West Seattle, Washington
24 Tuesday
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, January 9, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today, the forecast again says “partly sunny,” with a high in the upper 40s. Sunrise/sunset – 7:55 am and 4:37 pm.
TRANSIT
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Tillikum as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.
Metro buses – Regular schedule. Here’s an alert for tomorrow:
On Friday, January 10, a bus and transit vehicle memorial procession for Transit Operator Shawn Yim will be held in downtown Seattle. Expect service disruptions, delays and canceled trips due to this event.
King County Metro, community members, riders and transit agencies throughout the region will gather, to celebrate and remember Transit Operator Shawn Yim, who was killed in the line of duty on December 18.
Transit service, the Customer Information and the Lost & Found office services will be temporarily reduced while employees attend the memorial event.
We recommend riders who rely on transit services plan to travel early and allow additional travel time and consider alternatives in the event that your bus trip is temporarily not operating.
Sound Transit Link 1 Line and 2 Line services and Water Taxi routes are expected to operate regular schedules.
Real-time information in trip planning and transit tools, and transit alerts may not be accurate during this period.
We appreciate your understanding as the Metro family takes time to mourn our fallen friend and colleague.
According to this post, which includes a map, the procession starts at 10 am Friday.
ROAD WORK
*SDOT warns you may see work trucks parked on the high bridge while crews wrap up planned work inside – above, the bridge cam showed a truck on Tuesday morning; another one was in that spot on Wednesday.
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.
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!
That red warning sign should be down now, because the King County Wastewater Treatment District says the water’s safe again in the Cove Park vicinity north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. As we reported on Monday, an estimated 3,500 gallons of stormwater and sewage went into Puget Sound because of an “electrical issue” at the Barton Pump Station. Signs were posted by the beach to tell people to stay out of the water Now, with water testing showing no problems, the county has lifted the warnings. But the question remains, what went wrong? The pump station was upgraded a decade ago. KCWTD spokesperson Akiko Oda told WSB today that they “know there was a power sag” but are “still investigating how that affected the pump station.” The last notable overflow at the station, 101,000 gallons almost two years ago, was explained as an event where the station didn’t have a “complete” power outage, so the backup system wasn’t triggered
A UPS delivery driver who lives in West Seattle is recovering from injuries after getting attacked on the job.
(Photos from GoFundMe.com page)
This happened three weeks ago in Belltown; we just learned about it this week when we got a note about a crowdfunding campaign to cover some of his expenses.
The driver, Jason Yates, has lived in West Seattle for 15 years, Arbor Heights for the past 10. His partner Sara Currie says he spent more than four years delivering a West Seattle route. He’s worked for UPS for 17 years.
We requested the police narrative for the incident after hearing from Sara. The narrative says Jason told police he parked his UPS truck in an alley in the 300 block of Lenora to make deliveries. The attacker’s vehicle, a dark SUV, was behind him, and another vehicle pulled behind that one, “trapping” the attacker, who asked Jason to move his truck so he could get out of the alley. According to the report, Jason said he had to make a delivery first. The attacker then is reported to have thrown a glass bottle at Jason, and then pinned him against a garage gate; Jason pulled out his phone to try to get a photo of the attacker, who then punched him in the head several times. A witness who saw this from a nearby building also confirmed seeing the attacker get out of his vehicle and punch Jason repeatedly, before backing out to leave the alley. Someone nearby got his license-plate number and gave it to police, who wrote in the report that it checked to an address in Federal Way, but said nothing more about the investigation status.
Sara says Jason spent more than a week in the hospital, and has more treatment and therapy ahead for head and body injuries; the crowdfunding campaign is meant to help cover those expenses as well as lost wages since he can’t work, and any costs incurred in pursuing justice in the case.
