West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • The Kenney

    SEEKING STABILITY: The Kenney’s new status

  • Blue Angels

    BLUE ANGELS: They’ve arrived in Seattle

  • Box

    BOX WITH BACKSTORY: New tribute portrait

Another driftwood fire at a West Seattle beach
July 29, 2024 5:43 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

A texter sent that photo today of charred driftwood at Weather Watch Park, to which the fire-call log indicates SFD was summoned multiple times on Sunday. The first was for this (thanks to John-Michael for the early-morning photo):

The subsequent calls were from people concerned that the burned logs were still smoldering, SFD says; the texter says that was still continuing at sunset. This comes a month after a fire burned driftwood “forts” at Lowman Beach, also very early in the morning. So far, though, SFD’s investigator hasn’t been brought into it.

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FOLLOWUP: Driver dies after West Marginal Way crash
July 29, 2024 4:10 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Early Friday, we reported on a single-vehicle crash in the 3800 block of West Marginal Way SW. Firefighters cut open the car – reported to have been “wrapped around a tree” – to get two people out. According to the King County Medical Examiner‘s latest list of death investigations, the driver did not survive. He is identified as 20-year-old Brian U. Nambo Perez. We don’t know the current condition of the other person rescued from the wreckage, a woman reported to be in her 20s, but she was initially described as less gravely injured.

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READER REPORT: Fallen tree limb blocks Lincoln Park path
July 29, 2024 4:01 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Here’s an alert for Lincoln Park visitors. The report and photo are from Arlene:

A fallen limb on the path from the north parking lot towards the water is blocked off this afternoon. You can still take other side paths but along the way I noticed some other fallen limbs/trees, although not blocking paths.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen black Silverado; abandoned suitcase
July 29, 2024 3:15 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports:

STOLEN BLACK SILVERADO: James‘s just-purchased-this-week black 2000 Chevy Silverado was parked in the 4400 block of 51st SW when someone stole it between midnight and 7 am Sunday. It had temporary plates, A7524144, good through 9/7. Police report # is 24-209555. Call 911 if you see it.

ABANDONED SUITCASE: Sent by Pat:

Wondering if this is from a car prowl. If it’s yours, it’s on the west side of Walnut, just north of Stevens. Blue Ricardo suitcase & some kind of jig.

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UPDATE: Blue Angels arrive at Boeing Field
July 29, 2024 1:39 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Blue Angels | West Seattle news

1:39 PM: In case you missed the mention in our daily event list, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are due to arrive at nearby Boeing Field this afternoon. Their main Seafair practices and airshows are later this week. The Museum of Flight has just updated their ETA to 1:55 pm. Again this year, they’ll be based out of Boeing Field, rather than to the south of the MoF; new this year, Seafair is selling tickets to see the pilots’ pre-airshow “walkdowns” Friday-Sunday. The MoF also is having its annual Jet Blast Bash (membership or ticket required) with special events Saturday-Sunday.

2:03 PM: The Museum of Flight reports their arrival, tweeting video of the jets taxiing. (added) And thanks to Jon for the photo:

(added) And thanks to Angelo for this photo!

Blue Angel #4 is Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee, the team’s first woman F/A 18 demonstration pilot.

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UPDATE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route back to two boats
July 29, 2024 11:43 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

11:43 AM: Washington State Ferries just issued an alert that the Triangle Route is down to one boat because of “mechanical issues” with M/V Kittitas. WSF says engineers are on board working on the problem(s); the ferry is moored at Vashon. This leaves M/V Kitsap alone on the route for now – watch its whereabouts here.

1:30 PM: WSF says the Kittitas is back in service.

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14 notes for your West Seattle Monday
July 29, 2024 10:39 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Our daily photo, a puddle, isn’t particularly picturesque but it’s in honor of this brief rainy break from summer sunshine, which is affecting some of today’s scheduled events, too. Here’s the list as we have it so far, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm, rain or shine, so you can swim there today – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Closed today because of the weather.

DUWAMISH CANOE LANDING: This will now happen by land instead of sea, sometime this afternoon – we’re updating our original story as progress reports come in.

BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!

