West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
4:54 PM: SFD is responding to a fire reported in the 2100 block of Halleck SW [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
4:57 PM: SFD says it’s a residential fire and their crews have water on it.
(Added: Reader photo)
5:04 PM: The fire is now reported “knocked down” and firefighters are searching the interior of the residence.
(Added: This photo and next by Christopher Boffoli)
5:15 PM: No one reported inside, and no injuries, per SFD.
5:57 PM: Many of the units have been dismissed; several are still on scene. The fire’s cause is under investigation.
ADDED FRIDAY: We asked SFD if the cause had been determined yet. Spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Investigators ruled the fire was accidental, and likely caused by overheated electrical wiring. Estimated loss is $150,000.”
(Added: Seattle Channel video)
3:33 PM: Mayor Bruce Harrell has just debuted the first draft of his proposed transportation-levy renewal. The current Levy to Move Seattle is expiring after nine years and $930 million, covering 30 percent of the city’s transportation budget; the new levy would run for the next eight years, raising $1.35 billion. Harrell was clear that this is “the start of a discussion” – as with the expiring levy, this one will likely go through some changes before a final version is sent to the November ballot. The summary of the levy says, “The proposed levy would cost the median Seattle homeowner about $36 per month, approximately $12 more per month than the current levy.” (A current “median home” is considered to be valued at $866,000.)
Here’s the full draft proposal. It includes a few West Seattle specifics as example projects the levy could/would fund:
• Fauntleroy Way SW — Paving to keep roadway functional during light rail station construction and support future improvements.
• 35th Ave SW: SW Morgan St to SW Alaska St — Street reconstruction with a corridor safety analysis and evaluation of transit improvements. Includes sidewalk repair, crossing improvements, and evaluation of bike routes.
• Olson Pl SW / 1st Ave S: 2nd Ave SW to SW Cloverdale St — Street reconstruction with a widened sidewalk or trail and treatments to keep vehicles from skidding on wet pavement.
As mentioned in the Fauntleroy description above, some of this would synergize with the upcoming Sound Transit light-rail expansion to West Seattle (which is projected to open just as this new levy expires at the end of 2032), including “connections” for the West Seattle Junction station, and ST’s interim CEO Goran Sparrman (who is also a former SDOT director) spoke at the unveiling. (added) The 35th SW project is also notable, as the corridor went through rechannelization and other changes south of Morgan in the 2010s before the idea of an overhaul north of Morgan was shelved in 2018 (with some spot changes then made, such as the Graham crossing and the Camp Long light).
WHAT’S NEXT: You have three weeks – until April 26 – to offer feedback to shape the final levy proposal the mayor sends to the City Council in May; go here to do that. The final version of the levy is expected to go to voters this November.
ADDED 5:48 PM: District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, who chairs the Transportation Committee and will lead the council review of the levy proposal, sent this statement:
This Transportation Levy is a once-in-a-decade chance to build a safer, better connected and more reliable Seattle.
Over my first 100 days in office, I have helped fill potholes with road maintenance crews, walked along city streets in desperate need of sidewalks, and surveyed the state of Seattle’s bridges. At every turn, I saw SDOT employees hard at work with limited resources doing everything they can with to keep our city safe. Now, it’s time for us elected leaders to step up and make sure they have everything they need to do their jobs better, faster, and more effectively.
I appreciate Mayor Harrell’s work on this framework for the levy and see we are in alignment on many key issues. The Council has a lot of hard work ahead of it to review and improve upon this proposal. I am ready and eager to lead that collaborative effort.
Today we’re welcoming Spruce Hill Winery as a new WSB sponsor. New sponsors get to tell you about themselves – here’s what Spruce Hill Winery wants you to know:
Spruce Hill Winery is owned and operated by Mark and Jo Bader, former longtime residents of West Seattle. While we recently moved out of the area, we raised our now-grown kids in West Seattle and still have many ties there.
