West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
The holiday season is still four months away, but The Christmas People would love to see you at a summer event in West Seattle later this month. Here’s the invitation just added to the WSB Event Calendar:
The Christmas People will commemorate 25 years of service to homeless people, seniors, and veterans on Sunday, August 27 from 3 to 8 pm at Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Ave SW.
Linda Norlander, RN.MS, Robert Wood Johnson fellow, will be guest speaker; Carnegie Hall soprano Claire Stadtmueller and Adam Creighton will provide entertainment. Buffet will be at 6 p.m.
No tickets, free will offering but reservations are required. Contact Rev. Fred Hutchinson, co-founder, at 206-719-4979 or pialley@jps.net. Seating is limited: first come, first served. All volunteers, Christmas Cookie bakers, drivers, and civic-minded community members are invited and encouraged to attend.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, August 7th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Cloudy, showers possible, sun later, high around 75. Today’s sunrise was at 5:54 am; sunset will be at 8:35 pm.
ROAD WORK
On West Marginal, “quiet zone” work has begun – here’s the announcement.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – regular schedule – check here for advisories.
Water Taxi – regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service. Check Vessel Watch to see where the boats are.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, 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 – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
(Reader photo, July 16th)
Three weeks ago tonight, a speeding driver on Alki Avenue smashed into another car so hard, it was pushed over the seawall and into Elliott Bay, with passersby jumping into the water to rescue that car’s driver, 24-year-old Madison Kelly. Harborview Medical Center is no longer able to answer media questions about her condition, due to her medical-privacy status. The most recent update on the crowdfunding page for Ms. Kelly and her family is from two weeks ago, at which time she was described as “breathing on her own (and) discharged from the ICU (but) in a comatose state.” The update says her recovery could take months or years. Meantime, the driver who hit her, a 23-year-old North Seattle man who was driving his brother’s car, has not yet been charged. He was arrested the night of the crash on suspicion of DUI but taken to the hospital rather than jail; he is no longer at Harborview Medical Center but we don’t know whether he was transferred to another medical facility from there. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told WSB late Friday that the case had not yet been referred to them by Seattle Police detectives; as discussed at the most-recent Alki Community Council meeting, discussions were under way regarding whether charges could be filed before the state lab’s toxicology report came in. Meantime, the City Council has since passed a bill that would enable speed-enforcement cameras in that area, but it’s up to SDOT to come up with a plan for installing them; that’s also the agency still mulling whether more speed humps should be added on Alki/Harbor Avenues.
The Blue Angels‘ final 2023 performance in Seattle is over as of three-plus hours ago. We have reader photos to share – above, Monica Zaborac‘s classic view of their downtown flyby, from West Seattle; below, Erin Szekely sent a view from Seacrest:
From Christie B., some of the people who gathered at the Jack Block Park overlook to watch:
West Seattle photographer Jerry Simmons went to the show’s intended viewing area on the east side, and describes this image as a “vapor cone” around the jet, resulting from higher humidity:
Next weekend the Blue Angels perform in Montana, at the Yellowstone International Air Show.
Thanks to everyone who’s continued sending views of our feathered neighbors this summer. We’ve featured some with our daily preview lists, but as the weekend wraps up, we have a moment to share a gallery – starting, above, with Jerry Simmons‘ catch, a gull apparently getting warned off by a crab. The star in another gull’s bill wasn’t so lucky, Theresa Arbow-O’Connor shows us:
Other birds just grab their prey from the water and take off, like this Osprey photographed by James Tilley:
James also caught the brilliant color of a Purple Martin:
Another brightly colored bird – this Anna’s Hummingbird photographed by Jon Anderson:
From Jamie Kinney, a Barred Owl:
And a Great Blue Heron:
A closer view of another heron – via long lens – from David Hutchinson:
And another photo from Jerry Simmons – a young Northern Flicker getting fed:
Thanks again to the photographers. And be mindful of our winged neighbors as summer continues – it doesn’t take a desert-style heat wave for bird baths to dry out quickly!
3:30 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos (the one above is from Shaun) and questions about that fleet of boats in view from west-facing West Seattle, first headed northbound and now eastbound into Elliott Bay. MarineTraffic.com shows it’s the entire Kitsap Transit foot-ferry fleet, 10 boats. The reason for the group trip – photo op, perhaps? – we don’t know yet but will update when we do.
4:31 PM: Kitsap Transit confirmed to us via Twitter/X: “We are working on capturing photos and videos of our ferry fleet today.”
5:13 PM: KT spokesperson Sanjay Bhatt adds via email that this is the first time they’ve ever done this.
