WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Arbor Heights arrest followup; stolen gun found in stolen car

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:

(Reader photo, Wednesday)

ARBOR HEIGHTS ARREST FOLLOWUP: The man arrested in Arbor Heights on Wednesday after an alleged assault/gun incident that started in Fauntleroy remains in jail tonight. Monday is the deadline for rush-charging the 21-year-old suspect. At an initial hearing Thursday, a judge found probable cause to hold him for investigation of assault and unlawful gun possession; as noted in updates on our original report, he has a felony record, including past cases of unlawful gun possession, and cannot legally be in possession of one. The police-report narrative from the probable-cause document we obtained from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says this began with a 911 call from someone in the 9200 block of 46th SW, with the dispatcher texting to the officer’s screen that it was an “open line (disturbance with) loud baby crying and male screaming in the background, nobody responding to (the 911 calltaker.” Officers sent to the area found two men who said they were trying to stop a man from assaulting a woman along the street; when they tried to intervene, the man – according to the police report – “started assaulting them and then pulled out a handgun from his shorts and pointed it at (the two who intervened). (They) backed away from (the suspect, who) then left the area while on foot. The woman then got into a white Chrysler and left the area.” Officers found a witness who recorded video of the incident, including the man pulling out a gun. The vehicle was found near 35th/Ocean View shortly thereafter, and police contacted both the woman who was originally reported as an assault victim and a man who appeared to be the same one seen on the video. She told police she had not been assaulted. The two men who had tried to intervene said the suspect was the person who had assaulted them, and he was arrested. The document says police did not find a gun on the suspect but the car was impounded pending a search warrant; results of the search are not mentioned. Prosecutors asked for $100,000 bail and as noted in our previous update, that’s what a judge set. What we also don’t know yet is how this arrest will factor into the suspect’s community custody (parole); that’s his current status after getting out of prison six weeks ago – he was serving time for a conviction related to a Kent incident in 2021.

STOLEN GUN FOUND IN STOLEN CAR: A post on SPD Blotter recounts a West Seattle incident last night in which police say they found a stolen gun in a stolen car near the Southwest Precinct.

On June 20th at 9:46 p.m., patrol officers were alerted to a vehicle in their area that was reported stolen by the Tukwila Police Department.

Police located the occupied vehicle and performed a high-risk traffic stop near the 2400 block of Southwest Webster Street. The suspect attempted to flee, yet the vehicle stalled, and he was unsuccessful. Police quickly apprehended him as he exited the driver’s side door.

Officers recovered the stolen vehicle, and multiple stolen bank cards. Police also recovered an empty holster from the suspect and retrieved a loaded, stolen firearm from inside the vehicle.

Police arrested the 39-year-old man and booked him into King County Jail.

UPDATE: Tree limb falls on car in The Junction

8:34 PM: Thanks for the photo! Police and SDOT were just dispatched to this – a large tree limb falling on a car in the 4700 block of 40th SW, reportedly also blocking the road. No injuries reported.

9:52 PM: Just went through the area; crews are there now.

SCHOOL’S OUT: Lafayette Elementary celebrates street safety

Another after-school celebration on this last day of the school year – on SW Lander in the block on the south side of Lafayette Elementary, volunteers and local businesses teamed up to help kids learn about street safety. That included a giveaway of 25 bicycle helmets:

Volunteers helped fit them:

The businesses who partnered in the event included Alki Bike and Board, whose proprietor Stu Hennessey was there to help:

While school safety is important everywhere, Lafayette is the only elementary school in West Seattle that’s on a major street in the middle of a business district.

P.S. Other Admiral businesses contributing to the celebration included Bebop Waffle Shop, Menchie’s Admiral, and Good Society.

SCHOOL’S OUT: Gatewood Elementary takes the plunge

This was the last day of the school year for pretty much everyone who wasn’t already out of school. That included Seattle Public Schools students – and some had special afterschool celebrations, including Gatewood Elementary‘s traditional plunge at Alki Beach. Thanks to the parent volunteer who sent the pic!

WEEKEND PREVIEW: First ‘Purrdie Burrdie in the Park’ on Saturday

(WSB photo, December 2023)

We first introduced you to West Seattle artist/author Danitra Hunter almost four years ago, as she worked on a children’s book featuring a character she created while working at the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), Purrdie Burrdie, who encourages kids to love themselves. She launched her book a year later. And kids can get free copies during a series of events Danitra is leading in West Seattle parks for the next four Saturdays:

As shown above, her first event is at Roxhill Park (29th/Barton) tomorrow, 1-5 pm. Thanks to an Art in the Parks grant, Danitra says, these are free family events, all ages welcome.