Our winemaking goes back 20 years, from humble beginnings in our garage, to working for other wineries, and finally to opening our own winery. We are both graduates of Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College. We are a small, family-owned operation, and we make the wine ourselves in our SODO facility, from selecting the grapes to bottling the final product. We are involved in every step of the process and are proud to offer our guests a taste of our craft and passion.
We love being outdoors, and our brand and artwork reflect our love and appreciation of the Pacific Northwest. The Spruce Hill Winery name and iconic mountain view on the label were inspired by a visit to one of our favorite places, the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, where we were awed by the majestic Sitka Spruce trees. Our mission is to make premium wine, sourced from some of the best vineyards in Washington State. From crisp whites perfect for warm weather to bold, full-bodied reds, we have a selection of wines to suit every taste.
Our tasting room in SODO is a 7-minute drive from the Junction, just two blocks north of the West Seattle Bridge on 4th Ave S. It has an industrial vibe, with active winemaking often happening during tasting room hours, especially in the fall. We are always happy to answer questions about winemaking or show guests around the production space.
We share our tasting room space with another winery, T2 Cellar, owned by West Seattle residents Todd Threlkeld and Anne Stevens, and Republic of Cider. The businesses run independently but guests can select from any of the offerings in the tasting room, creating an opportunity for everyone at the table to get exactly what they want. Guests appreciate our easy-to-find location, our close proximity to several other wineries, easy free parking, and, of course, our delicious wines! Spruce Hill Winery is a member of Seattle Urban Wineries, a trade organization that focuses on promoting Seattle area wineries and tasting rooms.
Spruce Hill Winery Tasting Room is at 2960 4th Ave. S., #109. Hours are Friday, 3-6 pm; Saturday, 1-6 pm. Questions? info@sprucehillwinery.com or 206-588-6643.
We thank Spruce Hill Winery 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!
That’s a Google Maps image of the restroom building at the Whale Tail Park end of Alki Playground. Andrew emailed us about it, noting that it’s still “perpetually closed” despite usage in high gear with the arrival of spring, including youth baseball and soccer, pickleball, and other park/playground users. We checked the Seattle Parks map/dashboard tracking restroom status – which labels it a “seasonal closure.” Andrew says one side also has signage about vandalism, but a Parks spokesperson checked on that and reported back, “Just closed for winter. Will be reopened soon. Sounds like the winter closure sign may have gone missing and the vandalism sign was the one that the staffperson had on hand.” So take note that the spring reopenings of buildings closed for the winter aren’t complete yet; if you happen onto what instead seems to be a maintenance or damage problem at any Parks facilities, the number to call is 206-684-7250.
The river and the salmon need you. Find your spot right now for the one-day, multiple-location Duwamish Alive! restoration event – here’s the info:
Celebrate Earth Day with Duwamish Alive! Help Restore Our River.
Saturday, April 20th, 10 – 2 at multiple watershed locations
Join us for Duwamish Alive! in restoring habitat along the Green-Duwamish River for juvenile salmon that are coming down the river this spring. Our river is home to all 5 salmon species, including Chinook, which are important to our local resident orca. We will be restoring habitat at multiple locations throughout the watershed along the river, its upland forests and creeks – we are all connected. Həʔapus Village Park will have our Duwamish tribal welcome, presentations, and tabling — all are invited, volunteers and visitors. Instruction, tools, and snacks are provided for restoration activities. This is a family friendly event, all ages welcome.
Afterward, attend a special event at the Duwamish Longhouse with two indigenous Wisdom Keepers from the Hopi and Spokane Tribes sharing indigenous perspectives about climate change and their experience attending the Dubai Climate Summit: Duwamish Longhouse 4705 W Marginal Wy SW – 1:00 – 3:00
For more information and volunteer registration go to DuwamishAlive.org
Questions? info@duwamishalive.org
(Bald Eagle in pond on future Alki Elementary site, photographed by Don Brubeck)
Here are the highlights of what’s up today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: First week of the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, Mondays through Thursdays.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop-in space open at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau) until noon.
