Thriftway Taste, Junction jokes, West Seattle Book Club, ‘Ducks in a Row,’ more for your Thursday

(Fauntleroy scene, photographed by Tom Trulin)

Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are highlights for the rest of today/tonight:

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Shop fall plants at the center, open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Annuals, perennials, sun, shade, natives, edibles, ground covers … wide variety!

DUCKS IN A ROW: It happens to everyone eventually, so why not get your ducks in a row for end-of-life decisions? 1 pm today and the next two Thursdays, West Seattle (Admiral) Library offers a series of presentations, starting with funeral planning,

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.

STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY ‘TASTE’: The annual showcase of food/beverage possibilities for your holiday entertaining happens 4-7 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor).

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Tandem.

(added) FOOTBALL: Last regular-season game of the year for West Seattle High School, 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s cozy tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle!

PNW WINE TASTING SERIES: 5-6:30 pm at West Seattle Wine Cellars (6026 California SW), details in our calendar listing.

INDIE ROCK AT THE SKYLARK: Flür, Alt Vault, Shai Foxx, doors at 6 pm, music at 7 pm, all ages, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for a group walk in Lincoln Park, continuing into the fall and winter after all – details in our calendar listing.

RHODIES LAUNCH EVENT: The launch of the new West Seattle Rhodies FC will be celebrated at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) tonight, 6-8 pm,

WESTIES RUN CLUB: The 6 pm weekly run is now departing from Future Primitive on Alki (2536 Alki SW).

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)

TRAUMATIC LOSS GRIEF-SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm with Listening to Grief, meeting at Counseling West Seattle (6957 California SW), preregistration required – info in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE BOOK CLUB: It’s that special night of the month when local readers gather at myriad locations to be in community, reading, together, 7-9 pm. This month’s locations are listed here.

JOKES AT THE JUNCTION: 7 pm comedy at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW), featuring Danny Meyerend

LISTENING PARTY: Talking Heads listening party at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm, free, all ages.

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: The community coalition for White Center and vicinity is back to meeting in person, 7 pm at North Highline Fire Station (1243 SW 112th) – agenda info is in our calendar listing.

TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).

DJ NIGHT: The weekend starts early at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Supreme La Rock starting at 8:30 pm.

Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another 7-11 robbery (updated)

8:39 AM: Checking the early-morning incident logs, we discovered the West Seattle Junction 7-11 (California/Erskine) had been robbed. It happened just before 4:30 am. According to archived audio, the responding officers told dispatch that there were four robbers, male, in their late teens or early 20s, three Black, one white, one wearing a blue sweatshirt with white lettering and black pants, one in gray sweatshirt and gray pants, one in a black Nike sweatshirt, and one in a gray sweater and black hoodie. The one in the blue sweatshirt had a black and silver semi-automatic handgun. They were last seen leaving the store on foot, westbound. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 24-315604.

ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Police add a few more details: “One stayed outside and the other three entered. One produced a handgun and pointed it at the clerk. The other two took money and tobacco products from the register area.” Also, officers obtained both video of the robbers and prints.

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Thursday notes

6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, November 7.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Mostly sunny, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:03 am, while sunset will be at 4:42 pm.

(Wednesday morning photo by James Bratsanos)

ROAD WORK

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – Regular 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Sealth as the unscheduled third boat; check here for last-minute changes. UPDATE: The Sealth has replaced Cathlamet, which is in need of repairs, so capacity is reduced.

Metro buses todayRegular schedule.

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule. Both routes out of service on Monday, November 11 (Veterans Day).

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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

STATE BOUND: Chief Sealth IHS girls win soccer-playoff thriller

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

History was made tonight as the Chief Sealth International High School girls’ soccer team qualified for the state tournament for the first time in school history.

The Seahawks won their WIAA playoff game against the Lindbergh Eagles at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex in dramatic fashion, on penalty kicks after the two teams played to a hard-fought 2-2 draw at the end of regulation plus a scoreless extra period. 

Next up for the 2A Metro League champions from Sealth, who are now 11-3-4 for the season, is a tough road match against the Cedarcrest High School Red Wolves at their home turf in Duvall on Saturday November 8th at 1 pm.  This is the final game of districts, and both teams have already qualified for the state tournament which runs November 12-23 at Mt. Tahoma High School.  

