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Spotlight Stories

YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle High School football fundraising begins, days before season opener
August 30, 2022 8:00 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle High School football fundraising begins, days before season opener
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo, October 2021)

Head coach Jeff Scott and the West Seattle High School Wildcats are getting ready for football season, with the home opener against Renton at 7 pm Friday (September 2nd) at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Before they take the field, the team is hoping for an assist from you – they’re fundraising for costs beyond what basic funding covers: Uniforms, equipment, training for coaches. If you can contribute, here’s the link.

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REAL ESTATE: Another city landmark in West Seattle on the market
August 30, 2022 6:02 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

That’s a historic photo of what was the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, at 42nd/Lander, more recently known as The Sanctuary at Admiral. In 2009, the city Landmarks Preservation Board designated it as an official city landmark. It’s spent much of the time since then as an event venue, but now it’s up for sale – one of two city landmarks in West Seattle that are currently on the market, along with the Campbell Building in The Junction. The Sanctuary is a 9,000-sf building on a 10,000-sf lot, according to the brochure for the $3.5 million listing, which touts the 93-year-old building’s “endless potential.”

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Local students invited to open houses to find out about Skunk Works Robotics
August 30, 2022 4:20 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

This week and next week, the Skunk Works Robotics program is having open houses for students interested in participating. They’re based a bit south of West Seattle but have many participants from our area. Here’s the invitation:

Skunk Works Robotics is a competitive robotics team based in the Highline area. It is affiliated with 4-H and accepts members from any school, including homeschoolers. The team utilizes a workspace graciously provided by Highline Public Schools.

The Skunk Works team has been in the Highline area for 16 years and has won numerous awards as part of FIRST Robotics. Skunk Works is looking for new members who want an opportunity to build and utilize their skills in CAD, public speaking, programming, graphic design, statistical analysis, wiring, marketing or parts fabrication to compete at the highest levels of high school robotics. The team functions as a business and students learn marketable skills and teamwork under the supervision of mentors.

Meetings in the fall are twice a week. The team meets 4 days a week and on Saturdays when the competition season begins in January. We are accepting students in grades 8-10 at this time.

Skunk Works will have two open house sessions, September 1st and September 8th. Both will run from 6:30-8 pm. We ask that a parent or guardian attend this meeting as well. Please fill out this Google form and indicate which date you would like to visit.

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BIZNOTE: ‘Finale Week’ planned at West Seattle Brewing’s Alki Tap Shack as redevelopment closure approaches
August 30, 2022 1:21 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo from kingcounty.gov)

If you’re a West Seattle Brewing Company customer, you’ve probably already heard that they’re losing their Alki Tap Shack location (2536 Alki SW) because its site and that of Ampersand Coffee next door are being renovated/redeveloped. Not a huge project – more on that later – but nonetheless, the old one-story spaces that hold both businesses will be replaced. WSBC’s Tap Shack has announced September 30th as its last day, but starting the farewell party early, and has just sent word of what it calls “Finale Week” – four days with special performances:

– Thursday 9/8 @djbigugly 7:00-10:00
– Friday 9/9 @smokeybrights 7:00-9:00
– Saturday 9/10 Urban Achievers; a Led Zeppelin tribute 5:00-8:00
– Sunday 9/11 The Whopper Johns 4:00-6:00

In connection with “Finale Week,” WSBC plans to release limited-edition Tap Shack merch on September 9th, and later this week, they promise a full restock of their original merch.

After the September 30th closure, you’ll still be able to patronize West Seattle Brewing at their main location, 4415 Fauntleroy Way SW which they call the “mothership.”

The plan is different for Ampersand, which has announced it will be open in its current building through October 30th, and then:

We will be consolidating our operations into the ‘Tacontainer’ that previously resided next to Ampersand over the last 2 years. Initially it will be located right in front of Ampersand and then will move around the property to accommodate construction.
We will be focusing mostly on coffee and our food menu will necessarily be smaller. We will no longer making things in-house and will be out sourcing products from local businesses.