BLUE ANGELS ARRIVAL: The Museum of Flight website has them expected in at Boeing Field around 1:45 pm today, after a weekend airshow in Fargo. We’ll update when more information’s available.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

HAND-BUILD ANIMALS … at The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), 6:30 pm, $40. Registration info is in our calendar listing.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play on Mondays – 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: All welcome at free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community hosts meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Enjoy live music from The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

KARAOKE: 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

If you have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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RAINBOW SCOUTS: Camp Long program Saturday for 50+ LGBTQ+ and friends
July 29, 2024 9:57 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Camp Long asked us to share this invitation for a program this Saturday (August 3) – registration is still open:

Scouting options in your youth may not have fit your gender identity, or perhaps emphasized gender identities that left you wishing for other activity choices. If this resonates — or if an inclusive day-camp experience sounds appealing — come on out for our all-gender Rainbow Scouts Camp!

Lifelong Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation and Rainbow Recreation programs team up with Camp Long Environmental Learning Center staff to offer environmental stewardship, nature skills, crafts, and more. Participate in outdoor activities, earn badges, and connect with others! Expect to explore outdoors, as well as enjoy activities inside. Bring a bag lunch. A free LGBTQ+ affirming space open to folks 50+ and allies.

Online registration is not currently available, so to register, call 206-684-4951 and mention program/event #68232. (UPDATE: Online registration has now reopened, too – go here.)

P.S. If you haven’t been to Camp Long, the park is at 5200 35th SW.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: July’s last Monday
July 29, 2024 6:03 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10 AM: No details but there’s an SFD dispatch for a crash on the westbound bridge around the crest.

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, July 29.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rain this morning, showers later, high in the mid-60s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:43 am, while sunset will be at 8:46 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES, WITH METRO FLEX

Metro Flex – Second weej for this on-demand service in Delridge (and South Park), starting a two-year pilot. Here’s how it works. On Saturday, city and county leaders gathered in SP to talk about the launch.

Metro buses – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.

ROAD WORK

*The first new speed cushions/humps are in along Harbor Avenue, as we reported Sunday.

*The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project is about to start, first with overnight lane closures, then with several all-weekend one-direction closures. Here’s the announcement. We’ll check with SDOT today to see if lane closures really will start tonight.

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, likely into early 2025. Deck work is likely to start in August (we have an inquiry out for an update on that).

*SDOT’s 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.

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!

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A ‘hug’ and a photo before the old Highland Park Improvement Club building makes way for the new
July 28, 2024 11:27 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

The people who showed up tonight to say goodbye to the century-old Highland Park Improvement Club building spanned close to a century themselves – from babies to longtime HPIC board member Martha Mallett, whose 90th birthday was celebrated there six years ago.

(That’s Martha at left above, with friend Dorothy Ziegler.) Three years after that party, in 2021, the HPIC building at 12th/Holden was ravaged by fire, and the community-owned center’s trustees have been working ever since on design and fundraising for its replacement. More a successor than replacement, really, as the old building carries so many memories (here’s a bit of its history). But it’s had to remain fenced off for safety reasons while the process proceeded – and the patio that once hosted lively summer gatherings has grown weedy.

As if to promise that the site’s idle interlude is ending, those who came tonight surrounded the fence as a “group hug” for the building:

They were also invited to share memories in online posts using the hashtags shown on this sign (you can do that too):

Another sign on a different side of the fence served as a reminder of what’s to come:

But first comes the site clearing. Demolition was expected to start tomorrow, but HPIC board members say they aren’t quite done with the permit process after all, so it’ll be a while longer. Once the building is gone, they expect to be able to use the site for some interim events while they continue fundraising to build the new HPIC (scroll down here for more on their successes and needs).

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FOLLOWUP: After 3+ months, beached SUV finally gone
July 28, 2024 9:29 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(April photo sent by Craig)

Today is the 100th day since the abandonment of a stolen Jeep Compass SUV on a stretch of shoreline in the Arroyos/Seola Beach area. However, this isn’t a “100 days and it’s still there” story – because it’s not.

(Saturday photos sent by Robin)

Area resident Robin, who has been doggedly tracking the situation for many weeks (as we most recently noted here), went down on Saturday for a look – and discovered it was gone, nothing left behind but some parts – “the bumper is still in the driftwood and the gas tank and hood are on the rocks too. But the whole SUV carcass is gone gone gone.”