Proud coach Michael Rillo (at center in the photo below), in his 6th year at Sealth, was emotional after the game and said the team “played their hearts out” to reach “something this school has never achieved.” 

The match on Wednesday night was a back-and-forth contest, with Sealth striking first about 10 minutes into the first half on a goal by sophomore Leslie Nunez Castro.

Lindbergh answered with a goal 27 minutes into the half, then Sealth senior Emma Haynes knocked in a goal of her own in the final minutes of the half, and the Seahawks led 2-1 at halftime. 

Lindbergh tied the game 2-2 on a goal 25 minutes into the second half, and the score remained 2-2 at the end of regulation. 

The teams battled in the overtime period and the score remained 2-2. The match then went to penalty kicks:

Each team then made all 5 initial kicks, so the PKs continued with each team making every shot until Sealth sophomore goalie Davis Mapes stopped Lindbergh’s 12th kick, and then the Seahawks’ Nunez Castro knocked in her kick to win the game.

More photos below:

CRIME WATCH: About the police response on 26th SW

A few blocks south of the city limit and west of White Center, a reader asked why deputies had blocked off 26th SW and SW 104th a few hours ago. King County Sheriff’s Office says it was “some sort of vehicle recovery – the car was possibly stolen and the driver was passed out or having some sort of medical emergency and was taken to Harborview.”

UPDATE: West Seattle’s info session about proposed rezoning

6 PM: Got questions about how the city is proposing to rezone your property – or your neighborhood? Wondering about what “neighborhood centers” – of which (updated) District 1 would have 8, if the rezoning plans announced three weeks ago are approved – really would be like?

Until 7:30 pm, in the gym at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW), this is your chance to peruse large versions of the rezoning maps, and/or ask questions. Right now this is mostly circulating between easels and one-on-one conversations, but we’re told they’re expecting a brief presentation at some point.

6:16 PM: Office of Planning and Community Development director Rico Quirindongo spoke shortly after our first update, mostly just explaining the setup of the meeting – and the purpose of the process. Also speaking, City Councilmember Rob Saka, veering onto the topic of the presidential election, promising that the city would continue to fight to be safe and welcoming, where everyone can “thrive and be safe … we’re going to continue to do the people’s work.” That, in this case, will eventually involve legislation to change the zoning, Some of what’s proposed is to get city code in line with the “four units per lot” mandate from the state; but the overarching goal is to add more housing capacity. The “neighborhood centers” are also meant to bring mini-hubs of business and housing together. Get here during the meeting and you can look at the maps for the ones nearest you. OPCD tells us they want to hear what you think about the borders and density – before the final version of the rezoning plan goes to the council. There’s a chance to comment here, and you also can do it via the rezoning-proposal website.

8:15 PM: Keep in mind that the neighborhood-center names don’t necessarily dovetail with neighborhood names. “Upper Fauntleroy,” for example, is mapped to stretch southeast to 29th/Roxbury. The neighborhood center known as Holden spans part of Sunrise Heights and Gatewood. But the “centers” – including the renaming of “urban villages” like The Junction, Morgan Junction, and Admiral to “urban centers” – aren’t all that the plan will change. Look closely at the upzoning proposals – some of which are relatively subtle, 55′ become 65′, for example.

WHAT’S NEXT: Comment deadline is December 20.

ELECTION RESULTS: Day-after update; notes including night-after gathering at Alki

(Tuesday night WSB photo)

Here’s the updated King County results list, released this afternoon; here are the latest state results. Nothing of note was so close locally last night that today’s results might make a change, but the updates are worth a look at anyway. They represent 60 percent of the King County vote; so far the county has received 77 percent of the ballots it sent out. And we have two notes at the end, including one about a gathering today.

CITY COUNCIL, CITYWIDE POSITION 8: Alexis Mercedes Rinck leads Tanya Woo, 57% to 42%

SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION LEVY: 67% yes, 33% no

STATE INITIATIVE 2066 (Energy): 51% yes, 49% no

STATE INITIATIVE 2109 (Repeals capital-gains tax): 63% no, 37% yes

STATE INITIATIVE 2117 (Repeals Climate Commitment Act): 62% no, 37% yes

STATE INITIATIVE 2124 (Long-term care insurance): 56% no, 44% yes

GOVERNOR: Bob Ferguson (D) 57%, Dave Reichert (R) 43%

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Nick Brown (D) 57%, Pete Serrano (R) 43%

