West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories

Morgan Community Association, running, music, theater, history, more for your West Seattle Wednesday
July 19, 2023 10:41 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday moonset, photographed from Alki by James Tilley)

Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the lineup for the hours ahead:

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm,. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.

DELRIDGE WADING POOL: Noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

COLMAN POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

HISTORY HOUR: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), learn about Disability Pride Month.

TECH & SHOES DEMOS FOR RUNNERS: Doubleheader at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – 5 pm Garmin tech demo, 6 pm Saucony shoes demo in tandem with tonight’s 6:15 pm group run, as explained here.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – repair it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

TRIVIA x 6: Here’s where to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Live, work, shop, dine, drink, play in the Morgan area? You’re invited to the quarterly MoCA meeting, online at 7 pm. Connection info and agenda toplines are in our calendar listing.

LIVE PIANO MUSIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

‘HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH’ Final week! Tonight’s performance of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) is at 7:30 pm – check here for tickets.

KARAOKE AT BENBOW ROOM: 9 pm-2 am – info in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

Planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or …? If it’s open to the community, send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Summer food drive at Admiral Church
July 19, 2023 9:12 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

If you have nonperishable food to share, Admiral Church invites you to bring it over and contribute to its summer donation drive for the White Center Food Bank. A bin is open in the church lobby (4320 SW Hill) 10 am-1 pm today and Tuesdays through Thursdays plus Sundays; church volunteers are outside to accept drive-by/dropoff donations 10 am-noon Mondays and 2-4 pm Thursdays. Here’s a list of what’s most needed. The donation drive continues through the end of August.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday info
July 19, 2023 6:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, July 19th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high around 80. Today’s sunrise was at 5:31 am; sunset will be at 8:59 pm.

(Tuesday sunset photo by James Bratsanos)

TRAFFIC ADVISORIES

*In Highland Park, the HP Way/Holden signal work continues.

*In The Junction, avoid 42nd SW between Alaska and Oregon – crane removal is scheduled to continue this morning.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Back to regular schedules – check here for advisories. Note extra C and H Line trips for this weekend’s Taylor Swift concerts.

Water Taxi – Also planning extra late-night runs for this weekend’s concerts. Regular service today, though.

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!

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VIDEO: ‘We’re your team.’ Outreach workers, WSDOT, city explain how they’ll ‘resolve’ encampment across Myers Way from Arrowhead Gardens
July 19, 2023 12:58 am
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

(Video of Arrowhead Gardens meeting, recorded by John Walling)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We will resolve this. It’s not going to be tomorrow, it’s not going to be next week, but it’s not going to be next year.”

That was the promise made Tuesday night to Arrowhead Gardens residents by Lisa Daugaard, whose organization is leading the in-person outreach to 48 people living in the encampment across Myers Way from the senior-living complex. She and colleague Nichole Alexander provided granular details of what’s ahead in the plan to move people out of the encampment.

It’s on a site that’s mostly state land, right-of-way for Highway 509 downslope to the east, so Washington State Department of Transportation reps led the meeting, which also was attended by city reps including Councilmember Lisa Herbold and a delegation from the Southwest Precinct.

(L-R at the table, Lisa Daugaard and Nichole Alexander from PDA, SPD’s Lt. Dorothy Kim, Councilmember Lisa Herbold)

Before an hour of Q&A, there was a half-hour of updates, starting with WSDOT officials trying to explain what will make this different from past clearances of the area.

Read More

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PRE-PARADE: West Seattle Big Band’s annual Concert in the Park
July 18, 2023 9:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

For many years, on the Tuesday before the West Seattle Grand Parade, the West Seattle Big Band has performed its free Concert in the Park. Tonight was the night!

The concert has several connections to Saturday’s parade – for one, the parade sponsors the concert (which was long part of the now-defunct summer-long Hi-Yu Festival). For two, WS Big Band director Jim Edwards (above left) is a longtime parade coordinator – these days with more of an emeritus role, while coordination is led by his daughter Michelle Edwards, a WSBB musician too:

Post-pandemic, the concert has had a new venue, High Point Commons Park, where the WSBB presented its program tonight.

