(Reader photo, texted: Painted rocks seen in Westwood. Photographer says ‘thank you’ to mystery artist)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Thursday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: If you need late-summer-and-beyond plants, the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Annuals, perennials, sun, shade, natives, edibles, ground covers … wide variety!

SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm, free.

COLMAN POOL: You can swim today in the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL CLOSED: The city says it’s NOT opening wading pools today (second consecutive day) because of the cloudy, cooler weather.

SOUTHWEST POOL CLOSED: Repairs and maintenance work continue.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open Thursdays-Saturdays 1 pm-6 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Food too – stop by to sip and nosh!

STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight you’ll find Tandem at HPCS.

VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for a group walk in Lincoln Park – details in our calendar listing.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)

BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday it’s blues night.

TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).

AT THE SKYLARK: All-ages live music with Saloon, Femmes Eat Fruit, The Vulture Queen, 7 pm, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Festival CentroAmericano returns to West Seattle on Sunday

August 22, 2024 9:51 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB file photo)

Before we get to today’s reminders of calendar highlights, one more weekend note – we just found out last night that Festival CentroAmericano is returning to Westcrest Park this Sunday (August 25).

The celebration of Central American cultures is planned for noon-6 pm Sunday. It has rotated locations between West Seattle and South Park in recent years and this year it’s back here; Westcrest is at 9000 8th SW.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday notes

August 22, 2024 6:03 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, August 22.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Showers possible, high in upper 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:15 am, while sunset will be at 8:07 pm.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURES, AND OTHER ROAD WORK

The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. Here’s the tentative plan for the rest of the week – including for overnight tonight, same as last night – eastbound left lanes are expected to close 7 pm-6 am, which means the eastbound exits to 1st and 4th would stay open.

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge. Starting next week, the north half of the bridge will close, so the south half will carry traffic both ways temporarily. (That’s what the “Traffic Revision August 26” portable signs are about.)

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders.

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch. Watch for no-parking zones and steel plates (many on northbound side right now), plus flaggers.

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule for both routes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.

STREET CLOSURE SATURDAY

The Admiral Funktion festival on Saturday (August 24) will close California between Admiral and College from morning through evening (festival hours are 11 am to 8 pm; setup starts by 8 am, so the street closure will too).

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Local student and Scout invites you to Deep Sea Conservation Festival on Sunday

August 21, 2024 11:29 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Environment | Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news | West Seattle people | Wildlife

Before 17-year-old Ellen Rikhof returns to West Seattle High School when classes start in two weeks, she hopes to welcome you to an event she’s presenting as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award work. Her “Deep Sea Conservation Festival” happens this Sunday (August 25), 10 am to 5 pm at the UW Fisheries Science Building – not in West Seattle, but Ellen is hoping to help people from all over the area learn more about the deep-sea ecosystem!

She says that the festival – free to attend – will feature “booths, speakers, crafts, live music, food, and much more … Everyone, regardless of age, background, and expertise, is invited to explore the complexity of the deep sea, the intersection between a healthy ocean and a healthy community, and solutions to current threats to this vibrant ecosystem.” Her project includes “local and global partners such as the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Seattle Aquarium, and Marine Conservation Institute” with the intent “to swirl together education, inspiration, and action to preserve the deep sea.”

The Fisheries Science Building is on the UW campus at 1122 NE Boat Street – here’s a map.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Vanagon; arrest followups

August 21, 2024 9:47 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

STOLEN VANAGON: Sent by Jesse:

Unfortunately my 1984 VW Vanagon Westfalia was stolen today from SW Seattle Street sometime after 5 PM. If you could have readers keep an eye out for it, I would really appreciate it. It has a Washington Collector Plate with a license #BUB7527. The only other notable is that the roof rack is currently not on the vehicle. Police report number 24-236176.

Call 911 if you find it.

Back on Monday, we reported on SPD’s spotlight on two arrests that happened in separate West Seattle incidents in the early morning hours of August 7th, and promised to follow up on the suspects’ status. We found out that one suspect has been charged and one has not, yet:

GUN CHARGE: 32-year-old Robert C. Brown Jr. of Highland Park is charged with one count of unlawful gun possession. He is the suspect arrested after what police say was an attempted burglary in South Delridge after a gunfire incident in White Center. Charging documents say Brown was linked to the gunfire because ammunition found in a gun in his possession when he was arrested matched spent casings at the gunfire scene. Police say he is a convicted felon so he could not legally possess a gun; this gun was not reported stolen but, police say, had previously belonged to a “homicide victim in Federal Way.” His bail was set at $100,000 the day after his arrest; he was released after posting bond and is due back in court tomorrow for arraignment.