NAVIGATING MEDICARE: Learn about it at 11 am at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon)
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.
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm class at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: 4-9 pm, get food from Habit Burger (35th/Avalon) and part of the proceeds go to the West Seattle High School softball team – here’s the flyer to print out or show on your phone.
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 MoMo’s Kebab.
FREE ECO-ARTS CLASS: New time – 5-7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – you’re invited to drop in!
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.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.
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.
(Photo courtesy Lisa Stromme Warren)
‘MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL’: Second-to-last chance to see West Seattle High School‘s production, 7 pm. Ticket info is in our calendar listing.
SILENT BOOK CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Long list of places you can read this month with the Silent Book Club – and they’re all in our calendar listing (with some specials too)! Grab your book and be there – somewhere – 7 to 9 pm, (Early arrival advised to snag a spot.)
NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: The community coalition for White Center and vicinity meets online at 7 pm – our calendar listing has agenda and connection info.
THURSDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Burger Planet (9614 14th SW) in White Center now has Thursday night trivia at 7 pm – prizes!
OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘ENGLISH’: Almost sold out already! The new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) opens at 7:30 pm.
JOKES AT THE JUNCTION: 8 pm comedy at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW), featuring Emmett Montgomery – tickets here!
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this one? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
That’s one of the resident beavers in West Seattle’s Longfellow Creek (video sent by Manuel in March). Want to know more about these wild neighbors? Here’s an advance look ahead to a one-of-a-kind event this weekend in West Seattle: Sunday afternoon, you can celebrate International Beaver Day with locally based Beavers Northwest at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW). Part of the proceeds will go to the nonprofit. And all of the fun goes to you! Arts and crafts, DIY beaver trivia, live music with Sue Quigley. Full details here; be there 2-5 pm Sunday (April 7); Sue performs at 3:30 pm. Ounces is all-ages.
6 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 4.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly cloudy, showers possible, high in the low 50s. Sunrise will be at 6:40 am, sunset at 7:44 pm.
TRAFFIC ALERT
Tree-trimming today and tomorrow on a north section of 21st SW in advance of repaving – details here.
SPRING BREAK
Continuing through Friday for some schools (including Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Family, and the Highline district). Then next week, it’s most other schools, including Seattle Public Schools.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here – lots of trip cancellations this week.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Reminder, no service the weekend of April 13-14 to prepare for the summer season.
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:
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 opening 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!
(WSB photos. Above, One Seattle Plan project manager Michael Hubner addresses attendees)
By Sean Golonka
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
About 80 West Seattle residents and others came together at Chief Sealth International High School tonight for an open house on the draft One Seattle Plan — a wide-ranging update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan for growth and development that several attendees expressed concerns over as insufficient to address the city’s dire housing needs.
“I feel like it’s been underwhelming,” said John Doherty, a 28-year-old software engineer who lives in West Seattle. “We need more growth in the city.”
Doherty and others attending the open house, the fourth of eight the city has planned to gather feedback on the once-in-a-decade update to its Comprehensive Plan, echoed a concern shared throughout Seattle neighborhoods: that the city is in a housing crisis, and more must be built to meet the needs of its residents.
Michael Hubner, project manager for the One Seattle Plan with the Office of Planning and Community Development, highlighted the stakes of the plan as city officials embark on an effort to reshape Seattle’s growth over the next 20 years.
The report and photo were sent tonight by Chelsea:
Our car was stolen today from in front of our house – a blue Highlander, license plate BKT2250. 36th SW in the Hansen View neighborhood.
That’s southwest of The Mount (which is in the 4800 block of 35th SW). Call 911 if you see it.
ADDED: SPD incident # is 24-090308.
7:26 PM: Seattle Fire has a “rescue extrication” response at 30th and Barton, reporting it’s a three-vehicle crash, one flipped and one person trapped.
7:31 PM: SFD says firefighters got the person out safely and that three people are hurt, no major injuries.
