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VIDEO: ‘What matters is that we stand together.’ Denny International MS’s first Black History Month flag-raising
February 12, 2025 10:53 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The flags raised this morning outside Denny International Middle School had a first-ever addition – the Pan-African flag along with the USA and Washington State flags. The flag-raising was at the conclusion of a celebration featuring student speakers from three schools, organized by Keenen Allen Ladd, who facilitates the Kingmakers program at Denny. He began the celebration, introducing emcee Heyab Gebru, a Denny 8th grader:

Speakers in that section of the program included Denny 8th grader Eyob Mengesha, who declared, “What matters is that we stand together … it doesn’t matter if our family came here generations ago or a few years ago.” He was followed by Denny 7th grader Kh’Monni Wilson, who spoke about the stories of Black women, “too often … overlooked.” And Chief Sealth IHS 9th grader Surafel Hadgu read three poems.

In the next section, featured speakers were Sealth 9th grader Ayub Ali – who spoke about being your true self, as reinforced by his time in the Kingmakers program, telling younger students to remember “your voices matter” – and Roxhill Elementary 5th grader Skye Kenard, who presented the Pan-African flag’s history.

Then a musical moment, with everyone invited to sing along to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem:

The flag-raising concluded this first-ever celebration, and everyone got out of the 25-degree chill and into their classrooms.

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Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth updates, and other toplines from first session of Washington State Ferries’ systemwide community meeting
February 12, 2025 7:48 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A fair amount of Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth news was part of this afternoon’s Washington State Ferries online community meeting.

If you missed it, you have a chance to catch the second session tomorrow (Thursday, February 13). Or, you can read our recap of the toplines. For one, WSF external-relations director John Vezina said that while there’s still no date for restoration of full 3-boat service on the Triangle Route, an update of the 2-boat schedule is coming this summer.

First, Vezina said, look for “community engagement” this spring, seeking public input before the new schedule is finalized. A consultant has been working on the rewrite.

And as recently announced, WSF is ready to go to the wider community with its plan to design a Fauntleroy dock replacement that’s longer and larger – holding “at least a full boat” worth of cars – but which, Vezina said, avoids encroaching on Cove Park to the north.

He noted the plan for a February 24-March 21 online “open house” about it. But, as terminal-engineering director David Sowers pointed out during the meeting’s Q&A section, it’s not slated to be built before the end of the decade; a more immediate part of the project will be the signalization of the Fauntleroy Way intersection with the end of the dock, scheduled for construction later this year.

In systemwide updates from the meeting, which started with about half an hour of presentations before going to almost an hour and a half of Q&A, WSF boss Steve Nevey said this year is “off to a strong start” after 2024’s highlights, such as these:

They’re particularly proud of the one recent week in which they made 100 percent of scheduled sailings – 2,728 in all. Asked in Q&A what he saw as the main reason(s) for the improvement, Nevey answered, “Building back our workforce.”

Chief of Staff Nicole McIntosh had offered some details on that, saying they had a good “bench” of people training to move up to roles like mates and captains, important because 20 percent of their vessel employees are within five years of retirement eligibility, and an even-higher percentage of shoreside employees. Nevey also spoke about “culture change” within WSF, saying they’re working on six areas of improvement – quality of life, cohesion, employee engagement, levels of accountability, human resources, and communication practices.

Asked if automation was expected to gain increased use at WSF, leading to a smaller workforce, Nevey said that’s not feasible, for reasons such as the myriad safety roles that onboard personnel are tasked with, along with their regular duties. And in response to a question about how DEI factors into WSF hiring, Vezina said flatly that it’s vital – “you cannot operate a service like ours with just straight white men” – they need to be able to recruit the best and brightest from every demographic, from “all of Washington.”

Another question inspired by the changes in Washington, D.C. – does WSF rely on federal funding? Answer: It’s 19 percent of the system’s current funding, so “they’re monitoring very closely” what’s happening in the other Washington. (WSF’s budget, incidentally, is just under $1.5 billion this biennium, it was noted.)

About half that sum goes to capital costs, and a big one in the years ahead will be building new boats to replace the aging WSF fleet. On April 7, they’ll open the bids for five new boats; three “qualified shipbuilders” are working on those bids now. The Legislature, which determines WSF’s budget, also will continue paying for extra Vashon Island Water Taxi service while the WSF Triangle Route remains at reduced service levels.

