West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
(Photo by Gary Jones, who explains, “Recently at Alki Point – crow trying to dislodge perceived intruder to no avail”)
The first weekend of February is here, and so is the list of today/tonight possibilities in West Seattle, mostly from our event calendar:
OLYMPIC TRIALS WATCH PARTY: West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) is opening early for this, 7 am. Come watch, then join the 8 am group run (or stay at the shop and keep watching)!
FREE! GROUP RUN: Even if you’re not coming early to watch the Olympic trials, start your Saturday with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run! All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
ANIMATED ANNIVERSARY: The Animated Café pink coffee-and-more trailer is celebrating two years in business today – proprietor Melanie (“Ana”) “is going to have balloons and as always doing $2 off for anyone who comes dressed up in a fun animated-themed outfit.” Open 8 am-5 pm today. (4518 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event but registration required.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Scheduled to be open today:
We are open 10 am-2 pm on Fridays and Saturdays! We have all your indoor plant needs, with pots, advice and more! Plus, any last-minute winter outside plants you might need. The Garden Center at South Seattle College provides Landscape Horticulture students the opportunity to increase their knowledge of plants while gaining real-world retail experience. Plants available for sale are selected, propagated, grown and presented by students. Additional plants are brought in from local growers. Proceeds benefit Landscape Horticulture Program projects.The selection includes perennials, ground covers, shrubs, some annual edibles and flowers, as well as indoor plants. The Garden Center is located in the North Parking Lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th Ave SW)
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.
EZELL’S ANNIVERSARY: The famous-fried-chicken company, with a location in Morgan Junction (Fauntleroy/California, open 10:30 am-7 pm today), celebrates its 40th anniversary, having opened its first restaurant on February 3, 1984, in the Central District. (Added: Learn more about Ezell’s in this video made by local documentarian BJ Bullert when Ezell’s opened its West Seattle restaurant.)
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
MATADOR ANNIVERSARY: All Matador locations including West Seattle (4546 California SW) are celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary today, with deals “including $5 house margaritas and a special $5 happy hour menu, available from 4-6 pm and 10 pm-close.” The restaurant/bar is open 11 am-2 am today.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
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: Tasting room/wine bar open 1-6 pm, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
WOMEN’S RETREAT: 1-6 pm sangha – details in our calendar listing.
FREE MUSIC AND FOOD: Community meal with TheHomeSkillit.com, 3-7 pm at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) – everyone welcome.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Circle of Songs at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, no cover.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Third night for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Punk show with Pink Steam, Me and Who?, Gender Envy at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm, $12.
BEATS: Saturday night DJ at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, Hot ‘N’ Spicy Disco spins. (4547 California SW, alley side)
KARAOKE: Saturday night, sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm, with Michael Van Fleet.
Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s welcome, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
11:36 PM: Police are blocking all lanes of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge except the exit lane to northbound 99, because of what so far appears to be a one-vehicle crash, with the driver apparently having walked away from the scene – possibly westbound in the eastbound lanes.
12:07 AM: Officers just told dispatch that all lanes on the bridge have reopened. The mystery of the driver hasn’t been solved yet; officers went to the South Seattle residence of the vehicle’s registered owner but reported back that no one answered the door. (Added: The vehicle is a Hyundai Sonata.)
For the second time this week, relatives and schoolmates of 15-year-old Mobarak Adam gathered outside Chief Sealth International High School and marched to nearby Southwest Teen Life Center/Pool, where he died 10 days ago in a shooting that has been classified as a homicide. Police have not disclosed what they have learned so far about the circumstances of the shooting in a restroom at the center. Whatever happened, the protesters say, Mobarak is another young life lost to gun violence that needs to stop. Like Monday’s rally, this one had short, often emotional speeches. Mobarak’s brother remembered him as “the best brother anyone could have”:
Some of Mobarak’s friends spoke too:
Adults spoke as well, including a family representative:
Some like Chief Sealth assistant principal Hope Perry and Denny International Middle School principal Mary Ingraham reminded the students that they have a role in keeping each other safe:
Government reps were there too – including School Board member Gina Topp, who did not speak. From County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda‘s office, Chris Lampkin vowed to be “a partner” in the family and schoolmates’ quest for justice:
And Mobarak’s sister Leyla said they’re taking their demands and concerns directly to City Hall next.