Two local elected officials have public appearances in West Seattle on Thursday:
STATE HOUSE REP. EMILY ALVARADO: The second-term 34th District State House representative, currently hoping to be appointed to the State Senate seat that Joe Nguyễn is leaving to become Commerce Director, will be at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) at 1 pm Thursday. West Seattle’s Postcards4Democracy group is sponsoring this coffee chat as a look ahead to the State Legislature’s 2025 session, which starts next week, and asked us to let you know about Rep. Alvarado’s appearance.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER ROB SAKA: As he announced during this week’s council briefing meeting Monday afternoon, Councilmember Saka is speaking to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce during their 11:30 am lunch meeting Thursday. It’s billed as a “State of District 1” speech, in the banquet room at the West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW). If you’re a Chamber member, lunch is $25; for non-members, $35 – go here to register.
Not only did the sun make a grand appearance today, it exited in style, about half an hour ago. Thanks for the photos! Above is from Beth Jackson; below, from Carol Ann Joyce:
And this one’s from John-Michael Bennett III:
The peak splash of pink was just before 5 pm, though the official sunset time was 4:36 pm. (It’ll be 5 pm on January 25!)
This abandoned bike has been seen in upper Lincoln Park for at least three days.
That photo is from Mike, the fourth person to send us a photo. He also sent a wider view of where he saw it:
If you need more help in finding it – Mike sent these coordinates too.
(WSB file photo from last year)
Less than two weeks into the new year, with an extensive recruiting campaign continuing, the city has totaled up how Seattle Police staffing ended the year. A news release from Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s office says 84 officers were hired, and 83 officers left – the first year since 2019 that hires outnumbered departures. Here’s their chart for the past six years – note the number of deployable officers is up too:
(Corrected table added 4:05 pm after receiving from mayor’s office – adds ‘total number’ column)
The mayor’s office also says the number of applicants last year more than doubled from the year before – 4,115 compared to 1,998 in 2023.
We asked how many of the departures were retirements and how many were resignations. Mayoral spokesperson Callie Craighead replied, “In 2024 there were 36 retirements and 24 resignations. In 2023 there were 39 retirements and 24 resignations. So retirements were down slightly from 2023, and resignations remained consistent.”
Sent by Charleson Charlestown Hill:
I had my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek parked on street at my residence last night. With alarm on and Starlight security, it didn’t matter. Someone gained access and scattered CDs and papers from console and glove box. No damage.
This happened in the 3800 block of 54th SW.
Since tomorrow will be the second Thursday of the month, it brings 2025’s first West Seattle Art Walk.
That’s the list of venues where you’ll find art and/or food-and-drink specials on Art Walk nights this quarter (see a larger version here). Artist receptions are spotlighted here, including these four don’t-miss spots:
WEST SEATTLE HS @ WEST SEATTLE GROUNDS: The northernmost Art Walk stop, West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW), is featuring more than 50 West Seattle High School students’ work on Thursday night, with “a diverse collection of paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media works” – plus the WSHS-rooted band The Potholes. 5-8 pm.
ART WALK DEBUT PHOTOGRAPHER @ VISCON CELLARS: 5-9 pm, Ashley Harrison will be the featured artist at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), her first time as an Art Walk participant. From the preview:
Ashley Harrison takes photos around the Puget Sound region. This show focuses on birds of the PNW, especially herons and hummingbirds, and of Costa Rica. Ashley’s overall work includes wildlife photos, event photos, and portraits of families and meaningful relationships.
If you visit Viscon on Art Walk night, tasting fees are waived.
DEPECHE MIKE @ EASY STREET RECORDS: Easy Street (4559 California SW) usually incorporates music into its monthly Art Walk offerings, and Depeche Mike is spinning vinyl this time around – an art form all its own:
Drop in to the shop/café 6-9 pm.
‘ICONIC WEST SEATTLE’: At Verity CU (4505 California SW), watercolor artist Gloria Carmignani-Breslin will be showing work including scenes featuring West Seattle icons (Alki Statue of Liberty, Bruun Idun the troll, among others). She’ll be there 5-8 pm.
