West Seattle, Washington

15 Tuesday

54℉

Spotlight Stories

UPDATE: Car-on-side crash in The Junction
August 4, 2024 3:13 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

3:13 PM: The other Seattle Fire incident working right now is a two-car crash, one reportedly on its side, at 41st and Oregon in The Junction. Someone is reported trapped in one of the vehicles, with bystanders trying to help before SFD arrives. Updates to come.

3:23 PM: Thanks to Kyle for the photo above. Everyone is out of the vehicles, officers have told dispatch. Avoid the area for a while.

(WSB photo)

3:37 PM: We’re told at the scene that one person is going to be taken to the hospital by private ambulance; their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Police are talking to the drivers to try to sort out how this happened.

Share This

UPDATE: Seattle Fire ‘full response’ to 6700 block 25th SW, quickly downsized
August 4, 2024 3:12 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

3:12 PM: Seattle Fire has two incidents going right now – including a possible fire in a building in the 6700 block of 25th SW. Updates to come.

3:16 PM: Arriving SFD crews say this “appears to be someone grilling in the backyard” and they’ve canceled all but one unit.

Share This

OPEN AUDITIONS: Seattle Civic Dance Theatre tryouts coming up for ‘The Magical Doll Maker’
August 4, 2024 2:22 pm
|    Comments Off on OPEN AUDITIONS: Seattle Civic Dance Theatre tryouts coming up for ‘The Magical Doll Maker’
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

While we’re talking about dance – West Seattle-based Seattle Civic Dance Theatre asked us to let you know they’re having free, open auditions later this month for its 34th annual presentation of “The Magical Doll Maker.” The open ballet auditions for ages 8 through 18 will be on Sunday, August 25 – here’s the schedule:

Beginning level dancers 12 pm- 1 pm

Intermediate/Advanced level dancers 1 pm-2 pm

Auditions will be held at 15811 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Suite 160, Burien

To Register: Find the link here or email Allison, SCDT Board President, at scdtboard@gmail.com

There’s more information about the tryouts on this flyer.

Share This

READER VIDEO: Another summer festival celebration in West Seattle
August 4, 2024 12:49 pm
|    Comments Off on READER VIDEO: Another summer festival celebration in West Seattle
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Peter S. Miller for that video from a Morris dance performance at Duwamish Cohousing earlier this week. He explained:

The group performed at Duwamish Cohousing, then went to Lincoln Park and danced around the troll. All for the Celtic Festival of Lammas/Lughnasadh.

First, if you haven’t heard of Morris dancing (we’ll admit, we hadn’t), here’s a detailed history. As for the festival, that too has a long history (here’s a short summary), but is generally explained as a harvest festival celebrated around August 1, also noting the coming transition from summer to autumn.

Share This

UPDATE: Costco hit by SODO power outage
August 4, 2024 10:44 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

10:44 AM: Thanks to the readers who have sent word that if you’re braving the bridge or alternate routes to try to get to Costco on 4th Avenue, don’t do it right now – they’re closed because of a power outage. The City Light map shows a small outage adjacent to a planned-outage area.

1:01 PM: The outage map now shows the unplanned part of the outage resolved. But we weren’t able to get through to a live person at Costco to ask if they’ve reopened.

1:48 PM: Commenter J says they’ve confirmed with employees that the store has power again.

Share This

LAST CALL! Sign up today for West Seattle Junior Football, which kicks off tomorrow
August 4, 2024 10:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news

The new season is about to start for West Seattle Junior Football – and there’s room for more to register! Here’s the reminder we were asked to share with you:

West Seattle Junior Football is starting on Monday, August 5th! We need more kids and coaches to sign up so we can have full teams at every age to play this year. It’s not too late to register. Ages 5 to 14. Check out the website for more info – westseattlejrfootball.com

Share This

WHALES: Southbound orcas
August 4, 2024 8:38 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news

Just texted by Kersti Muul: “Orcas southbound from the lighthouse, mid-channel.”

Share This

Bridge traffic alert, art, shopping, Shakespeare x 2, more for your West Seattle Sunday
August 4, 2024 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on Bridge traffic alert, art, shopping, Shakespeare x 2, more for your West Seattle Sunday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

We start again today with a major traffic alert:

(SDOT camera’s latest look at the Spokane St. Viaduct)

EASTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSED: Another reminder, the all-weekend-long closure continues for the Spokane Street Viaduct – the continuation of the high bridge from the Highway 99 overpass to I-5 – and that’s been backing up the rest of the eastbound bridge, since everyone has to exit to NB 99. This is for the ongoing resurfacing project, and the closure will be repeated next weekend.

