West Seattle, Washington
06 Tuesday
When the mayor introduced his transportation-levy proposal Thursday (WSB coverage here), that opened a three-week period for feedback to further shape it before he formally sends it to the City Council. The councilmember who will lead the council’s review, District 1’s Rob Saka, is asking for your opinions too, in a survey. It’s short, asking you to rank 10 potential spending areas in the order you’d want to see them prioritized – and also asking if you have a priority you don’t see on the list. Here’s where to find Councilmember Saka’s survey.
Current forecast for midday Monday is mostly cloudy – but things can change, so here’s the place to be for guided viewing of the partial solar eclipse, if there’s a break in the clouds. Educator/expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen – who gave away eclipse-viewing glasses at her spring-equinox sunset event (photo at right) – will be at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), in the grassy field near Olympic Hall on the south end of the campus. She’s planning to be there 10:35 am-12:25 pm Monday (April 8), with the maximum eclipse – 20% coverage – expected at 11:29 am. See the eclipse page on her Alice’s Astro Info website here. And wherever you’re looking from. remember, do it safely (Alice’s page explains how).
Even with a sign like that in view, people have asked about a dead sea lion that’s been in view on the beach at Constellation Park for a while. Though removal is not in the scope of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network, we asked what they know about its status. That led to this explanation:
Many of you have seen Seal Sitters volunteers guarding vulnerable young harbor-seal pups resting onshore throughout the day. We also have the responsibility of responding to reports of deceased marine mammals that wash up on our local beaches.
When our hotline receives a report of a marine-mammal carcass on a public beach, a Seal Sitter first responder goes to the location. They take measurements, photos, and perform an external examination. This information along with the species type, degree of decomposition, and GPS coordinates will be entered into NOAA’s online national database. It is very important for scientific purposes that these deceased animals be reported. In some instances, a necropsy (animal autopsy) can be performed, depending on its condition and available resources. Seattle Parks and Recreation is always notified of the carcass’s location.
It is important to understand that NOAA’s stranding network, of which Seal Sitters is a member, is not responsible for the removal of these carcasses. Please note that it is illegal for anyone to push a dead animal back into the water once it has landed onshore. Towing and releasing or sinking requires a valid permit from the Environmental Protection Agency. Private property owners have a couple options. They can bury the carcass above the high tide line. They also can arrange for removal of the carcass by a company such as QAR (Quiet Animal Removal) for a fee.
Almost all California Sea Lions in our area are males and can reach up to 7.5 feet in length and weigh up to 700 pounds. Heavy equipment is required to remove them from the beach. Seattle Parks has the equipment to do this, but the carcass needs to be in an accessible location. Two CSL carcasses are currently on West Seattle public beaches. They have been reported to Seal Sitters and we have passed their location along to Seattle Parks, but they remain on the beach because they cannot be reached with the appropriate equipment. Seal Sitters’ first responders marked each carcass with biodegradable paint and placed informational signs nearby. The paint is applied for ID purposes, so if it floats to a different location on a high tide, it does not get double-counted. The signs inform passersby that the network is monitoring these dead animals’ locations and cautions against touching them for health reasons.
Seal Sitters wants to thank the West Seattle community for their support, and please continue to report both dead and live cases to our hotline at 206-905-7325.
(West Seattle tulips, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Welcome to April’s first weekend! Here are highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FIRST CRUISE SHIP: If you have eyes on Elliott Bay, you might notice NCL’s Norwegian Bliss, first cruise ship to visit Seattle this season, as previewed here.
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 14TH ANNIVERSARY: The store‘s anniversary sale continues all weekend; 8 am special event today – Group Run with donuts and chocolate milk afterward, sponsored by Superfeet, and they will be giving away a pair of semi-custom inserts valued at $150. (2743 California SW)
ALL THE BEST PET CARE’S GRAND OPENING: Open 9 am-7 pm today, 10 percent discount to celebrate the grand opening of the West Seattle store (WSB sponsor) at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW.
