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Spotlight Stories


  • Meeting

    ALL TALK, NO LISTENING: Meeting stirs frustration

  • Winners

    THE WINNERS! Westside Awards celebration

  • 5K

    WEST SEATTLE 5K: Are you ready for Sunday?

Singing season soon! Registration open now for Endolyne Children’s Choir
March 7, 2024 9:18 am
|    Comments Off on Singing season soon! Registration open now for Endolyne Children’s Choir
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(2023 photo courtesy Endolyne Children’s Choir)

Young singer in the household? Consider registering for Endolyne Children’s Choir – but do it by next Wednesday. Here’s the announcement we received:

Registration for Endolyne Children’s Choir‘s spring session is now open! Join as as we celebrate “The Greatest Show” with favorite songs from stage and screen. Don’t miss out on the singing, fun, and community – registration closes March 13.

Endolyne Children’s Choir is a non-audition choir that provides robust and transformative choral education for all young singers. We empower our choristers to develop confidence, form friendships, and learn performance skills in an inclusive, equitable environment. Learn more at endolynechoir.org.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday arrives
March 7, 2024 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday arrives
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, March 7th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

It’s warming up, slightly. Today’s forecadt: Sunny, high 40s. Sunrise will be at 6:36 am, sunset at 6:04 pm.

SO LONG, STANDARD TIME

Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday morning (March 10) at 2 am, when it’ll suddenly become 3 am (and the sun will start setting after 7 pm).

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check 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 changes, and 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 us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!

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DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: City Councilmember Rob Saka talks about public safety; Alki Point ‘Healthy Street’ opponents explain access concerns
March 6, 2024 11:56 pm
|      69 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Sean Golonka
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

West Seattle community members questioned District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka over his and the city’s efforts to address public safety and transportation at tonight’s meeting of the District 1 Community Network, an umbrella group of representatives from various local organizations around the area.

The group also discussed the ongoing city effort to finalize the transformation of a portion of road along Alki Point as a “Healthy Street,” one of a network of local roads – closed to through traffic – where residents are encouraged to walk, roll, bike, and play in the roadway with the help of “Street Closed” signs.

Here is a breakdown of the D1CN meeting, with about two dozen people in attendance at High Point Neighborhood House and facilitated by Deb Barker of the Morgan Community Association.

QUESTIONS FOR COUNCILMEMBER SAKA: In an opening speech, District 1’s recently elected councilmember reiterated a common mantra of his to be the “king of potholes,” adding that his number one focus is public safety. His priorities in that area include staffing — he was one of several city council candidates last year who supported Mayor Bruce Harrell’s hopes of hiring 500 new officers over five years.

In response to one attendee who asked about the city’s progress with boosting its police force, Saka noted that the city council’s Public Safety Committee would receive more information about that subject, including the latest data on officer staffing levels, during its next meeting on Tuesday (March 12).

Read More

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CAN YOU HELP? Volunteer youth track coaches needed, fast!
March 6, 2024 9:54 pm
|    Comments Off on CAN YOU HELP? Volunteer youth track coaches needed, fast!
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(High Point Community Center, via seattle.gov)

Spring track-and-field season is less than two weeks away at High Point Community Center – which needs volunteer coaches to step up right now! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

High Point Community Center is currently looking for volunteer coaches for the High Point Track Program for the upcoming season. Track practices will start on Monday, March 18, 2024 . Monday practice will be 6:00 – 7:00 pm @ Hiawatha track and Wednesday practice will be 6:00 – 7:00 pm @ West Seattle Stadium. If you are interested in being a coach or know of anyone that is interested, contact Buck for more details at Buck.Buchanan@seattle.gov. We do not want to cancel practice until we find coaches … Thank you in advance for your help.

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Bainbridge Island indie filmmaker’s sci-fi movie ‘Ingress’ to be shown for a week at West Seattle’s Admiral Theater
March 6, 2024 8:37 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s the trailer for “Ingress,” a sci-fi movie written and directed by Bainbridge Island filmmaker Rachel Noll James that’s about to be shown for a week at West Seattle’s Admiral Theater (2343 California SW). Noll James also stars in “Ingress,” which she summarizes as: “A woman who can move between parallel realities loses her husband tragically and must overcome past trauma to travel the multiverse once again and find her way into a reality where he is still alive.” She tells WSB that “Ingress” was entirely filmed on Bainbridge, and since she’s so close by, “I will be attending to do a talkback about the filmmaking process for the opening-night screening on March 8th.” That’s Friday at 7 pm. Subsequent Admiral Theater showings will be at 1 pm and 7 pm Saturday and Sunday (March 9-10) and 3:30 pm Monday-Thursday (March 11-14); the movie runs just under two hours. You can get tickets (and see what else is showing at The Admiral) by going here.