Otherwise, here’s what’s happening on your summer Sunday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):

SUMMER SCRAMBLE CONCLUDES: Final day for the four-day West Seattle scavenger hunt organized by Alice Kuder – still time to jump in! Solve the clues, get a chance at a treasure chest – as explained here.

GLASS FLOAT HUNT CONTINUES: Fourth day for this, too – continuing into mid-August. 100 handcrafted glass floats were hidden around West Seattle – details here!

ART ON THE CORNER: 8 am-3 pm at 39th/Holden, artist Bonnie sells her work to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank.

BIG BLUE TRUCK RETURNS: Second day of the Northwest Center‘s donation-dropoff truck‘s return to West Seattle! You’ll find it outside WaFd Bank (4102 California SW). Our calendar listing has info on what items the truck will accept. 9 am-5 pm.

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 = ORCA COMMUNITY 5K: 9 am, the Westies meet up with other groups for a free community 5K starting from Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) to get ready for next month’s Orca Half.

BEE GARDEN TLC: Can you spare two hours to help at the West Seattle Bee Garden today? 10 am-noon, details here. (Lanham/Graham)

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)

SMALL BUSINESS POP-UP MARKET: See who’s selling at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) today, 10 am-2 pm.

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

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.

NO ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers are busy with Seafair. But tours will resume next Sunday (August 11).

SHAKESPEARE DOUBLE HEADER: Two condensed “Backyard Bard” free performances by GreenStage at Delridge Playfield (4501 Delridge Way SW) this afternoon – 3 pm, “All’s Well That Ends Well“; 4:15 pm, “Julius Caesar.”

BLUE ANGELS: Scheduled to go up just after 3:30 pm again today. Looking for West Seattle views? This might help.

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

(Saturday night’s sunset – photo by Curry Gibson)

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!

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Junction 7-11 robbery
August 4, 2024 1:06 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

1:06 AM: Police are investigating an armed robbery reported about 15 minutes ago at the West Seattle Junction 7-11 (4812 Erskine Way SW). So far the only description they have is “two males, masks, black clothing” who got away with some cash from the register, leaving west on Erskine on foot.

1:13 AM: A few more description details that officers just provided to dispatch – both robbers were Black, both with black shirts, one with black pants and medium-length dreadlocks, one with gray pants and red/white Nikes, and they had a black vehicle.

Share This

BLUE ANGELS: Wondering what you can see from West Seattle?
August 3, 2024 10:57 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Blue Angels | West Seattle news

The Blue Angels have one more Seafair show, scheduled to start just after 3:30 pm Sunday. While the show is intended for spectators along Lake Washington, you can get glimpses from West Seattle – photos like Monica Zaborac‘s above, from Harbor Avenue, and the one by David Hutchinson featured in our daily highlight list today are proof. One reader has gone even farther and documented what they saw today – reader J. Newquist shares this:

On Saturday 8/3/24 I took note of “significantly loud” passes over West Seattle by the Blue Angels. As we know, by the time you hear them, it’s too late. The following is a short list of the best times to look up, if you are staying around home for the show. For reference, my viewpoint is roughly the “jog” at the north end of the West Seattle Golf Course; the corner of SW Avalon Way and SW Genesee St. Naturally our geography means it doesn’t take much to get better, or worse views, but the roar we hear are about the same. All times are based on the satellite times of cell phones, but are still approximate. Sunday’s show is expected to follow the same times as these recorded Saturday times.

3:30 pm “Fat Albert,” the C-130, turned from the north over West Seattle on its way back south. While not as loud as the jets, it is a closer view.
3:55 pm: After an over-the lake formation, one plane headed towards downtown while the other headed east towards West Seattle before turning north to regroup.
4:01 pm: Following a similar flight path to the previous entry, another solo plane headed east before turning, creating another loud roar.
4:11 pm: A diamond formation of 4 headed north towards downtown, then looped back to the west, then south, giving us the view in the included photo.

Thanks to J. for sharing those observations! (Reminder that while they’re up, SEA airport takeoffs are redirected, so there’s bonus jet noise over southern West Seattle.) The full Seafair airshow schedule is here (you may hear/see some of the other aircraft earlier).