The organization is more than a quarter-century old, with a mission of supporting students – donating its time and earnings to support school-music programs.

P.S. As for the parade – our previews of what and who you’ll see start tomorrow!

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FOLLOWUP: Alki collision victim improves; city not yet committing to more safety measures
July 18, 2023 5:59 pm
|      140 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The 24-year-old woman rescued from her submerged car after a speeding driver hit her on Alki Avenue on Sunday is improving.

Harborview Medical Center tells WSB that Madison Kelly is now in serious condition, an upgrade from critical, which is how she was assessed after bystanders pulled her from the water and performed CPR even before SPD and SFD arrived at the scene. Crowdfunding continues to help her and her family with expenses.

We don’t know the status of the 23-year-old man reported to be driving at high speed before hitting her car so hard it was pushed over an embankment and into Puget Sound; police say they placed him under arrest at the crash scene but did not book him into jail as he was also taken to Harborview, with non-life-threatening injuries.

Nearby residents have long lobbied the city for more action against racing and other street disorder on Alki and Harbor Avenues. SDOT installed some speed humps/cushions and raised dividers last fall, but a long stretch of Alki Avenue – including the 1300 block, where the collision happened – remains without them. After Sunday’s crash, resident Steve Pumphrey, a leader of the neighborhood group that’s been pushing for changes, emailed city leaders a letter reading in part:

… The accident that may yet result in a fatality was reported as caused by high speed (a witness reports in excess of 90 mph) and reckless driving by the person behind the steering wheel of a so-called “racer.” It sadly becomes the capstone in an argument we have been making for years to have the city install speed humps along Harbor Avenue where they do not exist, along Alki Avenue to the beach business district, and around SW 63rd to Beach Drive. This stretch from the West Seattle Bridge to the beach and beyond is, and has been for years, a popular raceway known throughout the county, and if nothing is done, more incidents like (Sunday’s), and worse, will continue to occur. I should add that the problem becomes even worse during the dark hours.

The situation along Harbor and Alki Avenues has not improved except for a small part of the stretch where speed humps were installed earlier this year from the water taxi dock to Anchor Park. This is an urgent need, and something must be done before more innocent people — residents and visitors alike — are injured or worse yet killed!

Pumphrey also urged City Councilmembers to approve the speed-camera proposal currently before them.

We sent inquiries to both SDOT and Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office on Monday morning to ask about the status of more traffic calming in the area. Councilmember Herbold and her office told us today that they contacted SDOT in both May and June to advocate for the neighbors, and shared a previous email chain with SDOT’s Bill LaBorde in which he told them last month in part:

… Regarding the traffic safety requests, we’ve been prioritizing all traffic safety requests against serious and fatal crash data overlaid with a racial and social equity screen and, by these criteria, the Harbor-Alki corridor doesn’t rank as high as requests we receive from other parts of the city with more urgent needs safety needs, more so given the speed humps and other traffic calming we’ve already added to the corridor over the last several months (the corridor ranks in the lowest 20th percentile of arterials in the attached 2022 High Injury Network map, which was compiled before the new speed humps were added). …

That’s from LaBorde’s email response dated June 9th. SDOT’s response to us, via spokesperson Mariam Ali, arrived less than an hour ago:

We are aware of the reckless and illegal driving occurring in these areas and are looking into identifying safety improvements to help address residents’ concerns. We continue to monitor the traffic data in the area as one of the steps to help us determine if any additional short or long-term safety improvements can be made.

As you know, we built safety improvements in this area to address community concerns to the reckless and illegal driving incidents. This includes:

-Building safety enhancements along Harbor Ave SW and Alki Ave SW between the West Seattle Water Taxi and Luna Park.
-Installing about a half dozen sets of speed humps, as well as a raised center divider to prevent people from illegally driving in the wrong direction to pass other cars.
-Working with Seattle Parks Department to consider whether to put speed humps within the Don Armeni Boat Ramp parking lot.
-Building speed humps and crossing improvements further west on Alki Ave SW between 63rd Ave SW and 57th Ave SW.