They’re expecting to move back into the new building once it’s complete.

The owners of the site are the Schilling family, which has bought and renovated other Alki sites, most notably the historic Homestead/Fir Lodge (now home to Il Nido) as well as the Shoremont Apartments. City records say the project will “renovate” the two commercial spaces and add a residential unit above, with the end product a two-story building.

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YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle service clubs team up for community-wide food drive September 10th
August 30, 2022 11:49 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle service clubs team up for community-wide food drive September 10th
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

It’s a celebration of community, and teamwork to get help to people who need it. On Saturday, September 10th, three West Seattle service clubs – the Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary – will lead a community-wide food drive to collect donations for the West Seattle Food Bank.

On that day from 9 am to 1 pm, at most if not all local grocery stores, you’ll find volunteers from the clubs, as well as youth from the Kiwanis-supported Key Clubs at Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS, ready to receive your donations. The final list of participating stores will be available in a few days – we’ll add that to our calendar listing and subsequent previews/reminders. Meantime, here’s what the WSFB needs most (including a few non-food items).

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What’s happening – and not – on your West Seattle Tuesday!
August 30, 2022 10:12 am
|    Comments Off on What’s happening – and not – on your West Seattle Tuesday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Monday night photo by Chris Frankovich)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BLOCK DROP DIY CLEANUP: The program is on hiatus until Friday – preview what’s ahead here.

DONATE FOOD: Admiral Church‘s summer food drive is accepting donations again today, 11 am-1 pm (4320 SW Hill)

WADING POOL & SPRAYPARK OPEN: With a sunny, warm afternoon ahead, the Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pool will be open, noon-7 pm. Also, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park will be open to the public today as its 7-days-a-week schedule continues, noon-7 pm.

NO CITY COUNCIL MEETING: The council’s on end-of-summer break until after Labor Day.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

‘ART, ARTISTS, AND THE NARRATIVES OF LOSS AND RESILIENCY’: As previewed here, this special event at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) is part of a series intended to combine art, presentation, performance, and discussion to help change the narrative around gun violence. All welcome, 6-8 pm.

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: Bring your little one(s) for a story followed by a garden activity, at the Delridge P-Patch, 6 pm (5078 25th SW).

POTENTIAL CUB SCOUT IN THE FAMILY? Pack 282 welcomes you to a parents’ meeting tonight at 6 at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.

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

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.

WEST SEATTLE TOASTMASTERS: You’re invited to their online meeting tonight – learn to become a confident communicator! – starting at 6:30 pm.

TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm 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 always see more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Wilma Ann Waters, 1928-2022
August 30, 2022 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

The family of Wilma Ann Waters is sharing this remembrance:

Wilma Ann Waters, a long-time West Seattle resident, passed away on January 26th after a brief illness. She was 93.

Wilma was born to Louis and Philomena Swan on December 9, 1928 in Interior, SD. A hardscrabble life growing up in the Badlands instilled in Wilma an impressive work ethic and sense of frugality that served her well throughout her life. The family migrated west to Albany, Oregon in 1936 in a Model A Ford, with four kids. She attended Albany High School in Albany, Oregon, where she graduated in 1946. She then attended Oregon State University for 2 years before moving to Portland, where she met and married John Norton Waters, a highly decorated World War II combat veteran, on April 29, 1950. Nort and Wilma eventually settled in the Seahurst neighborhood in Burien in 1960. Nort died in 1969 in a float-plane accident. He was the love of her life and she never re-married. She lived in Seahurst until 1990, before moving to West Seattle, where she lived until she died.

During the first years of their marriage, Wilma and Nort moved around the west coast, living in Seattle, Mineral, Shasta, San Mateo, and Yakima, before finally settling down in Seahurst in 1960. Nort was a land developer and built several apartment complexes in the greater Seattle area. After Nort’s death, Wilma was able to save his businesses, most notably, keeping Tama Qua Apartments and managing it until she sold it in 1983. She was a successful businesswoman at a time where men dominated the industry. She was very business savvy and immensely respected.

