West Seattle, Washington
01 Saturday
10:23 PM FRIDAY: Reported by Kellie via email:
Stolen 1988 Chevrolet white 1/2-ton van – not running, so it was pulled away by someone. It is covered in vinyl stickers – one says National Green Log Society with a picture of a green log and on the back doors in 10-inch purple lettering it says “hang up and drive.” Stolen from Arbor Heights area this morning.
We’re still awaiting the license plate and police report numbers, plus we’ve asked if a photo is available, but the description sounded vivid enough that you’d probably recognize this if you see it, so we’re publishing this for starters. ADDED: Plate is S019694. … SECOND ADDITION: Police report # is 24-044805.
2:13 PM SATURDAY: As noted in comments, found in Fauntleroy. Owners are aware and handling.
(WSB photos. Above, #10, freshman Seneca Lucas)
The West Seattle High School girls simply ran out of time tonight in their district-tournament game against Roosevelt. The two were tied 46-46 with :10 to go in what was a close game throughout, but then Roosevelt sank a three and WSHS didn’t have enough time to get back downcourt to try to answer it, and the buzzer sounded to end their season.
Games don’t get much closer than this one. The first and second quarter both ended in ties, 9-9 and 19-19. The Wildcats had a one-point lead at the end of quarter #3, 32-31. But the Riders went on a run and pulled out to a 5-point lead with 5:50 left in the game, 39-34. West Seattle battled back, in part thanks to #20, junior Colby Timmons, hitting two baskets in short order.
(WSB photos. Above, #20, Colby Timmons, second-leading scorer with 13)
With 3:10 to go, WSHS took the lead, 43-42, after #4, senior Carmen Cruz, nailed one of her trademark threes:
(WSB photos. Above, #4, Carmen Cruz, third-leading scorer with 11)
They swapped the lead again and got it back 45-44 at 1:35 remaining, with a reverse layup by #21, junior Alyssa Neumann:
(WSB photos. Above, #21, Alyssa Neumann)
But they couldn’t pull away – and were on the wrong side of the scoreboard when it hit 00:00. Head coach Darnell Taylor and the Wildcats finish the season 13-13.
With only two seniors this year, the team has a good chance to build on this year’s success next season.
(WSB photo of Justin and family last year as Full Tilt marked 15 years)
As reported on our partner site White Center Now, the co-founder of Full Tilt Ice Cream, Justin Cline, is in the hospital after a heart attack earlier this month. Friends have set up a crowdfunding account, with the update that Justin is now in serious but stable condition: “He is slowly improving. In the meantime, it is unknown how long his recovery will take and the family and business could use some support while they are navigating this.” Justin and partner Ann Magyar, parents of two, founded the shop in 2008 in downtown White Center, where it’s been a community anchor ever since. Here’s the crowdfunding link.
As we’ve been noting, postseason competition is under way for high-school winter sports – and we have late word of two more local athletes who have made it to the state championships: West Seattle High School wrestlers Sam Fordham (126) and Jak Prater-Thaden (124). The state wrestling tournament is under way today and tomorrow at the Tacoma Dome.
(2020 photo by Doug Ollerenshaw)
Three years ago, we published a reader report about that wooden bridge across Longfellow Creek, near Greg Davis Park, after Doug Ollerenshaw noticed it had been removed without notice, Seattle Parks subsequently explained to him that it had long been “compromised structurally” and then literally started falling apart, so it had to be removed, but they had to find funding to replace it. He’s been tracking it ever since – still no sign of a replacement, and his followup inquiries hadn’t been answered. So we asked Parks about a timeline for what we have since learned is called the “truss bridge,” and finally got an update today, through spokesperson Karen O’Connor: “Looks like mid – 2024; we have successfully obtained the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s – HPA over-water crossing permitting. The bridge is currently under internal design review as well as undergoing the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) permit approval process.” They’ve also updated the project website since our inquiry; it goes into some other details about the delay.
P.S. We’re working on details for a separate report on a different Longfellow Creek bridge project; permit files indicate Seattle Public Utilities is planning some work on the “fishbone bridge.”