NOT CHARGED YET: In the other August 7 arrest, that of a man accused of breaking into Gatewood mailboxes, no charges are filed yet against the 28-year-old suspect, who lives in Kent. The case hadn’t been referred to prosecutors by the rush-filing deadline on August 9, so he was released from jail. This doesn’t mean he’ll never be charged – sometimes charges are filed weeks or even months after arrests.

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NEW DATE: Camp Long reschedules summer’s last outdoor movie

August 21, 2024 7:56 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies | West Seattle parks

With rain in the forecast for this Friday night, Camp Long is rescheduling the third and final outdoor movie of summer.

“Elemental” will be on the big screen Friday, August 30, at dusk, in the Camp Long meadow (5200 35th SW). Camp Long’s Matt Kostle announced earlier this summer that it was one of the three movies that won the community vote for what to show. Free, all ages, bring your own blanket or chair! (Sunset that night will be 7:52 pm.)

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COUNTDOWN: 1 month until next Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church

August 21, 2024 6:16 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, April)

Not only is September 21 – one month from today – the last day of summer, it’s also the date for the next Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church. Mark the change of seasons by clearing out what you no longer need or can use, and bringing it to the church lot at 9140 California SW, 9 am-3 pm that day. It’s free, in partnership with 1 Green Planet. Just be sure that what you’re dropping off is on the official list of what they’re accepting – and we already have that list, so you can check it out here right now.

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READER REPORT: Tap-water trouble east of The Junction

August 21, 2024 5:16 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

That photo is from a reader near Fauntleroy and Edmunds, reporting tap water that looks and smells bad, first noticed around 3:45 pm:

(It is) yellow-colored water with a strong bleach smell from the cold water line. It is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The chemical smell is so strong that it actually smells like bleach, not a faint chlorine smell at all.

If you’re having water trouble, always report it to SPU at 206-386-1800; our tipster has called and is waiting to hear back.

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YOU CAN HELP: If you can give an hour and a half a month, 30 local teens are looking for you!

August 21, 2024 3:46 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A little time can make a big difference, if you can be a volunteer mentor for a new program at West Seattle High School. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for 30 adult volunteers to mentor 9th through 12th graders once a month in a program called “MentorU.”

One in three kids in America are growing up without a sustained, positive adult mentor in their lives and over 500 youth are on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound’s waitlist for a mentor. The gap between mentorship and youth who need it most continues to widen due to adult volunteers’ perceived barriers of the time and expertise needed to become a mentor. Understanding the critical need, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound seeks to engage and galvanize community members to help bridge the gap between people and possibility. Contrary to what potential volunteers might assume, no special qualifications are needed to be a great mentor.

The MentorU program engages local adult volunteers and 9th through 12th graders in 1:1 mentoring relationships with 90-minute meetings just once each month during the academic year. Mentors meet with their mentee to provide insights into the professional world and support mentees’ social-emotional development. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound provides a facilitator who guides mentors & mentees through a curriculum that prepares mentees for post-secondary education, employment, enlistment, and entrepreneurship. The program uses a cohort-based approach, working with incoming 9th graders, with the goal of ongoing student participation from 9th through 12th grade.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for adults who live or work in or near West Seattle who are interested in mentoring these young people. To be great mentors, adults don’t need to have a specific title, a degree, or any special qualifications other than being compassionate, patient, and accepting. Even the littlest moments can grow into big ones – sometimes all teens need is a little encouragement, a little advice, and a little inspiration.

