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  • Closure

    LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: This weekend’s plan

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    VIDEO: Crime Q&A with police, politicians

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    ALKI PARKING: Are changes ‘done deal’?

CONGRATULATIONS! 15 local students honored with Alki Masonic Lodge’s 43rd annual School Awards
May 21, 2024 10:44 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you’ve been to the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction, chances are it was for a meeting or party – Sound Transit has had “open houses” about West Seattle light rail there; the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle has had its holiday-season pancake breakfasts there; just last week the Center for Active Living (formerly Senior Center) announced its new name there … the events are countless.

But they aren’t the building’s main purpose. It’s home to Alki Masonic Lodge 152, a 118-year-old chapter of a centuries-old fraternity. For decades, its members have engaged in community service too – including the annual School Awards Night in Support of Our Public School System last night.

(Photos by Rick McGann. Above, L to R, Martin Monk, Delton Johnson, Tom Christie)

The lodge and its parent organization believe strongly in public education, so every year these awards are given to accomplished junior-year students from Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School. The Masons are “very proud” of being able to provide this support, said Martin Monk, who emceed the event. Before the awards were presented, the lodge’s current leader, Worshipful Master Delton Johnson, expressed hope that the students would “build on what’s good in the world and foster change in what you think can be better.” He quoted Malcolm X: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

Agreed Tom Christie, another lodge member who spoke: “Education is a lifelong process – there’s always something new to learn.”

The awards are a collaboration between the schools and the lodge – they ask administrators to nominate potential recipients. Here are the Chief Sealth students honored last night:

Charlotte Lindow
Hannah Mueller
Heran Andermariam
Sadie Ransom
Vinh Le-Truong
Eleanor Kamin (not present)
Allison Ohta (not present)

And the WSHS honorees:

Edie Branner
Ellen Rikhof
Danna Martinez
Nina Soleil Abdus-Salaam
Jhana Saboe Hutchinson
Fiona Tesfamariam
Afra Mizra
Souljah Tyson (not present)

Each honored student receives a certificate and a “monetary gift,” their hosts explained. Then the Top Students were announced – from WSHS, Edie Branner – whose interest in international affairs was noted – and Ellen Rikhof, who plans to pursue studies in marine biology, and from CSIHS, Charlotte Lindow and Alison Ohta (unable to accept in person). The Top Student winners were invited to speak, and all three who were there offered words of gratitude to their families and educators. Both schools were invited to send faculty; for WSHS, counselor Erica Nguyen and assistant principal Ron Knight were there. Knight accepted the perpetual plaque that displays the name of each year’s top two:

Today at CSIHS, principal Ray Morales was given the Sealth plaque:

(Photo courtesy Michelle Riggen-Ransom)

At last night’s event, photo ops followed the presentation, along with a pizza dinner downstairs in the big room where so many organizations have their events. And the students also went home with warm words from the Masons – Johnson called them “changemakers”; Christie observed, “I think the world is in good hands.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen black Mercedes SUV
May 21, 2024 7:45 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Sent by Will on behalf of his neighbor:

They had posted their car for sale and had someone come for a test drive – and the person drove off and stole it! This happened around 4 pm yesterday on 52nd Ave by Alki. The car is a black Mercedes SUV, license BPA 2209. Any sightings would be appreciated. Police report # 24-137147.

Call 911 if you see it.

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BIZNOTE: Cupcake Royale to ‘eventually close’ West Seattle and other remaining cafés
May 21, 2024 5:32 pm
|      55 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

cupcake(WSB file photo)

Cupcake Royale‘s West Seattle café, long listed for sale, will “eventually” close, as will the mini-chain’s other remaining cafés (the Ballard shop closed earlier this spring). That’s according to an email announcement from owner Jody Hall a short time ago.

In 2003 we opened our doors and pioneered the cupcake craze. It’s been an incredible journey, celebrating life’s big moments and everyday joys. Thank you for being part of our sweet story!