About 200 people had logged in by the meeting’s start, it was announced; you can check out the 6 pm Wednesday edition by registering for the link here.

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THURSDAY: Show your love for West Seattle Food Bank! Alternative Valentine party with No More Death Stars
February 12, 2025 5:48 pm
|    Comments Off on THURSDAY: Show your love for West Seattle Food Bank! Alternative Valentine party with No More Death Stars
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | White Center

Why wait till Friday to celebrate your Valentine, when you can do it a day early and a lot wilder, with your dollars going to the West Seattle Food Bank?

Love Rocks, Hunger Doesn’t!

Looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? The Lumberyard Bar invites you to its Alternative Valentine’s event featuring the local punk band No More Death Stars, promising an unforgettable evening of music, fun, and community spirit — all for a good cause – the West Seattle Food Bank!

Join us on Thursday, February 13th, at The Lumberyard Bar; 9619 16th Ave SW, White Center.

Doors open at 7:30 PM, and the show kicks off at 8:00 PM. Tickets are just $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Attendees can look forward to:

-Live music from No More Death Stars
-Raffles & door prize – all advance ticket holders will be entered to win the door prize
-Happy hour drink specials all night & a signature event cocktail

All ticket sales, raffles & signature cocktail proceeds from this exciting evening will directly benefit the vital programs of the West Seattle Food Bank, which supports food security, rent assistance, and other essential services for our community.

“This event is all about having fun, building connections, and supporting an organization doing the incredible work to strengthen our community,” said Mark Hardee of No More Death Stars. “We’re thrilled to celebrate love, friendship, and community spirit!”

Get your tickets now and don’t miss this chance to enjoy a night of great music and meaningful impact. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite online at: tinyurl.com/su622wed.

For more information, please contact Robbin@westseattlefoodbank.org or (206) 686-4

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ELECTION 2025: One of the next levies you’ll vote on
February 12, 2025 3:37 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle politics

While we wait for the second round of February election returns, there’s another levy renewal headed toward the August ballot: The next version of the King County Parks Levy. This renewal proposal was announced Tuesday by King County Executive Dow Constantine (who will NOT be on that ballot, as he’s not running for re-election). This levy provides funding for a wide array of parks and other sites/programs, as detailed here. It’s a six-year levy that goes to all county voters, regardless of whether you’re in a city or not; the expiring levy funds about 80 percent of King County Parks’ budget. This chart has some of the key dollar amounts, including that the $17 cost per month for the average homeowner would represent “increase of $3.44 per household per month from the (current) King County Parks Levy.” It’s up to the King County Council to finalize it and send it to the August countywide ballot.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: One easy way to keep birds from being frozen out of water access
February 12, 2025 1:50 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather | Wildlife

Thanks to Jon Anderson for texting that photo. It’s a reminder that you need to help ensure these subfreezing nights don’t leave birds thirsty. During a previous year’s similar cold snap, local naturalist Ann Anderson gave this advice: “Simply pour hot water into your frozen bird bath. This quickly loosens the ice, making it easy to pop right out. Then refill it with warm water. It’s that easy, and will make a huge difference to cold, thirsty wildlife.” That’s similar to what Jon told us he does: “I break it off every morning and put new water in. This morning a squirrel was standing on the ice.”

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PREVIEW: Chief Sealth IHS invites you to ArtsWalk on Thursday night
February 12, 2025 12:20 pm
|    Comments Off on PREVIEW: Chief Sealth IHS invites you to ArtsWalk on Thursday night
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

In addition to the regular West Seattle Art Walk tomorrow night (Thursday, February 13), which we’ll be previewing later today, you’re invited to an ArtsWalk at Chief Sealth International High School, two hours full of student performances:

Chief Sealth IHS ArtsWalk
Thursday, February 13, 6:00-8:00

Kick off your Valentine’s weekend with an evening of music, poetry, drama, and more music! Arrive at Chief Sealth anytime between 6:00 and 7:30, grab some refreshment, and wander from room to room, taking in band, choir, and orchestra ensembles, performance poetry, and drama improv, capped off at the end of the night by a finale in the auditorium! FREE Admission.

