West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
(Added: Photo by D, via X/Twitter)
Thanks to Andrea for the tip! As confirmed by MarineTraffic.com, the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is northbound in Puget Sound right now, sailing across the mouth of Elliott Bay.
(Added: Photo sent by Kevin)
(WSB photo, last Monday)
One more reminder – SDOT is about to start work on the Admiral Way Bridge earthquake-safety project. Crews will start that work under the bridge, in Fairmount Ravine, so Fairmount Avenue will be closed to all traffic beneath the bridge for the duration of the project – expected to be about eight months. As we reported last week, here’s roughly where the road will be blocked:
As explained by project spokesperson Dr. Matthew Howard, “There will be barricades at the bottom of the hill at SW Prince, at the top at SW Forest, and then another set farther down at the actual work area, with fencing. There will be no thru traffic as the work will be taking place on the bridge structure with cranes and equipment blocking the road.” Later in the summer – not likely before August – the top of the bridge (which is really two bridges) will see lane closures, plus two weekend-long full closures. If you have any questions about the project, comment below or email us – we’ll be talking with Dr. Howard tomorrow morning for more details.
6:04 PM: SFD and SPD are on scene at Myers Way and 1st Avenue South, after a motorcycle rider was reported seriously hurt; in early radio exchanges, no other vehicle was reported to be involved. SFD is preparing to take the rider to a hospital.
6:12 PM: In a radio exchange with emergency doctors, medic described the rider as in his late 30s and said he collided with a barrier. He’s being taken to Harborview Medical Center.
Another crew shortage has the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state-ferry route going down to one boat this evening. Here’s the announcement:
Due to a shortage of crew, the M/V Kitsap will go out of service following its 6:15 p.m. sailing from Fauntleroy to Vashon. The route will continue to operate on one-boat service on the #1 schedule for the remainder of the service day.
This cancels the following sailings:
6:40 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. from Vashon to Southworth
7:05 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. from Southworth to Vashon
7:55 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. Fauntleroy to Vashon
And a reminder that next week, starting Wednesday and lasting for up to two days, the route’s unscheduled third boat will be out of service because of the domino effect from another route losing a boat to maintenance – this too is explained on the WSF bulletins page.
That sign at the north end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market has extra meaning this week – next week, because of West Seattle Summer Fest, the market will be on California Avenue SW north of SW Oregon instead of south. Most if not all of your favorite farmers and other vendors will still be participating, and the hours are the same – 10 am to 2 pm Sunday (July 14) – but the market moves on that one Sunday each year so that festival vendors can continue in their Friday-Sunday spots. (The block north of Oregon is home to the main stage and beer garden on Friday and Saturday – see the music lineup here.) Now that Summer Fest week has arrived, we’ll have daily updates leading up to Summer Fest Eve on Thursday and the festival’s start on Friday (following recent previews of the reusable servingware and the Kids’ Zone additions) – see you there!
(Texted photo, smoke as seen from Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex)
2:08 PM: If you’re seeing smoke – Seattle Fire units is headed to the hillside west of Home Depot, south of Sylvan Way, to check out what was initially reported as a “brush fire” but might involve an encampment.
2:13 PM: Fire command is calling for crews to run another hundred feet of hose because “this is pretty deep into the woods.”
(WSB photo)
2:28 PM: Too far into the woods for us to get a firsthand look, but firefighters’ initial assessment was that the fire covered an area roughly 25′ x 20′.
2:42 PM: Incident commander on scene confirmed to us that no one was hurt and that the fire was in the area of an encampment.
3:12 PM: Firefighters have just declared the fire “tapped” (out) and are wrapping up.
After two much-hotter-than-normal days (Saturday’s high was 91, Friday was 89), the National Weather Service‘s “heat advisory” alert continues until 10 pm Tuesday. We’ve just heard from one more place offering respite from the heat – the Westside Neighbors Shelter/West Seattle Veteran Center/American Legion Post 160 building at 3618 SW Alaska. Manager Keith Hughes emailed us to say they’re “operating as a cooling center Sunday through Tuesday from 7:00 AM until 9 PM. All are welcome.” The shelter/center/post is privately operated, supported by volunteers and donations. For info on city resources, go here.