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FYI: Seattle Parks facility closures on Thursday
March 6, 2024 6:08 pm
|    Comments Off on FYI: Seattle Parks facility closures on Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

FYI for tomorrow, since we have so many Seattle Parks facilities in West Seattle:

Many Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities and programs will be closed Thursday, March 7, 2024, due to a Recreation Division staff training day.

These facilities and services are CLOSED:
All recreation programs
Community centers and teen life centers
Environmental learning centers [Camp Long is an ELC in West Seattle]
Indoor swimming pools
Green Lake Small Craft Center
Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center

These facilities are OPEN on regular schedules:
Parks
Amy Yee Tennis Center
Volunteer Park Conservatory
Japanese Garden
Boat ramps
Golf courses and ranges

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BIZNOTES: Three about drinks and food
March 6, 2024 4:14 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTES: Three about drinks and food
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Three food-and-drink biznotes:

GOOD SOCIETY CELEBRATES 4TH ANNIVERSARY: The folks at The Good Society in Admiral (2701 California SW) admit their actual anniversary was in mid-February, but they didn’t want to get it all jumbled up with the Super Bowl, so they’re celebrating this weekend – 4 years in business. Special events includw:

We will have an anniversary edition of Music Bingo on Friday March 8th at 7 PM and Trivia on Saturday March 9th at 3 PM. We will also have Lovely & Dapper Desserts on site from 3 PM to 7 PM selling cakes, one of which is a chocolate cake made with our Night Nurse Black IPA and vanilla buttercream.

As for the beer, they’re promising a 4th Anniversary Imperial IPA as well as a return of Rye Hard 2: Rye Harder. (And if you’re off-peninsula, they’re celebrating at their new Queen Anne location too.)

OTTER ON THE ROCKS CELEBRATES 2ND ANNIVERSARY: Another Admiral beverage-focused establishment is celebrating this weekend too – it’s two years for Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way). They’re planning on partying Friday and Saturday: “We’ll have some drink specials, fun raffles, and some popcorn!”

DUKE’S SECOND REOPENING FREEBIE: After a week of free chowder to celebrate reopening after a month-plus closure following deep-freeze damage, Duke’s on Alki (2516 Alki SW; WSB sponsor) has a new freebie starting today – free burger with any entree, through March 19th. (Tell them you heard it here.)

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READER REPORT: ‘Quiet Zone’ update
March 6, 2024 2:49 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

If you travel along the north end of West Marginal Way SW, you’ve seen the work that’s part of the Terminal 5 Quiet Zone project, changing some of the railroad crossings so that trains headed to and from T-5 won’t have to use their horns as much. Don Brubeck sent these photos and update earlier this week:

The T5 Quiet Zone project crew was removing detour barriers and putting signs in place at Chelan/Spokane/West Marginal Way/Delridge to allow bike riders to start using the new curb cut and crossing from the Alki Trail to the Bridge Trail and Duwamish route. The dedicated bike signal is not installed yet. The shared-use path and driveway paving looks like it is nearing completion on east side of West Marginal Way SW from Chelan to 16th/17th SW.

Here’s what the project is meant to provide:

When last we checked in with SDOT at the end of November (also after a photo Don sent), the project was scheduled for completion in May. The project website now says “summer.”

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From the rink to the forest: Camp Long scores help from DNDA-led volunteers including Seattle Kraken reps
March 6, 2024 1:12 pm
|    Comments Off on From the rink to the forest: Camp Long scores help from DNDA-led volunteers including Seattle Kraken reps
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photos)

DNDA co-executive directors Mesha Florentino and Imani Sims welcomed Seattle Kraken and other companies’ staffers – including Kraken mascot Buoy – to a forest-restoration work party at West Seattle’s Camp Long this morning. A bit of snow remained on the ground, but considering most of this crew makes their living on the ice, it was no big deal:

DNDA says the volunteers helping out today are from not only the Kraken (whose players are on the road right now, so they couldn’t join in) but also Climate Pledge Arena, Kraken Community Iceplex, and Oak View Group.