WADING POOLS: Season starts Saturday, but West Seattle is down one. Here’s why

That’s the wading pool at EC Hughes Playground. When Seattle Parks wading pools start opening for the season tomorrow (Saturday, June 22), it won’t be ready to go. We discovered this while checking the Parks pool-info page – “E.C. Hughes Playground wading pool is closed for repairs.” No explanation, and our subsequent visit to the park (2805 SW Holden) didn’t show anything obviously wrong with the pool, but we did see evidence of some water-related work elsewhere in the park, and Parks spokesperson Christina Hirsch tells us that’s related:

Our Facilities crews are addressing a pipe issue at this location. We replaced a substantial section of the waterline and when we re-energized the system another section failed. We are currently working with a contractor to replace another hundred feet of mainline using vertical boring to avoid a large excavation on the site. We hope to have a schedule for that work next week. Once we get that complete, barring any other issues, we should be able to open things up rapidly.

So for the start of the season, West Seattle will have three wading pools:

Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), daily starting Saturday, noon-7 pm, last day September 2
Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW), Wednesdays-Thursdays-Fridays, noon-5:30 pm, June 26-August 16
Hiawatha (2700 California SW), Thursdays-Fridays-Saturdays, noon-5:30 pm, June 27-August 17

(When EC Hughes does open, its scheduled open days are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays.) Remember that on cooler days (below 70) the pools generally don’t open; you can check the status every morning by calling 206-684-7796 (recorded info updated by 9:30 am), and we also include wading-pool info in our daily “what’s happening” lists.

P.S. Highland Park Spraypark is already open and continues daily operation, 11 am-8 pm, at 1100 SW Cloverdale, through September 2.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire evidence; license plate and bike found

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

EVIDENCE OF GUNFIRE: Numerous reports of possible gunfire came in last night in the 10 pm hour, but officers didn’t find any evidence when checking a few possible areas, nor did any injuries or damage surface. However, according to a dispatch around quarter till 10 this morning, someone found shell casings near 29th/Brandon, one of the possible locations mentioned last night.

MISSING A LICENSE PLATE? Reported by a reader in High Point:

This morning I saw a license plate dumped at the intersection of SW Juneau St and 31st Ave SW (High Point). Washington State, CKH0909.

MISSING A BICYCLE? A reader in Westwood found this bicycle abandoned in an alley:

If you recognize it, email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you.

UPDATE: SW Roxbury police standoff over

(Added: WSB photos)

10:52 AM: Police are closing westbound SW Roxbury in the 28th SW vicinity and eastbound at 30th. They’ve been trying to stop a man who reportedly has been in multiple areas of West Seattle this morning swinging a shovel at people and signs. Officers have also told dispatch he appears to be armed with at least one knife. No injuries reported but avoid the area for a while.

11:09 AM: Our crew reports this is all centered around the service station on the south side of 30th/Roxbury right now (that’s the county side, but this all started in the city, so it’s SPD’s case). Officers are in a standoff with the man, who is by the propane area (right side of the photo above).

11:27 AM: The former Roxhill Elementary building, now home to several Seattle Public Schools programs, is in shelter-in-place, per police radio. (This is the last day of the school year, with one-hour early dismissal scheduled districtwide.)

11:33 AM: Officers just told dispatch that they’ve taken the man into custody. An ambulance that was standing by (for possible [corrected] “involuntary treatment”) is being sent in. An SFD engine too.

11:40 AM: Dispatch has been told that the school building can be told it’s OK to lift shelter-in-place, and that the other area containment will be broken down, which means SW Roxbury should reopen soon.

11:51 AM: Our crew reports the man has been loaded into the ambulance for transport. Meantime, Metro says its buses have resumed travel on Roxbury.

Low-low tide, skate comp, soccer clinic, timeshifted solstice-sunset watch, more for your West Seattle Friday

June 21, 2024 10:35 am
|    Comments Off on Low-low tide, skate comp, soccer clinic, timeshifted solstice-sunset watch, more for your West Seattle Friday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Osprey, photographed on the West Seattle shore by Stewart L.)

Highlights for the first full day of summer, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SSC GARDEN CENTER: South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, until 3 pm.

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

LOW-LOW TIDE: The next series of low-low tides begins today with -2.6 feet at 11:07 am, and even lower the next three days. Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are out, too, until 12:30 pm today at Lincoln and Constellation Parks.

