West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
Your next chance to plunge into Puget Sound from Alki Beach for a cause is one week from tomorrow – and this one is taking on disorders collectively known as EB, under the leadership of a West Seattle couple you might know. We received this announcement with the explanation that they’ve done this at their home in previous years but this year “want to get as many West Seattleites to join them as possible!”
Longtime West Seattleites Eddie & Jill Vedder co-founded EB Research Partnership (EBRP) in 2010 along with a dedicated group of parents set out to save their children’s lives. Their community will be rallying around Team Vedder by plunging into the cold waters of Puget Sound off Alki Beach on Sunday, April 21st at 10 am as part of a national campaign to raise money to treat and cure Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a family of painful and life-threatening rare genetic disorders that affect the body’s largest organ: the skin.
The Vedders serve as global fundraisers and ambassadors sharing the mission of curing and treating EB with the world. EBRP is now the largest global nonprofit funding research to discover treatments and cures for EB, and Jill serves as the Board’s chairperson. The organization has raised more than $60 million, funded 140 research projects, increased clinical trials from 2 to now more than 40, and helped lead to the first two ever FDA-approved treatments for EB last year.
The Plunge for Elodie is named after 7-year-old Elodie Kubik, who lives with a severe form of EB. The event began in 2018 in Wellesley, Massachusetts, organized by friends of Elodie’s mother, and has now grown into an annual global fundraising and awareness-raising initiative.
This year, Team Vedder will be plunging Alki Beach with a local EB patient, Patterson, a young boy who, like Elodie, suffers from a severe form of EB. Patterson endures daily bandage changes that can be grueling and take time away from other activities. EB is challenging, as it affects so much more than just his skin. It is a constant battle, both physically and emotionally, as he navigates through pain, itch, inflammation, and wound care. But amidst the challenges, there is a powerful force that emerges – strength and resilience.
“We are inspired by the courage that those with EB, like Patterson and Elodie, show every single day to fight alongside them. Our mission is to cure EB by 2030 and events like the Plunge help us raise the awareness and dollars to achieve it. We have made tremendous progress towards our goal of delivering treatments and a cure; however, we will not stop until there is a cure for every patient and our model can lead the way for all those battling rare diseases,” said EBRP Chairwoman Jill Vedder.
4 Ways to Support Team Vedder’s #PlungeForElodie This Year
1. Donate to Team Vedder: Hit the “Donate” Button to give. Every dollar raised through the Plunge supports EBRP’s mission to treat and cure EB.
2. Fundraise in Your Community: If you want to go bigger and make your own fundraising page under The Vedder Team, click “Join Team” and follow the prompts to create an account. (All ofyour efforts will be tallied up on the “Team Vedder” page.)* We have good prizes for top fundraisers!
3. Join Vedders & Friends in person at Alki Beach near the bathhouse at 10 am on Sunday, April 21 to take the plunge with us by making a minimum donation of $25 here *AND* completing this waiver online prior to the event.
4. If you can’t join us in-person, film yourself taking a virtual plunge in a cold-body-of-water, mound of snow, or tub filled with ice and tag @ebresearch and @jill.vedder #PlungeForElodie on April 21st so we can see your amazing plunge!
Alki Event Participants – Know Before You Go
-Bring a copy of your signed waiver and registration form, both of which need to be submitted ahead of time online.
-Arrive ready to Plunge with your plunge clothes beneath the clothes you wear to the event.
-Don’t forget to bring warm clothes and towels for after you plunge, comfy shoes that are easy to slip in and out of, and something to put your wet clothes in after!
-There will be no lifeguards on duty.
-Swim caps will be provided, first come-first serve.
More About EBRP
Combining its award-winning Venture Philanthropy business model and world-renown Scientific Advisory Board, EBRP is creating a blueprint for how rare diseases can be cured. Donating to EBRP not only supports families fighting EB everywhere, but also has the potential to impact thousands of other rare diseases.
Thanks to the long-standing support of brave EB Warriors, resilient EB families, brilliant medical experts and generous donors, EBRP has been able to raise over $60M for critical EB research, fund 140+ innovative projects, and accelerator the first two FDA approved treatments for EB and transform the clinical trial landscape by 20x since 2010.
