VIDEO: See Fauntleroy Creek’s ‘home hatch’ baby salmon

February 27, 2024 12:40 pm

|      2 COMMENTS

 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

In our last update on Fauntleroy Creek salmon, volunteers had counted 34 during last year’s spawning season. Now, three months later, some of the results are in view! Fauntleroy Watershed Council‘s Judy Pickens explains:

Coho fry from last fall’s spawning are now feeding in lower Fauntleroy Creek. Volunteers first noticed them last week and called in Sam Verbon, who captured this video on his GoPro.

Several of the 34 spawners counted in November left fertilized eggs. Protected from predators by a blanket of gravel, they hatched over several weeks into alevin, then matured into fry ready to swim freely and start feeding.

To avoid detection by birds or curious people, the tiny fish will forage near the bank and overhanging vegetation as they grow into fingerlings (parr), then 4″-5″ smolts. Those that survive will leave for saltwater in spring 2025.

This spring’s crop of smolts will soon begin leaving for Fauntleroy Cove and saltwater points beyond. Volunteers will check soft traps in the upper and lower creek twice daily to get an accurate count of them. Last year they documented 41.

In May, 19 West Seattle schools expect to release fry in Fauntleroy Park. Some of those fish will wash into the middle reach to populate the entire creek system with coho juveniles.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Why the Don Armeni dock-replacement project broke a promise

February 27, 2024 11:46 am

|      9 COMMENTS

 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Before the long-delayed Don Armeni Boat Ramp dock-replacement project got started, Seattle Parks said repeatedly that one float would remain open throughout the work. As the photo above from Stewart L. shows, that isn’t currently the case. We asked Parks why, and when there’d be a usable dock again. Spokesperson Karen O’Connor replied, “We were working hard and had planned to keep one float open at all times during the work at Don Armeni, however, we ran into some unexpected conditions when driving the final piles for both the north and south floats. If all goes well and the weather cooperates, the project manager anticipates opening one dock/float this weekend/beginning of March.” The project is replacing the old dock structures and pilings with sturdier new ones, and increasing the “over-water coverage” by a third.

Share This

Pizza benefit, RainWise learning, running, bingo, more West Seattle Tuesday possibilities

February 27, 2024 9:49 am

|      1 COMMENT

 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Thomas Bach: ‘Taken from Alki Ave looking across at Alki Point as the storm swept in’ Monday)

Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s scheduled for the rest of today/tonight:

FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop in Tuesday mornings 9 am-noon at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The city asked us to remind you about this public-service opportunity:

Join the Equitable Development Initiative Community Advisory Board

The Equitable Development Initiative is extending an invitation to individuals rooted in communities facing a high risk of displacement and who are dedicated to addressing deep and persisting inequities. Prospective members are encouraged to apply and become a crucial part of shaping a more thriving Seattle. The priority deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. on February 27, 2024. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered until all positions are filled. Compensation includes a monthly stipend of $60/hour, with a maximum of $300 for full participation. To apply, please visit the City’s Boards and Commissions website.

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: The second meeting of the committee vice-chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka starts at 9:30 am. The focus is an overview of police accountability in Seattle. Here’s the agenda. You can watch live via Seattle Channel.

COFFEE, TEA, AND RESOURCES: Drop-in chat time at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW), 10-11 am.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. There is a public-comment section – in person or by phone – if there’s something you want to tell the council. The agenda explains how. You can watch live via Seattle Channel.

PIZZA FUNDRAISER: 4-9 pm, dine at Proletariat Pizza in White Center (9622 16th SW) and mention Highland Park Elementary so HPE will get a share of the proceeds!

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

LEARN ASL: Free weekly classes, 6 pm at West Seattle’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW). Start any Tuesday night! Details in our calendar listing.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

FREE TRACK RUN: Run with new (or not-so-new) friends! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

LEARN ABOUT RAINWISE: If your neighborhood is eligible, you might be able to get a big rebate for making your home/yard RainWise! Be at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) at 6:30 pm to find out all about it.

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

TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) now 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 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way). 21+.

BINGO AT TALARICO’S: You can play 8 pm bingo every Tuesday. (4718 California SW)

What are you planning? Are community members invited? Tell everyone via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

TICKETS ON SALE: West Seattle High School’s Big Band Dinner Dance

February 27, 2024 9:00 am

|      1 COMMENT

 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

That’s the West Seattle Big Band, guest-starring again this year at the West Seattle High School music-program-supporting Big Band Dinner Dance, 6-9 pm Friday, March 15, in the WSHS Commons (3000 California SW). Here’s the announcement:

Tickets are now available for our annual community dinner dance! Come and listen to the high school music students perform – not just our jazz band, but the band, orchestra, and choir too! And a wonderful dinner will be prepared by the WSHS Culinary Department. Come and see what our fabulous students are up to!

Featured Performance by the West Seattle Big Band, under the direction of Jim Edwards.

Dinner/Dance tickets are $30 when preordered, or $35 at the door (if available)
Dinner/Dance tickets for students, staff, or seniors are $20
Dance-only tickets are $10.

