TONIGHT: On the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route, M/V Kitsap is sailing at a reduced capacity for the rest of the night, 300 people maximum, because of a crew shortage.

SUNDAY: The systemwide summer schedule takes effect tomorrow. For the Triangle Route, that means two things, WSF says:

Beginning with our summer schedule, we will operate an unscheduled third ferry weekdays on our Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route when crewing and a vessel are available.

This boat will sail around the other two scheduled vessels to help move more riders and keep the two-boat schedule on time.

(Also) an added roundtrip sailing between Vashon and Fauntleroy midday on Fridays.

MONDAY/TUESDAY: Another reminder that WSF’s systemwide updates/Q&A community meeting will be held in two online sessions, noon Monday and 6 pm Tuesday, with duplicate presentations. Registration to get the link for either (or both) is here.

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LAST CALL: Final day for SDOT survey on Highland Park Way hill lane-change proposal

June 15, 2024 5:05 pm

| 47 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

SDOT wants to replace the outside downhill lane of the Highland Park Way hill with a protected bicycle lane (1st rendering above), an expanded multi-use path (2nd rendering above), or both (bike lane first, expanded path later). Today’s the final day for this survey asking what you think. SDOT says it’s received almost 2,000 responses as of Thursday. We first reported on the proposal a month ago; back in 2020, SDOT proposed an uphill bicycle lane on the hill, then tabled that. Funding for a protected bike lane on HP Way is mentioned in one of the project lists in the proposed transportation levy currently under City Council review.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Admiral gunfire

June 15, 2024 1:43 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

1:43 PM: Thanks for the texted tips and photo.

Multiple readers report police are investigating gunfire in Admiral about an hour ago. One reader reports: ” My son and his girlfriend were playing tennis and a black Elantra went by with music blaring, they turned right on Walnut following another car and then heard 4 gunshots. Everyone panicked. My son and his girlfriend stayed behind to talk to the police.” No injuries reported. No official info – we went up after the first text but police were leaving just as we arrived in the area. SPD incident # is 24-162978.

4:50 PM: We weren’t at the desk during the original dispatch on this but have since listened to archived audio. Investigating officers told dispatch it looked like a road-rage incident, with someone in one car shooting at another, and that they found a total of three casings in the 2700 block of Walnut [vicinity map]. A nearby resident sent this short clip (.mov file) in which you can hear the three shots.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen U-Haul truck

June 15, 2024 1:42 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Sent by Debra:

Our rented U-Haul moving truck with all of our belongings was stolen between 10pm June 14 and 8:30am June 15 near Walnut Ave SW & Hinds Street. 20′ with North Carolina/Ashville graphics, license plate Arizona AH68825. SPD and U-Haul have been contacted. Police incident # 24-162841.

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AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: Morgan Junction Community Festival 2024!

June 15, 2024 10:12 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

10:12 AM: Until 2 pm, the Morgan Junction Community Festival is on! The entertainment has just begun with The Bubbleman.

Magic and music is coming up too. … Seattle Police Mounted Patrol Unit horseback officers have just arrived:

This is all happening in and around Morgan Junction Park, just north of Beveridge Place Pub on the west side of California SW about half a block north of Fauntleroy.

The Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association is set up on Beveridge Place between the pub and Whisky West:

They’re there to talk with you about the plan for an all-wheels area in the south part of the park. Take this survey to see the concepts – or better yet, come to the festival and talk about them with MJAWA!

This is NOT just for skaters – they want to hear from everyone.

10:43 AM: Ray the Magician is starting his performance.

He has classic magician props – a hat, magic ropes, magic rings – and stories about getting interested in magic as a kid (now it’s a sideline to his day job as a lawyer).

11:20 AM: The magic show has concluded. Here’s some of what else you can do – the Gatewood Elementary PTA has a “gator launch” activity over in the southernmost area:

Alice Kuder‘s Just In Case (WSB sponsor) makes disaster preparedness fun, and that’s what she’s doing at her table:

Just In Case focuses on personal preparedness – while neighborhood preparedness is what the Emergency Communication Hubs are all about, and Cindi Barker can explain them to you:

In the heart of the park, you and your kids can learn about orcas from The Whale Trail‘s Donna Sandstrom:

11:42 AM: Gary Benson, acoustic musician and longtime festival favorite, has just started his performance in the park, introduced by emcee Phil Tavel.