Wilma was an amazing athlete. She started running at the age of 51, running at a 7 min/mile pace at 62 years old. She ran races for over 30 years, winning dozens in her age groups. Her favorite road race was the Rhody Run, where she set multiple age-group records that lasted for years. In her late eighties, she traded running for walking and walked many of her favorite runs with her grand and great-grandchildren. She remained active through her later years, walking daily over 3 miles, mainly on Alki beach. She also loved golf and skiing. She joined Rainier Golf & Country Club, where she was a member for nearly 20 years. She loved to play golf with her grandchildren, getting them lessons and into Rainer’s junior program. At 92, she convinced her great grandkids to participate in drive, chip and putt competitions. She and her friends from St. Francis Parish in Burien went on many beach and ski vacations together. These were big multi-family events. Her favorite destinations were the Oregon Coast, usually Gearhart or Cannon Beach, and Sun Valley, Idaho, where she maintained a residence.

Wilma was known for her fashionable style, delicious cooking, and her preference for driving high-performance sports coupes. She was also very devoted to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wilma believed that having and raising children was the greatest thing anybody could accomplish. She excelled at everything she did. She never talked about her many extraordinary successes, always gracious and humble.

As a devout Catholic, Wilma rarely missed Sunday mass. She was an active member of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Burien for over thirty years and then Holy Rosary Parish of West Seattle for the last 30 years. She had all her children attend Catholic schools and contributed generously to Catholic Charities and Mt. St Vincent.

Wilma enjoyed a challenging and vigorous life. She was fiercely independent, had a very healthy lifestyle, was financially successful and relished her role as her family’s beloved matriarch. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, and a brother. She is survived by her sister, Jane Fournier of Green Valley, AZ; five children, Jonete Rehmke, Gayle Dunham (Jim), Linda Fitzgerald (Mike), John Waters (Monica), Paula Waters; eight grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren. A Catholic burial service was held on March 25, 2022 at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, where she was interred with her husband Nort.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the Providence Mt. St. Vincent Foundation in West Seattle, First Tee of Greater Seattle, or Catholic Charities, USA.

(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, ROAD WORK: Tuesday notes
August 30, 2022 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Tuesday notes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

11:03 AM: Two-car crash at Olson/2nd, east end of the Roxbury corridor. Police and fire responding.

=================
Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, August 30th.

WEATHER

Sunny, breezy forecast, high in the 80s.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Today’s the first day for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School (34th/Myrtle). Here’s our list of who’s already started and who’s coming up.

FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI

Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

ROAD WORK

Watch for bike-lane work along Andover/26th/28th/Yancy (Sunday photo above). Here’s the construction notice. Also, spot paving on California north of Admiral.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

891st morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 19 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th. Here’s our report on another visit to the work zone last week.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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BIZNOTE: Thunder Road Guitars expanding hours as bridge reopening nears
August 29, 2022 10:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

With the light at the end of the bridge closure in view, one of West Seattle’s one-of-a-kind businesses is expanding its hours. Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) will be open Sundays starting this weekend – as of September 4th. That means TRG is now open Tuesdays-Saturdays 10 am-6 pm and Sundays 11 am-5 pm, closed only on Mondays. They are of course always open online – you can browse any time at thunderroadguitars.com.

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FOLLOWUP: 1 more week for early closures at Alki Beach
August 29, 2022 8:08 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(SPD car at Alki, early evening, May 27th)

Just in case you lost track – Labor Day is one week away. And that’s the date announced as the end of a second year of “piloting” early closures at Alki Beach Park (as well as Golden Gardens in the north). So we checked with Seattle Parks today to ask if that’s still the plan. Short answer: Yes. Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin confirmed to WSB that the city is “on track” to go back to 11:30 pm closures after Labor Day. The 10 pm closing time has been in place since Memorial Day weekend. Last year, Parks made the change in July after two notable incidents, a deadly shooting and a chaotic social-media-organized gathering that drew thousands. This year has been devoid so far of anything comparable, though ongoing complaints of street racing and other disorder have continued.