LOUD N PROUD: Pride street party on SW 98th in White Center, noon-5 pm.

STOMPED SKATE COMPETITION: Rescheduled competition with 50 skaters happens 2-6 pm at Delridge Skatepark (Delridge/Genesee) – details in our calendar listing.

VISCON CELLARS: The tasting room/wine bar is open tonight for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

MODE BENEFIT AT THE SKYLARK: “School’s Out” benefit for Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) must-move-because-of-light-rail fund. 5 pm doors, 6 pm music, all ages, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

POP-UP ART SHOW: 5-7 pm reception opens the “Feather in the Wind” multi-artist show in the space above Alki Arts (6030 California SW).

SOCCER CLINIC WITH JUNCTION FC: 6-8:30 pm, youth soccer players are invited to a clinic with West Seattle Junction FC players and coaches, on the south end of Delridge Playfield (4458 Delridge Way SW). $65 per player; register here.

OPEN MIC AT KENYON HALL: Monthly incubator night, sign up at 6, perform at 6:30, at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW).

SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE: Monthly event at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.

AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

SEE ‘CLYDE’S’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm performance at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – “In this 2022 Tony Award®-Nominated Best Play, creating the perfect sandwich is the shared quest of the formerly incarcerated kitchen staff of Clyde’s, a truck-stop cafe.” Find the ticket link and more info in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC AT JARAYS: Live band Creation, no cover, ~8 pm, at Jarays Grill and Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).

TIMESHIFTED SOLSTICE-SUNSET WATCH: One day after the solstice, the sun should still line up with the path and marker at Solstice Park, and expert skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen will be there tonight to explain, 8:30-9:30 pm, with sunset around 9. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, upslope)

REVELRY ROOM DJ: Tonight it’s DJ Joey Roxville, 9 pm-1 am! (4547 California SW)

YOU SKATE, THEY PLAY: “Make It Loud!” returns at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), roller skating to live bands, featuring Sinister Six, The Fauxs, Appaloosa​. $18 cover, $5 skate.

YOU’RE THE STAR: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

VIDEO: Madison celebrates its champions

Before the school year ended, Madison Middle School celebrated its championship winners during lunchtime on Thursday. Above are members of the district-champion volleyball team, as announced onstage by Madison principal Dr. Robert Gary:

Then it was time to cheer members of Madison’s district-champion boys’ soccer team:

As reported here, both teams won their championships a month ago, both vs. Robert Eagle Staff Middle School.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: First day of summer, last day of school

June 21, 2024 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: First day of summer, last day of school
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, June 21.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

First full day of summer! Sunny, high in the mid-80s (as it was Thursday – 84). Today’s sunrise was at 5:11 am again – earliest of the year, and tomorrow it starts going back the other way – while sunset will be at 9:11 pm and will stay there until June 29.

(Thursday’s sunrise, photographed by Angela Gunn)

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

-Today is the last day of classes at Seattle Public Schools – one-hour early dismissal. (First day of next school year is Wednesday, September 4.)

ONGOING ROAD WORK

*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Tonight’s Friday, so the schedule runs later.

Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route; check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

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

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

1st Ave. S. Bridge:

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!

VIDEO: Krist Novoselić brings his new music-and-politics mix to Easy Street Records’ stage

30 years post-Nirvana, one of the superstar grunge band’s surviving members has a new band and a new cause. Krist Novoselić brought his new Bona Fide Band to Easy Street Records in The Junction tonight. Most bands who take the Easy Street stage are there to sell records; Novoselić was there to sell his new political party to a full house on a hot night.

Outside, signatures were solicited to support establishment of Novoselić’s new Cascade Party of Washington. He talked about it briefly after taking the stage – urging people to “raise hell” – but then quickly moved on to the music.

His bandmates include Mark Pickerel from Screaming Trees, singers Jillian Weiss and Jennifer Johnson from 3rd Secret (another Novoselić collaboration), and Kathy Moore (from Brad). The Easy Street show started a tour that also includes appearances in Aberdeen, Ellensburg, Bremerton, and Tacoma, over the next month.

UPDATE: Big response for 4th-floor fire at Cal-Mor Circle in Morgan Junction

7:11 PM: Seattle Fire has sent a full response to Cal-Mor Circle apartments at 6420 California SW. Updates to come.

(Added: This photo and next, by Tim Durkan)

7:14 PM: SFD says the fire’s on the fourth floor.