The school is at 2600 SW Thistle.

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The West Seattle Wednesday list, with more marvelous moonset views
February 12, 2025 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on The West Seattle Wednesday list, with more marvelous moonset views
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Dan Ciske)

Thanks to everyone who sent photos of today’s moonset! We’ve interspersed a few with our list of what’s happening on your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT CANCELED: No reading time today because the shop is closed for its move to The Junction (where the shop hopes to open next week).

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES MEETING: Noon, online systemwide community meeting for updates and Q&A. Register here to attend.

REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. Drop-in. $20. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

TODDLER STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

(Photo by Elena Shifrin)

HOMEWORK HELP: Volunteer helpers are available 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center). Don’t know much about the WS Tool Library? Learn about it via our recent West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlight!

TALK ABOUT REAL ESTATE: As previewed and detailed here, tonight’s the night West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor) welcomes you in for “straight talk” and Q&A about the state of real estate, 6 pm, free.

POETRY AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6 pm, PoetryBridge gathers at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

CRIBBAGE NIGHT: All skill levels welcome to play at 6 pm at West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), with tacos available for purchase. Nonmembers welcome too!

DRAG BINGO: 6 pm at Pine Lake Cellars with Jolene Granby. (5405 California SW)

BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: The postseason continues tonight – the West Seattle HS girls play Seattle Prep, 6 pm at Cleveland HS. (5511 15th Ave. S.), while at 7 pm at Franklin HS (3013 S. Mt. Baker Blvd.), the WSHS boys play Lakeside.

FREE GROUP RUN: All year ’round! All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Monthly meeting, starting with 6:30 pm pre-meeting program, see the group’s website for attendance links.

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

GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY TOUR: Prospective families can just show up at 6:30 pm. (4320 SW Myrtle)

(Photo by Chris Frankovich)

PIANO NIGHT: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).

TRIVIA x 3: Three Wednesday trivia locations: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins 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), all ages until 10 pm.

MUSIC BINGO X 2: Two places to play on Wednesdays! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … Or, at Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Ready to take the mic and show your stuff? 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

(Photo by Michael de Haan)

Planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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GRATITUDE: Warm clothing/food drive wraps up at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency
February 12, 2025 9:18 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

This icy-cold weather makes it all the more important that generous people in our area have donated lots of warm clothes this winter to people who need them. That includes all the donors for the Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (WSB sponsor) drive, which started during the holidays and ran all the way through January. They’ve just sent this report with words of gratitude:

(Team member Ty Hurst and volunteer Rodger Tanner)

The West Seattle Food Bank annual clothing drive has once again been a big success! This year’s donations from generous friends and neighbors allow the West Seattle Food Bank to assist local citizens at a critical time of year.

The clothing drive at Dave Newman State Farm Agency happens every year in December and January. This year we also included food donations.– THANKS, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. And thanks to volunteers like lifelong West Seattle resident Rodger Tanner, who not only volunteers with the clothing drive every year but also assists the Helpline with facilities, maintenance and equipment, and thanks to West Seattle Recycling for providing the donation barrels.

Watch for the clothing drive at the end of this year – December and January are hard cold months for many.

If you still have. items to donate, two other drives are under way – we’ll have a reminder about those soon, likely later today.

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TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Wednesday watch
February 12, 2025 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Wednesday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | West Seattle weather

6:03 AM: Good morning – it’s Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The Cold Weather Advisory is extended until noon tomorrow, with wind chills as low as the teens; the forecast for today is again for cold sunshine, high near 40. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:19 am and 5:28 pm.

TRANSIT

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi –  Also on a regular schedule today.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Salish as the “bonus boat.”

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.

See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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UPDATE: One arrested after police search, with helicopter, near Morgan Junction (Wednesday update)
February 11, 2025 9:23 pm
|      78 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news

(Added: WSB photo)

9:23 PM: Police are searching for a “possibly armed” suspect in the Fauntleroy/Findlay/Raymond vicinity, and that’s why the Guardian One helicopter is overhead. A K-9 team is on the ground so if you’re nearby, stay inside. K-9 searches are also why you’ll hear loudspeaker announcements and short bursts of sirens. Updates to come…

9:32 PM: They’re currently focused on the 6000 block of Fauntleroy Way.