8:14 PM: Added photo, originally posted by Heather in a comment.
ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: Here’s what SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells us about the people who were hurt:
Crews treated the following patients:
-35-year-old female who was in stable condition. She was transported to Harborview via AMR.
-57-year-old male who was safely extricated from their vehicle and was in stable condition. He declined transportation to a hospital and was left with Seattle Police.
-A third person reported no injuries and declined medical evaluation.
Two food biznotes tonight:
(Photo sent by Joel)
IN PIZZA WE CRUST: Thanks to everyone who sent photos of the signage that’s popped up in the windows at 3207 California SW, where The Swinery recently closed. It’ll become home to the wood-fired pizza of In Pizza We Crust, which you can currently find in the U District, a family business whose backstory is here. We have messages out to find out more about their West Seattle plan.
ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: Just heard back from In Pizza We Crust’s Stephanie Tran. She tells us:
We have acquired the location, where we will settle our new business venture. We are a family-run business with our three sons and started out as a food truck doing wood-fired pizza with a semi-permanent location in Bellevue for 6 years. We have also done many offsite events like concerts, festivals and many private parties, just to name a few. Our goal is to continue our food truck business, as we already have a summer filled calendar this year. Our food truck business is on pause for now until we are able to open the shop on California Ave. We have some permits that will take up to 60 days once plans are submitted so our open date is still tbd, but hoping for early June if all goes well! The biggest change to the ex-Swinery location will be changing the BBQ pit area in the courtyard to a dome brick oven. The second largest change will be to transform the front room into a casual dining area where folks can dine year round. The courtyard area will also have seating in a covered outdoor space where folks can watch all the pizza action. We couldn’t be more exited to be part of West Seattle’s warm community. Fun fact, I went to West Seattle HS my senior year!
LOTUS ON THE BEACH: We reported last week that this new Asian restaurant was close to opening at 2768 Alki SW, formerly home to (speaking of pizza) Pegasus. Now LOTB has announced its plan to “soft open” on Sunday, April 14. Same ownership as nearby Alki Phở & Bar, planning to offer “a hybrid of traditional and Asian fusion inspired dishes.”
Just in from SDOT: Repaving is coming up on Puget Ridge and Pigeon Point (and a bit beyond), with tree-trimming the next two days to get ready for it. Here’s the announcement:
SDOT crews will repave on 21st Ave SW and 22nd/23rd Ave SW between SW Dawson St and SW Oregon St.
The paving will occur:
Monday 4/8 – Wednesday 4/10 on 21st Ave SW
Thursday 4/11 – Sunday 4/14 on 22nd/23rd Ave SWIn prep for the paving, SDOT will also tree-prune tomorrow 4/4 and Friday 4/5 on 21st Ave SW.
During work hours, we’ll keep 1 lane open to alternate between northbound and southbound traffic.
Here’s a flyer with full details on the repaving plan, including parking restrictions.
So far today, we’ve had two brown-water reports – from Garrett in Arbor Heights and Melinda in North Delridge. Again today, no Seattle Public Utilities work mapped in West Seattle – either emergency or planned – so it’s likely hydrant testing stirring up sediment (rust) in the lines again, but if it happens to you, ALWAYS report it to SPU’s 24-hour hotline, 206-386-1800. The discoloration is not toxic but can stain your laundry, so you’ll want to be sure the water runs clear before you resume that.
(Port of Seattle photo, Norwegian Bliss in 2018)
As commenter CarDriver pointed out below the morning traffic/transportation roundup, Seattle’s cruise season is about to start – you’ll see the first of those giant passenger ships on Elliott Bay by Saturday (April 6), when NCL’s Norwegian Bliss is expected to sail from Pier 66 on the downtown waterfront. The port already offers shore power at its other cruise terminal, in Magnolia, and has been working on it for Pier 66 (see info on the $44 million project here), but it won’t be available at the start of the season. Port of Seattle spokesperson Peter McGraw tells WSB that the shore-power capability at Pier 66 is expected to launch around midseason (which would be midsummer, as cruise season continues until early October). See this year’s ship schedule here.