Hot ticket at Easy Street Records last night – West Seattle’s own THEM packed the house, celebrating their first EP “Girls Mind.” After making their entrance down the stairs from the Easy Street loft, greeted by raucous cheers, they launched right into the title track:
The EP is “the first physical copy of our music we’ve ever had,” the musicians enthused. It arrives midway through a year that started auspiciously, with THEM performing at the Space Needle on New Year’s Eve. We first featured THEM – formed at Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) – after ” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>their debut 2 1/2 years ago. Other songs from THEM’s CD on last night’s set list included “Sophia”:
Besides being known for hosting in-store shows with rising stars as well as long-established musicians, Easy Street has extra reason to take pride in THEM – band member Hudson works there. She and Ellie, Thompson, and Maia have more big summer gigs ahead, including the Capitol Hill Block Party. (Last night friend Brandon sat in on drums.)
That photo is from WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen, who also posted this YouTube playlist of more music from the Easy Street set, which THEM followed by signing “Girls Mind.”
(Sunrise Seacrest fishing on Saturday, photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Another sunny, hot day ahead – here’s what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
ADMIRAL CHURCH FOOD DRIVE: Continues today – drop off nonperishable-food donations at the church (4320 SW Hill) 9 am-noon.
PLUNGE INTO THE SOUND: If ever there was a day when this sounded perfect – at 9 am, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
NO WESTIES RUN CLUB TODAY: Canceled because of the holiday weekend.
YOU CAN HELP: Work party at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham), 10 am-noon.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market is open today, 10 am-2 pm as usual, on California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon, offering summer vegetables, flowers, fruit, and plants, plus baked goods, cheese, fish, meat, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list. Also note: NEXT week it will be a block north, north of Oregon, because of West Seattle Summer Fest.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Daily operation continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open to the public today, noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the season continues for the only city-run wading pool in West Seattle that operates seven days a week, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.
LOW-LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: The tide is out to -2.3 feet at 12:27 pm; Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out at Constellation (63rd/Beach Drive) and Lincoln (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) Parks from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm today.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS : Reminder that the historic Alki Point Lighthouse is open to the public today for free tours, 1 pm-3:45 pm, Alki Avenue SW & Point Place SW.
SOCCER: Third-to-last home match for Junction FC, vs. FC Olympia, 2 pm, at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), tickets available online.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Enjoy Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.
Organizing and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
3:07 AM: Firefighters are arriving at a building fire reported in the 9000 block of 30th [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
(WSB photo)
3:12 AM: The building is a house. No report of injuries so far. This is about a block west of Westwood Village.
3:18 AM: The fire is reported to be under control.
3:25 AM: And now SFD reports the fire is out. Our crew at the scene is trying to confirm the status of any occupants. SFD said via X/Twitter that the “seat” of the fire was in the basement.
3:46 AM: SFD tells us the residents were at home and got out safely, confirming that no one is hurt. SFD’s investigator will determine what started the fire.
ADDED SUNDAY AFTERNOON: SFD tells us they’re not expecting to have info to release on the fire’s cause before Monday. Meantime, if you’re wondering about a tree/brush fire not far away and not long before this, we asked, but SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells us, “There is nothing in either report to indicate that the brush fire was related to the house fire.”
12:35 AM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of a fire on the West Seattle Stadium/Golf Course grounds. Looked big enough that it even caught a police officer’s attention from a block or so today, but SFD is on scene now and report it’s a single tree. No word how it started, but scattered fireworks usage is still happening around here and the rest of the city, dispatches indicate.
1:12 AM: The call closed a few minutes ago.
11:06 PM: SFD is sending a rescue response to what SPD reports as a one-car crash at Harbor/Avalon, driver went “off the road” and is reported to be unconscious. Updates to come.