What we don’t know is what happened to it. Robin had reported it to a variety of authorities but not received any word of a removal plan. When in the area Saturday, she told us, she talked to a resident who said someone “from the city” had come by a few days ago and wanted to take photos. Another nearby resident told her they had secondhand information that “someone was taking parts off it,” suggesting it was dismantled rather than removed in one piece. We’ve checked with one neighborhood source who hadn’t heard anything. So we’ll check around tomorrow.

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FOLLOWUP: Installation begins for new speed cushions/humps on Harbor and Alki Avenues
July 28, 2024 6:47 pm
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tip! SDOT crews were out today working on some of the 10 new speed cushion/hump sets promised for the Alki/Harbor Avenue area. We found three now in place on Harbor – near Jack Block Park‘s main entrance (photo above), near Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), and near the West Bay Coffee drive-thru. We reported last Monday on the locations where the new speed humps/cushions are planned, shown on this map:

The ones now in place on Harbor are the easternmost ones shown on that map. The new Alki Avenue locations have been marked off; construction wasn’t supposed to start before tomorrow but impending rainy weather may have factored into the change of plan. The city hopes the added humps/cushions will reduce racing and other aggressive-driving problems; as per City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s Monday announcement, SDOT also is still planning some lane narrowing, and is considering whether anything can be done with the Duwamish Head angle-parking zone, which nearby residents want to see changed to reduce its appeal as a gathering spot.

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PREVIEW: Duwamish Tribe’s canoe to land at Alki Beach on Monday (4th update)
July 28, 2024 3:12 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Duwamish Tribe | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Saturday photo, sent by Eddie)

That’s the Duwamish Tribe‘s Raven canoe, crossing the river by bridge instead of by water, seen as it was towed downtown for the tribe’s participation in the Seafair Torchlight Parade. Tomorrow you are invited to be at Alki Beach as the Duwamish canoe family lands while participating in this year’s scaled-down regional Canoe Journey. The Duwamish canoe will be leaving Suquamish on Monday morning, paddling to Alki for a short stop, and then continuing on to Des Moines, all participating canoe families’ official Monday night stop before finishing the journey in Tacoma. There’s no estimated time of arrival yet – from “midday” to “mid-afternoon” are the early estimates – but the tribe promises social-media updates on Monday.

9:35 AM MONDAY: The latest estimate is between 11 and 11:30 am.

10:13 AM: Another update – the weather has forced some canoes to get out of the water, so the Duwamish canoe will now be brought to Alki by trailer sometime this afternoon.

11:55 AM: New update for that – around 2 pm.

2:23 PM: They brought the canoe to Don Armeni Boat Ramp, from which they’re launching shortly, heading to Des Moines. So they’ll be paddling past Alki Beach proper. We’ll have photos in a separate story later.

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BIZNOTE: West Seattle Supercuts closing too
July 28, 2024 12:27 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Turns out this is closing day for another Junction business too. A texter tipped us that Supercuts in Jefferson Square is closing after 40 years in business. Coincidentally we were at Jefferson Square when that tip came in, so we walked over to confirm. It’s true, staff told us, saying “corporate” made the decision to close the location. Subsequent records searches shows it’s a franchise, with a parent company holding multiple regional locations; we’ll be following up. Obviously any Jefferson Square changes from hereon out also have to be viewed through the prism of the center’s likely demolition for the Sound Transit Junction light-rail station, though the current timeline doesn’t start construction for at least three years. Meantime, according to the location list on the Supercuts website, this closure will leave the chain with only one outlet within Seattle city limits, in Northgate.

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UPDATE: About this morning’s Admiral police response
July 28, 2024 10:39 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Reader photo)

ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: Lots of questions about a sizable police response in Admiral around 8 am. Officers were gone by the time we were able to get to the area but incident audio indicates the initial report was a possible robbery inside an apartment building in the 2100 block of California SW. The victim – reported to be a delivery driver – arranged to meet police near Admiral/42nd, so that’s why people saw officers there too. There was one report that the alleged robber may have brandished an “AR-pattern rifle,” so that’s why some texters saw police with long guns out at one point, and there was also a report he might have been associated with a unit inside the building. Police were still trying to sort out what actually happened, so we will follow up, but a final incident summary won’t be accessible before tomorrow.

