West Seattle, Washington
15 Tuesday
1:12 PM: This morning we mentioned paving work on SW Genesee between 26th and 30th SW. Now there’s a gas leak in the area and the street will be closed until it’s handled – SFD and SPD are headed that way.
1:15 PM: Firefighters have told dispatch it’s a “4-inch main behind a piece of heavy equipment.” They’re having residents in the immediate vicinity “shelter in place” with windows closed. They say the wind “appears to be blowing away” from the residences and are awaiting Puget Sound Energy (which provides gas service in our area).
2:10 PM: SFD reports that PSE has a “temporary shutdown” on the line but is still working to secure it further.
2:18 PM: SFD is affirming that the nearby residents are now safe and they’re reducing their response.
2:38 PM: All SFD units have now cleared. We haven’t heard whether traffic is resuming through the area, though – even before this, it was down to single-lane-with-flagger because of the paving work.
The photo is from Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle, where the West Seattle Boat Swap is happening until 4 pm. It’s all about, as M2SO describes it, “human-powered watercraft (Kayaks, SUPs, Canoes) and accessories!” With weather like this, there’s still lots of prime time to get out on the water, and it’s also never too soon to get ready for next year. The shop’s at 3602 SW Alaska (and once you’re all geared up, join tonight’s sunset paddle for Maui, presented by M2SO’s sibling business Alki Kayak Tours).
Sometimes we include this reminder in the daily preview list, but today we’re making note of it separately: The WSB Community Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales board is our spot for listings of yard sales, other items for sale, and free items. In the latter category, there’s a new listing this morning for free wood, and two late-season yard-sale listings. The Community Forums are also home to our free listings for local businesses with job openings, and the Lost/Found/Non-pets board (pets have their own page here. To post in the Community Forums, you need to register – go here for that.
(Lincoln Park – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Welcome to a late-summer Saturday! Here’s what’s happening:
TRAFFIC ALERTS: The big one, the eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramp to southbound I-5 is closed until early tomorrow, so you’ll have to get to southbound I-5 another way … Also on the eastbound bridge, crews will be installing the bridge-lane-enforcement camera and associated signage … Twp repaving projects: Eastbound SW Alaska between 44th and California, and SW Genesee between 26th and 30th – we’re told that street will stay open, with a flagger helping.
FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend off to a running start with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
WEST SEATTLE BOAT SWAP: Sell, trade, buy paddlesports gear during the Boat Swap at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), 11 am-4 pm.
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The weekly farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is open for shopping 10 am-2 pm, prioritizing vendors of color, presented by African Community Housing & Development.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn about Marco’s music here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SATURDAY COOKOUTS: Highland Park Corner Store is grilling, 11 am-2 pm on Saturdays through the end of the month. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: See what’s new at the home of West Seattle’s history – visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 12-4 pm.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
END-OF-SUMMER BASH: Face painting! Alpacas! Music! Food! Beer! All ages welcome at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 2-7:30 pm – see the schedule here.
SUNSET PADDLE FOR MAUI: Join Alki Kayak Tours – rent from them at Seacrest, or bring your own gear – for a sunset paddle to raise money for Maui fire relief, 6:30-7:30 pm – details in our preview.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Noah Gundersen performs at 7 pm – buy his new album online or in-store to get in. (4559 California SW)
LIVE AT C & P COFFEE: 7 pm-9 pm, The Brews Brothers perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover, all ages.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: NiGHTofAL, Other, Fredrico Futura at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors 7 pm, music 8 pm, $10.
‘MATT & BEN’: Third night for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.
(added) OUT AT THE BOX: Drag show at Box Bar, 9:30 pm, no cover, 21+.
Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? Get it on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Gatewood has a new minister, and is extending an invitation to everyone in the community to the annual ingathering service and celebration this Sunday, including a community fair and dessert potluck.
First – meet the new minister!
Westside UU celebrates the hiring of Reverend Carter Smith, who joined us in the spring of 2023. She is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist from North Carolina whose calling to ministry is centered around building healthy and deeply connected communities that make space for people to share their gifts.
