West Seattle, Washington
27 Sunday
(Late-summer flower photographed by Jim Clark this week in Arbor Heights)
Here’s our Friday highlight list, mostly indoors and mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Rain or shine, plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am until 3 pm. Plus, until 2:30 pm, while you’re there, you can visit The Otter Pup for coffee, ice cream, and other treats!
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. Free! (1100 SW Cloverdale)
WADING POOLS: Closed again today citywide because of the cloudy/cooler weather.
COLMAN POOL: You can swim today in the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
SOUTHWEST POOL: Still closed for maintenance/repairs.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: 1-6 pm, open in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
VISCON CELLARS: The tasting room/wine bar is open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Singer-songwriter Jim Page at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.
(added) LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Free album-release show and signing by Enumclaw for “Home in Another Life,” 7 pm, all ages. (4559 California SW)
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
SUMMER SOUND BATH: Indoors tonight – 7:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $38 – tickets and info here.
AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, Rhythm & Rhymes presents: Operation Save Skylark with Tomi Jo, Juá, Lexi Lalauni, Imon, $12 cover, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Peg! (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
YOU SKATE, THEY PLAY: Rat City Recon presents “Make It Loud!” at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), roller skating to live bands, tonight featuring Weep Wave, Sulk, ManWoMan. 9 pm. $18 cover, $5 skate.
What are we missing? If you have something else to add to our event lists and calendar, please email info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather Monday (August 26) to remember Garth Wheeler, and are sharing this remembrance with the community now:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Garth Wheeler in the early morning hours of August 17, 2024. Garth died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Woodinville, on property he purchased in the early 1970s, and on which he built both his family home as well as his retirement home. Garth was 88 years old.
James Garth Wheeler, known as Garth, was born on May 17, 1936 to Wallace (Bud) and Elsie K. (Midge) Wheeler in Tacoma. Garth, who was the oldest of three children, had two younger sisters, Karen and Judy Ann. Garth grew up in Eastern Washington and attended high school in Richland, Washington. After graduating as a Richland Bomber in 1955, Garth joined the Navy where he became a ship’s purser and served on the USS Lyman K. Swenson. Garth enjoyed various deployments throughout the Pacific while in the Navy, and was also stationed in San Diego and San Francisco, California. His purser days instilled the love of accounting that Garth pursued as his career for most of his life. Following four years in the Navy, Garth attended Eastern Washington University and graduated from the University of Washington with an undergraduate degree in accounting in 1962.
After graduating, Garth joined the public accounting firm of Touche, Ross, Bailey & Smart, and earned his public accounting certification in his first year, placing first in his test class. Garth spent ten years as a practicing CPA with Touche Ross before joining Lynden Transport Inc. as controller, moving his family from Bellevue, Washington up north to Lynden, Washington, near the border with Canada. After two years with Lynden Transport, Garth accepted a partnership role with Clark, Nuber & Co. in Bellevue, Washington, and relocated his family to Woodinville to live on three acres of property he purchased a few years prior. Garth continued to pursue financial-related positions of responsibility throughout his career, including with Howard Schultz and as head of finance and administration at Forest Ridge High School. Garth enjoyed not only financial work, but also spending time teaching and mentoring hundreds of people he worked with throughout his career. He eventually hung up his calculator after 50 years in the professional world.
In 1960, Garth met the love of his life, Roberta Ruth Beck, while attending Eastern Washington University. Roberta was born in 1941 and raised in Spokane, where she attended Rogers High School, graduating in 1959. Garth and Roberta began dating while attending Eastern and both transferred to the University of Washington two years later. The happy couple was married on December 17, 1961 in Spokane. Garth and Roberta raised a large, loving family of five children; Jay, Scott, Laurie, Sherry and Craig. They became grandparents in 1994 and at last count enjoyed 15 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Garth lived and exemplified his Christian faith throughout his life. He dearly loved and was deeply committed to his wife and family. Garth was known for his calm demeanor, quick wit, and his ability to make everyone feel comfortable and accepted. Garth loved trains. Rumor has it that when Garth found out that Roberta’s dad was a railroad engineer, his decision to marry Roberta was finalized. Garth loved the University of Washington Huskies, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Seattle Mariners, but only if they were winning. His other true love was reading and working puzzles. Garth was the ultimate handyman throughout his life, building a significant portion of the family home with the help of his two oldest sons. He loved construction projects, remodeling, and repair work – but mostly when it involved working with one of his children or helping out relatives or friends. Garth was always willing to help and brought his loving personality and quick wit to everything he did.
