West Seattle, Washington
23 Saturday
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
Tomorrow (Sunday, August 24) is Ukrainian Independence Day. Not only has someone draped the Alki Statue of Liberty in the Ukrainian flag, the beach will see two related events tomorrow. A rally supporting Ukraine freedom, as Russian attacks continue, is planned for Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza 10:30 am-noon on Sunday. The organization sponsoring it, according to the announcement we received, is Ukraine Defense Support. Immediately afterward, starting at noon on the beach, the Ukrainian Association of Washington State plans a Ukraine Independence Day Celebration and Picnic, scheduled to continue until sunset.
Unusual news release came in this afternoon from the U.S. Coast Guard in Seattle – reporting the arrest of a cargo-ship captain this week at West Seattle’s Terminal 5:
The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) arrested the captain of the motor vessel MSC Jubilee IX for suspicion of operating the vessel while intoxicated following a boarding at Terminal 5 in Seattle, Aug 20, 2025.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound were notified by a Puget Sound Pilot aboard the MSC Jubilee IX, who reported the vessel’s captain was exhibiting signs of intoxication. The pilot and first mate operated the vessel during the transit from an anchorage near Everett, Wash., to Terminal 5 at the Port of Seattle without incident.
Upon mooring at Terminal 5, a Coast Guard boarding team and CGIS agents initiated a boarding and port state control examination. Crews administered a field sobriety and breathalyzer test to the captain, which found that he was impaired more than six times the legal limit for commercial mariners.
The captain was arrested and transported by CGIS to the King County Jail, where charges were referred to the King County Prosecutor for boating under the influence.
The vessel was detained by the Coast Guard until a relief captain was identified and confirmed. The vessel has since been cleared to resume operations.
“The Coast Guard is proud to ensure the safety and security of the maritime transportation system,” said Paul Shultz, Special Agent in Charge, CGIS Northwest Field Office. “The Pilot’s immediate intervention mitigated significant risks and ensured the safe passage of the vessel”.
The MSC Jubilee IX is a 333 meter container ship operating under the Liberian flag.
The incident remains under investigation.
So far as we’ve been able to find via research, the legal blood-alcohol limit for commercial boating is .04. We’re following up to find out the captain’s status. According to VesselFinder, the ship left Seattle early Friday and is heading to Prince Rupert, B.C.
10:59 AM: It’s a spectacular late-summer day and we’re on site at this year’s Admiral Block Party, in and along California SW in the block between Admiral and College. Main-stage music is about to start – here’s the schedule:
Justin Kausal-Hayes – 11 am
Sad Dad Autumn – 12:00 pm
School of Rock – 1:15 pm
Michael Pearsall – 2:30 pm
Potholes – 3:45 pm
Baby Crow Flight School – 5:15 pm
Six Killers – 6:30 pm
Sun King – 7:45 pm
We’re right next to the booth for the Admiral Neighborhood Association, which presents the festival – and on the other side, Timeless Kitchen Design (WSB sponsor). Lots of coverage to come! Better yet, come on down and see who’s here!
11:36 AM: Justin Kausal-Hayes is performing mostly classics – in our clip is part of Paul Simon‘s “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.” Sad Dad Autumn follows him at noon. … Justin was introduced by ANA president Joanie Jacobs:
She mentioned that at 5 pm today onstage, ANA will present the first annual award named after the late WSB co-founder Patrick Sand. If you’re here at 5, come to the stage and applaud the recipient (secret until then), an amazing community advocate who, like Patrick, does their work without seeking the spotlight. … ANA also is having a raffle during the festival – stop by their booth (in front of West Wings, looks like a little beige house with white-trim windows) to ask!
12:11 PM: No formal kid zone here, but lots to do – games in the street and in some booths, and a face painter right across from our booth:
Face painting is on the east side of the street, in front of Head to Toe, between the booths where you’ll find the Community Emergency Communication Hubs (stop by and find out where your nearest one is, in case of catastrophe!) and Emerald City Threads (motto, “local gear that doesn’t suck”).