9:36 PM: Police are also going to the California/Juneau vicinity after someone there thought they heard gunfire (NOT confirmed so far, and no way to know if it’s related, but we’re mentioning it in case you see that part of the response).

9:48 PM: No word yet on whether anything was found there, but the original K-9 search team has headed south and west, toward California/Morgan/Fauntleroy.

9:58 PM: They have a suspect in custody.

10:03 PM: Guardian One’s crew, leaving, asked “what kind of crime was that?” and an officer replied “Misdemeanor DV [domestic violence] harassment.” We expect more details later.

ADDED 6:15 PM WEDNESDAY: Finally found information about the status of the case, via Seattle Municipal Court documents, which include police-report narrative. The 29-year-old suspect is alleged to have threatened to throw boiling water on his ex-girlfriend, whose apartment he reportedly refuses to move out of. He faces the charge mentioned above and also a charge of obstructing an officer; this all started when they were investigating the threat, and he allegedly ran from police, who had been told he owns guns. He was found on the patio of an apartment building a few doors down from where the original incident happened. This morning Municipal Court Judge Andrea Chin granted his lawyer’s request to release him from jail on personal recognizance. There’s also an order for him not to contact the victim, and to surrender his guns to SPD.

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ELECTION RESULTS: Here’s what Seattle voters did about school levies, ‘social housing’ measures
February 11, 2025 8:22 pm
|      78 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo – Morgan Junction dropbox earlier tonight)

The voting is over and the first round of vote-counting is done.

First, the Seattle social-housing measure. So far “yes, fund it” is leading in a big way in the first part of this city measure, and in the second part, 1A – fund it with a new tax on companies with a certain salary size – is beating 1B, fund it by diverting part of an existing tax.

Proposition Nos. 1A and 1B – Seattle social-housing funding
Yes 64,220 68.32%
No 29,779 31.68%

Proposition 1A – 50,002 – 57.55%
Proposition 1B – 36,876 – 42.45%

Next, the Seattle Public Schools levies, both winning approval:

Proposition 1 – Educational Programs and Operations levy
Yes – 71,996 – 77.71%
No – 20,648 – 22.29%

Proposition 2 – BEX VI capital levy
Yes – 66,656 – 71.91%
No – 26,032 – 28.09%

All of those results reflect 19 percent of ballots; so far, King County Elections reports receiving 26 percent of Seattle voters’ ballots. Next results will be out Wednesday afternoon.

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WEST SEATTLE PARKS: Three accessible-parking spaces removed in Lincoln Park’s south lot
February 11, 2025 4:54 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo)

The south lot at Lincoln Park has three fewer accessible-parking spaces. Randy noticed the removal recently and brought it to our attention, noting that they visit the park three times a week to walk but couldn’t find a space after what was a row of five accessible spaces was reduced to two, the others converted to non-restricted parking. Here’s how it looked pre-removal, via a Google Street View image dated November 2022:

Now, as shown above, three spaces are gone, with markings painted over:

(Photo sent by Randy)

We asked Seattle Parks about the removal, and a spokesperson explained that the now-removed spots were “temporary” – though as shown above they’ve been there for at least two years:

We removed the temporary spots after receiving complaints the spaces were missing the adjacent aisle striping and because they did not fully meet ADA standards. These were installed during the pandemic and provided the only spots open for accessible parking at the time.

We have four additional Accessible Stalls provided at the lower beach area.The minimum per the ADA standards is 3 for parking facilities of 61 – 75 parking spaces and we have two with the upper and four at the lower, so six total which is double the required number.

Parks provided this aerial view of the two parking areas it’s referring to:

If you’re not familiar with Lincoln Park parking, that’s a relatively steep, though short, driveway between the south lot and the spaces by the south end of the beach.

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FERRIES’ FUTURE: Online meetings this week, Fauntleroy dock-project open house soon
February 11, 2025 2:40 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(File photo, WSF’s Fauntleroy dock)

Two Washington State Ferries notes:

ONLINE MEETINGS THIS WEEK: Noon tomorrow (Wednesday, February 12) and 6 pm Thursday bring WSF’s periodic online systemwide community meetings, with a variety of updates and an opportunity for Q&A. They’re planning to present the same information in both meetings, and you can register for either (or both) by going here.

