West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
That’s the area where Seattle Public Utilities plans to start work this summer on a pump-station upgrade at the waterfront end of SW 98th [map] that’ll expand the street-end parklet at the site. SPU sent an update about this because they now say the “parklet” will be closed to public use for up to 10 months during the work, which is recapped as follows:
During an evaluation of SPU’s pump stations, we identified that Pump Station 71 needs substantial upgrades to improve worker safety and to keep the system working at its full capacity. SPU is proactively making improvements to this critical sewer infrastructure to ensure we continue providing reliable sewer service to you and your neighbors. As part of this effort, we’ll be making some improvements to the shoreline street end, including removing the guardrail and extending the useable street end 20+ feet to the east, replacing the current bench as well as creating a pad for wheelchair access, and installing beach logs, native plants, and new trees to enhance the natural area in the street end:
This work will be done in the public right-of-way at the western end of SW 98th St. … Most of the work will take place in the pump station, with surface work and construction staging in the street surrounding the pump station.
Some preliminary electrical work will be taking place in early July. Full construction mobilization is expected to begin as early as late August 2024. Once it begins, work is estimated to take about 7-10 months to complete.
This project has been years in the making and is running behind the previously announced schedule; we published this update two years ago, at which time the work was expected to be done in 2023, lasting up to six months. A 2022 project communication included this rendering:
(Flowers before the rain, photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here are the highlights for the rest of your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE PLAYSPACE: Looking for an indoor playspace for your little one(s)? Drop in Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9 am until noon at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).
CONVERSATION AND FRIENDSHIP CORNER: 1-2:30 pm at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon):
Share stories in a friendly group to build connections, enhance skills and confidence for deeper friendships and learn to enjoy whole-hearted and open discussions to eliminate loneliness.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, also at the Center for Active Living (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 go downtown or watch live via Seattle Channel.
TRANSPORTATION LEVY PUBLIC HEARING: The second and final public hearing devoted to comment on the proposed Transportation Levy – which District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka proposes amending and further expanding – is at 4:30 pm, and the agenda explains how to participate, in person or online.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
‘READY FREDDY’ PREP PARTY: Just in Case Disaster Preparedness Services (WSB sponsor) invites you to another free Ready Freddy Prep Party, this time at 6 pm at Whisky West (6451 California SW(, as your next step toward being ready – just in case. RSVP required – go here.
TOWN HALL ON YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE: All welcome, 6 pm at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW):
An open forum where community members can come together to talk about youth substance-use prevention efforts, ask questions, and share thoughts and concerns. There will be a training on how to use naloxone, a medication to help reverse an opioid overdose. Sponsored by Westside HEY Coalition and SW Seattle Youth Alliance, King County, Washington Health Care Authority, and Seattle Public Schools.
FREE INTRODUCTORY ASL CLASSES: The series continues, and you can start at any time. 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: Bring your friends! Meet new ones! Gather at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
LEARN TO LEAD … and to communicate more clearly, among other benefits of participating in Toastmasters 832‘s online meetings. 6:30 pm. Our calendar listing explains how to RSVP so you can get the link.
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).
(added) ‘WWE: THE MUSICAL’: Student-written/directed/performed “satirical musical” at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW), 7 pm tonight, tomorrow, Thursday. Admission free, charity donations encouraged.
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – weekly Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (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; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
BINGO AT TALARICO’S: You can play 8 pm bingo every Tuesday. (4718 California SW)
Event coming up? Are community members invited? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather June 13 to celebrate the life of Paul Thomas. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:
Remembering Paul R. Thomas Sr. 1926-2024
Paul was born September 13, 1926, in Bow, WA, and passed away April 25, 2024. He came to the Seattle Georgetown neighborhood as a young child, moving to White Center and then Renton for a couple of years before returning and settling in West Seattle. He attended Cleveland and Highline High Schools.
After his mother fell ill, Paul headed to Alaska at the young age of 16 and started his lifelong work in the Maritime industry. He worked on fishing boats from 1941-1943 and then joined the Merchant Marines. Paul was a seaman on various supply ships and tugboats in the Pacific during WWII and into the early 1950s. His family loved hearing stories from his time at sea and he proudly wore his veteran hat as often as he could. Paul began working at Puget Sound Tug & Barge/Crowley Maritime in 1955 and continued in management there until his retirement in 1993.