Share This

ELECTION 2024: Three more days to vote!
August 3, 2024 9:04 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgTuesday night is the deadline for getting your primary ballot in, but so far, only 15.5% of Seattle ballots have arrived back at King County Elections. That’s slightly above the countywide 15.3% turnout. As we noted when ballots were mailed out in mid-July, voters in West Seattle will see 14 races – U.S. Senate, U.S. House District 7, Governor (28 candidates!), Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, State Attorney General, State Commissioner of Public Lands, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Insurance Commissioner, State House Representative Positions 1 and 2 (two candidates each, so they all advance to November), State Supreme Court Justice Position 2, and Seattle City Council citywide Position 8. (The West Seattle Democratic Women hosted a forum in June with four of the five council candidates; here’s our coverage, with video.)

If you’re going to mail in your ballot, get it to the U.S. Postal Service in time to be postmarked by Tuesday (August 6); if you’re using a county dropbox, get it into one by 8 pm (sharp!) Tuesday. Remember that West Seattle now has four, with the newly opened Morgan Junction dropbox (by Morgan Junction Park) – High Point Library, The Junction, and South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – exact locations here. If you’re in east or south West Seattle, the South Park or White Center library boxes might be more convenient. If you need accessibility assistance to complete a ballot, the county’s “vote centers” will be open Monday and Tuesday. Those are also the places where you can register if you’re not registered yet. The first ballot count will be released around 8:15 pm Tuesday.

Share This

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, inbound
August 3, 2024 6:34 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

6:34 PM: Thanks for the texted tip! MarineTraffic.com confirms that’s the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), southbound toward Alki Point right now. Four weeks have passed since the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier headed out.

7:44 PM: Added a photo, texted by a reader who was on the Bremerton ferry when it passed Nimitz. (Thank you!)

P.S. A search for recent news about the Nimitz reveals the Navy has initiated the “deactivation” process, looking ahead to decommissioning it in 2026.

Share This

TRAFFIC REMINDER: Eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct closed until early Monday – and next weekend, too
August 3, 2024 5:41 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

With the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct – the eastern extension of the West Seattle Bridge between the 99 overpass and the I-5 interchange – closed all weekend, we’ve been getting reports of big backups on the bridge itself. So we’re reminding you again, if you have to head off-peninsula, you might consider an alternate route, like the First Avenue South Bridge, which can take you to 1st or 4th (and on into SODO from there) or to Michigan and on to I-5. The closure is part of the project to resurface the eastbound SSV – here again, from our story this past Tuesday, is the closure schedule for the next week-plus:

TUESDAY NIGHT (AUGUST 6) – one or two eastbound lanes closed, 7 pm-6 am

WEDNESDAY NIGHT (AUGUST 7) – full eastbound closure, 7 pm-6 am

THURSDAY NIGHT (AUGUST 8) – full eastbound closure, 7 pm-6 am

FRIDAY NIGHT TO MONDAY MORNING (AUGUST 9-12) – full eastbound closure, 10 pm Friday to 5 am Monday

In addition to overnight weeknight closures beyond that, the weekend-closure schedule announced earlier in July (and subject to change) includes:

10 PM Friday, August 16 to 5 AM Monday, August 19: All eastbound lanes and one westbound lane closed.
10 PM Friday, August 23 to 5 AM Monday, August 26: All eastbound lanes and one westbound lane closed.
10 PM Friday, August 30 to 5 AM Tuesday, September 2: All westbound lanes closed.

The westbound side – which is much newer than the eastbound side – is getting repairs, not full resurfacing, so that’s the reason for only one weekend closure. But keep in mind this all could change – we’re publishing updates when available as well as daily info in our weekday morning traffic roundups and weekend morning event lists.