11:09 PM: Arriving police tell dispatch that Harbor will be blocked both ways.
11:21 PM: SDOT has swung the camera around to show the responders on Harbor just north of the bridge, but we’re not sure exactly where the car crashed – this area has the almost-complete apartment building on the west side of the street, businesses on the east side.
11:34 PM: The driver, a 48-year-old man, is reported to have regained consciousness. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening so he will be taken to the hospital via AMR ambulance rather than SFD medic unit.
12:06 AM: Police are reopening northbound Harbor.
12:12 AM: Southbound has reopened too.
Sent by Aileen:
Last night my car was broken into. 30th/Webster. I was exhausted coming back from a trip and it was hot and I wasn’t thinking clearly, didn’t get the whole car emptied! If anyone has time to be on the lookout, (social media), Craigslist, buy sell trade sites, garage sales, these are what the bastards stole: Gray Gregory Jade 63 backpackers backpack, Blue Gregory Wander 50 Kids pack, full of dirty but pricey clothes, my favorite Ciccia wrap dress, a Seaa Surf/Swimsuit, Bambody underwear, Elomi Cate bras, my pink Sarah McLachlan tank top, an Orcas Island t-shirt, 2 pairs of jeans, green Adidas warmup pants, lots of size 10 boys clothes and his swimsuit/rashguard too, plus 4 Shashibos, 32 Hot Wheels and 2 Squishmallows. Please let me know if you find any of our items, happy to pay you for them. Special place reserved in hell for the bastard that took the bag of my kid’s toys.
We’ll add the police-report number when we get it.
(Photos courtesy Junction FC)
One place to spend Sunday afternoon in the shade – in the stands at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), watching West Seattle Junction FC play FC Olympia. Here’s what Junction FC says about the match, their third-to-last at home this season, as they battle for a playoff bid in their first season:
Having drawn 1-1 in their previous meeting this season, picking up three points will be crucial for Junction FC in their hopes of earning one of the two available playoff spots. Junction FC are heading into Sunday’s matchup with three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five games. FC Olympia on the other hand currently sit four points behind Junction FC in the table, with a win for Junction meaning they could jump up to second place if other results across the division go their way. “This really is the home stretch of our season now,” said Head Coach Erik Oman, following their recent loss against United PDX.
The match kicks off at 2 pm; tickets start at $10 and are available online. Food providers you’ll find at the stadium Sunday include Fit Bar Smoothies, Falafel Salam, and Seattle Pops.
(This photo and next by David Hutchinson)
It was just before 1 pm when cannon fire boomed offshore, announcing the Seafair Pirates‘ annual approach to Alki, where a welcoming party awaited them in honor of their 75th anniversary.
After a pause to assess the situation, the Pirates jumped in to wade their way ashore:
(Video and photos, from here, by WSB’s Patrick Sand, unless otherwise credited)
Once on the sand, the Pirates did more posing than pillaging:
The Pirates and Seafair royalty – Queen Alcyone Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman, King Neptune Chris Cashman, Miss Seafair Karina Hlastala – made their way to the Pirates’ ship-on-wheels Moby Duck, where King County Executive Dow Constantine challenged the royals to stop the pirates from claiming a symbolic key:
Once the pageantry predictably yet spiritedly reached its conclusions, the pirates readied to make their rolling getaway:
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
They have a busy summer schedule ahead, including the West Seattle Grand Parade two weeks from today, on July 20th.
We’re now exactly month away from this year’s Night Out block parties around Seattle (and the rest of the country). August 6 is the date this year, and you can sign up to close your (non-arterial) street to vehicle traffic that night – SPD has a registration link here. Hundreds are already signed up around the city; you can choose whether or not to have yours on the map. Deadline to register for street-closure permission is July 28.