Mentoring has a long track record of proven positive outcomes, in particular, 100% of young people matched with mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound graduate high school. A staggering 79% of youth with a mentor experienced improvement in or reported no worsening of depressive symptoms – a goal which MentorU’s social-emotional programming directly supports.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for 30 volunteers of all gender identities, ethnicities, nationalities, and backgrounds who are willing to spend just an hour and a half per month to help teens in MentorU achieve their BIGGEST, brightest futures. Are YOU ready to #BEBIG? Learn more and get started at inspirebig.org/mentoru

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Electric water taxis? Metro gets grant to sail in that direction

August 21, 2024 1:50 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Environment | King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: Diesel-powered Water Taxi M/V Sally Fox, as seen Tuesday at Seacrest)

You’ve likely heard about Washington State Ferries‘ plan to build electric vessels. Our area’s foot-ferry fleet, Metro Transit‘s King County Water Taxi, is moving that way too. In a recent newsletter, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka mentioned that the Puget Sound Regional Council‘s Executive Board – on which he serves – had approved funding for “electrification improvements” to the Water Taxi. (The money originates with federal highway and transit funds, Saka added.) So we asked Metro’s Al Sanders for details. He tells WSB:

As part of Metro’s transition to becoming a zero-emission fleet, the Marine Division is researching the technology available that will allow the Water Taxis to go from using diesel-powered vessels to sailing with ships that use hybrid and/or battery-electric power.

The $1.7 million grant awarded by the Puget Sound Regional Council will be used on the design and engineering of new electric vessels and associated charging infrastructure needed to support the fleet. The grant would be used to initiate the design of two new 150-passenger battery electric vessels, along with the design of shoreside vessel charging and other electrical infrastructure at Pier 50.

When in service, the vessels will reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with water taxi service in support of the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan.

Sanders says the design work hasn’t started, so there’s no timeline for this yet. The two current Water Taxis, M/V Doc Maynard and M/V Sally Fox, were both launched in 2015, at a total cost of $11.8 million, also mostly from federal funding.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: The e-bike thieves who wore safety vests

August 21, 2024 11:52 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photos are from Liz, near 41st and Raymond:

At 3:15 yesterday (8/20) afternoon two thieves came by in a blue and white truck and stole our e-bike. There was a motorcycle chain on the bike that they cut through, and while they worked, they wore a bright vest to appear like a utility worker.

The offenders wore a mask and their license plate is not clear enough to read. The bike is a RadRunner by Rad Power Bikes, dark green with a produce basket mounted on the back.

No police report # yet.

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UPDATE: Three open-water marathon swims planned this week – first one is a success!

August 21, 2024 10:50 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The Northwest Open Water Swimming Association has three swimmers planning marathon swims in the area this week, starting with one happening right now:

HAPPENING NOW: Above is a screenshot of the tracker showing where Chelsea Lee was moments ago – at 10:45 am – in her attempt to complete what’s known as the Bert Thomas Swim, almost 19 miles from Old Town Dock in Tacoma to Point Williams by Colman Pool in West Seattle. NOWSA’s Amanda Winans explains, “Chelsea trains at Alki Beach and has also completed the Amy Hiland Swim in 2022, from Bremerton to the Alki Lighthouse.” Amanda is the official observer on the support boat for this swim and is one of two other swimmers who’ve done this swim since its namesake in 1956; the other is Andrew Malinak, who is also aboard the support boat as pilot. Chelsea started in the 6 am hour this morning and if successful will reach Point Williams in mid-afternoon. (Update: As of 2:20 pm, they are projecting 3 pm-ish. Second update: Tracker indicates she finished in just over 9 hours! Third update: Amanda sent the photo and reports, “Chelsea finished in about 9 hours, 3 min, at 3:07 pm at Colman Pool. She got to finish it off in style and go down the Colman Pool slide! Photo is by Stephanie Zimmerman.)

Amanda also tells us about two other marathon swims planned this week:

FRIDAY: Wendy Van De Sompele of Vashon Island – who you might know as aquatic director at Colman Pool – plans to swim from Alki Point to West Point, six miles. If successful, Amanda says, Wendy will be the first person to complete 5 out of the 6 swims in the Puget Sound Lighthouse Series. She plans to start her swim from Alki Point at 10 am Friday (August 23).