ADDED 2:30 PM MONDAY: Here’s what police provided in response to our inquiry:

On July 28, Seattle police responded to the 2100 block of California Avenue Southwest for the report of an armed robbery at an apartment building. The incident happened just before 8 a.m. Officers found the victim, a 38-year-old man, in the 4100 block of Southwest Admiral Way. He told Seattle police he was making a grocery order delivery when a man appeared near the building’s stairs with a rifle and told him to drop the delivery. The victim reported the suspect threatened him and told him to leave while pointing the gun at him. The victim pleaded with the suspect not to fire the rifle, dropped the groceries, and ran to the corner of 44th Avenue Southwest and Southwest College Street to call for help. The suspect was described as a white man in his mid-30s, approximately 5’10” tall, with short black hair and a black beard, wearing plaid pajama pants and a sweater. No arrest has been made at this time.

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BIZNOTE: Last day for Swan Dive in The Junction
July 28, 2024 9:09 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Reader photo sent by Mark)

Today is closing day for Swan Dive, which opened a year and half ago at 4537 California SW in The Junction. Via email, proprietor Ali Brownrigg tells WSB:

It’s really super sad for me. I loved having a shop in the Junction but sales are just too slow and as a single mom with no other income, I don’t have the runway to wait for sales to improve. I hope that people think back on Swan Dive’s brief stint in the Junction with fondness. I know I will. I’ve met so many great people through the store and that makes me feel blessed.

Before Swan Dive moved in, the space held Virago Gallery, which left to go online-only.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 16 options!
July 28, 2024 6:12 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to H&A for sending the aerial view from west Admiral)

Here’s what’s happening on our summer Sunday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!

ADMIRAL CHURCH FOOD DRIVE: Continues today – drop off nonperishable-food donations at the church (4320 SW Hill) 9 am-noon.

PLUNGE INTO THE SOUND: At 9 am, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: 9 am, meet at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon) for the Sunday run.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, midsummer produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: Pop-up shopping experience – music and food too – behind Carmilia’s, in the alley behind the (corrected) east side of the 4500 block of California SW, 10 am-3 pm. More info in our calendar listing.

MAKERS’ ART MARKET AT ALKI: Noon to 5 pm, “meet your favorite local makers, artists, and food vendors” at the market next to Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki).

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open to the public today, noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the season continues for the 7-days-a-week city wading pool, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS : Reminder that the historic Alki Point Lighthouse is open to the public today for free tours, 1 pm-3:45 pm, Alki Avenue SW & Point Place SW. (But not NEXT Sunday, though, as volunteers will be busy with Seafair.)

(added) POP-UP MARKET: Cascadia Wicks tells us they’re among the vendors at a pop-up market at Future Primitive in White Center (9832 14th SW), 1-5 pm.

CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Monthly gathering, 3 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – see our calendar listing for info on this month’s discussion.

I DRAW SLOW: Acoustic music, live at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), doors open 3 pm – tickets and info here.

FAREWELL TO HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB BUILDING: As previewed here, the time has come to say farewell to the fire-ravaged historic building, with demolition about to start, so you’re invited to HPIC‘s 5 pm celebration at the site (1116 SW Holden).

FREE OUTDOOR COMMUNITY YOGA: Presented by Dragonfly, 5 pm at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (water side of 4500 block of Beach Drive SW), nonprofit fundraiser if you can donate, details in our calendar listing.

GONG BATH & NATURE MEDITATION: 7:30 pm at Lowman Beach Park (7017 Beach Drive SW) – ticket link’s in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Enjoy Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.