She told the crowd about plans for a protest/rally at City Hall for next Friday (February 9th) – no time set yet. While City Councilmember Rob Saka was at Monday’s protest, he was not in view today, but he wrote about the situation in his weekly newsletter, sent this afternoon. He said of Monday’s rally, “Students presented some demands which I strongly support.” Specific to one of them, the lack of working cameras at Southwest Center, Saka wrote that he spoke with Parks Superintendent AP Diaz: “I was informed that the department is assessing the appropriate next steps for the cameras, which may include a replacement of or potential new system. It is very important to me that this be addressed with due haste.” And he wrote, “We all know well that there must be some more stringent laws to prevent gun violence.”
One of the most unusual events on our calendar happens early Saturday morning at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor):
We are going to host another viewing party for the Olympic Marathon Trials!! We will open the doors at 7 am; the (regular weekly) run will take place as usual at 8 am for those interested. Either Tim or Lori will stay at the shop rather than run so those who wish to stay and view can do so. It will be going still for folks as they return from their run (depending on their distance).
You are also welcome to just show up for the 8 am run.
Shortly after publishing this story about the city graffiti law, we went to the future Morgan Junction EV-charging lot to check on the much-tagged fencing mesh that Seattle City Light had promised would be removed. As you can see in our photo above, the fencing wrap has been removed; we last recall noticing it still in place on Tuesday, so this would have happened sometime in the past few days. Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker brought up the longrunning vandalism at her organization’s meeting last week (WSB coverage here); when we then followed up with SCL, they said the mesh wasn’t needed any more anyway, so they’d remove it. The fencing went up after an environmental cleanup and tree/shrub removal at the 42nd/Morgan/Fauntleroy site, which is expected to open for EV charging in about a year.
(Reader photo from 2023, aftermath of what sender called a ‘rampage’ of vandalism north of The Junction)
The city’s graffiti law is enforceable again, according to this announcement this afternoon from City Attorney Ann Davison‘s office:
Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison today announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has reversed a lower court ruling that halted the City of Seattle’s ability to enforce its misdemeanor graffiti ordinance.
City Attorney Davison appealed the lower court ruling on July 3, 2023 and made oral arguments to the Court on Jan. 9, 2024. The Court of Appeals made its ruling this morning.
“The people of Seattle won an important victory today when the Ninth Circuit upheld our City’s right to enforce our laws against graffiti property destruction,” said City Attorney Davison. “Graffiti is a massive problem for our City, costing taxpayers, businesses, and residents millions of dollars while creating widespread visual blight. We must have as many tools as possible to protect neighbors and residents impacted by graffiti.”
In June 2023, the U.S. District enjoined the City from enforcing its graffiti ordinance, Seattle Municipal Code 12A.08.020(A)(2).
We reported on that ruling here.
(File photo)
It was exactly one year ago today that we first reported that the former Original Bakery space in Fauntleroy would be taken over by the owner of CHOW Foods, which operates Endolyne Joe’s next door. It’s been a few months since we last checked in, so we contacted owner Peter Levy to ask about the status – and he just sent the official announcement, including:
bel gatto (a handsome cat) will begin the day with a focus on an assortment of daily in-house baked sweet and savory breakfast pastries and espresso in a café format with all items packaged to go or to be enjoyed in bel gatto’s tiny dining room. Come lunch, options will include an assortment of Sicilian pizzas available in three sizes or by the slice along with a roster of Italian delicatessen sandwiches and salads. A majority of the baking will take place in the 85-year-old double deck Rainier oven that has been in place since this long running bakery’s inception. Chef/Partner Anthony Hubbard said, “We cannot wait to fire up that beast of an oven and start rolling out our pastries & Sicilian pizzas for the neighborhood.” Mr. Hubbard has assembled a corps of bakers from notable bakeries from both West Seattle and Vashon Island to man the ovens of bel gatto.
Open daily at 7 am, bel gatto will focus on those baked goods, pizzas and delicatessen items throughout the day and into the early evening hours with service through 7 pm daily. Come late spring, this neighborhood upstart will be offering an intimate Italian menu in its 28-seat dining room and operating hours will extend to 9 pm. With the commencement of dinner service in the spring, the all-day menu of pizzas, sandwiches and salads will continue to be available packaged to go thru the 9 pm closing.
