West Seattle, Washington
14 Friday
We already have word of some school changes for Tuesday because of the potentially snowy weather, so we’ll start the list here and update it with whatever else we hear.
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL: 2-hour late start Tuesday. No morning, ESC, or half-day preschool; school will start at 10:30 am.
VASHON ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT: 1.5-hour late start Tuesday; see district website pop-up for other effects.
KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: 2-hour late start (10 am); see district website pop-up for details.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Late start of 10 am for Tuesday. All classes and activities before 10 am are canceled.
.HOLY FAMILY: 2-hour late start
HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 2 hours late.
Others? Please text or call 206-293-6302, or email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The National Weather Service has finally issued an alert after all these days of forecasts with the potential for some snow. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 10 am tomorrow, with the NWS saying we could get up to two inches of snow. As always, we’ll cover the weather plus school and traffic info – 206-293-6302, voice or text, is the best way to let us know what’s happening where you’re at.
(WSB photo from May 2022, drumming/singing at event announcing lawsuit)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“We look at this as a victory.”
That’s how the Duwamish Tribal Council sees a federal court ruling giving them a new start in their decades-old fight for federal recognition. We talked this afternoon with Tribal Councilmember Yvonne Griffin to get context on the new ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Jamal Whitehead.
The ruling (first reported earlier today by The Seattle Times) is related to the lawsuit the Duwamish Tribe announced with an event at their West Seattle longhouse in May 2022 (WSB coverage here). In short, it orders the federal government to reconsider the tribe’s petition for recognition, and cancels the previous denial, Griffin explains.
The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs must re-evaluate the petition, and the tribe is allowed to submit new evidence. A key contention remains that the modern-day Duwamish Tribe is indeed the rightful successor to the historic Duwamish Tribe that signed the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855, despite other regional tribes including some descendants of Duwamish people. “New evidence will help us demonstrate (that),” Griffin says.
She also says it’s highly unusual for a tribe to be granted two “remand” orders – remanding their case to the department for reconsideration, which was ordered, then denied, in a previous case.
Recognition is vital because the Duwamish Tribe needs a government-to-government relationship with the federal government, Griffin says, and access to programs its members “deserve.” She adds that the fight isn’t over “treaty fishing rights” (though they are mentioned in the case, and two recognized tribes, the Muckleshoot and Tulalip, have taken the anti-recognition side) – they just want that recognition, which they briefly had a quarter century ago: This round of their fight dates back to recognition granted by the outgoing Clinton Administration at the turn of the millennium, then pulled back by the incoming Bush Administration. Another change in federal administrations could complicate things, since this case was filed against the Biden Administration, and will now require a review by the Trump Administration. Griffin says they haven’t spoke to anyone in the new federal government yet, so they’ll have to wait and see how it goes – and who does it. The court order says it must be “impartial.”
But this is only a “step in their journey” toward recognition – or, re-recognition, if you will. The ruling wasn’t “everything we asked for,” but: “We remain hopeful,” says Griffin, as they and their lawyers wait to see what happens next.
(Rendering by Studio 19 Architects)
Three weeks ago, we told you about the upcoming Design Review hearing for an 86-apartment project at 3010 SW Avalon Way. At the time, the city hadn’t linked the “packet” for that hearing (though we found a draft version for our story), but now it’s available and you can see it here. The online review meeting is at 5 pm Thursday (February 6); the links for participating/viewing are on this page. As we noted last month, this will be the first time the city has convened the Southwest Design Review Board since December 2023. The project passed the first phase of Design Review in November 2021. P.S. If you’re wondering how close this is to the future light-rail station, that’s shown on a map in the packet.
That photo sent by Ray reminded us that we should remind you the Admiral Bank of America branch is closing as of one week from tomorrow. B of A announced the February 11 closure plan way back in July of last year. As we noted then, it’ll be the second Admiral Junction bank-branch closure in less than a year, after Wells Fargo shuttered there last March. That building has since sold, and the ex-bank space in it remains for lease; that’s the plan – as you can see from the signage – for this building too. As for B of A’s two remaining West Seattle branches – in The Junction and at Westwood Village – both are in the city building-permit system right now for various exterior work such as bollard upgrades and parking-lot maintenance.
If you have something to say about the proposed city rezoning plan and other components of the Comprehensive Plan Update, Wednesday night brings the City Council‘s major public hearing about it. Various groups around the city have gone public with support and opposition, but this is the one night that councilmembers are convening to listen to as many individuals as want to speak. You can either go to City Hall to comment in person, or sign up to do it online; the agenda explains how. The hearing starts at 5 pm Wednesday (February 5); here’s the official notice, with a summary of what the city considers the plan’s toplines. You can find both the full proposed plan and its Environmental Impact Statement linked from this page.
(Moon and Venus on Saturday night, photographed by Kanit Cottrell)
Here’s what’s scheduled (and not) for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – we’ll update if we get word of any weather-related changes, but for now, here’s what we have:
BABY STORY TIME: Note that story time at Southwest Library is canceled this week.
‘EATING FOR YOUR MICROBIOME’ FREE WEBINAR: 12:30 pm online, free webinar presented by Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor):
“Eating for Your Microbiome: How to Incorporate Prebiotics in Your Diet” with Dr. Megan Taylor
February 3, 2025 at 12:30 pmJoin Megan Taylor, ND, FABNG to discuss how to “Eat for your Microbiome.” Dr. Taylor will review some dietary strategies, with a focus on prebiotics, to support the growth of a diverse and rich gut microbiome.
Go here to register for the viewing link!
HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in time for students to work with volunteer homework helpers at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.
BASKETBALL: This year’s games between Chief Sealth International HS and West Seattle HS are tonight at CSIHS (2600 SW Thistle) – 5:30 pm girls’ varsity, 7 pm boys’ varsity.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players included!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm with Tamara Kubacki, meeting at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW). “Grief groups are brave and safe spaces where bereaved people can share their stories and speak their loved one’s name without fear of getting advice, platitudes, or being shut out, no matter how long it’s been since their loved one’s passing.” – you can attend once or multiple times. Fee. Preregistration requested – our calendar listing explains how.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play 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)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley features music on Monday nights, jazz with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday night is time for karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks to everyone who contributes listings to our calendar – if you have something to add, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Every few weeks we remind you that if you’re looking for a new job – or new employee(s) – WSB has a West Seattle Jobs Offered section in the WSB Community Forums. This past week has brought new listings for local businesses, including our own, just posted. If you are hiring in West Seattle/White Center, it’s free to post – go here if you don’t already have a login. (When you post a job, be sure to include contact info so applicants can reach you directly.) No login needed if you’re a jobseeker browsing listings. Thanks for keeping it local!
9:16 AM: Big flakes in a snow shower right now!
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning – it’s Monday, February 3, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny, chance of more snow showers, high in the upper 30s, low tonight in the 20s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:32 am and 5:14 pm.
SCHOOL NOTES
No changes announced for Seattle Public Schools, but as noted here last night, Highline and Vashon Island districts and Summit Atlas are all reported to be starting late. (Added 6:57 am) Kennedy HS is starting two hours late too. … (added) Texter reports YMCA Early Learning in West Seattle is opening at 9:30 am.
TRANSIT
Metro buses – Regular schedule. If we do see snow, check metrowinter.com!
Water Taxi – Also on a regular schedule today.
Washington State Ferries – M/V Suquamish is currently with M/V Cathlamet 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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