P.S. At the start of the season, Parks promised to evaluate the pilot, including community feedback. The survey they opened at the time appears to still be open.

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WATER TAXI ALERT: West Seattle/downtown delays due to sudden vessel swap
August 29, 2022 5:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

A tipster told us about some kind of problem with the West Seattle Water Taxi vessel in the past half-hour. We’ve been trying to reach Metro to verify that, and in the meantime they’ve just sent word that they’re making a sudden vessel swap, to the backup Spirit of Kingston, delaying the 5:25 pm departure from Downtown and 5:45 pm departure from West Seattle.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stabbing investigation
August 29, 2022 5:33 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

5:33 PM: Police are investigating a reported stabbing at Junction Plaza Park. They just got there after some location confusion and are telling dispatch that the victim is uncooperative and “walking away” (though the initial report was that they were stabbed “in the face”). Medics are just now being sent.

5:39 PM: Police say the victim is an “adult male.” No word of an arrest so far, nor have we heard a verified description.

5:50 PM: The SFD response closed quickly, indicating the victim was not seriously hurt (we’re following up to verify).

ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: Further details were not available last night, but today SPD has this brief summary:

(At 5:23 pm Monday), two subjects got in a disturbance that resulted in the victim getting stabbed in the face with a broken bottle. When police arrived, the victim was uncooperative. The victim declined any and all attempts to provide him with medical care and left the area under his own power. The suspect was gone. Unknown who the suspect is as well as the victim.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Another heat alert
August 29, 2022 4:46 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Another heat alert
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Sunday night sunset, photographed by Mike Burns)

For the fifth time since late July, the National Weather Service has issued a “Heat Advisory” alert for our area. This time it’ll be in effect noon Tuesday through 9 pm Wednesday. Today we’re already into the mid-80s, and the next two days could be just a few degrees warmer, but nonetheless this is hotter than usual for this time of year – normal high is 76.

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NEW PARENTS: Roots of Empathy looking for more West Seattle volunteers
August 29, 2022 2:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

One more back-to-school note: The Roots of Empathy program is looking for new parents in West Seattle with babies born this summer. Here’s what it’s about:

Do you have a baby who was born in July or August? Would you like to volunteer with your baby to help nurture empathy in children? Arbor Heights Elementary is looking for parents with infants who are between 2-4 months old in October to volunteer about once per month during the school year.

What is Roots of Empathy?
Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom program that has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression among school children while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. The program has been widely evaluated across three continents for two decades and is proven to result in improved empathy, increased emotional understanding, decreased aggression and bullying and improved pro-social behavior among participating students. Research also demonstrates that these improvements are sustained and even strengthened over time.

Above is a brief introductory video that explains how Roots of Empathy works and why a baby is such a powerful teacher of empathy. Roots of Empathy was also recently featured on NBC’s Today – you can view that segment here.

If you would like to volunteer as a Roots of Empathy Family, please contact the Roots of Empathy Program Manager, Suz Fix, at sfix@rootsofempathy.org

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BACK TO SCHOOL: More start dates for West Seattle and vicinity
August 29, 2022 12:52 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB file photo)

We’ve already mentioned the first local school to start the 2022-2023 year – Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school, began classes on August 17th. For students at Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, now the nearest parochial high school, last Thursday was Day 1. Then today, 1st through 12th graders in the Vashon Island School District – which has many students who ferry from West Seattle – started their school year. Here are the dates we found on other schools’/districts’ online calendars:

August 30 – Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School
August 31 – Vashon Island School District (kindergarteners)
August 31 – Hope Lutheran School
September 1 – Highline Public Schools (1st-12th grades)
September 6 – Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School
September 6 – Holy Rosary Catholic School
September 7 – Seattle Public Schools (1st-12th grades)
September 7 – Highline Public Schools (kindergarteners)
September 7 – Tilden School
September 7 – West Seattle Montessori
September 7 – Westside School
September 7 – Explorer West Middle School
September 12 – Seattle Public Schools (kindergarten/preschool)
September 26 – South Seattle College