Those are just a few possibilities for tomorrow night – check the list again before you go!
(WSB is a community co-sponsor of the West Seattle Art Walk.)
(Tuesday photo by J. Whitaker)
Here’s our list of what’s happening on your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CLOTHING DONATION DRIVE: As previewed here, today is the second of two days you can take clothing donations – all ages/sizes – to Chief Sealth International High School‘s office until 4 pm for their collection to help families. (2600 SW Thistle)
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. Drop-in. $20. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TODDLER STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: At Southwest Library, 3 pm, for kids ages 1-3. (9010 35th SW)
HOMEWORK HELP: Volunteer helpers are available 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center). You can learn more about the WS Tool Library in our recent West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlight!
KIWANIS CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Visitors are always welcome at the Kiwanis dinner meeting, 6 pm at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW), with a guest speaker talking about his work in Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe.
CRIBBAGE NIGHT: 6 pm at West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), monthly cribbage night, all welcome – all ages, membership NOT required. Coincides with the Eagles’ Taco Night, so you can buy tacos if interested.
FREE GROUP RUN: All year ’round! All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.
ALSO AT WS RUNNER – INFO NIGHT FOR ‘GOT FIT’: 6:30 pm at the shop, Info Night for free group-training program for intermediate-level runners who want to get ready for a half-marathon.
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: The group’s every-other-year reorganization meeting is online tonight at 6:30 pm – register here for the link. Agenda and candidates (so far) can be found here.
CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: Second meeting for this new book club, 6:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW) – this month’s book is “Starship Troopers.”
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
YOGA/MEDITATION/GONG BATH: 7-8:30 pm at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska), $35, tickets here.
TRIVIA x 3: Three Wednesday trivia locations: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
MUSIC BINGO X 2: Two places to play on Wednesdays! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … Or, at Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Two girls’ varsity home games tonight. Chief Sealth IHS hosts Seattle Academy (2600 SW Thistle); West Seattle HS hosts Garfield (3000 California SW), both at 7:30 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The mic is yours! 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 – and if it’s a holiday event, send it for the Holiday Guide – thank you!
Get help making dinner, while helping students! Dream Dinners West Seattle (longtime WSB sponsor) is again raising money for the Madison Middle School WEB program (Where Everybody Belongs), where 8th graders help new 6th graders “feel connected.” Here’s how it works:
Anyone participating in the fundraiser just needs to order a minimum of 3 dinners off our regular menu. All orders must be placed by Friday, January 24th and picked up by January 28th.
Orders can be placed at dreamdinners.com/westseattle. Anyone can order – current customers or new customers! They can place as many orders as they want. The most important thing is that anyone that orders needs to put MADWEB in the special instructions so we can keep track of money! We will donate 10% of all the sales with MADWEB on the order, up to $500.
Dream Dinners West Seattle’s headquarters is on the east side of outer Jefferson Square, at 41st/Alaska.
9:13 AM: Crash reported on the eastbound bridge near the 1st Avenue South exit.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today, the forecast says “partly sunny,” with a high in the upper 40s. Sunrise/sunset – 7:56 am and 4:36 pm.
TRANSIT
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Tillikum as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.
ROAD WORK
*SDOT warns you may see work trucks parked on the high bridge while crews wrap up planned work inside – above, the bridge cam showed a truck on Tuesday morning.
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.
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!
If you passed 37th/Morgan in the past half-hour, you might have seen that startling sight – a car up on the sidewalk, after hitting the bottom of a home’s stairway to/from the streetfront. SPD and SFD are still there; the driver is reported to be hurt, but not seriously. SFD is parked on 37th so this isn’t affecting traffic, we’re told. No info so far on the circumstances.
(Photo by Tom Trulin)
Salmon in the Schools teachers are leaping into 2025 – today was pickup day for the eggs they’ll be raising at their schools for the next few months. Above at right is Gatewood Elementary teacher John Revello, with Salmon in the Schools volunteer Phil Sweetland, picking up eggs in Fauntleroy today; (added) below is after the arrival at school.