This is all volunteer-powered, and presented by the Morgan Community Association, greeting festivalgoers from their table near the park entrance (we’re nearby).

Back over in the festival expansion zone behind Zeeks (right along Fauntleroy just west of California), more Seattle Police representation – Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer and Community Service Officer Dennise:

They have steering-wheel locks if you need one. Over at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society booth, say hi to Elizabeth and Meagan:

12:20 PM: City Councilmember Tanya Woo has just stopped by – she’s currently one of four candidates who’ll be on the August ballot for the citywide seat to which she was appointed:

(We have a longstanding policy that if you’re running for something and you’re at a local festival that we’re at too, come say hi and we’ll take your photo.) District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka is supposed to be here soon too, scheduled to introduce The Potholes, final performers of the festival.

12:57 PM: Councilmember Woo spoke briefly. Shortly thereafter, Councilmember Saka gave a longer speech, mostly riffing off the pothole theme and how he uses the “King of Potholes” nickname as a symbol for attention to governmental basics:

Then emcee Tavel took the mic to talk briefly about two people long active with MoCA who passed away this past year – Eldon Olson and Chas Redmond (who handled the sound system for this festival for many years). As he noted, Chas wasn’t a “moment of silence” kind of person – so instead, there was a “moment of noise.” And The Potholes will be playing shortly.

1:21 PM: They’re performing now!

The festival continues until 2 pm.

2 PM: It’s been a breezy but dry and sunny festival – thanks to everyone who came – and here are the organizers from the Morgan Community Association:

MoCA meets quarterly, with a ton of information about what’s happening in the community – next meeting (likely online and in person) will be July 17 – watch morganjunction.org for info.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 31 notes!

June 15, 2024 6:07 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday night photo by Gene Pavola)

Here are the highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE FIT4MOM CLASSES: Two this morning in the Alki area, 7:30 and 9 am – details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S FREE GROUP RUN: The store is where you and other runners will meet up for the weekly free group run at 8 am. (2743 California SW)

FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event every Saturday but please RSVP.

HIKE THE WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT: To join this month’s free guided hike, meet up at Pathfinder K-8 (1901 SW Genesee) by 9:30 am.

MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: 10 am-2 pm, in and around Morgan Junction Park (west side of California a short distance north of Fauntleroy) – entertainment, activities, drop-in design meeting for the park’s future all-wheels area – here’s our final pre-festival preview.

STORYTIME AT SEOLA POND: 10 am, first in a series of “read-alouds” at Seola Pond (map) with local teacher Isabelle – bring a blanket to sit on.

DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more. (9421 18th SW)

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

STORYTIME AT THE BEE GARDEN: 10:30 am at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham), Seattle Public Library librarians will lead storytime.

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.

CAMP LONG MOUNTAIN FEST: Climb, explore, learn about plants and birds … all part of the daylong free fun at Camp Long (5200 35th SW), 11 am-5 pm – details and a map are in our preview.

SUMMER SOLSTICE FEST: DNDA presents activities at Roxhill Park, 11 am-2 pm. (29th/Barton)

TALK WITH SDOT ABOUT STREETS NEAR STATIONS: During the 11 am-2 pm Roxhill Park event, SDOT will have reps there to talk/answer questions about the newly released “street concepts” for West Seattle light-rail stations, as reported here.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

MARKET DAY AT THE HERON’S NEST: 11 am-4 pm, vendors, activities, and skillshares – details in our calendar listing. (4818 15th SW)

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Spraypark season continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

COLMAN POOL: Fourth weekend for 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.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: 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: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

‘BEHIND THE CURTAIN’: 2-5 pm benefit for Chief Sealth International High School Drama, with performances, a theater tour, art sale, drawing, more – details and ticket link are in our preview.

NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.

BENEFIT AT THE SKYLARK: At The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), “Sara’s Steamy Save The Skylark Gay Soiree, a live music and dating show benefit,” doors 6 pm, show 7 pm – more info here.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Hans York performs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, free, all ages.