After Paul’s retirement, he and his second wife Joann enjoyed traveling. He spent his time golfing, bowling, playing cribbage, gardening, and foraging for mushrooms and shellfish on the beaches and forests in the Pacific Northwest. Jigsaw puzzles were a favorite and he could spend hours working on them. Paul’s all-time favorite pastime was dancing at the West Seattle Corner Inn, the Eagles, or anywhere else he thought a good band was playing. He had a great group of dancing pals. He also loved celebrating his birthdays and spending time with his extended family and friends who he loved unconditionally. With six children, four stepchildren, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and even a couple of great-great-grandchildren, the parties could get pretty crowded!
Paul was always busy and had a great deal of energy. He often would be gathering oysters in the morning on Hood Canal, working all day in the yard, or making the rounds to see his kids, and still have the energy to go dancing the same evening. He would routinely meet up with friends Sunday mornings for breakfast at the Eagles well into his 90’s.
Paul was married to Adelaide Thomas and though their relationship turned out to be less permanent than either of them expected, they went on to raise six wonderful children. He married his second wife Joann Thomas and was beloved by her 4 children. They enjoyed their life together until her death. He and his friend and companion, Fran McCandless, spent loving time with their friends and families until her death. Paul is also preceded in death by six of his seven siblings, his son Earl, his stepchildren Patti and Ben, and his daughter in-law Laurie.
Paul was fiercely independent and lived on his own until 2 years ago when a fall and post-surgery complications made living alone impossible. His family is eternally grateful for the loving care he received from the Clark Residence in Burien. We can’t thank them enough!
A celebration of his life will be held June 13 at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse Emerald Room at 1 pm.
We love and miss you “Big Daddy.” May you be dancing on clouds without a care in the world.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, June 4.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Showery, breezy, possible thunderstorms, high in low 60s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:13 am; sunset will be at 9:02 pm.
ONGOING ROAD WORK
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.
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.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
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. (The low bridge has been reconnected to the feed, too.)
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!
Nine days after winning the state baseball championship in Pasco, West Seattle High School players and coaches basked in applause in their own gym tonight, with family, friends, and fans there to cheer them:
Tonight’s celebration included proclamations – one from one of WSHS’s best-known alums, King County Executive Dow Constantine (Class of 1980), saying “West Seattle couldn’t be more proud to call you their own”:
His proclamation declared today “West Seattle High School Baseball Day” in King County. The city had a proclamation too, brought by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka:
Saka and Mayor Bruce Harrell proclaimed this “West Seattle High School Baseball Championship Day,” and Saka urged the champs to show gratitude to everyone who’s helped them along the way. That’s exactly what player Caden Fahy did during his turn at the microphone, as well as marveling, “We did it!”
And more gratitude from player Matthew Henning, who declared, “This victory is as much yours as it is ours”:
And a mound of acknowledgments from head coach Dylan Mclauchlin, including warm words for those who had been mentoring his players all the way back in youth baseball:
This was the third consecutive year the Wildcats had reached the final four at the state 3A baseball tournament. As the coach noted, their road to the state championship was an eight-game winning streak, starting with their last regular-season game and continuing through the Metro League and state tournaments.
After 911 calls about suspected gunfire in South Delridge, police have found evidence of it. Officers told dispatch they’ve found “a scene” at 15th/Barton. Nobody reported injured, so far.
The blustery weather should be gone just in time for a big outdoor event Wednesday afternoon/evening (June 5) in West Seattle – a restoration celebration at Pigeon Point Park in honor of World Environment Day. Organizers are still looking for dozens of volunteers to participate – here’s what’s happening:
Enjoy World Environment Day with a community celebration hosted by the Society for Ecological Restoration Northwest Chapter, Green Seattle Partnership, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and the United Nations Environment Programme!
Join us at Pigeon Point Park for a fun afternoon of activities to celebrate Seattle as the only US Role Model City for the UN Decade of Restoration and to spotlight local young leaders working in our urban ecosystems.
The afternoon will include:
-Guided forest restoration, a bird walk, citizen science, a community mural, and more!
-Special presentations by local young stewards and community leaders!
-Gathering together for a community picnic!
-Free raffle from local businesses and partner organizations!Plus, several of our local partners will be tabling and participating in the event, so you can connect and learn about the many ways you can get involved in greening our urban landscape this summer season!
