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Spotlight Stories


  • WS5K

    WEST SEATTLE 5K: See & hear how it went

  • Park

    CAR IN THE PARK: Film crew spotted

  • Salmon

    SO LONG, SALMON: Halfway through the season

FOLLOWUP: Here’s when work will start on Westcrest Park’s long-closed play area
January 17, 2024 10:27 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Reader photo by Jon from May 2021)

With work starting on the Lincoln Park South Play Area replacement, we asked Seattle Parks about the schedule for Westcrest Park, since that play-area replacement is part of the same contract awarded to LW Sundstrom. Today we got the reply: Work at Westcrest Park – where the play structure was closed for safety concerns in May 2021 – is expected to begin in March. It’s a narrower scope than Lincoln Park, so both are expected to be finished “approximately (in) June,” according to Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor.

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Memorial service planned January 27 for Janet V. Miller, 1942-2023
January 17, 2024 9:00 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather January 27 to remember Janet Miller; here’s what they are sharing with the community now:

Janet Virginia Miller – reader, artist, wife, friend, mother, grandmother, aunt – died in her sleep, two months after a stroke, on December 29 in Spokane. She was 81.

The daughter of Harold Eastburg and Jane Humphrey, she was born September 25, 1942 in Spokane. Janet learned to read at 3 and never stopped. Her favorite book was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, which she reread annually since she was 10.

She graduated in the first class through Shadle Park High School. She dreamt of becoming a stage actress, a costume designer, a fashion illustrator, and/or a fiction writer. Her vocational profile recommended she become a librarian.

She attended Whitman College for one year, where the only things she learned were “how to drink and smoke.” She returned to Spokane, married Dennis Miller, and had two children and dozens of cats. Following his new job, the family moved to West Seattle in 1977. They were members of West Side Presbyterian Church, she for 39 years. She edited the church newsletter for 25.

Janet and Dennis were married for 45 years before his death in 2007.

She never lost touch with her high-school sweetheart, Dick Gibson, a journalist living in Des Moines, Iowa, talking and writing often. Dick encouraged Janet to move back to her childhood neighborhood, which she did in 2020. They planned on Dick moving back to Spokane too, before his death in 2021.

Over the decades Janet expressed her art by sewing dolls and their clothes, cutting silhouettes, building paper flowers, and making Christmas ornaments. She is known for her Scherenschnitte, the German art of paper cutting, and had drawings published in Paperdoll Review. Her latest craze was building paper house dioramas and pop-ups, such as her annual Christmas card.

She mentored her granddaughters, great-nieces, and a friend’s daughters, by teaching them to express themselves through arts and crafts.

Janet was known for her collection of large, bright earrings. She kept her mind sharp by reading mysteries and literature, following national politics, and beating the rest of us at Wordle.

Janet is survived by her son, Matthew and his partner, Kimberly Kelstone; her daughter, Jennifer and son-in-law Kai Molvik; three grandchildren, Maggie Molvik, K.C. Molvik, and Nathaniel Miller; her cat Sailor; and her friend of fifty years, Pamela Barclay. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; her sweetheart, Dick; and cats too numerous to name.

A memorial service will be 11:00 Saturday morning, January 27, at West Side Presbyterian Church in Seattle.

Janet loved red roses. Or, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; to Wheelchairs for Nigeria; or to your local libraries and schools encouraging young girls to read, write, draw, and dream.

(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)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, SCHOOLS: Wet Wednesday, with some changes
January 17, 2024 6:03 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:36 AM; Two school changes so far – Our Lady of Guadalupe is starting two hours late. So are Highline Public Schools.

6:49 AM: More school changes – the Vashon Island School District is starting 1 1/2 hours late. … Summit Atlas is on a 2-hour delay … Kennedy Catholic HS is on a “regular late start” schedule (9:35 am start).