They were doing what all good gardeners should be doing with spring almost here – planting native plants and removing invasives, now that the ground is beginning to warm (yes, even with the below-normal temperatures). But with a professional sports mascot in the midst of it all, there were photo ops, too:

DNDA coordinates many volunteer events in local parks and other greenspaces as part of its Urban Forest Restoration Program, and while this one wasn’t open to other community volunteers, most are – here’s how to join in.

ADDED MONDAY: According to a DNDA wrapup, “The volunteers first identified and dug up invasive plants from nearly 20,000 square feet (a little more than the area of an ice hockey rink) of forest, allowing them to plant native shrubs and trees across another 10,000 square feet of forest — a total of 250 plants.”

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VIDEO: ‘State of the Bridges’ briefing, with one major missing piece
March 6, 2024 11:56 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Video is coded to start with State of Bridges briefing; if it doesn’t, go to 1 hour, 38 minutes into the meeting)
SDOT‘s “State of the Bridges” briefing – another reason we went downtown for the Seattle City Council’s Transportation Committee meeting on Tuesday (besides this) – was an informational overview rather than a bridge-by-bridge update, and it was somewhat rushed because the preceding item, a discussion of the Seattle Transportation Plan, had run long.

And one critical component was missing – the bridge-asset management plan called for in the bridge audit requested by the former committee chair Alex Pedersen during the West Seattle Bridge closure. Pedersen noted in a post before leaving office in December that it’s troubling the new transportation levy proposal is being developed without this “foundational document”:

SDOT is still behind on completing its Bridge Asset Management Plan and yet asset management plans should be foundational documents driving (the investment) for the next transportation capital package, as the 9-year, $930 million “Move Seattle” levy expires at the end of 2024.

Pedersen’s observation was made three months ago, and the plan’s not done yet, though the next levy proposal is expected to be made public this spring. The bridge asset plan’s current status was listed as “pending/drafting” in Tuesday’s briefing led by SDOT’s chief infrastructure engineer Elizabeth Sheldon, who said this is what it will include.

The list of “assets” is long: Sheldon’s briefing (see the full slide deck here) noted that the city’s portfolio of roadway structures includes 135 bridges and almost 500 stairways. The city also operates the South Park Bridge, though King County owns it. She also said that Seattle bridges are an average of 60 years old, while the national average bridge age is 47. Only a third of Seattle bridges are in good condition, and changing that, she said, would cost a lot.

No specific numbers, but Councilmember Dan Strauss suggested it sounded dire enough that the city perhaps should consider a levy just to address its bridges. Those currently considered to be in “fair” condition, he said, represented a “watch list,” recalling that “the West Seattle Bridge moved from fair to poor in the span of a week.”

For his part, committee chair and District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka said bridges are “near and dear” to him and that he appreciates “geeking out” on this type of information. He added that he has a field visit to the West Seattle low bridge scheduled toward the end of the month.

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Talk with police/911, hear from city councilmember, run, play, more: Your West Seattle Wednesday options
March 6, 2024 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on Talk with police/911, hear from city councilmember, run, play, more: Your West Seattle Wednesday options
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Northern Flicker, photographed by Gentle Tassione McGaughey)

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

TODDLER READING TIME: Wednesdays at 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SECRETS OF AFFORDING SENIOR LIVING: Free presentation/discussion 1-2:30 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm drop-in playspace at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Sixth day of cookie booths at multiple locations – some starting at 4 pm. Search here for your nearest locations.

DISCOVER SEATTLE COLLEGES: As previewed here, here’s a chance to see what South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and its sibling campuses offer. Tonight at 5:30, the third of four online info sessions (with in-person open houses next week) focuses on culinary, hospitality, and wine programs – RSVP here to get the link.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

TALK WITH POLICE/911: Along with police reps, Chief Amy Smith from the CARE Department – which includes 911 as well as crisis responders – will be at tonight’s Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting, as previewed here. 6 pm. All welcome. (2300 SW Webster)

FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run, 6 pm.

TRIVIA x 4: Four places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

COUNCILMEMBER @ DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: Guests at tonight’s 7 pm in-person meeting of the District 1 Community Network at High Point Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) include City Councilmember Rob Saka. The coalition also is scheduled to discuss topics including the Alki Point Healthy Street. The agenda is in our calendar listing. All welcome.

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Be part of Roxhill Elementary’s yearbook
March 6, 2024 9:18 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Friends of Roxhill Elementary invites local businesses and organizations to support the school and its students by advertising in the Roxhill yearbook. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

Calling all West Seattle business owners!
Support Your Neighborhood School and Your Business

Roxhill Elementary is your local neighborhood elementary school. Roxhill is a Title 1 public school, meaning that a high percentage of students live in low-income households. This year, we are working with 5th graders to produce a high quality yearbook that will be distributed to every student regardless of their family’s ability to pay for one.