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: End-of-season sale at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska) all weekend – today, “30% off your ENTIRE purchase of winter gear, first dibs!”
COLLEGE BEACH VOLLEYBALL ON ALKI: Day 2 of the UW-hosted tournament, starting at 9 am; here’s our coverage of Day 1.
FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event every Saturday but please register.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Scheduled to be open 10 am-2 pm today: “The Garden Center at South Seattle College provides Landscape Horticulture students the opportunity to increase their knowledge of plants while gaining real-world retail experience. Plants available for sale are selected, propagated, grown and presented by students. Additional plants are brought in from local growers.” (6000 16th Ave SW, north lot)
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.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
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 open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
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.
MEET THE ARTISTS AT ALKI ARTS: 5-7 tonight at the gallery (which is a WSB sponsor):
Mix & mingle with artists Vanessa Lanza, Andy McConnell, Lisa Sweo Eul, Kassie Hennessey, Ricardo Duque, Debbie Bianchi, & David Harrison. Talk with the artists about their artwork, inspiration, & their process. Light nibbles & sparkling wine will be served-This event is a great first look at the new exhibit for April!
(6030 California SW)
THIRD NIGHT FOR ‘ENGLISH’: The new play continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Ticket link in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT C & P: Unplugged “Circle of Songs,” 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.’
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: “Festival of Friends, Bandmixers Roulette events feature curated cover bands showcasing select songs from some of rock music’s most iconic bands and artists” describes what’ll happen tonight at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) – doors at 6:30 pm, show at 7:30 pm, $10 cover, 21+.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
BEATS: Saturday night DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ OV1 is at the Room. (4547 California SW, alley side)
KARAOKE: Saturday night, sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
Planning a pop-up, concert, open house, show, sale, event, walk, run, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Reader photo, originally uploaded in comments below)
10:24 PM: SFD is fighting what a dispatcher described as a “large encampment fire” off Sylvan Way behind Delridge Home Depot. The response has led SPD to block Sylvan Way in both directions.
(Reader photo sent by Sam)
10:44 PM: They’ve declared the fire “tapped” (out). SFD says no one was hurt.
11:20 PM: Nearby resident Sam says Sylvan has reopened to traffic. Emergency-radio exchanges indicate the remaining unit(s) are wrapping up and preparing to leave.
(Reader photo sent by Paul)
Thanks for the tips and photos! When we first got a reader photo of the Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream “coming soon” banner in the recently vacated spot at 4540 California SW earlier today, we couldn’t find confirmation anywhere (including from the company itself) – but now they’ve announced it:
After years of countless emails, DMs, comments, as well as solicited & unsolicited advice – we’re bringing our homemade ice cream to West Seattle!!
Woohoooo!!!!
Just like at our other scoop shops, we’ll be making all of the ice creams and toppings onsite in the shop’s kitchen! Keeping our ice cream locally made, right down to the neighborhood where it’s served, is what sets us apart. Churned and scooped by people in your community with lots of love and hometown pride!
As always, we’ll be sourcing our ingredients from local farms and producers, and making sure that we’re the absolute best employers for our team, the Mooncrew!
We can’t wait to join the other iconic Seattle businesses @easystreetrecords @maharaja.cuisine and @cupcakeroyale on the block!
Our new home will be at: 4540 California Ave SW
See you all sooooooon!!!
(No word yet HOW soon.) Molly Moon’s has 10 other locations around the region. It won’t be the first ice-cream chain to try its luck on that side of that block – if you’ve been here a while, you might remember a Ben and Jerry’s franchisee in the spot currently inhabited by Cupcake Royale.
Story and photos by Sean Golonka
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
While Division I athletics are a rare sight in West Seattle, the University of Washington beach-volleyball team and other top-ranked squads from across the country have come together for back-to-back weekend tournaments at Alki Beach.