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS: Dave Upthegrove (D) 53%, Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) 46%

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION (nonpartisan): Chris Reykdal 54%, David Olson 46%

Also:

PRESIDENTIAL: We had one complaint that we didn’t include presidential results in last night’s coverage. So here’s how King County voters are going: Harris/Walz 75%, Trump/Vance 22% … Statewide, it’s Harris/Walz 59%, Trump/Vance 38%

POST-ELECTION NOTES: A group is gathering near the seal sculptures east of the Alki Bathhouse at 5:30 pm today for those feeling “anxiety or isolation” post-election. … Governor-elect Bob Ferguson and his successor-elect as state Attorney General, West Seattle resident Nick Brown, plan a 10:45 am media briefing in Seattle tomorrow to talk about “preparations for a second Trump Administration.” … Outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement which may provide a preview, saying in part, “Washington has strong statutes that protect our values, and when Trump messed with our state we sued him 97 times – only losing two cases on the merits while he was in office.”

In case you wondered too: Fire across Puget Sound

Lindsey sent that photo and wondered what was burning in the Bremerton vicinity. We found the explanation posted by the Brinnon Fire Department:

We wanted to let you know that Rayonier will be conducting a permitted burn in our area today, near the base of Mt. Jupiter, close to where the 2620 Road Fire took place this summer. We understand the concern that many may feel after experiencing such a significant fire season, so we’re sharing this to keep everyone informed.
The burn is set to begin at 7:30 AM, and DNR plans to be on-site during their operations to keep a close eye on things and make sure all remains safe.

Here’s what we reported about the 2620 Fire back in August.

SCHOOL CLOSURES: Next step set for Sanislo Elementary

As previously reported, Sanislo Elementary is one of four elementary schools around the city that Seattle Public Schools is proposing to close to save money. One week ago, we covered a community-organized meeting on the Sanislo playground to talk about families’ desire to fight the closure. The final vote wouldn’t be until early next year, with the closure to take effect starting next school year – Sanislo students, and some of its staff, would be merged into Highland Park Elementary. So what happens in the meantime? First, a meeting for Sanislo families, next Tuesday (November 12), 6 pm at the school (1812 SW Myrtle). The announcement sent by principal Erika Ayer underscores that this meeting is intended for the Sanislo community, and that the formal “hearing” would be in December.

UPDATE: New floats at Don Armeni Boat Ramp to be removed for ’emergency repair’

(Reader photo, March)

12:03 PM: Just months after new floats were installed at West Seattle’s Don Armeni Boat Ramp, they’re being removed for emergency repairs. We just got word from Seattle Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin:

Due to abnormal wear, all floats at Don Armeni Boat Ramp must be removed for immediate emergency repair. All floats will be removed on November 7th, 2024. It may take until late January before they are reinstalled.

During this time, Don Armeni Boat Ramp will remain open, but there will be no floats to tie up to. For most, this will mean that a second person will be needed to launch and retrieve.

The nearest Seattle Parks and Recreation Boat Ramp with saltwater access is Eddie Vine Boat Ramp in Ballard, located at 8001 Seaview Ave NW, next to Golden Gardens Park.

We have a followup question out in hopes of getting more information about the problem.

8:46 PM: Parks sent more info tonight:

For safety reasons, the contractor for the Don Armeni Boat Ramp Replacement project, Bellingham Marine Industries (BMI), will remove all the concrete floats except those connected to the abutment on both the north and south side at Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The boat ramp opened in March 2024 and over the past 8 months the hinges between the floats have been failing and the concrete on the floats is spalling and cracking.

BMI will remove the floats from the water individually using an off-road telehandler forklift and store them within the boat launch facility parking lot. BMI will work with Seattle Parks and Recreation on a retrofit design and anticipates the floats will be replaced in early 2025. During this time the final two floats on the south side dock will also be installed. The replacement project was partially complete in March of 2024 and we anticipated the additional south floats would be added in early 2025.

Don Armeni Boat Ramp, 1222 Harbor Ave SW is in West Seattle. Boats can still be launched at the site, however, the site will be closed on November 7 and after will not have the extended dock floats.