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

BEATS AT THE ROOM: Saturday night, DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Soul Focus FM. (4547 California SW, alley side)

OUT AT THE BOX: Free Pride Month drag show at Box Bar (5401 California SW), 9:30 pm, 21+.

KARAOKE AT THE PIZZERIA: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.

REMINDER – EARLY CLOSING TIME CONTINUES AT ALKI: Through late September, the park officially closes at 10:30 pm.

Planning a happening? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!

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UPDATE: 3 to hospital after Alki Avenue crash

June 15, 2024 1:21 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

1:21 AM: Police say Alki Avenue is blocked both ways in the 1200 block [map] because of the response for a three-vehicle crash. No major injuries reported but SFD is there to treat at least one person.

(Added: Photo sent by Lynn Hall)

2:08 AM: Police just told dispatch that they are reopening the street. We’ll be following up with SFD regarding injuries.

ADDED TUESDAY: Seattle Police provided this summary today:

At 0059 hours, an officer was doing a directed patrol on Alki Ave SW. The officer witnessed a vehicle with no lights on doing donuts and then quickly accelerated and drove down Alki Ave SW. The vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed and struck two unoccupied vehicles. The officer drove to the area of the collision and saw the damaged vehicles in the 1200 BLK of Alki Ave SW. The occupants of unit #1 were outside the vehicle and one male fled the scene on foot. Three juveniles were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One of the injured females was pregnant. The street was shut down for almost an hour.

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BIZNOTE: Why Shadowland temporarily closed

June 14, 2024 10:03 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

10:03 PM FRIDAY: Thanks to Hayk for the photo. The temporary-closure sign on the door at Shadowland didn’t explain the reason, so we emailed Shadowland’s Ben Jenkins. He says the “unforeseen circumstance” is a pipe break in the basement, and they’re working to get it fixed “fast.” The bar/restaurant at California/Oregon is in its 17th year.

1:19 PM SATURDAY: Shadowland will reopen this afternoon, according to a comment below.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Hours away from Morgan Junction Community Festival!

June 14, 2024 9:10 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Rain or shine, the Morgan Junction Community Festival is on for tomorrow (Saturday, June 15), 10 am-2 pm, in and around Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW).

MEET YOUR COUNCILMEMBER: Late word from Deb Barker, president of the Morgan Community Association – which presents the festival – is that City Councilmember Rob Saka will be there, and in his self-declared role as “King of Potholes,” will introduce the final performers of the festival, West Seattle band The Potholes.

FULL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE: Four hours, four acts!

10:00 to 10:45 – The Bubbleman: Returning Festival favorite featuring good clean fun. Brought to you by West Seattle Blog

10:50 to 11:40 –Raymond the Magician: Artful, innovative and very, very cool. Brought to you by Mailbox West

11:45 to 12:35 – Gary Benson: Our local folk-rock favorite. Brought to you by Thunder Road Guitars

12:45 to 2:00 – The Potholes: Still slinging funky-fusion, guac and rock right back at ya!! Brought to you by Pet Elements

EXPANDED SITE: While you’re there, remember that the festival has expanded to re-add the lot behind Whisky West and Zeeks Pizza, as in pre-pandemic days – you’ll find community organizations’ activities and resource booths there.

MORGAN JUNCTION ALL-WHEELS ASSOCIATION: On the southwest side of the park, MJAWA will be holding an all-festival-long drop-in community conversation about the plan for an all-wheels area in the park. That includes a chance to comment on the design!

If you’re driving, there’s extra parking at O’Neill Plumbing (WSB sponsor) on the northeast corner of California/Graham; however you get there, hope to see you at the park tomorrow!

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FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route down to one boat tonight

June 14, 2024 6:14 pm

| Comments Off on FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route down to one boat tonight

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Washington State Ferries says that “due to the lack of an Oiler,” it will take M/V Kitsap out of service after the 6:15 pm Fauntleroy to Vashon sailing. After that, all #2 sailings are canceled for the rest of the night; M/V Kittitas will remain in service. (You can use Vessel Watch to check its location while you’re waiting.)