Despite the cool, overcast weather in the low-50s this afternoon, the signs of spring — and volleyballs — were in the air, as scores of fans rallied around the beach to watch the Huskies (the 13th-ranked team in the country) take on #12 Arizona State and #2 Stanford.
In the Huskies’ first game of the day, pairs of two players battled across three sand courts in sets played to 21 points, while UW fans and visiting families donned team gear, jackets, and sweaters and gathered in chairs and on the steps leading down to the beach.
“Let’s go!” players shouted as they rallied for points against Arizona State. (The Huskies won, 3-2.)
With UW a ~20-minute drive away from West Seattle, top-level college sports rarely make an appearance in this part of the city, but since the NCAA officially sanctioned beach volleyball as a championship sport in the 2015-16 season, Alki has become a perennial home for the Huskies’ beach volleyball team.
After a set of Pac-12 North games wraps up this weekend, with UW additionally slated to play #7 California and unranked Oregon on Saturday (here’s the schedule), the Huskies will be back again next weekend for the Alki Beach Invitational.
The West Seattle low bridge’s long-anticipated control/communication-system upgrade is about to happen – and when it does, later this month, the bridge will close to surface use – driving, riding, rolling, walking, running, etc. – “for about one week,” according to this announcement today from SDOT, though the exact dates aren’t finalized yet:
Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge) control and communications system upgrades scheduled for April 19-28, 2024
Anticipated one-week closure during this timePlanning, design, and construction for the initial phase of the Spokane St Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Program took place from 2020 to 2022. Subsequent phases of this work will continue into 2025. The work taking place in April 2024 will be to upgrade the current control and communications system.
The control system activation work taking place in April will require rerouting the control tower wires from the high bridge to a new conduit beneath the West Duwamish Waterway.
From April 19 through April 28, crews will reroute the control tower wires from the high bridge to a new conduit beneath the West Duwamish Waterway that connects to the motors that open and close the bridge. This operation will require closing the low bridge for people driving, biking, and walking for about one week. We will share more details about the timing of this upcoming closure as planning efforts continue.
To support travelers impacted by the closure, and to help make transit access easier and more affordable, we’ve partnered with King County Metro to make it even easier to ride the bus or West Seattle Water Taxi with Transit Go Tickets throughout the closure. This offer will provide a daily round trip over the Duwamish while the bridge is closed. To access the offer, follow the directions below using the Transit Go Ticket app and rewards code LOWBRIDGE24. This code will become active on April 19, 2024. The fares are funded by the Seattle Transit Measure, which was passed by voters in 2020.
A shortage of help for the volunteer-run Delridge Grocery Co-op store has led to a change in plan for the longtime nonprofit, which has its roots – several generations of volunteer help ago – in an idea that sprouted in 2009. The DGC has announced that it will “end storefront operations by April 30” in the space at Cottage Grove Commons (5444 Delridge Way SW). But that space won’t be vacant – and will still be dedicated to affordable, healthy food. And the DGC isn’t entirely hanging up its collective apron. If you’re not on the DGC mailing list, you can read the full announcement here. In short, three years after DGC was finally able to start opening its storefront to the public, then steadily growing its inventory and opening hours to five days a week, the road grew bumpy, as explained in the announcement:
Unfortunately, over the course of the last year, the numbers of our board of directors and core volunteers has dwindled to a much smaller group, causing larger loads of work to be added to fewer shoulders. Additionally, we faced rising prices due to national inflation growth, changes in post-Covid shopping habits, and challenges in sourcing products from distributors — all of which contributed to declining sales.
During a board meeting in March, the Co-op’s core remaining group was faced with a dangerously diminishing cash reserve twinned with a declining level of time availability from the cohort. To ensure that all of our financial obligations are met (including paying back several member loans), it was decided that the Delridge Grocery Co-op would need to wind down its operations.
Starting this weekend, the DGC will work toward selling down our inventory at reduced prices with the goal of shutting down storefront operations by April 30.