12:58 PM: The music schedule has slid a bit so Sad Dad Autumn is still onstage as 1 pm approaches. Above is a a sample of their acoustic-accompanied harmonies, a fitting soundtrack for late summer. After a stop by the stage, we checked out the north end of the festival, where you’ll find a booth with two truly hot tickets you might want to get in on fast:
The West Seattle Food Bank booth still has some $5 tickets left for their “win tickets to the Taste of West Seattle” drawing, and this is your last chance to buy them – the drawing is on Monday. And of course you also can buy tickets to the Taste (September 25) directly – online too! WSFB is by the extended Arthur’s outdoor café today, west side of the street.
1:18 PM: Next to WSFB, this booth is a don’t miss:
Tired of bad news, doomscrolling, hearing about what’s wrong and never hearing about what’s right? For six years, Matthew Lee Johnston has published PMA magazine, celebrating good people and good things that are happening. So go step into the Positivity Portal here at the Admiral Block Party and be inspired.
2:40 PM: School of Rock is wrapping up onstage; Michael Pearsall is up next. Meantime, another activity option – bowling!
West Seattle Bowl, up from The Junction, is presenting the activity, promoting learning how to bowl.
3:33 PM: Another drawing you might consider getting in on while you’re here – look for this display at the Admiral Neighborhood Association booth:
$25 – to support ANA events like this one – gets you a ticket in the drawing for one of two gift boxes worth more than $500 each. The drawing will be held at 6:15, so you still have two and a half hours to buy a ticket. … Michael Pearsall is onstage; we recorded one of the songs he performed at his recent Admiral Music in the Parks concert (AMP is another ANA presentation), “These American Dreams“:
Another local favorite, The Potholes, will follow him.
4:50 PM: The Potholes have wrapped up as the vendors/activities part of the festival approaches its final hour – those of us with booths are staying at least until 6 pm (after that, it’s up to individual participants). Music will continue until about 9 pm; this block of California SW will remain closed until everything is fully cleared out overnight. But there’s still a steady stream of people, and we’re presenting the first ANA award in Patrick’s honor in a few minutes, so the Block Party goes on!
5:24 PM: The first recipient is Stu Hennessey, of Alki Bike and Board and more (Sustainable West Seattle and Puget Ridge Edible Park come to mind, as well as his Walkable Admiral) proposal. Separate story later! Meantime, Baby Crow Flight School is onstage. …
7 PM: We left the festival at 6, so we’re not there to cover its final hours. But ANA leadership was heard expressing joy in how it turned out – especially the weather, compared to last year’s soggy, chilly day. ANA’s president Joanie Jacobs also took the mic multiple times today to thank both sponsors and the corps of volunteers who helped keep it running smoothly. (At least one person wore both hats – Paula Kennedy of Timeless Kitchen Design not only was a sponsor with a booth there all day, when pack-up time arrived at 6, she grabbed equipment left by A Cleaner Alki‘s Block Drop cleanup program and started patrolling for litter!)
We’re now a week away from Labor Day weekend, and most students return to school right after that. As we’ve been mentioning, that means sports start up, too, and that’s not just the traditional sports … here’s another announcement we were asked to share – note that it’s for ALL local high-school students:
High Schoolers: Looking for a new fall sport?
Join Westside Ultimate Frisbee!Westside is a no cut team for high schoolers in West Seattle that welcomes all genders across our JV, Varsity, and Club teams.
Join in the official start of season practices and varsity tryouts Aug 25-29.
Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. at Lincoln Park Baseball Fields.If you have any questions or would like more info, contact WSHSfrisbee@gmail.com
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From early morning until late night, here’s what’s on our list for you, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, starting with major traffic alerts:
(Traffic camera showing south side of California/Admiral closure)
TRAFFIC ALERTS/BUS CHANGES; The low bridge is closed for repairs all weekend, as announced here; California SW is closed between Admiral Way and College Street until late tonight for the Admiral Block Party (more on that event below); if you have to leave the peninsula, check the revised WSDOT road-work plan. Also see Metro‘s site for route revisions resulting from closures.
GARAGE/YARD SALES: See the newest listings in the WSB Community Forums.
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!
HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS SALE: Patricia‘s getting out of the Halloween business after years of spirited decorating and is selling all her gear to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank, 9 am-4 pm. (2:30 PM UPDATE: Sold out! So no second day of the sale.) (2752 38th SW)
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am outdoor meditation at Schmitz Preserve Park (5551 SW Admiral Way) – register here.
ADMIRAL BLOCK PARTY: 10 am to 9 pm, in the closed-to-traffic street on California Avenue SW between Admiral and College, this year’s end-of-summer festival presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association is bigger than ever! Vendor/business/organization booths are open 10 am until 6 pm (or later); here’s the participant list. Live music is on the midblock main stage 11 am-9 pm – here’s the lineup:
Justin Kausal-Hayes – 11 am
Sad Dad Autumn – 12:00 pm
School of Rock – 1:15 pm
Michael Pearsall – 2:30 pm
Potholes – 3:45 pm
Baby Crow Flight School – 5:15 pm
Six Killers – 6:30 pm
Sun King – 7:45 pm
Justin Kausal-Hayes – 11 am
Sad Dad Autumn – 12:00 pm
Local restaurants have extended outdoor cafés so you can enjoy food and drink as part of the festival fun! Come hang out with your neighbors and support your neighborhood purveyors.
INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: That’s followed immediately by this 10 am walk, which you can join even if you didn’t go on the introductory walk. Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.
BEND IT LIKE BOOKER: 10 am today until 11:15 am Sunday – 25 hours of stories, conversations, and community, convened by the 34th District Democrats at the Machinists Union Hall in southwest South Park (9125 15th Place South) – here’s our preview; here’s a list of some of the participants. Tickets = $10 donation; through that link, you can buy a ticket to watch online too.
FAREWELL TO FOUNDER: Sarah Skamser, who founded the Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is retiring, and you’re invited to stop by and say goodbye 10 am-2 pm.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, in and around the courtyard at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, body-care products, more!
MASTER GARDENERS: Have a garden-related question? They’re ready to answer! Saturdays this summer, they’re at The Home Depot (7345 Delridge Way SW), 10 am-2 pm.
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – free weekly in-person group for writers of all levels. For location info, go here.
BENEFIT BARBECUE: “Dog Days of Summer” at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor), 11 am-3 pm fresh-grilled lunch available to benefit pet-assisting nonprofit.
LOW TIDE ARTS STUDIO OPEN HOUSE: 11 am-3 pm, drop in to visit the studio in the Fauntleroy Church/Y building – make art, enter a raffle, tour the space, look ahead to fall workshops! (9140 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE’S ONLY SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) continues daily operations through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)
WADING POOL: The one city-run wading pool scheduled to be open in West Seattle today is Lincoln Park, 12 pm-7 pm (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, near north parking lot).
COLMAN POOL: 12-7 pm swim sessions at Lincoln Park‘s heated saltwater pool (on the shore, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Explore the present and past at the home of West Seattle history, open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the exhibit about Seattle Teriyaki, only one week left! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.
BEER JUNCTION BIKE CLUB: All ages, all levels, 2 pm ride, starts and ends at The Beer Junction (4511 California SW), plus 4 pm smash-burger pop-up!
FREE MASSAGE: Walk into Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) 3-5 pm for short, specific free massage.
ALSO AT NEPENTHE: Summer mini-market starting at 3 pm!
WEST SEATTLE ROPER ROMP: Get out your wig and caftan and Mrs. Roper spirit for this annual costumed pub crawl, starting with a 5 pm meetup at Junction Plaza Park. (42nd SW/SW Alaska)
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Singer-songwriter Paul Gerard, 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, Pete Droge performs in-store, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm (doors at 7), The Elephant Room, Karismata, Anona. 21+. $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Shonuph at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
SATURDAY NIGHT SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight with rotating DJ Josh and DJ NightMere, 21+, at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Closing out our Saturday list, 0 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
11:15 PM: A Seattle Fire “full response” is headed to an apartment building in the 3200 block of Harbor Avenue SW, where a 911 caller reported seeing flames from the third floor. Updates to come.
11:17 PM: First units arriving report “heavy smoke.”