We have some big news and I wanted you to hear it from me first. We’re exploring various options to reinvent ourselves to flourish for the next 20 years. This includes our decision to eventually close our retail cafes and rebuild the business to offer better cupcake pricing, richer compensation for our team, and ability to maintain a sustainable business. It’s a tough but necessary call. ….

Even before this announcement, we had been seeking comment from Hall about the for-sale listing, but she declined to discuss it until she had met with her staff. In addition to urging customers to keep visiting the cafés while they’re open, Hall’s email today says CR is “actively seeking partners for cupcake pick-up locations across Seattle and the Eastside” and she’s also seeking suggestions for “who should fill our shoes” in West Seattle (as well as Madrona and Burien). The West Seattle location, in the city-landmark Campbell Building on the northeast corner of California/Alaska, opened almost exactly 18 years ago – on May 19, 2006.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Fauntleroy Fall Festival fundraiser at Endolyne Joe’s. Two ways to help!
May 21, 2024 5:17 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

Ben and Reed from the Fauntleroy Fall Festival are at Endolyne Joe’s (9261 45th SW) right now as the restaurant’s special annual festival fundraiser continues. If you dine/drink, part of today’s tab will go to the donations-and-volunteers-powered festival, but that’s not the only way to help!

Whether or not you’re dining/drinking, you can buy raffle tickets – three for $5 – for a chance at a variety of donated goodie baskets – items up for grabs include games, puzzles, coffee, event tickets, gardening items, more!

The basket raffle is on through 9 pm; Joe’s is open until 10. And set your calendar for the next Fauntleroy Fall Festival – October 20! (Here’s our 2023 coverage, if you’ve never been and wonder what it’s like.)

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UPDATE: Power outage on Genesee Hill
May 21, 2024 4:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

4:05 PM: Thanks for the tips! 38 homes on Genesee Hill are out of power, and this is the likely cause:

Gary sent that photo and reports, “It was a transformer explosion…..fire truck has the alley south of the 4400 block of Genesee cordoned off. The transformer is still smoldering.” According to the Seattle City Light outage map, this happened around 3:11 pm.

MIDNIGHT: Power’s been restored since our last check of the outage map a few hours ago.

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Schedules set! Here’s when you can go to West Seattle wading pools, Highland Park spraypark, Colman Pool this year
May 21, 2024 2:19 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(2023 photo by Mike Mahanay, just before Colman Pool’s season opened)

While Colman Pool‘s opening date was announced last month, the full schedule wasn’t finalized – but we have it today, along with this year’s wading-pool and spraypark schedules.

COLMAN POOL (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW): The city’s heated outdoor saltwater pool on the Lincoln Park shore will open for “preseason” weekends May 25-27, June 1-2, June 8-9, June 15-16. Swim-session times are listed here. Daily operation starts June 22 and continues through Labor Day (Monday, September 2). Colman Pool will be closed to the public on these dates for swim meets: June 27-29 and July 12-13.

SPRAYPARK: West Seattle has one, at Highland Park Playground (1100 SW Cloverdale), and it will be open daily starting Saturday (May 25), through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm each day.

WADING POOLS: West Seattle has four (citywide info is here):

Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 12 pm-7 pm every day, June 22-September 2

EC Hughes Playground (2805 SW Holden), June 24-August 18, Mondays, Tuesdays, Sundays, 12 pm-7 pm

Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW), June 26-August 16, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 12 pm-5:30 pm

Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW), June 27-August 17, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 12 pm-5:30 pm

*The South Park wading pool is closed this year “due to community-center closure and plans to convert to a spraypark,” Parks says.

INDOOR POOL: Southwest Pool continues regular operations through the summer.

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From the dumped-possibly-stolen file: Missing a suitcase?
May 21, 2024 1:03 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Sent by Casey at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (north of The Junction):

This suitcase was by the front door of First Lutheran Church this morning, open and rifled through, containing personal items looking like possibly stolen out of someone’s car returning from the airport. Call us, or email admin@flcws.org if it looks like yours. 206-935-6530

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Highland Park Way hill lane change? Three more chances to learn/talk about it this week, including HPAC on Wednesday
May 21, 2024 12:30 pm
|      70 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, downhill on HP Way, late Monday afternoon)

A week and a half ago, we reported on SDOT‘s proposal to replace a downhill driving lane on the Highland Park Way hill with a protected bicycle lane (1st rendering below), an expanded multi-use path (2nd rendering below), or both (bike lane first, expanded path later).

