West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
After more than 20 years in The Junction, The Forsythe Studio is closing.
Sort of.
Proprietor Jessica Forsythe explains that while she’s closing the salon at 4456 California SW at month’s end, she’s not going out of business – she’s moving and “downsizing.” She and a partner will open Modern Roots in The Admiral District (the former Via space at 4217 SW College) on March 3rd.
Her Forsythe Studio stylists are moving on to new gigs, too, she says, and if you need to find someone, just call Jessica and she’ll point you to the right place(s). She says she’s keeping the Forsythe Studio’s longtime phone number, 206-935-1865.
(WSDOT photo, February 14)
The weekly SDOT lookahead (PDF), which often brings first word of key WSDOT closures too, arrived with news of an added Highway 99 tunnel closure described as being for “repairs,” 10 pm next Friday (February 28) to 8 am next Saturday (February 29). We asked WSDOT spokesperson Laura Newborn if the repairs are related to the water leak from the southbound tunnel’s ceiling. She said yes, elaborating;
The purpose of the closure purpose is two-fold.
1. For the tunnel contractor to repair and reseal a small grout-port where water is leaking (the tunnel is under warranty).
2. To complete regularly scheduled tunnel maintenance from Friday, Feb. 14 as crews spent maintenance time creating a temporary repair for the water leak.
We want to emphasize this is considered a minor leak with a straightforward repair plan. The tunnel remains very safe for driving.
The repairs involve re-grouting the area near a grout port and resealing the grout port. During construction, these types of ports were used to add grout to the area between the ground and the outside of the tunnel wall.
Again, that’s next Friday night, NOT tonight. The NB tunnel, meantime, has a regular maintenance closure March 13 (10 pm)-14 (8 am).
(Thursday photo by Gary Jones)
Lots of questions on Thursday about that smoke visible from West Seattle, looking across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains’ foothills. Some were sure it was an early wildfire, but we and others searched for info, to no avail. We finally inquired with the Olympic National Forest and got a reply this morning: Pile-burning, from clearing of private land.
From Kathleen:
My 17′ Vision (Current Designs) sea kayak was stolen in West Seattle (on Delridge Way SW near SW Andover St). It has a light blue faded top with a navy blue stripe above the white hull. I noticed it missing when I came home from lunch (Thursday).
The SPD report # is 2020-902478.
(Bald Eagle, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Almost the weekend! Here are the Friday highlights:
‘SUPER PLUNGE’: One day before the Special Olympics-benefiting Polar Plunge at Alki, 16 “Super Plungers” are going into the water twice hourly until 5 pm. Look for them near the Alki Bathhouse and go cheer! (2701 Alki SW)
DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE AND CULTURAL CENTER: Open 10 am-5 pm – visit on this last day of midwinter break and learn about Seattle’s First People. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School‘s must-win boys-basketball district-playoffs game is tonight, 6:30 pm, vs. Bellevue HS, at Bellevue College. (3000 Landerholm Circle SE)
PAUL GERARD: Singer-songwriter at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
JONAS MYERS TRIO: Jazz at The Pacific Room on Alki, 8-10 pm. No cover.(2808 Alki SW)
ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: 8 pm at The Skylark, celebrate with Deadbeat Blackout. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK AHEAD! Preview the weekend and beyond via our complete calendar!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:50 AM: Good morning! No current incidents/alerts in our area.
Weekend reminders:
1ST AVENUE S. BRIDGE CLOSURES: Tonight and Saturday night, the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge is scheduled to close, 9 pm-8 am both nights.
NEW TRANSIT PATHWAY STARTING TOMORROW: The new pathway into downtown for most West Seattle bus routes opens tomorrow (Saturday, February 22nd), as announced earlier this month. See the official service advisory for the affected routes here (PDF). The new pathway/stops map is also in our coverage of Wednesday’s media event there.
The Highland Park Elementary PTA invites you to step right up and join the party under the big top at Highland Park Improvement Club on March 21st. Here’s why:
We’ve worked hard on this event! Last year we turned HPIC into Alice and Wonderland with a full-size rabbit hole and fantasy land that blew guests away. The parents have outdone themselves this year with an amazing big-top-based off the book “Night Circus” and we are really hoping to reach our $20K fundraising goal to support the enrichment activities for our kids that our Title 1 school can’t regularly provide as well as family nights that provide culturally inclusive events and community building – the heart of what our school values.