Garth is survived by his wife, Roberta, sister Karen, sons Scott and Craig, and daughters Laurie and Sherry. Garth was preceded in death by his Father and Mother, Sister Judy Ann, and oldest son Jay.
A memorial service for Garth will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, August 26, 2024 at West Side Presbyterian Church, located at 3601 California Avenue SW in West Seattle.
Please share condolences, photos, & memories of Garth on the Tribute Wall at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Garth-Wheeler
Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to we*************@***il.com)
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, August 23.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Showery, possible thunderstorm in the pm, breezy, high in low 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:16 am, while sunset will be at 8:05 pm.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT AND OTHER ROAD WORK
*Rainy forecast means NO WORK, NO CLOSURES tonight and this weekend for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge. Starting next week, the north half of the bridge will close, so the south half will carry traffic both ways temporarily. (That’s what the “Traffic Revision August 26” portable signs are about.)
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch. Watch for no-parking zones and steel plates (many on northbound side right now), plus flaggers.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule for both routes. Friday night, so it runs later.
Metro buses today – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.
STREET CLOSURE PLANNED SATURDAY
The Admiral Funktion festival on Saturday (August 24) will close California between Admiral and College from morning through evening. If rain changes the plan, we’ll update on WSB.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge – Looking east:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
RVs have parked along SW Trenton, northwest of Westwood Village, for years. We noted usually one or two earlier this year. But readers have been pointing out a larger number lately – we’ve counted five in recent weeks – and pointing out that some of the associated activity is blocking the sidewalk. With this on the route students travel to and from the center, we’ve been asked if the city plans any action. So we took the question to the mayor’s office, which convenes the multi-department Unified Care Team, in charge of encampment “resolution.” Here’s the reply we reeived from spokesperson Callie Craighead:
The Unified Care Team (UCT) is closely monitoring this site and coordinating with Parking Enforcement teams to address RVs and other lived-in vehicles that are in violation of the City’s 72-hour parking rules along SW Trenton. The UCT prioritizes encampments for resolution based on public safety data, mobility and accessibility impacts, impact on the environment, and proximity to schools and other spaces where children are present.
A resolution date for this site is pending; in the lead-up to site resolution planning, the UCT will continue coordinating with Parking Enforcement teams as well as providing ongoing trash removal and the mitigation of public health and safety hazards such as propane tanks. Residents should continue to report public safety concerns, criminal activity, or other emergency situations by calling 9-1-1 …
For non-emergency situations, other city reps have advised reporting encampments via Find It Fix It.
With nine days to go until this year’s Alki Beach Pride celebration – the 10th festival organized by Alki residents Jolie and Stacy Bass-Walden – ABP volunteers say the posters they’ve put up are being torn down. It appears to be someone deliberately targeting ABP posters, as others on the same poles have been left up.
ABP volunteer Autumn Lovewell says, “This has never happened before. Makes me so angry and sad that this is happening and it’s always unsettling too.” We asked Autumn if more posters for the August 31 event are available if anyone wants to put up one to make up for the torn-down posters, and she said yes – you can contact ABP at al************@***il.com.
It’s the information long requested by the Community Advisory Group for the Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement project – results of a study on how dock operations would work if the electronic pass Good To Go! is used. The CAG will finally get to hear about and discuss it next Wednesday (August 28). The online meeting also will include an update on how the project might change the Fauntleroy Way intersection at the dock entrance. The meeting at 6 pm Wednesday is open to community attendance; go here to register for the link. The CAG’s most-recent meeting was a little over a month ago (WSB coverage here). The project is still in a relatively early planning stage, with the new dock’s size and configuration yet to be chosen.