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, January 17th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Many areas around the region are dealing with snow or freezing rain, but it’s mostly cold rain here – slick after several dry days, and the temperature is still around freezing as the day begins, so be careful. The forecast is for rain to continue, high near 40, possibly a rain/snow mix later. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:51 am, sunset at 4:47 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

(The video options on SDOT‘s camera map are working again.)

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:

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide 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 applicable). Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Sleater-Kinney meet-and-greet at Easy Street Records
January 16, 2024 11:04 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

The line for tonight’s rock-star guests wound throughout the warm confines of Easy Street Records, so customers didn’t have to wait in the cold. Here’s who they were here to see:

Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein are carrying on as Sleater-Kinney, the band they founded in Olympia 30 years ago (naming it after a street in Lacey that’s an exit off I-5). Tonight’s Easy Street meet-and-greet provided a preview of their about-to-be-released album “Little Rope,” displayed below by Archie Coltrane Vaughan, one of the youngest members of the family that owns the shop:

The album’s official release date is this Friday – but the vinyl version was available tonight at Easy Street, as were the musicians’ autographs for album-buyers:

Sleater-Kinney relaunched in 2014 after an eight-year hiatus; during that hiatus, Brownstein gained TV fame for co-creating and co-starring in the satirical series “Portlandia.” That ran 2011-2018; all the while she and Tucker kept making music. “Little Rope” is their first album in two and a half years; they’ll be touring (here’s the schedule) starting in late February, with two gigs at The Showbox in early April. You can check out their music here.

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THINK SUMMER (CAMP)! Sign up now for music and theater with Mode
January 16, 2024 9:21 pm
|    Comments Off on THINK SUMMER (CAMP)! Sign up now for music and theater with Mode
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

It’s a warming thought in the winter chill … time for families to book summer camps. West Seattle’s own Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music and Performing Arts have opened registration for theirs – here’s the info:

MODE MUSIC STUDIOS SUMMER ROCK BAND CAMPS

ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?!
It’s time for a summer of Rock Bands with Mode Music Studios! We’re offering camps for ages 6-11 and 12+ this time around. Camps run 9-12:00 for our 6-11 crowd and 12:30-2:30 for our 12+. Finish up the week with a Saturday live performance at our favorite neighbor venue, The Skylark, next door!

Turn it into a full day of camp for our 6-11’s by signing up for an afternoon of music and theatre classes at our nonprofit MMPA – keep scrolling for more info and sign up for a rock band at the link below!

modemusicstudios.com/camps

MMPA PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN MUSIC AND THEATER SUMMER CAMPS

LET’S GET CREATIVE!
All of our MMPA camps are offered as half and full days at a pay-what you can rate, so they’re accessible to everyone. Half day camps run 9-12:00 and 12:30-3:30 and are available for grades K-5. Hang with us for lunch in-between and double up for a full day of fun!

Don’t miss out on another creative summer with us. Click the link below to sign up!

modemusicandperformingarts.org/camps

Summer’s closer than you think!

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Rain returns, maybe icy
January 16, 2024 8:21 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of icy Seola Pond, perhaps one of the last such scenes we’ll see until and unless extra-cold weather returns. Tonight, rain is back, with a Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 1 am because it might be icy for a while before changing to just plain rain.

(Photo by Gill Loring – Seattle Public Utilities crew on 21st SW just south of SW 98th today)

Emergency crews were still busy throughout the day dealing with pipe problems (such as the trouble that had Madison Middle School in online learning today, though in-person classes are expected to resume tomorrow). This afternoon’s high was 36, this morning’s low 26 (both 12 degrees cooler than what the National Weather Service describes as “normal.” Tomorrow’s forecast says we might reach the low 40s and are expected to stay above freezing overnight!

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TRAFFIC ALERT: 47th/Admiral signal trouble
January 16, 2024 6:20 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Al texted to say the signal at 47th/Admiral is malfunctioning and backing up traffic. (After-hours, you can report signal trouble and other problems needing SDOT attention to 206-386-1800.)