In addition, we’ve collected feedback on the early designs for the Alki Point Healthy Street project and working on a proposed design concept. We plan to share this proposed design concept with the community soon.

We also asked SDOT about the current price tag for a speed hump/cushion; roughly $10,000, Ali said.

We will continue to follow up on multiple facets of this, from the safety concerns to the people involved in this specific collision.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen gray Trek hybrid bicycle
July 18, 2023 3:56 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen gray Trek hybrid bicycle
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photo are from Lisa:

My bicycle was stolen between noon and 1 pm today on the east side of California Ave SW at SW Hinds Street. It is a dark gray Trek hybrid bicycle with disc brakes and mountain bike handlebars. It has a rear rack.

Lisa doesn’t have the permanent police-report number yet, but the tracking number is T23015545.

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COUNTDOWN: Three days until Alki Art Fair 2023!
July 18, 2023 2:19 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Three days until Alki Art Fair 2023!
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Again this year, the Alki Art Fair will run for three days – art and music along the promenade and around the Bathhouse – and it all starts Friday (July 21). Here’s the latest official overview:

FRIDAY 2-8 pm
SATURDAY 10 am-6 pm
SUNDAY 10 am-6 pm

Now in its 27th year, this FREE, family-friendly, annual arts and music festival brings Alki to life with over 100 professional artists, craftspeople and emerging artists. There will be live music, children’s activities, live demonstrations and local artisan food vendors for everyone to enjoy.

Visitors can take in the colorful views while strolling the promenade, as they eat and shop among the expansive lineup of artists, makers, and performers. It’s a great opportunity to engage with the local creative community and celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our local arts and culture.

The Alki Art Fair still needs volunteers to help with this year’s festival.

Volunteers can assist and mingle with the artists, help with the silent auction, staff the information booth, assist musicians, and more. Visit bit.ly/volunteerAAF23 for a full list of volunteer opportunities and to sign up today!

Event Highlights:

-100+ local artists & crafters selling works in a variety of media including painting, pottery, glass, textiles, metal, jewelry & more. See the full lineup of participating vendors at alkiartfair.org

-Live music and performances throughout the weekend on the Bathhouse Stage sponsored by Canna West Culture Shop and open mic stage on the promenade. This year we’re featuring a variety of genres including Latin, Soul, Funk, Pop, Rock and more. See the full lineup and schedule at alkiartfair.org/music

-Interactive Kid Zone hosted by OuterSpace Seattle (the galactic indoor playspace for kids of all abilities).

-Silent auction in the historic Alki Bathhouse featuring unique items from local artists and businesses.

-Local food lineup features a range of sweet, savory, spicy and delicious options including Caribbean Cuisine, Dippy’s Ice Cream, Lbees Filipino Deli, Pop’s Sausage Grill, Simply Kettle, Road Dawg, Sap Sap Deli, Moe’s Falafel, and Little Jamie’s Mini Donuts.

Sponsors:

Canna West Culture Shop, Outer Space Seattle, 4Culture, Office of Arts & Culture, West Seattle Blog, Aegis Living, Nucor Steel, PNW Marketing, Smith Brothers, Live Oak Audio Visual, BAM Performing Arts Studio, Seal Sitters, Lake Washington Windows

See you at the beach!

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: BedHead Coffee reopens
July 18, 2023 1:20 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Thanks to Chau for the tip! BedHead Coffee has reopened on the southeast corner of 16th/Holden in Highland Park. When we reported last fall on its closure, its founder told WSB that she had sold her interest to her former partner and wasn’t sure about its future. But now BedHead is back in business. The barista there when we went over this morning said their hours are 6:30 am-2 pm weekdays for starters, until they hire someone to run the stand on Saturdays.

