West Seattle, Washington
07 Wednesday
The extensive discussion about the Alki Point Healthy Street in the past few years has focused almost entirely on its south stretch – Beach Drive from Alki Point to 63rd SW. Some of the “permanent” features installed on its north stretch – Alki Avenue from 63rd SW to the point – have led to a problem that multiple nearby residents have emailed us about.
The photo above, from Greg, was taken near the west end of the beach park. It shows a “no parking” sign at left – and cars parked past it, despite the “wheel stops” meant to reinforce the message. He explained that “people continue to park illegally, blocking the turnaround past 64th Place. 64th Place (which has many families with children) has now become an unsafe arterial. Even without cars parked illegally on Alki, most cannot make the tight radius turn and must back up. The most dangerous issue are those who don’t understand the traffic flow past the circle and they DRIVE in the bike lane.” Greg says he had reported it to the city without response before contacting us. So we took it to SDOT, whose spokesperson Ethan Bergerson tells us:
We are considering some adjustments to help address these concerns:
-There is currently a gap between the concrete wheel stops by the bike rack which is large enough for a vehicle to drive through or park. We could add another wheel stop to fill this gap and clarify this confusion.
-We are also considering moving the “Street Closed Ahead” sign to be more visible from a distance to drivers as they approach this cul-de-sac.
For a better view of the “cul-de-sac,” here’s a photo from Jennifer:
We’ll keep watch to see what happens.
Police are investigating three strong-arm robberies (no weapons) at West Seattle businesses reported within the span of less than an hour this morning, likely involving the same two robbers. The first one was reported around 7:15 am at the Chevron station at 35th/Holden. Two robbers walked in, pushed the clerk out of the way, went to the register and got away with $700 in cash. According to dispatch audio, the robbers were described as male, Black, in their late teens or early 20s, one 5’11” and stocky, the other a couple inches shorter and medium build, masked and wearing dark clothing. They left on foot eastbound on Holden; a K-9 team helped search but they weren’t found. Then just after 7:30, robbers matching the description went into the South Delridge 7-11, “forced their way to the cash register in a similar way,” and left with $500 in cash. Then while police were still investigating that robbery, a third was reported at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), same descriptions, same method, but that time they netted much less cash. If you have any information, the 35th/Holden robbery is 24-220072, the Delridge robbery is 24-220091, and the Highland Park Way is 24-220103; police say you can call the SPD tipline at 206-233-5000 or phone an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
(Photo by Peter Galli, surprised by this owl’s visit to his deck)
Here’s our list of what’s happening today/tonight in West Seattle and vicinity, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DONATE FOOD! The almost-daily summer food-donation drive continues at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) – you can drop off nonperishable items until noon.
TOP POT’S OPENING DAY: As previewed Tuesday, the new Top Pot Doughnuts shop is officially open as of today at 4709 California SW in The Junction.
FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), bring your little one(s) to meet firefighters and learn about safety.
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day, 11 am-8 pm, free.
COLMAN POOL: The season continues for the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the 7-day-a-week wading pool is open noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.
DELRIDGE WADING POOL: Also open today, next to Delridge Community Center, noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
KIWANIS CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Community members are welcome at the Kiwanis Club‘s dinner meeting at 5:45 pm at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW) – “learn more about Akin, a merger of Childhaven and Children’s Home Society,” and how to help their work, as explained in our calendar listing.
FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.
FREE GROUP RUNS: All runners are welcome on the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run, for all levels – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four places where you play tonight: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO X 2: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … At Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo at 7:30 pm Wednesdays, hosted by Mingo Maniac.
YOGA IN THE PARK: Two West Seattle teachers lead Wednesday night outdoor-yoga events at Myrtle Reservoir Park (35th/Myrtle), 6:30 pm – follow the link for ticket info.
OUTDOOR YOGA AND MORE: Outdoor Kundalini Yoga, Breath Work, Meditation and Gong Bath, 7 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW), ticket info in our calendar listing.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Take a turn in the spotlight! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Planning a show, presentation, meeting, open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can get it onto West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Roberta McKechnie, and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Roberta Wilma McKechnie
August 10th, 1952 – July 18th, 2024Roberta McKechnie (Bobbie to some) passed away peacefully in her home in the farm lands near North Branch, MI on the morning of July 18th, 2024 of natural causes.