Share This

VIDEO, PHOTOS: 2024 Duwamish River Festival
August 3, 2024 2:38 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO, PHOTOS: 2024 Duwamish River Festival
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

The annual Duwamish River Festival is a chance to get up close and personal (free kayaking!) with the waterway that many West Seattleites know mostly as the waterway over which they ride or drive to connect to/from the rest of the city. It’s so much more, and that’s why the Duwamish River Community Coalition presents the festival every year. It’s also a chance for glimpses into the many cultures who share its shore:

That video is from the Seattle Classical Thai Dance performance this afternoon – in the first hour, festivalgoers also saw the Aztec group Tlalokan:

The stage slate for the festival, which continues until 5 pm today, is in our calendar listing. The stage is at the north end of the festival zone at Duwamish River People’s Park and Shoreline Habitat (8700 Dallas Avenue S.; map)

Those dozens of booths feature community groups, environmental organizations, and government agencies offering information and activities. Seattle Parks has a booth featuring naturalists ready to talk with you about wildlife:

(L-R, Miranda, Lizzy, Marielle, Nicolasa)

DRCC, the hosting organization, can talk with you about many community projects, including an effort to learn more about the Duwamish Valley’s air-quality problems by reaching South Park and Georgetown families with children who have asthma (email joseph@drcc.org):

(DRCC’s Thuy and Van)

The Environmental Protection Agency has huge cleanup projects to discuss – and simple ways to see what’s at the heart of it all, like this little fish pond:

There’s personal action you can take – with recycling and composting items that don’t belong in the trash – look for the Seattle Public Utilities “Where Does It Go?” team:

Other city departments there include City Light, SDOT, Sustainability and Environment, Emergency Management, and the Office of Police Accountability. Got light rail questions? Sound Transit is there too:

You can also learn about community projects including Reconnect South Park and the next round of Duwamish River sewer-overflow-prevention work. The Duwamish Tribe is participating as well – Ken Workman was there to welcome everyone in Lushootseed:

At their booth, you can get stickers, buy T-shirts, and learn about the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, just across West Marginal Way from Duwamish River shores:

(Kate and Lucas)

From West Seattle, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association is represented too:

(Ranny, Louisa, April)

This is all a fairly easy walk from the heart of the South Park business district (we parked near the southwest end of the South Park Bridge), or there are shuttle locations (see our calendar listing).

Share This

WEEKEND SCENE: Big Blue Truck’s first day back in West Seattle
August 3, 2024 12:37 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

As previewed here last month, The Big Blue Truck (WSB sponsor) is back in West Seattle. The Northwest Center‘s donation dropoffs have resumed after a four-year hiatus, and every weekend you’ll be able to bring these items to its Junction location:

*Gently used clothing
*Shoes
*Books
*Textiles – including towels and sheets
*Small household items

(Here’s a detailed list.) Starting today, you can find the truck in the WaFd Bank lot at 4102 California SW, 9 am-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays. The organization explains, “Big Blue Truck sells donations of gently used clothing, textiles, and shoes to partner Value Village, using the proceeds to support Northwest Center programs and services for children and adults with disabilities.”

Share This

UPDATE: Gas leak closes SW Webster west of 35th
August 3, 2024 11:40 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

11:40 AM: Thanks for the tips and photo! SW Webster in Gatewood is blocked just west of 35th SW [map] because of a gas leak. One texter tells us nearby residents have been evacuated until Puget Sound Energy can get there and shut off the gas.

11:47 AM: Firefighters have just told dispatch that PSE has arrived.

12:16 PM: Texter says neighbors just got the all-clear.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Birdhouse burglary
August 3, 2024 10:40 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Another business burglary this morning: The Birdhouse on SW Henderson west of 35th in Upper Fauntleroy tells us their coffee shop was broken into around 3:10 am today. The images are from their security camera.

(updated) Amber at The Birdhouse says, “He got away with ice cream and our kitchen speaker 🙄 I think he got scared when he saw all the cameras. He messed with them and then took off on the bike. The police got a partial print from one of the cameras he touched so we are just hoping something will come of it.”

If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 24-215780.

Share This

Duwamish River Festival, Big Blue Truck’s return, major traffic alert, more for your West Seattle Saturday
August 3, 2024 6:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Welcome to the weekend! We start with a traffic alert:

EASTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSED: The Spokane Street Viaduct is the continuation of the high bridge from the Highway 99 overpass to I-5, and its eastbound side (at left in the traffic-cam view above) is closed all weekend, until early Monday morning, for the ongoing resurfacing project. If you’re on the eastbound high bridge, you’ll be detoured onto the exit to northbound 99; that exit will remain open all weekend.

Otherwise, here’s what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):

SUMMER SCRAMBLE: Third day of the four-day West Seattle scavenger hunt organized by Alice Kuder – still time to jump in! Solve the clues, win a treasure chest – as explained here.