11:19 PM: Now they’re reporting the fire is out and they’re reducing the response.
Rose de Dan‘s camera has caught coyotes before. This week, a particularly thirsty one discovered her backyard pond in East Admiral and showed up to drink up:
The last few nights, I have been privileged to hear coyote conversations (yips) that sounded like they were less than a block away. Last night, one of the coyotes stopped by the Wild Reiki Spa for a drink at the fountain. He must have drunk the water a little too quickly, since you can hear him giving a few genteel coughs.
Besides allowing me to see wildlife, the cam acts as a warning system for my urban West Seattle neighbors, encouraging them to keep their cats inside and to be careful when walking small or elderly dogs at twilight, night, and early morning. Here are some tips on how to co-exist peacefully with coyotes.
Reminder that California SW is closed between SW Admiral Way and SW College Street until late tomorrow night for this year’s Admiral Block Party. The festival presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association doesn’t officially start until 10 am Saturday but setup is under way now and you can come enjoy the shade, including street games:
Extended outdoor cafés at restaurants on the block, which are the food and drink providers for the festival, which focuses on supporting local year-round businesses:
And DJs will be spinning through the evening while the main stage is getting set up midblock:
Here’s the Saturday schedule for main-stage music:
Justin Kausal-Hayes – 11 am
Sad Dad Autumn – 12:00 pm
School of Rock – 1:15 pm
Michael Pearsall – 2:30 pm
Potholes – 3:45 pm
Baby Crow Flight School – 5:15 pm
Six Killers – 6:30 pm
Sun King – 7:45 pm
Justin Kausal-Hayes – 11 am
Sad Dad Autumn – 12:00 pm
Music runs from 11 am until about 9 pm Saturday; vendor booths – here’s the lineup – will be open 10 am until at least 6 pm. See you at the Block Party!
(Clickable map is on National Weather Service site; basically, darker color = higher alert level)
A few hours into what was a Heat Advisory alert, the National Weather Service has raised it to an Extreme Heat Warning, in effect through early Tuesday morning. From the full alert:
* WHAT…Hot conditions with high temperatures ranging from the upper 80s to mid 90s and low temperatures in the mid 60s. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness.
* WHERE…City of Seattle, Eastside, and Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties.
* WHEN…Until 5 AM PDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS…Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
(WSB photos by Tracy Record)
After a shutdown now in its sixth year, Hiawatha Community Center is on track to reopen early next year. We got a look inside during an informal tour earlier this week with two community advocates and Seattle Parks project leader Morteza Behrooz. From the exterior, you can only see a bit of what’s been done during what began as a strengthening and stabilization project and expanded to, among other things, make Hiawatha the city’s first fully electric community center; part of its energy-efficiency upgrades includes new windows – see some of those above. The accessibility includes this new stairway, with railing, on the north side:
Other accessibility features include railings elsewhere as well as restroom work. So let’s go inside. On the east side of the building, here’s the gym:
A big part of the strengthening/stabilization work involves braces and beams – the masonry no longer has to hold up the building without reinforcement:
Going further into the building, we got a look at the lobby and programming areas:
The new windows are in evidence everywhere, letting in lots of light:
In non-public areas below, like equipment and laundry spaces, new piping and wiring is in view:
Upstairs, we peeked into the room with the stage:
At the rear of this room is the kitchen space, where appliances will be moved into place in the next week or so:
Optimus Construction is the general contractor for the project. One manager we saw briefly remarked that the building had posed a lot of challenges – “threw everything at us” – not originally in the plans and expectations; for example, once old windows were removed, they discovered larger cavities, rot, other issues. The project’s price tag has tripled over the years and is now $6.5 million, Behrooz said. Work began early last year, four years after the center closed; what had been a pandemic closure was extended because the project was considered imminent – but ultimately wasn’t.
P.S. The work isn’t all construction – Behrooz said Parks programming staff is busy discussing and planning what programs can be reintroduced and when. Day care will return, for example, but it might not re-start immediately after the center reopens.
One more note: The Hiawatha play area project is under different management, so he didn’t have an update on that, but we’ll be pursuing a separate update.