7:18 PM: SFD says it’s a kitchen fire that may have extended further – so far they haven’t found any victims in or near the unit where it started.

(Added: WSB photo)

7:27 PM: Firefighters report the fire is out and that it did not extend beyond the unit where it started.

7:30 PM: SFD tells our crew at the scene that no one was hurt.

7:50 PM: Since it was a major response, it’ll take a while to clear out. Kelly at California/Graham says buses are queued up waiting to get through.

(Photo sent by Kelly Howard)

8:48 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’re reopening California (which has been blocked between Fauntleroy and Graham) to southbound traffic.

9:12 PM: An update from Metro indicates the street has reopened both ways.

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: First-ever Alki Community Summer Celebration

Happening until 8 pm on the north end of Alki Playfield, it’s the first-ever Alki Community Summer Celebration, presented by the Alki Community Council, whose vice president Lindsay Pearsall and president Charlotte Starck were on stage between bands when we stopped by.

Community groups and city departments are there with information and more – Seal Sitters provides an opportunity to learn about sea life:

And don’t miss the chance to comment on the design of the play area at the south end of the playground, which will be overhauled with the future school-construction project. We’ll add a few more photos later.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash at Fauntleroy/41st

Just northeast of Morgan Junction, SFD and SPD have responded to a crash reportedly involving two vehicles, with one driver hitting a pole and bringing down wires at Fauntleroy/41st [map]. Seattle City Light is en route too. Avoid the area for a while.

Pride Month events continue in West Seattle, White Center

June 20, 2024 4:13 pm
|    Comments Off on Pride Month events continue in West Seattle, White Center
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB file photo)

We’re in the second half of Pride Month, with more special events ahead, announced since our first update just before the start of the month:

JUNE 21 – LOUD N PROUD: The White Center Community Development Association presents this street fair noon-5 pm tomorrow on SW 98th in downtown White Center. Performances, food, resources – info on our partner site White Center Now.

JUNE 22 – RAINBOW FLAGS: The West Seattle Junction Association changed the date it’s displaying rainbow flags (like the one in our photo above) to Saturday (June 22). A few volunteer spots remain to place (9 am) and remove (4 pm) them – you can sign up here.

JUNE 22 – PRIDE PARTY: Also on Saturday, Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) is hosting a Pride Party, 3-7 pm, “a special event to promote diversity, inclusivity and equal rights for LGBTQIA+ persons! Event features fun Pride Beers on tap, Glitter Beer & Pride Flights, FREE Giveaways, Pride Desserts, and a DJ spinning low-key vibes from 4-6 pm. FREE! Family/Dog-Friendly!”

JUNE 22 – PRIDE STORYTIME: 4:30 pm Saturday at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), Miss Lacey is hosting another Pride Storytime: “All ages & families welcome. There will be reading books, singing songs, and an activity.”

JUNE 22 – DRAG BRUNCH: Looks like a few reservations remain for drag brunch Saturday at Box Bar (5401 California SW, 21+ venue). Seating begins at 10:45 am; $25 admission includes a mimosa.

JUNE 28 – DRAG KINGS: Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm on Friday, June 28, for Emerald City Kings Ball Pride at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW). Advance tickets $20, available online.

Got something to add to our list/calendar for Pride in West Seattle/White Center – or other calendar events? Please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor

June 20, 2024 3:11 pm
|    Comments Off on Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, a unique part of the West Seattle wine scene, the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College. New sponsors have the opportunity to tell you about themselves – here’s what the Northwest Wine Academy wants you to know:

The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room at South Seattle College offers a serene retreat from city life, nestled beside the college arboretum, a community garden, and the Seattle Chinese Garden. It’s located in the Puget Ridge neighborhood of West Seattle. Step into a lively space where students craft unique wines, providing a tasting experience brimming with Pacific Northwest flavors, from the bold notes of black cherry and blackberries to the subtle nuances of woody oak, vanilla, and more. By supporting the Wine Academy, you are supporting our students’ journey to build their skills and find fulfilling work in Washington’s bustling wine industry.

Whether you prefer the outdoors in summer or the cozy indoors year-round, indulge in our affordable tastings priced at just $8 per person for a flight of four varieties. Join our vibrant community at one of the Northwest Wine Academy‘s regular events, where we not only showcase wines but also engage in activities such as painting, plant potting, cookie decorating, and delightful food pairings.