GLASS FLOAT HUNT: Third day for this, too – continuing into mid-August. 100 handcrafted glass floats were hidden around West Seattle – details here!

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.

ART ON THE CORNER: 8 am-3 pm at 39th/Holden, artist Bonnie sells her work to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank.

BIG BLUE TRUCK RETURNS: First day of the Northwest Center‘s donation-dropoff truck‘s return to West Seattle! You’ll find it outside WaFd Bank (4102 California SW). Our calendar listing has info on what items the truck will accept. 9 am-5 pm.

HEAVILY MEDITATED: New location for free community meditation, 9 am at Schmitz Preserve Park (5551 SW Admiral Way).

DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more! (9421 18th SW; WSB sponsor)

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: You’re invited to join others taking a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Summer gardening season isn’t over yet – and fall’s in view – add something new! Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

MORNING MUSIC: 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.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: Spraypark season continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

LIBRARY SALE: The White Center Library Guild‘s two-day sale continues today, raising money for library programs, 11 am-3 pm, books and “gently used treasures.” Originally announced as a “sidewalk sale” but we stopped by Friday and it’s indoors – air conditioning! (1409 SW 107th)

DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL: Celebrate Seattle’s only river at Duwamish River People’s Park and Shoreline Habitat (8700 Dallas Ave. S., South Park), noon-5 pm, as previewed here – entertainment, free kayaking, more.

POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), bonus weekly session of long-distance advocacy, drop-ins welcome.

COLMAN POOL: Open noon-7 pm on the Lincoln Park shore – find the session schedule online. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, the season continues for the only 7-days-a-week wading pool in West Seattle, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

HIAWATHA WADING POOL OPEN: Also open today, noon-5:30 pm. (2700 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE WINE WEEKEND: We checked while making this list, and online tickets are sold out!

FREE COOL TREAT FOR YOUR PUP: Perfect on a warm summer day. Noon-3 pm at All the Best Pet Care (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor), bring in your dog for a free frozen treat!

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. Last chance to see its award-winning Longfellow Creek exhibit! (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: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.

(Blue Angels photographed from Duwamish Head on Friday by David Hutchinson)

BLUE ANGELS: They are scheduled to go up from Boeing Field around 3:35 pm again today, for the second of three Seafair airshows.

SUNRISE HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY: 5:15-10 pm, music, food, pet parade, bouncy house, more, on 30th SW between Myrtle and Othello – details in our calendar listing.

WORKING CLASS JONES: Live at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm – free but you need to RSVP; link’s in our calendar listing.

CIRCLE OF SONGS: Acoustic music live at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, no cover, all ages.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Sawyer Best & The Mighty Wurlitzer, 7 pm, organ music and silent film. Ticket link is here. (7904 35th SW)

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Glyf, The Last Minute Maybes, High Tide Fiasco at The Skylark tonight, doors at 7, $10 cover, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).

KARAOKE AT THE PIZZERIA: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.

West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

OPEN! After seven years, Lincoln Park has a South Play Area again
August 2, 2024 9:54 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

In July 2017, the Lincoln Park South Play Area was closed for safety concerns, later described as wood damage from termites. At the time they warned repairs or replacement might take until the following year. Instead, it took seven years. Most of the fencing finally came down this afternoon, and the play area was open when we went to the park this evening to confirm.

Besides the spyhopping orca, the marine features requested by community members in 2017-2018 include this:

Set into the concrete are footprints telling a story:

Fresh bark chips surround all the features.

You’ll still find a few spots of fencing, including mesh around areas that either have been or will be seeded:

Work on the $600,000 project was started in January but shelved for a while when the contractor redirected efforts to finish the Westcrest Park play area first.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: How a century-old sawmill got in the way of finishing Don Armeni Boat Ramp’s float-replacement project
August 2, 2024 7:19 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

This weekend’s salmon fishing is a reminder that Don Armeni Boat Ramp can be a very busy place. Back in April, we reported that its float-replacement project was mostly done, with a few remaining touches. In correspondence with Seattle Parks, boater Steve King – who had observed “something missing” – learned it’s a little more complicated. At the heart of it was what remained of a sawmill from more than a century ago – the wood debris shown in these photos taken during construction. He shared this detailed explanation he received from Steve Levengood, Parks’ Capital Projects Coordinator Senior Built Environment Accessibility Compliance Lead:

The work is not yet completed. The original design had 4 piles on each side. Unfortunately, the #3 of 4 piles (counting from near shore outward) and the #4 of 4 piles could not be installed because, as we discovered during construction, the remains of an old sawmill was buried under the mudline. (We removed about 25 truckloads of old lumber before stopping since at that point, we were concerned we would undermine the boat ramp itself.) This means the float manufacturer needs to design more rigid connections to install the last floats. We have not yet received their proposal to review.

