office of Management and Budget director, “paus(ing)” grants/funding. (See the memo here; Eastside U.S. House Rep. Suzan DelBene is circulating this analysis of potentially affected programs.)
Given the possibility for effects on city programs such as public safety and transportation, we asked whether any statement is forthcoming from Mayor Harrell. Not so far, responded spokesperson Callie Craighead, but here’s what she told us:
The City is analyzing the memo to understand the potential impacts of this action given its broad and vague language. We are actively working with City departments to evaluate any potential immediate effects.
Strong constitutional protections exist that limit the federal government’s ability to coerce cities by conditioning funds. We will continue to assess actions that impact Seattle’s access to federal funding that supports all of our residents and respond appropriately.
Checking WSB archives, we have 79 references to federal-grant funding for projects on which we’ve reported – most recently including the Spokane Street Viaduct repaving and Hiawatha Community Center renovations (a project that’s not yet complete). There are also school (we’re checking with the district) and medical programs potentially affected, among others. We’ll continue following up.
4:27 PM: The spending-pause order was supposed to take effect at 2 pm our time but a federal judge has put it on hold until next Monday afternoon (February 3).
ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: The AP reports the order has been rescinded.
ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: But NBC says the White House spokesperson contends the freeze hasn’t.
11:20 AM: Seattle Police have released a summary of two weekend arrests in West Seattle that they say started with an investigation of “illegal parking.” Early Saturday morning, SPD says, “patrol officers located a vehicle illegally parked after hours in the 1000 block of Harbor Avenue SW [map]. While speaking with the occupants, police saw a loaded handgun in the center console.” That led them to get the 27-year-old suspect out of the car and seize the gun, which they say “was previously reported stolen.” He was arrested for that; his passenger was found to also have a stolen handgun in his possession, police say – as well as a warrant from Federal Way. He allegedly tried to run, but SPD says he “was quickly apprehended.” In addition to the two stolen guns, the summary says, officers also found and confiscated nearly four grams of cocaine and 27.5 grams of fentanyl. The two suspects were booked into the King County Jail; we’re following up to try to find out their status.
ADDED 4:42 PM: The 27-year-old suspect, an Auburn man, remains in jail, bail set at $25,000; the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said they had requested $75,000. The probable-cause document has a few more details:
On 1/25/2025 at approximately 0025 hours, I (the officer) was working uniformed patrol as unit 3F3, when I saw a car parked illegally at 1055 Harbor Av Sw. There is a sign posted at that location stating no parking from 2300 hours to 0500 hours, I approached the vehicle and attempted to tell the driver he can no longer park here.
As I was speaking with the driver, I was able to see a loaded handgun in plain view in the center console. The driver admitted that he was the owner of the gun and admitted he did not have a CPL. The driver granted us consent to grab the gun from the vehicle. I conducted a records check on the firearm and it returned to a stolen firearm out of Tacoma. I placed the driver under arrest for possession of a stolen firearm.
A charging decision is expected tomorrow.
We don’t have a corresponding document for the passenger, 24; KCPAO says his case has not been referred to them so far. But he’s still in jail in lieu of $10,500 bail – $3,000 for potential Municipal Court charges in this case, and that Federal Way warrant, a “physical control” case, with $7,500 bail.
(Today’s sunrise glow, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s the list for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TOUR WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY: 10 am is the first of four events, all in our calendar listing. (6760 34th SW)
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY 4 SCHOOL FUNDING: As previewed here, you’re invited to this week’s Postcards 4 Democracy writing meetup at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to join a writing campaign to ask our legislators for more public-school funding.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Lunch meeting, noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), with community advocate, former pro-basketball player, and entrepreneur James Donaldson speaking today.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY TOUR/OPEN HOUSE: 4-5 pm today, prospective families are invited to visit the Admiral District school. (2645 California SW)
HOMEWORK HELP: Students can drop in for free help, 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: 6:15 pm, meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
OPEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: Singers invited! The Boeing Employees Choir – open to non-employees too – has open rehearsals again tonight and next Tuesday night at the American Legion Post 160 hall (3618 SW Alaska), 6:30 pm.
FREE SWING DANCE LESSONS: At the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), “Intro lessons for East Coast Swing start at 6:30 PM and Intermediate Foxtrot with Swing start at 7:45. First class is free, so come and check it out.” More info here.
‘RAISING RESILIENT KIDS IN THE DIGITAL AGE’: This “West Seattle community conversation about kids and social media, smartphones, and a mental health epidemic” – previewed here – starts at 6:30 pm at Gatewood Elementary (4320 SW Myrtle) and promises a discussion of solutions as well as the problem.
MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 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! – Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 6: Six trivia options for Tuesday night – 7 pm trivia with Amelia at Future Primitive‘s Beer Bar on Alki (2536 Alki SW) … The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 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; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) … and Trivia Tuesdays at Christos on Alki, 7:15 pm (2508 Alki SW).
Hosting an event, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB file photo)
Early planning is under way for this milestone reunion we were asked to tell you about, because they’re trying to reach as many class members as they can. Sent by Donna:
The graduating class of 1965 will be gathering for a 60th reunion on September 8, 2025 at Salty’s on 1936 Harbor Avenue SW in Seattle. We will have a luncheon from noon to 4 pm. The cost is $95. There are funds available to support a fellow graduate who might need financial assistance. Please let us know if you are interested in attending by February 12, 2025. Casual attire, guests of graduates are welcome. There will be “no pay” at the door availability. If our graduates are interested in attending, they can email us at: Sealth1965reunioncommittee@gmail.com
6:03 AM: Good morning – it’s Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
BRIDGE/ROAD NOTES
*The Delridge pedestrian bridge (“live” image above) is scheduled to be closed through 5 pm Wednesday for some remaining tasks from the recent seismic-strengthening project.
*16th SW in the SW Kenyon vicinity has some utility work planned tomorrow (you might have seen the “no parking” signs on both sides of the street). We’re expecting details later today and will update here.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny days and clear nights continuing through Wednesday, highs in the mid-40s, lows around freezing. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:40 am and 5:05 pm.
TRANSIT
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Water Taxi – Also on a regular schedule today.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Salish as the “bonus boat.”
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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