West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
(WSB video/photos)
Air: A few degrees above freezing. Hearts: Warm. That was the situation on the upper field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex this morning, as West Seattle High School softball players led their annual preseason clinic for younger players, ages 7-13. First session was for the youngest participants, ending with a spirited round of base-running (as also shown in our video above):
The players instructed their students in other skills including hitting and throwing. Each of the two groups had takers for every spot – more than 30 per session:
Along with opportunities to practice coaching and mentoring skills, the clinics were fundraisers for the team. Every participant got this special T-shirt:
The clinics were originally organized four seasons ago by player Kamil Ygnacio, who has since graduated – her sister Kaila Ygnacio took the ball and ran with it:
So have newer players’ parents, so the clinics will carry on even as the roster changes over the years. This year’s group stopped down for a players-only group photo while awaiting the next group’s arrival:
(L-R: Hannah, Daeja, Stella, Alice, Julia, Kenzie, Lila, Violet, Molly, Kaila, Marina)
They’ll be starting play in less than a month – spring sports start in early March.
No snow expected, but a dangerously frosty wind chill is at the heart of the Cold Weather Advisory alert that the National Weather Service has ordered for our area. It’ll be in effect 6 pm Monday through 10 am Wednesday, with the potential for wind-chill temperatures in the teens to 20s. Forecast says wind will be out of the north/northeast much of that time. (The NWS graphic in this story shows this alert applies to much of Western Washington – light blue on the map.)
Though most of that video was recorded off-peninsula, the star is Erik Bell, founder of the prolific volunteer-cleanup group A Cleaner Alki (which does its good work at many non-Alki spots too). The video was created by REI (West Seattle-founded!); Erik explains, “The actual Plogging video (running and trash pickup) was shot by REI’s Events Team at Lake Union last Fall to feature on their YouTube channel, and it just went live today. They wanted to highlight what A Cleaner Alki was about, so I provided them with a bunch of stills and a handful of drone videos I had shot at our cleanups” (you’ll notice some of that showing the Marginal pullout under the West Seattle Bridge). Want to get involved with A Cleaner Alki? They’re out pretty much daily – see where and when by going here.
With seconds to go until halftime at the Super Bowl – if you’re even/still watching, considering it’s lopsided so far – we have word of whales off West Seattle. Kersti Muul reports “orcas, including 124Ds, in north end of Elliott Bay – Seattle side, southbound, approximately Seattle to Bainbridge ferry lanes.” Let us know if you see them!
No, not together.
CUPCAKES: We got word from Cupcake Royale that starting this week, you’ll be able to pick up online pre-orders across the street from their old West Seattle location, at Ala Mode Pies (4225 SW Alaska). Hours 10 am-9 pm Tuesdays-Sundays – again, preorders only, via the CR website.
PIZZAS: Starting today, Mioposto in Admiral (2141 California SW; WSB sponsor) is serving up heart-shaped pizzas through Valentine’s Day and a bit beyond, with a beneficiary:
From February 9th through 16th, we’re baking up Heart Shaped Pizzas, available in Pepperoni, Cheese, or Margherita. 20% of proceeds will go to El Centro de la Raza, supporting their amazing work in our community. El Centro de la Raza has been a vibrant community hub for over fifty years, providing social services, education, and advocacy to empower the Latino/a community in Seattle and King County.
Mioposto hours are on this page.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS: The auto-parts store at 4505 38th SW has been in a long goodbye for weeks, but now it’s set the closing date: March 7. This closure is part of a larger decision to shut down nine stores in the Seattle area, including locations in Tacoma, Seattle, Lakewood, Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Federal Way, Kent, and Puyallup. Hundreds of locations across the Pacific Northwest and California will also close. Until the store closes, an everything-must-go sale is currently being held, with discounts of 50% to 95%. (All sales are final.) The company has cited ongoing supply-chain issues to several news outlets, including difficulties in inventory management and logistics, as key reasons for the closures.
Thanks for the texted tip. High Point Library is closed today. Unplanned, says this note on the branch’s webpage:
The High Point Branch will be closed on Sunday, Feb. 9 due to insufficient staffing. The book return will remain open and holds will be extended.
P.S. SPL says this is one of two branches in the system – along with the Chinatown/ID branch – closed today for a staffing shortage.