Go here to find the ticket link.

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday notes

February 27, 2024 6:03 am

|      2 COMMENTS

 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, February 27.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast says rain/snow is possible again this morning, then just rain, high in the mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 6:54 am, sunset at 5:50 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

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

Share This

GIVING: They bake what they donate! Community Loaves breadmakers visit West Seattle Food Bank

February 26, 2024 10:03 pm

|      13 COMMENTS

 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

They came to the West Seattle Food Bank this morning with loaves of bread they’d baked themselves – unique donations for the food bank, which otherwise doesn’t accept homemade food. But this group is a special exception. They’re West Seattleites who are among the nearly 900 home bakers participating in Community Loaves, founded in 2020 by Katherine Kehrli, who joined them for today’s tour of the food bank.

WSFB’s executive director Fran Yeatts gave the visiting bread donors a behind-the-scenes look at food-bank operations. Monday is a prep day inside WSFB, not a distribution day for clients, so the bakers saw a whirlwind of activity – deliveries of “rescued” food donated by grocery stores and pet shops, sorting of a wide variety of donated items, packing of bags that will be taken to clients who can’t make it to the food bank’s 35th/Morgan HQ.

The delivery bags are usually how the Community Loaves bread gets to food bank clients – who otherwise might not get a chance to enjoy fresh whole-grain bread. Kehrli explains that since bread is “shelf-stable,” the bakers are not required to get special licenses to bake and donate their loaves. (7,000 provided to WSFB so far, and it’s just one of dozens with which Community Loaves partners!) She added that today’s visit was meant to help the bakers “understand how meaningful their work is.”

(That’s Community Loaves founder Katherine Kehrli behind the cart, in patterned jacket)

The food bank stats they heard were eye-popping – 1,500 households visiting the food bank each week, more than 400 home deliveries, 430 weekend food packs for students, 200+ people served by mobile food bank visits to locations including the Senior Center of West Seattle. (“We gotta bake more bread, guys!” somebody shouted to the group after hearing all that.) And of course, the food bank’s not just about food – they operate the Clothesline clothing bank and provide emergency rent (etc.) assistance that’s currently at a million-dollar-a-year pace to try to keep people out of homelessness (part of why WSFB especially appreciates monetary donations – they’d love to see you at the April 27 Instruments of Change fundraiser, too). Meantime, Community Loaves would be happy to see more home bakers participate.

If you’re interested, you can go here to sign up for an online information session coming up in early March.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Box-truck break-in + two other notes

February 26, 2024 8:41 pm

|      23 COMMENTS

 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Miscellaneous West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

BUSINESS BURGLARY: We got a tip about this on Friday but police didn’t provide information until today. Burglars hit the Admiral Safeway gas station (42nd/Admiral) just before 3:30 am Friday. According to the SPD summary, “The (burglars) utilized crowbars and a U-Haul box truck with a tow rope to break into the fuel station kiosk. (They) stole cigarettes/merchandise and tried to remove the safe before driving away. Officers spotted the van a short distance away and began to coordinate a stop. The van driver began to drive recklessly, and officers disengaged, losing sight.” If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 24-051042.

UNHINGED: We’ve received multiple questions about, and photos of, the detached door at 4719 California SW:

Yes, police are aware of it – we’ve heard multiple calls in the past week or so, and there was another one this morning in the 6 am hour (SPD incident # 24-054044). It’s been reattached at least once that we’ve seen. Regardless of how it was opened, it’s ultimately the property owner’s responsibility to keep vacant spaces secured.

STOLEN AND/OR ABANDONED? Grant sent this photo of a possibly stolen and/or abandoned Kia this morning, seen at 37th/Elmgrove in Gatewood:

We walked through the area in early afternoon and didn’t see it. But Grant noted that it was parked the wrong way and practically protruding into the intersection. While you can call any suspected stolen car in to 911, if one is parked illegally, you can also simply report it to Parking Enforcement, which might be able to respond quicker – that direct number is 206-386-9012.

Share This

SUMMER CAMP: New West Seattle camps offered by Tilden School

February 26, 2024 7:05 pm

|    Comments Off on SUMMER CAMP: New West Seattle camps offered by Tilden School

 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

On an evening when some of us have a bit of snow on the ground, let’s talk summer camp! It’s the first day of open enrollment for new camps offered by West Seattle’s independent Tilden School (WSB sponsor), and it’s open to non-Tilden students too. Here’s the announcement:

This summer we are hosting the first Tilden School Summer Camp on campus. There are four camp sessions:
*Week of July 8
*Week of July 15
*Week of July 22
*Week of July 29

Each camp session runs Monday – Friday. Camp hours are Monday – Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm, Friday from 9 am to 1 pm.

There are three grade cohorts per session, with up to 14 students planned per cohort. The grade-specific cohorts are based on the grade of your student for the current school year:
Cohort 1: Kindergarten/First Grade
Cohort 2: Second/Third Grade
Cohort 3: Fourth/Fifth Grade

The theme and programming of each camp only occurs once per grade cohort. For camps that run across distinct grade cohorts in different weeks, appropriate grade-level adaptations will be made to programming.

