West Seattle, Washington
01 Thursday
(Across from potential Delridge station location)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Today’s West Seattle light-rail “route walk” organized by Rethink the Link wasn’t a rally or protest.
What we heard and saw, walking along, was more like a collection of conversations. The three-dozen-plus participants included not just the light-rail skeptics of Rethink the Link and curious residents but also light-rail supporters, including at least one member of the Transportation Choices Coalition, and an advocate who toted this sign throughout the hour-and-a-half event:
Other transit advocates, including writers for the Seattle Transit Blog, were there too. So there were many perspectives in play as participants talked one-on-one along most of the round-trip mile-long walk from West Seattle Health Club to the middle of the low bridge and back, between multiple stops along a potential path for the train. At those stops, whoever was in earshot heard from RTL’s Alan McMurray, a route-area resident described as someone who walks to work in SODO and is therefore quite familiar with the route: “For the last four years, as I walk, I wonder how they’re going to do it.” The group gathered in the parking lot of the health club, whose management has expressed concern about a potential path that could take out its pool.
From there, walkers headed over Longfellow Creek via the SW Yancy footbridge – where environmental concerns were noted – then to Andover and into the office park that’s in a potential Delridge-station footprint, home to Alki Beach Academy and other businesses, alongside the Nucor steel plant, and looked upslope at the back of Delridge-fronting businesses also facing displacement – Ounces, The Skylark, Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music and Performing Arts. Here’s the station rendering that’s been most recently shown:
Walking toward the low bridge, participants’ attention was directed toward Pigeon Point, along which the high bridge already runs, with West Seattle light rail requiring an additional new bridge to cross the Duwamish River.
The new bridge is expected to be at least as tall as the existing bridge, McMurray noted. How that’ll be built has yet to be finalized, but it’s expected to require some digging into Pigeon Point – “some kind of major cut” –
where herons nest. One took wing as walkers looked on, while birds’ coexistence with human-built infrastructure was on display too, as peregrine falcons’ nesting boxes on the underside of the high bridge were pointed out.
After trooping back along the path on the east side of Delridge, the group stopped for another perspective of the Skylark/Mode business building, when a person standing along the road shouted, “We don’t need no damn light rail!” A few participants responded “hear, hear”; he then said cheerfully, “OK, I’m done.”
Wrapping up shortly thereafter, McMurray explained the intent of the walk was “just meant to give you an idea of what it’s going to take” to build the West Seattle Link Extension through that area. A participant asked, “What can we do?” McMurray noted that the Final Environmental Impact Statement – precursor to a final vote on a route – is expected to be published this summer, and then there’s a “30-day window” before that final action can be taken. That’s the time to “be heard … make sure they hear you,” he said. Someone else pointed out that comments can be sent to Sound Transit now, too. (Contact info is on the project website.)
Whatever your view, McMurray concluded, “There is this common ground we all agree on – better transit.”
(Photo sent by Kayano)
Almost every day, someone sends us a new photo of the still-roaming West Seattle Guinea Fowl, some still mistaking them for turkeys. So we’re opening this gallery of WSB readers’ bird photos with another mention of them.
(Photo sent by Lorenzo)
They’re not lost – we’ve been told they have a home, from which they are allowed to roam – most often seen in and near The Triangle, including in the street:
(Photo by Lisa Wallace)
As we reported earlier this spring, the Seattle Animal Shelter has tried, unsuccessfully, to corral them (they reiterated that to another reader just today) … Also often seen this spring, Canada Geese and their goslings. David Hutchinson sent this photo, observing that they’re growing up:
Here’s a view of a goose family earlier in the spring, by Angela Gunn:
Also on the shore, James Tilley photographed a Caspian Tern and Crow facing off:
In a more placid moment, this Great Blue Heron caught Benjamin Evans‘s attention:
Jerry Simmons photographed this Steller’s Jay taking time for self-care:
And here’s a Wilson’s Warbler photographed at Lincoln Park by Mark MacDonald:
Thanks to everyone who shares photos – birds, wildlife, breaking news, more – we*************@***il.com – also note that between galleries like this, we do feature bird photos with some of our daily event lists, so they’re worth a look if you don’t routinely read them!
Whale sighting reported by Kersti Muul: “Humpback just north of Lowman Beach, mid-channel toward Me-Kwa-Mooks.” Let us know if you see it!