Elevate your experience by becoming a member of our Wine Club after attending one of our events. Our club offers various membership tiers, ranging in prices, and includes shipments of 4 to 12 bottles twice a year. Members also enjoy exclusive discounts on all other purchases throughout the year. These experiences go to help fund student led projects, new equipment, and support the health of the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College.

Interested in hosting an event in the tasting room or have questions regarding visiting us for a tasting? Contact: WineInfo@seattlecolleges.edu. We can provide you with room rental fees and our current catering menu! 

The Northwest Wine Academy is in the north lot of the SSC campus at 6000 16th SW. Follow the Northwest Wine Academy on Instagram to learn more about our upcoming events and offerings, including food truck pop-ups ran by our Culinary Arts students.

We thank the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!

FOLLOWUP: Maarten Park to be dedicated Sunday

(WSB photo – part of Maarten Park)

More than a decade after the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene embarked on a project to redevelop part of its property long known as “the park,” what remains as open space is truly becoming one. The church will dedicated what it calls Maarten Park in a community celebration on Sunday. This update is from Marcy Mabry:

This Sunday, June 23, will be the grand opening celebration of Maarten Park! Located next to West Seattle Church of the Nazarene on the 5900 block of 42nd Ave, the church dreamed of this greenspace becoming a park where neighbors and kids can gather, have fun, get to know each other, and build community. Named for our neighbor and congregant Maarten Verburg, who passed away in 2023, Maarten loved anything that brought people together, and he loved a good party – so let’s celebrate!

The day will start with a special church service outside in the park at 10 am. Following, around 11:15, will be the opening ceremony. Then we party! At noon, hamburgers & hot dogs should be ready, feel free to bring a dish to share. West Seattle’s own The Viking Surfers will be playing a set around 1:30. ALL are welcome!

West Seattle Naz is a small church that does so much for so many with so little, and their gift of this greenspace transforming into a park for the community could not have happened without the generosity of friends, neighbors, congregants, and family who have pitched in – whether it be financially, with volunteering, and with cheering on the crew! Very special thanks to John Mullan and his crew at PlayCreation for donating time and materials to make this dream a reality!

There’s still more to do to make this an even more awesome park: Park lighting, more outdoor toys, hillside climb & explore objects, outdoor lighting, and recurring maintenance costs. If you’re able to donate to support the park, you can do so at either link:
westseattlenaz.org/about-us/maarten-park
gofundme.com/f/maarten-park

Alki Community Summer Celebration and more for your West Seattle Thursday

(This morning’s sunrise, photographed by Stewart L.)

A brand-new summer event is part of the highlight list for the rest of your Thursday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Need plants? The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

LUNCH AND LEARN ABOUT YOUR HEALTH: 12:30 pm-1 pm online, Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor) presents a free online “lunch and learn” event titled “SIBO or IBS: Finding the True Cause of your Gut Symptoms.” Here’s the registration link.

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 now 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!

VILLAGE GREEN STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Strawberry desserts, tours, a raffle, all part of this event at Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) at 1:30 pm – call to see if they still have spots open; info is in our calendar listing.

SUMMER SOLSTICE: The solstice moment is at 1:50 pm. Note that Alice Enevoldsen‘s solstice sunset watch is one day delayed this time around – she’ll be at Solstice Park FRIDAY evening.

STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at what’s now 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 it’s Original Philly’s.

ALKI COMMUNITY SUMMER CELEBRATION: Music, activities, fun at Whale Tail Park/Alki Playfield (58th/Lander), 5-8 pm, a first-ever event presented by the Alki Community Council, free (with food for sale). Our most-recent preview has an updated list of who and what you’ll find – and don’t miss the chance for feedback on the play-area redesign just north of the past-and-future school site.

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 to 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 you can listen to the blues.

BONA FIDE BAND AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Krist Novoselic and friends perform live, 7 pm, all ages, no cover.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Clementine Was Right, Farseek, Claire Conway, Slipping, doors at 6 pm, music at 7 pm, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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

‘CLYDE’S’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm performance at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – “In this 2022 Tony Award®-Nominated Best Play, creating the perfect sandwich is the shared quest of the formerly incarcerated kitchen staff of Clyde’s, a truck-stop cafe.” Find the ticket link and more info in our calendar listing.