They have plans for a menu expansion, but coffee is the focus for now as they get going again.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Arcade now open!
July 18, 2023 11:18 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Elyssa and Matthew Cichy are welcoming players into their newly opened West Seattle Arcade at 2758 Alki Avenue SW! Today is the second official day of business, six months after we first reported on their plan. We stopped in last night for pics. You’ll find a wide variety of games, from classic arcade fare …

… to games brought in from Japan:

And if you want to try your claw-machine luck …

You can go see for yourself right now – hours are 11 am-10 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 11 am-11 pm Fridays, 10 am-11 pm Saturdays, 10 am-10 pm Sundays. As noted in our original January report, they’re also offering birthday-party space.

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Seeing Taylor Swift this weekend? Two West Seattle notes, including extra Water Taxi runs
July 18, 2023 10:51 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

Our inbox suggests the citywide excitement over this weekend’s sold-out Taylor Swift concerts at Lumen Field is more intense than what preceded last week’s All-Star Game. So, two notes:

EXTRA WATER TAXI AND RAPIDRIDE RUNS: Transit services are adding more runs for Saturday and Sunday, including Metro buses and the West Seattle Water Taxi. The WT will add 11:45 pm and 12:15 am runs from Pier 50 downtown both nights, and Metro has a special shuttle that will take concertgoers to the dock, as well as (updated) added C and H Line service.

YOUNGSTOWN COFFEE: The coffee crew at 6030 California SW is stoked. Here’s their announcement:

In celebration of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour coming to Seattle this weekend, Youngstown will be running a special Taylor’s Version menu and giveaway! Our menu and contest is running now through July 23rd (Taylor’s final night in Seattle) and a winner will be chosen that evening.

Prizes include Speak Now tay’s version CD, Youngstown gift card for $25, Youngstown t-shirt, and sticker. To enter, visit our shop and purchase any drink off of our Diva Summer or Taylor’s Version menus and get one entry form.

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Two park concerts and more for your West Seattle Tuesday
July 18, 2023 9:54 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Madrone trees at Lincoln Park, photo by Darlene Allen)

Two ways to enjoy music in local parks top our list of what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.

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.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

FREE COVID VACCINATIONS: The Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is partnering with Othello Station for the first of three free clinics, 2 pm-5:30 pm, no health insurance or appointment required. If you have questions, call the branch at 206-684-7455 or go to the Public Health – Seattle & King County website.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm stories and activities for kids at the Delridge P-Patch, weekly throughout the summer starting tonight. (5078 25th SW)

PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Community Orchestras welcome you to play music with them tonight, at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – 6 pm easy music, 7 pm intermediate music. Audience welcome too! More info in our calendar listing.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

WEST SEATTLE TOASTMASTERS #832: 6:30 pm online, work with others to improve your communication, leadership, and public-speaking skills! Get the link by RSVPing to wstoastmasters832@gmail.com

WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND CONCERT IN THE PARK: In High Point Commons Park, 7 pm, enjoy the West Seattle Big Band! Free, all welcome, BYO chairs/blankets/picnics. (3201 SW Graham)

MORE TRIVIA: Three places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

You can look into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Ken Schmidt, 1940-2023
July 18, 2023 9:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Ken Schmidt, and sharing this remembrance with his community:

Kenneth Jerome Schmidt was born March 27th, 1940, in Morton County, North Dakota, and passed away in Bellevue, Washington, on June 21st, 2023.

The youngest of 15, he was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Marianna, and siblings John [who passed away in 1919, shortly after birth], Philip, Tony, Ida, Julia, Agnes, Bertha, Ted, Ralph, Eva, Arnold, and Bob. Ken is survived by his wife Mary, brothers Adam [Elva] and Tom [Pat], former wife Carol, his three kids, Joe [Jane], Beth [Cameron], and Paul [Holly], Mary’s kids Dana, Tyrie, Blaiz [Amy], and Sommer [Joe], and a large extended family. He was affectionately known in his later years as Pop, or Pops.