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FOLLOWUP: Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing might not happen until fall

June 14, 2024 6:00 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(SDOT camera image, 2023)

It’s been three months since we last asked SDOT about the upcoming resurfacing project for the eastbound side of the east half of the West Seattle Bridge, officially known as the Spokane Street Viaduct. SDOT had told us in March that the project would likely happen this summer – and summer’s about to officially start. As of yesterday morning, the project website hadn’t been updated since we inquired in March, so we asked about the status. Spokesperson Mariam Ali replied, “We’re working with the construction contractor to determine the schedule. We will update you when specific dates are chosen, but at this point it looking like construction may begin in the late summer or fall of 2024.” (Concurrent with that reply to us, the project website was updated.) According to the city’s bidding website, the contractor chosen for the work is Combined Construction, which bid just under $7.5 million. The same company resurfaced part of the rest of the bridge during its 2020-2022 closure, as well as the Andover pedestrian-bridge earthquake-resistance work three years ago. SDOT says the Spokane Street Viaduct work, whenever it starts, will require five weekend closures.

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SUMMER: Alice’s solstice-sunset watch on one-day delay this time

June 14, 2024 3:37 pm

| Comments Off on SUMMER: Alice’s solstice-sunset watch on one-day delay this time

| Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB photos from Alice’s 2023 solstice–sunset watch)

If you were planning on celebrating the change of seasons by attending NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen‘s quarterly sunset watch at Solstice Park – note that she’s having it one day later this time. Due to a conflict, Alice will be gathering sunset-watchers at 8:30 pm next Friday (June 21) rather than on the actual solstice date Thursday. The setting sun will still be visible in line with the park’s marker – assuming the forecast holds. If you haven’t been before, this is in upper Solstice Park, upslope from the tennis courts at 7400 Fauntleroy Way SW. (Actual sunset time is just after 9 pm, but the sun will drop behind the Olympics about 10 minutes before that. And the actual solstice moment, for the record, will be 1:50 pm Thursday.)

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VIDEO: Young writers turn performers at Denny International Middle School 8th-grade Poetry Slam

June 14, 2024 1:37 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

It’s been a tradition at Denny International Middle School for more than a decade – the 8th-grade Poetry Slam – and more than 60 poets participated this year, reading poems to an audience at the school last night. First they heard from Denny alum Arthur Clemens, now headed for college, who didn’t get to participate in the Poetry Slam when he was an 8th grader – in 2020:

The Slam is scored, and Arthur was one of the Denny-alum panelists, along with Alex Casamalhuapa and Burk Popelka:

Some poems were collaborations – like this group’s ode to a curb, as explained in an introduction by teacher Colin Slingsby:

Others were individual work – here’s Zoe Plummer, with her poem about beauty:

Here’s Yunis Mohamed:

Parker Wahl:

The evening included guest poet Hannah Park, a Tacoma teacher, introduced by Denny principal Mary Ingraham and teacher Gillian Dockins:

Emcees were Danifah Da and Bruno Diaz Jimenez:

And in our videos, you might have heard a bit of the work of DJ Sureal:

Before the performances, attendees enjoyed dinner:

Poetry teachers not mentioned above included Elisa Yzaguirre, Andrea Chomey, Emily Neeleman, Wilma Champion, and Liz Barry. Congratulations to all the poets and educators!

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UPDATE: Rescue response after woman falls at Lincoln Park

June 14, 2024 11:29 am

| 40 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:29 AM: Seattle Fire has a big response arriving at Lincoln Park, where SFD says “are investigating reports of a person that has fallen down a cliff from a trail.”

11:33 AM: We don’t know the exact location but this is described as near a trail and stairs, apparently toward the north end of the park; firefighters have spotted the victim and are headed in toward her. … She’s reported to be 15 feet down a slope.

(Added: WSB photo)

11:41 AM: Rescuers have just radioed that they’re about to pull the victim up a slope. Her injuries are so far not believed to be major.

11:52 AM: Some SFD units are staged on 47th SW and they’re asking SPD for traffic-control help; avoid that area for a while.

11:57 AM: SFD says the victim has been brought up and will be taken to a hospital. At the scene, they also confirm to us that her injuries are not life-threatening and that this indeed happened toward the north end of the park.