SUNDAY: This is a round trip, also from Alki Point, Amanda explains:

An all-female relay, supported by a female pilot and a female observer (local marathon swimmer Stephanie Zimmerman) will swim an unprecedented route for NOWSA from Alki Point Lighthouse, around Blake Island, and back to the lighthouse. Melissa Kegler, a Triple Crown marathon swimmer (English Channel, Catalina Channel, around Manhattan Island) spearheads the relay, which includes women covering all decades from 30-70: Becky Smith, Carol Horowitz, Guila Muir, Emily White, and Shea DeWald. They are all “Notorious Alki Swimmers” who you will find swimming regularly from the Alki Bathhouse, and Carol, Emily, and Shea are West Seattle residents. Boat support will be provided by Seastr PNW, an organization dedicated to inclusive access to waterborne activities for people who have been historically excluded from the maritime industry and water sports. They will be starting from the Alki Lighthouse at 8 am, and returning back sometime in the afternoon.

Both of those swims will use the same online tracker as today – find it here.

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Magic show, painting workshop, ‘Get Fit’ info night, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

August 21, 2024 9:58 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Late-summer rose – photo sent by Susan Whiting Kemp)

Here’s our list of what’s happening today/tonight in West Seattle, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always preview the hours, days, and weeks ahead!):

TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day, 11 am-8 pm, free.

COLMAN POOL: Swim in the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL CLOSED: The city says wading pools will NOT open today because cool, cloudy weather is expected to continue into afternoon.

SOUTHWEST POOL CLOSED: The repair/maintenance closure for West Seattle’s city-run indoor pool continues.

MAGIC SHOW AT THE LIBRARY: 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), Maritess Zurbano will amaze you with sleight-of-hand! Free.

TODDLER STORY TIME AT THE LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

PAINT AT THE PUB: 4 pm watercolor-painting workshop with Emily Lee at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) – beginners welcome, all supplies provided, $20. Registration link is in our calendar listing.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.

FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.

‘GET FIT’ INFO NIGHT: Also at West Seattle Runner, 6:30 pm, info night for the Get Fit free group-training program to get ready for a marathon!

TRIVIA x 4: Four places where you play tonight: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and 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)

YOGA IN THE PARK: Two West Seattle teachers lead this outdoor-yoga event at Myrtle Reservoir Park (35th/Myrtle), 6:30 pm – follow the link for ticket info.

MUSIC BINGO X 2: Two options! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … At Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo at 7:30 pm Wednesdays, hosted by Mingo Maniac.

OUTDOOR YOGA AND MORE: Outdoor Kundalini Yoga, Breath Work, Meditation and Gong Bath, 7 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW), ticket info in our calendar listing.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The spotlight is yours! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Planning a show, presentation, meeting, open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can get it onto West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Memorial service planned August 30 for Marilyn T. ‘Terry’ Sackett, 1946-2024

August 21, 2024 9:00 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather August 30 to remember Terry Sackett, and are sharing this remembrance with her community now:

Marilyn Theresa Sackett, lovingly known as Terry, was born on July 31, 1946 in Glendale, California, and passed away on August 11, 2024. Moved to West Seattle at 5 with her family. Terry grew up on Marshall Avenue, attending Holy Rosary Elementary, graduating in 1960, and Holy Names Academy, graduating in 1964 before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from the University of Washington in 1971.

In 1969, Terry had the opportunity to travel to Europe and Japan to visit family and friends, a journey that ignited her lifelong love for exploration. On July 1, 1972, she married David Sackett. They shared a love of reading and music. The following year, she embarked on a remarkable 36-year career at Boeing as a Technical Drafter for the AWACS program, a trailblazer in her field as one of the few women to hold such a position at the time. In 1976, Terry and David purchased a home just a block from her childhood residence. A few months later, their daughter Danielle was born.

Terry was a devoted mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her daughter, especially after her divorce in 1987. Choosing to remain single, she dedicated her life to raising Danielle. In 1990, Terry welcomed John into her life, who would later become her son-in-law. She guided him through college, teaching him to read and how to study, ensuring he would be a strong partner for her daughter.

The 1990s were marked by Terry’s love for travel with her family, particularly to Long Beach, Washington, her favorite destination. She cherished her stays at The Breakers, where she enjoyed flying kites, strolling along the boardwalk with her family, and indulging in a passion for fishing. Though she dreamed of moving there, life kept her in Seattle, where she continued to visit and create lasting memories.