Gatewood is one of 15 participating West Seattle schools this year, involving classes from preschoolers to young adults, raising more than 2,000 eggs; 500 others will be raised by a volunteer “as back-up fish to ensure that all students have fry” to release in Fauntleroy Creek this spring, explains Salmon in the Schools volunteer Judy Pickens. She adds that these are “coho eyed eggs from the state’s Soos Creek Hatchery on the Green River. The Fauntleroy Watershed Council partnered with Salmon in the Schools for today’s pickups and will assist as students come to the creek in spring to release fry –
Two notes about West Seattle light rail tonight:
(Image from Final Environmental Impact Statement for West Seattle Link Extension, page 176 of appendix N.2)
BOARD CHAIR’S OPTIMISM: When King County Executive Dow Constantine spoke to the Rotary Club of West Seattle today, light rail was one of the topics. He noted first that the next step is the Federal Transit Authority’s “Record of Decision,” formalizing what the Sound Transit Board – which he chairs – approved in October. That’s expected in February, he said (a few months later than planned, as a Sound Transit spokesperson had told us last month). But he believes “we are in a strong position to deliver what voters approved” in 2016. A short time later, in response to a meeting attendee’s question about timeline (officially still projected to open in 2032), Constantine said, “the scope is really the question – such as, do you build the Avalon station or not? – there are 100 questions like that, that the board’s going to have to answer.” He won’t be there for all the answers, as he’s not running for re-election (which he had more to say about, as we’ll report in a separate story tomorrow).
OPPONENTS NOT GIVING UP: The Rethink the Link group, which wants to see West Seattle light rail canceled, is planning a community forum on January 25, its first event since a walking tour last June. One organizer says, “Yes, it is the eleventh hour, but that is often when people wake up.” We asked about the point of the forum, since the board has chosen the “project to be built” – this is most of their reply:
Broadly speaking, our mission is to inform the West Seattle community of the scope and impacts of Sound Transit’s light rail project. The information given to folks at various “outreach” events- and found in both the 2022 Draft EIS and in Sound Transit’s Final EIS (released September 20, 2024) is often incomplete, inaccurate, vague, or non-existent.
The West Seattle Community Transit/ Light Rail Forum will include
(1) a complete and detailed map of the entire route! (All segments will have the same scale and north orientation!)
(2) a list of all residences and businesses that have been notified of potential eminent domain.
(3) a map of the Delridge, Avalon, and Alaska Junction stations WITH list of businesses and residences that will be demolished
(4) a street map of traffic detours during construction, e.g., the closure of Alaska forcing all traffic to be moved to Oregon and Edmunds
(5) a map of our current bus routes, and routes that Metro has cut (Our experts can talk about how easily and inexpensively we can give ALL of West Seattle better transit without light rail.)
(6) a list of the 13 food sources that will be eliminated (causing a ‘food desert” from Delridge to WS Junction
They also believe that some ST Board members “realize dropping WS light rail could be a win/win/win!” and observe that “The new US Department of Transportation might also help us out by cutting the funding.” Their forum is set for 10 am Saturday, January 25, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
An observant neighbor says this plateless Lexus has been in the Admiral Safeway lot for at least two days and has reported it to police as a possible stolen car. In case it’s yours …
Make: Lexus
Model: ES 330 (4-door sedan)
Year: (?) late model
Color: Dark BlueNo license plates either front nor back.
No temporary license tag in the back window.
It has a long scratch along the entire length of the passenger side; especially the front passenger door.
Car is quite dirty; looks like it’s been there for awhile.I hope this info proves helpful to anyone who may be looking for that car!