Levy said they’re hoping to open bel gatto at 9253 45th SW “on or about” February 20th, with initial hours 7 am-7 pm daily.
If you can give blood on February 23, Aliye Menzies would love to have your help organizing a blood drive in West Seattle that day. She needs 35 people to commit to donating in order to book a Bloodworks Northwest mobile donation vehicle for a spot outside Just Another Barbershop, across from Seacrest, at 1617 Harbor Avenue SW, 10 am-4 pm. Aliye advocates giving via her nonprofit Tithing Foundation; we asked her to tell us more about it and why she is organizing a blood drive:
The importance of using people’s 10% is a core foundation on what I stand on for Tithing Foundation. I know it can be difficult to get people to give to their community due to the many other commitments within life. Tithing Foundation helps everyday people in the community use 10% of their time, resources, or finances (or blood) to impact the community. That’s also why I partnered with Just Another Barbershop; as a new business, they expressed the importance of being community pillars and making an impact in people’s lives.
The reason why I chose BloodWorks NW was an easy pick. In the month of love, everyone is focusing on giving to the people they know and love. Well, what about all the lives that are at risk because they are unable to receive enough blood transfusions? Can’t we look at extending our love this month even to people we may not know? Blood is the life source, and if we choose to donate something that comes freely to us, we will save lives.
To help make this happen, you can respond via this online form. If you have a question first, contact Aliye at aliye@tithingfoundation.com.
(Thursday photo by Thomas Bach, taken from Alki)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are highlights for the rest of your Friday:
FREE TODDLER GYM #1: Happening now – Fridays 10 am-11:30 am, little ones and their caregivers are invited to open gym time at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
SCRABBLE CLUB: Play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
DIABETIC SUPPORT GROUP: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
FREE TODDLER GYM #2: 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
BASKETBALL + FOOD DRIVE: It’s West Seattle HS vs. Chief Sealth IHS tonight at WSHS (3000 California SW) tonight, and if you’re going, you’re asked to bring a donation for this food drive, too. Boys’ junior varsity game at 5:30 pm, girls’ varsity at 7 pm, boys’ varsity at 8:30 pm.
FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: 6-8 pm, come watch “The Little Mermaid” at West Seattle Christian Church (4400 42nd SW). Free admission; bring diapers/wipes to donate if you can. Concessions available for purchase.
TEA-ROOM POTLUCK: You’re invited to the Friday Feast at My Necessitea (3237 California SW), 6:30 pm: “Potluck for new Seattle residents.” Bring a dish to share.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Mother-and-son guitarists Little Birdie Duo at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Second night for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), Dining Dead, Les Ailes, Mia Day, Timothy Kontoff. $10. Read more about Les Ailes in our calendar listing.
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight’s DJ is Illvester. (4547 California SW)
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
That reader photo shows more heart lights in Gatewood – which we learned, after featuring two others, are not just for Valentine’s Day; some homes are displaying hearts in honor of a beloved neighbor who recently passed away. (Added – here’s neighbors’ video of more of them.)
The family of that neighbor, Valerie O’Mara, had in fact sent us this remembrance, as they prepare for her Celebration of Life on February 24:
Valerie Barrs-O’Mara, PA, of West Seattle died on January 26, 2024, at the age of 66. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side, after a nearly six-year battle with ALS.
She was born on December 17th, 1957, to George and Margaret Barrs, in Rockford, Illinois. She was raised by her mother, along with her two siblings, Kathy and Casey. Valerie and family moved to New Jersey when she was 16, where she graduated from Livingston High School. She attended Drew University, where she met her husband-to-be Michael, in her sophomore year. They met in Chemistry and wound up at the local pub after class. She graduated with a BA in Zoology in 1979. She often spoke of her college days and the lifelong memories that were made. She went on to attend Cornell Medical School’s Surgeon Assistant Program, in New York City.
Valerie and Michael moved to Seattle from the East Coast in 1981, after Valerie accepted her first Physician Assistant position with Providence. She was a PA in Cardiothoracic Surgery for nearly 40 years, with the bulk of her career at Overlake Medical Center. Before retiring in 2019 due to ALS, she served as the Valve Clinic Coordinator with Overlake-Kaiser Permanente, a role she cherished and loved. Her career was a true joy in her life. She cared deeply for her colleagues and the many patients she served. Upon her retirement, Overlake named an operating control room in her honor, in recognition of her 31 years of compassionate care and dedicated service to the Overlake Cardiac Program. She did get a kick out of having her own “control room.”