The announcement and infopage list several opportunities to hear from/talk with SDOT reps about the plan, and the next two days bring three of those events, so we wanted to mention them: Two are tomorrow (Wednesday, May 22) – at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Brockey Center during the Spring Fling, 11 am-2 pm, and during the monthly HPAC meeting, 7 pm, online-only this month so go here to get the connection information. Then on Thursday (May 23), SDOT will be back at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), 4-8 pm.

If you can’t get to any of those events in person, you can also comment online in survey format – go here by June 15 – or via email at HighlandHolden@seattle.gov.

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UPDATE: West Seattle Bridge lanes reopen after gravel spill
May 21, 2024 11:02 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

11:02 AM: As the screengrab from the West Seattle Bridge traffic camera shows, lanes are currently blocked on both sides of the West Seattle Bridge while crews clear away “debris” – apparently gravel – spilled on both sides, near 99. This isn’t the only trouble on that stretch of the bridge, which also saw a crash earlier, as noted in our morning traffic roundup.

11:10 AM: According to police radio, the gravel is from a truck that hit the barrier.

11:47 AM: Just checked the live camera; the cleanup continues.

12:09 PM: The cleanup has wrapped up and all lanes are open again.

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Fauntleroy Fall Festival dine-out benefit, West Seattle Community Orchestras’ free concert, more for your Tuesday
May 21, 2024 10:51 am
|    Comments Off on Fauntleroy Fall Festival dine-out benefit, West Seattle Community Orchestras’ free concert, more for your Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Happening now and in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL DINE-OUT BENEFIT: Dine at Endolyne Joe’s (9261 45th SW) any time today/tonight – it’s open until 10 pm – and part of the proceeds go to the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, as previewed here. If you’re there for dinner (4-9 pm) you can also buy tickets for a benefit raffle.

FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop in Tuesday mornings 9 am until noon at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. There is a public-comment period – in person or by phone – if there’s something you want to tell the council. The agenda explains how. You can watch live via Seattle Channel.

TRANSPORTATION LEVY PUBLIC HEARING: Got something to say about the mayor’s revised proposal for a transportation levy raising $1.45 billion over eight years? The City Council is reviewing it now and the first public hearing is at 4:30 pm, as previewed here; the agenda explains how to comment, either in person or remotely.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS, FREE CONCERT #2: Thanks to Dawn Hepburn for the video from last Friday’s first free May WSCO concert – tonight at 6 pm, two more WSCO groups present a free concert, 6 pm at Chief Sealth IHS‘s auditorium (2600 SW Thistle).

FREE INTRODUCTORY ASL CLASSES: This start-any-time series continues, 6 pm at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW), info here.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm tonight, play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

FREE TRACK RUN: Run with your neighbors! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).

BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm Tuesdays. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia (tonight – Taylor Swift trivia!); 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE PFLAG MEETING: Second monthly meeting of the new group, 7:30 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill).

BINGO AT TALARICO’S: You can play 8 pm bingo every Tuesday. (4718 California SW)

What are YOU planning? Are community members invited? Tell everyone via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Mission Cantina sets reopening date
May 21, 2024 8:53 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

8:53 AM: Two months ago, new owners were announced for Admiral restaurant/bar Mission Cantina, which had closed in early February after 19 years. This morning, its reopening date has been announced – one week from today. A ribboncutting is planned for 4 pm Tuesday, May 28, according to general manager Mike D. Adams. New owners Gina Topp and Ben Johnson announced in March that they weren’t planning any major changes – “our primary objective is to maintain the community asset that is Mission Cantina.” (If you’ve never been, it’s at 2325 California SW.)

ADDED 10 AM: The formal announcement of the reopening says hours will be 4 pm-midnight Sundays-Thursdays and 4 pm-1 am Fridays and Saturdays.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Tuesday begins
May 21, 2024 6:03 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9 AM: Via text – “Two-car blocking accident on WSB on ramp going west from 99. Extremely slick road conditions there due to heavy rain after being dry & I assume all the car fluids built up over the last few weeks.”