Second Thursday means the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s monthly online speaker series, Words, Writers, Southwest Stories. This month = 6 pm this Thursday (January 9) – “The Untold Story of Northwest Rock ‘n’ Roll” is the topic, and there’s still time to sign up to watch. First, if you haven’t seen it in the calendar already, here’s the announcement:
Northwest Rock ‘n’ Roll’s historical high points are well documented — in the late 20th century, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and other grunge gods took the world by storm. Previously, Seattle’s Queensrÿche and Heart had ruled the heavy metal realm. And prior to that, The Wailers, The Kingsmen, Paul Revere and The Raiders, and The Sonics had all fueled local teen dances with garage-rock versions of the region’s signature song, “Louie Louie.”
Yet these iconic bands are only half the story. In this talk, join author Peter Blecha to discover the lesser-known but vitally important bands and scenes that laid the foundation for what was to come—finally connecting all the dots between the fabled Northwest era of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Jimi Hendrix, and the R&B-spiked roots of a distinct regional artform: the “Original Northwest Sound.”
Peter Blecha (he/him) is the director of the Northwest Music Archives, an award-winning author, a founding curator at MoPop, and a longtime staff historian at HistoryLink.org. Blecha’s newest book, Stomp and Shout: R&B and the Origins of Northwest Rock and Roll, draws on his deep knowledge as a leading expert on Pacific Northwest music history to chronicle both well-known and overlooked icons of the early Northwest Sound. Blecha lives in Seattle.
Go here to register to get the viewing link.
Another incident of early morning gunfire, according to a summary provided by Seattle Police, this time targeting a residence:
At 0121 hours, callers reported that shots had been fired in the 9400 block of 27 Av SW. Upon arrival, officers located one bullet hole through the window of a residence. The occupants of the residence refused to speak with officers or cooperate with the investigation, confirming only that no one was injured. A bullet fragment was located and placed into evidence. Surveillance footage was recovered and saved for the investigation.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Almost a decade ago, after five deaths in seven years, SDOT made big changes to two miles of 35th Avenue SW, between Roxbury and Willow.
Most of the stretch had its speed limit and number of travel lanes cut. In the years since then – no fatalities, on either the rechannelized section of 35th, or the street north of there.
Originally, that was 35th SW Phase 1, and the city planned a Phase 2. But in 2018, SDOT announced it had no plans for further rechannelization, while taking pains to say that wasn’t off the table forever. Phase 2 instead encompassed some one-off changes that have been made in the ensuing years – including signals at 35th/Graham and 35th/Dawson (Camp Long), restoration of a crosswalk at 35th/Kenyon, and addition of left-turn signals at 35th/Barton.
Then last year, the north stretch of 35th resurfaced as a named project in the new Seattle Transportation Levy (briefly removed, then restored). But the description was fairly vague – the section between Alaska and Morgan was labeled a “corridor for street maintenance and modernization” and so it remained through passage of the eight-year, $1.55 billion levy. Once the post-election dust settled, we started asking SDOT about specifics, given how much interest Phase 1 had drawn last decade.
Eventually, we were connected to two longtime SDOT communicators for an online chat about the project – which they also insisted has almost zero specifics, but at least attempted to explain why. Meghan Shepard and Dan Anderson stressed that the 35th SW project is not in the “earliest group” of levy-specified projects to be planned, and so is truly at “0 percent” design and planning. Pre-election materials say the “extent” of this and other projects will be decided by a “design process,” and Shepard said there’ll be a “long lead time” – two or three years of planning.
So why was it chosen if it’s not urgent? “Same reasons as (other projects in the levy) – it’s carrying a lot of vehicles, and the pavement needs attention.” The longterm vision comes from the Seattle Transportation Plan, and the levy is expected to fund “five or six” major paving projects such as this one. Once that “design process” is launched, key decisions will be made such as whether to totally rebuild the road in concrete – as has happened with most projects in recent years, such as the Delridge repaving accompanying the RapidRide H Line conversion , and the Fauntleroy Way repaving between The Triangle and Morgan Junction 15 years ago.