(WSB photo)
Back on Thursday, after reader tips (206-293-6302 text or voice any time!), we showed you the first demolition at Alki Elementary, tearing down the old portable on the north side of the school. But the crew did not proceed immediately to the building. Seattle Public Schools explained that’s because the portable demolition is “under a separate permit, issued at the beginning of July.” The full permits are still awaiting the ruling of appeals filed against the zoning exceptions (“departures”) sought by the district. The hearing examiner who heard the case July 25th (WSB coverage here) had promised a ruling within 20 days, so that should happen in the next week or so, but SPS says other work can proceed in the meantime: “There also will be grading and shoring work on the site prior to completion of the departure process. None of the early construction activities involve any of the departures SPS is seeking for the project. Beginning them will not preclude implementing any conditions imposed on the project by the Hearing Examiner.” The new school’s height is no longer being appealed, so the issues that await a ruling have to do primarily with transportation, including the plan to build the new school with no offstreet parking. Meantime, when the 2023-1024 school year starts in a month, Alki classes will be at the former Schmitz Park Elementary.
Sundays in The Junction keep expanding – beyond the West Seattle Farmers’ Market itself, and the year-round businesses, pop-ups add to the possibilities, and starting today there’s another one: Summer Sundays in the Alley. To find it, just walk into the alley east of California on the Farmers’ Market block (between Oregon and Alaska) and look for the mural and canopies.
Food, art, and music are part of the plan, 10 am to 4 pm every Sunday this month, with different guest vendors within the pop-up, like Lovely and Dapper Desserts‘ mini-cakes today:
If you’re more into savory than sweet, the crew from Matador is selling street tacos. Or just soak up the vibe:
This is happening right behind the boutique Carmilia’s (4528 California SW), also open 10 am-4 pm on Sundays.
(WSB photo, Friday)
If you frequently pass by the Pump Station 38 project site in the 1400 block of Alki Avenue SW, you’ve likely noticed the construction isn’t complete yet, even though it was described as near completion months ago. The artwork is installed, as our photo shows, along with the new guardrail, but otherwise, cones and holes remain. Seattle Public Utilities says in an update, “The work has been delayed due to a malfunctioning pump that needed to be returned to the manufacturer for repair. At this time, the project is tentatively scheduled to be completed in September.” That’ll be five months longer than the “up to nine months” estimated when work started in July of last year.
(Gray Saturday ends with pink-sunset surprise – photo by Javier Fosado)
Welcome to Sunday! Here’s what’s on the list:
LAST DAY OF SUMMER SCRAMBLE: The pirate-themed West Seattle scavenger hunt ends at 7 tonight, but you can still get in on it today.
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT: 23 of the first 50 were still waiting to be found as of late last night.
BICYCLING FOR EVERYONE: Outdoors for All is presenting an adaptive-cycling demonstration on Beach Drive at Constellation Park, 10 am-2 pm.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is happening between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering summer produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, plants, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.
SUMMER SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: 10 am-4 pm behind Carmilia’s (4528 California SW): “Vintage, Art, Music, and Street Tacos” – new weekly event in August. Plus today, Lovely & Dapper Desserts will be there with mini-cakes.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm daily through Labor Day, shine or rain. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.
NO ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY: Volunteers are busy with Seafair today but lighthouse tours will resume NEXT Sunday.
HIGHLAND PARK CARS: Meet photographers Peter de Lory and Franklin Stauffer as their exhibit opens at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), 3-5 pm.
POP-UP TREATS: 3-6 pm, Butter Half Cakes will be at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW).
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: At C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Paul Gerard performs, 3-5 pm.
(Saturday photo by David Hutchinson)
BLUE ANGELS: One last Seafair airshow, scheduled for 3:20-4:30 pm, taking off from (and returning to) Boeing Field.
SUNSET GONG BATH & MEDITATION: 7:30 pm at Lowman Beach (7017 Beach Drive SW) – details in our calendar listing. $25 suggested donation.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
We have an update on the other current West Seattle scavenger hunt too – this one is the West Seattle Glass Float Hunt, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Organizers tell WSB that after the first day, “27 have been found so far. 23 still out in the wild!” They also provided selfies sent by happy finders, including this family:
After the first 50 are found, another 50 are waiting to be hidden. If you’ve missed previous coverage, here’s how it works.
Haven’t planned out your Sunday yet? Alice Kuder says her pirate-themed Summer Scramble scavenger hunt has one more day to go – until 7 pm Sunday – and it’s not too late to sign up:
69 teams of pirate hunters are scouring West Seattle this weekend in search of cache pouches! Each one leads to booty from local businesses. There’s still time to join in this FREE fun. Go to bit.ly/Summer-Scramble to register your team.
Amid today’s drizzle – a giant rainbow on Alki Beach. Not over Alki, *on* Alki – with a giant beach ball added to make a point. This is the 130-foot-long flag borrowed from Seattle PrideFest to promote Alki Beach Pride, which happens August 20th, just two weeks from tomorrow.