When school starts (soon!), some local students will have amazing stories to tell of what they did over the summer. One big achievement was just completed by 17-year-old Julia Barnett – who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail alone! Her proud parents sent this report and photos:
I thought you would like know about a West Seattle teen who just finished solo hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT is a 2,650-mile trail from Mexico to Canada, made famous in the 2014 movie Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon.
Julia Barnett, a 17-year-old student who will be starting her senior year in a couple weeks, started hiking on May 25th at the Mexican border in Campo, California and finished at the Canadian border (Tuesday). While she skipped the Sierras and several sections because of wildfires, she averaged 20 miles per day since starting in May.
She experienced severe heat in the desert and freezing cold, rain-soaked nights in Oregon and Washington, and even had a mountain lion encounter while alone on the trail one night. But she’s healthy and injury-free. Tired, bruised, scarred, tanned, and happy.
Proud Mom and Dad,
Donna and Anthony Barnett
Street changes usually are announced with notices to nearby homes and businesses, but those don’t reach the many other people who also will be affected as they travel through or visit the area, and such is the case for the new features at 39th/Oregon, shown above. Susan emailed us Wednesday after being caught by surprise by the new paint-and-post curb bulbs. We checked in with SDOT, whose spokesperson Ethan Bergerson explained it’s part of ongoing work to “daylight” intersections:
The recently completed project painted new crosswalk markings on the eastern side of the SW Oregon St & 39th Ave SW intersection. It also included new signage indicating that this is a legal crossing, and painted curb bulbs to make it clearer to drivers where parking is not allowed near the intersection. This is called “intersection daylighting” and helps enhance safety by preventing cars from parking illegally in a way that blocks other drivers’ view of oncoming traffic and people crossing the street.
(Here’s the notice nearby homes and businesses received.) Our archives show that community members were seeking safety improvements for this intersection at least as far back as 2016.
Police are investigating a hit-run crash that injured a scooter rider. It happened on Delridge Way near Sylvan Way a short time ago, and the 53-year-old scooter rider is being treated by SFD. The hit-run driver is described as an Asian man in his 50s or 60s driving a gold Toyota Camry or Corolla that would have damage on the driver-side front end, last seen southbound on Delridge. Call 911 with any information.
New work schedule for the rest of the week, according to SDOT‘s Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project team. The two eastbound left lanes will close overnight tonight as planned, but no weekend work, per project spokesperson Dr. Matthew Howard: “We will NOT be performing any work on the bridge after tonight due to rain in the forecast. So Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night, there will be no lane closures and people can use the Viaduct at will.” A rainy forecast – borne out with half an inch of rain – canceled last weekend’s closure plan too.
(Reader photo, texted: Painted rocks seen in Westwood. Photographer says ‘thank you’ to mystery artist)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Thursday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: If you need late-summer-and-beyond plants, the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Annuals, perennials, sun, shade, natives, edibles, ground covers … wide variety!
SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm, free.
COLMAN POOL: You can swim today in the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL CLOSED: The city says it’s NOT opening wading pools today (second consecutive day) because of the cloudy, cooler weather.
SOUTHWEST POOL CLOSED: Repairs and maintenance work continue.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email we***************************@***il.com for info on where they’re playing today.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open Thursdays-Saturdays 1 pm-6 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Food too – stop by to sip and nosh!
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight you’ll find Tandem at HPCS.
VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for a group walk in Lincoln Park – details in our calendar listing.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)
BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday it’s blues night.
TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).
AT THE SKYLARK: All-ages live music with Saloon, Femmes Eat Fruit, The Vulture Queen, 7 pm, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!
(WSB file photo)
Before we get to today’s reminders of calendar highlights, one more weekend note – we just found out last night that Festival CentroAmericano is returning to Westcrest Park this Sunday (August 25).
The celebration of Central American cultures is planned for noon-6 pm Sunday. It has rotated locations between West Seattle and South Park in recent years and this year it’s back here; Westcrest is at 9000 8th SW.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, August 22.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Showers possible, high in upper 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:15 am, while sunset will be at 8:07 pm.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURES, AND OTHER ROAD WORK
The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. Here’s the tentative plan for the rest of the week – including for overnight tonight, same as last night – eastbound left lanes are expected to close 7 pm-6 am, which means the eastbound exits to 1st and 4th would stay open.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge. Starting next week, the north half of the bridge will close, so the south half will carry traffic both ways temporarily. (That’s what the “Traffic Revision August 26” portable signs are about.)