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BIZNOTE: Wildflour closes its West Seattle Junction location
January 16, 2024 5:28 pm
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

That’s the sign on the door at Wildflour Gluten-Free Bakery in The Junction; the company confirmed to WSB via email, “Unfortunately we had to close the business today.” This is less than a week after Wildflour emailed customers to say it needed help, and one day after it said the same thing on social media, in part:

… We find ourselves in a very sad position, where the future of Wildflour is looking more and more over. If anyone is interested in helping, we are looking for accredited investors/partners to help get us on the right path, and we are willing to go over details if interested (our own financials and direction needed to correct current path). Our passion for our product is like no other in the gluten free space, and we just want to continue doing what we love. …

According to its online background page, Wildflour was founded in 2010, and taken over by its current owner in 2019. Last year it expanded into West Seattle by taking over the former Flying Apron, also a gluten-free eatery, at 4709 California SW. If it doesn’t reopen, this will be the fourth vacant storefront on the west side of the 4700 block of California; of the other three, two (the former Bin 41 and former Pharmaca) are listed for lease, and the third (former Taqueria Guaymas) was at last report to be turned into a new restaurant by co-owner Sam Virk, whose family also owns the Wildflour space.

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Water break in Arbor Heights
January 16, 2024 2:43 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to Zach and Avery for the reports about a water break on SW 106th in Arbor Heights. Seattle Public Utilities‘ water-problem map says about 15 homes were without water for an hour-plus but that it’s restored now. Others may have, or have had, discolored water as a result.

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FAUNTLEROY YMCA’S FUTURE: Update on Friday’s town hall
January 16, 2024 12:55 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Back on January 4, when we first reported on questions about the Fauntleroy YMCA‘s future, the Y (a WSB sponsor) announced a town-hall community meeting for January 19. Now that meeting’s just three days away, and the Y wants to renew the invitation to be part of it – a spokesperson says, “It’s a great opportunity for community members to share their ideas and participate in an open dialogue about the future of the Fauntleroy YMCA.” Meantime, Fauntleroy UCC – which shares its campus with the Y and is hosting the town hall – says the venue is moving to the church sanctuary, with a video feed in the Fellowship Hall if needed for overflow. The Y has been part of the Fauntleroy community for a century, but has operated the facility at limited hours – currently three hours on each of three mornings a week – since reopening after the pandemic closure. The Y’s online backstory about the situation spells out its financial challenges: “For Fauntleroy to have a mission impact and be a financially viable location, we estimate that we will need the following: $400k a year in recurring funding, 2,000 Annual Memberships, and $200k in funds donated. Unfortunately, we may need to reconsider our operations at this location without this level of sustainable support and engagement.” The meeting announcement says that in addition to discussion, they’ll be “calling for involvement in three committees where members can join us in volunteering, fundraising, or project planning.” Friday’s town hall is scheduled for 4-6 pm at the church, 9140 California SW.

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PHOTOS: Orcas pass West Seattle, head toward south Puget Sound
January 16, 2024 10:14 am
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

10:14 AM: Via text from Kersti Muul: “Orcas (several) SB from Bainbridge Island to Seattle ferry lanes, very close to Seattle side. Very surface active. Multiple males.” Let us know if you see them!

(Added: Photo by James Bratsanos)

10:53 AM: Kersti updates in a comment below that they’re still southbound, approaching Lowman Beach as of a few minutes ago.

11:28 AM: Photo added. They’re reported to be Burien-bound at this point – but eventually they’ll have to head back this way!

(Added: Photo by Greg Snyder)

12:18 PM: Another photo added. We’ll update this story later if we get word the orcas – transients, per Kersti – are headed back this way.

(Added: Photo by Dan Ciske)

3:03 PM: More photos added above and below!

(Added: Photo by Dan Ciske)

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Sing, play, run, learn, listen, dine, and more activities for your West Seattle Tuesday
January 16, 2024 10:12 am
|    Comments Off on Sing, play, run, learn, listen, dine, and more activities for your West Seattle Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bald Eagle, photographed last Thursday on Alki Point by David Hutchinson)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

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

DINE OUT FOR ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: Today and tomorrow, a dine-out benefit for Friends of Roxhill Elementary continues at The Westy (7908 35th SW), 11 am-11:45 pm. Dine in and mention you’re there to support Roxhill, or order online and use code ROXHILL.

