West Seattle, Washington
13 Sunday
Thanks to CJ for the photo. For the second time today, SFD and SPD have responded to a crash near the southwest end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge. This, too, was reported as a single-vehicle crash, no major injuries.
When the Seattle School Board meets later today, they’ll hear from numerous people signed up to speak about a districtwide controversy: One month into the new school year, some elementary students at 40 schools around the district are suddenly being shuffled to different classrooms with different teachers. Some are being moved to split-grade classrooms. We’ve heard from parents at two of the West Seattle schools that are affected. The district explains the situation in this post from last Friday, saying it has to “balance” class sizes in order to get millions of dollars in state funding:
Every fall, all Washington school districts review class size and staffing ratios. To focus on early learning, Washington state law encourages school districts to staff kindergarten through third grade at a smaller class size.
Seattle Public Schools values smaller class sizes for our youngest learners. Our review showed a staffing imbalance that needs to be corrected to meet state requirements at several schools.
What this means for Students and Families
To balance our educator staffing, some students may be moved to new classrooms or have a new teacher by the end of October.
If this adjustment means a change for your elementary or K-8 school, you will receive a separate message from your principal.
Why is this year different?
In previous years, SPS was able to provide extra funding to schools to minimize classroom staffing assignment changes. However, due to the current budget shortfall, SPS is unable to cover that cost for the 2023-24 school year.
The focus is on maintaining the 17:1 staffing ratio for K-3 general education classrooms to secure full state funding. This is a districtwide ratio that includes the classroom teacher and additional educators such interventionists and specialists.
To ensure SPS is eligible to receive $3.6 million in Washington state funding, we must have appropriate staff-student ratios for our elementary grade classrooms.
One of the local schools affected is Alki Elementary; a parent there forwarded us the newsletter in which principal Mason Skeffington explained how it would play out for Alki (which is holding classes at the former Schmitz Park Elementary because of the future rebuild). He explained that the staff-planning process starts with enrollment projections in spring, and continues with “actual student numbers” in August. Alki, the principal wrote, is currently “over … target” in kindergarten class size “but otherwise at or below classrooms caps in all other grade levels.” He wrote that he spent a week of meetings with district officials “pleading our case for why our current staffing makes the most sense for students and learning,” but “received a directive to adjust my class sizes” to what the district wanted to see. The results include two split-grade classes. The principal indicated that families would receive information on “shifts and changes to class placements” yesterday, and tomorrow will be “‘moving day’ where students will join new homeroom classes and have a chance to get settled into their new classroom spaces and routines.” There are no classes district-wide on Friday – in-service day for staff – but the principal also promised that a support staffer “will be on site next week and available to meet with students and classes to help process feelings connected to this adjustment.”
We’ve also heard from a Roxhill Elementary parent who told us that at their child’s school, “A 3rd/4th split class has to be created, which will affect 3rd-5th grade students who have to be moved around and potentially switch teachers. Luckily, we are not losing any staff, but it’s obvious that this will cause a huge disruption for students and teachers.” This parent says, “We want to encourage people to write to the board, watch (tonight’s) meeting and advocate for stability.” Board contact info is online here; tonight’s meeting starts with public comment at 4:30 pm – the agenda is here – you can watch the meeting livestream here. As for other local schools affected – we’ve asked the district for a list of schools but so far have not received it.
1:36 PM: For the second day in a row, SFD has responded to a house in the 8400 block of 42nd SW – which also has a side on SW Thistle – because of a gas leak. We don’t know Tuesday’s circumstances, but this time it’s described by firefighters as a small line – less than two inches – damaged by “digging in the back yard.”
1:40 PM: Police are being called to block SW Thistle just east of the scene, at 41st, and at California to the west.
1:56 PM: Puget Sound Energy (the gas utility for this area) is reported to have arrived.
2 PM: Firefighters just told dispatch that “the leak is secured.”
2:25 PM: SFD has closed out its response and the street has reopened.
(SDOT photo, via Twitter/X)
When the cylinder that has just been returned to the West Seattle low bridge was removed last January, SDOT explained that the bridge’s maritime openings would take longer. So we asked today whether those times will return to their previous shorter durations. Spokesperson Chris Miller says no:
The time required for opening the bridge under a one-cylinder operation remains unchanged.