Roberta was raised in the farm & ranch lands of Cle Elum and Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington and attended Easton High School. She was retired from the Seattle Department of Transportation, where she worked as a concrete finisher/mason and restored the historic cobblestone streets in Seattle. She moved from her lovely home in Lowman Beach area of West Seattle to be with her son Titus and daughter-in-law Cathy Preston and grandchildren near North Branch, Michigan.
She loved her cats, weaving, reading, gardening, cooking, and entertaining. She cherished the outdoors and hiking, fishing, and road-tripping the West in the camper van with her husband and family. Gardening, fixing breakfast and thick coffee for friends and family and being within nature made her feel most at home.
She is survived by her best friend and best husband Wes (Jr) McKechnie, children Titus Preston and Vivian McKechnie, and 6 grandchildren, Abby Zimmerman (Dean), Kailey Preston (Ryan), Emma and Lizzie Preston, David Stafford, (Katherine) and Cassandra Marie. She was preceded in death by her daughter Celeste Preston, her in-laws Wes (Sr.) and Berniece McKechnie, and father Robert Linza & mother Selma Hyde. Her special friends were Denise and Steve Worthington, Greg Whittle and wonderful cats B.C., Jack the Cat, Bessie, and Lady, they all gave her great comfort. God bless you in your well-deserved peace; we will keep your memory alive until we see you again, we love you, and miss you so.
There will be no services. In lieu of flowers, make a donation to your favorite animal shelter.
(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)
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, August 7.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the upper 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:55 am, while sunset will be at 8:33 pm.
(Tuesday night photo by Bill Schrier)
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Back to normal schedule for both routes.
Metro buses today – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.
EASTBOUND SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT’S NEWEST CLOSURE SCHEDULE
*The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. Here’s the newest closure schedule, including eastbound middle and right lanes closing tonight 7 pm-6 am (and the entire eastbound direction closes again this weekend).
OTHER ROAD WORK NOTES
*By request, an update on the East Marginal Way S. project, particularly of note for people who travel by bike between downtown and West Seattle:
WHAT: Updated detour route for people biking on East Marginal Way S
WHEN: Starting as soon as August 12 and lasting for several weeks
WHERE: People biking will be routed onto the street of E Marginal Way S in temporary protected bike lanes from S Spokane St to north of the Terminal 30 parking lot at approximately S Stacy St. At the T30 parking lot / S Stacy St, people will be routed back into the existing bike lanes and sidewalk on the west side of the street. Please note that the T30 parking lot is south of the main T30 entrance.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, at least into early 2025. Lane closures have begun on the top deck too. But SDOT now says it will NOT have weekend closures of the entire bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch. Watch for no-parking zones and steel plates, plus flaggers.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (Some important cameras are back but some others remain out)
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
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; 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 open for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Voting ended at 8 pm in our state’s primary, and King County Elections has released its first and only ballot count for the night. Most of the night’s races of interest are statewide. It’s the primary, so the top two candidates in each race advance to November. First, we look at the one and only Seattle race, for the final year of what was Teresa Mosqueda‘s unexpired citywide City Council Position 8 term when she moved to the County Council; Tanya Woo was appointed to serve this year, but there had to be an election for this next year. Woo is among the five candidates on the ballot. Tonight’s count:
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL POSITION 8 (citywide, full results here) – top two advance
Alexis Mercedes Rinck 45,914 46.60%
Tanya Woo 40,790 41.40%
Saunatina Sanchez 4,321 4.39%
Tariq Yusuf 3,971 4.03%
Saul Patu 3,173 3.22%
34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE POSITION 1 – both advance
Emily Alvarado (D)* 18,164 84.72%
Kimberly M. Cloud (R) 3,218 15.01%
34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE POSITION 2 – both advance
Joe Fitzgibbon (D)* 18,057 83.78%
Jolie Lansdowne (R) 3,466 16.08%
STATE/FEDERAL RESULTS (as of 8:45 pm the Secretary of State website was finally showing them properly)
GOVERNOR – top two advance
Bob Ferguson (D) 459,407 45.49%
Dave Reichert (R) 281,993 27.92%
Semi Bird (R) 94,938 9.4%
Mark Mullet (D) 58,934 5.84%
ATTORNEY GENERAL – top two advance
Pete Serrano (R) 416,064 41.85%
Nick Brown (D) 356,851 35.9%
Manka Dhingra (D) 220,485 22.18%
(Nick Brown is a West Seattle resident.)