Next move for West Seattle Junction FC, our area’s new “pre-pro” soccer team: They’ve announced the regular-season schedule, and are selling single-match tickets. First, here’s the schedule (with home matches at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex), with the final game vs. the league champions:
HOME: Sunday, May 19th @2:00 pm vs Capital FC
HOME: Friday, May 24th @7:00 pm vs Lane United
HOME: Sunday, May 26th @2:00 pm vs United PDX
AWAY: Saturday, June 1st @7:00 pm vs Ballard FC
AWAY: Wednesday, June 5th @7:30 pm vs Tacoma Stars
AWAY: Sunday, June 9th @4:00 pm vs Capital FC
AWAY: Tuesday, June 11th @7:00 pm vs Lane United
AWAY: Friday, June 14th @7:00 pm vs Midlakes United
HOME: Sunday, June 16th @2:00 pm vs Tacoma Stars
AWAY: Wednesday, June 26th @7:00 pm vs FC Olympia
AWAY: Saturday, June 29th @7:00 pm vs United PDX
HOME: Sunday, July 7th @2:00 pm vs FC Olympia
HOME: Friday, July 12th @7:00 pm vs Midlakes United
HOME: Sunday, July 14th @1:00 pm vs Ballard FC
Ticket prices start at $15. They’re still selling season tickets, too. Junction FC is one of 128 clubs in USL League Two.
Two more local high-school athletes are swimming at the state championships starting today! We just received this report and photo:
Two West Seattle High School athletes qualified for the Boys 3A State Swimming Championships, February 16-17 (today and tomorrow) at the King County Aquatic Center. 9th grader Ben Wrenholt (left) will be competing in the 500 Free, and his twin brother Tom Wrenholt (also a freshman) will be competing in the 100 Back. The swim team is led by outstanding first-year coach Logan Rysemus.
(Olympics this morning, photographed by Rick Cocker)
Friday highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE TODDLER GYM #1: Happening now – Fridays 10 am-11:30 am, little ones and their caregivers are invited to open gym time at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND SALE: Continuing today at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), lots of snow sports gear on sale – as shown here. The store is open today
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
FREE TODDLER GYM #2: 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls vs. Roosevelt, 5 pm district-tournament game at Bellevue College (tickets here).
(Olympics this morning, photographed by James Bratsanos)
OPEN MIC AT KENYON HALL: Tonight brings the monthly singer/songwriter open mic, signups at 6 pm, music at 6:30 pm, all ages, at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)
BLACK HISTORY T-SHIRT TRANSFER: That’s the centerpiece activity at 7 pm at Southwest Teen Life Center‘s late-night program. (2801 SW Thistle)
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Tonight it’s music performed by Jim Page and Kat Eggleston at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), Juniper Honey, Justin Harden, Timothy Robert Graham. $10.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Sam Cobra, 7 pm. Free, all ages. (4559 California SW)
‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Third weekend for the current play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight’s DJ is Joey Roxville. (4547 California SW)
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Thanks to David Hutchinson on Alki for the tip about an earthquake centered near Hood Canal at 8:30 this morning. According to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network‘s event page, the magnitude was 3.6, and the quake originated 28 miles underground. Here’s how it looked on a seismogram at Alki Point. David reports, “Slight back and forth movement accompanied by a quiet creaking sound in building.” He also noticed while checking the PNSN site that there was a microquake – 1.2 magnitude – at 11:25 last night a lot closer.
Family and friends will gather this Saturday to remember Bill Whetham. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community now:
It is with great sadness that we announce William John Whetham (Bill), 84, passed away on February 8, 2024, after complications from a heart attack.
Bill was born to George and Inez Whetham in Niagara Falls, New York, on May 15, 1939. After graduating from Niagara Falls High School, he earned advanced degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Michigan and the University of Washington. A brilliant but humble man, he worked for Boeing for 40 years, obtaining 11 patents.
He is survived by Margaret, his beloved wife of 50 years; his five admiring children, Jennifer, Matthew, Catherine, Lizzy (Michael), and Caroline; and his first grandchild and namesake (due in May). Bill was always there for his family: we deeply miss his stable, stoic presence.
There will be a funeral mass on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 10 AM at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle, followed by a reception. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Bill’s name to Father Charles’ prenatal and maternity clinic in Uganda, where a generator is needed to prevent medications being spoiled during frequent power outages: https://bit.ly/DonateInBillsName He was also a faithful supporter of the Union Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army.