BIZNOTE: Double birthday deal at Aimee Owenz

(October photo courtesy Aimee Owenz)

Last month, we reported on the opening of the Aimee Owenz food truck at 35th/Barton. Today the sibling operators are offering a deal in honor of their shared birthdays:

We (my brother and I) at Aimee Owenz happen to share a birthday November 6th (not twins) and are offering a special to celebrate our birthday with everyone! We are selling the Owenz Sandwich (steak) for $11 and the Aimee Sandwich (tofu) for $6. We also added a website for online ordering aimeeowenz.com and Door Dash should starting this week. I know the election stuff has got everyone feeling all types of ways, but hopefully we can bring smiles and full happy bellies with our sandwiches!

Birthday siblings Jenn and Zach operate one of two food trucks in the lot outside the former Tony’s Market,

Dine-out fundraiser, rezoning meeting, soccer playoff match, more on the list for your West Seattle Wednesday

(One more view of Tuesday’s rainbows – photo by Thomas Bach)

Here’s today’s list of what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more events than we spotlight in the list):

FOOD/CLOTHING DRIVE CONTINUES: Middle of the second week for this dropoff drive at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW) to benefit students and families served by the Care Center, until 4 pm inside the school.

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy at 10 am. Details in our calendar listing.

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

DESIGN YOUR WORLD: Kindergarteners through third graders can “join co-author Maria VanDeman for a read-aloud of ‘Design Your World.’ This engaging book highlights the potential of interior design and promotes diversity in the field. Then, kids will have a blast in a workshop designing their own rooms!” 3 pm, West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW). Preregistration requested; our calendar listing explains how.

TODDLER STORY TIME: At Southwest Library, 3 pm. (9010 35th SW)

HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), volunteers are there to help K-12 students with their homework.

(added) POSTSEASON SOCCER: The Chief Sealth IHS girls play Lindbergh at 5 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 5 pm, and are in the state tournament if they win,

DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Get food from Chipotle (4730 California SW) in The Junction 5-9 pm, and give a boost to the Pathfinder K-8 PTSAour calendar listing explains how to ensure your purchase counts.

LEARN ABOUT ZONING PROPOSALS: West Seattle info session tonight about the city’s new rezoning proposals, 5:30-7:30 at Madison Middle School – more info here. (3429 45th SW)

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).

HEALING THROUGH CREATIVITY: Third week for a 14-week online group following “The Artist’s Way,” 6 pm – info in our calendar listing.

TRIVIA x 4: Four trivia options tonight: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers triviaLarry’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).

FREE GROUP RUN: 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.

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

MUSIC BINGO X 2: One night, two games! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … At Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.

HOWLIN’ JAWS: Live at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm, free, all ages.

KUNDALINI YOGA AND GONG BATH: 7 pm with Inner Alchemy at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35; ticket link is in our calendar listing.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Your turn in the spotlight! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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!

HOW YOU HELPED: West Seattle Food Bank reveals ‘Taste’ take

(WSB photo, September)

More than two dozen food and beverage purveyors participated in the West Seattle Food Bank‘s “Taste of West Seattle” fundraiser this year (WSB coverage here), and WSFB has announced the final official tally in its latest newsletter: $45,770. The WSFB says that’s badly needed because, this year alone, they’re projecting having to spend a tota of “nearly a staggering $1 million dedicated solely to food purchases” and “another $1 million in rent and utility assistance.” As they point out, they’re “more than just a food bank.” You can donate money, clothing, and/or food to help the people with whom they work.

P.S. WSFB has also announced a new name for its annual spring gala – next year it will be “Nourish & Flourish,” and will move to 4105, the Industrial District venue that’s part of the portfolio of West Seattle-rooted DSquared Hospitality; set your calendar for May 3, 2025.

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Wednesday watch

8:45 AM: Crash on the eastbound bridge near the 4th Avenue exit.

Earlier:

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, November 6.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Mostly sunny, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:02 am, while sunset will be at 4:43 pm.

(Tuesday sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

ROAD WORK

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – Regular 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Sealth back as the unscheduled third boat; check here for last-minute changes.

Metro buses todayRegular schedule.

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule. No service on Monday, November 11 (Veterans Day).