P.S. You can learn more about humpbacks in Puget Sound via this Seattle Channel video, produced by Annabel Cassam with photographer/editor Pete Cassam, and featuring some West Seattleites’ work – you’ll see Jeff Hogan interviewed, as well as photos by David Hutchinson:
Matthew says this happened near 47th/Hudson:
Our Subaru was successfully prowled last night. We had come back from our kids’ dance recital and accidentally left their iPad in the back seat of our car. The car was unlocked. Maybe for the best, as if they had seen the iPad (and broken) the window to get to it, then we’d have even more to deal with.
Sometime during the night the car was opened. The glove box was rifled through and the iPad was taken.
The bummer is that our 5-year-old son has hearing aids paired to that iPad so that he can play games, listen to shows and control the ambient volume of his hearing aids.
Thankfully, the iPad was signed in to an Apple ID, and Apple’s Find My was on.
This morning-when we realized it was gone-I was able to see its last-known location, where it had checked in. I biked to that location, and found nothing. I plopped down on the curb and happened to look over and saw it leaning up against the telephone pole.
My best guess is that the thief saw that it was signed in and locked to an Apple ID and would be impossible to sell without raising questions, and tossed it aside.
Still a little bit of a bummer as the screen was cracked and the iPad itself had been bent. It still functions, and we’re headed over to the store today to get it replaced under warranty.
All’s well in the end, but prowling is 100% a thing. Ah well!
For the second consecutive summer, Outdoors for All has brought adaptive-cycling alternatives to the Alki Point Healthy Street area – Beach Drive along Constellation Park – for free tryouts. They’re there today until 2 pm, with equipment meant to facilitate riding for people with disabilities or other challenges such as balance issues. The organization describes its year-round fleet as follows:
· Handcycles for individuals with limited or no leg movement
· Recumbent and therapy trikes for those who need more stability
· Hand and foot powered cycles for children
· Tandem cycles for individuals who want a guide while riding
· Standard 2-wheeled bicycles and Striders
For today’s event, no RSVP needed – just show up!
(Added – WSB photo)
Thanks for the tip! The West Seattle (Admiral) library branch is closed today because of a phone outage. The High Point branch is open instead, until 6.
(Seen at Constellation Park at low tide – photos by SF)
Here’s our Sunday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
BOWLING BENEFIT: 9 am-11 pm, bowl at West Seattle Bowl (39th/Oregon) and tell them you’re there to support the Madison Middle School ASB, which will benefit from a portion of the proceeds.
ADMIRAL CHURCH FOOD DRIVE: Launching today – drop off donations at the church (4320 SW Hill) 9 am-noon.
MINI-POLAR PLUNGE: 9 am every Sunday, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 9 am, meet at Ampersand Café (2536 Alki Avenue SW) for this week’s Sunday Funday Run.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market is open today, 10 am-2 pm as usual, on California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon, offering almost-summer vegetables, flowers, fruit, and plants, plus baked goods, cheese, fish, meat, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.
FREE ADAPTIVE-CYCLING RENTALS: 10 am-2 pm, as previewed here, the organization Outdoors for All will be at the Alki Point Healthy Street (Beach Drive section) with free-to-ride adaptive cycles, meant for people with challenges from disabilities to balance issues.
‘RETHINK THE LINK’ WALK: 10 am-noon, opponents of West Seattle light-rail plan are leading a walk along part of its potential route, as previewed here, starting from West Seattle Health Club (28th/Andover).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Daily operation continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: Another “preseason weekend” continues 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.
NEPENTHE SUMMER MARKET: Noon-5 pm at 9447 35th SW, stop in to see what local creators are offering, plus free coffee and tea.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Today brings your second chance this year to visit the historic lighthouse most Sundays through the summer – free tours begin at 1 pm, and the last tour of the day starts at 3:45 pm. (3201 Alki SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -2.3 feet at 1:28 pm (here’s the monthly tide table). Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 11:30 am-2:30 pm.
JUMP ROPE SHOW: 2:30 pm at Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee), Rain City Ropeworks will put on a show for you! Full details and ticket link are in our calendar listing.
CIRCLE OF SONGS: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), monthly acoustic event.