If you’re home-shopping or have another reason for interest in the real estate market – you can get “straight talk” about the state of local real estate this year by visiting West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this Wednesday night (February 12) event:
The new year always has everyone asking “how’s the market?” It’s an important question and one that is usually coming into focus about now.
For years we’ve quipped that the beginning of the real estate season usually coincides with the conclusion of football. Well, this weekend is the Super Bowl, and the market is poised to do its usual thing, which is to take off! We’re hosting an open house and inviting the West Seattle Community to join us for the conversation
Wednesday’s event starts at 6 pm; get a preview here. As noted there, the WSR crew also plans to address some unique local factors including light rail and the city’s rezoning proposals.
Received via postal mail:
Want to play handbells?
The West Side Ringers are looking for people to ring English Handbells. No experience is necessary, as we are open to all skill levels. We meet on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 pm. Our group currently plays at retirement communities as a service to seniors.
If interested, send an email to anjdroege@gmail.com
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
The list is a little light today, with many expected to watch The Big Football Game – whether at your home or favorite local venue – but the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar does have some highlights for your Sunday:
SKI SHUTTLE: Shuttle to Crystal Mountain now picks up at 7:15 am Sundays at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor).
SOLD-OUT SOFTBALL CLINICS: We’re told this morning’s clinics with WSHS softball players coaching younger girls at Nino Cantu SWAC are sold out!
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Long before game time, you’re invited to meet for today’s run at 9 am at Highland Park Corner Store. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Meet up with other players – all levels – 9:30-11:30 am at The Missing Piece. (35th/Roxbury)
FAMILY DISCO: Dance with your wee one(s) at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center, benefiting West Seattle’s co-op preschools, 10 am-11:30 am. (6000 16th SW)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open 10 am-2 pm, with last-minute game goodies to be found among the winter produce (root vegetables! greens! cabbage! apples!) and beverages, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared hot food, baked goods, nuts, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
DUWAMISH TRIBE LONGHOUSE & CULTURAL CENTER: The longhouse is open for visitors, 10 am-5 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool to get your project going, or to finish assembling a holiday gift? Borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
PRODUCE POP-UP: Noon-7 pm at 5444 Delridge Way SW in the ex-Cascadia Fresh Market space, as previewed here – go stock up on primo produce!
YOGA SERIES CONTINUES: At 1 pm, second of eight weeks for Yoga with Miche in The Admiral District – our calendar listing has details.
WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE: 2:30 pm. at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, this resistance group meets, all welcome, as previewed here.
‘COVENANT’ MATINEE: Instead of football, how about theater? First matinée for ArtsWest‘s new play, 3 pm, get ticket(s) here. (4711 California SW)
SUPER BOWL WATCH PARTY: Haven’t decided where to watch? Ounces welcomes you, 3:30 pm, and burgers from Burb’s are in the house too. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, 6 pm and later admission times. Tickets and info here.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday nights bring music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
11:32 PM: The crash itself doesn’t look too bad from the traffic cam, but westbound Fauntleroy and northbound 35th are blocked right now just west of the end of the West Seattle Bridge, after two drivers collided in the intersection. At least one is being checked out for possible injuries.
11:49 PM: Checking back on the live SDOT camera, one vehicle is already gone and a tow truck has just arrived for the other one, so this should be cleared before long.
11:56 PM: All clear. (We’ll follow up with SFD on whether anyone was hurt.)
ORIGINAL SATURDAY NIGHT REPORT: Police found evidence of gunfire in South Delridge after 911 reports about it around 7:40 pm, according to emergency-radio archives. No injuries reported so far. Police found shell casings near 21st/Barton, and an empty gray Kia Avalon – left running – with bullet damage. Witnesses told them the people responsible for the gunfire left the scene in a car, but no consistent description; dispatch later reported the person who had been driving the Avalon called in to say they’d left it after getting shot at. Barton was blocked off for a while as police looked for other evidence, but it’s reopened now.
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: The police-report summary we obtained this morning includes the info we reported above, with one additional detail: The person who called in about the car declined to come back for it, saying, according to police, “he was already out of the city and would not return.” The car was impounded.