Registration is free and includes 5 raffle tickets to try your luck at winning some local swag and goodies! All ages are welcome and food will be provided for registered participants.
It all starts with a welcome at 3 pm, “guided activities” 3:30-5 pm, then speeches and picnic dinner. Go here to sign up. The park entrance is next to Pathfinder K-8 (1901 SW Genesee).
Thanks for the photos! More tree trouble in today’s wind. Above, SJ sent that photo showing a downed tree along 59th SW on the west side of Alki Playfield … while the one below, from Jeepney, shows a tree that has split and is blocking a stretch of sidewalk at 35th/Holden:
And Manuel just sent this photo from North Delridge:
“One sizable tree is blocking the trail at Longfellow Creek/Dragonfly just north of the fishbones bridge,” he explains. “The winds also left a few other little trees fallen and a bunch of branches on the ground.” The National Weather Service wind alert we mentioned earlier remains in effect until 11 am tomorrow, with gusts up to 40 mph possible. If you encounter weather-related trouble (or any other breaking news), we’re reachable 24/7 at (text or voice) 206-293-6302 – after you’ve reported it to authorities, of course (for trees or other road/sidewalk-blocking problems, SDOT’s after-hours number is 206-386-1218).
(Past and future Alki Elementary site, WSB photo from last week)
Our full recap won’t be ready until later, but for those following the situation, we want to let you know right now that the Alki Elementary rebuild appeal hearing has just wrapped up after a third day of testimony. All three days, two lawyers representing the district and one representing the appellant have made their cases before Deputy Hearing Examiner Susan Drummond in the Seattle Municipal Tower hearing room downtown, with a city Department of Construction and Inspections planner also at the table (she finally got a brief chance to speak today). The only issue to be decided is whether to uphold the city’s decision to grant a zoning exception to Seattle Public Schools for building the new, expanded Alki Elementary (capacity 500+, up from the current 370, 100 more than current enrollment) with fewer offstreet-parking spaces than the 48 required – the district originally proposed zero, the city said OK, nearby residents successfully appealed, the district drew up a new plan with 15 spaces, the city said OK again, and another group of residents appealed. It was agreed when testimony concluded a short time ago that both sides will present their closing statements in writing (20 pages max) by June 27, and Drummond expects to issue her ruling on July 1. Building permits can’t be issued until this is resolved; the old school was demolished shortly after last school year, and some other site-prep work has been allowed. Here’s our recap of the first day of testimony last Tuesday; here’s our recap of Day 2 last Thursday; our report on today’s testimony will be ready tonight or tomorrow.
SDOT has added another West Seattle community-meeting appearance at which reps will discuss the recently announced plan to replace a downhill driving lane on the Highland Park Way hill with a bike lane, a multi-use path, or both. If you want to hear about the plan and/or ask questions, be at the online meeting of the District 1 Community Network, 7 pm Wednesday (June 5). The Zoom link is in the agenda. Also note that the survey about the proposal remains open until June 15.
First the DubSea Fish Sticks … now the Seattle Samurai: Another locally based collegiate baseball team is about to debut. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
The Seattle Baseball Group, LLC announces a new collegiate summer baseball team based out of West Seattle. The Seattle Samurai has been accepted as an expansion team into the Pacific International League (PIL), where they will be competing in a limited schedule against other PIL teams including games against the popular DubSea Fish Sticks out of White Center. In addition to the current college players on the roster, there are many graduating seniors from our own Washington 3A State Champions West Seattle High School baseball team as they prepare to head off to their college baseball careers in the fall.
“The Seattle Samurai is a much needed organization to provide more opportunities for college baseball players to compete in the Seattle area through the Summer,” said Mark Terao, Seattle Baseball Group, LLC CEO. “Seattle has a large amount of college baseball players that are looking to keep their game fresh during the off-season and the Seattle Samurai will provide them with this opportunity and strive to provide them with a quality experience to help them improve their game.”
The Seattle Samurai roster will be comprised of current college players along with graduating high school seniors committed to play in college this coming fall. Many of the graduating high school players are from our own 2024 Washington 3A State Championship team from West Seattle High School. As an expansion team this first year, the Samurai will be playing a limited schedule but will attempt to get in 14-20 games this summer. The team will be led by experienced coaches starting with their Head Coach Jacob Terao, who just finished up his 2nd year coaching at Hendrix College in Arkansas, along with the assistant coaches Nate Santiago (Centenary College, Bellevue CC, Pierce CC and Edmonds CC) and Ryan Ramsower (Lower Columbia, Utah State [SB] and Maggie Gallagher Baseball for All).
