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WEST SEATTLE PARKS: Three accessible-parking spaces removed in Lincoln Park’s south lot

(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.

FERRIES’ FUTURE: Online meetings this week, Fauntleroy dock-project open house soon

(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.”

ORCAS: Heading this way

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.

WEST SEATTLE BIZNOTES: Good Society anniversary; Paper Boat move update; Caregiver Resource Fair at Village Green

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.

Our list for your West Seattle Tuesday – plus views of this morning’s mountain moonset

(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!

ELECTION DAY: Four tax votes on your ballot – vote by tonight

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.

UPDATE: Helicopter over southwest West Seattle; police in Upper Fauntleroy (info added Thursday)

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.

TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday info

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 busesRegular 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!

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!

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.

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Trash/recycling/etc. pickup for this week

(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.

UPDATE: Emergency response headed toward Fauntleroy ferry dock = for Vashon incident

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.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire hits school windows, gas-station pumps

(WSB photos)

1:38 PM: SPD and KCSO are investigating gunfire at the 30th/Roxbury 76 station. More info to come.

30th is blocked off on the south side of the intersection.

2:11 PM: SPD has turned the scene over to KCSO, whose jurisdiction it’s in. KCSO tells us that their first call was around 12:40 pm for “reckless shooting”; no one was hurt. KCSO says Explorer West Middle School, several blocks away, has lifted its lockdown; we are waiting to hear back from Seattle Public Schools about its multi-program building across the street.

2:42 PM: SPS says the gunfire went into the school building as well – here’s the statement we just received in response to our inquiry:

Students and staff at the SPS Roxhill building (9430 30th Ave SW) went into a lockdown today after shots were fired from a car into the campus. The campus quickly moved to a lockdown. All staff and teachers are safe. The campus was not the intended target of the incident. During a lockdown, classroom and exterior doors are locked. Students remain indoors and in their classroom until the lockdown has been lifted. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) was quick to respond and is currently investigating this incident. No students or staff were harmed, and the lockdown was lifted after SPD indicated it was safe to do so.

The only description we’ve heard so far is “silver/black sedan with loud exhaust.”

3:02 PM: We asked SPS about damage at the school: “There is damage near the cafeteria/the SW Roxbury St & 30th Ave SW side of campus.”

7:19 PM: We’ve obtained more information from SPD. Their report narrative says officers “located over a dozen shell casings on 30th AV SW at the southwest corner of the lot occupied by the 76 gas station.” One of our photos captured markers for those too (and our picture above shows some of the markers by the pumps):

They also “confirmed several round strikes on the gas pumps of the 76 station” and found “damaged glass on classroom windows” at the school building (again, this is the FORMER Roxhill building at 30th/Roxbury, not the current one at 34th/Holden). This report says a witness saw “a white sedan and black sedan flee the area eastbound on SW Roxbury” right after they heard the shots.

7:59 PM: A commenter identifying themselves as an employee says the SPD report is “inaccurate” – that no classroom windows were hit.

West Seattle CampFinder: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!

Here in the heart of winter, it’s time to think about summer, especially if your family needs to line up camps for your kid(s). Our newest WSB sponsor, West Seattle CampFinder, is all about that – here’s what they want you to know about their service:

Finding the right summer camps for your kids just got a whole lot easier! West Seattle CampFinder is your local, comprehensive resource for discovering more than 600 summer camps from more than 60 local organizers. West Seattle CampFinder makes it simple to find camps and activities right here in West Seattle that meet your family’s needs.

West Seattle CampFinder was created by West Seattle mom Michelle Kusowski: “In 2023, I found myself spending hours gathering camp information, sharing information with friends, setting up reminders for registration dates, and hoping it all came together.” Thinking that there had to be an easier way and with the encouragement of family and friends, she decided to build it. West Seattle CampFinder was born.