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch. Watch for no-parking zones and steel plates (many on northbound side right now), plus flaggers.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule for both routes.
Metro buses today – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.
STREET CLOSURE SATURDAY
The Admiral Funktion festival on Saturday (August 24) will close California between Admiral and College from morning through evening (festival hours are 11 am to 8 pm; setup starts by 8 am, so the street closure will too).
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge – Looking east:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Before 17-year-old Ellen Rikhof returns to West Seattle High School when classes start in two weeks, she hopes to welcome you to an event she’s presenting as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award work. Her “Deep Sea Conservation Festival” happens this Sunday (August 25), 10 am to 5 pm at the UW Fisheries Science Building – not in West Seattle, but Ellen is hoping to help people from all over the area learn more about the deep-sea ecosystem!
She says that the festival – free to attend – will feature “booths, speakers, crafts, live music, food, and much more … Everyone, regardless of age, background, and expertise, is invited to explore the complexity of the deep sea, the intersection between a healthy ocean and a healthy community, and solutions to current threats to this vibrant ecosystem.” Her project includes “local and global partners such as the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Seattle Aquarium, and Marine Conservation Institute” with the intent “to swirl together education, inspiration, and action to preserve the deep sea.”
The Fisheries Science Building is on the UW campus at 1122 NE Boat Street – here’s a map.
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
STOLEN VANAGON: Sent by Jesse:
Unfortunately my 1984 VW Vanagon Westfalia was stolen today from SW Seattle Street sometime after 5 PM. If you could have readers keep an eye out for it, I would really appreciate it. It has a Washington Collector Plate with a license #BUB7527. The only other notable is that the roof rack is currently not on the vehicle. Police report number 24-236176.
Call 911 if you find it.
Back on Monday, we reported on SPD’s spotlight on two arrests that happened in separate West Seattle incidents in the early morning hours of August 7th, and promised to follow up on the suspects’ status. We found out that one suspect has been charged and one has not, yet:
GUN CHARGE: 32-year-old Robert C. Brown Jr. of Highland Park is charged with one count of unlawful gun possession. He is the suspect arrested after what police say was an attempted burglary in South Delridge after a gunfire incident in White Center. Charging documents say Brown was linked to the gunfire because ammunition found in a gun in his possession when he was arrested matched spent casings at the gunfire scene. Police say he is a convicted felon so he could not legally possess a gun; this gun was not reported stolen but, police say, had previously belonged to a “homicide victim in Federal Way.” His bail was set at $100,000 the day after his arrest; he was released after posting bond and is due back in court tomorrow for arraignment.
NOT CHARGED YET: In the other August 7 arrest, that of a man accused of breaking into Gatewood mailboxes, no charges are filed yet against the 28-year-old suspect, who lives in Kent. The case hadn’t been referred to prosecutors by the rush-filing deadline on August 9, so he was released from jail. This doesn’t mean he’ll never be charged – sometimes charges are filed weeks or even months after arrests.
With rain in the forecast for this Friday night, Camp Long is rescheduling the third and final outdoor movie of summer.
“Elemental” will be on the big screen Friday, August 30, at dusk, in the Camp Long meadow (5200 35th SW). Camp Long’s Matt Kostle announced earlier this summer that it was one of the three movies that won the community vote for what to show. Free, all ages, bring your own blanket or chair! (Sunset that night will be 7:52 pm.)
(WSB photo, April)
Not only is September 21 – one month from today – the last day of summer, it’s also the date for the next Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church. Mark the change of seasons by clearing out what you no longer need or can use, and bringing it to the church lot at 9140 California SW, 9 am-3 pm that day. It’s free, in partnership with 1 Green Planet. Just be sure that what you’re dropping off is on the official list of what they’re accepting – and we already have that list, so you can check it out here right now.
That photo is from a reader near Fauntleroy and Edmunds, reporting tap water that looks and smells bad, first noticed around 3:45 pm:
(It is) yellow-colored water with a strong bleach smell from the cold water line. It is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The chemical smell is so strong that it actually smells like bleach, not a faint chlorine smell at all.