12:08 PM: Our crew tells us the (updated) 64-year-old woman is being transported by AMR ambulance. SFD units are starting to leave.

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HEALTH: Public Health issues alert about possible measles exposure at Franciscan Urgent Care West Seattle clinic

June 14, 2024 10:43 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle news

An alert this morning from Public Health – Seattle & King County – “a confirmed measles case in a child, with possible exposures at Franciscan Urgent Care – West Seattle” (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW) this past Monday afternoon/evening. Here’s the full news release, explaining what to do if you might have been exposed.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is investigating a confirmed measles case in a child. The individual was at Franciscan Urgent Care – West Seattle while infectious. Anyone who was at the facility during the time span when the child was there on June 10th may have been exposed to measles. The child was not vaccinated, and the infection was likely associated with travel outside the United States.

“Measles is highly contagious and if you don’t have immunity, you can get it just by being in a room where a person with measles has been,” said Dr. Eric Chow, Communicable Disease Chief for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “We’ve seen an increase in measles cases around the world and in the U.S., so it’s an important time to check your vaccination status and get vaccinated if you aren’t protected. Talk to your doctor about vaccinations and other recommendations to prevent infection during your travel.”

Fortunately, the measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides about 97% protection against getting infected by measles and that protection lasts a lifetime.

Transmission of measles can occur before people know they have the disease, before any rash appears.

The infected individual was at Franciscan Urgent Care – West Seattle during a period when they were infectious but before being diagnosed with measles. The time includes the period when the individual was at the clinic and two hours after. Measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after someone infectious with measles leaves the area. Anyone who was at the following location during the time listed could have been exposed to measles:

Date: June 10, 2024
Time: 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Franciscan Urgent Care- West Seattle 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, Suite 110

What to do if you were in a location of potential measles exposure

Most people in our area have immunity to the measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was in the location of potential exposure to measles around the times listed should:

-Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up-to-date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations by talking to your doctor.

-Call a healthcare provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or with an unexplained rash. To avoid possibly spreading measles to others, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be checked for measles after an exposure. And it is also important to limit contact with others, especially those without known immunity.

-Vaccination or medication can be given after exposure in some cases to prevent illness – check with your healthcare provider. This is especially important for people at high risk for measles complications.

-If you were at the location at the times listed above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick would be between June 17, 2024 – July 1, 2024. People who are immuno-compromised may take longer to experience symptoms.

Alerts like this are rare – last one in our archives was 10 years ago. You can find more measles info from Public Health by going here. There’s also an FAQ here.

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11 possibilities on your West Seattle Friday list!

June 14, 2024 10:26 am

| Comments Off on 11 possibilities on your West Seattle Friday list!

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Today’s sunrise – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead – from the WSB inbox and Event Calendar:

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

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

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

PRIDE IN OZ: Kenyon Hall Cabaret‘s monthly drag show, doors open at 7 pm. (7904 35th SW)

SUMMER SOUND BATH: 7 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW), $38.

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

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

AT THE SKYLARK: James Carr Band vinyl-release party with Opaline, Seola Station . 8 pm, 21+, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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

YOU SKATE, THEY PLAY: “Make It Loud!” returns at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), roller skating to live bands, featuring Wyoming Young & Strong, Glose, Githyanki. $18 cover, $5 skate.

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

REMINDER – EARLY CLOSING TIME CONTINUES AT ALKI: Through late September, the park officially closes at 10:30 pm.

Something to add to our calendar? we*************@***il.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen red Outback

June 14, 2024 9:54 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

So far this week, WSB readers have found a stolen car and stolen trailer. Here’s another stolen vehicle to watch for. Reported by RJ:

Stolen vehicle 6/12/2024. 2015 red Subaru Outback 2.5I limited. Stolen from West Seattle YMCA, 3622 SW Snoqualmie Street between 5 and 5:45 pm. Lic #ASP1765. SPD case# 24-160548. Red with black interior, has window guards, rear bumper cover, splash guards (mud flaps). Vin# (ends in 6236). Photo is an example, not my exact car.

Call 911 if you see it.