But, we will also be making way for a new neighborhood business…
Scheduled to start on May 2, run by North Delridge neighbors – Cascadia Produce, run by the neighbors who brought you Carrot Man’s Carrot Stand (also owner-members of the Co-op) will be taking over the DGC space for a four-month experiment that will bring low-cost, fresh food to North Delridge.
Cascadia Produce has unique access to farm seconds and wholesale recovered produce (all vibrant and recently harvested) that will be offered to area residents at super low cost. Best of all, the space will be open daily for extended hours and stuffed with a wide variety of produce options (some of it even organic!). This pop-up will continue the goal of access to fresh, healthy food that the DGC has championed since inception and test a radical new model for fresh food access in urban food deserts.
The DGC is working out the final details with Cascadia Produce and will send them out soon, but we’re all estimating that this pilot produce pop-up will begin operating in May in the DGC storefront. May 2-3 will be a soft open for neighbors and area residents where all are invited to come see the changes and give feedback on what types of fruit, vegetables, healthy cooking staples, and treats (hey, life is short!) belong in in this market. If successful during the pop-up stage, the new model will be adopted long term.
We just talked to Jill from Cascadia by phone and there’s so much more to this than just a “pop-up” – she has big plans for ensuring that everybody in West Seattle knows how to get affordable produce – and plans to partner with a variety of organizations and groups. Shopping at the store will be convenient, at least eight hours a day seven days a week, with a longtime West Seattleite on board to be market manager. Stand by for lots more info about the plan.
In the short run, today through Sunday, the DGC is starting its inventory clearout with a 10 percent discount to all shoppers, co-op members or not, and some additional in-store discounts “including greeting cards, cleaning supplies, fancy cheeses, and more.” Meantime, DGC will continue its weekly Essentials Box program – including “gifted boxes to households in need” – during the Cascadia Produce pop-up time, so if you’re a subscriber, DGC hopes you’ll “stick with us during this time.” DGC has some other FAQ answers in its full announcement.
Two stolen vehicles reported this morning:
BLUE CHEVY WORK TRUCK: From Terri:
We had our 2001 blue Chevy truck stolen this morning around 5:30 am 4/5/24 at our home at the Willow Court Apt @ 6901 Delridge Way SW. It is our work truck and has a side white tool box located in the bed, is an extended cab and has a long bed. Please call 911 if spotted. A police report has been taken: Incident # 24-91913
STOLEN BLACK SPORTAGE: From Michelle:
My car was stolen last night around 2:30 am on California Ave, close to Austin St. It’s a black 2017 Kia Sportage. License plate BKN1299. The police report number is 24-92019.
(Photo by Peter Galli)
As the weekend approaches, here’s our list of highlights for the day/night ahead. Most are from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
COLLEGIATE BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: As we first reported back in January, today starts a big college beach-volleyball tournament hosted by the UW team at Alki. See the schedule on the UW site here.
FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Open until noon to conclude the first transitional week of new hours at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor).
STAY & PLAY INDOOR GYM: Free drop-in play, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
HIGH-SCHOOL SOCCER: One home game – Roosevelt visits Chief Sealth IHS, 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open tonight for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 14TH ANNIVERSARY: As previewed here, the shop is having an anniversary sale through Sunday, plus a 6:15 pm Brooks-sponsored group run tonight, with music afterward by The Potholes. (2743 California SW)
‘MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL’: Final night for West Seattle High School‘s production, 7 pm. Ticket info is in our calendar listing.
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm doors, 8 pm show for Kumite, Media House, Under the Puddle, Palatine Trio. $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SECOND NIGHT FOR ‘ENGLISH’: The new play continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Ticket link in our calendar listing.
THE SLAGS: West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) features The Slags at 8 pm, no cover.