(Anyone to add? Let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

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FOLLOWUP: New sign for Louisa Boren STEM K-8 expected to be installed this fall
August 29, 2022 11:04 am
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: New sign for Louisa Boren STEM K-8 expected to be installed this fall
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Rendering of new sign planned for Louisa Boren STEM K-8)

The new illuminated sign for Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW) won’t be installed in time for the start of the new school year a week from Wednesday, but the district is hoping to have it in place later this fall. The land-use decision approving the new sign has been published, and that triggers an appeal window – the deadline for filing one is a week from tomorrow (this notice explains how). We previously reported on the sign plan back in May; the district says the illuminated messaging will only be displayed on days when school is in session, and only between 7 am and 7 pm.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Morgan Junction Starbucks closed after window-smashing rampage
August 29, 2022 8:48 am
|      79 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

8:48 AM: Thanks for the tips. Morgan Junction Starbucks is closed this morning for cleanup after a man went on a rampage inside the store and broke windows. Recorded police audio indicates the call came in around 5:30 am, that a man who had been in the area “talking to himself and following cars” had gone inside the store and started throwing items, smashing glass, and threatening people.

Police made an arrest shortly thereafter outside the Thriftway store across the street. No word so far of injuries; we’ll add anything more we find out.

12:20 PM: Just talked with a Starbucks spokesperson. They said the store was expected to reopen sometime today (we’re not able to go check right now to see if that’s happened yet). They also confirmed that no one was hurt and noted that their employees are trained in “de-escalation.” We also asked if counseling is offered given how traumatic the incident must have been; short answer, yes.

5:21 PM: The person arrested this morning is a 48-year-old man who spent 3 1/2 months in jail earlier this year after a burglary-related arrest. He’s likely to have a bail hearing in this case tomorrow.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: August’s final Monday
August 29, 2022 6:01 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, August 29th.

WEATHER

Sunny, breezy forecast, high in the upper 70s.

FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI

Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

ROAD WORK

Bike-lane work is expected to continue along Andover/26th/28th/Yancy (Sunday photo above). Here’s the construction notice.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

890th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 20 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th. Here’s our report on another visit to the work zone last Thursday.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: Last August look at local numbers
August 28, 2022 11:56 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

As the weekend ends, here’s our latest update on local COVID numbers via the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard:

*16 percent fewer cases reported countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 403 new daily cases countywide (down from 472 a week ago)

*7 percent fewer hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 13 new hospitalizations daily (up from 11 a week ago – with a caveat that some cases remain under review)

*20 percent fewer deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 3 deaths daily (same as last week’s two-week average)

For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge, together comprising the entire peninsula):
*338 cases between 8/8 and 8/22, down from 463 between 7/24 and 8/07
*6 hospitalizations between 8/8 and 8/22, down from 12 between 7/24 and 8/07
*4 deaths between 8/8 and 8/22, down from 7 between 7/24 and 8/07

VACCINATION: Checking vaccination rates:
*82.4 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*86.8 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*52.3 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster (up .1% from a week ago)

*In West Seattle, starting this week (so week-to-week comparisons resume next week), we’ll show the vaccination rates for all ages, by ZIP code (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not wholly within WS):
98106 – 83.4% completed initial series, 52.6% have had a booster
98116 – 90% completed initial series, 65.3% have had a booster
98126 – 79.5% completed initial series, 54.5% have had a booster
98136 – 90.1% completed initial series, 67.8% have had a booster
98146 – 78.8% completed initial series, 47.5% have had a booster

GETTING VACCINATED: We’ve been mentioning an upcoming pop-up at Delridge Library. The date has changed, and several other pop-ups have been added, both at Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW) and at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), starting this Tuesday – here’s the list.