Valerie was a natural leader. She organized countless events for her children’s schools (Tilden and Our Lady of Guadalupe) including Halloween carnivals, field days, auctions, and fundraising. As a good friend pointed out, she accomplished more in one day than the rest of us get done in a month.
On March 9th, 2018, Valerie was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Even faced with this horrible diagnosis, she maintained her positive attitude and love of life. As Valerie has always done, she got to work quickly. She and her many supporters on “Team Badass” raised thousands of dollars to Walk to Defeat ALS. She served as a board member at the Evergreen Chapter of the ALS Association. She was on the organizing committee with MLB for Lou Gehrig Day. In 2020, Valerie threw out the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners’ First Annual Lou Gehrig Day, with family and friends cheering her on. As a longtime Seattle sports fan and a Mariners season-ticket holder for 30 years, this was a proud moment for her.
Valerie had many relationships she cherished deeply. Her husband of 41 years, Michael, was her caregiver throughout her long battle with ALS. He lovingly took care of her and often said being her caregiver was “the most important job of my life.” They found humor in the day-to-day things and laughed often. She loved her three children, John, Caitlin, and Keegan deeply, and her life centered around being their mom. She had a wonderful, close relationship with her sister Kathy and her brother Casey, who supported her and visited regularly throughout her fight with ALS. She loved her grandchildren Tilly (5) and Hugh (2) more than anything in this world. It was not uncommon to see Val, with Tilly riding on her wheelchair, going through her neighborhood or down to Lincoln Park. She also had many friendships, new and old, and she maintained those relationships seamlessly. She was fiercely loyal to friends and cherished them. As a close friend said, “She had a way of making each one of us feel like her favorite.”
It is hard to sum up who she was because she was such a force. She meant so much to so many. She was thoughtful, smart, generous, optimistic, and non-judgmental. She was quick to smile and had a great laugh. She always followed through with what she said she was going to do. She would often let the “f-bomb” slip when telling a (longwinded) story. She was simply the best and will be missed immensely by her friends and family who loved her. She fought courageously and beat the odds, living six years with ALS. She battled this terrible disease with grace and strength until the very end. Her granddaughter Tilly says it best, “Grammy can walk again”.
She is survived by her husband Michael, her children John (Kelly), Caitlin (Dale), and Keegan; her grandchildren Tilly and Hugh; her sister Kathy (Tony); her brother Casey (Liz); her half-siblings Lance (Kathy) and Kerry; and her sister-in-law Kathleen (Gary), as well as her cousins, aunt, and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life on February 24th at The Hall at Fauntleroy in West Seattle at 1 pm. We also plan to celebrate her in Pennsylvania in the Spring.
Memorial donations may be made in Valerie’s honor at either:
ALS CURE Project: alscure.org/donate
The ALS Association: 19717 62nd Ave S, Suite D101, Kent, WA, 98032
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Friday, February 2nd!
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny, low-50s high. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:35 am, sunset at 5:12 pm.
ALERTS
*Protest – Students plan another demonstration outside Chief Sealth International High School, this time at 2 pm. We don’t know if they plan to again march to Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center but you might consider avoiding SW Thistle between 35th SW and Delridge Way at mid-afternoon.
*Tunnel closure – The Highway 99 tunnel will close both ways from 10 pm tonight until 6 am Saturday. It’s a maintenance closure, says WSDOT, with planned work including cleaning cameras, HVAC maintenance, and vegetation removal.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and 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 us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!
(December photo, courtesy WSHS Cheer)
A reader emailed to remind us that the West Seattle High School Cheer Team‘s competing at state again this year, and the tournament starts tomorrow (Friday, February 2). It’s happening at Battle Ground High School in southwest Washington. According to the tournament schedule, WSHS competes in coed tumbling, starting just after 7 pm tomorrow. As noted here two months ago, the cheer team – coached by Nadine Nguyen and Walker Layne – earned the state spot by winning their division.
Reported via email:
A 2012 Mazda3 sedan, gun-metal blue, plate # BWY0174, was stolen overnight near 20th Ave SW & Roxbury, noticed missing today at 4:30 in the morning. A police report has been made: 24-29655.