FAUNTLEROY DOCK REPLACEMENT UPDATES: The plan to replace the Fauntleroy ferry dock by the end of this decade is likely to get a mention at the systemwide meetings. But for those following the project closely, here are two dates to set your calendars for: February 24, when WSF will launch an online “open house” about where the project stands, and 6 pm March 11, when WSF plans a “virtual information session” about it. The open house isn’t ready to go yet, so there’s no link for that, but you can register now for the info session – go here. As we reported in coverage of the project Community Advisory Group‘s last meeting two months ago, WSF is focusing on a “hybrid” option for the new dock’s size and shape. It’s described in the latest announcement as “a longer dock concept to provide more space to load and unload passengers — holding between 124 and 155 vehicles on the dock.”

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ORCAS: Heading this way
February 11, 2025 1:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Beautiful day to whale-watch if you can get away from the desk. Kersti Muul tells us orcas are heading this way, SB off south Bainbridge Island.

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WEST SEATTLE BIZNOTES: Good Society anniversary; Paper Boat move update; Caregiver Resource Fair at Village Green
February 11, 2025 11:59 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three biznotes so far today:

GOOD SOCIETY TURNS FIVE: Nick at Good Society in The Admiral District sent word they’re getting ready to celebrate:

It’s been five years since we first opened our doors and shared our beer with you! The world looked a lot different on February 14th, 2020. But with your help, we persevered and made it this far. In those five years we have shared hundreds of thousands of beers, wine, cider, non-alcoholic beverages, pretzels, and pizzas together.

We’ve brewed thousands of barrels of beer across over 250 batches and over 130 recipes. We’ve won 22 medals for our beers including gold medals at the most prestigious and competitive competitions in the world – and we won Small Brewpub of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival. With your help, we’ve given back over $44,000 to our community and we survived a global pandemic.

This weekend we will drop GS5, our fifth anniversary beer. This year took the opportunity to work with a bunch of advanced hop products from Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops. We also added Nectaron and Azacca to the mix for an insanely aromatic and juicy IPA.

But there’s more! We will also have casks of our oatmeal stout infused with chocolate and coconut on the bar at each location beginning Friday until they are gone. We will also have cakes at both locations from our friends Lovely & Dapper including one made with our stout. Saturday in West Seattle we will be doing our Smash After the Mash smash burger pop up from 4-7 PM. Saturday in Queen Anne we will have Anniversary Trivia at 3 PM. And on Sunday in West Seattle, the Westies Run Club will be running at 11:30 AM and Anniversary Trivia at 3 PM.

If you haven’t been to Good Society yet, they’re at California/Lander.

PAPER BOAT BOOKSELLERS MOVE UPDATE: Readers have asked how Paper Boat Booksellers‘ move to The Junction is going, since they’ve been closed now for almost three weeks. Co-proprietor Desirae tells WSB that it’s indeed taking longer than they had plane and hoped: “Our shelving was delayed by 2 weeks due to the weather out East putting our contractor behind but he’s almost finished up. We are hoping to open the week of the 17th if all goes well.”

VILLAGE GREEN TO HOST CAREGIVER RESOURCE FAIR: The full title of this just-announced event is actually “Overwhelmed Caregiver Resource Fair.” At Village Green-West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) 11 am-2 pm next Tuesday (February 18), they’ll have specialists in home-care services, financial planning, real estate, decluttering/downsizing, senior living, and more for you to talk with. Just drop in.

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Our list for your West Seattle Tuesday – plus views of this morning’s mountain moonset
February 11, 2025 9:58 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Lura Ercolano)

Thanks to everyone who sent beautiful photos of this morning’s (corrected) moonset, which we’ve interspersed with today’s list of highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LOUISA BOREN STEM K-8 SCHOOL TOUR: Middle-school tour at 10:30 am today. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

BLACK HISTORY ART EXHIBIT: As reported here, the Washington State Black Legacy Institute is welcoming visitors all month for its first major public exhibit. Hours today are 11 am-6 pm. (2656 42nd SW)

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Lunch meeting, noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW).