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight: DJ Mr. Moon. (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD! Skate to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 9 pm-midnight, this week featuring Good on Toast, Skablins, Without a Doubt. $18 cover + $5 skate rental
LATE-NIGHT SINGING: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Quick message this morning from the HSA Select soccer program:
Registration for HSA Select tryouts for the 2024-2025 soccer year is now open! Visit the tryouts page on our site to find out more about tryouts and our programs for youth U11 and older.
HSA Select is a competitive soccer program that serves young soccer players who are interested in receiving high-quality training, competitive league play within a structure that encourages multi-sport athletes and other activities outside of year-round soccer.
Depending on the player’s birth year, tryouts will be in early May or mid-May.
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, April 5.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise will be at 6:38 am, sunset at 7:45 pm.
TRAFFIC ALERT
Tree-trimming is scheduled to continue today along a north section of 21st SW in advance of repaving work – details here.
SPRING BREAK
Last weekday of break for some schools (including Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Family, and the Highline district). Then next week, when those schools return to class, it’s break week for most other schools, including Seattle Public Schools.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here – lots of trip cancellations this week.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Reminder, no service the weekend of April 13-14 to prepare for the summer season.
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.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call 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!
After three and a half days of registration, more than 110 sales are signed up for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024. That means Saturday, May 11, is already guaranteed to be a busy day of what we describe as person-to-person recycling. A quick look through the registrations so far show the neighborhoods with sellers spanning the entire peninsula, from Alki to The Arroyos, Highland Park to Fauntleroy, South Delridge to Arbor Heights, Genesee Hill to Puget Ridge, and others along the way. Items offered for sale include the garage-sale classics – clothes, toys, books, housewares – but also home-improvement items, home decor, tools, pet gear, baby gear, art (including the legendary annual art-glass sale) … And as always, some sellers are offering tasty enticements to make it onto your must-visit list, from hot dogs to cookies to an Italian-soda bar. To review – WSCGSD is not one big sale, but rather a multitude of sales of all sizes, in hundreds of places around the peninsula, on one day. If you’re planning to host one of those sales, you have three more weeks to register – then we lock down the list so we can make the map and guide so it’s ready for shoppers’ advance review a week in advance. Ready to sign up your sale? Here’s where to go!
(Image from SDOT traffic camera looking at Easy Street’s corner)
Big news from Easy Street! Here’s the announcement
After 25 years, Easy Street (Café) is extending its hours. Open until 6. 7 days a week.
“We have been testing a Happy Hour menu for about 6 months and with Spring in the air, we’ve decided to make it official,” says owner Matt Vaughan.
“We made some improvements to the kitchen over the last couple of years. We have more storage, refrigeration, and better equipment. We hired Ali Graham six months ago to manage the cafe. We’ve never had a General Manager, so that has us all working together more efficiently.”
Our chef Isidro Lucatero has been with us now for 21 years. He brought in Juan Navarro (originally from West 5) and we all worked together on a Happy Hour menu (see it here). All items are currently only $10 each. So far, we are getting great response on our Paul Westerburger (smash burger), the Fleetwood Mac n Cheese, and the Rick James Buffalo Wings. There are a few carry-overs from the main menu too.
The coffee bar is going back to pre-pandemic hours. It will stay open til 6:00 and sometimes longer on event nights. Two more specialty coffee drinks have been added, the Cardi B (Cardamom Latte) and the Starman (2bl Macchiato w starry sprinkles), to go along with longstanding favorites The Amazing Grace and The Mudhoney. 16-year Easy Street vet Rebecca Gifford says, “We got a new La Marzocco machine last year and the coffee is tasting so good. Now that the weather is brightening up and temperatures are rising, the garage door will go up and you’ll start hearing more clinks of iced coffee drinks going up and down the block. That’s when you know spring in The Junction has finally arrived !”
(Easy Street photo: Sunday bartender Kisha Vaughan and lead bartender Patrick Johnson)
The Easy Street cocktail/vinyl bar (in the mezzanine) is over 2 years old now. It’s open for additional dining as well (21+). “I think the word is finally out, but it’s really just a locals-secret loft bar for now. We have cocktail specials during happy hour from 3-6 and some draft beer specials too.” says Matt.