This weekend, in addition to reinstalling the cylinder that was removed earlier this year from the east pier housing, we undertook the task of removing the other cylinder for refurbishment. Both cylinders were originally put into service simultaneously, and the early indicators of failure observed on the first cylinder are also apparent on this one. While we initially had plans to overhaul both cylinders, the failure of the first one has now made the rehabilitation of these cylinders our top priority. Our current plan is to refurbish the second cylinder removed from the east pier housing. Once that cylinder is reinstalled, we will conduct the same process to refurbish the west pier cylinders.
The extended opening times will continue until all the cylinders are refurbished and reinstalled.
That timeline is still being worked out.
11:02 AM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to what dispatch describes as a “single-vehicle rollover” crash near the west end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge. First on scene says it’s “off the road on the right side.”
11:07 AM: Another arriving unit described the vehicle as “on all 4 wheels” and reported the person inside had gotten out OK, so the “rescue extrication” response is being canceled.
(Fall colors, photographed by Gill Loring)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SAFE BANKING FOR SENIORS: 1-2:30 pm workshop at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) – please contact the center to RSVP.
PEOPLE’S BUDGET VOTING POP-UP: 1-7 pm at West Seattle Food Bank (35th/Morgan), a “People’s Budget Voting Pop-Up” with West Seattleite Danitra Hunter there to explain this year’s Participatory Budgeting and assist you with voting on how to spend millions of city dollars.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – repair it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
TRIVIA x 6: Six places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … there’s 7 pm trivia at West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) … 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska) … trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run at 6:15 pm.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: In-person meeting at 7 pm at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) – see the agenda here; scheduled speakers include state school superintendent Chris Reykdal.
COFFEEHOUSE POETRY: 7 pm, it’s the monthly Poetrybridge event at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
LIVE PIANO MUSIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks. (4210 SW Admiral Way).
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (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!
Family and friends will gather October 28 to celebrate the life of Gerald (Jerry) Andersen. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:
Jerry passed away on September 26 after a 2½-month battle with a bacterial infection.
He was born in Seattle on January 15, 1938 to Earl and Mabel Andersen. He was the youngest of their two sons. Started school on Queen Anne Hill but the family moved to West Seattle while he was in grade school. He was a proud graduate of West Seattle High School, class of 1956.
After high school he briefly attended the University of Washington, but went to work for Boeing in 1958. Started at Plant 2, but then went to the Auburn Plant. He worked there for 40 years and retired in 1998.
He met his wife, Marie, in 1966 and they were married later that year. The following year they moved to Auburn and bought a new house which they still lived in.
Jerry loved pheasant hunting and fishing. He spent many weekends in Eastern Washington with his Dad and Brother hunting for birds. He and Marie purchased an English Springer Spaniel in 1967 who of course loved going hunting also. Over the years they had several Springers and did some dog showing and a little breeding. They owned several Champions.
But his main love was salmon and halibut fishing. He fished at Sekiu, Washington, for many years and had his own boat. In the ’90s he was able to fly up to Alaska with friends and went fishing there. He fell in love with the state and the fishing. So when he retired, they bought a travel trailer and drove the Al-Can Highway to Alaska. Over the years he met some wonderful people there and of course enjoyed the fishing. He caught some large salmon and many halibut, including one 98 pounds. He and Marie were so fortunate to keep going north until 2019.
He joined the newly built Auburn YMCA and thoroughly enjoyed going there to work out and use the pool. He met many nice people there and may have spent more time visiting than exercising.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marie. By his sisters-in-laws, Carol Andersen, Margaret Minar & Kathryn Minar. By his brother-in-law, Jim (Kerry) Minar. By his nieces Becky Patterson & Debbie( Paul) de Muelenaere. By his great nieces and nephew, Michelle Patterson, Christina (Derek) Franz & Ryan de Muelenaere, and by his great-great-nephews Alex & Owen Franz.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Jerry on Saturday , October 28th, at 1:00 p.m. It will be held at the Federal Way Senior Center. The address is 4016 S. 352nd, Auburn.
RSVP by October 19 to sportsmaness@aol.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry’s memory to the Auburn Valley YMCA, 1620 Perimeter Rd South, Auburn WA 98001
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, October 11th.
LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE OVER
In case you missed it – the West Seattle low-bridge closure that was projected to last until Saturday instead ended Tuesday morning, So it’s open again to all users.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
More rain expected, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise today is at 7:22 am; sunset, 6:29 pm.
(Monday photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular schedule today. Remember – no West Seattle service this weekend.
Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, 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):
1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
Police are dealing right now with what’s described in radio exchanges as a flipped silver Lexus RX SUV. It was reported in the lot downhill behind Ounces at the north end of Delridge – apparently having come down that slope. Dispatch said two people were trying to right the car and the person who called 911 was told “don’t call police.” Took a while to get officers there – initially no one was available, so they had to dispatch from another precinct, but canceled that when West Seattle officers became available. The first on scene reported finding the flipped vehicle, empty, no one in sight. It had temporary plates, and when dispatch ran them, they checked to the appropriate car, but we haven’t heard whether it turned out to be stolen or not – will have to check on that later this morning.
Two Crime Watch notes tonight:
(Monday photo: Memorial for bus-shooting victim)
BUS-SHOOTING VICTIM IDENTIFIED: “M.W.” are the initials seen at the memorial along 15th SW for the man shot to death aboard a Metro bus there one week ago tonight. When we photographed the memorial yesterday, we didn’t know what the initials stood for – but tonight we do. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as 21-year-old Marcell D. Wagner, saying he died from “multiple gunshot wounds.” Still no word of an arrest, and no update since what we published Thursday night; we’ll check again with the King County Sheriff’s Office tomorrow.
DAMAGED, POSSIBLY DUMPED, CAR: Caren sent the photo and report:
Reported this abandoned car to Find It Fix It app. Car appears to be abandoned or stolen. Showed up sometime early AM this morning, Tuesday, Oct 10th. Obvious damage to rear window and driver’s side windows. Car is a Toyota Scion, unknown year. License plate is BNE9467.
It’s along a residential street in North Delridge. We’ll divulge the location if we hear from its owner. (Caren also is trying to report it to police but hasn’t had luck with that yet.)
Just back from the future West Seattle Junction park in the 4700 block of 40th SW, where Parks reps spent the past two hours under canopies next to the site, talking with people about the plan. Project manager Kelly Goold told us visitors voiced support for the existing design:
The park was close to construction before the pandemic pause defunded it, but now the money for it will be restored by early next year, and after final reviews, it’ll be sent out to bid. Meantime, it’s still getting interim use as a pet-relief area. (Part of the future park will be set aside for that use.) If you missed today’s meeting, you still have a chance to provide feedback – this online survey remains open until the end of the month.
(WSB photo, October 1st)
Updates today in the ongoing issue of Seattle Parks canceling its plan to add pickleball stripes to three Solstice Park tennis courts and instead deciding to turn a former Lincoln Park tennis-court area (photo above) into pickleball courts:
TIMING: The plan to resurface Solstice Park courts – which is what brought up the potential for pickleball – has been delayed. Parks tells us that the resurfacing, recently considered “imminent,” is now not going to happen until spring/summer of next year: “The contractor got delayed because of supplies that did not come in time and now the weather is too wet and temperatures too cool to resurface the courts. This project will be the first one scheduled when the appropriate weather returns.” (Different material than the Lincoln Park plan, which is described as an “asphalt overlay.”)
MONEY: Questions persisted even after Parks clarified that the $140,000 cost of converting the Lincoln Park site is coming from an Associated Recreation Council grant. We asked for more details; Parks says the money was not specifically earmarked for this: “This project is being funded with a portion of a $400,000 grant from the Associated Recreation Council, given to the department last spring. There were no restrictions on where we could spend the funds. SPR decided to spend a portion of them on pickleball expansion, and the rest toward recreation programs and services.”
LINCOLN PARK LIGHTING? Funding may get in the way of that, Parks added: “We are still exploring the possibility of adding lights, but it may end up being cost prohibitive for the time being and may need to be added when future funding can be secured. Funding the lights out of the same grant would mean reducing funding to one of the other promised investments.”
As noted here yesterday, the Lincoln Park pickleball plan now has a page on the Parks website.