STATE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS – top two advance
Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) 221,678 22.64%
Sue Kuehl Pederson (R) 198,343 20.26%
Dave Upthegrove (D) 194,412 19.85%
Patrick DePoe (D) 129,467 13.22%
U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 7 – top two advance
Pramila Jayapal (D)* 86,049 78.39%
Dan Alexander (R) 9,683 8.82%
Liz Hallock (D) 8,581 7.82%
Cliff Moon (R) 5,213 4.75%
(Rep. Jayapal is a West Seattle resident.)
We’ll be checking the statewide results for updates later, since other counties may release vote counts before the night’s out.
6:16 PM: Some neighborhoods have Night Out block parties year after year after year. Our first stop tonight is one of them – an Arbor Heights block near Westside School (WSB sponsor).
Thanks to JoDean for again this year being the first to invite us to stop by for a photo! We’ll be making a few other stops, heading south to north as the evening goes. We welcome your Night Out party photos too – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! And if you’re not spending the evening at your own block/building party, please be extra-careful in traveling around, with many neighborhood streets closed to traffic for the evening.
6:28 PM: Above is a photo from our second stop, the senior-living complex Village Green West Seattle (WSB sponsor) in Westwood, where it’s a parking-lot party, with live music by Rob Sturza and friends:
Plus hot dogs.
6:55 PM: Stop #3 was Eileen‘s neighborhood on one of east Highland Park’s hidden-away hillside streets. Photo above!
7:20 PM: Now we’re in Admiral, where Rosalie invited us to stop by her neighborhood’s block party east of West Seattle High School. One of the neighbors here is a beekeeper and has an educational exhibit at the party:
7:45 PM: Now we’re on Genesee Hill. We discovered two adjacent blocks were having parties – Laurie invited us to hers, but first we accidentally wandered in the other direction, so we photographed that group too.
Above, Laurie and neighbors at their very scenic dead-end overlook; below, the block north of theirs:
8:01 PM: Night Out usually collides with Election Night, and we have to head back to check out returns shortly, so our last stop is on Gatewood Hill, where Jennifer sent word of her block party, enjoying live music again this year – the band is Head Cheese, featuring the ever-popular Tom Hutyler.
Thanks to everybody who sent invitations!
ADDED 9:25 PM: Above are our neighbors in Upper Fauntleroy; their party was still going strong when we returned home, so we gathered them for a photo. We’ve also received a few from readers – first, here’s “a small but mighty group in Arbor Heights”:
Lilly the dog was among attendees at Gabe‘s party west of The Junction:
P.S. If you want to keep the community-safety vibe going, note that the Southwest Precinct is hosting its next Crime Prevention Council (a “group” basically consisting of whoever shows up) meeting on September 11, 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), all welcome.
Three and a half months after we first reported that Top Pot Doughnuts would return to West Seattle, it’s about to open. We visited the new space at 4709 California SW – where Wildflour closed in January – during a preview event this afternoon. The Top Pot team confirmed that they’ll officially open tomorrow (Wednesday, August 7), 6 am-7 pm.
Below are Mark and John from Top Pot, with Chris and Stacie from the West Seattle Junction Association:
The Junction shop is opening three and a half years after Top Pot closed its previous West Seattle location on Alki.
The chain was founded on Capitol Hill more than 20 years ago.
While visiting Southwest Customer Service Center today, we noticed this sign:
5:10 PM: Southwest Pool will be closing for maintenance during the two weeks leading up to Labor Day. Outdoor Colman Pool will still be open during that time, if you’re looking for an alternative. We have an inquiry out to Seattle Parks for more information on the work that’ll be done during the closure.
ADDED 5:45 PM: Parks’ Christina Hirsch tells WSB, “The Southwest Pool closure is our standard 18-month interval maintenance closure. The pool is drained to allow for repairs of various mechanical systems. This closure is also supposed to include a Health Department mandated replacement of our deep end drain covers. It is timed to coincide with the floor closure for the Teen Life Center.”
We occasionally receive “deceased pet found” reports and publish them on the WSB West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page, which we’ve done with this, but the circumstances are unusual so we’re including it here on the main page too. Sent by Ashley:
This afternoon just before 2 pm I came across a dog that had been hit by a car at the top of Olson Place where it turns into Roxbury. I took it in a towel to Urban Animal (in White Center) and while it was still soft and warm, it was definitely deceased. Its face was significantly harmed so we did not take photos.