In 1994, Terry became a grandmother to Christopher L. Otey, her pride and joy. She attended his baseball games, took him to school, and spent countless hours nurturing his growth. She also cherished her two other grandchildren, Miranda J. Otey, born in 2003, with whom she shared a special bond as fellow middle children, spending mornings watching Looney Tunes and completing puzzles together. Abigail J. Otey, born in 2012, the youngest of the family, held a special place in Terry’s heart. She helped Abigail with her schoolwork, attended her ballet performances, and enjoyed late-night conversations that stretched into the early morning.

After retiring from Boeing in 2009, Terry spent her days enjoying her favorite game shows, relaxing, and doting on her grandchildren. She often traveled by train to Portland with her grandson Chris to visit family. Terry had a deep love for dogs, with her favorite being a beloved companion named Dogberry. She was passionate about education and family, values she instilled in all who knew her.

Terry was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Margaret Dearey. She is survived by her older brother James (Jim) Dearey, her younger brother William (Bill) Dearey, Daughter Danielle Otey, her grandchildren, and her beloved family members.

Terry’s legacy of love, dedication, and strength will be cherished by all who knew her. Her memory will forever be treasured by her family and friends. Services will be held at Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle on August 30, 2024, at 11 am.

To share your condolences and memories of Terry, visit EmmickFunerals.com/obituary/Marilyn-Sackett

(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, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Wednesday info

August 21, 2024 6:01 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, August 21.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Showers possible, thunderstorms possible this evening, high near 70. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:14 am, while sunset will be at 8:09 pm.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURES, AND OTHER ROAD WORK

The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. Here’s the tentative plan for the rest of the week – overnight tonight, eastbound left lanes are expected to close 7 pm-6 am, which means the eastbound exits to 1st and 4th would stay open.

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge. Next week, the north half of the bridge will close, and the south half will carry traffic both ways temporarily. (That’s what the “Traffic Revision August 26” portable signs are about.)

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders.

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch. Watch for no-parking zones and steel plates (many on northbound side right now), plus flaggers.

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule for both routes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.

STREET CLOSURE SATURDAY

The Admiral Funktion festival on Saturday (August 24) will close California between Admiral and College from morning through evening (festival hours are 11 am to 8 pm).

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.

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ELECTION 2024: Final primary results … almost

August 20, 2024 11:59 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The August 6 primary election’s results were finalized and certified by counties around the state today. The top two candidates in each race will be on the November 5 ballot. Just one race remains unsettled …State Lands Commissioner is headed for a recount, because the second-place finisher is only 51 votes ahead of the third-place candidate.

State Commissioner of Public Lands
Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) – 419,297 – 22.03%
Dave Upthegrove (D) – 396,300 – 20.82%
Sue Kuehl Pederson (R) – 396,249 – 20.82%
Patrick DePoe (D) – 267,924 – 14.08%
Allen Lebovitz (D) – 194,114 – 10.2%
Kevin Van De Wege (D) – 143,170 – 7.52%
Jeralee Anderson (D) – 84,351 – 4.43%
Write-in – 1,668 – 0.09%

A by-hand recount is required; The Seattle Times reports that the Secretary of State will set a deadline this Thursday for counties to have theirs complete. Meantime, you can find all the state results here.

For King County, here’s the full final list of results, including that one Seattle City Council race, citywide Position 8. Whoever wins serves just a year before the election next year for a full four-year term.

Seattle City Council Position 8 (43% turnout)
Alexis Mercedes Rinck – 99,394 – 50.18%
Tanya Woo – 76,008 – 38.38%
Saunatina Sanchez – 8,621 – 4.35%
Tariq Yusuf – 7,521 – 3.80%
Saul Patu – 5,958 – 3.01%
Write-in – 554 – 0.28%

Here’s how the primary race for our area’s U.S. House seat turned out:

U.S. House District 7 (44% turnout)
Pramila Jayapal* (D) – 174,019 – 79.86%
Dan Alexander (R) – 16,902 – 7.76%
Liz Hallock (D) – 16,494 – 7.57%
Cliff Moon (R) – 10,070 – 4.62%
Write-in – 409 – 0.19%

Though our area’s two State House seats had only two candidates each, they had to be on the primary ballot too:

34th District State House Position 1 (43% turnout)
Emily Alvarado* (D) – 37,901 – 86.46%
Kimberly M. Cloud (R) – 5,848 – 13.34%
Write-in – 86 – 0.20%

34th District State House Position 2 (43% turnout)
Joe Fitzgibbon* (D) – 37,571 – 85.36%
Jolie Lansdowne (R) – 6,398 – 14.54%
Write-in – 47 – 0.11%

November 5 is the deadline for general-election voting; you’ll get your ballot about three weeks in advance. Not registered yet? You can do that online – go here.