Carter has a BA in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School. As part of her training to become a minister, she served as the Intern Minister at the First Unitarian Church in Portland, and as Chaplain Intern at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Carter is especially passionate about UU Youth Movements now and historically, as well as the interfaith food-justice movement, and comes with professional and research experience in each subject.
Carter serves Westside for two weeks per month, and takes the Amtrak from her home in Portland to do so.
Here’s what she says Sunday’s gathering is all about:
This Sunday, Westside UU celebrates its annual Water Communion. Participants are invited to bring a small container of water and a stone to place on our common altar, though supplies will be provided for those who don’t bring any. It is a multi-generational service, engaging people of all ages in story, song, and celebration. Nursery care will be provided for the youngest members of our community. After the service, we will head downstairs to our social hall for food, music, and a chance to visit the tables of many of our small groups, committees, justice ministries, and more.
WSUU says it’s eager to welcome families with children of all ages, and offers special programming “focused on connection, belonging, and fun.” The congregation also wants people with physical challenges to know that WSUU’s main floors are wheelchair-accessible, with a lift. And if you can’t get there in person, you’re invited to check out the service via YouTube livestream.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
West Seattle High School‘s football season is off to a 2-0 start after a resounding win tonight over Franklin, 42-6 at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. Comprising most of the Wildcats’ score were six touchdowns – two by #3, senior Bo Gionet:
The first TD of the night was by #80, junior Myles Mutchler:
WSHS held Franklin scoreless for the second, third, and fourth quarter – after the Quakers’ TD in the final minute of the first quarter, they were done. Back to WSHS scoring: Another TD was by #5, senior Gibson Aguilar:
Another by #24, junior Airric Lewis, seen below with head coach Anthony Stordahl:
And the sixth and final TD for the Wildcats tonight was by #16, junior Niko Craven:
Among the night’s star runners, #1, senior Leland Gayles III:
The point-after kicks were all good – all by #34, sophomore Scott Bremen. And the defense was responsible for the announcer’s repeated use of the catch phrase, “brought down by a pack of Wildcats.” Many penalties, mostly for Franklin, slowed things down, and the game was headed for three hours before it ended in time for the second NCSWAC game of the night (Ingraham-Cleveland) to take the field.
NEXT WEEK: WSHS plays Cleveland at SWAC, 7:30 pm Friday (September 15th).
Friday night means high-school football: Chief Sealth International High School played tonight at Memorial Stadium downtown, vs. Lakeside, whose Twitter/X updates include the final score: Sealth 36, Lakeside 21. Next Friday the Seahawks, now 2-0, play their first home game of the season, 4:30 pm Friday (September 15th) vs. Franklin, at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
That’s the aftermath of tree trouble by Lincoln Park‘s north parking lot. According to tips and photos from readers, that tree lost a big limb – right onto at least two cars, accordiing to AmyC, who sent this pic:
No injuries that we’ve heard of – photos show Seattle Fire Ladder 13 on the scene, but their call was simply coded “assist SPD” rather than a medical/injury response. P.S. WSB archives show we covered something similar six years ago.
Five months after the Morgan Junction McDonald’s (6546 California SW) closed for an extensive remodel, readers have been asking for updates, since the site appears close to complete. Today we reached owner Alia Abboud by email. She confirms it’s “very close,” and added, “We are waiting for power to be connected via Seattle City Light. Once that is done, we will likely open two to three weeks later.”
Alki Kayak Tours is raising money for Maui fire survivors with a community paddling event tomorrow (Saturday, September 9th) – just received:
From 6:30 – 7:30 pm, we are inviting the whole community to paddle out together to watch the sunset either bringing their own gear or renting from us; all rental proceeds and donations will go to benefit People’s Fund of Maui. We are meeting at the channel marker off Duwamish head aka Anchor Park and would love to get as many people out there as possible.
If you need to rent, Alki Kayak Tours is at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW).