Here are the best details we have on the sweet dog:
Female
Not Spayed
No chip or collar
Approximately 20 lbs
Grey and soft / curly coat
Possible Poodle / terrier mixUrban Animal will keep the body for one week.
Super sad, but happy to know she is not getting further run over by cars.
If this dog might be yours, the number for Urban Animal (9610 17th SW; WSB sponsor) is 206-257-1524.
After a day and a half of no or reduced service to West Seattle, and a half-day of reduced service to Vashon Island, the King County Water Taxi is back on its regular schedule this afternoon. Metro spokesperson Al Sanders says the Coast Guard cleared M/V Sally Fox to return to service, so it sailed from downtown to West Seattle at 1:30 pm, and M/V Doc Maynard will leave downtown for Vashon Island at 3 pm, with both routes sailing their regular schedules this pm. The Water Taxi’s regular backup boat, M/V Spirit of Kingston, has been unavailable because it’s at a shipyard for its periodic “out-of-water inspection.”
Today we’re welcoming Nola’s Events as a new WSB sponsor. Local businesses joining the sponsor team get the chance to tell you what they do – so here’s a message from Nola’s Events!
(Pictured with Nola: Chef Weeze, her daughter and sous chef Sarah, sales assistant Clementine)
Hello to our West Seattle Friends – We are excited to become a sponsor for the WS Blog and tell you a bit more about Nola’s Events.
We are a woman-owned-and-operated business here in WS and we love our community! I have been a resident of WS for many years and actually started my first catering business here in the ’90s across the street from the Cow on 35th.
We pride ourselves in using local, seasonal, and organic foods in our hand-crafted menus for private parties, weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, and special occasions. Drawing from the bounty of the NW and cuisines from around the world, we work with our clients to create wonderful events for family, friends and associates.
Some of our clients and those we support include the WS Food Bank, WS Center for Active Living, WS Garden Tour, and many private clients. We can’t wait to tantalize you with our beautiful foods and warm, professional service. Please visit our website at nolasevents.com. You can also enjoy some of our favorite dishes featured at West Seattle Thriftway in the deli-prepared take-home foods…
Bon Appetit and we look forward to helping you plan your best moments!
Nola and Chef Weeze and our fabulous team
Nola’s Events
nola@nolasevents.com
We thank Nola’s Events for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here. You can email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
The Center for Active Living (ex-Senior Center) in The Junction has three things to share:
OPEN HOUSE AND DANCE PARTY THURSDAY: Haven’t visited the center lately – or ever? 5-8 pm Thursday (August 8) you’re invited to a community open house, with tours and refreshments. Then 8-10 pm, stay for an ’80s dance party – no charge, beverages (beer, wine, non-alcoholic) available for purchase, along with “throwback-themed snacks.” Dress ’80s-style if you want to!
MURAL UPDATE: We’ve reported previously on the center’s plan for an exterior mural, and the choice of artist Brady Black to paint it. The center says he “will present his final design for The Center’s mural this Thursday at the Community Open House … He’ll be available to chat with community members and answer questions about his process. He is planning to begin painting the week of August 18.”
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: The center is a nonprofit powered in large part by volunteers. Maybe you can help? Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
The Center for Active Living is currently in need of volunteers to fill the following positions:
Retail Sales Clerk/Cashier: provide general customer assistance in the retail thrift shop
Chef Assistant: help prepare meals for Community Dining Program; chop, bake and general commercial kitchen help
Kitchen Dishwasher: load and unload a commercial kitchen dishwasher
Café Attendant: Take customer orders and prepare sandwiches and salads in The Center’s onsite café
Westside Friends: provide companionship and support to seniors in their home location in West Seattle
Must be 18 years of age or older, and shifts are generally weekdays during the day, and can be two to three hours in duration. Flexible scheduling options are available. To apply, click this link to complete a volunteer application or email dannyp@wscenter.org
The center is at 4217 SW Oregon.
(Seen along Beach Drive – photo by Thomas Bach)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, as listed on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (send us your event any time – westseattleblog@gmail.com):
ELECTION DAY: Last day to get your ballot in. If you’re using USPS mail, hurry – it has to have today’s postmark. If you are using a King County Elections dropbox, you have four West Seattle options, plus White Center, South Park, and others around the county – see the list and map here – they all close at 8 pm. First results are usually published around 8:15.