Thanks to Gary Jones for the photo and ship ID. Seen passing West Seattle, under tow and headed into Kitsap County waters, that’s the decommissioned guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52). It was decommissioned two and a half weeks ago in a ceremony at Naval Base San Diego (this online Navy story has lots of history). According to this online report, it’s being taken to Bremerton to “serve as a ‘logistics support asset’.” (A reference to another ship in that role explains that term as “spare-parts hulk.”)
Prior to tonight’s 7 pm forum at Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Seattle City Council District 1 candidates’ previous side-by-side West Seattle appearance was last Thursday, in a “Town Hall” Q&A organized by the Harbor-Alki Neighbors group. We weren’t able to be there, but a volunteer recorded it on video for the organizers, and the video has just become available for publication, so here it is for anyone who wasn’t there but wants to see how candidates Rob Saka and Maren Costa responded to the Harbor-Alki questions. (We do plan to cover tonight’s forum, which the Westside Interfaith Network and League of Women Voters are presenting, and will have video of that tonight or tomorrow.)
Thanks for the tips! Two readers messaged us this morning about the signs now up for the restaurant taking over the former Yen Wor space at 2300 California SW. Taste of Mumbai is already in West Seattle – based out of the kitchens in The Triangle at 4611 36th SW, offering pickup and delivery. (Their menu is here.) We have a message out to check on the timetable for their restaurant/lounge in The Admiral District.
10:53 AM: Thanks for the tips. SDOT says the West Seattle low bridge – at one point expected to remain closed until next Saturday – has reopened ahead of schedule; this phase of cylinder work is done.
12:46 PM: We asked SDOT why they were able to reopen much sooner than projected. Spokesperson Chris Miller replied: “The removal and reinstallation work went better than expected. The Bridge Maintenance Crew had the advantage of executing the cylinder removal early this year. Their previous experience working in the limited space and handling such an unwieldy object helped them feel more at ease with the process. Additionally, many of the complications we faced during the initial removal process earlier this year did not occur this time. Predicting the complex issues that may arise during the rehabilitation of aging mechanical and electrical infrastructure is a challenge. We hope that we won’t encounter any significant problems when we reinstall the refurbished cylinder that was removed over the past weekend and the rehabilitation work for the other cylinders shifts to the west pier housing next year.”
The original announcement warned of future “short-term” closures ahead, so we also asked if there’s any timeline for those. While other low-bridge work continues without requiring closure time, “The next major project that will require a bridge outage is the replacement of the bridge control system. This work is currently projected for early spring, and the exact date will be determined based on the completion of the communications line installation. The reinstallation of the cylinder that was removed over the past weekend is still to be determined.”
(Glacier Peak silhouette, photographed from West Seattle by Kevin Freitas)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), meet up for long-distance political networking.
LOOSEGROOVE RECORDS AT EASY STREET: Special event at noon – Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan explained in email:
Psst, what are u doing for lunch? Surprise! Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam, Mother Love Bone, Brad) and Regan Hagar (Satchel, Brad, Malfunkshun) and their record label Loosegroove Records present their two recent signings. Both from the UK, see what all the talk is about! Meet n Greet with Tigercub from Brighton and also James and The Cold Gun from Cardiff, Wales. Stone and Regan were the same two guys that originally signed Queens of the Stoneage. They got good ears! First 10 people get a free Loosegroove t-shirt!
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE CONTINUES: Noon to 8, Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open – drop by to see the work displayed by community members in its annual Southwest Artist Showcase.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
FUTURE-PARK MEETING: As previewed here, Seattle Parks will have reps at the long-“landbanked” future Junction park (4700 block of 40th SW) to gather feedback and answer questions as it moves closer to development.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Rehearsals continue and new musicians are welcome. 5:30-9 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) – see our calendar listing for the link to more info and registration. (WSCO is a WSB sponsor.)
LEARN ASL: Free class, 6 pm at West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW) – info’s in our calendar listing.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
THE CLAY CAULDRON: 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).
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES: 7 pm forum with District 1 candidates Maren Costa and Rob Saka, presented by Westside Interfaith Network and the League of Women Voters, moderated by Brian Callanan. All welcome to attend, Walmesley Center at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle).