(WSB photo, July 2024)
Quick update from SDOT on the Admiral Way Bridges work, one week after our previous update – spokesperson Mariam Ali messaged us this morning to say, “Just wanted to give you a heads up that we should be mostly done with this project by Labor Day.” Does that include Fairmount Avenue reopening beneath the bridge? She said yes. As our photo above shows, the original projection for that reopening was six months ago; SDOT says scope expansion, such as added painting, stretched out the timeline for the project.
(Sunset earlier this week, photographed by Mike Burns)
Here are our notes about what’s happening, and NOT happening, for your Friday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH TRANSFER STATION: As suggested by a reader, we’re continuing to remind you that it’s closed for most of the rest of the month. (We’re checking today to see how things are going.)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER AND FAREWELL TO SARAH: The center is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, and you’re invited to stop by 10 am-2 p to say farewell to Sarah Skamser, who is retiring as director of the program (the farewell continues tomorrow if you can’t get there today).
LAFABRIQUE SALE: 10 am-3 pm, rare designer fabric sale at LaFabrique in west South Park’s Cloverdale Business Park (309 S. Cloverdale).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: The spraypark is open daily until Labor Day 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
WADING POOL: Lincoln Park is the last one open in West Seattle, 12-7 pm today (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, near north lot).
COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water pool is open to the public today, noon-7 pm.
SEATTLE TERIYAKI HISTORY & MORE: Second-to-last week to see this exhibit at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) – the museum is open noon-4 pm today.
QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: Fridays at 12:15 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ADMIRAL BLOCK PARTY PRE-PARTY: California SW closes at 1 pm so setup can begin for Saturday’s Admiral Block Party in the street north of Admiral Way SW, and that means a Pre-Party!
3:30 – 5 pm music in the street with Billy Rosewarne and Ashton Hart Wecker
5 pm – 10 pm DJs in front of the main stage
COMEDY AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) features comedy troupe Midnight Mystery Theater, 6-8 pm. All ages, no cover
SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: Final scheduled concert is canceled too.
HAND-BUILD ANIMALS: 6:30-9 pm at The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW) – follow that link for sign-up and fee info.
OUTDOOR MOVIE AT CAMP LONG + CLIMBING: Camp Long is showing “The Wild Robot” at dusk (the sun goes down around 8 pm tonight) in the meadow, and you can come early for free rock climbing 5-7 pm – details in our preview. (5200 35th SW)
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, Dean Johnson performance and signing – secure a spot at this free, all-ages show by buying his new LP in the store. (4559 California SW)
MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, show at 8, The Harper Conspiracy, Spider Lounge, Room for Cream at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), $10.
OUTDOOR MOVIE AT MAARTEN PARK: Another free movie at dusk (8-ish), “The Emperor’s New Groove.” BYO chair/blanket. (42nd SW/SW Juneau)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buttnaked spins tonight! (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD: Skating with live music and DJ – tonight, Goth Skate: DJs, Bands- Serpent Skirt, 2 Libras, Drag, Tarot, Gogos – 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $18 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Joan Dawson and sharing this remembrance with her community:
Joan Neilsen Dawson passed away from advanced heart disease on August 9, 2025, in Seattle.
Joan was the daughter of Neil and Elaine Neilsen and grew up on Alki Point. She was a 1965 graduate of West Seattle High School and attended the University of Washington. She resided in West Seattle for most of her life and had worked at the family business, Neilsen Florists, when she was younger.
She is survived by her children Joshua and Elizabeth, her brother Steve, and several nieces and nephews. Please consider donations in her name to Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle.
(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)
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, August 22, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The Heat Advisory alert kicks in at 11 am today. The forecast for today is sunny, low 80s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:15 am; sunset will be at 8:08 pm.
ROAD WORK AND OTHER CLOSURES, INCLUDING THIS WEEKEND
-California SW will close north of Admiral Way this afternoon through late Saturday night for the Admiral Block Party and Pre-Party.
-The West Seattle low bridge is scheduled to close this weekend, starting at 7 am Saturday, continuing as late as 10 pm Sunday.
-The state’s planned highway/tunnel work list has changed – here’s the latest version.