You can help support your local school and students in your community by buying an ad to promote your business in our yearbook. This helps offset the cost of yearbooks for families who cannot pay for one themselves and introduces families to local businesses they can support. Best of all, it ensures that ALL students can keep this memento of their elementary school days.

Ads are affordable and help build awareness in your immediate community. Roxhill Elementary is made up of ~245 students and 50 teachers and staff members. All ads are printed in color and yearbooks will be distributed at the end of June 2024.

Ad prices range from $45 to $155, and the deadline is (updated) March 25 – you can fill out this form (which has more details) or email friendsofroxhill@gmail.com. (You can also donate to the yearbook fund without an ad – do that here.)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday begins
March 6, 2024 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday begins
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, March 6th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

After another near-freezing morning, we’re headed for sunshine and the mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 6:38 am, sunset at 6:02 pm.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME, DAYS AWAY

Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday morning (March 10) at 2 am, when we’ll advance an hour.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check 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 changes, and 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 us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Bullet into house in Arbor Heights
March 6, 2024 12:35 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Police are investigating what appears to be a case of someone shooting into an Arbor Heights house. Officers were sent to the 10600 block of 31st SW a few minutes before midnight. According to the dispatch, the resident heard glass break and found a bullet in their kitchen, but didn’t see who did it, and didn’t hear anything (such as a vehicle pulling away). Officers confirmed to dispatch that it indeed appeared to be “a bullet into a house” and reported finding a casing. No injuries were reported.

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UPDATE: Crash on southbound 35th near Myrtle
March 5, 2024 9:15 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Crash on southbound 35th near Myrtle
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:15 PM: A two-car crash reported on 35th near Myrtle is blocking the southbound direction, police have told dispatch. So far one person is reported to be hurt, a man with a leg injury; no visual but the cars involved are described as a Camry and Corvette. Police are calling for two tow trucks.

10:05 PM: Officers just told dispatch that southbound 35th is reopening.

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West Seattle indie filmmakers invite you to a fundraising party for their new movie
March 5, 2024 8:47 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle indie filmmakers invite you to a fundraising party for their new movie
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Yes, the title’s a little grisly, but that’s how movies go sometimes. What’s above is a teaser for the first chapter of “Bloodbath in Palookaville,” a film currently in production, which will be shown during a fundraising party this Saturday. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

This Saturday, March 9, a local film production company, Guerrilla House Productions, is having a screening and fundraiser for its latest production, “Bloodbath in Palookaville.” The filmmakers are both longtime West Seattle residents – Jerry Howard (video production teacher) and Mark Bauschke (photographer/videographer).

The event will be held at Beveridge Place Pub at 6:30 pm. In addition to screening the first chapter of “Bloodbath in Palookaville,” other shorts by Guerrilla House Productions will be shown. There will be a silent auction and opportunities to purchase a credit in the film to raise funds to complete the movie. Everyone 21 years or older is welcome!

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UPDATE: Sound Transit’s West Seattle station-planning open house, including a bridge view
March 5, 2024 5:49 pm
|      105 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

5:49 PM: Just under way at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds, lower-level entrance off the parking lot), Sound Transit reps are back in West Seattle to talk about station planning again. This is the promised followup to last October’s open house, and another precursor to the next major milestone in the West Seattle light-rail project, publication of the final environmental-impact statement, currently projected for the “middle” of this year. This event is mostly open-house style, with easels and renderings around the room focusing on the extension’s four stations (Junction, Avalon, Delridge, SODO), and many Sound Transit staffers to listen to your comments and/or answer questions. They’re promising a “short presentation” around 6 pm, and then this continues until 7:30 pm. We’re checking to see what’s new, and will add more to this report later.