(WSB video/photos)
The Seattle Chinese Garden‘s Lunar New Year festival today not only had a lion-dance “workshop” and children’s crafts…
… it also had a visit from Mayor Bruce Harrell, who spoke for five minutes, preceding a proclamation with a spirited defense of diversity, equity, and inclusion, currently under federal siege:
As the mayor pointed out, north-end City Councilmember Dan Strauss – who has visited Seattle’s Chinese sister city Chongqing, home to the garden’s stylistic inspiration – was also at the festival, which offered music and games as well. The garden’s regular visiting hours are here.
(Photo by Jeremy Barton)
Thanks for the tips and photos! Also seen on Alki this afternoon and getting a lot of attention, the SS Cape Intrepid. No, it’s not a U.S. Navy vessel – the Cape Intrepid is a U.S. Maritime Administration Ready Reserve ship that can support the Navy, and has been moored in Tacoma. Trackers say the Cape Intrepid is out on “sea trials” right now, passing the south end of Whidbey Island.
(Added: Photo by Bucky Hayes-McQueen)
3:26 PM: More than 100 people are marching along the Alki Trail again today in support of immigrants’ rights. We didn’t hear about it until it was just starting but caught up with the group as it headed east/southbound; they were detouring onto Luna/Anchor Park. Photos/video to come.
(Added: WSB video)
4:09 PM: Above is our roadside video as the group passed just before turning into Luna/Anchor Park. We continued heading south/west and didn’t see any other groups. Listening to police radio, we’re hearing the demonstration is now along Alki Avenue in the 1300 block – one officer had told dispatch a few minutes ago that someone had been assaulted and they were arresting a suspect, though there was no word of whether it involved demonstrator(s) or other(s).
8:38 PM: Here’s what police tell WSB about that:
Two arrests were made at the protest on Alki. One protester was arrested for assaulting another protester in front of officers. The adult was arrested and booked into King County Jail on investigation of assault. The second arrest was of a juvenile that was arrested for obstruction. The juvenile stood in front of a patrol vehicle that had lights activated to prevent it from moving, and was arrested and I & R’d (Identified and Released) to a parent. No injuries or reportable use of force.
(Photo courtesy Caroline Goodell)
“We are biased — our bias is toward democracy,” Caroline Goodell says about West Seattle Indivisible, which sent WSB an announcement to let the community know about their meeting Sunday afternoon (February 9). “Our democracy is under threat,” she told WSB by phone. “Our intention is to stand together and fight back in defense of our rights, our communities, and our values.” While the group doesn’t currently organize protests, Goodell says members have participated in demonstrations and encourage civic engagement through actions like calling and writing to senators, in-person advocacy, and voter education. They provide a space for community members to come together, discuss issues and commit to tangible steps toward change. The group meets every two weeks, typically on Sundays. Meetings include check-ins and action-based discussions, where participants gather at tables focused on different political issues and commit to specific actions before the next session. The next meeting is tomorrow from 2:30-4 p.m. at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).
It’s a sweet tradition for the Madison Middle School PTSA – Krispy Kreme donut sales for Valentine’s Day. So they’re doing it again this year.
Grab a Valentine’s Day donut and support the Madison Middle School PTSA – because nothing says ‘love’ like a donut for a good cause! All proceeds go to our school fund, so it’s a win-win. Orders must be placed here by midnight on February 10: paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WPN9W53LMNY46 Pick up donuts on Valentine’s Day (2/14) before school from 8:00-9:00 AM.
(Snowy Olympics, photographed Friday by Chris Frankovich)
Here are options for your Saturday, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free community meditation, 9 am at Inner Alchemy‘s sanctuary/studio (3618 SW Alaska).
MINDFUL MOVEMENT HEALING CIRCLE: 9:30 am – details in our calendar listing. (3225 California SW)
INTRODUCTORY WALK: Prelude to the next event – meet at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, 9:30 am, for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Then at 10 am, you’re invited to join others for the weekly walk in Lincoln Park (also meet at 47th/Fauntleroy).
ADMIRAL CO-OP PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-11:30 am, prospective families welcome. (3940 41st SW)
ARK PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, prospective families welcome. (4113 SW 102nd)
GRIEFSHARE: If you have lost someone close to you, this is for you. 13-week series starts today, 10:30 am, Grace Church (10323 28th SW).