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.)

FREE VACCINATION CLINIC: Flu and COVID vaccinations available, no insurance required, for adults and children, 2-5 pm, at the YWCA‘s Greenbridge Learning Center (9720 8th SW).

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. No major actions expected, but 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.

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.

SLEATER-KINNEY AT EASY STREET RECORDS: The legendary NW band visits Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) to sign their new album before it’s released later this week. Buy a copy to get in – via pre-order or at the event.

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

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

FREE TRACK RUN: Run with friends old and new on these long nights! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

OPEN CHOIR REHEARSAL: Interested in singing with a choir? The Boeing Employees Choir – not limited to Boeing employees – rehearses in West Seattle, 6:30 pm at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska), and you’re invited to drop in.

WEST SEATTLE TOASTMASTERS 832: All welcome at 6:30 pm online meeting – our listing has info, including how to RSVP for the meeting link.

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

‘UNPLUGGED – A MUSICAL GATHERING’: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.

PARENT EDUCATION TALK: Two topics – “The Strong-Willed Child” and “Understanding Middle Schoolers,” 7 pm at Hope Lutheran School (4456 42nd SW), all welcome.

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

TRIVIA X 3: Three places to play Tuesday nights – 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).

What’s ahead? Preview it via our event calendar – and if you have something to add to it, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Madison Middle School going remote today because of pipe break; back to in-person Wednesday
January 16, 2024 8:32 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | West Seattle weather

8:32 AM: Just in – Madison Middle School‘s principal has messaged families to announce that the school is going remote today because of a pipe problem. Here’s the message parents forwarded to us:

Overnight, a pipe burst in our building. Fortunately, the district facilities team is working to clean up the water and fix the pipe.

Because of this work, we will transition to remote learning today, January 16, with students at home engaged in remote learning.

Your student should have brought home their device last week. Please have your student sign in to their school accounts to look for updates and resources from their teacher or school staff.

Student Meals: families may pick up a sack meal at the school today from 10 a.m. until noon.

I will follow up with families as more information becomes available.

The message was timestamped less than an hour before the scheduled start of classes. We’re checking with the district to see when the problem was found and how extensive it is/was.

9 AM: Commenters say Madison families have just received another text saying that remote classes will start two hours late.

3:53 PM: The SPS media office says they won’t have answers to our questions, such as when the break happened, where, and how much damage was don, before tomorrow. They do say they expect word this afternoon on whether in-person classes will resume tomorrow.

5:30 PM: According to the SPS media office, in-person classes will resume tomorrow (Wednesday, January 17).

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: A district spokesperson responded today to our questions about when the break happened, where, and how much damage: “We can’t be sure when it actually broke, but it was found Tuesday morning. It broke in the ceiling above Classroom L221. There are 6 classrooms, an office, some mechanical spaces and a hallway impacted. Carpet, floor tile, walls and ceiling all got wet. There were also some books and other teaching materials that were damaged.”

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UPDATE: Man shot at Delridge apartment
January 16, 2024 6:54 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

6:54 AM: Police and fire are arriving at an apartment complex in the 5900 block of Delridge Way SW, after a report of a man with a gunshot wound to the leg.

7:08 AM: Police describe the wound as non-life-threatening. The Delridge/Juneau traffic camera shows the response (on the Juneau side of the complex). No word so far on circumstances.

7:28 AM: Listening back to the recording of the original dispatch, police were told the victim said he opened his door and was shot by someone he knows; the only descriptive information he gave initially was “white male, 5’10”.”

7:35 AM: We went to the area to try to find out more; the response at the complex is down to one (unoccupied) police car.