The Alki Beach Bathhouse is at 60th SW/Alki SW.
If you saw that police response toward the east end of Sylvan Way this morning, it was for a home-burglary investigation. The neighbor who sent the photo reports someone broke into the house after 10:30 am, apparently via an unlocked door, while the resident was asleep. The suspect was taken into custody, according to the neighbor, who reports, “Our neighbor is fine, just very shaken up.” The SPD incident # is 24-099963. We’ll be following up.
(File photo, courtesy West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails)
This year’s series of free guided hikes hosted by the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group starts one week from today! Here’s their invitation for you:
Hike nearby in the largest contiguous forest in Seattle. The West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group will resume our popular guided hikes in the greenbelt on third Saturday mornings during the spring, summer, and fall. The first one is April 20. All meet and start at 9:30 a.m. at the south parking lot of Pathfinder K-8 School, 1901 SW Genesee Street.
Hike up to three miles and/or two hours based on group ability and trail conditions. The choice of trails may vary each month, usually on a mixture of maintained and less maintained trails. For more information, see wdgtrails.com.
(WSB photos)
That’s just some of what volunteer divers, coordinated by Seattle Dive Tours, brought up from the seafloor around Seacrest this morning. With the Water Taxi taking a break this weekend, it was the perfect chance to remove some discarded junk from Elliott Bay, as SDT and volunteers have done before. This electric scooter was one of the more unusual items:
Also retrieved: A handgun, which had been turned over to police by the time we visited the pier in late morning. Fairly rusty, we’re told, so it’s apparently been in the water a while. (Checking on last year’s cleanup coverage – divers found a scooter and gun then, too.)
P.S. Want to volunteer on land – in a way that benefits local waters and wildlife? Duwamish Alive! is next Saturday.
That photo is from early this morning, after police responded to a burglary at Alki Mail and Dispatch (4701 SW Admiral Way). Proprietor Bree sent the report, photo, and videos, and a request for customers who might have been affected:
I’m very sad to report that we were the victims of a break-in at 5:12 am this morning. There had been 2 previous failed attempts to make entry in the last few months (the 2nd time only being about 2 weeks ago) but apparently 3rd time was the charm.
From our early assessment … they grabbed 6 packages that were logged in for our personal mailbox holders, and from what we can tell, about 15-20 outbound prepaid parcels that had been dropped off by customers to go out, mostly UPS and a few FedEx. This is where our trouble lays, as we unfortunately don’t have a way of knowing who’s prepaid drop offs were taken. I feel so horrible that these awful people stole not only from me but from my customers! They also grabbed a bunch of my Alki T-shirts and hoodies, a few other knickknacks and, strangely, all of the Snapples from my beverage cooler!
I believe it may have been 3-4 people … They were men that all appear to be dressed in construction gear. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see any of their faces, although one did appear to have long dark hair. From what Officer Carey (the responding policeman) said, it appears they used a pry tool of some sort to gain entry. Thankfully there’s no damage.
My biggest concern is trying to locate customers who dropped off their prepaid outgoing parcels. If anyone dropped off a package after 4 pm on 4/12/24, please contact us either at our email staff@alkimail.com or call us at 206-932-2556 or to stop in and speak with us.
Bree says one box has already been found, empty. (added) Police report # is 24-099757.
(Added: WSB photos)
8:47 AM: Seattle Fire has a big response at a fire in the 9200 block of 18th SW [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
8:51 AM: SFD says the fire was largely confined to a garage, and that it’s been “knocked down”; no injuries.
8:59 AM: Firefighters have now declared the fire “tapped” (out). They’ve checked the house at the same address and say the fire did not spread.
9:18 AM: At the scene, the incident commander tells us the fire’s cause is under investigation. Meantime, SFD is calling for the Red Cross to come help two adults and a teenager affected by the fire.
A pot of … coffee at the end of the rainbow? Animated Café proprietor Melanie/”Ana” sent that photo with news that she’s reopening today in her new Georgetown spot, one month after leaving West Seattle. She’s not far, just off the north end of the 1st Avenue South Bridge:
We’re finally re-opening again at 303 S Michigan St in Georgetown. We’re the first exit into Georgetown when you’re going north over the 1st Ave Bridge. We’re also finally set up to be a true drive-thru, the original vision for Animated Cafe.