If you can’t join us, it will be live streamed! Here is the information for the livestream:
Scroll down to “Livestreaming Services”
Vimeo Link (Direct)
FB Link (Direct)
Please share memories, condolences & photos of Bill on the tribute wall at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/William-Whetham
Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, February 16, and next week is midwinter break for many local students, starting with Presidents Day on Monday.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunshine and a high in the upper 40s are in today’s forecast. Then early Saturday, possibly a bit more snow. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:13 am, sunset at 5:33 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here. Monday will be on the regular weekday schedule.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. **Holiday note – Both Water Taxi routes are out of service on Monday for Presidents Day.
Washington State Ferries today – If you sail to Southworth, be aware that Kitsap County got more snow, and is dealing with the results. As for the ferries themselves, though, we have the usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
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 opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!
The West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team were already guaranteed a spot in state competition before tonight’s district semifinal game against Rainier Beach – but their hard-fought 57-51 victory puts them in contention for another prize, the district championship.
WSHS #13, senior Nathan Schiavo, led the Wildcats’ scoring with 15 points. Right behind was #23, senior Pawlose Aschalew, with 14:
And #3, senior Bo Gionet, contributed 12:
The Wildcats took a while to get in the groove – after the first quarter, they were down by 9. But in the second quarter, they took up residence under their opponents’ basket and held Rainier Beach to just five points.
The second and third quarters both ended in a tie – but aggressive rebounding and a late scoring run put WSHS aheadin the late going and secured the win. Head coach Dan Kriley and the Wildcats will play Eastside Catholic for the district title at 6:30 pm Saturday, also at Bellevue College. (The Wildcats won their last matchup with ECHS three weeks ago and have won eight of their last nine games.)
(WSB photo, December 2022)
When the Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy came to West Seattle a little over a year ago, a big crowd turned out. This weekend, Buoy’s back – for a Story Time at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library on Sunday morning (February 18). Here’s the announcement we received today:
Sunday, February 18
10:00 – 11:30 am
Doors open at 10:00 am, story time 10:30 – 11:00 am, meet Buoy 11:00 – 11:30 am
West Seattle Branch, Seattle Public Library
Address 2306 42nd Avenue SWStory times with Seattle Public libraries are interactive learning opportunities. At story time, kids and their families can enjoy stories, songs, and fun learning activities. Registration is not required. Kids and families will also have the opportunity to meet Seattle Kraken Mascot Buoy! Buoy will be available for photo opportunities and fun.
Buoy is the Seattle sea-troll who inhabits the caverns of Climate Pledge Arena and for who nothing beats a day filled with Kraken hockey and the team’s fans. Folks are drawn to Buoy’s many talents, high-energy, and fun-loving spirit. Odds are you’ll see the troll roaming out and about around the Pacific Northwest as well as hanging with the Fremont Troll, who happens to be Buoy’s Uncle.
When you get to the library, check in with staff for your free tickets to this all-ages event.
One week from tonight, the recently released draft Seattle Parks and Open Space Plan gets a public hearing. (More on that shortly.) It’s a plan the city has to update every six years to be eligible for certain types of funding, but it gives a detailed look into where the department expects to go. So we went through the draft plan to look for specific West Seattle mentions.
Overall, the plan proposes redefining the “level of service” provided for people in Seattle – instead of focusing on a certain amount of park/open space acreage per person, the focus would be on ensuring that parks and park facilities are within a 10-minute walk.
Toward that goal, the draft plan notes that three of West Seattle’s “urban village” areas are “underserved” right now – the West Seattle Junction, Morgan Junction, and Highland Park/Westwood areas. (See page 94 of the plan for more on that.)
Also of note – a list of projects slated for the next several years. Listed for West Seattle are accessibility projects (without specifics) for Colman Pool, West Seattle Stadium, the West Seattle Golf Course clubhouse, Walt Hundley Playfield, the south end of Westcrest Park, Seacrest Park, and Riverview Playfield. Also, the three West Seattle landbanked parks (Morgan Junction addition, West Seattle Junction/40th SW, and 48th/Charlestown), plus the second West Seattle Off-Leash Area. Playground renovations are planned for Southwest Teen Life Center/Pool, Riverview, and Westcrest Park’s south play area. Restroom overhauls are mentioned for the golf course (on-course structure), Walt Hundley Playfield, south Westcrest Park, and the Lincoln Park wading-pool area. Other projects envisioned between now and 2028: Turf replacement at Walt Hundley, decarbonization and renovations at High Point Community Center, shower renovations at Delridge Community Center, field-lighting replacements at West Seattle Stadium, plaster-liner replacement at Colman Pool, and “illicit connection remediation” at Hiawatha Community Center.