11:49 AM: Great day to get out and play! Thanks to Janice for the photo showing the fencing is down at the Westcrest Park play area, one week after Seattle Parks told us the new equipment was expected to open within two weeks. (We’re checking with Parks to see if the work is truly all done, as the fencing removal would suggest.) The old play structure was closed three years ago because of safety concerns. The same contractor that worked on this replacement is now supposed to be fully focused on the seven-years-closed Lincoln Park South Play Area, which Parks expects will be finished in June.
1:17 PM: Parks says this isn’t officially open yet: “This new play structure installation is complete. The play area will reopen at the end of the week after final inspections are complete.”
(Black Turnstone, photographed at Constellation Park by James Tilley)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are reminders for the rest of today/tonight:
DROP-IN CREATIVITY: Bring your art/craft project to West Side Presbyterian Church (3605 California SW) until 11:30 am Wednesdays!
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: First week of the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, Mondays through Thursdays.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: Budget updates are part of what’s on the agenda for the Seattle School Board, whose regular meeting starts at 4:15 pm – you can attend in person at district HQ or watch the live stream here.
(added) DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Just out of the inbox:
Marination ma kai is hosting a Dine Out to support Alki Co-Op Preschool on Wednesday, April 3rd! Come say aloha and enjoy some delicious tacos or kimchi fried rice for dinner (5 pm – 8 pm) and Marination will donate a percentage of the total sales during the event hours to the school. There are yummy options for the kids too! Takeout orders also count. Marination ma kai is located at 1660 Harbor Avenue SW.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
‘ONE SEATTLE PLAN’ OPEN HOUSE: As previewed here, you can drop in at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) 6-7:30 pm tonight to learn about what the draft version of this growth plan envisions for your neighborhood, and to ask questions/offer comments.
FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run, 6 pm.
FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four places to 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)
‘MEAN GIRLS, THE MUSICAL‘: Second and final week for the West Seattle High School production, 7 pm. Get tickets here! (3000 California SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the student-led Sexual Violence Resource Group at West Seattle High School asked us to publish this message so the community beyond campus can find out about their work too:
Sexual Assault Awareness Month, observed in April, is an opportunity to educate ourselves about sexual violence; including its prevalence in our community, and how we can prevent it. A student-led group at West Seattle High School, the Sexual Violence Resource Group(SVRG), has made it a goal to take on this effort. So far, they’ve organized educator trainings at their school and collaborated with local organizations such as the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center. One of their main objectives is to raise awareness about available resources, leading them to compile a comprehensive support service list for those in the Greater Seattle area. This list can be found at wshssvrg.carrd.co/#support.
Sexual violence in our community is rampant, and it’s vital to act against it in any way possible. Education and self-awareness are some of the best ways to prevent sexual violence. For example, it is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes, a statistic that has grown in recent years (WHO and 1in6.org). In a survey done by the SVRG, 11.3% of students at their school reported they had been sexually assaulted during their time enrolled at West Seattle High School. These numbers represent an urgent need for sexual violence prevention efforts and support for survivors. Together, we can create a safer West Seattle where sexual violence is not tolerated.
Learn more about the SVRG and follow their efforts – @wshs_svrg on Instagram.
Helpful Support Services:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text: 988
Chatline: 988lifeline.org/chatNational Sexual Assault Hotline*
Call: 800.656.4673
Chatline: online.rainn.orgKing County Sexual Assault Resource Center Hotline*
Call: 888.998.6423*24/7 hotline accessible to anyone – from survivors to educators and friends.
If you know someone who might benefit from this information, you can use the SHARE THIS link below (as with any WSB post, calendar listing, etc.) to forward it to them in a variety of ways.