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – “This is a free, weekly, in-person active writing group grounded in the Amherst Writers and Artists method. It is a safe, critique-free space. Writers of all levels welcome, 16 and up.” Our calendar listing has location and RSVP info.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30-11 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), meant for kids 0-5.
WASHINGTON STATE BLACK LEGACY INSTITUTE: Open 11 am-6 pm so you can see the Black History Month art exhibit at the new history institution headquartered at 2656 42nd SW.
LUNAR NEW YEAR AT CHINESE GARDEN: 11 am-3 pm festival at Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge (6000 16th SW) – see the schedule here, including a scheduled mayoral visit.
FAMILY READING TIME: Canceled again today because Paper Boat Booksellers is moving.
GAME DAY SNACK SAMPLING: Noon-4 pm, visit PCC Community Markets-West Seattle (2749 California SW; WSB sponsor) to try some options for Sunday’s big game, or other snacky occasions.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the newest exhibit, about the West Duwamish Greenbelt! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
HAND-BUILD CLAY ANIMALS: 1-3 pm class at The Clay Cauldron with Kirsten. (5214 Delridge Way SW)
SOUTHSIDE REVOLUTION JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY: 4:15 pm, doors open at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW) for a doubleheader bout – tickets here.
TROOP 284 CELEBRATES 110 YEARS: Dinner and speakers at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (35th & Myrtle), 6 pm. Check to see if tickets are still available.
LIVE AT C & P COFFEE: Orville Johnson plays 6-8 pm at the coffeehouse (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.
ASTRA LUMINA: The illuminated walk at Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge continues all month. 6 pm and later entry times; ticket cost varies. (6000 16th SW)
FIRST WEEKEND FOR ‘COVENANT’: See the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) at 7:30 pm; get tickets online here.
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Jeff Plankenhorn performs at 7:30 pm; tickets here. (7904 35th SW)
COMEDY COMPETITION: Second night, presented by Cozy Comedy at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW), 10 comedians, audience voting! 8 pm, tickets here.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Gravel Road, Low Hums, with special guest Bart Cameron, 8 pm, $10 at the door, which opens at 7. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, it’s Soul Focus Saturday. (4547 California SW)
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 10 pm start time for Saturday-night singers at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event is welcome to be listed on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Photos by Dave Gershgorn for West Seattle Blog
(Musicians Fin McGinty, Loch Liddell, Ana Geraghty play while dancers including Abu Abdirahman, Xen Grey, Theo Mohundro, Clara Peak, Mia Herbig perform)
This was the second Lunar New Year that West Seattle High School‘s AAPI Club and Chinese Program invited the community to a big party. Tonight’s celebration started with performances in the WSHS Theater:
(Ribbon dancer Indigo Ewing, with musicians Jettson Stone on Gu Zheng, left, and Henry Oprinsky on Pi Pa)
(Martial-arts demonstration by Ambrose Pho-Tung from Evergreen Tang Soo Do)
Then it was on to the Commons for food and drink:
Games too:
And a picture-perfect photo booth:
This was the second of our area’s three big Lunar New Year events to which community members were invited – the third one is tomorrow at the Seattle Chinese Garden.
Two reader reports tonight:
PROWLER/PEEPER RETURNS: A North Admiral resident (California near Palm), reports, “This guy has entered our gated area twice from the alley to California. The first time was 1/15/25 at 6:15 a.m., and the second was today at 6:06 a.m. I wanted to let you know so I can warn others in the area. I have alerted our neighborhood watch group, the building owner where the guy was peeping, and the tenant.” This clip is a closer look as he opens the gate. Police report # is 25-035150.
RECOGNIZE THIS CAR? Possibly stolen, says the reader who’s noticed it for “some days now”:
I live on 44th Ave SW between Oregon and Genesee and noticed an unfamiliar car parked for quite a few days now. Initially, its lights were on and now they are not, probably a dead battery at this point. It seems like maybe someone stole the car and dumped it. Hoping the owner recognizes it and can get their car back.
They’ll be reporting it to police.