11:04 AM: More bridge trouble – a debris spill on both sides of the barrier at that spot. A cleanup crew is on site.

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, May 21.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Showers, high in the mid-50s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:24 am; sunset will be at 8:48 pm.

ROAD-WORK ALERTS

*SDOT work at Highland Park Way/Holden continues.

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

*Sound Transit is scheduled to be drilling on 41st SW in the east Junction – here’s the alert info.

NEW SIGNAL

Bill emailed to point this out: “Of interest to cyclists and pedestrians, and a newly active signal drivers need to be aware of: The long-dormant new pedestrian crossing on West Marginal Way SW at 17th Ave SW & SW Marginal Pl SW is active. This allows crossing from the protected bike lane on W Marginal Way SW to the new sidewalk on the north side of W Marginal. Going between the Alki Trail and Duwamish Trail cyclists can avoid riding over the hump at the west end of the lower bridge and waiting at the Chelan intersection.”

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.

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. … Starting this week, work at the Southworth terminal is closing some lanes there for about 3 weeks.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Low bridge: Open.

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:

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. (Except the low bridge, for now; SDOT says it’s working on that.)

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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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Hit-run death suspect released from jail
May 20, 2024 11:26 pm
|      51 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

(Victim’s photo, as displayed at April 27 vigil)

Today was the charging deadline for the 37-year-old man arrested in Puyallup last week on suspicion he was the hit-run driver who killed 81-year-old Tommy Joe Garrett at 15th/Roxbury last month. Tonight, after the online court file showed no sign of charges, we checked the King County Jail register – and it showed that the suspect had been released from jail just after 9 pm tonight. We sought comment from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; spokesperson Casey McNerthney explains: “Prosecutors submitted the certification of determination of probable cause by police investigators. The court did not find probable cause for the criminal charge. Probable cause for a criminal charge is different than finding probable cause at a first appearance – there is a lower standard for probable cause at a first appearance hearing.”

Could the same suspect still be charged in the future, if there was different/more evidence, for example? McNerthney says, “Prosecutors can review additional and/or clarifying information from police investigators anytime within the statute of limitations.” In the document for last week’s initial court hearing, King County Sheriff’s Office detectives had said they traced the vehicle involved in the hit-run (which belongs to the suspect’s mother) – and then its driver – through security cameras and cell-phone records. We’ll continue following up.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Crosstrek; work van break-in
May 20, 2024 9:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN SUBARU: The report and photo were sent by Jessica:

Early Friday morning my 2018 white Subaru Crosstrek was stolen just outside my house off SW Elmgrove street and 18th Ave SW. I believe they found my hide-a-key because no glass was broken.

License plate: BKU3328
VIN: (ends in) 132
Case Number: 24-133807

There’s also a vibrant purple, pink, & orange floral Mexican tassel hanging on the front mirror, similar to the one in the attached picture.

WORK VAN BREAK-IN: Reported via text: “My partner’s work van got broken into. We think it was Friday night, because on Saturday morning a neighbor came to our apartment and told us it was. We had no idea who the man was, and why he knew where we lived, so we didn’t take it seriously at the time. But it was on 42nd and Brandon, right off California.” The thief/thieves broke a window to get into the van, which is used for an environmental-testing firm, and stole “about 50 items.”

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Speaking of parades … See Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS in today’s Victoria Day parade
May 20, 2024 8:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Speaking of parades … See Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS in today’s Victoria Day parade
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

On Sunday thanks to photos from Michelle Edwards and Jim Edwards (current and past coordinators of the West Seattle Grand Parade), we showed you the West Seattle HS and Chief Sealth IHS Marching Bands in Victoria, B.C. Today, both marched in the Victoria Day Parade, and the Edwardses sent photos again:

oplus_1048576

You can also see both in CHEK-TV‘s broadcast of the entire parade – we went through to get the time codes: 1:04:55 in, you’ll see WSHS; 1:14:00 in, you’ll see Chief Sealth:

The individual school bands generally don’t march in the summer – they and other Seattle Public Schools are represented in the All-City Band, seen in the West Seattle Grand Parade among many others

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COUNTDOWN: 2 months until West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K – want to be part of one or both?
May 20, 2024 7:02 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 2 months until West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K – want to be part of one or both?
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Exactly two months from today, on July 20, a huge summer doubleheader takes over California Avenue SW between Admiral and The Junction from morning through early afternoon – the West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K. Both are looking for participants right now – here’s how to be part of either or both!