Camp instructors are current staff and will include alumni students. We are excited that you will get a chance to meet some Tilden grads who are now in high school and college. There will be at least two instructors per cohort, per camp.

The cost per camp, per student, is $500 per camp, per student. An activity fee may apply to select camps (e.g., entrance fees for activities in Around the Sound Adventure Camp) and will not exceed $40 per camp. Activity fee information will be released by June 14.

Today begins open enrollment to the general community. If camps fill up, we will maintain a waiting list.

Register here (where you’ll find more information on the camp’s weekly themes).

For more information, please email us at info@tildenschool.org.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: ‘Wintry mix’ makes a brief appearance

February 26, 2024 4:15 pm

|      7 COMMENTS

 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

4:15 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo from Arbor Heights. We’re getting an icy rain mix right now in Upper Fauntleroy – a variant of the “wintry mix” that’s been in the forecast – and getting reports from other areas too.

4:35 PM: Also from Arbor Heights, an even-more-wintry photo via text. Be careful if you have to head out soon, as streets and sidewalks are coated in areas. But it’s already clearing to the west, so this wave might not last too long.

4:50 PM: And White Center has a white coating too. Here in Upper Fauntleroy, the sun is breaking through – mixed with light snow.

5:30 PM: See the comments for some traffic trouble in Arbor Heights. Meantime, radar shows a stretch of clear sky, but it could get below freezing tonight, and the now-wet roads could turn to ice. There’s a possibility of more “mix” overnight, too.

Share This

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Itto’s Vino sets grand-opening date

February 26, 2024 3:09 pm

|      4 COMMENTS

 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

(Photo courtesy Itto’s Vino)

Just heard from Khalid Agour, proprietor of Itto’s Tapas (California/Genesee) and the new wine-bar-with-food Itto’s Vino next door. Two weeks after telling us it was “super close” to opening, he has set the grand-opening date for Itto’s Vino – this Friday (March 1), after “a couple soft opens.” You can see the food menu here and the drink menu here (you’ll find lists of wine by the glass or bottle on the website, too). Hours for Itto’s Vino will be 5-11 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 5 pm-midnight Fridays and Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Delridge Playfield lights back on, Parks says

February 26, 2024 2:33 pm

|      1 COMMENT

 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Three weeks ago, thanks to tips, we reported that the Delridge Playfield lights were out again because of wire thieves. Last week, one of our original tipsters, John – who had photographed the exact spot hit by the thieves – told us that crews were on scene to fix the system. We subsequently inquired with Parks, who responded today that the lights are working again. Security was improved, too, according to John’s observation: “Installation of steel conduit instead of PVC previously used, therefore making hard to steal the cables.”

Share This

CRIME WATCH: Bullet hits White Center café customer’s boot

February 26, 2024 12:45 pm

|      26 COMMENTS

 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

Thanks for the tip – we went over to Patrick’s Café and Bakery at 15th/100th in White Center after a report of gunfire at the intersection.

Speaking to us and other media at the scene, proprietor Patrick Choy said he and others in the cafe heard the gunfire around 10:40 am but didn’t see it – he speculates it was someone in a vehicle shooting at someone in another vehicle.

Some of the bullets hit his building – no injuries but a very close call for a woman in the café, whose boot was hit by a bullet. Patrick said deputies found shell casings in the street, too. We checked with the King County Sheriff’s Office, which tells us they have no description information so far: “The suspects are unknown at this time.” Meantime, Patrick’s remains open for business as usual.

Share This

SUPERMARKET MEGA-MERGER: Feds sue to stop Kroger/Albertsons deal

February 26, 2024 11:56 am

|      21 COMMENTS

 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

This morning brings news of the biggest potential roadblock yet to the mega-merger that could put five of West Seattle’s grocery stores under the same ownership: The Federal Trade Commission is suing to stop the merger of Kroger (parent of QFC, Fred Meyer, and other brands) and Albertsons (parent of Safeway among others). West Seattle has two QFC stores and three Safeway stores, and among those, two – Junction QFC and Jefferson Square – are barely a block apart. To the south, Westwood Village QFC and Roxbury Safeway (a former Fred Meyer) are separated by just a few blocks. Sixteen months have passed since the $24 billion merger announcement. In its announcement today, the FTC alleges that “the deal is anticompetitive (and would) eliminate fierce competition between Kroger and Albertsons, leading to higher prices for groceries and other essential household items for millions of Americans.” The merger plan has drawn other opposition since it came to light, including U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal‘s call – announced in West Seattle – for the FTC to investigate. Kroger had sought to calm some concerns via a plan announced last September to sell some of its assets, including the QFC brand name (but not necessarily all QFC stores) to a third party.

WHAT’S NEXT: According to the FTC announcement, its action “marks the beginning of a proceeding in which the allegations will be tried in a formal hearing before an administrative law judge.”

Share This

• Prev
• 1
• …
• 61
• 62
• 63
• 64
• 65
• …
• 2,916
• Next