‘CLYDE’S’ AT ARTSWEST: 3 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.
LISTENING PARTY: 3 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), listening party for L’Impératrice‘s new release “Pulsar.”
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Conclude your weekend with music by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.
Are you planning something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – we*************@***il.com – thank you!
3:18 AM: SFD and SPD are arriving at the scene of a crash for which the dispatch was initially a “rescue extrication” callout. They’re describing the crash as involving a bus hitting a fence at 22nd/Roxbury. At least one person is reported injured.
3:21 AM: Apparently no extrication needed after all, so the response is being downsized.
3:25 AM: The bus involved is apparently a Metro coach, as officers have asked dispatch about whether a Metro supervisor is on their way and what kind of tow the transit agency will use.
9:29 AM: SFD tells us that indeed, only one person was hurt, a woman in her early 30s treated for minor injuries at the scene.
Tonight, three notes about helping – one way you can do it, two ways others did it earlier this week:
FOOD DRIVE: Admiral Church‘s summer food drive starts tomorrow (Sunday, June 9):
This June, we are launching our annual Summer Food Drive. Our mission is to combat hunger, and we can’t do it alone. We’re teaming up with both our local community and the White Center Food Bank. This initiative not only provides immediate relief to those in need, but also fosters a sense of unity and shared responsibility in our community. So join us this summer, and let’s fight hunger together! Please contact Susan Oatis to learn more: su*********@***il.com
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: At Pigeon Point Park, dozens of volunteers joined the Green Seattle Partnership, DNDA and others at a mega-work party this past Wednesday to commemorate World Environment Day.
This site is part of the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle’s largest contiguous forest. Art was incorporated into Wednesday’s activities:
DNDA has many other volunteering opportunities coming up as part of its work to synergize art, nature, and community – check out the calendar here.
CENTENNIAL TLC FOR THE MOUNT: Providence Mount St. Vincent sent this photo from a Day of Service there on Friday involving volunteers from both Deloitte and Providence:
The Mount says more than 70 volunteers participated, working around the grounds on “shared spaces, gardens, and residential rooms”; this was part of The Mount’s centennial celebration and Deloitte’s “Impact Day.”
(WSB photos, video)
They ran, they climbed, they walked, they rocked! More than 700 people – plus friends-and-family cheering sections – converged on Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point today for this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe, a suite of events that fill the field with fun. The first two events of the day sent runners out onto Seattle’s only 5K obstacle course:
The 5K was offered as an option without obstacles, too. And for participants in their golden years, Loop the ‘Lupe offered a short, flat course for the Senior Saunter:
Final race of the day was the Youth Dash; you can find results for all the events by going here. Part of the Loop the ‘Lupe fun is everything happening around the field, like the live music courtesy of West Seattle School of Rock:
Community organizations and businesses supporting this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe included three WSB sponsors – Bryan, Charlie, and Zoe were there from Fitness Together West Seattle in The Junction:
Mark and Jack were there for Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle on Harbor Ave:
Gene and Michele were at Loop the ‘Lupe on behalf of West Seattle Runner in Admiral:
Part of today’s fun – a memento for Loopers – these medals!
Post-race food and drink was available too:
Race organizer Brian Callanan says the turnout was a bit above last year. Proceeds go toward the extensive social outreach done by Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose parish and school are next to today’s venue.
When we told you a month ago about West Seattle filmmaker Francine Strickwerda‘s award-winning film “Ultimate Citizens“ screening at SIFF, the showings were only scheduled off-peninsula. But now you have a chance to see it at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) – thanks to a local school team! The screening is 6:30 pm this Wednesday (June 12). It’s organized by Lafayette Elementary‘s first-ever Ultimate Frisbee team, in partnership with the filmmaker. From the announcement:
ULTIMATE CITIZENS is the story of Mr. Jamshid, a Seattle primary school counselor who uses the sport of Ultimate Frisbee to help immigrant and refugee children find belonging on their way to compete in the world’s largest youth tournament. Please join us for a special screening of this inspiring and award-winning documentary, fresh from the Seattle International Film Festival. Filmmaker Q&A to follow the screening. Bring your family, your Ultimate Frisbee team, or your school class! Tickets are $10.
One showing only – buy your ticket(s) by going here.