I have to also give a huge shout-out to The Reef recreational cannabis store, who has leased us a location in their parking lot and has been incredibly supportive in the relocation. I can’t wait to see everyone again, and I’m so excited to be back up and running.
We did a bit of a remodel, made some upgrades, and have a brand new panini press perfect for making the toastiest of sandwiches. Also take a look at this beautiful omen (above) right before opening!
This is Animated Café’s third location – it launched in the Tony’s Market lot at 35th/Barton and then moved to 4518 Fauntleroy Way SW.
(Northern Flickers, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Welcome to April’s second weekend! Here are highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NO WATER TAXI: Service is canceled for today and tomorrow while the crew and vessels get ready for the added spring/summer service (Friday/Saturday later-evening runs) starting in the coming week. Service resumes Monday.
NO SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR MEETING: As noted late last night, our area’s Seattle School Board director Gina Topp had to cancel the community-conversation meeting that was supposed to happen at 10:30 am.
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER GROUP RUN: The store‘s where to meet for the weekly free group run at 8 am. (2743 California SW)
FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event every Saturday but please register.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Second of two days for the Huskies’ second and final Alki Beach tournament of the season – starting with UW’s first game of the day at 10 am; see the schedule here.
EARLY EARTH DAY VOLUNTEERING: 10 am-1 pm at Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW) – details in our calendar listing.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am-11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
UNDERWATER CLEANUP: During this Water Taxi-less day, Seattle Dive Tours is leading an underwater cleanup off Seacrest, 11 am-1 pm. (1660 Harbor SW)
WONDER WALK – FORAGING FOR BEGINNERS: 11 am at Camp Long (5200 SW Dawson) – check to see if tickets (by donation) are left!
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.
LOW TIDE: Beachwalking alert – the tide is out to -1.4 feet at 3:07 pm today.
FLYOVER? The Mariners‘ 6:40 pm home game vs. the Cubs is “Salute to Armed Forces Night.” Will that bring a flyover? We asked the M’s Friday. We didn’t get a reply. But if you see unusual aircraft activity this evening … you’ve been forewarned.
SECOND WEEKEND FOR ‘ENGLISH’: The new play continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Ticket link in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT C & P: Guitar Gil performs 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Emerald City King’s Ball – Crown Jewels April Fools Drag King Show at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) – doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm, 21+, tickets available here.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
BEATS: Saturday night DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Soul Focus FM is at the Room. (4547 California SW, alley side)
KARAOKE: Saturday night, sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
Planning a pop-up, concert, open house, show, sale, event, walk, run, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Just out of the WSB inbox, from West Seattle/South Park school-board director Gina Topp: “Regrettably, I must cancel Saturday’s community meeting due to unforeseen illness. We will promptly reschedule. Apologies for the short notice; unforeseen circumstances necessitate this change.”
8:29 PM: Police have been pursuing suspects through south West Seattle, White Center, and Burien after a carjacking. While the stolen vehicle is reported to be a white Audi, officers have been pursuing another vehicle believed to be related, a dark gray Hyundai Tucson reported stolen from Federal Way. We don’t yet know exactly where the carjacking happened. The Guardian One helicopter has been assisting; the suspects reportedly have just abandoned the Hyundai in north Burien, with a ground search ensuing too.
(WSB photo added: Police on 35th while investigating nearby carjacking)
8:38 PM: We found police who could confirm to us where the carjacking happened: Alley behind residences in the 9200 block of 35th SW. (The car stolen there was described as a white Audi SQ5; we believe that was traced to south White Center.) Meantime, the ground/air search in north Burien continues.
8:43 PM: Officers have just reported taking one person into custody. They’re searching for the other, in the Salmon Creek Ravine area. Both carjackers were reported to be armed at the time of the original incident.