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More places to live, and more people to live in them. Discuss what that might be like in Seattle’s next 20 years

June 14, 2024 9:00 am

| 43 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

An old house goes down, three new ones go up. City zoning allows that now, and will soon incorporate a new state law allowing four units on most lots. And as more homes are built, more people are moving here to live in them. How will our city evolve over the next 20 years, both for those of us here now and those coming to join us? West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosts a discussion on Tuesday night with West Seattle architect and advocate Matt Hutchins, and you’re invited – here’s the announcement:

Opening the door for middle housing:
A look at the future of Seattle neighborhoods.

Seattle can expect to be a city of one million residents by 2040 and is undergoing a comprehensive planning process to guide that growth. If you are interested in what Seattle might look like in twenty years or what are the immediate impacts and opportunities, join local architect Matt Hutchins AIA CPHD in a virtual tour of how our neighborhoods are most likely to grow in the future.

In addition to designing creative urban infill development, Hutchins is a housing advocate, policy wonk, sustainable building expert and Seattle Planning Commissioner.

No RSVP or admission charge – just show up at 6 pm Tuesday (June 18).

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday + weekend info

June 14, 2024 6:00 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday + weekend info

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, June 14 – one week until summer solstice (1:50 pm June 20).

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Partly sunny, chance of showers, high in the mid-60s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:11 am again – earliest of the year, and won’t change until June 22 – while sunset will be at 9:08 pm.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR MANY

Today is the last day of school for many local parochial and independent schools, and it’s generally a short day. (A few schools are already out, including Explorer West Middle School [WSB sponsor] and Summit Atlas.) The last day of classes at Seattle Public Schools isn’t until next Friday.

WEEKEND EVENTS

Saturday: No major street closures for the Morgan Junction Community Festival, but the area around California/Fauntleroy will be busier.

Sunday: West Seattle Junction FC is home, 2 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), vs. Tacoma.

ONGOING ROAD WORK

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

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.

STADIUM ZONE

Mariners host the Rangers, 7:10 pm, followed by fireworks.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.

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

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. … Note that WSF is holding two online systemwide community meetings next week.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

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

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

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

1st Ave. S. Bridge:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander (sorry if it’s still malfunctioning – out of our control):

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!

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ELECTION 2024: 34th District Democrats’ endorsement meeting

June 13, 2024 11:56 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Not much drama in Wednesday night’s 34th District Democrats‘ endorsements-focused meeting, with five weeks to go until ballots are mailed for the August 6 primary, Someone observed toward the meeting’s end that it was likely one of the shortest ever, less than two hours. Holding it online no doubt increased the efficiency, compared to paper ballots and counting tables. Also, endorsements for some key state/federal offices – most notably governor (they’re supporting Bob Ferguson) – were made in a block vote at a meeting earlier this spring.

Last night’s meeting also featured a block vote, in which the organization endorsed candidates including the incumbents for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and superintendent of public instruction.

Two votes were contested – City Council citywide Position 8 and state Attorney General. The council race is for the final year of the unexpired term to which Teresa Mosqueda was elected (she decided to leave the city council to run for County Council, successfully). Councilmembers appointed Tanya Woo to fill the seat until the upcoming election. She is one of four people who filed to run for the unexpired year (after which the position will go back to voters for a full four-year term). All four candidates – Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Saunatina Sanchez, Tariq Yusuf, and Woo – were nominated for consideration, and all four made short pitches to the group. None is a West Seattleite, though Woo said she had attended Schmitz Park Elementary. The 34th DDs’ rules require 60 percent support for an endorsement; no one got that on the first ballot, which was split 32 for Mercedes Rinck, 21 for Woo, 9 for Sanchez, 3 for “no endorsement,” 1 for Yusuf. That sent Mercedes Rinck and Woo to a second ballot, from which Mercedes Rinck won the endorsement, 43 to 25 over Woo.

The other contested endorsement was for state Attorney General, with West Seattle resident and former regional U.S. Attorney Nick Brown vs. State Sen. Manka Dhingra, a King County senior deputy prosecutor. In speeches by those who nominated them, both were hailed as fighters who were ready to defend the people of Washington against whatever the future might bring. After two votes that were near-ties – with Brown a couple votes ahead of Dhingra both times – the group decided on a dual endorsement.