(WSB photo, 2023: Joyas Mestizas in West Seattle Grand Parade)

GRAND PARADE: This year, the Grand Parade celebrates its 90th anniversary! Your business, organization, school, etc., can inquire about parade participation by emailing WestSeattleParade@gmail.com to get an application. And the parade is seeking sponsors – the permits, no-parking signs, and other costs add up big time, and sponsorships help the all-volunteer parade organizers cover those costs – no sponsors, no parade! Read this to find out how to become a Grand Parade sponsor.

(WSB photo, 2023 Float Dodger 5K)

FLOAT DODGER 5K: Before the Grand Parade starts down California SW from Lander at 11 am on July 20, the Float Dodger 5K sends hundreds of runners and walkers onto the route (starting at Hiawatha Playfield) at 9:30 am, raising money for the West Seattle Food Bank. This is the 10th anniversary of the Float Dodger 5K, founded and coordinated by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). It’s preceded by a free Kids’ Dash at 9 am and followed by root-beer floats! Sponsors are welcome – email info@runforgoodracingcompany.com – and registration is open now – just go here!

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Tall ship Lady Washington – here’s where it was going
May 20, 2024 5:57 pm
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Tall ship Lady Washington – here’s where it was going
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Robin for the photo! She and others mentioned the tall ship Lady Washington passing West Seattle this afternoon. The Aberdeen-homeported ship was heading to Tacoma, where it’ll be offering day sails and dockside tours for several weeks starting Thursday. The Lady Washington is a replica of an 18th-century ship of the same name, built in 1989 (here’s the history), and has been featured in movies including episodes of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Star Trek” series.

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Something to say about transportation levy? First of two public hearings Tuesday
May 20, 2024 4:33 pm
|    Comments Off on Something to say about transportation levy? First of two public hearings Tuesday
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The City Council has begun its two-month review of the proposed eight-year, $1.45 billion transportation levy, led by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, and tomorrow (Tuesday, May 21) brings the first of two public hearings. Here’s our most-recent report on the levy proposal and its possible West Seattle projects. Tomorrow’s hearing is at 4:30 pm at City Hall downtown (500 4th), but you also can comment remotely – this page explains how to sign up for that. (The second and final hearing will be on June 4.)

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UPDATE: Rescue response in Duwamish River by South Park Bridge
May 20, 2024 3:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news

3:54 PM: Avoid the South Park Bridge for a while – it’s at the heart of a rescue response after a report of a person jumping or falling into the water. Responders tell dispatch that they have found her and are trying to talk to her, apparently closer to the East Marginal Way end of the bridge than the South Park side. The original 911 call came from someone passing by who saw the person on the bridge just before they went into the water.

3:57 PM: Rescuers report the person is out of the water and on shore “about 100 yards upriver.”

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Earlier Alki Beach closing time – and fire-ring season – to return starting Friday
May 20, 2024 3:26 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo)

Once again calling it “a pilot,” Seattle Parks has just confirmed it’ll close Alki Beach (and Golden Gardens) nightly at 10:30 pm starting Friday (as the Alki Community Council had been told) and this year continuing for a few weeks beyond Labor Day. Beach-fire season will start Friday, too, with a later nightly end time. Here’s the announcement just sent by Parks (with a link you can use for feedback):

Seattle Parks and Recreation will enact a pilot shortening the hours at Golden Gardens and Alki Beach during the 2024 summer months from 4 A.M.-10:30 P.M. from May 24-September 22. And a return to 4 A.M. – 11:30 P.M after September 22.