There’s a lot more in the plan – maps, stats, demographics and how they’re changing – which you can read here. The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners – a city-convened advisory group – will hold a public hearing at its meeting one week from tonight (6:30 pm February 22 – online and in-person), and the deadline for all comments is March 9. Go here to find other ways to comment.
Someone has stolen one of the art banners that’s been beautifying the fence around the fire-shuttered Highland Park Improvement Club. HPIC trustee Kay Kirkpatrick sent the report and images:
(HPIC fence pre-theft – the banner on the right is the one taken)
HPIC trustees are sad to alert folks that someone has stolen one of the current Art Banner pieces from our fence along SW Holden St. This happened on February 13th at some unknown time (a Valentine’s Day gift?). The artwork was part of a series that we have been displaying in collaboration with Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery featuring themes of community and resilience, titled ART FOR BRIGHTER DAYS.
HPIC and Nepantla installed the three vibrant 5′ x 8′ banners displaying the art of three local artists: Raquel Garcia, Jake Prendez, and Rolando Avila. The art was curated by Nepantla and was installed on the construction fences facing Holden, and scheduled to remain in place indefinitely, or until the building demolition occurs.
If you happen to have seen anything, or have seen the missing panel ~ which is the piece on the right (images at bottom of poster) by Rolando Avila, please contact HPIC1919@gmail.com
If you own property in King County, your bill for this year is due to be sent to you this week. You don’t have to wait for it to arrive to see what you owe – the amounts are now posted online. You can find yours by starting here, and when you get to the page about your property, click “Property Tax Bill.” (Below the bill are expandable lines showing the breakdown of where that money’s going.) The first half is due by the end of April. As explained on this page of the King County Assessor‘s website, the amount you’re being charged this year is based on how your property was valued as of January 1st last year.
(2023 photo by David Hutchinson)
Another signature springtime event has confirmed it’s returning this year – the West Seattle 5K run/walk on Alki. And the sponsor search is happening now. Here’s the announcement we received:
West Seattle High School and the PTSA are excited to announce the 2024 West Seattle 5K – Sunday, May 19.
All profits raised from the West Seattle 5K will provide funding for West Seattle High School to provide classroom tools, books, supplies, and much more to its students and teachers. The West Seattle High School PTSA is a 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to encourage its students’ potential.
Thousands of runners and spectators from all corners of Puget Sound and beyond have participated in this 5K over the previous 13+ years. Participants are drawn to the event by the family fun, the gorgeous scenery, a flat course, and all the amenities that Alki Beach has to offer. The West Seattle 5K website (westseattle5K.com) is live.
So is the search for sponsors – the earlier you sign up, the better, so sponsors can be listed on posters, flyers, race T-shirts, etc. If you’re interested, contact Kelley O’Connor or Athena Frederick at sponsorwshs5k@gmail.com or 425-894-8641. (WSB has been a sponsor every year and expect to repeat this year too.)
(Leaf, photographed at South Seattle College Arboretum by Jay Speidell)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Thursday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.
DINE OUT FOR WEST SEATTLE LACROSSE CLUB: 2-10 pm, Beer Star and Zeeks Pizza in White Center (on the southwest corner of 16th SW and SW 98th) are donating a percentage of proceeds – tell them you’re there to support the West Seattle Lacrosse Club.
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm class at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s O.P.’S Meals on Wheels.
FREE ECO-ARTS CLASS: 4-7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – drop in!
BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: In the boys’ 3A district tournament, West Seattle HS plays Rainier Beach at 5 pm at Bellevue College.
VISCON CELLARS: The winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.
WEST SEATTLE CREATIVE SOCIETY: Create watercolor, sketch, or color-pencil art in a supportive environment, 5:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
HOW TO GET RAINWISE: You might be eligible for a subsidized rain garden/cistern – our calendar listing has the link for checking eligibility and, if you are, attending an online webinar and contractor meetup at 6 tonight to learn more.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood.
BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm, as previewed here, you’re invited to the second meeting of the Alki Community Council‘s new era. Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) or online.
THURSDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Burger Planet (9614 14th SW) in White Center now has Thursday night trivia at 7 pm – prizes!
YOGA: Kundalini Yoga with Maari Falsetto, 7 pm at Move2Center(3618 SW Alaska), $28.
‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Third week begins for the current play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this one? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
A parent asked us to share this with you: A donation drive is under way to support music programs at Denny International Middle School. Organizers say, “Your support will help us offer a higher quality experience for our students in Band, Choir, & Orchestra.” If you can chip in, go here.
(View from West Seattle’s highest-elevation traffic camera)
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, February 15, and we got some surprise snow – not just a “wintry mix” – in the very-early morning hours. Not enough to cause major problems (on this side of the Sound, anyway), but be aware you might have to navigate some slush on the roads, sidewalks, and paths.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Could see a bit more snow this morning, says today’s forecast, but by later this morning it’s expected to be all rain, heading for a high in the mid-40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:15 am, sunset at 5:32 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule so far; check advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. **Holiday note – Both Water Taxi routes are out of service on Presidents Day next Monday (February 19).
Washington State Ferries today – If you sail to Southworth, be aware that Kitsap County got more snow, and is dealing with the results. As for the ferries themselves, though, we have the usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
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 opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!
12:40 AM: Just got a text that it’s snowing in Highland Park; looked out the window here in Upper Fauntleroy and there’s a dusting on the ground and parked vehicles. Anybody else?
12:47 AM: The traffic camera at 35th/Holden isn’t far from the highest point in the city (35th/Myrtle), and it’s definitely snowy. But we’ve seen some in the streetlights on the Admiral and Junction cameras, too.
12:57 AM: Now the 35th/Holden camera shows it’s sticking on the road.
1:16 AM: 16th/Roxbury too:
Still no weather advisory … snow was considered more likely on the west side of the Sound and to the south.
1:51 AM: From Mel in Highland Park:
And the streets are even coated in The Junction:
2:29 AM: The snowfall’s much lighter now. Meantime, here’s the view at 35th/Roxbury just a moment ago:
2:55 AM: SDOT‘s winter-weather response map shows some crews out, though none in our area so far. So far the forecast hasn’t changed from “rain/snow mix,” so hard to tell how long this is expected to last.
(Yard view, Upper Fauntleroy)
If you have any problems, changes, cancellations to report, please text or call us at 206-293-6302.
5:31 AM: Back at the keyboard after a couple hours away. Roads look mostly bare and wet – some slush on the 35th/Holden camera – but so far no major problems announced. We’ll launch the morning traffic/weather coverage at 6 am as usual.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Guests for two of the topics on the Fauntleroy Community Association agenda last night were no-shows, so the meeting centered on the YMCA and the future ferry-dock replacement. One of the other two topics – pickleball in Lincoln Park – surfaced at meeting’s end anyway. But first:
FAUNTLEROY YMCA’S FUTURE: This was the first formal FCA discussion of the issue, which had just surfaced a few days before last month’s meeting. Representatives of the Y and Fauntleroy Church, with which it’s co-housed, were in attendance last night. Rev.Leah Atkinson Bilinski reminded everyone that her church has hosted the Y for a century. But the pandemic’s after-effects linger – 
and Y execs initiated a discussion with the church about their organization’s challenges. Cleveland King, West Seattle/Fauntleroy Y branch executive, acknowledged that before the community outcry, they had expected to be closing Fauntleroy – and because of that, he said, the Y’s 2024 budget had no line item for operating that location. It’s the only site in the Greater Seattle Y system that the Y doesn’t own, he explained, and they had already closed some other rented spaces to save money. But he said he agree with the emergent sentiment that “it would be a shame to lose this relationship”- it’s more than another gym space. The question then became, “Are we actually using the space for the best use of the community?” At the recent town hall (WSB coverage here), he said, though some attendees wanted answers on the spot, he wanted to listen.
Thanks to Doug Eglington for sending the photo. Piling placement work continues at West Seattle’s Don Armeni Boat Ramp, one month after the start of the long-in-the-works dock-replacement project. American Construction is the contractor for the work to install new concrete floats and steel pilings, which is expected to continue until mid-March, with one float kept open at all times so the ramp remains usable.
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