Seattle Public Utilities sent us this notice, which is being circulated in the neighborhood but is likely of wider interest:
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is upgrading the water pump station in your neighborhood. The SW Spokane St Pump Station, constructed in 1928, supplies drinking water and fire protection services to parts of West Seattle. Due to its age, this critical facility is at risk of failure during an earthquake, and many of its systems need immediate repair or replacement.
Adjacent to the pump station, SPU will be conducting construction in the roadway for utility installation associated with the project. Travelers can expect periodic full and partial road closures for up to two months beginning in February 2025. During this period, the roadway may be open to traffic with or without construction flaggers depending on the construction schedule. Please plan additional time for travel and follow the signed detour route during full road closures. Periodic full and partial road closures are necessary for safe and timely completion of the work. This work ensures SPU can continue to provide reliable and safe drinking water and fire protection services to our customers.
LOCATION
This work will be done along SW Spokane St and 33rd Ave SW, adjacent to the pump station. Please see the map for the work location and detour route.SCHEDULE
Expect approximately two months of roadway impacts beginning as early as February 3. During the work period, SW Spokane St. may be closed or restricted. During road closures, please follow signed detours. Construction crews are expected to work Monday – Friday, 7 am – 5 pm. However, the road may remain closed for nights and weekends depending on the work schedule. Please note that the start date, duration, and working hours are subject to change due to permitting, weather, crew availability, and other factors.
You can find a bit more about the pump-station project in this SPU document.
(Reader photo from November 1, 2024, crash)
After another round of crashes in early January near the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge – by the welcome sign, sculptures, and pullout – we asked SDOT what they were doing to evaluate the site and potentially take action. Comment discussion has centered on whether a pavement change is a factor, and/or whether speed is the major problem, and/or possibly certain vehicle types. SDOT’s first reply was that they were looking into it. We followed up again, and this afternoon received this update:
Our pavement engineers and Vision Zero team met recently to discuss this issue.
This year we plan to add safety enhancements to encourage drivers to approach the curve at a safer speed. We are currently considering various treatments such as warning signs, raised pavement markings, and/or reflective markings.
If the pattern continues after those safety enhancements have been made, we are looking into the feasibility of two possible methods to increase the traction of the pavement in this area either by grinding down the top layer of pavement or adding a high-friction surface treatment. We’re considering the pros and cons of each option to determine if either one makes sense in this area. Either option would need to be scheduled at some point a little further out in the future after considering resources, crew availability, weather, and traffic impacts for drivers.
We don’t have stats on how many crashes have happened along that stretch – even our archives show crashes that aren’t reflected on the SDOT collision-info map.
Is your ballot for the February 11 election gathering dust on a table or shelf? This weekend is prime time to get it into a King County Elections drop box or USPS mail. Tuesday evening is the deadline for votes to count – 8 pm is when the drop boxes close, or mail it early in the day to ensure it’ll be postmarked for Tuesday. West Seattle has four drop boxes – by Morgan Junction Park along the west side of California SW about a block north of Fauntleroy, by High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), in the West Seattle Junction (south side of SW Alaska just east of 44th), and at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, take one of the main entrances, it’s right out front of the admin building). Here are our stories on the decisions you have to make on this ballot – a multi-part city measure about funding social housing (our story is here) and two Seattle Public Schools levies (our story is here). Both are renewals, one for operational funding, the other for capital funding (BEX VI), with only one major project proposed in West Seattle this time, a $50 million addition at Chief Sealth International HS for career/technical education.
As the day goes on, we’ll be looking ahead to some of what’s up this weekend (besides The Big Game). Just got this from Jill Moore, who had said she’d do pop-ups in the space where her trial run of Cascadia Fresh Market recently ended:
(May 2024 Cascadia Fresh Market photo substituted for original graphic)
I am hosting a Produce Pop up at Cascadia Fresh Market (5444 Delridge Way SW) on Sunday, Feb 9, from 12 pm – 7 pm.
I am bringing in a bunch of fresh food; a mix of national farm surplus, local farm bounty, and regular wholesale favorites. Avocados, potatoes, fruits, onions, leafy greens, brassicas, etc. I’d like to ask you to go light on fresh food shopping at the big retailers and instead stock up at the market this weekend! Support fresh food access!
(Jill is co-proprietor of Cascadia Produce, so she has a pretty good produce pipeline.)
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