Andrew reports this happened overnight:
Last night somebody broke into our detached garage in Fauntleroy/Arbor Heights and stole our three eBikes – three Rad bikes – an orange Rad Wagon, a black Rad Cruiser and a foldable white Rad Expand.
And, it gets a little weird, the thieves LEFT some items behind – two blue inflatable paddle boards.
It took us a while to figure out that the paddle boards were likely stolen from a neighbor then dumped when the thieves found something better (our eBikes).
If you have any information, the preliminary SPD report # is T00005086 – we’ll substitute the permanent number available. (Update: It’s 24-934593.)
10:54 AM: Thanks for the texted tips. “Police activity” that’s been under way most of the morning now has the 1st Avenue South Bridge blocked both ways, so you’ll need to use either the South Park Bridge (or West Seattle bridges) to get across the river. (added) Archived radio exchanges indicate it’s a person-in-crisis situation.
11:10 AM: The northbound direction has been reopened to traffic but the southbound side is still closed.
2:41 PM: As commenters have noted, and as traffic cameras show, the southbound side is still closed.
4:20 PM: They’re still dealing with the person in crisis, after 7+ hours.
5:15 PM: The WSDOT camera focused on the police standing by is no longer showing them – so we’re waiting for official word that this is over. (Added: That official word csme at 5:39 pm. We are checking with SFD re: the person’s condition.)
9:31 PM: Here’s the summary we received from SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty: “At around 9:00 a.m. crews were dispatched to be on standby for a possible rescue response at the 1st Ave bridge. The call was for a person in crisis on the bridge. At Around 4:30 p.m. the patient agreed to come down on an aerial ladder. The patient, an approx. 32-year-old male, refused treatment by medics. The incident was turned over to SPD.”
Summertime reunions continue! We received lthis announcement last night:
The West Seattle High School Class of 1958 has reserved time at the West Seattle Golf Course Monday, August 5th, for their annual Golf Tournament. All of the class of ’58 and friends of the class of 1958 are invited to participate.
All that are interested in the Tournament or the following lunch should contact Gary Tisdale or Bob Nuber as soon as possible to secure a spot. Entries must be received by July 24th.
Gary Tisdale: g.tisdale@comcast.com
Bob Nuber: bjnuber@icloud.com
(Friday sunset at Alki seawall, photographed by Catherine Melchior)
Here are your Saturday highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEATHER ALERT – HEAT ADVISORY EXTENDED: Now continuing through 10 pm Tuesday. Friday’s high was 89 (two degrees below the record for that date); 80s are expected again today, then 90s Sunday-Tuesday.
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S FREE GROUP RUN: Morning’s an excellent time to run in weather like this. West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) is where you and other runners will meet up for the weekly free group run at 8 am. (2743 California SW)
FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor Avenue SW). Free event every Saturday but please RSVP.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more. (9421 18th SW)
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: You’re invited to join others taking a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Summer gardening season still has weeks to go – add something new! Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is 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).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Spraypark season continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
LOW-LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: The tide is out to -2.7 feet at 11:47 am; Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out at Constellation (63rd/Beach Drive) and Lincoln (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) Parks from 10 am to 1:30 pm today.
COLMAN POOL: Open today, noon-7 pm, on the beach at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – here’s the schedule.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, the season continues for the only city-run wading pool in West Seattle to operate seven days a week, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
HIAWATHA WADING POOL: Also open today, noon-5:30 pm. (2700 California SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SEAFAIR PIRATES LANDING AT ALKI: In the 1-1:30 pm vicinity, with cannon fire offshore and trepidational crowds onshore, the Seafair Pirates will land on the beach and kick off the citywide summer festival. Details in our calendar listing!
PURRDIE BURRDIE IN THE PARK: 1-5 pm at High Point Commons Park (6400 Sylvan Way SW), as explained here, West Seattle artist/author Danitra Hunter will be presenting free fun activities – and free copies of her children’s book about her character Purrdie Burrdie, too, for the third of four Saturdays at West Seattle parks.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.