The shortened hours will assist in addressing dangerous and/or illegal behavior typical of summer evening uses at these two parks in response to public input and nearby community complaints.

This program is a pilot and will be reviewed at a Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners meeting after the summer to help determine the best operating hours for the public. This review will be informed by public comments from the questionnaire below, public comment given at the Board meeting, and data collected throughout the pilot period.

During the Summer 2024 Season, Seattle Parks and Recreation staff, assisted by Seattle Police Department staff, will begin closing down these two beach locations starting at 10:00 P.M.

Public input can be provided here.

Additionally, designated fire pits will be available for beach fires this summer beginning Friday, May 24, 2024.

Beach Fire and Park Rules

Starting Friday, May 24, 2024, designated fire pits will be available for beach fires at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens seven days a week on a first come, first served basis. Bringing your own fire pit is not allowed, and no propane fire pits/rings are allowed.

-Fires must be extinguished by 10 p.m.
-Fires allowed 7 days a week starting Friday, May 24 through Sunday, September 22.
-Staff will be on-site to manage and assist with putting out fires at 10 p.m.
-Parking lot gates will be locked and the park will close at 10:30 p.m. for summer hours.
-Please only burn clean (natural, bare, dry cord-wood) wood and douse your fire completely before leaving.
-Light a fire ONLY in one of the installed fire containers
-Use only clean, dry firewood
-Please douse your fire with water, not sand
-Fires are not allowed during air pollution alerts; we will post sign
-Please don’t remove any materials from the park, beach or dunes
-Please dispose of trash and ashes in the containers provided for each. (SMC 18.12.260)
=Be considerate of others–please, no loud or amplified music! (SMC 18.12.170)

Remember, no alcohol or smoking are allowed, and parks are drug-free zones. Beach fire rules are outlined in detail in the Seattle Municipal Code section 18.12.270 and in our Beach Fires Policy.

If you see an illegal fire, call 911. For current burn ban and air quality questions, contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

Fire pits at Golden Gardens and Alki are unlocked between 4-5 p.m. starting May 24. Please extinguish all beach fires (using water, not sand) by 10 p.m. in order to ensure that all fires are completely extinguished in ample time before the park’s closure.

The fires-out time is half an hour later than last year, and the end dates are later too; last year, the early closing time and beach fires all ended right after Labor Day.

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Brown water in Admiral
May 20, 2024 1:49 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

First “brown water” report of the week – from Scott, who’s a few blocks south of Hiawatha. No emergency responses on the Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map, so it might well be hydrant testing, but always report it to SPU’s 24-hour line at 206-386-1800. (And hold off on laundry till your water’s clear – the “sediment” in the lines is mostly rust and it will stain light-colored clothing.)

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West Seattle’s traditional Memorial Day ceremony returning this year
May 20, 2024 12:17 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | Holidays | West Seattle news

(File photo, Forest Lawn on Memorial Day)

For the first time since 2019, Forest Lawn Cemetery is bringing back the traditional West Seattle Memorial Day ceremony this year. (Here’s our coverage of the last event, pre-pandemic.) All are invited to the remembrance event next Monday (May 27) on the green in the cemetery (6701 30th SW), 2 pm, for speakers, music, and refreshments.

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From comedy to ceramics to music trivia, here’s what’s up for your West Seattle Monday
May 20, 2024 10:21 am
|    Comments Off on From comedy to ceramics to music trivia, here’s what’s up for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Possibly West Seattle’s most photographed birds along with the guinea fowl – this pic is from Steve Bender)

Here’s what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Reminder that expanded hours continue at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm Mondays-Thursdays.

BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.

POP-UP CERAMICS: “Build and sip” class at 5:30 pm at Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) – registration link is in our calendar listing!

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). As always, all welcome, first-time players too.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Four places to play tonight – Music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) with host David, 6:30 and 7:30 pm … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

COMEDY: Monthly “Routine Killers” show at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm, with Michael Harrison headlining – a few tickets remain as of this writing!

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All welcomed for free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community welcomes you at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

KARAOKE: 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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