Project funding will come from a $330 million bucket of levy money which will have to cover all the levy’s paving projects, Anderson said. (Two others in West Seattle were identified – Fauntleroy Way in The Triangle, part of the shelved-because-of-light-rail “Fauntleroy Boulevard” plan, and the east end of the Roxbury corridor.)
Would the Alaska-to-Morgan section of 35th, much of which has kept two travel lanes each way, be evaluated for rechannelization whenever the paving project gets going?
Yes, said Anderson: “This is what planners do.” They’ll evaluate it compared to “current standards” including bicycling and transit. They’ll also be working with Seattle Public Utilities to see if any sections need a new water main, so that all the work can be done while the road’s torn up for paving. Sidewalk repairs and crossing improvements also could be part of the eventual plan.
So who makes the ultimate decision on what will get done and when?
Every year a “levy delivery plan” will be brought to the City Council by the end of January, the SDOT reps said (the first one is due by January 31 of this year). As was the case with the now-expired Levy to Move Seattle, there also will be an oversight committee – this one hasn’t been appointed yet, but in a change from past practice, it will include a member from each council district. And the SDOT duo promised there will be “engagement” (the previous 35th projects were preceded by many community meetings, although toward the end they moved from the “presentation to audience and Q/A for all” format to the “circulate around to easels for one-on-one conversations” format).
Bottom line – though it’s called out in the Transportation Levy, 35th SW’s future remains in TBA mode.
(Recent Alki scene, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s today’s list – highlights of what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from our Event Calendar, where you can preview what’s happening days, weeks, even months ahead:
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Long-distance advocacy via handwritten postcards sent to voters in other states – the work continues post-election – drop in 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all welcome.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: First lunch meeting of 2025, noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), with guest speaker King County Executive Dow Constantine; also, a tribute to WSB co-founder Patrick Sand.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
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.
WEST SEATTLE PRESCHOOL FAIR (WSB sponsor): Meet reps from 15 area preschools, all in one place, the Hope Lutheran School North Campus gym (4100 SW Genesee) – no preregistration required, admission is free, drop in between 5:30 and 7 pm. Our preview has the list of preschools planning to participate.
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO CLUB: 6 pm, first class of 2025, at High Point Community Center. All levels welcome. (6920 34th SW)
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: 6:15 meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the free weekly track run.
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).
TIDEPOOLING: Join Seattle Parks at Me-Kwa-Mooks (4500 block Beach Drive SW), 7 pm, to walk across the street and explore tidepools, 7-9 pm. Preregistration and fee required – do that here.
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: Now 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) … Just added; Trivia Tuesdays at Christos on Alki, 7:15 pm (2508 Alki SW).
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Two boys’ varsity home games tonight. Chief Sealth IHS hosts Seattle Academy (2600 SW Thistle); West Seattle HS hosts Garfield (3000 California SW), both at 7:30 pm.
Hosting an event? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering David Benton, and sharing this with his community:
David Benton, a long-time resident of West Seattle, passed away at his home on December 5th, 2024.
Dave was born in February 1948 and was one of the eldest children in his family. His parents were committed missionaries, and in his youth, he traveled as far as Afghanistan with his family. As a young man, he was drafted and served in Vietnam as an avionics technician with the Marine Corps. This training reinforced his skills and sharpened the mechanical aptitude that served him well throughout his life and career.
He lived in many places on the west coast, from Southern California to Alaska, fishing in the Gulf for a spell. He met his future wife Linnea while living in Newport Beach, California, and relocated to West Seattle in 1990, eventually moving to their home in Alki, where they raised their son Erik.
Dave enjoyed his work as a specialty service mechanic working with doors and entryways for local companies and was often the expert called in to assist with troublesome problems. He also used his skills on many home improvements, as well as problem solving and repairs for family, friends, and sometimes complete strangers in need!