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

HOMEWORK HELP: Students can drop in for free help, 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

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

POSTSEASON BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth‘s varsity teams have Metro League playoff games tonight, both at Nathan Hale HS (10750 30th NE) – girls vs. Cleveland at 5:30, boys vs. Nathan Hale at 7.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 6 pm board meeting at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), in person or online, community members welcome – attendance info here.

HIGHWAY 509 INFO SESSION: Not happening in West Seattle, but if you’re interested in the project to extend Highway 509 – part of which runs by southeast West Seattle – you’ll want to visit the Burien Community Center 6-8 pm tonight for info and one-on-one Q&A. (14700 6th SW, Burien)

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: 6:15 pm, meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

OPEN CHOIR REHEARSAL: Singers invited, one more time! The Boeing Employees Choir – open to non-employees too – has its final open rehearsal tonight at the American Legion Post 160 hall (3618 SW Alaska), 6:30 pm.

MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 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! – Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA X 6: Six trivia options for Tuesday night – 7 pm trivia with Amelia at Future Primitive‘s Beer Bar on Alki (2536 Alki SW) … The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) 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; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) … and Trivia Tuesdays at Christos on Alki, 7:15 pm (2508 Alki SW).

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Hosting an event, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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ELECTION DAY: Four tax votes on your ballot – vote by tonight
February 11, 2025 9:00 am
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgBefore we get to the rest of what’s up for today and tonight, one more reminder – it’s Election Day, the deadline for you to vote on two Seattle Public Schools levies and a two-part City of Seattle measure on how, or whether, to pay for “social housing.”

The school levies are the 6-year, $1.8 billion Building Excellence Capital Levy (BEX VI for short) and the 3-year, $750 million Educational Programs and Operations Levy. How their approval would affect property taxes is explained by the district on this page – it’s somewhat complex, depending on whether the Legislature allows the district to collect more than the current limit.

The two-part city measure first asks you whether funding should be approved for the (created after approval in a previous election) Seattle Social Housing Developer, and regardless of whether you vote yes or no on that, which type of funding it should get if funded – a new tax on companies with wealthy employees, or diversion of part of an existing payroll tax.

You probably know how this next part goes – get your ballot into a King County drop box (West Seattle has four) by 8 pm, or get it into USPS mail really early in the day to ensure it’ll have today’s postmark. As of early this morning, King County Elections had received only 20 percent of Seattle ballots.

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UPDATE: Helicopter over southwest West Seattle; police in Upper Fauntleroy (info added Thursday)
February 11, 2025 6:34 am
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

6:34 AM: Thanks for the tips. A helicopter’s been over Gatewood/Fauntleroy a while, but not showing on radar. A reader who heard what sounded like a flashbang said 911 told them there’s a warrant service in the vicinity. We’re working to find out more.

6:41 AM: Multiple texters say they’re seeing police on the ground at a location in Upper Fauntleroy.

7:29 AM: Multiple readers report the location is on 38th SW between Trenton and Henderson. We went through a short time ago and noticed SPD and WSP vehicles still in the vicinity, at the Trenton end.

9:26 AM: SPD’s media office says it has no information on the operation, at least so far. We’re trying other agencies too, and will update here if/when we find out anything.

11:25 AM: Still trying – warrant operations tend to be notoriously difficult to get information about, until/unless court cases result. King County Sheriff’s Office says the helicopter was NOT Guardian One, which often supports other law-enforcement agencies including SPD, but, a KCSO spokesperson tells us, was not flying in support of anything this morning.

5:05 PM: The business day has ended without any additional information emerging; the State Patrol neither responded to nor acknowledged our inquiry. So it’s a mystery for now, but we’re not giving up.

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: The WSP tells us this was a DEA-led operation. We have an inquiry out to the local DEO office to see if they are able to tell us anything more.

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TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday info
February 11, 2025 6:04 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:04 AM: Good morning – it’s Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

We’re still in Cold Weather Advisory alert mode, until 10 am tomorrow, with wind chills as low as the teens; the forecast for today predicts more cold sunshine, high in the mid-to-upper 30s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:20 am and 5:27 pm.

(Monday morning photo by James Bratsanos)

TRANSIT

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi –  Also on a regular schedule today.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Salish as the “bonus boat.”

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.