“With the bar, people were requesting food, so nice to be able to provide that now. Also, been great to offer our musicians and bands something to eat before their instore performances. It’s a sonic and sensory journey in here, merging nostalgia, music, coffee, drinks, and good food, it’s such a unique and unforgettable experience,” says GM Ali Graham.
“Easy Street has always been a safe place for our youngsters after school. Now they can at least get a plate of fries or grilled cheese sandwich with a Jones soda or whatever and hang out with their friends and/or meet their parents here,” says Matt.
The patio had its first opening of the year a few days ago. Patio is open (weather permitting).
If somehow you’ve never been to Easy Street … the café and store are on the northwest corner of California/Alaska in the heart of The Junction.
For the next three days, our area’s only running-focused store, West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) is celebrating its 14th anniversary. Here’s what’s in store – a sale and more:
We are celebrating and thanking the wonderful community of West Seattle for all their generous support and encouragement over the past 14 years. This means we are offering 10% off footwear and 15% off apparel and accessories. For the folks already in our Customer Loyalty Program, you will enjoy 15% off footwear and 20% off apparel and accessories. We also have several events throughout the weekend:
Friday, April 5th, 6:15 pm – Brooks-sponsored Group Run: Come and run in a pair of Brooks shoes and run whatever distance you would like! Afterward, we will host The Potholes, who will play a live show back at the shop. We will have beverages and snacks for this social event.
Saturday, April 6th, 8 am – Group Run with donuts and chocolate milk afterward. Sponsored by Superfeet, and they will be giving away a pair of semi-custom inserts valued at $150.
Sunday, April 7th, 10 am – Runner Relay Event: Join in for fun, silly running-related tasks and come back to the shop afterward for beverages and snacks
Meet at West Seattle Runner for all events!
4:54 PM: SFD is responding to a fire reported in the 2100 block of Halleck SW [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
4:57 PM: SFD says it’s a residential fire and their crews have water on it.
(Added: Reader photo)
5:04 PM: The fire is now reported “knocked down” and firefighters are searching the interior of the residence.
(Added: This photo and next by Christopher Boffoli)
5:15 PM: No one reported inside, and no injuries, per SFD.
5:57 PM: Many of the units have been dismissed; several are still on scene. The fire’s cause is under investigation.
ADDED FRIDAY: We asked SFD if the cause had been determined yet. Spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Investigators ruled the fire was accidental, and likely caused by overheated electrical wiring. Estimated loss is $150,000.”
(Added: Seattle Channel video)
3:33 PM: Mayor Bruce Harrell has just debuted the first draft of his proposed transportation-levy renewal. The current Levy to Move Seattle is expiring after nine years and $930 million, covering 30 percent of the city’s transportation budget; the new levy would run for the next eight years, raising $1.35 billion. Harrell was clear that this is “the start of a discussion” – as with the expiring levy, this one will likely go through some changes before a final version is sent to the November ballot. The summary of the levy says, “The proposed levy would cost the median Seattle homeowner about $36 per month, approximately $12 more per month than the current levy.” (A current “median home” is considered to be valued at $866,000.)
Here’s the full draft proposal. It includes a few West Seattle specifics as example projects the levy could/would fund:
• Fauntleroy Way SW — Paving to keep roadway functional during light rail station construction and support future improvements.
• 35th Ave SW: SW Morgan St to SW Alaska St — Street reconstruction with a corridor safety analysis and evaluation of transit improvements. Includes sidewalk repair, crossing improvements, and evaluation of bike routes.
• Olson Pl SW / 1st Ave S: 2nd Ave SW to SW Cloverdale St — Street reconstruction with a widened sidewalk or trail and treatments to keep vehicles from skidding on wet pavement.