Ken’s family moved out west to Seattle from North Dakota in 1942, settling in Rainier Valley. One particularly vivid memory he shared with us around the dinner table, from his early youth in the immediate post-WW2 era, was feasting on fat trout his elder brothers pulled from nearby Lake Washington. He graduated from St Edward’s elementary school in 1954, and from O’Dea HS in the spring of 1958. At the end of that summer, he and his buddies Al Chapman and Rich Fenkner enlisted in the Army. Basic Training was at Fort Ord in Monterey. He served his hitch in Fontainebleau, France, a period of his life he always recalled with fond affection. Upon returning home from overseas, Ken was hired by VWR Scientific, where he met and fell in love with Carol Rossmann. The young couple married in 1963, and settled in West Seattle, at a house near Schmitz Park, where they raised their family. Ken and Carol separated in 1986. Ken’s second great love was Mary Grubic – they were wed in 1998, and stayed together until his last breath. Their home in Bellevue was the scene of many large and festive family gatherings, always centered around a delicious meal.

Ken lived a long, full life as a son, brother, uncle, father, and grandfather. He was a big football fan, liked salmon fishing and playing card games, loved to travel, and really enjoyed running [until his knees gave out]. Pop always took great pleasure in making a tasty pasta sauce or soup for us all to come together over. He faced death the same way he faced the entirety of his life: head on, ready for the challenge, no BS allowed. His memory is cherished, and he will be deeply missed by those who loved him.

(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)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday info
July 18, 2023 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday info
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, July 18th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Partly sunny, high in the mid-70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:30 am; sunset will be at 9 pm.

(Monday sunset photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

TRAFFIC ADVISORIES

*In Highland Park, the HP Way/Holden signal work continues.

*In The Junction, avoid 42nd SW between Alaska and Oregon – crane removal is scheduled today and tomorrow.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Back to regular schedules – 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!

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FOLLOWUP: Get your vehicles out of the Myers Way woods by Wednesday, state tells campers
July 18, 2023 1:35 am
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

(Photos sent by Diane)

One day before state officials meet with Arrowhead Gardens residents about the encampment across Myers Way from their homes, WSDOT put up warning notices – telling the campers to get their vehicles out by Wednesday, because that’s when they’ll be blocking access. The notices that went up Monday followed an update sent to Arrowhead Gardens residents last week, including these promises of action, though not a full site clearance:

Restricting access – WSDOT, in coordination with service providers and the city, are planning to set barrier along the east side of Myers Way to eliminate vehicle access on and off the site and prohibit parking on the shoulder. The goal is to better manage ingress and egress to the site and ultimately restrict growth.

Site clean-up and planning for reduction in footprint – There are a number of abandoned tents and vehicles on site and we are working to identify and tag those items for removal. Outreach providers are also working with those living onsite to do a major trash/debris pick-up.

The WSDOT update also talked about efforts to house the campers:

Service providers have identified 48 individuals living unsheltered at the site and housing and service efforts will focus on placing these individuals. New people are being turned away. Resolution of the entire site won’t commence until we have identified adequate viable housing and shelter resources for the remaining individuals staying at the encampment. We have some, but not all, of those housing resources in hand, and are establishing a plan for site resolution based on when the needed resources will be available. From experience, we’ve found that relocating the majority of residents at the same time minimizes confusion and anxiety and is safer for the outreach teams. Outreach continues to regularly work with the people at the site to focus on understanding the dynamics and needs in the encampment which informs the housing placement plan.

Later today (Tuesday), WSDOT will meet with AG residents; the last meeting two months ago was with city officials (WSB coverage here), and the camp has continued to grow, with some elaborate additions such as fencing and an inflatable pool.
.

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‘Scenes of violence’ response in Delridge
July 17, 2023 9:53 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

Seattle Fire is sending a “scenes of violence” response to an apartment complex in the 7900 block of Delridge Way SW, and police are responding too. So far, this is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing thoughts about self-harm, call 988 – the hotline that launched one year ago today.