2:17 PM: Ashley hopes you will be on the lookout for her stolen e-bike, taken from the Marq West apartments on Avalon: “My e-bike was stolen last night. It’s a Magnum green step-through e-bike with a basket on the back. Has a Harry Potter decal on the right side below the battery mount.” She says someone else’s bike was stolen too, and there was an attempted motorcycle theft as well.
3:06 PM: Since we published that report, we’ve received this, from Amanda:
Please be on the lookout for a stolen electric bike. My roommate Elliot‘s electric bike (black colored, still had their white helmet on it) was just stolen from the parking lot of the Rite Aid on California Ave.
Someone in the parking lot was kind enough to snap a video after they noticed the chain being cut, by someone in a black T-shirt and red shorts.
I’ve attached the clearest picture from the video, of the thief riding away with the bike.
No incident # in either theft yet but we’ll add if/when we get those numbers. (UPDATE: For the theft reported by Ashley, it’s 24-155579.)
Festival season continues one week from today with the Morgan Junction Community Festival, presented by the Morgan Community Association, 10 am-2 pm Saturday, June 15 – maybe you’ve seen the new posters around:
Post-pandemic, MoCA presented a smaller-scale festival, but this year more of the original features are back, including booths with community organizations and businesses. Free entertainment will fill the festival, starting with the back-from-retirement Bubbleman at 10 am – see the full lineup here. And you can find out more about the plan for an all-wheels area in the park at a design open house hosted by Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association. It’ll all happen in and around Morgan Junction Park – on the west side of California just north of the intersection with Fauntleroy – next Saturday.
8:37 AM: Thanks for the tip. Washington State Ferries has only one boat running on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, because M/V Kitsap is having mechanical trouble. That leaves only M/V Kittitas in operation.
10:08 AM: If you’re waiting, you can check Vessel Watch to see how close (or far) the ferry is.
12:40 PM: Per text alert from WSF, the Kitsap is returning to service at 12:45, on a run from Vashon to Southworth.
(Blooming dogwood, photographed by Jerry Simmons southeast of The Junction)
Welcome to a summerish weekend! Here are the highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
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.
DELRIDGE STRENGTH COMMUNITY WORKOUT FUNDRAISER: Work out at Delridge Strength (5050 Delridge Way SW), 9 am, by donation to help Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) move out of light rail’s path – details and RSVP link in our calendar listing.
FUNDRAISING PLANT SALE: One last plant sale for Amy‘s Lung Force Walk team, 9 am-noon – details in the calendar listing. (3703 SW 107th)
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 am at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham), Seattle Public Library librarians will lead storytime.
WEST SEATTLE DISCOVERY SHOP SALE: 50 percent off everything in the store, 10 am-4:30 pm, raising money for the American Cancer Society. (4535 California 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.
LOOP THE ‘LUPE: Today’s the day! Obstacle-course 5K (elite or family wave), or 5K fun run, or Senior Saunter, or Kids’ Dash, all options with staggered starts 11 am-1 pm for this fundraising event benefiting Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s social-outreach work. Music, food, drinks at Loop the ‘Lupe central on Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle) too! Packet pickup/last-minute registration starts onsite at 10 am. Full details here.
BAGELS AND PIZZA AT THE P-PATCH: You’re invited to Barton Street P-Patch (34th/Barton) today for fresh-baked bagels (11 am-1 pm) and/or pizza (4-6 pm, live music too) – donations support the garden.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Third weekend of the season – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: Also the third 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.
MAKERS’ ART MARKET AT ALKI: 30+ artists/vendors, noon-5 pm at the beach.
GEORGETOWN CARNIVAL: Your neighbors across the river would love to see you noon-10 pm today for all manner of fun, on Airport Way South between Lucile and Vale – see our calendar listing for more info.
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)
PET ICE-CREAM SOCIAL: Just in time for potential 80-degree weather – frozen treats for pets are in the spotlight at Mud Bay-Admiral (2611 California SW), noon-4 pm.
LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -3.0 feet at 12:45 pm (here’s the monthly tide table). Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 9:30 am-1:30 pm.
TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: With everything going on in Seattle Public Schools, it’s a key time to be heard by the board, and our area’s rep Gina Topp will be at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) 1-2 pm for listening and Q/A.
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 SPRING RELEASE: Four new wines are released today and the tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.