SING! Singers have an open invitation to join the Seattle Metropolitan Singers – “all treble voices welcome” – just show up for one of their rehearsals, Tuesdays 7-9 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Monthly board meeting, community welcome, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) or online.
TRIVIA X 4: Four 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); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
You can look ahead any time via our event calendar – if you have something to add to it, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(A few of the cakes from 2022 Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
As we’ve been reminding you, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is now just days away – Sunday (October 15th), 2-5 pm. Here’s another way you can be part of it – bake and decorate a cake! From organizers:
The Fauntleroy Fall Festival will be hosting our annual Cake Decorating Contest and Cake Walk! Here’s your chance to show off your baking skills! We’re accepting fall-themed cakes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced categories. Please submit entries by noon (Sunday) in the Vashon room of the Hall at Fauntleroy. Following contest voting, cakes will be gifted in the Cake Walk.
The Hall (south end of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California SW) is one of the main venues for the festival. Meantime, a few volunteer openings remain, and even if the online signup fills up, organizers tell us you can show up on festival day to help out, too.
10:56 AM: Thanks for the tips. The low-bridge closure is over.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, October 10th.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
More rain expected, breezy,, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise today is at 7:20 am; sunset, 6:30 pm.
(Monday photo by Brooke Gosztola)
LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE CONTINUES
Fourth day of West Seattle low-bridge closure (to surface use – driving, riding, walking, running, rolling), for cylinder work. Free transit rides available – explained in the final paragraphs here.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Back to regular schedule today.
Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, 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):
1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
General-election voting starts in just a week and a half, as soon as your ballot arrives. If you haven’t yet settled on a candidate in the Seattle City Council District 1 race, you can see the contenders side by side again in West Seattle tomorrow night. At 7 pm Tuesday (October 10th), Rob Saka and Maren Costa will be back in the spacious Walmesley Center at Our Lady of Guadalupe (same place we had our forum two weeks ago), this time for a forum presented by the Westside Interfaith Network and the League of Women Voters. West Seattle broadcaster/journalist Brian Callanan will moderate. All are welcome. The venue is on the northeast corner of 35th and Myrtle.
Just over three weeks until Halloween, and we’re spotlighting decorated West Seattle homes again this year! Thanks to Meaghan for the first one – her family’s spooky setup is in Arbor Heights, at the corner of 100th and 35th.
If you have – or have seen – a great display, let us know where; photos are welcome but not mandatory, we’ll be out taking pics too. We’ll also list displays, whether ongoing or just for the big day/night, on the WSB Halloween Guide page, which will be published soon, with seasonal events listed too. westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to send us something – thank you!
Thursday night brings the first West Seattle Art Walk of fall, and with it, three mini-concerts celebrating The Art of Music. Coordinator John Redenbaugh tells us who’s performing this time:
The next free admission Art of Music performances presented by the West Seattle Junction Association are coming up on Second Thursday Art Walk evening October 12 at three locations — Lana Sparks in the Alaska Junction at Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW):
Cyd Smith in Morgan Junction at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW):
And Swing 3PO in the Admiral District at Antico Soprano’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant (2348 California SW).
Musicians will perform from 6 pm to 7:45 pm (with one 15-minute break at the midpoint).
We have two Supporting Sponsors for this year’s Art of Music performances: the Admiral Neighborhood Association and the Morgan Community Association. Also: Funding provided by the Neighborhood Matching Fund from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.
And thanks to all that, you can watch/listen to Art of Music mini-concerts for free! The Art Walk itself will be happening that night “5 pm until late” as always – watch for that preview soon. (WSB is a longtime WSAW community co-sponsor.)
Middle- and high-school students looking for volunteer opportunities might be interested in this announcement we were asked to share:
Volunteer opportunity for middle and high school students:
Fairmount Park Elementary PTA is hosting their annual Falcon Fest on Friday, November 3, 2023 and is looking for middle-school and high-school volunteers to help set up, run game stations, and clean up after.
Volunteer shifts are 4:30-5:30 pm, 5:30-7:00 pm, and 7:00-8:30p m.
Fairmount Park Elementary is located just off Fauntleroy at 3800 SW Findlay St
Please contact volunteer@fairmountparkpta.org for more info and to sign up!
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