If you’re having water trouble, always report it to SPU at 206-386-1800; our tipster has called and is waiting to hear back.
A little time can make a big difference, if you can be a volunteer mentor for a new program at West Seattle High School. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for 30 adult volunteers to mentor 9th through 12th graders once a month in a program called “MentorU.”
One in three kids in America are growing up without a sustained, positive adult mentor in their lives and over 500 youth are on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound’s waitlist for a mentor. The gap between mentorship and youth who need it most continues to widen due to adult volunteers’ perceived barriers of the time and expertise needed to become a mentor. Understanding the critical need, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound seeks to engage and galvanize community members to help bridge the gap between people and possibility. Contrary to what potential volunteers might assume, no special qualifications are needed to be a great mentor.
The MentorU program engages local adult volunteers and 9th through 12th graders in 1:1 mentoring relationships with 90-minute meetings just once each month during the academic year. Mentors meet with their mentee to provide insights into the professional world and support mentees’ social-emotional development. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound provides a facilitator who guides mentors & mentees through a curriculum that prepares mentees for post-secondary education, employment, enlistment, and entrepreneurship. The program uses a cohort-based approach, working with incoming 9th graders, with the goal of ongoing student participation from 9th through 12th grade.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for adults who live or work in or near West Seattle who are interested in mentoring these young people. To be great mentors, adults don’t need to have a specific title, a degree, or any special qualifications other than being compassionate, patient, and accepting. Even the littlest moments can grow into big ones – sometimes all teens need is a little encouragement, a little advice, and a little inspiration.
Mentoring has a long track record of proven positive outcomes, in particular, 100% of young people matched with mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound graduate high school. A staggering 79% of youth with a mentor experienced improvement in or reported no worsening of depressive symptoms – a goal which MentorU’s social-emotional programming directly supports.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for 30 volunteers of all gender identities, ethnicities, nationalities, and backgrounds who are willing to spend just an hour and a half per month to help teens in MentorU achieve their BIGGEST, brightest futures. Are YOU ready to #BEBIG? Learn more and get started at inspirebig.org/mentoru
(WSB photo: Diesel-powered Water Taxi M/V Sally Fox, as seen Tuesday at Seacrest)
You’ve likely heard about Washington State Ferries‘ plan to build electric vessels. Our area’s foot-ferry fleet, Metro Transit‘s King County Water Taxi, is moving that way too. In a recent newsletter, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka mentioned that the Puget Sound Regional Council‘s Executive Board – on which he serves – had approved funding for “electrification improvements” to the Water Taxi. (The money originates with federal highway and transit funds, Saka added.) So we asked Metro’s Al Sanders for details. He tells WSB:
As part of Metro’s transition to becoming a zero-emission fleet, the Marine Division is researching the technology available that will allow the Water Taxis to go from using diesel-powered vessels to sailing with ships that use hybrid and/or battery-electric power.
The $1.7 million grant awarded by the Puget Sound Regional Council will be used on the design and engineering of new electric vessels and associated charging infrastructure needed to support the fleet. The grant would be used to initiate the design of two new 150-passenger battery electric vessels, along with the design of shoreside vessel charging and other electrical infrastructure at Pier 50.
When in service, the vessels will reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with water taxi service in support of the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan.
Sanders says the design work hasn’t started, so there’s no timeline for this yet. The two current Water Taxis, M/V Doc Maynard and M/V Sally Fox, were both launched in 2015, at a total cost of $11.8 million, also mostly from federal funding.
The report and photos are from Liz, near 41st and Raymond:
At 3:15 yesterday (8/20) afternoon two thieves came by in a blue and white truck and stole our e-bike. There was a motorcycle chain on the bike that they cut through, and while they worked, they wore a bright vest to appear like a utility worker.
The offenders wore a mask and their license plate is not clear enough to read. The bike is a RadRunner by Rad Power Bikes, dark green with a produce basket mounted on the back.
No police report # yet.