SALSA & BACHATA ON ALKI: Dance tonight! 4:30 pm lesson, 5:30 pm dancing, tickets required, full details in our calendar listing. At Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
FISH STICKS BASEBALL: Spend the evening at the ballpark! Tickets remain for tonight’s 6:05 pm game vs. the Washington A’s at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd, White Center). Kids get to run the bases!
THEM AT EASY STREET RECORDS: The video above is the title track from West Seattle-based band THEM‘s new CD, “Girls Mind,” which they’re signing – as well as performing from – at 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW).
CIRCLE OF SONGS: Acoustic music at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW), 7-9 pm.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
BEATS AT THE ROOM: Saturday night, DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, Hot ‘n’ Spicy Disco. (4547 California SW, alley side)
KARAOKE AT THE PIZZERIA: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
11:26 PM: Police are investigating a report of someone seen firing a gun from a car, described as a black sedan – possibly a Chrysler – in the vicinity of 31st SW and SW Holden. The Guardian One helicopter is reported to be on the way to help search. No report of any injuries so far.
11:29 PM: They’ve just canceled the helicopter request, as they don’t have enough descriptive information for it to track anyone. They have found casings, though.
By Christopher Boffoli
Special to West Seattle Blog
When one considers how important utility poles are to modern life, we really don’t give them much thought, until a driver plows into one of them and the lights go out. Nearly 100,000 poles stand around the city, carrying power, communication, and providing light to streets. When I was a kid we simply called them “telephone poles” for the landlines they carried. These days they’re much more likely to be strung with fiber-optic cables than the twisted copper of old. However, while most everything at the top of the pole has gone digital, the communication at the lower reaches of these tall, straight wooden posts remains refreshingly analog.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli unless otherwise credited)
Walk up to any utility pole along West Seattle’s main arterials and you’ll likely find a pincushion of metal staples, nails, and tacks, the remnants of decades of informal, community advertising. Beneath official street signs that direct (or restrict), you might find yard sale posters, lost pet fliers, color photocopies advertising a random assortment of services – from tango lessons to gutter cleaning – and maybe stickers that still remind us that Andre the Giant had a posse. It was also on a utility pole, in the 3400 block of California Avenue SW, that I first encountered a series of enigmatic posters that, while aesthetically executed, left me with so many questions about their meaning and origin.
The first one I noticed could have been a one-off for all I knew; three pieces of white paper with a simple but distinctive red block typeface, which began faded but grew darker as the text descended: “WE ARE LOST STILL WE ARE DEVOTED”
It was restrained in its presentation. Even the punctuation was omitted. The few random words barely comprised a thought. It was not at all provocative, though it did compel my interest. In the days and weeks that followed, as I walked past the pole while running errands, I found myself looking forward to what new piece might be posted there, eager to see if more of the story would be revealed. I was disheartened whenever I would see that the posters had been ripped to shreds, but then was always buoyed by every new installation, which happened with impressive frequency. The forces of destruction were doing their best, but creativity was winning.
The writer in me wondered if there was an overarching story, as a narrative purpose is generally a pretext for art.
(WSB photo, July 2023)
If you are planning on going to the beach to stay cool on Saturday afternoon, here’s your reminder that you might find yourself in the middle of a high-seas showdown – tomorrow brings the annual Seafair Pirates Landing, with the “Pirate Kings of the Northwest” approaching from offshore, barging onto the beach, and declaring this summer’s regional party officially under way. Announcements have listed their expected arrival time as both 1 pm and 1:30 pm, so our advice if you don’t want to miss the spectacle is to be there on the earlier side. Once ashore, the Pirates bluster, mingle, showboat, and become the Pirate Kings of Photo Ops – and then climb aboard their shore-going “ship” Moby Duck, rolling away to other stops on their itinerary (which, two weeks later, will include the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 20th. Tomorrow, look for all this toward the west end of the sandy beach, by Alki Bathhouse. (If you haven’t been before, here’s our coverage from last year.)
| 22 COMMENTS