West Seattle, Washington
04 Tuesday
1:52 PM: As we first reported last week, today’s the day that SDOT planned to begin one of the last critical tasks before reopening the West Seattle Bridge on Sunday (September 18th) – load testing. It involves trucks moving across the bridge with “specialized heavy loads,” and SDOT has recorded some of it via drone video we just received.
While this needs to be done before the bridge reopens, SDOT has said repeatedly that the repaired bridge already has been tested in other ways and has performed as expected, so they’re not anticipating any surprises. Still no word of exactly what time Sunday they plan to start pulling down the barricades to end the 2 1/2-year closure.
3:31 PM: So what happens now? SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson says, “It will take us a few days to analyze the data.” Likely that’ll be complete by Friday afternoon, when a pre-reopening media briefing is planned.
(WSB video/photos)
“Class of 2022, you made it!” That’s how Chief Sealth International High School principal Ray Morales greeted his first graduating class tonight at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. He acknowledged what the 230+ seniors had experienced, with the pandemic dominating more than half their time in high school. But no one dwelled on that. Student speaker Joselyn Panganiban quoted the school’s namesake, Chief Seattle: “Take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints.”
Staff speaker Matthew Baudhuin speculated that students chose him for his “dad jokes” – and told a few – while also sharing words of inspiration, advising the grads to “go forth and be awesome.”
This was the shortest of the night’s two ceremonies at NCSWAC, but it included unique elements, starting with a land acknowledgment followed by a Native song:
As the graduates walked up for their individual moments of acknowledgment, many of their caps told stories, in some cases what’s next for the grads:
And in some cases, words of wisdom:
Whatever was or wasn’t on them, many of those caps went toward the sky after the tassel turn led by Jessica Hong:
School Board director Leslie Harris, asked by principal Morales if she would accept the class, declared, “Indeed I do!” Morales, meantime, was congratulated on his first year by also-first-year Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones:
(L-R, director of secondary schools Chris Carter, Harris, Morales, Jones)
In less than an hour, the ceremony concluded, with proud family and friends ready to greet the grads:
Another stolen vehicle to watch for – Marina sent the photos and report:
My black ‘99 Subaru Forester was stolen near the Farmers’ Market around Genesee and 40th yesterday while I was working. License plate CAU3434.
(SDOT photo)
One month after SDOT told us the 35th/Graham pedestrian/bicycle crossing was a few weeks from activation, it’s finally in operation. The signal [map] was originally proposed as part of the 35th SW Safety Project, and then became part of the West Seattle Greenway extension, which SDOT has declared complete (see the map here). Along with the push-activated signal, this intersection – where two people biking and walking have been killed in the past 15 years – has other modifications including turn restrictions and green-painted bike lanes.
It’s November, and that’s when SDOT has said work will start on the repairs that will make it possible to reopen the 19-months-closed West Seqttle Bridge. We’ve been asking SDOT when and where we can photograph and report on the first work – or at least the preparations for it; no specifics yet. But the major updates every month have been presented to the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force, and noon tomorrow (Wednesday, November 10th) is that group’s next meeting. We just received the agenda – see it here; it includes a bridge update with these points:
-What’s about to happen
-What to expect while the bridge is under repair
We also have the link you can use tomorrow to watch live – go here. The meeting does not include a public-comment period, but you can send comments or questions to westseattlebridge@seattle.gov.
Thanks to Graham for the photos and report: “We celebrated Pride with a walk with neighbors around Palm and Sunset today.”
(Harbor porpoise, photographed from Alki Point by Danny McMillin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WADING POOL & SPRAYPARK: Warm and sunny, so Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pool and Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) will be open 11 am-8 pm.
‘RAISING A READER’ BILINGUAL STORYTIME: Stories in Español and English, plus snacks, 4-5 pm at Southwest Youth and Family Services. Free. (4555 Delridge Way SW)
‘EARLY OUTREACH’ SITE TOUR: 7 townhouse units are planned for 2606 45th SW and the project team will be at the site at 6 pm for a site tour as part of the Early Design Outreach process.
EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:30 pm at High Point Library. This month’s book is “The Whole World Over” by Julia Glass; next month, “To Siberia” by Per Petterson. (3411 SW Raymond)
UNPLUGGED! A MUSICAL GATHERING: Acoustic musicians and singers! It’s your night at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
OPEN MIC: The spotlight and microphone are yours starting at 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Event for our calendar? Please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
12:01 PM: “Washington’s squid are generally less than a foot long,” says this state Department of Fish and Wildlife page. Well – not this one that Carrie Ann photographed during this morning’s low tide. She says, “Looks to have a bit of wear and tear from hitting rocks and scavengers pecking at it, but still impressive to see up close.” Humboldt squid? Reminiscent of this one five years ago.
2:46 PM UPDATE: In comments, Lynn says it’s believed to be a “robust clubhook squid.”
(Added – our photo from immediately after the unveiling)
10:25 AM: We’re testing live streaming today with the Log House Museum totem-pole unveiling – here’s the link to the page on Livestream.com where you’ll see live video/audio, if it’s working.
11:10 AM: Awesome event! Lots of coverage to come.
(Including County Executive Dow Constantine and Dietrich Schmitz leading Schmitz Park Elementary students on a walk down to the museum – where they joined Alki and Lafayette students as well as other attendees.)
(Crowd & media, with Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen at center, in hat)
11:25 AM: Adding a photo or two here pending full coverage later. And here’s the archive of the second half of our live stream, which includes the unveiling – our second report later will have our main clip, but check this out for starters:
Thanks to those who checked out the live stream – it was done via handheld iPhone, and there are steadier ways to do it, but you have to start somewhere. P.S. The Log House Museum is open until 4 pm today (noon-4 Thursdays-Sundays), and the totem-pole exhibit we mentioned yesterday is now open to visitors too.
4:49 PM: It’ll be mid-evening before our mega-roundup is done – we’re off to cover a few early-evening stories. Two photos we wanted to add here in the meantime – both from Alki photographer David Hutchinson. First, Mayor Murray walking from Alki Elementary:
And a splendid view of the totem pole:
| 25 COMMENTS