The Northwest Open Water Swimming Association has three swimmers planning marathon swims in the area this week, starting with one happening right now:
HAPPENING NOW: Above is a screenshot of the tracker showing where Chelsea Lee was moments ago – at 10:45 am – in her attempt to complete what’s known as the Bert Thomas Swim, almost 19 miles from Old Town Dock in Tacoma to Point Williams by Colman Pool in West Seattle. NOWSA’s Amanda Winans explains, “Chelsea trains at Alki Beach and has also completed the Amy Hiland Swim in 2022, from Bremerton to the Alki Lighthouse.” Amanda is the official observer on the support boat for this swim and is one of two other swimmers who’ve done this swim since its namesake in 1956; the other is Andrew Malinak, who is also aboard the support boat as pilot. Chelsea started in the 6 am hour this morning and if successful will reach Point Williams in mid-afternoon. (Update: As of 2:20 pm, they are projecting 3 pm-ish. Second update: Tracker indicates she finished in just over 9 hours! Third update: Amanda sent the photo and reports, “Chelsea finished in about 9 hours, 3 min, at 3:07 pm at Colman Pool. She got to finish it off in style and go down the Colman Pool slide! Photo is by Stephanie Zimmerman.)
Amanda also tells us about two other marathon swims planned this week:
FRIDAY: Wendy Van De Sompele of Vashon Island – who you might know as aquatic director at Colman Pool – plans to swim from Alki Point to West Point, six miles. If successful, Amanda says, Wendy will be the first person to complete 5 out of the 6 swims in the Puget Sound Lighthouse Series. She plans to start her swim from Alki Point at 10 am Friday (August 23).
SUNDAY: This is a round trip, also from Alki Point, Amanda explains:
An all-female relay, supported by a female pilot and a female observer (local marathon swimmer Stephanie Zimmerman) will swim an unprecedented route for NOWSA from Alki Point Lighthouse, around Blake Island, and back to the lighthouse. Melissa Kegler, a Triple Crown marathon swimmer (English Channel, Catalina Channel, around Manhattan Island) spearheads the relay, which includes women covering all decades from 30-70: Becky Smith, Carol Horowitz, Guila Muir, Emily White, and Shea DeWald. They are all “Notorious Alki Swimmers” who you will find swimming regularly from the Alki Bathhouse, and Carol, Emily, and Shea are West Seattle residents. Boat support will be provided by Seastr PNW, an organization dedicated to inclusive access to waterborne activities for people who have been historically excluded from the maritime industry and water sports. They will be starting from the Alki Lighthouse at 8 am, and returning back sometime in the afternoon.
Both of those swims will use the same online tracker as today – find it here.
(Late-summer rose – photo sent by Susan Whiting Kemp)
Here’s our list of what’s happening today/tonight in West Seattle, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always preview the hours, days, and weeks ahead!):
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day, 11 am-8 pm, free.
COLMAN POOL: Swim in the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL CLOSED: The city says wading pools will NOT open today because cool, cloudy weather is expected to continue into afternoon.
SOUTHWEST POOL CLOSED: The repair/maintenance closure for West Seattle’s city-run indoor pool continues.
MAGIC SHOW AT THE LIBRARY: 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), Maritess Zurbano will amaze you with sleight-of-hand! Free.
TODDLER STORY TIME AT THE LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
PAINT AT THE PUB: 4 pm watercolor-painting workshop with Emily Lee at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) – beginners welcome, all supplies provided, $20. Registration link is in our calendar listing.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.
FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.
‘GET FIT’ INFO NIGHT: Also at West Seattle Runner, 6:30 pm, info night for the Get Fit free group-training program to get ready for a marathon!
TRIVIA x 4: Four places where you play tonight: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
YOGA IN THE PARK: Two West Seattle teachers lead this outdoor-yoga event at Myrtle Reservoir Park (35th/Myrtle), 6:30 pm – follow the link for ticket info.
MUSIC BINGO X 2: Two options! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … At Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo at 7:30 pm Wednesdays, hosted by Mingo Maniac.
OUTDOOR YOGA AND MORE: Outdoor Kundalini Yoga, Breath Work, Meditation and Gong Bath, 7 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW), ticket info in our calendar listing.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The spotlight is yours! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Planning a show, presentation, meeting, open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can get it onto West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! we*************@***il.com – thank you!
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