ABP founders Jolie and Stacy Bass-Walden gathered dozens of volunteers to hold the flag for a photo-op this morning, with a drone to catch an aerial view as volunteers cheered:
You can check ABP’s channels for the aerial view. Afterward, one last job – flag-folding:
Watch alkibeachpride.org for the schedule of events, which will include a street party closing a few blocks of Alki as well as an outdoor movie.
Seattle’s only river is what today’s Duwamish River Festival is all about, so of course you can get out on the water as part of the festivities at Duwamish River People’s Park (8700 Dallas Avenue S. in South Park). But the rest of the festival is on land:
Agencies and vendors are there to talk with community members, and you have the chance to offer your opinion on a variety of topics and projects:
Want to know more about emergency preparedness? Talk with South Park “hub” captain Anne Churchill!
You can also enjoy entertainment (here’s the schedule) – Neon Brass Party was playing while we were there:
(added) So was Kavak:
We also found a festival participant you can truly look up to:
If you’re driving, your best bet is to catch the shuttle bus from the lot near the future South Park Plaza on the southwest end of the South Park Bridge, but you can walk from there too, or from the 14th/Cloverdale business hub – look for the signs. The festival is presented by the Duwamish River Community Coalition and continues until 5 pm.
Two more events today just belatedly hit our radar:
(Added: WSB photos)
LOWRIDER BLOCK PARTY: The third annual street party presented by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery is happening right now on 17th SW just north of Roxbury, continuing until 5 pm.
Cars, music, art, vendors, food!
‘DEAD BABY DOWNHILL’ BIKE RIDE: Watch for potentially hundreds of bicycle riders in The Admiral District this afternoon/evening – Guy just told us the “Dead Baby Downhill” ride is leaving from Admiral Pub (we covered its Admiral start in 2011): “Registration from 3-6. The race starts at 6:00 pm sharp. Come out and cheer on the racers!” (Added: They’re riding to Georgetown.)
ADDED 8:37 PM: Video as the riders left Admiral:
11:51 AM: Sent by Trileigh:
I just tried to refill a bottle, and our water is running brown and cloudy. Maybe with the fresh rain a pipe is leaking somewhere? Above Lowman in the Pelly Place neighborhood.
Nothing on the Seattle Public Utilities water-outage map, so either it’s hydrant testing again or an as-yet-unaddressed problem .. always notify SPU about brown water (which is caused by unusual line activity stirring up “sediment,” mostly rust) at 206-386-1800.
11:57 AM: Just as we published that report, we got a text from someone in the Morgan Junction area saying they’re seeing it too and SPU says it’s hydrant testing.
10:22 AM: We’ve had a resurgence of coyote sightings lately, and we’re publishing the reports because it’s important to understand how to co-exist with them. This morning, Steph and her dogs encountered one in Seaview: “Cayote sighting this morning at 7 a.m. at corner Juneau and 49th. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera. Not sure if it is newsworthy, but sure took me by surprise as I was walking my dogs.” And on the High Point side of SW Juneau, Zac reported this sighting Tuesday night: “Didn’t get a pic but saw a coyote trot down SW Juneau St from 35th toward the P-patch … 11:30-ish pm.” The state’s “co-existing with coyotes” advice is here. Biggest advice is to not inadvertently leave food out for them (and that includes unaccompanied small pets) – they can find plenty on their own, such as rodents.
NOON: Since publishing that, we received this from Kari:
This coyote ran right behind us on 50th and Spokane Thursday night, just after nine. I did let my neighbors know to spread the word.
ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: We also received this today:
My name is Matt and I live near the Whole Foods in the Junction. This morning I saw a coyote on 40 Ave SW at 4:30 am; it went toward Hudson and turned heading to Fauntleroy.
(Photo sent by Linda McKelvey, who captioned it ‘Happy Yucca at Alki Beach’)
From disc-throwing in the morning to concertgoing at night, here are 21 highlights for your Saturday:
RSVP FOR EARLY-RISER ULTIMATE: 8 am at Fairmount Park (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW) – RSVP if you see this in time (as explained in our calendar listing).
GLASS-FLOAT HUNT BEGINS: As noted last night, today’s the first day you can search for dozens of glass floats hidden around the peninsula.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: 10 am-2 pm, the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center will be open, with a sizable selection of student-grown plants. (6000 16th SW, north end of campus)
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is happening every week, 10 am-2 pm Saturday, prioritizing vendors of color and presented by African Community Housing & Development. (Waste Management NW will be there today to talk about recycling, too.)
BEIGNET POP-UP: Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) is hosting Jet City Beignet, popping up 10 am-2 pm today.