See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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UPDATED LIST: Seattle Public Schools open houses and tours in West Seattle
February 10, 2025 8:45 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATED LIST: Seattle Public Schools open houses and tours in West Seattle
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Last week’s weather led to cancellations/postponements of some of the Seattle Public Schools open houses and tours that were on the list we published recently, after hearing SPS hadn’t kept its own list this year. But now there are new dates, so we’ve made a new list of everything we know of that’s now yet to come:

LOUISA BOREN STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW): Some new dates/times on the list:

Tuesday, February 11th @ 9:05 am — Elementary School Tour
Tuesday, February 11th @ 10:30 am – Middle School Tour
Thursday, February 13th @ 9:05 am – Elementary School Tour
Thursday, February 13th @ 10:30 am – Middle School Tour
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, February 13th @ 6:00 PM
MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, February 13th @ 6:45 PM
Thursday, February 27th @ 9:05 am – Elementary Tour
Thursday, February 27th @ 10:30 am – Middle School Tour

GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY (4320 SW Myrtle): Tours as originally scheduled:

Wednesday, February 12: Tours at 8:15 am and 6:30 pm

ROXHILL ELEMENTARY (7740 34th SW): Tour rescheduled from last Thursday:

Thursday, February 13 @ 9:00 am

CONCORD INTERNATIONAL ELEMENTARY (723 S. Concord, South Park): Rescheduled from last Thursday:

Thursday, February 13 @ 5-7 pm, open house with program demonstrations

FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY (3800 SW Findlay): Tour for incoming kindergarteners, as originally scheduled:

Tuesday, February 25 @ 5 pm

Anything to add/change? Please let us know – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: View from the sky as another alert kicks in
February 10, 2025 7:50 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: View from the sky as another alert kicks in
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

WSB contributing photographer Dave Gershgorn got that aerial photo from Arbor Heights, looking north, around sunset tonight – that’s Fauntleroy Park in the foreground, with the Barton Standpipe [map] just past it, at center. The sky, you’ll note, is mostly clear, and a sub-freezing low is predicted tonight, which is why a Cold Weather Advisory is now in effect through 10 am Thursday. The forecast is flake-free until after that.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Trash/recycling/etc. pickup for this week
February 10, 2025 5:19 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Last Wednesday morning’s snow – photo by Janelle Otterholt)

With delays and cancellations in Seattle Public Utilities customers’ solid-waste-pickup service last week, SPU published this reminder today:

We aren’t quite out of the woods yet with the winter weather this week, so here are a few reminders:

Wednesday customers missed last week may set out twice the amount of garbage, recycling, and compost this week at no extra charge.

Any other customers missed last week should report a missed collection as usual.

As winter weather continues, please be sure to regularly check back in on the At Your Service blog for the latest updates. If your garbage collection was missed and there were no collection delays, please use the Utilities Services website to report a missed collection or call our customer service line 206-684-3000.

Though the update didn’t specifically mention Tuesday customers, SPU spokesperson Brad Wong told WSB last Friday that anyone missed on February 4th could call this morning for a special pickup.

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UPDATE: Emergency response headed toward Fauntleroy ferry dock = for Vashon incident
February 10, 2025 3:54 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

3:54 PM: Many texters wondered about a large law-enforcement response headed toward the Fauntleroy ferry-dock vicinity a while ago. Nothing on SPD radio, so we went down to look around – nothing visible at ferry dock or Lincoln Park. Finally someone told us they’d heard it involved an incident on Vashon Island, so we inquired with KCSO about that – they would have to send extra responders via ferry. Their response: “There is an evolving domestic violence incident on Vashon and a weapon involved. No further information to share at this time as investigation is under way.”

3:57 PM: Tuned into KCSO radio to try to find out more. They are talking about a residence and gunfire heard from inside; there was also a mention of “one victim.” It’s in the Wax Orchard vicinity, according to both radio exchanges and an alert sent to Vashon Island School District families.

4:08 PM: The Guardian One helicopter is there assisting and says the suspect has left the house with hands up. … They’ve taken him into custody.

4:12 PM: Now that deputies have made an arrest, radio indicates the helicopter will be leaving the island and the reinforcements that were going to catch the next ferry are being canceled.

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