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

COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks to West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade! Here’s the route

June 20, 2024 9:13 am
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks to West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade! Here’s the route
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Before we get to today’s what’s-happening list, a quick reminder that we are now two weeks away from the big, free, fun event that starts Independence Day celebrations on the peninsula, the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade. It’s now presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, and organizer Megan Erb sent this reminder of the route:

The parade officially starts at 10 am from Sunset and 44th, where you can start gathering at 9:30 am. The parade will be preceded by the National Anthem, with a singer from Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor), and a brief welcome from City Councilmember Rob Saka. Then everyone heads west/southwest on the route shown above, which loops back to cross California Avenue SW on the way to end at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where you’ll find games and food trucks, highlighted by the traditional sack races. This is a non-motorized parade except for the Seattle Fire engine and classic pickup truck at the start – human-powered wheels are welcome. The parade is in its second quarter-century!

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Final hours of spring

June 20, 2024 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Final hours of spring
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, June 20. The summer-solstice moment is just hours away, 1:50 pm.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Summer weather is here, too. Sunny, high in the upper 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:11 am again – earliest of the year, not changing until Saturday – while sunset will be at 9:10 pm.

LAST DAYS OF SCHOOL

-Friday is the last day of classes at Seattle Public Schools.

ONGOING ROAD WORK

*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route; check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

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

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

1st Ave. S. Bridge:

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!

UPDATE: Car-on-side crash in Fauntleroy

11:53 PM: SFD and SPD are headed to 47th/Wildwood, just southeast of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, for a report of a flipped-car crash. Everyone in the vehicle is reported to have already gotten out, so no “rescue” response is expected. At least one other vehicle is reported to have been involved.

12:07 AM: Actually a car-on-side crash, per the reader who sent that photo. The other car may have been parked, officer/dispatch communication indicates. No serious injuries reported so far.

12:16 AM: They’re arresting the driver, a woman in her 20s.

SUMMER: Four unique free (or almost) camp opportunities, from fish to football

June 19, 2024 10:29 pm
|    Comments Off on SUMMER: Four unique free (or almost) camp opportunities, from fish to football
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WS & Sports

(Tonight’s sunset, photographed by Carol Ann Joyce)

Summer officially arrives tomorrow afternoon. By Friday night, everybody’s out of school. But if you haven’t totally scheduled the entire summer yet, these four free/low-cost possibilities might be of interest:

FREE ONE-DAY ENVIRONMENTAL CAMP FOR ALL AGES: Puget Soundkeeper sends word of an intergenerational day camp as part of its Salmon and Legacy Debris Project (individual youth or adults, parents with kids, or grandparents with grandkids are all welcome!). This is happening in West Seattle, at Heron’s Nest Outdoor Education Center (4818 Puget Way SW):

Join Puget Soundkeeper for a free, one-day-only intergenerational summer camp on Saturday, July 13th from 10 AM to 4 PM! Come explore the connections between salmon, stormwater, and tires with Puget Soundkeeper and Heron’s Nest!

Some things to look forward to include exploring examples of green stormwater infrastructure; experimenting with DIY stormwater filters; learning about the natural and industrial history of the Duwamish River; and learning to navigate by scent, just like a migrating salmon! Rumor has it we may be making edible Grattix boxes as an afternoon snack! If you are interested, signup will be on a first come, first serve basis. Here is the registration link

WEST SEATTLE HS YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP: This is also on July 13, 10 am-noon at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW), free to the first 100 kids to register, open to students who will be in K-8 as of this fall.

“Non-contact skills and drills” are promised, with West Seattle HS coaches and players. Here’s the registration form.

SOCCER CAMP: Also at Hiawatha, 10 am-noon this Saturday and Sunday (June 22-23), Dream Wings Youth Soccer Foundation is offering a two-day soccer camp for $10, ages 7-10. Here’s the registration form.

CRIME SOLVERS CAMP: SPD is offering a one-week camp for middle schoolers, July 22-26, noon-5 pm each day, in SODO:

The Relational Policing Innovation Team at the Seattle Police Department, in partnership with the City of Seattle Attorney’s Office and Target, are thrilled to announce our Crime Solvers Youth Camp this summer! Our aim is to educate and inform the campers about the criminal justice system from start to finish through a multitude of different topics and diverse presenters. Throughout the week of programming, we will be walking our campers through an entire case, starting with CSI evidence gathering, teaching about witness/suspect interviewing, trial prep and a mock trial jury, alongside presentations on other safety topics and specialty units.

This unique experience, tailored specifically for Seattle Public Middle School students, aspires to bridge an educational gap between students and the court system to explore a better understanding of our judicial system together! Here is the link to the application.

Here’s the flyer. Registration is open through the end of this month.