The goal of West Seattle CampFinder is simple: to save families time by offering a centralized place for West Seattle summer-camp information, allowing parents to spend less time researching and planning and more time enjoying life. Now in its second year, West Seattle CampFinder has camp information, registration dates, helpful reminders, filter options, and more! And there’s more to come!

Check out the website at www.westseattlecampfinder.com and join as a member to access the resource. Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/westseattlecampfinder for more updates and tips.

We thank West Seattle CampFinder for choosing to advertise their service by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in doing the same? Call or text 206-293-6302.

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Another submarine sighting off Alki

February 10, 2025 11:52 am
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Another submarine sighting off Alki
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Kathleen Fueger for the photo of a U.S. Navy submarine in view as it passed Alki this morning. That’s the second submarine sighting in less than a week, though we don’t know if it’s the same one; the Navy told us they generally don’t comment on specific submarines’ movements, though they did offer an explanation of last week’s steam emission.

Here’s our list for your West Seattle Monday

(Mount Baker as seen from Alki at sunset – photo by David Hutchinson)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DONUT DEADLINE: Place your order for Madison MS PTSA‘s Krispy Kreme sales – for pickup on Friday (Valentine’s Day) – by midnight tonight.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH ART EXHIBIT: 11 am-6 pm, visitors welcome at the Washington State Black Legacy Institute (2656 42nd SW) in The Admiral District.

BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in time for students to work with volunteer homework helpers at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

COMMUNITY CPR CLASS: 5:15 pm at Dakota Place Park (California/Dakota), presented by SFD’s Medic 2 program with Seattle Parks – the registration link is in our calendar listing, so you can check if there’s still room.

BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: Postseason begins for West Seattle HS girls’ team, 5:30 pm Metro League tournament playoff game at and vs. Garfield HS (400 23rd Ave.).

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players included!

LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm with Tamara Kubacki, meeting at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW). “Grief groups are brave and safe spaces where bereaved people can share their stories and speak their loved one’s name without fear of getting advice, platitudes, or being shut out, no matter how long it’s been since their loved one’s passing.” – you can attend once or multiple times. Fee. Preregistration requested – our calendar listing explains how.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Four places to play tonight! … Every-other-week music quiz at Easy Street Records, 6:30 and 7:30 pm sessions (4559 California SW) … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley features music on Monday nights, jazz with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday night, sing your heart out during karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Thanks to everyone who contributes listings to our calendar – if you have something to add (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Families invited to enroll kids in next free ‘Write YOUR Story’ workshop

Local writer Julia Douthwaite Viglione sent the invitation to the next free Write YOUR Story for 7- to 11-year-olds:

Write YOUR Story Spring 2025
Enrolling now
Theme: Defiance and Protest!

Who is invited? People age 7-11 who like stories

When? Every Wednesday, March 5—May 7, 2025, 4:30—5:30 pm

Where? Upstairs activity room, Curious Kidstuff toy store, 4740 California Ave SW

Write YOUR Story, est. 2012, is a free workshop led by local writers for local kids
“We read, we write, and we have a lot of fun.”

For info or to enroll, contact: juliawsea@gmail.com

We will read The Queen Always Wanted to Dance and Papagayo, The Mischief Maker: two tales that show how to defy oppression in joyous community!

UPDATE: Orcas in Elliott Bay

8:11 AM: Again this morning, orcas are in Elliott Bay, off Seacrest and heading east, reports Kersti Muul.

9 AM: A few minutes ago, Kersti noted in a comment below that the whales have stopped for food off Anchor/Luna Park.

TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday notes

February 10, 2025 6:05 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday notes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:05 AM: Good morning – it’s Monday, February 10, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

We’re again facing a Cold Weather Advisory, taking effect at 6 tonight; the forecast for today calls for cold sunshine today, high in the upper 30s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:22 am and 5:25 pm.