10:30 PM: The search ended during a gap in our live monitoring due to (a) a change in radio channels and (b) us having to step away from the desk for a short time. So far in trying to catch up with radio recordings, we’ve heard officers report that a stolen gun was recovered, as was a backpack, as were two ski masks, and that the carjacked white Audi (found because of tracking) has already been impounded. What we’re not finding yet: The status of the second suspect.
10:59 PM: Listening to county emergency-radio archives, it sounds like the second suspect was bitten by a police dog and taken for treatment. We will of course follow up on all this with police and prosecutors Monday, but will update sooner if any additional information emerges over the weekend.
Lots of planting happening this time of year, but this new planting in West Seattle is of special significance. These are camas plants, installed today in a new cedar planter outside the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse.
The Duwamish Tribe’s cultural preservation officer Nancy Sackman was joined by Sharon Leishman of the Duwamish Alive! Coalition for the planting. Camas has a cultural significance to the Duwamish people – with edible bulbs – and the planter will allow them to grow it in cleaner soil than they have access to on the Longhouse grounds.
The camas bulbs were sourced from Northwest Meadowscapes in Port Townsend; the planter, from Wabash Farms in east King County. Today’s planting was in advance of next Saturday’s Duwamish Alive! habitat-restoration volunteering; your help is needed that day, at multiple sites in the Duwamish River watershed – go here to sign up.
Two months left in the school year, but some major issues remain unsettled – such as, will Seattle Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brent Jones propose school closures/consolidations to help balance the budget? If you have an SPS-related question, concern, and/or comment – about the budget or any other issue – tomorrow (Saturday, April 13) is your chance to bring it to our area’s school-board director Gina Topp. In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, her next community conversation is set for 10:30-11:30 am Saturday at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW). No formal agenda – just drop in any time during the hour.
EARLY SATURDAY: Got a late-night note that this is canceled.
Another option for organic produce in West Seattle this summer – here’s the announcement we received today:
Clean Greens Farm and Market, a Black-led CSA that provides affordable, organic produce from local Black farmers, is pleased to announce that they will be coming to West Seattle this summer.
Beginning with this growing season, West Seattle residents can sign up for a weekly share of produce from our farm and pick it up at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Shares come in three different sizes to suit individuals, small families, and larger families.
Pickups will be on Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm and run from June 29th through the end of October.
Proceeds from the sale of CSA shares not only support the ongoing work of Clean Greens and Black Dollar Days Task Force, which promotes Black-led enterprises in Seattle, but they also support the provision of healthy, organic produce at low- or no-cost to low-income members of our community.
To join the CSA, please visit Clean Green’s website.
2:40 PM: Seattle Fire units have arrived in the 7100 block of 29th SW after a report of a broken half-inch gas line. They’re planning to evacuate two houses while awaiting Puget Sound Energy‘s arrival.
2:44 PM: Police just told dispatch they’re blocking southbound traffic at 29th/Myrtle [map].
2:54 PM: Firefighters have just reported that the “gas line has been secured.”
The photos and report are from Bianca:
My husband came across a dumped, damaged, and empty ATM on Seola Beach Drive a bit ago. I filed an online police report. There aren’t any marks indicating where it came from, but it appears to be one of the smaller machines you would find in a convenience store.
A sticker on it says it’s part of the MetaBank network.
A favorite springtime family event is coming up fast – one week from tomorrow, the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) presents this year’s Healthy Kids Day. Just out of the WSB inbox, this year’s official announcement:
The YMCA of Greater Seattle is thrilled to announce its annual Healthy Kids Day® event, which will be held on April 20, beginning at 10 a.m. This event will be held across 12 locations throughout Greater Seattle [including West Seattle]. As a free event open to the public, the Healthy Kids Day® event provides many family-friendly activities to foster healthy kids and families and ensure a vibrant and healthy kickoff to the upcoming summer season.
The sponsors of this year’s event are centered around transforming fun and play into lasting memories. Attendees can look forward to engaging in activities that promote health and wellness among children and their families. The activities vary by location. Families can expect snack ideas, water safety, sports challenges, bounce houses, and arts and crafts.