Join us for at the Night Circus!
Highland Park Elementary Fund the Future Auction
Single tickets: $40Saturday, March 21, 2020 – Highland Park Improvement Club
Tent opens at 5:30 PM…
This after-dark extravaganza brings the magic of the big top to Highland Park. Step right up to the center ring for an evening of midway games, spectacular performers, tasty carnival treats, and a show-stopping auction!
Although this fantastical circus is just for grown-ups, all proceeds go toward much needed enrichment activities for the amazing students of Highland Park Elementary. As a Title 1 school, we have a rich diversity of cultures, languages and socioeconomic backgrounds but need community support to help fund the additional academic programs and vital community engagement events that our students deserve.
Circus apparel highly encouraged but come ready to be entertained and inspired, all for a good cause!
Get your ticket today here!
Can’t attend but would like to help fund our students’ futures? Donate here!
We appreciate our local business support! If you’d like to make our auction even more amazing by donating an item and be recognized as a community sponsor, visit here!
On our way to The Whale Trail‘s event tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), we noticed the usually well-lit intersection of California/Findlay was dark. Then we got a Twitter message about it during the meeting. We advised reporting it to Seattle City Light – that apparently had already happened, as we noticed those crews arriving just as we left C & P. Their work is focused near the southbound RapidRide stop on the southwest corner of the intersection, so be careful if you’re headed that way – in any mode – tonight.
With so many Seattle Parks facilities and properties in West Seattle, this announcement might be of interest:
As a best practice to prevent the spread of viruses during this cold and flu season, and in response to general concerns over Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is increasing custodial cleaning efforts at our facilities, including community centers and pools.
SPR is implementing these measures to support basic good cleaning and hygiene care at our high-traffic public facilities, and not in response to a specific exposure risk.
In addition to our already-established custodial routines, we will be implementing the following measures:
SPR will install Hand Sanitizing stations in lobby areas at our public facilities
SPR will increase the number of times that the following high-traffic areas are sanitized, with custodians sanitizing these areas three times during their shift:
-Bathroom countertops, stall handles, and flushing devices
-Entry/exit door handles and surrounding areas
-Lobby desk tops
The full Parks post also includes general advice for helping prevent viruses from spreading.
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
GYM THEFT: CrossFit Loft in The Junction reports a member’s wallet was stolen yesterday afternoon and within an hour, what was in it was used to buy gift cards and a variety of other things. The two suspects were recorded. If you have any idea about who they are, the SPD case # is 2020-063954.
DUMPED BICYCLE: This photo and report are from RLS:
This bike has been dumped in the alley between 25th and 26th SW at Cloverdale.
Somebody somewhere declared this “National Love Your Pet Day,” so in honor of that, the West Seattle Junction Association has opened registration for the third annual PAW-rade, set for Saturday, July 18th, right before the West Seattle Grand Parade. Free! Prizes! See the categories on the registration form. Then show up at 4400 California SW on PAW-rade day and show off for thousands!
Thanks for the tip! A texter today pointed out that Jiffy Lube in The Junction had finally reopened, so we went over to confirm. The oil-change shop’s staff told us it reopened on Monday, seven and a half months after it was closed by an early-morning fire last July. SFD was unable to determine how the fire started; no one was hurt.
(Sound Transit maps of what’s under consideration for light-rail routing)
Next up as Sound Transit continues environmental studies for the West Seattle to Ballard light-rail extensions, a survey announced today:
We are studying multiple route alternatives, which include a new rail-only bridge across Salmon Bay, either east or west of the existing Ballard Bridge and a new rail-only bridge across the Duwamish Waterway, either north or south of the existing West Seattle Bridge.
Sound Transit is collecting data on vessels that utilize these waterways and facilities that service vessels to help inform the environmental review analysis and support coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard regarding any potential bridge permits.
How can you help? Please share information about your vessel(s) or ones that you pilot by completing this survey by March 17, 2020.
You can do that by going here.