Dave and his family enjoyed vacationing. His recollections as the captain of a time-share catamaran voyaging throughout Puget Sound from Gig Harbor to the San Juans with Linnea, Erik, and Linnea’s brother John, were among his finest memories. Dave’s family enjoyed spending summer weeks in Cannon Beach and exploring the surrounding parks and neighboring towns. Mauna Kea in Hawaii was also a favorite family getaway. Dave’s wife Linnea passed away in 2013.
The final years of Dave’s life were a time of peace and contentment. He cherished the time spent with his son Erik and was grateful for his long-time friends and the love and support of his girlfriend Clairie. Dave is survived by his son, two brothers, and a sister.
His tribute wall is at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/David-Benton
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
7:45 AM: Texter reports stalled car on eastbound bridge just past curve.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Monday’s forecast sunshine never showed up. Today, patchy early morning fog is expected to precede clouds, with a high in the mid-40s. Sunrise/sunset – 7:56 am and 4:35 pm.
TRANSIT
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Tillikum as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.
ROAD WORK
*SDOT warns you may see work trucks parked on the high bridge while crews wrap up planned work inside.
*One last mention: The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project shifted traffic flow to the outside lanes last Tuesday as planned, and removed the temporary crosswalk at 39th. Fairmount Avenue remains closed beneath the bridge until the entire project wraps up.
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.
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!
By Aspen Anderson
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Director Andy Yardy, a West Seattle resident, shares the inspiring journey of world-class runner, coach, and former longtime West Seattleite Doris Brown Heritage in his documentary “Last Lap,” having its first local public screening this Thursday.
The film chronicles Heritage’s rise from running on the beach as a child to becoming one of the world’s fastest women –and includes scenes from Alki Beach, not far from her former home in the Fairmount Ravine area.
“People need to hear her story so they can pursue their passion, whether it’s running or something else,” Yardy told WSB in a phone conversation.
After two years of work, “Last Lap” premiered at several film festivals this summer, winning the “Best Washington-Made Film” award at the Gig Harbor Film Festival — Heritage’s hometown. The documentary also won the 2024 “Best Audience Choice Documentary Feature Film” at the Seattle Film Festival.
This Thursday, January 9, at 7 pm, the Seattle premiere will take place on a double bill at SIFF Cinema Uptown in Queen Anne, followed by a Q&A with Heritage and Yardy. Additional screenings will be held on Saturday, January 11, at 1 pm, 4 pm, and 7 pm at the SIFF Film Center downtown. The 46-minute documentary features footage of Seattle, including Alki Beach and Discovery Park, where more than 50 of Heritage’s fans and former athletes she coached joined her for a memorable run.
“That’s the point that pulls everything together,” Yardy said, reflecting on the rainy scene at Discovery Park. “She [Heritage] talks about that day as one of her favorite days of her life.”
Despite being a champion runner — she made history by winning the International Cross Country Championships five consecutive years from 1967 to 1971 and was the first woman to run an indoor mile in under five minutes — Heritage never earned an Olympic medal, a point Yardy found compelling.
“She was kind of the B-list Olympian,” Yardy said. “She was the best runner in the world, but she never got a medal at the Olympics.”
Heritage competed in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where she placed fifth in the 800 meters, and the 1972 Munich Olympics. Her coaching career at Seattle Pacific University spanned more than three decades; at SPU, she helped shape the careers of numerous athletes and assisted the U.S. women’s team at the 1984 Summer Olympics and the 1987 World Championships. In 1976, Heritage was named “Washington’s Woman of the Year” by the Washington State Legislature. She lived in West Seattle 1977-2017 with husband Ralph Heritage (a West Seattle High School graduate) and now lives in Stanwood. (Read more of her life’s story here.)
(Photo courtesy Andy Yardy, who’s at left with producer Andrea Groenink, Ralph Heritage, Doris Brown Heritage)
Yardy hopes his documentary will inspire cross-country teams and coaches. While the film currently has no public wide-release date, it is expected to be available on Amazon Prime in the future.
Tickets to the upcoming Seattle screenings are free and can be obtained here.
(Thanks to Frank for the tip on this!)
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