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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

ELECTION RESULTS: Local races – Seattle City Council Position 8, State House District 34

checkbox.jpgIn tonight’s local races, we’re electing one citywide Seattle City Councilmember and two State House reps in the 34th District (West Seattle, White Center, Vashon and Maury Islands). City Council Position 8 wouldn’t normally be on this ballot but it’s the second phase of filling the half-served term that now-County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda gave up – Tanya Woo was appointed for the term’s third year, but the fourth year had to go to the voters – here are the first-night results:

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL POSITION 8

Alexis Mercedes Rinck 57%
Tanya Woo* 42%

In the state legislative races, both incumbents ran for re-election:

34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE, POSITION 1

Emily Alvarado (D)* 86%
Kimberly Cloud (R) 14%

34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE, POSITION 2

Joe Fitzgibbon (D)* 84%
Jolie Lansdowne (R) 15%

Next King County ballot count will be Wednesday afternoon

ELECTION RESULTS: Ballot measures – Seattle Transportation Levy passing, 3 of 4 state initiatives failing

checkbox.jpgThis is a big election for ballot measures – Seattle has the $1.5 billion transportation levy; statewide, we have four major initiatives:

SEATTLE PROP 1 (Transportation Levy)

Yes 67%
No 33%

We reported in July about key points of what’s in the levy for West Seattle. …. (added) In an email statement, District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka – who chairs the Transportation Committee – says, “I can’t wait to work with our Seattle Department of Transportation – making our streets safer, building out our sidewalk network, giving our residents more reliable options to move around, and improving our transportation infrastructure.”

STATEWIDE INITIATIVES (updated 9:31 pm)

INITIATIVE 2066 (Energy)

Yes 51%
No 49%

INITIATIVE 2109 (Repeals capital-gains tax)

No 63%
Yes 37%

INITIATIVE 2117 (Repeals Climate Commitment Act)

No 62%
Yes 38%

INITIATIVE 2124 (Long-term care insurance)

No 55%
Yes 45%

While the Seattle transportation levy result won’t change until tomorrow’s results update, the statewide ones are likely to evolve through the evening, so we’ll update them when needed.

ELECTION RESULTS: Major statewide offices – Ferguson leads for governor, West Seattleite Brown for AG

checkbox.jpgIn statewide and federal offices, here are some early major results – leaders include West Seattleite Nick Brown for state attorney general (updated 9:34 pm):

GOVERNOR

Bob Ferguson (D) 56%
Dave Reichert (R) 44%

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Nick Brown (D) 56%
Pete Serrano (R) 44%

(added) In an emailed statement, Brown said, “I’m deeply honored by your trust in me and I’m grateful for the commitment we share to build a safer, brighter future for Washington. Every Washingtonian will always have a seat at my table. The Attorney General’s Office is for everyone — no matter your age, race, gender, where you live, who you love, or who you voted for today.”

PUBLIC LANDS COMMISSIONER

Dave Upthegrove (D) 53%
Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) 47%

U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 7

Pramila Jayapal (D)* 85%
Dan Alexander (R) 15%

ADDED 9:34 PM: More statewide/federal races of note:

U.S. SENATE
Maria Cantwell (D)* 60%
Dr. Raul Garcia (R) 40%

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Chris Reykdal* 54%
David Olson 46%

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Patty Kuderer (D) 57%
Phil Fortunato (R) 43%

ELECTION NIGHT: Watching the returns in West Seattle

6:53 PM: North Delridge is an epicenter of election-night viewing so far tonight – above, the scene at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), and below, the scene at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW):

Both those photos are from Jason Grotelueschen, who says each had about 40 people when he was there. Meantime, Sharonn Meeks stopped in at Circa (2605 California SW), where they’re having the most spirited party – including the decor:

And the promised flag cake (plus a special menu):

More stops ahead – the national returns have been going for almost three hours already, but the West Coast returns are yet to come.

7:25 PM: Jason also visited what might be West Seattle’s biggest election-night party, at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center:

This party is hosted by members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority as a scholarship fundraiser:

They’ll be there until about 10:30 pm.

8:45 PM: Jason went back to check in. They’re looking for bright spots and cheered when the Washington governor’s race was announced. Just before that, he was at Admiral Pub when the crowd cheered the calls of our state’s presidential and senatorial results:

With that, we’re wrapping our watch-party patrol.

AS-IT-HAPPENS COVERAGE: On the street as voting deadline nears; ballot-dropbox updates

4:47 PM: More photos from local dropboxes:

At the West Seattle Junction ballot dropbox, Keith Bacon found Robin Parrott and Molly, 8, assisting her by “voting in style.” … For some on the south end of West Seattle, the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th) box is most convenient, and Cindi Barker says traffic there is “steady and building”:

4:55 PM: Back to The Junction, here’s the 4:30 pm ballot pickup, photographed by Sharonn Meeks:

5:16 PM: In High Point, Jason Grotelueschen reports, “High Point library drop-off, 5 pm. ‘Consistently busy this afternoon, and getting busier!’ 