8:52 AM: Thanks for the tip. Texter says a bus is broken down on the 99 onramp from the high bridge.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, April 3.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
More rain likely, some sun too, high in the low 50s. Sunrise will be at 6:42 am, sunset at 7:43 pm.
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners close out the home stand with a day game, 1:10 pm vs. Cleveland.
SPRING BREAK
Continuing all week for some schools (including Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Family, and the Highline district). Then next week, it’s most other schools, including Seattle Public Schools.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here. Reminder that this is the first week with the twice-yearly “service change” in effect – here’s our look at West Seattle changes.
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
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:
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 opening 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!
By Sean Golonka
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The sounds of Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier” intermingled with the chatter of more than two dozen 7th-graders as students in Alan Blackman’s Washington state history class filed into the library at Denny International Middle School today.
At the front of the room stood Lenard Howze, whose grandfather was a Buffalo Soldier and whose father founded the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle, a regional nonprofit dedicated to community outreach and youth engagement.
Blackman had previously spent time in class teaching his students about the Buffalo Soldiers, Black servicemen who served in the 1800s and 1900s (some of their history is told by the National Museum of African American History and Culture and National Park Service).
Now Howze was at Denny to give the students a look at the equipment the soldiers wore and used and to educate them on the Buffalo Soldiers’ role in American history – including their service here in the Pacific Northwest.
(Photo courtesy ArtsWest)
Preview night tomorrow is already sold out – but you can still get tickets for opening night and beyond for the next ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) production, “English,” the play that won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Here’s how West Seattle’s only playhouse describes “English”:
Have you ever found yourself straddling more than one culture? Experienced the joy of finding parts of yourself you didn’t know existed? The fear of losing touch with who are by immersing yourself in one culture over another? Have you ever felt caught in the in-between? “English” explores this lifelong journey and its push and pull of self-discovery.
“English” by Sanaz Toossi takes place in a classroom in Iran, where four adult students are preparing for the TOEFL — the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Each student’s future hinges on passing the exam for very different reasons – family, education, immigration, exploring the unknown. Their teacher, Marjan, lived abroad for 9 years in Manchester, England, and has returned home to raise her family and teach. She loves teaching, but a part of her will always wonder who she would have been if she had stayed in Manchester.
“English” is directed by Naghmeh Samini and will be presented Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm, through April 28th. Tickets are available here – just a few left for opening weekend.
Thanks to Brenda for the tip. Seattle Police investigated a burglary at Advance Auto Parts (4505 38th SW) early today. SPD says they investigated a reported alarm around 5 am and found someone had pried open the back door to get inside. They weren’t able to reach the store’s owner/management at the time so they secured the door after confirming the burglar(s) were gone.
(Photos courtesy SDOT. Above, by Tim Durkan)
As previewed here last night in our report on the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s latest meeting, dignitaries including Mayor Bruce Harrell gathered this morning for the East Marginal Way Corridor Project‘s ceremonial groundbreaking. One point of the event – also spotlighted at the WSTC’s meeting – was the mayor’s plan to later this week debut a draft of this year’s proposed transportation-levy renewal. From SDOT‘s summary of this morning’s event:
Later this week, Mayor Harrell will share a draft proposal to renew the transportation levy and address critical safety and maintenance needs across the city, including freight improvements. The levy renewal would fund repairs, maintenance, and modernizations to keep people and freight moving safely and reliably.
The levy proposal will allocate millions specifically for freight improvements and paving on major truck streets, supporting delivering goods and services, and focusing repair on the 20 percent of major truck streets in poor condition identified as part of SDOT’s data-driven Asset Management Strategy.
The levy renewal proposal builds upon the significant groundwork and community input that is shaping the future of transportation in the Seattle Transportation Plan.
(Photo by Luke Gardner)
The mayor also made a point of noting that part of the funding for the East Marginal project – currently in Phase 1, north of Spokane Street – came from the current transportation levy, which expires this year.
According to the project website, the central section of the project is in design, but the south segment is “unfunded for both design and construction” so far.
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