Loria Yeadon, CEO of YMCA Greater Seattle, shared her thoughts on this event: ” Children must remain engaged in physical and mental activities throughout the summer months. At the YMCA, we’re passionate about providing families with the resources to develop and maintain healthy habits all year. Healthy Kids Day is a signature free event encouraging families to explore and participate in many fun, healthful Y activities, fostering community connection and wellness. If you don’t have a Y membership, this is a perfect time to join and get the entire family moving and connected with your neighbors in the community. Join us!”
The West Seattle Y is at 36th/Snoqualmie [map], and Healthy Kids Day events are usually indoor and outdoor, depending on the weather; membership is not required to participate.
(Photos courtesy Housing Diversity Corporation)
The new 115-apartment complex at 3405 Harbor Avenue SW, just north of the West Seattle Bridge, is close to completion. The developers at Housing Diversity Corporation shared “our first photos of 3405 Harbor against the Seattle skyline,” taken via drone, now that part of the scaffolding has been removed.
HDC’s Alex Thompson tells WSB the complex has a name: Harbor Flats. It’s on track for opening in June; we covered its groundbreaking in March 2022. Final-stage work includes installation of utilities plus the automated parking system (similar to this); the building will have spaces for 60 vehicles. West Seattle-headquartered STS Construction Services (WSB sponsor) partnered with HDC on construction of Harbor Flats.
(The Gatewood tulip festival continues! WSB photo)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Open until noon to conclude the second transitional week of new hours at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor).
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: First of two days for the UW’s second and final Alki Beach tournament of the season – play started at 10 am; see the schedule here.
STAY & PLAY INDOOR GYM: Free drop-in play, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
LIBRARY CLOSURE: The Seattle Public Library‘s just-announced closure days start today; the West Seattle (Admiral) branch will not be open, but it’s regular hours today for our area’s other libraries.
LOW-LOW TIDE: Beachwalking alert – the tide is out to -2.0 feet at 2:19 pm today.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open tonight for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FREE CONCERT WRAPS UP HONK! FUTURE CAMP: 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School‘s auditorium (2600 SW Thistle), three groups take the stage! From our calendar listing:
Please join us Friday April 12th at 7 pm for a free concert celebrating the close of our 1st Honk Future Street Band Camp. Honk! Future is a Honk!- style street band composed of 5th through 12th grade students, formed during a five-day spring break camp sponsored by Honk! Fest West and the Seattle All-City Band. The concert, made possible by support from Friends of All-City Band and the Music Performance Trust Fund will feature performances by Honk! Future, Soul Jambalaya, and Super-Krewe.
No charge for admission.
KENYON HALL CABARET: Monthly all-ages drag show at 7 pm – info and tickets here. (7904 35th SW)
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm doors, 8 pm show for Shaker Bloomheart, Some F—ing Vegan, Ruby Vision. $10 cover, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SECOND WEEKEND FOR ‘ENGLISH’: The new play continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Ticket link – just a few available for tonight as of early this morning – is in our calendar listing.
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight: DJ Lady Coco. (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD! Skate to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 9 pm-midnight, this week featuring Atomic Pines, LipStitch, Eep Oop. $18 cover + $5 skate rental
LATE-NIGHT SINGING: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:36 AM: Via text: “Brown water this morning on 41st SW between Hudson and Dawson.” This is the third report we’ve received this week; though we didn’t get the chance to publish it at the time, a reader notified us about “super brown water” near Gatewood Elementary on Wednesday, and we did publish this report from southeast Admiral on Monday. A leading cause is fire-hydrant testing, but it can also be a clue to system trouble like a pipe break, so always report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800.
4:14 PM: Also just heard from Tricia, reporting: “I have brown water in Gatewood. Southern and California.”
(2023 Garden Tour reader photo, by Bill Schrier)
This year’s West Seattle Garden Tour is still more than two months away – on June 23 – but the WSGT is already looking ahead to next year in one important part of what they do – giving grants to other nonprofits. Here’s the announcement:
Each year, the West Seattle Garden tour, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides grants to other nonprofits for projects that fit our mission — to promote horticulture, education, and artistic endeavors within West Seattle and neighboring communities. We are now seeking grant applicants for 2025 and nonprofits with eligible projects are invited to apply.