The Seattle Samurai strives to provide a great competitive baseball environment for the Seattle community to come out and enjoy. By establishing itself in the Seattle area they will look for ways to support the local youth in the community. Go Time Athletics Indoor Baseball Facilities, located in Georgetown and West Seattle, will be the home for the Seattle Samurai baseball team. Go Time Athletics is also the home of Washington Baseball Academy with select baseball teams ages 8U-18U.
Seattle Samurai home games will be held at local Seattle baseball fields including Mel Olson Stadium in White Center and a game against the DubSea Fish Sticks at University of Washington Husky Baseball Stadium on July 21st at 5:00pm.
The first game of the season will be June 6th (this Thursday), game start 3:30 pm at Mel Olson Stadium in White Center against the Northwest Honkers.Seattle Samurai home games admission $5, kids 13 and under free. For our complete schedule visit us at www.seattlebaseballgroup.com
So far the schedule includes three games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex in West Seattle (2801 SW Thistle).
UPDATE: The game scheduled for Thursday in White Center has been postponed.
11:19 AM: Though the wind has been kicking up for a while, we haven’t had an official alert from the National Weather Service until now: The NWS has our area under a Wind Advisory alert until 11 am Tuesday. The alert says we can expect “south winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.” Keep everything charged!
2:30 PM: Thanks to Eve for the report that a tree has fallen on Delridge near Webster – we don’t have cleanup-status information so be wary of possible traffic effects in the area.
(WSB file photo from Loop the ‘Lupe)
Though it’s unseasonably cool and wet now, that’ll change in a few days, and by the time we get to Saturday, we’re expecting VERY summery weather. Perfect to get out and run, walk, maybe dodge a few obstacles … which you can do Saturday at this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe. This is your last call to register at a discount rate – you have until Thursday, but why wait? Loop the ‘Lupe is the only obstacle-course race in Seattle – and more, as organizers explain:
Loop the ‘Lupe’s Elite Wave (age 16+) features nine obstacles on a distance-certified 1K “loop,” including a wall climb, a mud pit, and more. New this year, the Elite event will be streamlined to get participants through the obstacles more quickly. Participants finish five loops for the full 5K race, and there are prizes from local restaurants and merchants for top finishers. The Family Wave features seven obstacles on the same loop and offers a challenge for athletes of all skill levels. Events begin with a staggered start at 11 a.m.
A one-loop Youth Dash with obstacles is available for kids 8 and under (with adult supervision), and there’s a no-obstacle 5K Run/Walk course for runners and walkers, too. For older participants (age 65+), Loop the ‘Lupe also features the Senior Saunter, a 100% flat, timed walk that is one of the most popular senior-focused races in Seattle.
Loop the ‘Lupe will also have live music provided by the students of West Seattle School of Rock. Plus, participants can enjoy food, drinks, and a beer garden (age 21+) for additional purchase. Proceeds raised from the event go toward the costs of social outreach work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which helps prisoners re-entering the community, coordinates voter registration and racial justice education, and much more. Through their partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, OLG supports food distribution and assistance for rent and utilities for low-income families.
Loop the ‘Lupe happens at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle). Register here by Thursday to beat the price increase! (Follow the link to find out about other discounts, too.) Then we’ll see you out on the Loop this Saturday (WSB is the media sponsor)!
(Blustery morning – photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what’s on the schedule today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
KNIFE SHARPENING: Kneighborhood Knives is back for a pop-up at Hotwire Coffee (4426 California SW), now until 3 pm today.
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.
CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION: 5 pm in the West Seattle High School gym, a celebration is planned for the state-championship-winning baseball team. (3000 California SW)
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.
‘READY FREDDY’ PREP PARTY: Just in Case Disaster Preparedness Services invites you to a free Ready Freddy Prep Party, 7 pm, as your first step toward being ready – just in case. RSVP required – go here. (8427 30th SW)
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)
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!