NIGHT OUT: Tonight’s the night for community-building block parties around the nation – many will close side streets – some will be in other venues including apartment-complex courtyards – hours will vary, though it’s generally 5 pm to dusk. Many of the West Seattle events are mapped here.
COLMAN POOL: Continued daily operations for the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the wading pool is expected to be open today, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area, with the weather due to warm up this afternoon.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm weekly meeting, with public comment in person or online – the agenda explains how. Watch via Seattle Channel.
GRAND OPENING: New clinic Deeds Health (4141 California SW) is celebrating with a 2:30 pm ribboncutting and reception.
FREE DROP-IN CLIMBING: Try out Schurman Rock at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) – two free sessions, 5 pm and 6:30 pm, with signups starting half an hour before the session begins.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm Tuesdays all summer, bring the little one(s) to Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW) for storytime plus a garden activity.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm tonight, play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: All runners welcome! Gather at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
MAKE POTTERY: 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).
CONCERT AT ALKI UCC: New concert series starts with performance and Night Out party, 7 pm, featuring Asia. More info in our calendar listing. Free admission, donation requested to support musicians. (6115 SW Hinds)
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – weekly Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – 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).
Planning an event? Are community members invited? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Another one-of-a-kind West Seattle shop has announced it’s closing. Here’s what we received “on behalf of the Bremen family and the team at Second Gear Sports,” the sports-consignment store at 6529 California SW:
For the past 11 years, you’ve trusted Second Gear Sports to help your great gear find a new home. Our families grew up together. Your kids (and ours!) recycled and replaced what they’d outgrown.
You made our store a community hub, often lingering after the sale to chat with a neighbor you hadn’t seen in a while. You shared your upcoming recreational plans with us. We are proud to have supported countless local schools and organizations. We cherished every partnership and camaraderie with fellow local business owners.
It’s no surprise that the pandemic made recovery hard for many businesses. For outdoor-centric businesses, last winter’s slim snowfall compounded issues. We attempted positive changes in store footprint, product, and price balancing, but this could not offset steeply rising costs in labor and rent. Our inability to negotiate our lease to meet our business needs is the final blow. Hence, we have made the difficult decision to close on August 31.
Second Gear was born after two economic downturns and, as a result, our household endured back-to-back mass layoffs. The West Seattle community helped us hit the ground running, proving the local need for what we had to offer.
When a regular person starts a small business, they have a vision and a dream. When things go well, that vision and dream expand. Rarely does an owner consider the day they might have to close up shop.
We’ve seen a lot of this in West Seattle lately. It’s hard to watch. For every closure, rest assured that owner explored every possibility to press on. They are your people, your neighbors, their kids may know yours. They employed local residents. Keep your mind and heart open for anyone closing a business. It’s a loss.
In the meanwhile, come see us through August. We will hold sales to liquidate inventory. It’s the perfect time to get needed gear for the remainder of summer or early for winter.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says only 35% of small businesses make it this far. All in all, we had an excellent run. We appreciate your support over the years and helping us reach this milestone.
Mark and Ellen Bremen opened Second Gear Sports in September 2013; just half a year later, the shop was honored as Emerging Business of the Year by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, August 6.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Becoming sunny, high in the mid-70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:54 am, while sunset will be at 8:35 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES, WITH REDUCED WATER TAXI SERVICE
Water Taxi today – With two boats out, Metro is planning a “hybrid” schedule today so that one boat (M/V Doc Maynard) can serve both West Seattle and Vashon Island. See that schedule here.
Metro buses – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.
EASTBOUND SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT’S NEWEST CLOSURE SCHEDULE
*The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. Here’s the newest closure schedule, including some eastbound lane closures tonight (and the entire eastbound direction closes again next weekend).
OTHER ROAD WORK NOTES
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, at least into early 2025. Lane closures have begun on the top deck too. But SDOT now says it will NOT have weekend closures of the entire bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch.
TONIGHT – NIGHT OUT ALERT
*If you’re out tonight – be mindful of side-street closures for Night Out block parties.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (West Seattle Bridge cameras are back but some others remain out)
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
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; 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 open for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
SFD and SPD are arriving at the scene of a crash east of Schmitz Park, with a driver reported to have flipped his car after hitting a parked vehicle. This is at 49th/Hanford [map]. No serious injuries reported so far.