7:50 PM: We’re expecting to get all the renderings/info boards in PDF tomorrow, and will publish that separately. We circulated and photographed some of the most interesting ones we saw, such as a concept for the bridge that will be needed to get the light-rail line across the Duwamish River:

Station concepts like these two were a little more fully fleshed out than last meeting:

Also shown, a concept for redesigning SW Alaska when the Junction station is built underground in the 41st/42nd/Alaska vicinity:

The turnout was sizable – we were there for the first hour and it felt busier than the one in October:

Again, we hope to have all that and much more in digital format tomorrow. Remember that the routing is not finalized yet, but the stations are being planned in what ST considers to be the most likely locations per the “preferred alternative” currently on the books. Woven through the boards with renderings and concepts were results of last fall’s community survey – for example, one board listed what survey respondents had said was most important to them in station planning, and safety topped the list, followed by “easy to navigate” and “welcoming.” Another board listed results of a question about bicycle and scooter parking; top preference was to have lockers, followed by a “secure room,” and then racks. Some boards also listed preferences that had emerged from “in-language focus groups,” and a common theme there was “wider sidewalks.” And others had details of what’s ahead in the process – including Seattle Design Commission consideration of station plans this spring. But this year’s main event – no date yet – will be the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement, followed by the Sound Transit Board finalizing the routing, aka “the project to be built.”

ADDED WEDNESDAY: Here are the renderings etc. shown last night. (And the city-produced boards are here.) We’ll publish separately as promised later, too.

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VIDEO: Duwamish Tribe asks for equal share in West Seattle Bridge art project, as council committee tables it again
March 5, 2024 2:45 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Duwamish Tribe | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Image from December 2023 council-committee agenda, incorporating Google Maps photo)

Not including the Duwamish Tribe in a highly visible Native-art project barely a mile from their Longhouse would be a “systemic erasure,” the City Council’s Transportation Committee was told by tribal officials this morning.

The committee, chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, was scheduled to be briefed and to possibly vote on the project at today’s meeting, three months after the previous membership of the committee tabled it at the request of Saka’s predecessor Lisa Herbold. At the start of the meeting, Saka announced that it would not be voted on today; then after the previous two (unrelated) agenda items ran long, he announced the art-project briefing would be tabled entirely, “possibly” to an unspecified later date.

Though this project has been in the planning stages for almost two years, it was not mentioned publicly until the agenda emerged for a committee meeting last December. The project is proposed to involve the Muckleshoot and Suquamish Tribes, sharing an estimated 15 West Seattle Bridge columns and $133,000 from the West Seattle Bridge repair/mitigation project. The Duwamish say the art project was never even mentioned to them (and the slide deck prepared for the meeting bears that out). At the committee briefing in December, SDOT countered by saying the Duwamish Tribe was involved with a different art project – but it turned out to involve the sidewalk close to the Longhouse, and, according to the tribe, was in the works long before this came to light.

(WSB photo, Council Chambers today)

At the start of the meeting, the public-comment period included more than half a dozen people telling the committee that the Duwamish Tribe should be included in the bridge-columns project. Here’s our video of the entire public-comment period (including several speakers talking about other agenda items); the first speaker, reading a statement from Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen, was Longhouse director Kristina Pearson:

Several of the Duwamish representatives who spoke said they’re being excluded because their tribe is not federally recognized, a status they’ve been fighting for years to regain. And to add insult to injury, said one speaker, the project excluding the Duwamish Tribe is in “an area that is culturally sensitive to” them.

Saka noted from the dais that he will be visiting the Duwamish Longhouse soon for a meeting; before adjourning, both he and the committee’s vice-chair, District 3 Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, thanked the Duwamish members for coming to City Hall. She said, “You being the original caretakers of this land, when you speak, we need to listen.”

(Side note – we will cover the rest of the meeting, which focused on the Seattle Transportation Plan and a “State of the Bridges” overview, in a separate report.)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue Datsun pickup (update: found)
March 5, 2024 12:46 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photo are from Jasper:

I wanted to report my stolen truck – it is a blue 1982 Datsun King Cab. Front bumper is sagging and there’s stickers in the top corners of the back window. License plate 7739F. Stolen from downtown Seattle and last seen yesterday [in West Seattle] between 41st and 42nd Ave on Andover St. but was gone by the time I arrived so it’s driving around. Please contact me at 425-223-6828 if seen.

EVENING UPDATE: Jasper’s pickup has been found, and he says thanks to readers for the help!

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RECYCLING: Saturday’s event to accept even more items than originally planned
March 5, 2024 11:47 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo from past recycling/shredding event)

We’ve been reminding you about Saturday’s big dropoff recycling/shredding event in West Seattle. Today, organizers just sent word that the list of what they’ll accept has grown. Here’s the update:

Have stuff to recycle that doesn’t go in your cart? Bring it to the West Seattle Recycling & Reuse Collection event! We host this event every year to collect items for recycling and reuse that can’t go in your home recycle carts or dumpsters.