–Admiral Way Bridge seismic work continues.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday (tonight!) and Saturday nights, and on other weeknights with Mariners home games.
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners start a six-game homestand tonight, 7:10 pm vs. the A’s.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to 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 a problem 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!
When last we checked in with Panda Express regarding their yet-to-open Westwood Village restaurant, they were hoping for an early August opening, barring construction delays. That’s come and gone, so we asked about their revised timeline. A company spokesperson replied, “Our opening date keeps shifting … The newest Seattle location now has a tentative opening date sometime the week of Sept. 8.” It’s been in the works for almost two years.
Last month, we reported on the still-idle Morgan Junction Park expansion site on California between Graham and Fauntleroy, a fenced-off pit awaiting the resumption of cleanup work so it can have an interim use before park development. Deb Barker, president of the Morgan Community Association, reports tonight – with the photo above – that signage has gone up indicating that the work is finally about to resume. The signs announce parking restrictions from next Monday (August 25) through September 19, for construction staging by Holt Services. Barker tells WSB that the company confirmed to her that the window is so it can finish Phase 1 work at the site: “This includes backfilling the hole to grade, removing the top four feet of the steel and wood from the shoring support, removing all of the remaining hard surfaces, installing erosion control as needed, bringing in topsoil and blowing in grass seed. The site will remain fenced during and after the work.” The work to actually turn the site into a park isn’t expected to start before late next year, and the issue of whether it will include a community-requested “all-wheels area” has yet to be settled. The city bought the expansion site, which previously held a market and dry cleaners, 11 years ago.
(WSF photo)
Announced in Washington State Ferries‘ weekly newsletter, as well as a rider alert, WSF is testing a new policy of allowing dogs in more places on its boats. In the newsletter, WSF second-in-command John Vezina wrote:
Steve [Nevey] and I are happy to share news about dogs on our ferries. Based on feedback from customers and employees, and to align with partner transit agencies, we began a six-month trial of an updated pet policy yesterday. During this trial, dogs on leashes are allowed in all passenger areas, except galleys. All other pets must stay in a crate or carrier. Big dogs should stay on the floor. Small dogs should be on a lap or in a carrier. Owners must control their pets and clean up after them. Crew members may direct pets to be moved to an outside deck or vehicle if needed for safety or behavior reasons. As always, service animals are welcome everywhere, as required by law. Livestock must stay in appropriate enclosures at all times. This trial will help us decide if the new rules should become permanent. Your feedback is welcome.
Here are ways to provide feedback to WSF. You can read more about the WSF policy here.
(SDOT camera image, Wednesday)
As reported here, the West Seattle low bridge was closed to surface traffic for about four hours on Wednesday. It already was scheduled to be out of service this coming weekend for repairs; we asked SDOT today what went wrong yesterday and whether that will affect the weekend plan. Here’s how spokesperson Mariam Ali explained it:
Yesterday, a driver attempted to maneuver around a closed gate, which led to a circuit breaker being tripped and temporarily affecting the gate system. The issue was quickly resolved, the Coast Guard was notified, and electricians are completing final repairs today. There will be no impact on work scheduled for this weekend, and bridge operations are proceeding normally.
This weekend’s closure is set to start at 7 am Saturday and could last as late as 10 pm Sunday.
Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) has an upcoming end-of-summer sale with a twist – actually two: It’s donating part of the proceeds on Saturday, August 30, to the West Seattle Food Bank, while putting TRG proprietor Frank Gross in a dunk tank! Here’s the announcement, in video and text:
Announcing the Thunder Road Summer “Dunk Frank in the Tank” Event. Join us Saturday, August 30th, for amazing one-day-only deals and your chance to win a FREE Gretsch ’57 Duo Jet courtesy of our friends at Gretsch Guitars.
We decided to partner with the West Seattle Food Bank for this event and will be donating 10% of our sales on the 30th to the food bank. We are also going to have Frank in a dunk tank all day…. Just how do you dunk Frank in the tank, you ask? Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank or purchase a guitar, amplifier, or pedal. Either one of those gets you 3 throws at our fearless leader and a limited TRG shirt for the event (while supplies last). So join us August 30th, 12-6 pm, for a day of insane deals and help us raise some money for the WS Food Bank.