The third position that was the subject of a standalone vote was state Public Lands Commissioner, which Hilary Franz is leaving after two terms to run for Congress. Though he’s not the only Democrat in the race, King County Council chair Dave Upthegrove was the only candidate nominated for 34th DD endorsement consideration. He was the only candidate of the night to have anyone speak in opposition to him, a person who seemed to be blaming him for non-inclusive politics in Burien. Longtime 34th DDs member Chris Porter took issue with that, saying Upthegrove had long been intent on bringing more voices to the table. Ultimately, 67 voters supported endorsing Upthegrove, 10 voted for no endorsement.

WHAT’S NEXT: The West Seattle Democratic Women are having a forum with the four City Council Position 8 candidates at their meeting next Thursday. We haven’t heard of any other local forums yet.

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Brown water in Belvidere area

June 13, 2024 9:34 pm

| Comments Off on Brown water in Belvidere area

| West Seattle news

Just got a note from Dave: “Brown water from our faucets tonight near Belvidere & Hinds.” No emergencies shown on the Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map. Sometimes this can be first word of a problem – if it isn’t related to fire-hydrant testing – so always report it to SPU at 206-386-1800.

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FOLLOWUP: 2024 West Seattle Garden Tour is sold out. Here are two more things organizers want you to know

June 13, 2024 9:23 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Gardening | West Seattle news

With a week and a half to go until the 2024 West Seattle Garden Tour, organizers say that if you haven’t already bought your ticket(s), it’s too late – that’s one of three community messages they asked us to share tonight:

Tickets for this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour are sold out. There are no more tickets available either online or at retail partners. We are grateful to everyone who has supported the West Seattle Garden Tour and our beneficiaries through the purchase of their ticket book and are looking forward to an incredible day in the gardens on Sunday, June 23rd.

For those who are interested in placing a bid in the auction on this year’s winning artwork, Pam Lustig’s Garden Pose (above) is on display at West Seattle Nursery along with the four finalists from our 2024 Art Competition until Thursday, June 20th. To learn more about the winning artist and Garden Pose, visit our website at westseattlegardentour.org/art-competition.

If you or someone you know works with a nonprofit organization in the greater Seattle area, we encourage you to apply for a grant. The deadline to apply for a grant from the West Seattle Garden Tour in 2025 is just four weeks away on July 15th. Eligibility, guidelines, and our application form can be found on our website at westseattlegardentour.org/apply-for-a-grant.

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VIDEO: West Seattle Art Walk night for June 2024!

June 13, 2024 6:19 pm

| Comments Off on VIDEO: West Seattle Art Walk night for June 2024!

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:19 PM: The June West Seattle Art Walk is happening right now, all over the peninsula! Here’s the map/list of this month’s participants, with detailed previews here, and this month’s Art of Music lineup – three free mini-concerts 6 pm-7:45 pm – here. Our first stop of the night, West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) in North Admiral:

Bri High is the featured artist – she works in acrylic on canvas. Also at WSG, Lora Radford with her Wild at Heart pop-up:

She’s selling a variety of slip-cast-concrete items – functional art. A bit further south at 2237 California SW, Hawthorne Massage and Self-Care is featuring multimedia artist Cat Brooks:

To Cat’s left is a digital painting titled “Lilies from the Market” – created, Cat says, with tech tools “while I was sitting on the couch!” We’re off next to The Junction. Most Art Walk receptions – including the ones we’ve stopped at so far – are on till 8 pm, though some run later.

7:02 PM: We stopped at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW) for a bit of Dublin Abbey‘s music:

They and the other two Art of Music performers are scheduled to keep playing until 7:45 pm.

P.S. The next Art Walk is the biggest one of the year – the West Seattle Summer Fest Eve Art Walk, where streets in The Junction are closed for festival setup and hosting special events including sidewalk cafés and entertainment. That’s on Thursday, July 11 – set that night aside! And speaking of Summer Fest …

… any time you’re in The Junction, walk through “Mural Alley” (the cut-through on the west side of California between Alaska and Edmunds) and revisit the ocean murals created during past festivals by community members working with artist Stacey Sterling!

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