UNFURL GIANT PRIDE FLAG: As previewed here, this is a promotion for the upcoming Alki Beach Pride celebration – LGBTQ+-identifying volunteers are invited to practice on Alki Playground‘s field at 10:30 (59th/Lander) and then move to the beach at 11 am.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Highland Park Spraypark is open daily, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL: Celebrate Seattle’s only river at this noon-5 pm festival with performances, kayaking, resources, more, presented by the Duwamish River Community Coalition at Duwamish River People’s Park (8700 Dallas Ave. S., South Park). See the schedule here.
COLMAN POOL OPEN: The public is welcome at the city-run outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), open noon-7 pm (session schedule here).
2 WADING POOLS OPEN: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 12-7 pm, in the upper park near the north play area; Hiawatha (2700 California SW), 12-5:30 pm, in the park, northeast of the community center.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: You’re invited to the home of West Seattle’s history – visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 12-4 pm.
VISCON CELLARS: 1-6 pm, visit the tasting room at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) – offering wine by the glass or bottle. Learn about Viscon wines here! (5910 California SW)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL REP: Community conversation with Seattle School Board director Leslie Harris, 2 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) – she’s bringing lasagna, too.
BLUE ANGELS: According to Seafair‘s airshow schedule, they’re up 3:20-4:30 pm again today.
SUNRISE HEIGHTS BLOCK PARTY: 5-10 pm on 30th SW between SW Othello and SW Myrtle, a celebration for people of all ages – and pets, who’ll be on parade at the party’s start. Live music, too. Info in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, free live, all-ages in-store show by The Tripwires, celebrating the release of two LPs. (4559 California SW)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm doors, 8 pm music, Oranj Goodman and Friends at The Skylark. $20, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Planning a show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? Get it on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Just received from Emily Burleson:
Tonight the NOAA space weather forecast showed a potential for Aurora borealis over Seattle tonight. Went down to Alki Beach to try to catch a glimpse and saw … Something! To the naked eye it was mostly colorless, but the long exposure phone photos showed a lot more … taken around 11 pm.
Here’s a dramatic view from about an hour and a half north.
In case you heard the sirens and/or saw the notation on the SFD Real-Time 911 log – the “scenes of violence” response in the 9400 block of 27th SW was a false alarm – a person in crisis claimed someone had been shot, but no one had been. The call is now closing.
Three West Seattle scenes from August’s first Friday:
Above, James Bratsanos captured the colors of tonight’s sunset. … Below is Steve Pumphrey‘s photo of salmon seekers lined up along the north side of Point Williams at Lincoln Park:
And below, an image from today’s Blue Angels flight – Rainer Klett photographed a Space Needle flyby from Alki:
Saturday’s forecast has some clouds – maybe even a chance of an afternoon shower.
Just received this reminder to share with you – the second-ever West Seattle Glass Float Hunt starts tomorrow (Saturday, August 5):
FINDERS KEEPERS! This is what you’re looking for:
Starting Saturday, August 5th, 100 glass floats will be hidden throughout West Seattle: Alki to Roxbury, the Sound to the Duwamish. If you find one, it’s yours! Please be mindful of the environment when hunting. Outside floats will be in public spaces, not on private property. One float per household, per year.
Share your hunting experience(s) for a chance for it to be reposted! Regardless of finding one or not, let’s hear about it! What new places have you discovered? Tag @westseattlejunction @westseattlechamber on Instagram.
This event is brought to you by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the West Seattle Junction Association from the money raised through Reunited T-shirts last year. Avalon Glassworks made each individual glass float with a pattern never to be recreated! Pecos Pit sponsored the tags, which we are so grateful for.
HAPPY HUNTING!
The first Glass Float Hunt happened a year ago, in the weeks before the West Seattle Bridge’s 2 1/2-year closure ended.
(WSB photo, June)
In hopes that fewer Hyundais and Kias will wind up like that one – stolen and pushed down a slope at Westcrest Park – SPD is giving away more steering-wheel locks. After two giveaways in April, two more dates have just been announced for late August and early September. Sent today by Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite:
In response to a rise in vehicle thefts involving certain Kia and Hyundai models, SPD’s Crime Prevention Coordinators will be giving away steering wheel locks at each of its five precincts this summer.
Dates & Times:
Tuesday August 29th : 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Saturday September 2nd : 9:30 am – 11:30 amLocations:
East Precinct – 1519 12th Avenue
West Precinct – 810 Virginia Street
North Precinct – 10049 College Way N
South Precinct – 3001 S Myrtle Street
Southwest Precinct – 2300 SW Webster StreetThe devices are available at no charge to people who live or work in the City of Seattle, with a focus on those who own or lease a Kia or Hyundai vehicle. Due to limited availability, locks cannot be set aside or held. Only one lock allowed per person. Please go to the pickup event scheduled for the precinct where you live or work.
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