In connection with the theft, according to the email report, another car nearby – a Honda Passport – was prowled.
(WSB photo, Monday)
Three days after a protest outside Chief Sealth International High School and Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center, where 15-year-old Sealth student Mobarak Adam died of a gunshot wound, another one has been announced. The victim’s sister Leyla, who spoke at Monday’s rally and march, sent this flyer, announcing the gathering for 2 pm Friday (February 2), a “protest against gun violence and finding justice for Mobarak Adam.” This past Tuesday, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office announced that the teen’s death one week earlier was ruled a homicide. No further word yet from Seattle Police about the status of the investigation. Seattle Parks, meantime, told us Tuesday they will replace the long-broken Teen Life Center/Pool camera.
ORIGINAL THURSDAY STORY: The state Department of Licensing is finally confirming the new location of its West Seattle driver-licensing office. We first reported more than a year ago that they had found a site but weren’t ready to disclose it; city records suggested they were pursuing a North Delridge location. Today, the DOL announced that’s indeed where they’re moving – 2420 SW Dakota, Suite 100 [map], adjacent to other state offices. A DOL spokesperson tells WSB, “Our last day at the current location will be on Saturday, February 24. We’ll open the new location on Friday, March 1.” The current location at 8830 25th SW east of Westwood Village is being vacated because, as we first reported in 2022, the site is planned for redevelopment into what city permit records describe as “a 6-story, 144-unit apartment building (with p)arking for 20 vehicles.”
ADDED MONDAY: The DOL confirms its entrance will be at the back (west side) of the building, which carries a Delridge address in front.
Andrea reports a sighting shared by a neighbor while out dog-walking: “2 coyotes were spotted crossing Alaska Street at 48th Ave SW going into Ercolini Park at 10 PM last night.” Remember that coexistence with coyotes depends on keeping them at a distance, with tactics like what Jen B described in yesterday’s report.
(WSB file photo of one of the smaller West Seattle buildings on the list, at Highland Park Playground)
One year ago, the city went public with a list of more than a thousand buildings targeted in a plan to require “unreinforced masonry” buildings to be retrofitted to meet earthquake-safety standards. The list included more than 40 buildings in West Seattle (including the small one shown above at Highland Park Playground.) Our February 2023 report also included information on how the city planned to move toward those requirements – something that’s been under discussion for more than a decade. The process continues, and today the city has announced one of the next steps – a “listening session.” Here’s the announcement:
The City of Seattle is holding a listening session for developers and owners of older brick buildings for a proposed new Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program to support funding of seismic retrofits.
The 23rd anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake is February 28. The Nisqually earthquake shook Puget Sound, injured 400 people, and did $2 billion in property damage. Amidst the recent news of natural disasters such as record-breaking freezing temperatures and flooding, we must not forget the pending disaster underfoot. Over the next 50 years there’s an 86% chance that we will experience another earthquake of similar magnitude to the Nisqually earthquake. The type of building most heavily damaged during the Nisqually earthquake, and in other earthquakes globally, are old brick buildings, often referred to as “unreinforced masonry buildings” or URMs. These buildings are prone to collapse due to their lack of structural reinforcements; they stand upright thanks to brick and mortar but have no support system for the horizontal motion of earthquakes. Seattle has 1,100 URM buildings and wants to require structural retrofits to prevent their collapse in the next earthquake that could happen any day. The City plans to adopt a voluntary retrofit ordinance by the end of 2024 and expects to follow-up with a mandatory retrofit ordinance in the near future.
The City hasn’t previously mandated seismic retrofits of URM buildings due to the associated expense. A 2019 study estimated a retrofit would cost nearly $650,000 for the average three-story URM building. Inflation, worker shortages, and other factors have surely increased cost projections. Since City Council passed joint resolutions 32033 and 32111 in support of creating a URM program, the City is making progress in establishing retrofit standards and identifying funding resources for building owners.
The City of Seattle is holding a listening session for developers and owners of URM buildings for a proposed new Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program to support seismic retrofits of URM buildings. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) and Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) are hosting this meeting on Tuesday, February 27 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room in Seattle City Hall. You can register and view the meeting agenda for this in-person event on the Unreinforced Masonry Buildings website.
The proposal for this potential new TDR program was developed by the Alliance for Safety, Affordability, and Preservation! (ASAP!) and would allow URM building owners to voluntarily sell unused development rights to fund seismic retrofits. The City wants to hear from URM building owners and developers regarding the merits of this proposal.