TRANSIT

Metro busesRegular 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!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 more gunfire incidents; gun arrest; failed robbery attempts

SPD released a sheaf of summaries late Sunday, covering the past several days. Here are four incidents we hadn’t previously reported:

NORTH DELRIDGE GUNFIRE: Around 5:30 pm Friday, after callers reported suspected gunfire near 26th/Brandon, police found unspecified “evidence in a nearby park,” and bullet damage to a tree.

SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK GUNFIRE: Around 4:30 am Wednesday, after callers reported suspected gunfire and three people on the run, police found unspecified “evidence” at 16th/Kenyon – though the ground was covered in snow.

GUN ARREST: Police checking out an “illegally parked” car in the 2600 block of Alki Avenue SW at 11:19 pm Thursday found two people insiede and one gun in the console. The vehicle’s occupants did not have a concealed-pistol license for the gun, described as a “Glock 19 loaded with 10 rounds.” One occupant, 19, was booked into jail for unlawfully carrying a pistol (a misdemeanor).

FAILED ROBBERY ATTEMPTS: SPD believes two incidents early Friday are related. At 12:17 am, two people went into the Chevron station/minimart at Admiral/41st; one ran behind the counter, demanded money, then hit the clerk, who police say “squared up” against him, at which time both robbers left. Their car is described as a black or dark gray Hyundai Tucson. Police think the would-be robber who hit that clerk went into the 35th/Avalon 7-11 with a mask, gloves, and gun, but saw the clerk hit the holdup-alarm button, and bolted. Fingerprint evidence was obtained.

VIDEO: West Seattle HS softball team scores big with annual clinics for younger players

(WSB video/photos)

Air: A few degrees above freezing. Hearts: Warm. That was the situation on the upper field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex this morning, as West Seattle High School softball players led their annual preseason clinic for younger players, ages 7-13. First session was for the youngest participants, ending with a spirited round of base-running (as also shown in our video above):

The players instructed their students in other skills including hitting and throwing. Each of the two groups had takers for every spot – more than 30 per session:

Along with opportunities to practice coaching and mentoring skills, the clinics were fundraisers for the team. Every participant got this special T-shirt:

The clinics were originally organized four seasons ago by player Kamil Ygnacio, who has since graduated – her sister Kaila Ygnacio took the ball and ran with it:

So have newer players’ parents, so the clinics will carry on even as the roster changes over the years. This year’s group stopped down for a players-only group photo while awaiting the next group’s arrival:

(L-R: Hannah, Daeja, Stella, Alice, Julia, Kenzie, Lila, Violet, Molly, Kaila, Marina)

They’ll be starting play in less than a month – spring sports start in early March.

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: ‘Cold Weather Advisory’ alert

February 9, 2025 7:37 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: ‘Cold Weather Advisory’ alert
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

No snow expected, but a dangerously frosty wind chill is at the heart of the Cold Weather Advisory alert that the National Weather Service has ordered for our area. It’ll be in effect 6 pm Monday through 10 am Wednesday, with the potential for wind-chill temperatures in the teens to 20s. Forecast says wind will be out of the north/northeast much of that time. (The NWS graphic in this story shows this alert applies to much of Western Washington – light blue on the map.)

VIDEO: A Cleaner Alki gets REI showcase for ‘plogging’

Though most of that video was recorded off-peninsula, the star is Erik Bell, founder of the prolific volunteer-cleanup group A Cleaner Alki (which does its good work at many non-Alki spots too). The video was created by REI (West Seattle-founded!); Erik explains, “The actual Plogging video (running and trash pickup) was shot by REI’s Events Team at Lake Union last Fall to feature on their YouTube channel, and it just went live today. They wanted to highlight what A Cleaner Alki was about, so I provided them with a bunch of stills and a handful of drone videos I had shot at our cleanups” (you’ll notice some of that showing the Marginal pullout under the West Seattle Bridge). Want to get involved with A Cleaner Alki? They’re out pretty much daily – see where and when by going here.