8:13 AM: Thanks for the tips. 248 homes in the Lowman Beach/Seaview area are without power this windy morning, as shown above in our screengrab from the Seattle City Light outage map. It’s a busy morning for the utility, with 16,000+ others also out on this breezy morning.
2 PM: That outage, which SCL’s map says started around 4:41 am, is not resolved yet. Nor has a 67-customer outage in the Pigeon Point vicinity that started at 5:50 am, 11 customers in Arbor Heights since 8:43 am, and one customer in South Delridge since 10:41 am.
3:21 PM: Thanks to the commenter who reported that the biggest outage, Lowman Beach/Seaview, is over, after more than 10 hours. We’ve had a message out to SCL for a while asking for the cause but haven’t heard back – they’re still dealing with thousands of others out around the city.
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, June 3.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Rainy, breezy, high in the upper 50s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:14 am; sunset will be at 9:01 pm.
ONGOING ROAD WORK
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
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, although there was some crewing doubt last night, so be sure to check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is. … Work at the Southworth terminal is SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Main view:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
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. (The low bridge has been reconnected to the feed, too.)
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!
(Rendering of new Alki Elementary entrance on north side of school)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Testimony in the second Alki Elementary School rebuild appeal hearing is extending to a third day, though two days originally were expected to be enough.
That was the decision at the end of the second full day of testimony before city deputy hearing examiner Susan Drummond. She will decide whether to uphold the city’s decision to allow Seattle Public Schools to build the new, larger Alki Elementary with fewer parking spaces than zoning requires. The original design had no offstreet parking spaces, though 48 would be needed to comply with zoning. Nearby residents successfully appealed the city’s approval of the no-parking plan (as well as other “zoning departures” which were upheld). The district then proposed a new design with 15 spaces; the city approved it; a different group of nearby residents filed an appeal. That’s what’s being considered now. Here’s our report on the first day of testimony last Tuesday; here’s what happened on day 2, last Thursday:
DISTRICT WITNESS – PRIMARY ARCHITECT: The day began with the district’s main lawyer Katie Kendall of McCullough Hill questioning project architect Rebecca Hutchinson of Mahlum. Her testimony began with scene-setting regarding the new school’s north-facing entrance and the district’s agreement with Seattle Parks about joint use of the space between the school and the playground on the south side of Alki Playfield. That paved space was used for parking outside school hours but won’t be available for that use in the new campus design.
Hutchinson discussed other features of the new school, basically explaining why the district feels it’s needed, because of “educational deficiencies” of the old (now-demolished) Alki Elementary. Some of its features weren’t routinely part of school design decades ago – like “learning commons” spaces, “open spaces shared by a group of classrooms … for addressing a diversity of needs and diversity of teaching styles,” and enclosed small-group spaces.
Establishing that the new school’s footprint isn’t much bigger than the old one – 29,000 sf vs. 27,300 sf – Kendall asked what is absolutely necessary on the ground floor of an elementary school. Hutchinson said administration, kindergarten and early-learning facilities, the dining commons, delivery/unloading since the district brings prepared food to schools, music room/stage, the mechanical/electrical room. In fact, she said, they didn’t have enough room for everything they needed, so they removed two child-care classrooms, possible because neighboring Alki Community Center has been providing child care anyway. “Is there anything else SPS could remove without negatively affecting educational goals?” Kendall asked. The architect said no. Why did they request the zoning exception for parking? Hutchinson said 48 spaces would take up half the buildable area, so “a school would not be feasible on this site.”
7:14 PM: Thanks to JC for the photo. For the second consecutive day, emergency responders have been called to a car-on-side crash in West Seattle. This one was at 41st/100th in Arbor Heights around 5 pm. It initially drew a “rescue extrication” callout, but that was downsized so quickly, we missed the dispatch. Archived audio indicates two vehicles were involved, a Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Maxima. No medic unit dispatched, which indicates no major injuries, but we’re checking with SFD to be sure.
8:16 PM: SFD tells us the vehicle that went onto its side had one person inside who got out by themselves and “declined medical attention.”
9:44 PM: A commenter has posted this link to home-security video showing the collision.
If you can donate blood, Bloodworks Northwest hopes to see you at one of its West Seattle donation locations in the next week and a half. They’re offering an extra incentive, too. Here’s the announcement:
Water adventures await you this summer! Donate blood in June and ENTER TO WIN a BOTE Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board & Life Vest. Sail The Sound, Deschutes, Willamette, and beyond!