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DEVELOPMENT: West Seattle about to be craneless again
July 17, 2023 7:20 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB photo, last August)

Eleven months after it went up, the crane for the 4508 California SW mixed-use seven-story building is about to come down. Thanks to the tipster who shared the notice they received that parking will be off-limits on both sides of 42nd SW between Oregon and Alaska tomorrow and Wednesday for crane removal. This is the only development crane up in West Seattle and no crane-likely developments are on the immediate horizon.

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BIZNOTES: Cool treats at HomeStreet; success workshop for middle-schoolers; new services at Beauty Therapy Collective
July 17, 2023 6:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Junction business notes:

CHILL WITH HOMESTREET’S ICE-CREAM SPOTLIGHT: We’ve told you before about the monthly local-business spotlights at HomeStreet Bank (41st/Alaska). This month’s spotlight – with the display shown above – is HomeStreet client Full Tilt Ice Cream, headquartered in White Center, made in South Park, available at stores in West Seattle and elsewhere. To celebrate, visitors to the HomeStreet branch this Thursday (July 20th) can enjoy free Full Tilt ice-cream bars – founder Justin Cline will be there to serve them, and you can enter a drawing for a $20 Full Tilt gift certificate. (July is National Ice Cream Month.)

MIDDLE-SCHOOL SUCCESS WORKSHOP: If you have middle-schoolers in the household, this might be of interest:

Do you have or know a kid who feels nervous about starting middle school this fall? Or maybe you know a student who has completed a year of middle school but could use support making friends or staying organized? Northwest Kids Life Coaching is offering a week-long, half-day summer camp for kids entering 6th and 7th grades. The “Middle School Success Workshop” takes place right here in West Seattle at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. If you’ve seen the flyers around the neighborhood, please note that Session 1 (July 24-28) has been cancelled. There are still spots available for Session 2 (July 31- August 4). The scholarship application deadline has been extended to 7/21. Apply online asap!

We provide a safe environment to share our feelings, as well as fun ways to engage with others and learn strategies for success! For more information about the program, visit our Summer Workshops page. Questions? Email Althea at info@nwkidslifecoaching.com

BEAUTY THERAPY COLLECTIVE: Nikki Nguyen sends word that her multi-practice center at 4208 SW Oregon has added two more providers:

Babe World specializes in hair-blowout spa treatment from Asia, for both men and women.

Skin Glo by Mary specializes in aesthetics, red-light therapy, and organic airbrush tanning (coming soon).

Nikki says the women-owned businesses of BTC “welcome you to come take a tour and learn what we do!”

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TRAFFIC CALMING: Here’s what’s planned for two more school zones in West Seattle
July 17, 2023 3:09 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

While we await responses from SDOT among others regarding the status of more traffic calming on Alki in the wake of last night’s high-speed crash, we have news of what’s ahead for two more school zones. We received this information after our inquiry last week about speed humps/cushions coming to the Chief Sealth International High School/Denny International Middle School area (here’s that story). While researching that inquiry for us, SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson also found, and told us about, plans for new stop signs by Pathfinder K-8 and new speed cushions by Genesee Hill Elementary – here are maps:

These will be installed before summer’s out; SDOT says mailers have been sent to nearby residents, and they’ll see signage before installation: “Neighbors should look for ‘no parking’ signs at least 3 days before construction, which usually takes 1 day to add stop signs or 2 days to add speed cushions.” (Again, this info came in after a request days before the Alki crash, so it’s not related, and we’ll have that followup whenever the response comes in.)