Organizing and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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VIDEO: Celebration wraps up Metro Flex’s first week of on-demand transit for Delridge and South Park
July 27, 2024 11:27 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | South Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

Today’s El Mercadito pop-up shop and farmers’ market in South Park had special guests:

Mayor Bruce Harrell, City Councilmember Rob Saka, Metro general manager Michelle Allison, SDOT senior deputy director Francisca Stefan joined South Park community advocates, including members of the Duwamish Valley Youth Corps, in celebrating this week’s launch of Metro Flex on-demand transit serving Delridge and South Park. While Metro is a county service, as we reported when the launch was announced two weeks ago, the Seattle Transit Measure is paying for the new service. That’s why both city and county reps spoke at Duwamish Waterway Park today – here’s what everyone had to say:

Harrell and Saka stressed that this is a boon for “underinvested” communities like Delridge and South Park.

Stefan said this is filling gaps in the transit network, and being able to get where you need to go “can be life-transforming.”

Allison said it’s about equity and flexibility as well as convenience, and reflects community voices.

One of those voices is that of South Park’s Ruby Montes De Oca, who said that additions like this are helping as “South Park is starting to shine with new hope”:

Metro Flex’s South Park/Delridge launch is the start of a two-year pilot. We asked Metro how the first week had gone; spokesperson Jeff Switzer said those numbers aren’t in yet but we might be able to get an update next week. They realize the word hasn’t gotten out widely yet and plan a new promotional campaign to ensure more hear about it. You can book a ride, in the service area, by calling 206-258-7739, using this website, or using this app. Here’s a peek inside one of the vans:

One of the places especially excited about Metro Flex is the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle – their location at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW isn’t on a bus route but Metro Flex can take you there! The service is available seven days a week, 6 am to 11 pm.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Another smoky sunset, but rain’s on the horizon
July 27, 2024 9:35 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to James Bratsanos for the photo of tonight’s smoke-pink sunset. The haze won’t hang around too long, though, according to the National Weather Service, which says that “wildfire smoke aloft continues to wrap around a weak upper trough axis east of the Cascades. That system will continue to shift eastward overnight and increasing low level onshore flow will pull the marine layer inland further than what we saw this morning. … Another upper trough with a more westward trajectory will arrive Sunday night into Monday, providing some uncharacteristically wet (and beneficial) weather for what is climatologically the driest period of the year.” Here’s fire/smoke info for our state (Oregon and BC are plagued with fires too).

ADDED: One more photo, from Tom Trulin:

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UPDATE: Shooting investigation in Highland Park/Riverview, with two gunfire locations (updated Monday night)
July 27, 2024 7:51 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

7:51 PM: Police are responding to a report of a shooting in Highland Park/Riverview. One person is reported to have arrived at the 16th/Holden fire station with a gunshot wound, though the shooting apparently happened elsewhere, possibly near 16th/Holly.

The person or persons who fired at the victim are believed to be in a black Jeep.

7:54 PM: The description of the shooter(s’) vehicle has changed again – possibly a dark green Kia Soul. … The possible shooting location is also now being described as 13th/Myrtle, “where the victim was parked” when shot.

7:59 PM: Officers tell dispatch they’ve found casings on 13th just north of Myrtle, near Riverview Playfield. … The vehicle description has changed for the third time – officers are saying that neighborhood security video shows a copper-colored Kia Sportage.

8:27 PM: Police are wrapping up their investigation at 13th/Myrtle (where our photo above is from) but have also just reported casings at 16th/Myrtle, so now they are closing 16th to investigate there. Meantime, we’re trying to clarify the status of the victim who showed up at the fire station.

10:29 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells us, “Crews treated a 39-year-old male for minor injuries. He declined transportation to a hospital.”

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: SPD clarifies that the man’s injury turned out to be from broken glass, not a bullet. No other updates on the case.

ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: A detailed SPD summary provided since we talked with them this afternoon attributes the wound to “shrapnel” and includes a variety of additional details:

At 1944 hrs, SW Patrol responded to a report of a shooting that had occurred near 16 Ave SW/SW Holly St. While en route, responding Officers located a secondary victim vehicle at 16 Ave SW/ SW Holden St. This victim had been shot at while in a vehicle and suffered a non-life-threatening injury to his hip from shrapnel. SFD evaluated and cleared at the scene. This victim stated that the scene for this shooting was at 13 Ave SW/SW Myrtle St. The original victim vehicle was located at 16 Ave SW/SW Holly St. This first victim vehicle had been driving northbound on 16 Ave SW when suspects in a vehicle overtook them in the bike lane firing as they passed. The vehicle was struck by multiple rounds, but the occupants were unharmed. One of the suspects at some point dropped a firearm at 16 Ave SW/SW Myrtle St. The firearm was damaged and spilled numerous unspent rounds in the intersection. The firearm was retrieved by the suspect, and they fled northbound on 16 Ave SW. Officers processed scenes at 16/Myrtle (40 9mm unfired rounds, 1 9mm FCC, 1 .45 FCC), 16/Holly (Victim Vehicle), 16/Holden (Victim Vehicle) and 13/Myrtle (11 9mm FCC, 2 .45 FCC).

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FOLLOWUP: Cantanna Fest no longer planned for Lincoln Park – moving to Myrtle Edwards
July 27, 2024 6:05 pm
|      70 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Two days ago, we reported on a music-and-advocacy festival called The Cantanna Fest changing its venue to Lincoln Park with just over two weeks to go, after losing its planned site in Snohomish. The City of Seattle process for approving and planning major events usually involves a much longer lead time, and news of the festival coming to Lincoln Park on short notice sparked many questions. Then yesterday, as added to our original story, Seattle Parks spokesperson Christina Hirsch told us the department was “in discussion with the event organizer about possibly relocating the event to a different location.” That location will be Myrtle Edwards Park on the downtown waterfront, according to organizers’ announcement on Instagram (thanks to commenters for the tip), where they wrote: “… This has been a Rollercoaster. Thank you Seattle Parks and Rec for helping us and apologies to those in West Seattle freaking out about Lincoln Park. Although it would have been an amazing show we do not want to upset the community and we have listened. …” The organizers added in a comment there, “To be fair when getting a permit we are supposed to send mailers out to all the residents and the Parks and Rec helped us rush the permit but that step was not possible.” Myrtle Edwards Park was the longtime home of Hempfest, though the organizers’ comments also stress, “We are not Hempfest and we DO hope they return.” Cantanna Fest’s political component is to campaign for a Cannabis Industry Bill of Rights.

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COUNTDOWN: One more day to register your block party for Night Out 2024
July 27, 2024 3:46 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Having a Night Out neighborhood-safety/solidarity block party on August 6 but not registered for street-closing permission yet? Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite wants to be sure you know that tomorrow (Sunday, July 28) is the deadline to register: You can have a Night Out party in many places – schools, apartment buildings’ community rooms, courtyards – but you need to register for permission to close your (non-arterial) street to vehicle traffic that night. SPD has a registration link here. They’ll also offer the option for your Night Out party to be shown on the citywide map (not mandatory). One more note – we’ll be out taking party photos on Night Out as usual – if you’d be OK with us stopping by your party for a photo, let us know where and when, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you, and thanks to those who’ve already emailed!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Summer-camp counselor assaulted
July 27, 2024 1:36 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Reader report, received today from a staffer at Hazelwood Preschool, which rents space at Fauntleroy Church, next to Fauntleroy Park, and is operating a summer camp program too:

We have to use a small part of a Fauntleroy Park trail to get to our playground. Yesterday – Friday, July 26th, around 2 PM – two of our camp counselors were leading a group of 4-7 year olds up the trail and entered our playground. While the children were getting inside, a man walking his Husky off-leash was coming down the trail toward our group. His dog, though not aggressive, ran toward the children and jumped up on the gate as it was closing, which opened it more and he tried to come inside. One of our summer camp counselors immediately intervened, placing himself between the dog and the children, and called for the owner to get his dog on a leash. Unfortunately, the man became very upset and aggressive, yelled and grabbed our staff member, and pushed him violently against the slide, causing him to hit his head and fall to the ground. The man then quickly left the premises. While none of the children were physically harmed, many of them witnessed the incident and were understandably scared.

The man then walked to the parking lot of Fauntleroy Church, where our security cameras took this picture below.

Unfortunately, his car doesn’t have plates so the police have not yet been able to locate him.

We need help identifying this man. The man was wearing a blue shirt and shorts. White, possibly in his 40s. Tan with short hair. The police gave us an incident #, 24-207530, and if anyone has any information, they want them to call 911.

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