West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • Crash

    ALKI CRASH CHARGES: Finally filed

  • Light rail

    WS LIGHT RAIL: Routing OK’d, for now

  • Aurora

    ANOTHER AURORA: Second one this week

FOLLOWUP: SDOT cancels plan for full closures of Admiral Way Bridge
July 30, 2024 11:33 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(Admiral Way Bridges from Fairmount Avenue, via Google Maps Street View)

The Admiral Way Bridge earthquake-strengthening project is now in its fourth week. Work is primarily continuing under the bridge, where Fairmount Avenue is closed to all traffic until early next year. But some work is planned on the deck, as we’ve reported. Now, though, there’s a big change in the plan. Thanks to MJ for the tip on this – SDOT confirms that it is no longer planning two weekend-long full closures of the bridge. Lane closures are still planned (no official schedule yet).

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Seafair ships, Lincoln Park orchestra, Delridge P-Patch storytime, more for your West Seattle Tuesday
July 30, 2024 9:54 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Flower at West Seattle Bee Garden, photographed by Susan Whiting Kemp)

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):

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Advocacy from afar, 10:30 am-noon every Tuesday at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

SEAFAIR PARADE OF SHIPS: While headed downtown, a scaled-down Seafair fleet should be passing West Seattle’s north-facing shores around noon. According to an announcement this morning, one U.S. Navy ship is participating, guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102), and U.S. Coast Guard ships TBA.

SOUTH PARK SPROUTS GARDEN CLUB: Calling families with kids 6-12 – come help beautify the SP Library branch and learn about nature while you’re at it! Noon-1 pm; more in our calendar listing. (8604 8th Ave. S.)

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. Today’s agenda items include the confirmation vote for Amy Smith as CARE Department Chief. Watch via Seattle Channel.

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.

PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK WITH WSCO: 6 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), the final night this summer you can bring your musical instrument to play along with the West Seattle Community Orchestras – or just listen in! Off the north parking lot. Our calendar listing includes a link for players to preregister.

OPEN HOUSE: West Seattle School of Rock (4701 41st SW, outer east Jefferson Square) invites you to visit 6-8 for a free class, door prizes, more.

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.

TOASTMASTERS 832: The West Seattle group meets online at 6:30 pm and invites you to work on your leadership and communication skills with them. Our calendar listing explains how to RSVP for the link.

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).

(update: canceled tonight, back next week) 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).

Event coming up? Are community members invited? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Memorial service today for former Washington House Rep. Georgette Valle, 1924-2024
July 30, 2024 9:00 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

A memorial service is planned at 4 pm today in Normandy Park for the woman who served as a state legislator for our area for many years. Georgette Wald Valle was just four months away from her 100th birthday when she died on July 10th. Ms. Valle was a Democrat who served 12 terms in the State Legislature, including representing the 34th District 1987-1997. This photo was taken during those years, in 1989:

(Photo from Paul Dorpat Collection)

That’s Ms. Valle at right during a demonstration on the Admiral Theatre‘s closing night, when its future was in question. In addition to her service as an elected official, she also was involved with a long list of organizations from here to Burien, among them the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Senior Center of West Seattle (now the Center For Active Living), and Southwest Youth and Family Services. She founded the Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Park (to which you’re invited to donate in her memory). Environmental advocacy was a passion of hers, and environmental issues were a major part of what she championed in the Legislature. Ms. Valle stayed active long past her political career, which also included a stint on the Burien City Council; WSB archives feature this photo of her at the 2011 34th District Democrats‘ baseball game.

(With Ms. Valle and then-34th DDs member Karl DeJong is then-governor candidate Jay Inslee)

Ms. Valle, who was born into a Minnesota farming family, is survived by her two children and four grandchildren. Her memorial service is planned for 4 pm today (Tuesday, July 30) at Normandy Park UCC (19247 1st Ave. S.), to be followed by a reception.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC: Tuesday info
July 30, 2024 6:02 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC: Tuesday info
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, July 30.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rain possible this morning, becoming sunny later, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:45 am, while sunset will be at 8:45 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES, WITH METRO FLEX

Metro Flex – Second week for this on-demand service in Delridge (and South Park), starting a two-year pilot. Here’s how it works.

Metro buses – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. The real-time map will show you 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 Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project has begun, first with weeknight overnight lane closures, 7 pm-6 am, then with several all-weekend one-direction closures, starting this weekend. Here’s last night’s update.

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

*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. We’ll have an update on this project later today.

*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.