(Photographed Wednesday from Lincoln Park, by Susan Romanenghi)
Another sunny day! Here’s our quick look at what’s ahead:
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm – side-trip idea if this midwinter school break day is taking you to Alki. (61st/Stevens)
GAME NIGHT WTTH THE TIMEBANK: The West Seattle Timebank invites you to a potluck and game-night gathering, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. (4217 SW Oregon)
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Tonight’s agenda topics include the “Stone House” relocation project and Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, 7 pm at Alki UCC. All welcome. (6115 SW Hinds)
THE WHALE TRAIL: As previewed here, you’re invited to the midwinter gathering to hear about how to help the orcas. 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). $5 donation, kids free. (5612 California SW)
AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm, live music with KizMet, Lucia Luna, Lizzie Clauss. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
Here are two reasons the West Seattle High School baseball team would love to see you at the big stadium. Just out of the WSB inbox:
West Seattle HS vs Ballard HS in the High School Baseball Classic at T-Mobile Field
4 pm, Saturday, April 4th, 2020
Free!The WSHS Baseball team is also selling tickets to the Mariner’s game on May 29th at 7:10pm vs the Atlanta Braves at T-Mobile Park.
100 level tickets – $40 each (down the first=base line)
300 level tickets – $20 each (behind home plate)To buy tickets, contact Sheree at tombiz@comcast.net
The season starts in mid-March.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning! No incidents/alerts in our area right now. Looking ahead:
1ST AVENUE S. BRIDGE CLOSURES: Friday and Saturday nights, the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge is scheduled to close, 9 pm-8 am, Friday into Saturday and Saturday into Sunday.
NEW TRANSIT PATHWAY STARTING SATURDAY: The new pathway into downtown for most West Seattle bus routes opens Saturday, as announced earlier this month. See the official service advisory here (PDF). Our coverage of an event there Wednesday is here.
(WSB photos/video)
It was a ribbon-cutting without a ribbon. It did, however, have ribbons of red paint – newly marked bus lanes. The about-to-open Columbia Street 2-Way Transit Pathway were commemorated this afternoon with a round of celebratory speeches from elected and appointed officials who arrived via a RapidRide bus marked “SPECIAL.”
Mayor Jenny Durkan, County Executive Dow Constantine, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, Metro General Manager Rob Gannon, and Washington State Ferries boss Amy Scarton all took a spin at the microphone to hail the planned opening this Saturday (February 22) of the new corridor for buses to and from West Seattle and beyond.
No new information, but plenty of reminders that this will connect transportation modes more closely than before, with buses stopping conveniently close to the downtown dock where car and passenger ferries bring thousands each day. Here’s the map:
While this is the “permanent” route for the routes listed, there will be another big change when Alaskan Way is fully widened. That’s part of the city’s waterfront program, which the mayor hailed in her remarks, along with noting that there will be “many ribboncuttings we’re going to do down here” – which is when we realized, the event was more a ribbonless dedication than anything else. Here’s our video of everyone who took a turn at the microphone:
Since the mayor mentioned the extra bus hours paid for by the Transportation Benefit District taxes that are expiring this year, we asked about reports that a county version will be proposed. Constantine replied that discussions are under way with the county and its three-dozen-plus cities, and that we can expect a decision within a few weeks. But first – a new pathway for the buses that are funded now. Metro GM Gannon observed, “This doesn’t look like a transit hub, but it’s going to be.”
The building at 2716-2718 Alki SW – formerly home to Phoenecia (closed in December 2018, reopened in The Junction) and Alki Cleaners (closed July 2018) – is for sale, listed at $1,220,000. The site, zoned NC1-40, is touted in the offering memo as having the potential for “Multiple Development Opportunities, Rehab for mixed use, Townhome, ‘A-pod-ments’, Etc” The storefronts have been vacant since the end of 2018, windows papered over, no hint of the building’s future until now.
Thanks to David for tipping us to this by sharing an email discussion he’s been having with Seattle City Light and others. As the utility continues to deal with increased wire theft – as noted by The Seattle Times recently – it’s working to fix the resulting lights-out situations on, under, and around the West Seattle Bridge (among other places). Part of David’s exchange with SCL included this reply from a utility employee:
On the West Seattle Bridge, the streetlight crew attempted to splice together the wire that is left in an attempt to restore power to the control cabinet. That attempt failed and the only option left is to replace the entire run. This would restore the two separate circuits that feed the control cabinet. This requires coordination with SDOT because they have some control wires in the same conduit which have also been cut.
In the meantime, we have a traffic control plan and a permit to make a repair to the undermount lights, this is scheduled for the overnight Wednesday, 2/19/2020. The bike path has three sections, east, Harbor Island, and west, that will be handled separately. The plan is to start on that after the bridge upper deck lighting is completed.