(WSB photo)

7:40 AM: The search has moved to the Delridge P-Patch a few blocks north [map], and that’s where police are right now. Police confirm they know who they are looking for but aren’t commenting further.

10:16 AM: SFD says the victim is a 55-year-old man who was in stable condition when taken to the hospital via private ambulance.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thawing Tuesday
January 16, 2024 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thawing Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

7:01 AM: Emergency response at Delridge/Juneau.

7:48 AM: Most of that response has cleared; no traffic effects. Meantime, a Seattle Fire truck has responded to a bus shelter at 35th/Avalon (which side of 35th, we don’t know) for what’s described as a small “rubbish fire.”

7:59 AM: A rider tells us the fire was on the east side of 35th and that it was a “pretty good-sized fire,” with the burning materials including cardboard. SFD put it out quickly, though, and has already closed the call.

Earlier:

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, January 16th. Schools and government offices are open again after the holiday, and we should be done with below-freezing temperatures, for now, later today – but beware of icy patches again this morning.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

After another night in the 20s, the forecast says we’ll get back into the mid-to-upper 30s, with increasing clouds, and possibly a rain/snow mix later. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:52 am, sunset at 4:46 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi today – Back to regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

(The video options on SDOT‘s camera map are working again.)

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 (unless SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera elsewhere):

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide 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 applicable). Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Final below-freezing night for now. Plus, photos!
January 15, 2024 9:21 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by Stephen Nielsen, from Lowman Beach)

According to the National Weather Service, tonight’s painted-sky sunset ushered in our final below-freezing night – until the next time Arctic air gets this far south. But until there’s been some time to thaw, be careful on the streets and sidewalks – we noticed numerous ice patches while out this afternoon. Ice was even plaguing this hummingbird, photographed by Ashley B. Harrison as it tried to scratch an icicle off the underside of its beak:

Tomorrow is expected to start clear enough that we might get one more look at mountain views like these before the clouds start taking over:

(This photo and next, by James Bratsanos, from Alki)

There’s still talk in the forecast of some snow or freezing rain mixed in with regular rain starting tomorrow night, but the NWS’s forecast discussion warns that’s not a sure thing. Meantime – today’s high was 38, low 21, respectively 10 and 17 degrees below normal for this date.

(Photo by Michael Burke, from Fauntlee Hills)

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WEDNESDAY: Highland Park Improvement Club online town hall, with rebuilding update
January 15, 2024 8:15 pm
|    Comments Off on WEDNESDAY: Highland Park Improvement Club online town hall, with rebuilding update
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

This week brings a multitude of meetings of note in West Seattle. The newest one announced is Highland Park Improvement Club‘s Wednesday night online town hall. A major topic: Progress report on the reconstruction plan for HPIC’s building at (corrected) 1116 SW Holden, gutted by fire in June 2021. Our last major update on the project was back in August; it’s still moving through the permit system, and nonprofit HPIC continues fundraising to cover what insurance won’t. HPIC also has openings for more community involvement. The meeting is at 7 pm Wednesday (January 17) and you’ll find the attendance link and phone options by going here.

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HELPING: See what MLK Day of Service volunteers did at Denny International Middle School
January 15, 2024 6:42 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than a holiday – it’s MLK Day of Service for thousands of volunteers all over the country. Dozens of them spent today at Denny International Middle School, doing work to “revitalize” the school, much of which involved art:

Some of the art celebrates Dr. King and his words:

These fish will hang in a hallway:

Marine themes are a big part of Denny decor, since the school mascot is the dolphin:

Outdoor work was part of the plan too; many of the volunteers were on a well-deserved lunch break when we stopped by:

Today’s work was organized by City Year, which has AmeriCorps members working at Denny throughout the year.

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UPDATE: House fire in 1700 block Alki Avenue SW; SFD says ‘likely caused by baseboard heater’
January 15, 2024 3:45 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Added: Photo by Susie Saalwaechter)

3:45 PM: A Seattle Fire engine crew sent to investigate a report of smoke from a house in the 1700 block of Alki SW [vicinity map] has called for a “full response.” Updates to come.