As mentioned in the Fauntleroy description above, some of this would synergize with the upcoming Sound Transit light-rail expansion to West Seattle (which is projected to open just as this new levy expires at the end of 2032), including “connections” for the West Seattle Junction station, and ST’s interim CEO Goran Sparrman (who is also a former SDOT director) spoke at the unveiling. (added) The 35th SW project is also notable, as the corridor went through rechannelization and other changes south of Morgan in the 2010s before the idea of an overhaul north of Morgan was shelved in 2018 (with some spot changes then made, such as the Graham crossing and the Camp Long light).
WHAT’S NEXT: You have three weeks – until April 26 – to offer feedback to shape the final levy proposal the mayor sends to the City Council in May; go here to do that. The final version of the levy is expected to go to voters this November.
ADDED 5:48 PM: District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, who chairs the Transportation Committee and will lead the council review of the levy proposal, sent this statement:
This Transportation Levy is a once-in-a-decade chance to build a safer, better connected and more reliable Seattle.
Over my first 100 days in office, I have helped fill potholes with road maintenance crews, walked along city streets in desperate need of sidewalks, and surveyed the state of Seattle’s bridges. At every turn, I saw SDOT employees hard at work with limited resources doing everything they can with to keep our city safe. Now, it’s time for us elected leaders to step up and make sure they have everything they need to do their jobs better, faster, and more effectively.
I appreciate Mayor Harrell’s work on this framework for the levy and see we are in alignment on many key issues. The Council has a lot of hard work ahead of it to review and improve upon this proposal. I am ready and eager to lead that collaborative effort.
Today we’re welcoming Spruce Hill Winery as a new WSB sponsor. New sponsors get to tell you about themselves – here’s what Spruce Hill Winery wants you to know:
Spruce Hill Winery is owned and operated by Mark and Jo Bader, former longtime residents of West Seattle. While we recently moved out of the area, we raised our now-grown kids in West Seattle and still have many ties there.
Our winemaking goes back 20 years, from humble beginnings in our garage, to working for other wineries, and finally to opening our own winery. We are both graduates of Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College. We are a small, family-owned operation, and we make the wine ourselves in our SODO facility, from selecting the grapes to bottling the final product. We are involved in every step of the process and are proud to offer our guests a taste of our craft and passion.
We love being outdoors, and our brand and artwork reflect our love and appreciation of the Pacific Northwest. The Spruce Hill Winery name and iconic mountain view on the label were inspired by a visit to one of our favorite places, the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, where we were awed by the majestic Sitka Spruce trees. Our mission is to make premium wine, sourced from some of the best vineyards in Washington State. From crisp whites perfect for warm weather to bold, full-bodied reds, we have a selection of wines to suit every taste.
Our tasting room in SODO is a 7-minute drive from the Junction, just two blocks north of the West Seattle Bridge on 4th Ave S. It has an industrial vibe, with active winemaking often happening during tasting room hours, especially in the fall. We are always happy to answer questions about winemaking or show guests around the production space.
We share our tasting room space with another winery, T2 Cellar, owned by West Seattle residents Todd Threlkeld and Anne Stevens, and Republic of Cider. The businesses run independently but guests can select from any of the offerings in the tasting room, creating an opportunity for everyone at the table to get exactly what they want. Guests appreciate our easy-to-find location, our close proximity to several other wineries, easy free parking, and, of course, our delicious wines! Spruce Hill Winery is a member of Seattle Urban Wineries, a trade organization that focuses on promoting Seattle area wineries and tasting rooms.
Spruce Hill Winery Tasting Room is at 2960 4th Ave. S., #109. Hours are Friday, 3-6 pm; Saturday, 1-6 pm. Questions? info@sprucehillwinery.com or 206-588-6643.