Our 2025 grant application form and guidelines are now available at westseattlegardentour.org/apply-for-a-grant. Completed applications are due by July 15, 2024. Grant amounts historically range from $2,000-$6,000, but larger and smaller grants have been awarded. Successful applicants will receive their funds in March 2025.
The list of this year’s grant recipients is here. You can buy a ticket for this year’s tour here.
6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, April 12, last day of spring break for those who were out this week.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny, high in the upper 50s, on our way to a sunny weekend. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:26 am, sunset at 7:54 pm.
(Thursday evening photo by Bruce Gaumond)
ROAD-WORK ALERT, CONTINUING THIS WEEKEND
Repaving work today is scheduled to continue on 22nd/23rd east of Delridge – details here – and through the weekend, too.
SPORTS-RELATED TRAFFIC
-Alki might be busier than usual, with another UW beach-volleyball tournament today and Saturday – play starts today at 10 am.
-In SODO, Mariners’ homestand begins with 6:40 pm game vs. the Cubs.
TRANSIT NOTES, INCLUDING WATER-TAXI-LESS WEEKEND
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here – lots of trip cancellations this week.
Water Taxi today + this weekend – Regular schedule today. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Reminder, NO WATER TAXI this weekend – April 13-14 – to prepare for the spring/summer season (which adds Friday/Saturday later-evening sailings starting Friday, April 19). The shuttle buses WILL run, though, Metro says.
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
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – remember, it’ll be closed to surface traffic April 19-28:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
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!
The city Office of Labor Standards announced today that it has settled with Chipotle over alleged labor-law violations at eight area restaurants. We confirmed with the city that the West Seattle location (opened nine years ago at 4730 California SW) is one of them. First, from the city announcement, here are the basics:
The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) investigated Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. for alleged violations of the Secure Scheduling and Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinances throughout Chipotle’s eight operations in Seattle.
Chipotle settled the allegations and agreed to pay a total financial remedy of $2,895,716.73 to 1,853 employees and $7,308.63 to the City of Seattle. Chipotle also agreed to develop and implement a written Secure Scheduling Ordinance (SSO) policy.
This is the largest SSO settlement since the ordinance’s creation and the fourth largest overall in the history of the office. …
Under the Secure Scheduling Ordinance, OLS alleged the employer:
-Failed to consistently provide premium pay for schedule changes when required;
-Retaliated against an employee for declining to work or consent to a shift change made with less than 14 days’ notice;
-Retaliated against an employee for requesting not to be scheduled at certain times in conflict with a second job; and
-Failed to maintain records of original work schedules, as required by the Secure Scheduling Ordinance.Under the Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance, OLS also alleged the employer:
-Failed to provide PSST accrual at the correct rate;
-Lacked a compliant written PSST policy; and
-Retaliated against an employee for calling out sick.
We asked the OLS how the West Seattle Chipotle factored into this. The response: “There were 99 employees who worked at that location during the relevant violation period, of whom 79 were aggrieved parties under the Agreement. 12 received civil penalties for Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance violations and 78 for Secure Scheduling Ordinance violations.” The OLS also provided the settlement document; it lists the workers but does not match them to which restaurant they worked at. Reviewing that list, we note the largest sum awarded to any one employee appears to be $23,083, which includes back wages, interest, damages, and civil penalties.
We have more information tonight about what the burglar who hit Fauntleroy Schoolhouse earlier this week did across the street on the Fauntleroy Church campus. According to a church representative, he didn’t break into that building, but “took items from the exterior of Hazelwood Preschool which were of low value and very strange.” The preschool is on the lower level of the church building, off the parking lot. The church representative says the items stolen from the preschool included these:
Outdoor mat
Acorn birdhouse
Rainbow whale windsock
Rainbow fish windsock
Wind Chimes and Windcatcher
Sign
Garden gnomeHe also took daffodils from the planting done by the students.
A security camera shows him leaving via Junction-bound RapidRide C Line – which stops in front of the schoolhouse (9100 block California SW) – after bringing the stolen items (including larger ones from the schoolhouse businesses) onto the bus via a stolen hand truvk. If you have any information about the burglary/theft, the SPD incident # is 24-095013.
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