“Saw people arrive on foot, bike, scooter and car. 6 helpers onsite for most of the afternoon … 2 on the curb directing traffic for those arriving by car, 2 box monitors helping voters and handing out stickers, one sheriffs officer, one security guard.”

5:41 PM: At the Morgan Junction dropbox, Cindi reports the lights aren’t on yet:

“The King County election staff van just showed up to pick up the ballots. They say staff will be here at 6:00 and hopefully someone will then know how to turn on the lights.” Then security just showed up and didn’t know how to turn on the lights either, so he’s going to report that in.”

6:26 PM: Lights not on there yet.

7:35 PM: Now they are, reports Cindi: “Drove home by the Morgan ballot box at 7:20 and the lights were finally on. Not much activity though. Also peeked in the Post Office in the Junction, no one putting their ballots into the mail slot at the time, ghost town.”

7:37 PM: No traffic jam at High Point either, Jason reports:

“Still very steady traffic, lights are on, helpers onsite making everything go smoothly. … They said it’s been smooth, no issues, everyone has been nice and cooperative. They’re emphasizing/saying to everyone visiting “is your ballot signed?” to ensure it gets counted. Voting stickers are popular!”

7:50 PM: And in the final minutes, smooth sailing back in The Junction. We’ll start posting local/state returns as soon as they’re available.

ELECTION DAY SCENE: What’s at the end of the rainbow?

Take it any way you want to – but a rainbow has appeared off West Seattle with hours left in Election Day. Doug Eglington sent the photo above; Curry Gibson sent the one below:

Some polls are already closing in the east, so the earliest results aren’t far away.

OPENING: With cold nights ahead, West Seattle’s only emergency shelter is about to open (updated Wednesday with wish list)

(WSB file photo)

With overnight temperatures expected in the 30s this week, the Westside Neighbors’ Shelter in The Triangle is getting ready to open. Here’s the update from shelter manager Keith Hughes:

I will be opening the Overnight Cold Weather Shelter for Wednesday and Thursday nights this week.

Hours are 5:00 PM till 11:00 AM the next day. We will serve a hot dinner at 6:30 pm each day and a hot breakfast at 8:30 AM each day as well as provide cots and blankets inside. We serve adult men and women without exception.

Westside Neighbors Shelter is a 501c3 private nonprofit at 3618 SW Alaska, co-housed with American Legion Post 160 and the West Seattle Veteran Center. We’re checking to see if they have any current donation needs as they get ready to ramp up operations.

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: Here’s how Keith replied:

Top of the List needs are: dry pasta (spaghetti, egg noodles) and pasta sauce, rice in 1 and 2 pound bags, peanut butter, salted butter cubes, store gift cards so we can get eggs, milk, fresh veggies. Non-food items needed are: socks, stocking caps, gloves, men’s boxers L and XL, winter coats.

ELECTION DAY SCENE: Ballot-drop photo op

Thanks to Cindi Barker for the photo. She shares a vignette from the ballot dropbox at High Point Library:

I stopped by the High Point box to see if there was any action. Here’s a picture of Jenny Hammer and her dog Kiba. She asked the voter attendant to take a picture of her as she cast her ballot, to get a selfie of the moment, as she put it. Taken about 12:15 today.

Voter attendant said that it was starting to pick up and wanted to make sure people knew to get to the box early. If someone arrives and gets in the car line, they have to be in line at 8:00 sharp, as they will have attendants with flashlights closing off the line at that point.

A lot of people, of course, have already voted – as of a short time ago, 65 percent of Seattle voters’ ballots are in.

P.S. We welcome other Election Day/Night photos – what are YOU seeing? westseattleblog@gmail.com

READER REPORT: Utility-pole vandalism

Thanks to Saben for the photo and report:

Someone has cut the grounding wires to some power poles in Alki along 60th Ave SW. Not sure of how widespread the problem may or may not be, but the three closest to my house were all cut. You can see by the pic that they also bent/cut the metal guard protecting the wire so this was intentional and thought the community should be aware.

You can report vandalism to Seattle City Light at 206-684-3000.