12:56 PM: Thanks to Scott for the tip! He noticed that part of the fence was down and Hiawatha Playfield‘s new turf looked complete, so we went over for a look and then asked Seattle Parks about its status. Spokesperson Karen O’Connor replied that the turf-replacement project “is substantially complete,” adding: “The field is available for use and the remainder of the construction fencing will be removed by end of today. FieldTurf USA, Inc, the contractor for the project, will be working on finalizing a few items including delivering new soccer goals and completing the batting cage frame and tunnel.” FieldTurf won the contract with a $1.2 million bid.
3:33 PM: Update from Parks spokesperson O’Connor: “I just learned the construction fencing at Hiawatha will stay in place for another week or so; their subcontractor had some trouble with truck availability. There are openings in place around the field.”
(WSB photo, West Seattle Junction QFC)
As the Kroger/Albertsons grocery mega-merger plan continues moving forward, reports today say Kroger is planning to sell hundreds of stores to alleviate some concerns related to the merger. The buyer would be C&S Wholesale Grocers, a wholesale supplier that also operates some grocery stores in other states. The deal would include the QFC brand name, under which two West Seattle stores operate (The Junction and Westwood Village). According to Kroger’s announcement, any QFC stores not sold in the deal “will be re-bannered into one of the retained Kroger or Albertsons Cos. banners following the close of the transaction.” (Albertsons’ best-known “banner” around here is Safeway.) Also according to the announcement, Washington would be the state with the most stores affected – “104 Albertsons Cos. and Kroger stores” would be sold. (We haven’t yet found the list of specific stores.) The $1.9 billion deal would take effect after the Kroger/Albertsons merger closes – currently expected early next year – the corporation says. Its potential effects have been of concern here for reasons including the current proximity of Kroger and Albertsons stores – the Junction QFC store and Jefferson Square Safeway store are less than a block apart; the Westwood QFC store is just a few blocks from Roxbury Safeway. QFC, owned by Kroger since the late ’90s, has 50+ stores in Washington.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s what’s happening as the weekend approaches, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
FREE FITNESS CLASS: Noon at StarCycle (4532 42nd SW).
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FOOTBALL: High-school season continues, with one local team playing a home game – West Seattle HS vs. Franklin at 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). In a road game, Chief Sealth IHS plays Lakeside at Memorial Stadium downtown at 5 pm.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Songwriters’ Showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.
‘MATT & BEN’: Second night for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.
MOVIE AT MAARTEN PARK: Last outdoor movie of the summer in West Seattle! All welcome at Maarten Park (42nd/Juneau) for “Paddington,” 7:30 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: The Potholes, Service with a Smile, doors 7 pm, music 8 pm at The Skylark, $10 cover, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW).
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Sent by Sarah:
Our 1999 GMC Suburban, gold/champagne, was stolen from in front of our West Seattle home between 12:00 am and 2:30 am 9/8/2023.
We’ll add the plate and report numbers when we get them.
ADDED: Plate # 038SBU – Incident # 23-259803.
SATURDAY UPDATE: Sarah reports the vehicle was found – in a driveway in Wallingford.
In July, the family of Ken Schiele shared this remembrance. Now they have set the date for the gathering to remember him:
Celebration of Life for Ken Schiele:
Ken’s family is hosting a Celebration of Life on Sunday, October 8th from 2-5 pm at Stoup Brewing Company on Capitol Hill.
If you’d like to attend, please RSVP by September 24th to: knlranch@gmail.com
(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! It’s Friday, September 8th.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Becoming sunny, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:37 am; sunset will be at 7:35 pm.
ROAD WORK THIS WEEKEND
-Late tonight through early Sunday, the ramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to southbound I-5 will be closed – here’s the WSDOT alert:
The southbound I-5 on-ramps from the Spokane Street Viaduct, South Spokane Street and Sixth Avenue South will close for construction from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, through 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. A signed detour will use northbound I-5 to westbound Edgar Martinez Drive to southbound First Avenue South to eastbound South Holgate Street to northbound South Fourth Street to the southbound I-5 on-ramp.
-Also on the bridge, SDOT crews will be installing the bridge-lane-enforcement camera and associated signage on Saturday.
-10 pm tonight to 6 am Saturday, the Highway 99 tunnel will be closed both ways.
–As announced, this weekend and next will bring pavement work on eastbound SW Alaska between 44th and California.