We thank Spruce Hill Winery for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
That’s a Google Maps image of the restroom building at the Whale Tail Park end of Alki Playground. Andrew emailed us about it, noting that it’s still “perpetually closed” despite usage in high gear with the arrival of spring, including youth baseball and soccer, pickleball, and other park/playground users. We checked the Seattle Parks map/dashboard tracking restroom status – which labels it a “seasonal closure.” Andrew says one side also has signage about vandalism, but a Parks spokesperson checked on that and reported back, “Just closed for winter. Will be reopened soon. Sounds like the winter closure sign may have gone missing and the vandalism sign was the one that the staffperson had on hand.” So take note that the spring reopenings of buildings closed for the winter aren’t complete yet; if you happen onto what instead seems to be a maintenance or damage problem at any Parks facilities, the number to call is 206-684-7250.
The river and the salmon need you. Find your spot right now for the one-day, multiple-location Duwamish Alive! restoration event – here’s the info:
Celebrate Earth Day with Duwamish Alive! Help Restore Our River.
Saturday, April 20th, 10 – 2 at multiple watershed locations
Join us for Duwamish Alive! in restoring habitat along the Green-Duwamish River for juvenile salmon that are coming down the river this spring. Our river is home to all 5 salmon species, including Chinook, which are important to our local resident orca. We will be restoring habitat at multiple locations throughout the watershed along the river, its upland forests and creeks – we are all connected. Həʔapus Village Park will have our Duwamish tribal welcome, presentations, and tabling — all are invited, volunteers and visitors. Instruction, tools, and snacks are provided for restoration activities. This is a family friendly event, all ages welcome.
Afterward, attend a special event at the Duwamish Longhouse with two indigenous Wisdom Keepers from the Hopi and Spokane Tribes sharing indigenous perspectives about climate change and their experience attending the Dubai Climate Summit: Duwamish Longhouse 4705 W Marginal Wy SW – 1:00 – 3:00
For more information and volunteer registration go to DuwamishAlive.org
Questions? info@duwamishalive.org
(Bald Eagle in pond on future Alki Elementary site, photographed by Don Brubeck)
Here are the highlights of what’s up today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: First week of the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, Mondays through Thursdays.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop-in space open at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau) until noon.
NAVIGATING MEDICARE: Learn about it at 11 am at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon)
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm class at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: 4-9 pm, get food from Habit Burger (35th/Avalon) and part of the proceeds go to the West Seattle High School softball team – here’s the flyer to print out or show on your phone.
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s MoMo’s Kebab.
FREE ECO-ARTS CLASS: New time – 5-7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – you’re invited to drop in!
VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)
BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
(Photo courtesy Lisa Stromme Warren)
‘MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL’: Second-to-last chance to see West Seattle High School‘s production, 7 pm. Ticket info is in our calendar listing.
SILENT BOOK CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Long list of places you can read this month with the Silent Book Club – and they’re all in our calendar listing (with some specials too)! Grab your book and be there – somewhere – 7 to 9 pm, (Early arrival advised to snag a spot.)
NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: The community coalition for White Center and vicinity meets online at 7 pm – our calendar listing has agenda and connection info.
THURSDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Burger Planet (9614 14th SW) in White Center now has Thursday night trivia at 7 pm – prizes!
OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘ENGLISH’: Almost sold out already! The new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) opens at 7:30 pm.
JOKES AT THE JUNCTION: 8 pm comedy at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW), featuring Emmett Montgomery – tickets here!
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this one? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
That’s one of the resident beavers in West Seattle’s Longfellow Creek (video sent by Manuel in March). Want to know more about these wild neighbors? Here’s an advance look ahead to a one-of-a-kind event this weekend in West Seattle: Sunday afternoon, you can celebrate International Beaver Day with locally based Beavers Northwest at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW). Part of the proceeds will go to the nonprofit. And all of the fun goes to you! Arts and crafts, DIY beaver trivia, live music with Sue Quigley. Full details here; be there 2-5 pm Sunday (April 7); Sue performs at 3:30 pm. Ounces is all-ages.
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