The float designer is also the designer of record, since the floats are a design-build element, and is very busy, so it may take months to get anything installed unfortunately. (They are also the only firm who does this work in Washington State, so we are dealing with a monopoly situation as well.) The Contractor, American Construction, is also eager to complete the work, and has been pressing them to complete their engineering work. The south floats, since the missing floats will just bridge the gap between the 2nd and 4th piles, should be doable. I have some doubts about the outer north floats since it will be unsupported by any piles, so we will need to see if that is actually doable once they finish their analysis, including the impacts of tidal, waves and wind.

I am attaching photos of the lumber that was removed. When we looked at historical photos, there was a sawmill at that location prior to World War I. In those days, when decommissioning a facility, they would apparently just cut the piles and drop the whole thing in the water. It is frustrating, and indeed would be criminal if done now, but it is what it is.

The Don Armeni webpage says Parks is hoping to install the added floats by the end of the year.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Heavy equipment arrives for long-planned work at Morgan Junction Park expansion site
August 2, 2024 5:43 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Not far from where one years-delayed Seattle Parks project is finally wrapping up, another is about to start its next phase. Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker sent the photo of heavy equipment and a portable toilet in place at the Morgan Junction Park expansion site, just north of the park in the 6300-6400 block of California SW. Parks announced at MoCA’s meeting two weeks ago that soil-cleanup work at the site is scheduled to start next Thursday (August 8). Once 15 feet of soil is dug up, taken away, replaced, and hydroseeded – expected to take about eight weeks – the site will be interim open space before park construction, currently planned for next year. Ten years have passed since the city bought the site for just under $1.9 million; it’s been “landbanked” ever since.

Share This

TICKET TIME! You can lock in yours for this year’s Taste of West Seattle
August 2, 2024 3:44 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

The Taste of West Seattle usually sells out – so the West Seattle Food Bank sent this announcement in hopes you won’t miss out:

We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for the highly anticipated Taste of West Seattle, the largest community-based food fair in the area. This beloved event will take place on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, at The Hall at Fauntleroy.

The Taste of West Seattle is a celebration of our vibrant local food scene, featuring an incredible array of food and drinks from dozens of local restaurants, breweries, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, specialty food stores, and more. Musical entertainment this year is generously provided by Correo Aereo.

The Taste of West Seattle draws a sell-out crowd of hundreds of people from throughout King County, all coming together to enjoy delicious offerings and support the West Seattle Food Bank. The attendees vote to select winners in categories such as “Best Savory Taste” and “Best Pour” and there are raffles, games and fun!

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, September 19th, 2024
VIP Entrance: 5:30 PM, General Admission: 6:00 PM
Tickets: GA $75, VIP $125 (must be 21+ to attend)
Location: The Hall at Fauntleroy

For a list of participating food and beverage vendors, and to purchase tickets, please visit WestSeattleFoodBank.org. For more information or to become a participating vendor, please contact Robbin Peterson, Development Director at WSFB: 206-686-4521 or robbin@westseattlefoodbank.org

26 food/beverage purveyors are already on the list as of moments ago! The Hall at Fauntleroy is at 9131 California SW.

Share This

Having a Night Out party Tuesday in West Seattle/South Park? Get your swag (update) Monday
August 2, 2024 1:27 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Photo sent by Cindi Barker)

Four days until this year’s Night Out, celebrating community collaboration and safety coast-to-coast. If you’ve registered your Night Out party, Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite has swag for you, available for pickup (updated) 9:30-11:30 am and 2:30 to 4:30 pm Monday (August 5) at the precinct (2300 SW Webster). She’s at right in the photo, with Seattle U interns Rafail Markodimitrakis and Kierra Lee, as they got ready this morning.

(Added: Photo sent by Jennifer Satterwhite)

They’re offering crime-prevention info handouts and goodie bags for kids. If you didn’t get signed up by last Sunday’s deadline, but you’re still having a Night Out party, they might have some extra materials available Monday too.

Share This