(Added: Photo sent by Gene Pavola)

3:51 PM: Firefighters report flames showing from the house. Alki Avenue will be closed to traffic at the scene.

3:59 PM: They’ve searched the house and so far found no one inside, so there’s no report of injuries so far.

(WSB photo)

4:17 PM: Our crew is there now; we’re adding photos. The fire has just been declared out (“tapped”). The incident commander tells us no one was home and they’re trying to reach the owner.

(WSB photo)

4:33 PM: SFD’s investigator is there to try to figure out the fire’s cause. Some units are being dismissed as the operation winds down.

5:17 PM: Just in from SFD: “Investigators ruled the fire was accidental. Likely caused by a baseboard heater igniting nearby combustible materials. Safety tip: please make sure you leave 3 feet of space between heating units and any furniture, curtains and clothing.”

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YOU CAN HELP: Two dine-out benefits this week for local schools
January 15, 2024 2:45 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Two dine-out benefits this week for local schools
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | West Seattle schools

Want someone else to do the cooking? Here are two ways to do that this week while helping local schools:

ROXHILL ELEMENTARY @ THE WESTY: Friends of Roxhill Elementary will benefit from a share of the proceeds, dine-in or take-out, at The Westy (7908 35th SW) today, Tuesday, and Wednesday (January 15-17), 11 am-11:45 pm. If you dine in (21+), tell your server you’re there for the Roxhill fundraiser; if you order take-out online, use the promo code ROXHILL.

WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY @ MOD: This Wednesday, the Westwood Village MOD Pizza (2800 SW Barton) will donate part of its proceeds for dine-in and take-out customers who mention they’re supporting West Seattle Elementary – if ordering online, use the code MODGIVES20. Here’s the flyer. The restaurant is open 10:30 am-10 pm

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FOLLOWUP: Work begins at Lincoln Park South Play Area
January 15, 2024 1:21 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Tom Trulin for the photos. A week and a half after Seattle Parks confirmed that the long-awaited Lincoln Park South Play Area replacement was about to begin, crews from contractor LW Sundstrom are there today.

We’re still awaiting the promised update from Parks on the expected schedule for this project and the Westcrest Park play area that was bundled with it for bidding (Sundstrom’s winning bid was just under $1.2 million). Parks had previously said March is the expected shipping timeframe for the new play equipment, which – as designed with community input six years ago – is supposed to have a marine theme. The Lincoln Park play area has been out of commission since July 2017; Westcrest, since May 2021 – both because, Parks said, wooden components had become damaged and unsafe (termites were blamed).

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GRATITUDE: Successful donation drive to help people stay warm
January 15, 2024 11:48 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (WSB sponsor) is expressing gratitude for all the generous people who donated to this year’s coats/warm clothing donation drive during the holiday season: “Thank you, West Seattle! Our 10th year was the most successful yet.” In the photo is local resident Rodger Tanner with the final load of donations – which totaled four car/truckloads this year!

(If you have coats/warm clothing in good shape that you didn’t get a chance to donate during the holidays, the West Seattle Food Bank‘s Clothesline accepts donations, and the Westside Neighbors Shelter often needs them too – here’s their most-recent request.)

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READER REPORTS: Two from the ‘dumped, possibly stolen’ file (updated)
January 15, 2024 10:59 am
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 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

From the inbox this morning:

MYSTERY TRAILER: From Corey:

This trailer made its way to our block this morning. We will submit to Find-It-Fix-It but wanted to give someone a chance to pick it up it it’s theirs. It’s located at 18th Ave SW and SW Trenton Street in Highland Park. Close to the north end of 18th and Trenton.

AFTERNOON UPDATE: Corey says in a comment below that the trailer is now gone.

BAG OF BELONGINGS: From Jennifer:

This looks like it belongs to someone. Dumped near the Murray (Wet Weather Facility) at Lowman Beach. Hope it finds its way home.

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