The update also noted that crews have been working “7 days a week since October to address theft-related outages.” We followed up with SCL spokesperson Julie Moore to find out more about what’s planned tonight. She tells us the main work is actually planned this weekend:
We’re working to energize the undermounts along the lower deck of the bridge, though may be able to energize some on the upper level as well. Work will generally occur between 26th Avenue Southwest and Delridge Way. We’re doing prep work over the next couple days, but the actual work and any necessary no parking/lane closures will occur between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
A wider look at the wire-theft problem is under way as part of a city-budget action last November by District 1 Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who wrote about it here.
March 10th is the official Election Day but you can vote as soon as your ballot arrives. From King County Elections:
King County Elections mailed ballots today, February 19, to over 1.35 million registered voters for the March 10 Presidential Primary. Any voter who has not received their ballot by Monday, February 24 should call King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683).
The Secretary of State mailed voters’ pamphlets last week.
This Presidential Primary will mark the first time in the last four years that voters need to declare a party preference to participate. While Washington voters do not register by party, voters across the state will have to pick a party, check the box, and vote for one candidate from the party they selected. This party preference will remain on the voter rolls for 60 days before being expunged and is publicly disclosable information, per state law.
If you’re not registered, there’s still time – here’s how.
(Calf J56 and mother J31, photographed by Mark Sears. permit 21348)
Amid the exhilaration of Southern Resident Killer Whale sighting in recent weeks, there’s been the crushing news of one more SRKW lost. What now? Be at The Whale Trail‘s midwinter gathering tomorrow night to hear/talk about it. Here’s the announcement:
“Whale Trail MidWinter Gathering featuring SRKW Updates”
When: Thursday February 20, 7:00 – 8:30
–Doors open at 6:30
Where: C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW
Cost: $5 suggested donation; kids free
Advance tickets: brownpapertickets.com
Presented by The Whale TrailJoin us for a midwinter gathering of marine mammal friends and fans in West Seattle. Whale Trail Director Donna Sandstrom will review the current status of the endangered southern resident orcas, and ongoing efforts to protect them.
With the loss of L41, the southern resident population has been reduced to just 72 individuals.
Despite the widespread attention on J, K, and L pods, why has so little progress been made?Donna will also share the Whale Trail’s vision and priorities for 2020. Learn how you can help, and make a difference for the southern residents before it’s too late.The presentation will be followed by an informal gathering of Whale Trail friends and supporters. Everyone is welcome!
Thanks to Heather for sending the photo of that new sign on Fauntleroy Way SW near Fairmount Park Elementary. Given the saga of the fake Arbor Heights sign, we checked with SDOT about this one. It’s real, confirms SDOT‘s Dawn Schellenberg:
SPD requested we install the signs so they can use their speed van at this location.
(Same thing as 35th SW near Our Lady of Guadalupe.) “Speed van” enforcement has been in use since 2008, pre-dating fixed school-zone speed-enforcement cameras. This year’s budget calls for more of those, so we asked where that process is at:
No new speed cameras have been installed . I understand we’ll be reviewing field evaluations and surveys at new potential camera sites in the next coming months to select locations where we’ll move forward on design and installation of speed cameras. We should have our locations selected this spring and are on target for the cameras being installed for Fall 2020.
Here’s the full citywide list of current fixed cameras, including the three in West Seattle.
The photo is from Steven Director, who explained, “The cormorant was diving and came up with an eel. The gull swooped in. trying to steal it. During the squabble with the gull, the cormorant dropped the eel, which was grabbed up by a merganser who got away with it. I guess sometimes the little guy wins.” Now on with the calendar highlights:
BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library. Bring babies up to 12 months old! (3411 SW Raymond)
SSC CAMPUS TOUR: Visit South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) this afternoon 2-3 pm and find out about its people, programs, and services. (6000 16th SW)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 2-5 pm tasting event at NWWA on the north side of the South Seattle College campus. (6000 16th SW)
TEEN TOURNAMENT: Super Smash Bros. Tournament at Southwest Library, 2:30 pm-4:30 pm, gaming on a classic Wii console. Prizes! (9010 35th SW)
EZRA FURMAN LIVE IN-STORE: Free acoustic performance at Easy Street Records, 7 pm. All ages. (California/Alaska)
PING PONG: 7 pm tournament at Admiral Pub. Cash prizes! 21+. (2306 California SW)
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