ACCEPTED ITEMS
Foam blocks
Household batteries (no damaged batteries)
Florescent tubes and bulbs (no broken bulbs, limit: 4 ft.)
Small, empty propane camping canisters
Small electronics (TVs, computers, etc.)
Small appliances (non-freon)
Paper for shredding (limit: 4 boxes of paper)
Household textiles – clothing & curtains
NEW: Reusable building materials (doors, windows, cabinets, plumbing, electrical, flooring, lighting, HVAC, hardware)
NEW: Solid wood or plywood furniture

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED:
Commercial loads
Garbage
Yard waste
Household recycling (items that go in your cart/dumpster)
Hazardous waste
Automotive waste
Construction waste
Non-recyclable or reusable items
Car seats
Mattresses

This is happening 9 am-noon in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). All free – drive up, ride up, walk up to drop off. Co-sponsors include the West Seattle Junction Association, West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Public Utilities, and Waste Management.

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Fauntleroy Creek culvert-replacement project restarts, with community survey and Saturday info event
March 5, 2024 10:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

That area along the west side of 45th Avenue SW just north of SW Wildwood is proposed for a new Fauntleroy Creek overlook as part of the city’s restarted project to replace two century-old culverts that carry part of the creek underground. Seattle Public Utilities says it’s focusing on just one of those culverts right now, the one traveling under 45th SW. SPU reps will be at 45th/Wildwood 10 am-1 pm Saturday to talk with people about the newest plans, and they’ve just opened a survey. Back in 2019, SPU started a public process, and at the time construction was envisioned to be wrapping up about now, but like many other projects, it was placed on hold. Now, they’re restarting the process for the 45th section, with this overview:

The 45th Ave SW culvert is the immediate focus of this project. SPU prioritizes culvert projects based on the likelihood and consequences of culvert failure. Each culvert is evaluated using various criteria, including impacts on the environment, fish passage, traffic, and community, as well as operations and maintenance. Through this evaluation process, SPU has identified the public roadway culvert at 45th Ave SW as the highest priority for replacement. SPU is committed to proactively replacing this culvert to reduce the risk of failure and mitigate storm-related flooding.

Construction on 46th is tentatively set to start in spring 2026, SPU says. Planning is also continuing for the California SW section, which goes under public and private property near Fauntleroy Church. This Saturday, you can find out more in person:

Join members of the project team for a Design Drop-in on Saturday, March 9 any time from 10 am – 1 pm to learn about the culvert and share your thoughts on the future Fauntleroy Creek overlook space. The project information table will be at the intersection of SW Wildwood Pl and 45th Ave SW, in front of Wildwood Glen.

The survey, meantime, is open until March 22.

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Open house about light-rail stations, and more, on the list for your West Seattle Tuesday
March 5, 2024 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Open house about light-rail stations, and more, on the list for your West Seattle Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photographed from Alki this morning by Marc Milrod)

Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s scheduled for the rest of today/tonight:

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

CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: The third meeting of the committee chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka starts at 9:30 am. Three major agenda items: The Seattle Transportation Plan, a “State of the Bridges” briefing, and the tribal-art project for columns under the West Seattle Bridge’s west end. Here’s the agenda. You can watch live via Seattle Channel.

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

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Fifth day of cookie booths at multiple locations – some starting at 4 pm. Search here for your nearest locations.

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

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

LIGHT-RAIL STATION PLANNING: 5:30-7:30 pm, Sound Transit reps will be at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) for an open-house-style meeting about station planning for the future West Seattle extension.

DISCOVER SEATTLE COLLEGES: As previewed here, here’s a chance to see what South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and its sibling campuses offer. Tonight at 5:30, the second of four online info sessions (with in-person open houses next week) focuses on business and accounting programs – RSVP here to get the link.

LEARN ASL: Free weekly classes, 6 pm at West Seattle’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW). Start any Tuesday night! Details in our calendar listing.

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

FREE TRACK RUN: Run with new (or not-so-new) friends! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

TOASTMASTERS: 6:30 pm online meeting – expand your communication and leadership skills! Our calendar listing has RSVP info 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).

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

TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) now 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 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way). 21+.

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

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

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday info
March 5, 2024 6:02 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday info
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, March 5th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast gets sunnier as the day goes on, but the high will again be a colder-than-normal mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 6:40 am, sunset at 6:01 pm. (Two weeks until the spring equinox!)

(Added: Overnight snow near Delridge/Juneau – photo sent by Sage K)

‘SPRINGING FORWARD’ SOON

Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday morning (March 10) at 2 am, when we’ll “spring forward” an hour.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check 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 changes, and 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 us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!

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