Information from readers led us to inquire with the city’s Unified Care Team about two West Seattle encampments:
PUGET RIDGE: The reader photo above shows 21st SW just north of SW Myrtle [map], along the west side of the Sanislo Elementary campus (not in view because of a tangle of overgrowth). The reader who sent it expressed concern that the encampment is “growing” and seemingly unaddressed though school starts in less than two weeks. We asked UCT spokesperson Kate Jacobs if the site is on the city’s radar. Her reply: “Parking enforcement officers have visited the site and are scheduled to return this week to take appropriate next steps. Specific actions will depend on circumstances at that time. While parking ordinances apply equally to all vehicles, state and federal laws provide additional protection for people living in them.” We just went by the site before publishing this story, and two Parking Enforcement vehicles are in fact there now.
FAUNTLEROY PARK: Fires in the park have been among longrunning issues of concern to neighboring residents (from the park’s south/Arbor Heights side), who told us that notices were up for city action this past Monday. We asked Jacobs about that too, and she said, “The Unified Care Team completed a resolution at Fauntleroy Park on August 18. Outreach workers are connecting the two individuals who were residing at the site with case managers to support their transition to permanent housing.”
For the second consecutive day, we have a report of a stolen vehicle in the Westwood Village area, this time from a residential driveway across the street from the center:
Stolen black 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Truck
2 Wheel Drive, Cab High Canopy, Fiberglass step below doors
Stolen Tuesday night (Aug 19th-20th) 2500block SW Barton St.
License # B48372V – if seen call Don, 206-661-4856
Incident has been reported to Seattle Police. # 25-239499
(Sunflower photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Many ways to enjoy the hours ahead! Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Still lots of time left in gardening season! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open today and every day through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
WADING POOL: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, near north lot) will be open noon-7 pm. Free.
COLMAN POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the heated salt-water pool on the shore is open with sessions noon-7 pm – see the schedule here. Fee.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.
DROP-IN CHESS: Teens are invited to come play at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:30 pm.
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two regular Thursday night events here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Thai-U-Up.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle!
RAT CITY ART AND FOOD WALK: It’s the third Thursday of the month, so, starting at 5, it’s the Rat City Art and Food Walk! You can wander South Delridge and north White Center business districts – more than 100 artists at 30+ locations, listed here.
POSTCARD HAPPY HOUR: Extra monthly session for Postcards4Democracy long-distance advocacy, 5-7 pm at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW).
DUSTY 45s WITH ROXBURY SAINTS: West Seattle music 6-9 pm at Tim’s Tavern (16th/98th, White Center).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Rather walk? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
STEELHEAD CONSERVATION: That’s the topic tonight at 6:30 pm at Emerald Water Anglers (4707 California SW), with John McMillan. Call the shop to see if there’s room left to attend.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: It’s All Happening, Mason Derleth, Oscar Warnersmith, 7 pm, all ages, $10 at the door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC BOOK TALK: Live, free, all-ages event at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm, Duff McKagan moderates discussion of “Tearing Down The Orange Curtain: How Punk Rock Brought Orange County To The World” by Nate Jackson and Daniel Kohn.
’70S DANCE PARTY: Get a leather-fringe vest and bell-bottom pants and go boogie at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), 7-9 pm. 21+.
REIKI GONG BATH IMMERSION: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska).
DJ NIGHT: Extended-weekend spinning starts tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Silk Safari, 8 pm.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photo, Hiawatha Playfield, Wednesday)
Visiting the Hiawatha Community Center work zone on Wednesday (story later today), we noticed the West Seattle High School football team on the field. That’s another reminder that the new school year is approaching – most local schools start a day or two after Labor Day – and WSHS athletic director Corey Sorenson has asked us to remind athletes’ families that it’s time to register, if they haven’t done so already. This document he provided includes information on how, as well as start dates for the fall sports (Wednesday was Day 1 for football, while other sports start tryouts next Monday, August 25) and a must-attend info night for families on September 2nd.
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