PRIDE STORYTIME: Miss Lacey hosts Pride Storytime for all ages, 4:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
‘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.
AZUQAR! DANCE NIGHT: At The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), “a Sapphic Dance Night for BIPOC + Allies,” billed as a pre-Pride kickoff. 8 pm – more info here.
BEATS: Saturday night, DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Jeremy Linden spins. (4547 California SW, alley side)
KARAOKE: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
Planning a happening? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!
11:54 PM: A crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge is blocking most lanes near the Admiral Way exit. No injuries, according to SFD, so its units are clearing quickly, but police remain on scene and are arranging for at least one tow truck.
12:33 AM: Haven’t heard or seen an all-clear, but the live camera shows the bridge traffic flow moving normally.
12:49 AM: Not clear yet. Officers just told dispatch they’re temporarily diverting all WB traffic off the bridge at Admiral.
1:02 AM: Reopened, police just informed dispatch.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Community-group meeting seldom have surprise endings. Wednesday night’s District 1 Community Network meeting did, as a scheduled discussion about logistics quickly pivoted into a disbandment decision.
More on that later. First, here’s what else happened:
HIGHLAND PARK WAY HILL PROJECT: James Le from SDOT, who led the project presentation and discussion at HPAC last month (WSB coverage here), did the same at the D1CN meeting. He was joined by project teammate Willow Russell. We’ve written about this project several times since it emerged four weeks ago – four years after SDOT decided to shelve a possible uphill bike lane for the stretch. Le recapped the three options – all of which would replace the current outside downhill vehicle lane: A protected bike lane, a multi-use path, or eventually both. This was the last scheduled public presentation during the feedback period, which is scheduled to close in a week.
After a relatively short presentation, the SDOT reps fielded questions.
If you’re interested in taking your little ones to organized storytimes, take note of these additions to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
READ-ALOUDS AT SEOLA POND: Isabelle, a teacher who lives in Arbor Heights, is hosting “community read-alouds” for kids and their chaperones at Seola Pond three times a month through August. The first one is tomorrow (Saturday, June 8) at 10 am. “All ages and family members are welcome – I recommend bringing a blanket to sit on and be ready to make lots of friends with other kiddos.” Other dates are June 15, 29; July 2, 16, 27; August 10, 14, 24 – all at 10 am. If you haven’t been to Seola Pond before, here’s where to find it.
PRIDE STORYTIMES: Miss Lacey, a local nanny, is hosting Pride storytimes this month and has set the first date – 4:30 pm tomorrow at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond). She says all ages are welcome; dates and times for two more Pride storytimes later this month are yet to be announced.
STORIES AND MORE WITH THE REAL PURRDIE BURRDIE: Storytelling is part of four family-fun events that West Seattle artist and author Danitra Hunter – creator of the Purrdie Burrdie character – will be presenting at local parks, four consecutive Saturdays, 1-5 pm, starting June 22. We’ll take a closer look at her plan as this gets closer but you can set your calendar, for starters.
(added 10:49 pm) STORYTIMES AT THE BEE GARDEN: Thanks to Lisa for sending this after seeing our original mention of the three above! Per this announcement, Seattle Public Library librarians will be at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham) at 10:30 am Saturday mornings in June for outdoor storytimes.
Congratulations to eight more headed-for-college student-athletes! The report and photo are from West Seattle High School athletic director Corey Sorenson:
We had our Spring Senior Signing Day for West Seattle High School the other day. In photo, left to right:
Marisela Giomi – Competitive Cheer: Northern Arizona University
Carmen Cruz – Women’s Basketball: University of Puget Sound
Aleister Alfstad – Men’s Soccer: Lewis & Clark College
Devon Ghali – Men’s Soccer: Lakeland University
Nate Schiavo – Men’s Basketball: Grays Harbor College
Milo Stover – Men’s Golf: Bellevue College
Sabin Tomlinson – Men’s Baseball: Long Beach City College
John Langen – Men’s Baseball: Wenatchee Valley College
(WSB photo, 2023 Loop the ‘Lupe)
If you were waiting to make weekend activity decisions – one last reminder that tomorrow (Saturday, June 8) brings Seattle’s only obstacle-course 5K, right here on the peninsula – Loop the ‘Lupe. It’s actually five events – your choice of which one to be part of – with start times staggered over two hours (11 am to 1 pm) at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle): Elite Wave of the obstacle-course 5K at 11 am, Family Wave of the obstacle-course 5K at 11:40 am, fun-run (obstacle-free) 5K at noon, Senior Saunter walk at 12:15 pm, Youth Dash at 1 pm. You can still register online – the prices and individual event signup links are here. You can also go to the field to cheer the runners/walkers and join the celebration, with live music plus food and beverages available for purchase. Loop the ‘Lupe (for which WSB is media sponsor again this year) raises money for Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s community-outreach work (as explained here).