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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FOLLOWUP: The Kenney goes into receivership, hoping to ‘stabilize its financial situation’
July 29, 2024 10:12 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   The Kenney | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Back in February, we reported on new management for West Seattle’s historic senior-living complex, The Kenney, located north of Lincoln Park for 115 years. Midwest-based “turnaround” specialist SAK Healthcare had taken over, hired by The Kenney’s board and lender, after it spent nine years as part of East Coast-based Heritage Ministries. Now, another change – SAK is still in charge, but with a different role – as court-appointed receiver. The Kenney announced today that it’s been “placed into receivership” in connection with a King County Superior Court case filed by its lenders:

The Kenney was placed into a court-supervised receivership in order to ensure that the residents continue to receive the highest levels of care and service and to ensure the financial success of the facility. The Kenney’s commitment to providing exceptional care and maintaining a safe, comfortable living environment for our residents remains the top priority. The receivership process will allow The Kenney to stabilize its financial situation and implement necessary changes to strengthen that financial foundation. By doing so, the Kenney can continue to meet the needs of its residents and uphold the high standards of service that it is known for.

According to documents in the court case, which was filed five days ago, The Kenney has been in default for a year on more than $13 million in loans, and it hasn’t been paying vendors, at least two of which have gone to court. From the receivership-case documents:

There are approximately 66 people currently residing at the Community, each of whom receives varying levels of care from the staff based upon their medical condition and personal needs. A receiver is necessary to ensure that the Community remains open, that there is no gap in medical or health care provided to any resident, that no harm will come to any resident, and to manage the financial operation of the Community going forward until a new owner can be found to take over the management and operations of the Community.

SAK specializes in “rescuing … distressed” facilities in situations like this, the documents say. The announcement we received notes that “Affiliates of SAK West Seattle [the official name of the receivership entity] have been appointed receiver for senior living facilities in cases around the country.” It also quotes SAK founder/CEO Suzanne Koenig as saying, “Our team of experienced and compassionate professionals will work with existing staff and will continue to deliver the same level of excellence that the residents and their families have come to expect. We are confident that this financial restructuring will enhance the community now and in the future.” We hope to speak with her tomorrow to get answers to some followup questions.

For backstory, The Kenney had a $150 million reinvention plan more than 15 years ago. That plan was dropped after three years; in 2016, a smaller-scale expansion plan was introduced, even as The Kenney worked to get back to financial stability. That plan never came to fruition, either (and some of the land envisioned for new units instead was sold off). Other changes under previous management included closure of its skilled-nursing center in 2017.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing-project lane closures have begun
July 29, 2024 9:12 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

SDOT confirms that overnight lane closures for resurfacing work on the Spokane Street Viaduct started tonight. When dates for the work were announced last week, SDOT said the lane closures could start “as soon as” tonight, so we checked to see if it was still a go, given the wet weather. When they confirmed to us that it’s a go for tonight, a spokesperson also said they’ve changed the hours – in the original announcement, the overnight lane closures were described as “between 10 pm and 5 am,” but now they’re planned for “typically between 7 pm and 6 am.” (Per the traffic-cam screengrab above, the lane-closure work zone tonight starts just after the eastbound bridge exit to NB 99.) They may also have some “full directional closure(s) overnight” in addition to the five weekend full-directional closures, scheduled to start this weekend – closed eastbound (plus the inside westbound lane) 10 pm Friday, August 2, to 5 am Monday, August 5. The work is expected to continue until early October.

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Duwamish canoe family joins Tribal Journey, launching from Don Armeni Boat Ramp
July 29, 2024 6:57 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Duwamish Tribe | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

As we’ve been chronicling since the weekend, the Duwamish Tribe‘s canoe family is joining this year’s scaled-down regional Tribal Journey – but had to change plans today because of stormy weather. Instead of paddling from Suquamish and landing at Alki on the way to tonight’s Tribal Journey stop in Des Moines, the Duwamish canoe launched this afternoon from Don Armeni Boat Ramp.

Though this year’s Canoe Journey focus is on youth paddlers, the participating canoe families are bringing paddlers of all ages, with the elders serving as menors. Among those on the Duwamish canoe is one of the tribe’s longtime board members, Ken Workman, a descendant of Chief Sealth:

After tonight’s stop at Saltwater State Park (Alki was not an official stop this year, but the Duwamish were going to make a ceremonial visit), canoe families head to Tacoma tomorrow.

The Puyallup Tribe is this year’s Canoe Journey host. A different tribe hosts each year.

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Another driftwood fire at a West Seattle beach
July 29, 2024 5:43 pm
|      10 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
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route back to two boats
 |   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
|    Comments Off on 14 notes for your West Seattle Monday
 |   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
|      22 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
|      21 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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