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AT THE LIBRARY: Southwest Branch hosts three COVID vaccination clinics in the next week
July 17, 2023 1:21 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news | Westwood

If you’re looking for a COVID vaccination/booster, the Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is partnering with Othello Station for three free clinics in the next week. All are 2 pm-5:30 pm; the dates are Tuesday, July 18th; Saturday, July 22nd; and Tuesday, July 25th. No health insurance or appointment required. If you have questions, you can call the branch at 206-684-7455 or go to the Public Health – Seattle & King County website.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen and burned Souls, Gatewood explosive fires, weekend gunfire
July 17, 2023 11:07 am
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Two more Kia Souls top this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:

STOLEN SOUL: Trent just moved here and his red Soul was stolen last night in High Point, near 35th/Juneau.

Plate is (corrected) RWK2780. SPD incident # is 23-201757.

BURNED-LIKELY-STOLEN SOUL: Thanks for the tips and photos this morning. SFD and SPD responded to the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot around 4:15 am today after reports of a Soul engulfed in flames. A few hours later, what was left of it was towed (not likely Trent’s car, as this one is white):

According to archived emergency-radio exchanges, no one was there when officers and firefighters arrived. SFD didn’t send its investigator and we have yet to find an incident number for the police response, so there’s no additional information so far.

GATEWOOD EXPLOSIVE FIRES: One reader asked about an explosion and SFD response last night near 41st/Portland in Gatewood. This reader report we just received answers the question:

Around 11 pm Sunday (yesterday) night, a car driving south on 41st (from Holden towards Portland) stopped at the intersection of 41st and Portland and tossed a(n) firework/explosive out of their car. It produced a very loud bang and an impressive flash. I was in the back part of my house and saw the flash with the blinds and curtains closed.

The explosion was large enough to start fires on lawns on both the north and south side of Portland. There were several fires on my lawn and one across the street.. My neighbors and I were able to get them all out before SFD arrived.

A neighbor with a doorbell device recorded the car drive by their house, stop at the intersection of 41st and Portland and shows the car drive by and the actual blast. You can see sparks for a few seconds before the big blast.

We didn’t find any debris, so not sure exactly what it was.

ADDED: Here’s security video on which you can see/hear the explosion:

WEEKEND GUNFIRE: Police summaries from the weekend include a brief mention of one confirmed gunfire incident in West Seattle – police found “evidence of a shooting” (which usually means shell casings; no victims reported) in the 5600 block of 26th SW after 911 calls around 9:40 pm Saturday night. If you have any information, 23-200285 is the report #.

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Comedy and more for your West Seattle Monday
July 17, 2023 10:12 am
|    Comments Off on Comedy and more for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Lowman Beach photo by Lori T)

Here’s the list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

PERSONAL SAFETY: Learn about it in this free online presentation by SPD, 11 am-1 pm – details, including registration info, are in our calendar listing.

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.

WADING POOLS OPEN: Noon-7 pm. Today’s scheduled pools in West Seattle: EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) and Lincoln Park (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.

CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic continues at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.

D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.

COMEDY: The monthly “Routine Killers” show at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm – get tickets and see who’s performing by going here.

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

PLAY TRIVIA! Three options on Monday nights for playing trivia – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MONDAY MUSIC: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Kenyon Hall’s first-ever orientation event for volunteers
July 17, 2023 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB file photo)

Historic Kenyon Hall, the nonprofit-operated event venue at 7904 35th SW, could use your help. An orientation session is coming up for prospective volunteers. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

Kenyon Hall will be hosting our first-ever Volunteer Orientation session at the end of the month, welcoming in as many people as we can who are interested in getting more involved at the hall.

Kenyon Hall Volunteer Orientation
For all those interested in learning more about and getting more involved in their local arts!
Sunday, July 30th, 2023
Session runs from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Volunteer Session sign-up

This will be the inaugural volunteer orientation session and because so the event might run shorter or a little longer. If interested plan to show up by 2:00 pm to receive some literature and a quick meet and greet before we get into the heftier details.

We hope to see many familiar and even some unfamiliar faces at this event and begin inviting the public to participate in hall activities on a deeper level that we’ve been previously able to do.

The hall’s history dates back more than a century. If you can’t volunteer, you can also help it thrive by attending shows – check the Kenyon Hall website to see what’s coming up!

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