(Photos courtesy Duwamish Rowing Club)
The Duwamish Rowing Club wants you to know it’s relaunching its program for high-school students this summer! From the announcement:
Duwamish Rowing Club is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to providing affordable rowing opportunities on Seattle’s only river. Our organization operates on a site generously donated by a neighbor to introduce rowing to the youth in our community and cultivate a space that fosters discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and enhances personal growth and self-confidence. Our adult rowers support our youth programs by donating time and subsidizing program costs.
During the pandemic, our youth rowing program was temporarily halted. In February 2024, our volunteers relaunched our youth rowing team through a partnership with Rainier Prep Middle School, a charter school a few minutes from our boat house. Throughout winter and spring, a sixteen-week rowing program introduced 16 students to rowing, first through an eight-week on-land coached program utilizing rowing machines at their middle school, followed by another eight-week on-water coached program. Financial support from the George Pocock Rowing Foundation allowed us to hire our new coaches, Lead Youth Coach McKenna Niemer and assistant youth coach Jay Olson. The Washington State Parks Boater Program donated 24 life vests to help us meet our safety requirements to welcome students to not only the Duwamish River, but also to the greater rowing community.
This June, we are shifting our focus to high school athletes, offering a new introductory summer program to get new rowers ready for our fall rowing season.
You can read more of what they’ve done so far and what’s ahead by going here. This flyer has information on two sessions for teens this summer, including dates and costs.
1:30 PM: “All opinions are welcome.” That declaration is part of the invitation on the flyer for Rethink the Link‘s “route walk” of the proposed Delridge light-rail station vicinity (and beyond) on Sunday. They’re looking ahead to a community forum requested by King County Executive and Sound Transit Board of Directors chair Dow Constantine (we checked with ST this week and there’s no date set for that yet). They’ll be gathering at the West Seattle Health Club (28th/Andover) at 10 am Sunday (June 9). The map is on the group’s website in case you can’t join the walk or prefer to explore on your own. The group in general contends there are better alternatives for moving more West Seattleites across the Duwamish River, such as improving existing transit service. The Sound Transit Board is on a track to finalize a light rail route later this year, but first the agency has to release the Final Environmental Impact Statement, expected in the next few months. This is the second major public “route walk” that Rethink the Link has offered since it formed last year.
3:04 PM: This afternoon, Sound Transit sent its email list a note reiterating what we noted above – no date yet for the West Seattle light-rail final EIS to be published. From that email:
… We expect to publish the Final EIS later this year, which will include responses to comments received on the Draft EIS. While we’re getting close, we do not have a date set for publication yet. We will share more information about specific timing for the availability of the Final EIS when we can.
After the Final EIS is published, the Sound Transit Board will select the project to be built. Their decision will consider the years of technical study and public engagement since 2018. In the past, we gathered your feedback through station planning and neighborhood forum events, scoping and Draft EIS comment periods, community briefings, and one-on-one meetings. Following the Board’s decision and the Record of Decision by the Federal Transit Administration, the project will move into the design phase.
What is the design phase? The design phase will focus on advancing detailed design of the guideway and stations and preparing for construction. This includes refining what the facilities will look like, how the stations fit within neighborhoods, and how people will move through the station. We look forward to engaging with you as the design advances. …
Unusual sight on the seawall in the Alki area this morning – a possum! Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo. Nicola also told us about it this morning, and then we heard from local wildlife helper Kersti Muul, who says she’s been to the shore to assess it but it’s moved down to the rocks, has “normal gait” and “is preening,” so it doesn’t seem to be in need of help and will be left alone. Don’t know much about possums (aka opossums)? Here’s the WDFW infopage.
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