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‘Fundshifting’ success and opportunities ahead for West Seattle Public School Equity Fund: ‘We have strengthened all our schools’

August 20, 2024 8:30 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Photos by DIWAS Photography

For most public elementary schools, having a strong parent-teacher association is a crucial goal. However, the available PTA funding often varies widely between schools. One grassroots West Seattle group has been working hard to change that.

The West Seattle Public School Equity Fund (WSPSEF) celebrated its third year earlier this summer with a community event (pictured above and below) at West Seattle Elementary, and the group has also released its new 2024 Impact Report online, declaring, “We have strengthened all our schools and increased opportunities for all our students …”

The WSPSEF group was founded in 2021 by Andrea Dimond, Kristen Corning Bedford and Shannon Woodard with a focus on “fundshifting” – working to equitably distribute community contributions to narrow the gap so that well-funded school PTAs don’t keep getting richer while less-funded schools struggle. (see our WSB coverage of the group’s progress as of the summer of 2022)

For the upcoming 2024-25 school year, Kristen Corning Bedford said that WSPSEF expects to be able to distribute about $51,000 in PTA funds to Sanislo, Roxhill, Highland Park, Concord, and West Seattle. PTA funding was approved by schools during their June meetings, and is expected to be delivered early in the school year (by October at the latest).

In its first year (2022-23) the group distributed $20,917, and in 2023-24 WSPSEF distributed $49,566. To put this in a per-student perspective, each recipient school received $36 for each student for the most recent school year.

According to the WSPSEF website, the group’s goal is “To create an equitable resource of PTA funding for our West Seattle public gradeschools (including K-8).”

The West Seattle Public School Equity Fund operates simply: a portion of the PTA budgets from well-resourced public elementary (and K-8) West Seattle schools is contributed to a shared fund, which is managed by parent and/or staff advisers from each of the participating schools. The funds are then distributed annually to historically under-resourced public elementary (and K-8) West Seattle schools.

The group was launched after its founders discovered that when examining the area’s “redlining” map from the 1930s (see it here), the highest percentage of students from low-income families (which are now Title I schools), are in the “redlined” areas. The group hopes to disrupt these historical inequities by bringing West Seattle’s neighborhoods and school communities together.

The group’s current fiscal sponsor is the Alliance for Education, and all financial contributions and distributions are managed by their staff and board (see their Fiscal Services page for details). In the group’s first year, their founding fiscal sponsor was the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association (DNDA).

Corning Bedford said that one of the most impactful changes she’s witnessed is the creation of new partnerships and friendships between PTAs, which leads to more sharing of knowledge and resources.

“This increases the internal capacity to meet individual student needs day to day, while creating bold leadership to advocate for an equitable education for all of our kids,” she added. “We know that the public school landscape and our neighborhoods and the needs of our students are always changing, but our goal remains to sustain the momentum of this community allyship.”

According to Corning Bedford, some additional key points about the program are:

Fundshifting has increased PTA dollars at some recipient schools by up to 70% per student. At those schools, this additional funding has provided the PTA with flexibility to do things like put on no-cost family gathering events and subsidize teacher supplies, things that they haven’t been able to do in the past.

At contributing schools, it’s changing the conversation about budgeting and fundraising, increasing awareness about the discrepancies between schools and holding challenging conversations about why those discrepancies exist.

In our first year, we had 4 contributing schools and a pooled fund of $20k to split between 5 recipient schools. In our 3rd year, we have 8 contributing schools and a pooled fund of $50k between those same 5 schools. That’s 100% participation from all WS public grade schools (including K8) with at least one representative from each school on the Advisory committee.

94% of the funds are passed through to schools (the 6% fee goes to our fiscal sponsor, Alliance for Education, who manages the money). We have no paid staff, just a team of 24 dedicated parents and community members donating 400+ hrs/year to create this community, and put on fun events celebrating that community.

Want to get involved? If you’re part of a West Seattle elementary or K-8 school community, connect with the PTA at your school about their partnership with WSPSEF, or visit the group’s website to learn more.

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