Police are investigating a carjacking reported just before midnight. A driver told officers that somebody drove up in the 6400 block of 30th SW in a black sedan, got out, punched him and stole his car, a gray Infiniti G35, plate CLN0265. The victim told police the carjacker was one of (updated) three “Hispanic males” who arrived in the black car, which then took off with the stolen car, headed southbound – all 5’6″ to 5’8″, one dressed in all black, one in blue jeans and a blue hat, no clothing description for the third. No weapon was seen, the victim – who is being treated by medics – told officers. If you have any information, call 911.
The Blue Angels left Seattle just after 10 am today. Before we all forget about them for another 11 1/2 months, we have some images to share courtesy of West Seattle photographers. First, from Kevin Freitas:
He describes these images as “stacked frame”:
Meantime, Joe Cruse shared this edited video compilation – with on-screen commentary – of the view “from a West Seattle deck”:
Monica Zaborac photographed the Angels while looking toward West Seattle, from Queen Anne:
And Greg Snyder shows us the support aircraft “Fat Albert” against the downtown skyline:
According to their schedule, they’re in Chicago next weekend; next year, the Seafair shows are August 1-3.
Sent by Amy:
My son’s blue 2008 Jeep Patriot was stolen last night sometime between the hours of 6 pm-6 am. It has a Spider-Man sticker on the rear windshield. We live off 34th and Roxbury. Plate # CMA3682; police report 24-217982.
If you find it, call 911 and refer to that incident number.
(SDOT camera view, last Monday night)
SDOT has a new schedule for closures this week and next weekend because of the Spokane Street Viaduct – the West Seattle Bridge extension between 99 and I-5 – resurfacing project. They include lane closures tonight and for three nights after that but NOT a full directional closure until the weekend:
Tonight (Monday, August 5) – Eastbound middle and right lanes closed 7 pm-6 am
Tuesday night (August 6) – Eastbound middle and right lanes closed 7 pm-6 am
Wednesday night (August 7) – Eastbound middle and right lanes closed 7 pm-6 am
Thursday night (August 8) – Eastbound left lanes closed 7 pm-6 am
Friday night (August 9) – Eastbound two left lanes closed 7 pm-10 pm, then:
Friday night through Monday morning (August 9-12) – all eastbound lanes and left westbound lane closed, all weekend from 10 pm Friday to 5 am Monday
The eastbound bridge ramp to northbound 99 remains open through all these closures. Ramps east of that will be closed during these times except for 7-10 pm Friday, when the 1st and 4th Ave. exit ramps also will be open. Plus, next weekend’s closure will also include the northbound I-5 exit to the westbound West Seattle Bridge. If you lose track of this schedule at any point, we’re keeping it linked in our morning traffic roundups and weekend daily event lists, plus SDOT is updating it on the project page.
That’s a framegrab from security video sent by Diane, showing someone casing her alley on the northwest edge of The Junction early Sunday. Here’s her report:
On this past Sunday early morning at 5:45 am, a neighbor saw a black car — no lights — casing mailboxes and cars in our alley — between 44th Ave SW and 45th Ave SW and Genesee and Dakota by the Alaska Junction. The guy broke into my mailbox and checked for open car doors. Enclosed is video capture from outside camera. But can’t see license plate number.
Diane is wondering if anyone else in the area was cased/broken into, and if anyone has security video with the black sedan’s plate more visible. She has filed a police report, temporary tracking number T00007468.
The heavy equipment that arrived last week was put into action today, as the next phase of work begins at the Morgan Junction Park expansion site. The city bought it 10 years ago for $1.9 million; two years later, the convenience store and dry cleaners that were on the site closed, and the building was demolished that summer (August 2016). The current work is to demolish the foundation and dig down 15 feet to remove contaminated dirt, then replacing it with clean fill, over the next two months; the park addition is to be built next year.
The plan now includes an all-wheel area to be incorporated into the current park site, with a separate community-led effort continuing for that. This is one of three “landbanked” sites in West Seattle where the city plans new parks; the other two are on 40th north of Edmunds in The Junction – also planned for construction within the next year – and 48th/Charlestown, not expected to be complete until early 2026.
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