The lucky winner will be contacted between July 3-15, 2024. They will have 24 hours to accept their prize.
Bloodworks Northwest will be at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor Ave SW) for blood drives on June 3, 4, 10, and 11, and at Peace Lutheran Church, West Seattle (8316 39th Ave SW) on June 5.
Please sign up to give blood! Appointments are required. If you need help booking an appointment, please contact Bloodworks DONOR CARE TEAM at 800-398-7888 or e-mail schedule@bloodworksnw.org
Thanks to David Hutchinson for that photo. As reported here, SDOT said last week that it would start installing the permanent features of the Alki Point Healthy Street as soon as Saturday, and indeed, David tells us, they’ve been out there all weekend, including placement of concrete wheel stops for the new 10-foot walking/rolling/biking lane alongside the waterside sidewalk by Constellation Park. The photo above is from this morning; we just went over – the crew’s gone now, and this is what we saw looking northward on Beach Drive from 64th:
David also sent this photo of Saturday work on the Alki Avenue stretch west of 63rd:
That hasn’t been discussed as much as the Beach Drive stretch, but that spot is where a “cul-de-sac” is being set up, per the project page, “to give drivers an opportunity to turn around before the ‘street closed’ sign.”
(WSB photos)
One more event from Saturday – an open house that provided a look inside the new Hope Lutheran Middle School, the former Seattle Lutheran High School campus on the north end of The Junction (4100 SW Genesee). Admissions director Sally Heit explained that they’ve done a lot of work in recent months to get ready to start classes there this fall – including making the spaces lighter and brighter. That includes new LED lighting and new paint.
There’s a new science lab:
A greenhouse:
An art room:
And even amid all that lighting – the school has an old-school darkroom:
They’re scheduling tours for prospective families – you can contact the school here.
(Photos by Omar Abdulkadir for WSB)
Saturday was so busy, we still have a few more events to acknowledge, in case you weren’t there! Throughout Saturday afternoon, Roxhill Park filled with music, for this year’s Sounds from Around the World music festival. Above is the Lion of Judah Band, with musicians from the Virgin Islands, Ethiopia, and the Pacific Northwest; below, Bob and Chet, specializing in songs from Gambia, Senegal, and Mali, as well as originals:
The festival featured vendors including Africa Mama:
Organizer of the festival was Janean Wjvold of Urgent Africa, in partnership with Seattle Department of Arts and Culture’s Arts In the Parks program:
Lots more outdoor music yet to come this summer – watch our calendar!
(Another cool view of Mt. Rainier! Photo by Marina Clough)
Here’s our Sunday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
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 Uptown Espresso in The Junction (California/Edmunds/Erskine) for this week’s Sunday Funday Run.
VOLUNTEER IN LINCOLN PARK: 10 am-noon, with a bonus – a naturalist will be there to help you learn about birds and other wildlife. Sign up and get more info here.
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.
WHILE YOU’RE IN THE JUNCTION … visit Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) for the small-business pop-up market, 10 am-2 pm.
KINDIE WEST CONCERT SERIES: Second-to-last show! 10:30 am at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), The Harmonica Pocket will get everyone dancing.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Daily operation continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: Second 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.
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)
CHOIR CONCERT: The Seattle Metropolitan Singers‘ concert at 3 pm, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW), is themed “What Is Pink?” and member Dawn Hepburn sent this photo of the singers dressed up for a recent rehearsal:
Dawn says the concert “includes two original compositions by local composer Lauren McLaren Thomas, who sings with the choir. We are also singing two songs from the recent Barbie movie, including Oscar-winning song ‘What Was I Made For,’ by Billie Eilish.” Suggested donation is $20.
ADMIRAL CHURCH PROJECT UPDATE: As previewed here, a 2 pm community meeting at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) promises an update on the “affordable homeownership” project planned in partnership with Homestead Community Land Trust.
MUSICIANS FOR THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), enjoy good music for a good cause – bring food and/or money to donate to WSFB.
GUAC ‘N’ ROLL FUNDRAISER: Nonprofit Enigma ASD Services invites you to enjoy music, Mexican food, and inspiring stories during this event at the West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), 5 pm. Enigma works with autistic and neurodiverse young adults. $35. RSVP here!
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Your weekend can conclude 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 – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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