TESTING: If you want to get tested and don’t have – or want to get – a home kit, here’s info on West Seattle’s two public testing sites: The city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Monday-Saturday this week) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday this week). … To report self-test results, this page explains how (click “What should I do if my test is positive?”).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Charges filed in burglary attempts days after suspect’s release from jail
August 28, 2022 9:29 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed three felony charges against a man arrested just a few days after getting out of jail. Prosecutors summarize the case against 45-year-old Ioane Sua as follows:

The defendant was last released from King County Jail on August 17, 2022; these incidents happened three and five days later and both involve the defendant repeatedly returning to occupied, fenced homes. In the first incidents in time, the victim first saw him peering in her windows and entering her backyard before being scared off by her barking dog. He returned twice to come into her fenced yard; it is worth noting that he was contacted by police after both the first and second incidents. In the other incident, the defendant encountered a different victim while she was walking her dog and followed her, quickening his pace when she moved faster to get away from him. He then followed her home and she was able to get safely into her house. He then entered her fenced yard before attempting to get into her house. He was next seen pacing in front of her home; when officers responded, he had already left. He came back and was again pacing in front of her home; she again called police and that time he was arrested at the scene.

That incident happened in Upper Fauntleroy, while the other incidents happened during previous nights near Roxhill Park. The court documents say Sua was arrested in those incidents for criminal trespass but not booked into jail for unspecified reasons. Last Monday (August 22nd), the day he was finally booked, he had been due to report to start serving a residential Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative for a case involving a stolen car and other charges, but never showed. (The KCPAO says the DOSA sentence was the result of a case in which the victim did not want to see the defendant incarcerated.) Prosecutors asked that his bail for the new cases be set at $100,000; the jail roster shows that it was set at half that. Charging documents list his criminal history as dating back 22 years, mostly property crimes but also including harassment, malicious mischief, and fourth-degree assault.

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‘Changing the narrative around gun violence’: Tuesday event at High Point Library
August 28, 2022 6:04 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   High Point | West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

Another weekend with multiple shootings around the city. What will it take to break the pattern? An event Tuesday at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) seeks to broach that subject. All are welcome to attend – here’s the announcement, if you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

Join us for a panel presentation and conversation about changing the narrative around gun violence.

The impact of gun violence continues to be felt throughout the nation and in Seattle. The Office of Arts & Culture, in partnership with The Seattle Public Library, is organizing this speaker series to address and combat the effects of gun violence on our communities. This second event in the series will feature Rosette Royale, local journalist and editor, and a panel of local artists: Dalisha Phillips, Bruce Leroy, Chamel Simmons, and Rell Be Free.

The lecture series, comprised of performance, presentation, and discussion, will integrate arts and cultural elements to change the narrative around gun violence. Additional events in the series will be offered at locations across the city with different speakers and activities through October 2022.

Tuesday’s event, titled “Art, Artists, and the Narratives of Loss and Resiliency,” is set to start at 6 pm.

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WEEKEND SCENE: Paws & Paint Karaoke with Furry Faces Foundation
August 28, 2022 4:39 pm
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 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

If you’re anywhere near Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW), you have until 6 pm to go paint and sing with Furry Faces Foundation and your furry friend(s) – we got late word that today was the rescheduled date for the fun(draiser):

Get to Beveridge Place Pub to sing your heart out and paint with your pups suring Furry Faces Foundation’s Paws ‘n Paint Karaoke event from until 6 pm.

While here, take the time to meet Drew Bensen, owner of Close To Home Pet Services.

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VIDEO: White Center Block Party
August 28, 2022 3:45 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | White Center

You have until 6 pm to get to downtown White Center for this year’s Block Party. Dozens of vendors and organizations are there. Kid activities, too, like the bouncy toys on 16th south of 98th:

The intersection of 98th/16th is where you’ll find the main stage:

South of 98th is also where you’ll find Lariat Bar‘s wrestling ring – we caught part of an early match, highlighted by the pre-match bluster:

The “Hammer Brothers” (Jack and Sledge) were so loud, we didn’t catch the names of their opponents. So go wander 16th between Roxbury and 100th until 6 pm, and look for the special wristbands you can buy for discounts and freebies at participating businesses! Proceeds this year benefit local nonprofits. (The event originated last year as a benefit for the businesses ravaged by a series of fires.)

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