-A reader texted this notice for paving starting Saturday on SW Genesee between 26th and 30th. We’re checking with SDOT for clarity on whether the street will be closed to through traffic.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.
Metro – Regular schedule. Some of the paving work mentioned above may affect bus routes; watch the Metro advisories.
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
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):
Low-bridge cam:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate 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 Twitter/X feed 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!
Just in from Washington State Ferries: “For Friday, September 8, due to a shortage of crew, the route will be operating on one-boat service for start of the service day on the #1 sailing schedule.” Schedule links are on the alert page, which is where to check in the morning to see if the one-boat plan really happened or not – lately some of these announcements are followed by “never mind” after WSF manages to find the crew member(s) needed.
6 AM: And indeed, WSF solved the problem and is back to 2 boats.
You can buy, sell, or trade paddlesports gear this Saturday at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) during the West Seattle Boat Swap. Extra reason to go to the shop: As announced last week, the M2SO store in The Triangle (and online) is getting out of the paddlesports business, so they are offering hot clearance deals as they get ready to focus on winter sports. If you have gear to sell on Saturday, register online first – deadline is 6 pm Friday – and then drop the item(s) off 9-11 am Saturday; if you want to buy, Boat Swap hours on Saturday are 11 am-4 pm. (P.S. You can also set your calendar now for M2SO’s West Seattle Ski Swap, October 14-15.)
If you can donate blood, Bloodworks Northwest would love to see you at their West Seattle pop-up tomorrow – or another upcoming event. This month, they’re offering an extra incentive: They’re giving away a trip for 2 to Las Vegas to see Katy Perry. Whether it’s for the Friday pop-up (10 am-4 pm at the West Seattle YMCA [WSB sponsor]) or elsewhere, you must make an appointment to donate – start here. If you have any trouble with booking online, email schedule@bloodworksnw.org or call 800-398-7888.
ORIGINAL THURSDAY REPORT: Three and a half weeks after SDOT announced it would install a bus-lane-enforcement camera on the West Seattle Bridge, installation is scheduled for this weekend. SDOT just sent word that crews will be working on the bridge Saturday (September 9th) “between about 7 am and 5 pm to allow for installation of the camera as well as warning signs and Seattle City Light inspection.” After that, there will be a 30-day grace period before SDOT activates the camera. This is part of a “pilot program” in which the city also has transit-lane and “block the box” cameras downtown. The first violation will get you a warning letter; the second, a $75 fine.
P.S. The installation is the second project that’s likely to affect eastbound traffic on the high bridge Saturday – the ramp to southbound I-5 will be closed from late Friday to early Sunday.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: Much discussion below centers on whether you’ll be ticketed simply for crossing the lane. We asked SDOT to clarify. Here’s what spokesperson Mariam Ali sent:
Here is a clip from the design plans that shows the detection zone in yellow-green:
Anyone mistakenly in the exit-only lane will have ample space to change lanes to the thru lanes before the exit gore.
With the weekend in view, a reminder – Alki Beach’s fire rings have been picked up and taken away because beach-fire season ended on Labor Day. (Thanks to Guy for the nudge to remind you.)
That’s the stub where a cord should be connected to the base of one of the city-owned EV-charging stations on 39th SW in The Junction. We went over after tips this morning and saw the cords missing on both of the chargers. We subsequently asked Seattle City Light spokesperson Jenn Strang about the plan for repair; she indicated the situation was news to them, but said somebody would be dispatched to investigate. The chargers were installed three years ago, and we’ve covered multiple vandalism/theft incidents before.
Two from the “possibly dumped/stolen” files:
FOUND BICYCLE: Reported by Bill:
The bicycle in the attached photo has been parked near the corner of 48th Ave SW and Hanford St SW for several days.
FOUND BAG: Reported by multiple readers including Terry, who sent the photo and report:
Found this AM in North Admiral: ladies’ green bag on parking strip (SE corner of SW Massachusetts Street & 46th Ave SW) with some of its contents a short distance away along 46th Ave SW.
Terry reports the items have since been consolidated into the bag so it’s all in one spot.
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