The listening session will include a:
Presentation on the City’s current and planned progress with URM retrofit requirements and legislation
Conceptual overview of transfer of development rights
Facilitated session to consider various scenarios and perspectives of the proposed program
Via email – this truck was stolen overnight:
Date: 01/31/24
Time: Last seen at 8 pm
Location: 30th SW /Morgan Street, West Seattle
Make/Model: 1997 Ford Econoline
Color: White
License Plate: C98764GAdditional Identifying Features: American Data Guard (ADG) on both sides of the truck
Call 911 if you see it.
(WSB photo, 2023 Loop the ‘Lupe)
Now that February is here and spring is in sight … we can start talking about summer, too. Our area’s only obstacle-course 5K is one of the multiple events that will again comprise Loop the ‘Lupe, which raises money for Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s social-outreach programs. This year it’s happening on Saturday, June 8 – and registration just opened. Early registration means you get in at the lowest rate. If you don’t want to tackle the obstacle course, there’s an obstacle-free 5K fun run, a Senior Saunter, and a Youth Dash. The schedule, prices, and registration links are all on this page. Fees go up on March 22, so if you can’t register right now, you can use the “Share This” link to send this to yourself as a reminder!
P.S. Last year had the biggest Loop the ‘Lupe turnout ever – see our coverage here.
(Cedar Waxwing, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s what’s happening on the first day/night of February, mostly from our Event Calendar:
LOUISA BOREN STEM K-8 TOURS: 9:05 am-10;15 am elementary, 10:30 am-11:30 am middle – visit and tour! (5950 Delridge Way SW)
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Open until noon, drop in at the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
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.
UNDERSTANDING POWERS OF ATTORNEY: Free informational presentation at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 1 pm.
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 Five Hooks Seafood.
FREE ECO-ARTS CLASS: 4-7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – drop in!
VISCON CELLARS: The winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO: First February class is at 6 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) 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.
BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
PIANO BAR: Larry Knapp and friends play music for a fun night at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 7-10 pm, $10.
SILENT BOOK CLUB: 12 places in West Seattle and White Center to read and talk, or not, tonight! They’re all in our calendar listing. Wherever you choose to go, it’s happening 7-9 pm.
NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: Live in White Center or points south? Your community council meets online at 7 pm – attendance info and agenda highlights are in our calendar listing.
YOGA, BREATH WORK, GONG BATH, MORE: 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.
‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Opening night for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.
(added) COMEDY: Late word from Cozy Comedy:
February 1, 8 p.m. Jokes at the Junction at Great American Diner
Tonight we have a very special show. It’s our last audition show for the Washington’s Funniest Mammal Comedy Competition. The competition will be held throughout February between 50 of our state’s best comedians. The winner takes home $2000. Tonight 8 comics vie for a few final spots. Tickets $10 at CozyComedy.com.
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!
6:00 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Thursday, February 1st!
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
After three consecutive record-for-the-date highs of 61, yesterday dropped to a non-record 60. Today’s high is expected to be in the mid-50s, mostly cloudy, rain likely. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:36 am, sunset at 5:10 pm.
(Tuesday sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor at Lincoln Park)
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and 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 us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!
West Seattle Cooperative Preschools are launching a new event this year to raise money for scholarships so more kids can attend preschool: A community “Family Disco Party.”
They’re hoping to host hundreds of kids (and their parents, grandparents, guardians, whoever wants to come along) from 10 am-11 am Sunday, February 11, for an hour of all-ages dancing with DJ Baby Van Beezly (and glow sticks!) at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center. “Get the wiggles out before the Big Game!” is the invitation. Tickets are $10/person; all proceeds go to the Co-op Preschool Scholarship Fund and community parent-education programming. The campus café will also be open special hours before and after the dance party for breakfast/brunch treats and coffee/beverages. Tickets are on sale now – go here.
7:23 PM: Avoid Delridge Way/SW Thistle for a while – northbound traffic on Delridge is blocked because of an emergency response. The SFD log and radio traffic describe the call as an overdose response.
7:32 PM: They’re getting traffic through by alternating directions through one lane.
7:44 PM: SFD medics were unable to revive the overdose victim, described over the air as a 40-year-old woman. The scene will be clearing.
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