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  • Holiday Guide

    HOLIDAY GUIDE: All the WS info you need

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    YOUR OPINION WANTED: How was Sat. night @ Alki?

  • New biz

    FINALLY CONFIRMED: This space’s new biz

VIDEO: Daiso opens at Westwood Village
June 1, 2024 12:46 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

People were lined up waiting to be the first customers for Daiso‘s new Westwood Village store when it opened its doors at 9 this morning. It was an exciting day for the staff, too:

Never been to a Daiso store? Inside, you’ll find generally inexpensive items both practical and fun:

The new store is in the combined space previously occupied by two businesses – Fresh Vitamins (which closed six years ago) and SportClips (which closed last year).

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Gator Fair at Gatewood Elementary
June 1, 2024 12:03 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos)

Gatewood Elementary is one of the places to be on this busy Saturday – they’re welcoming everyone to this year’s Gator Fair – lots of fun and games:

Other community groups are participating too – the Morgan Community Association is there to remind everyone about the Morgan Junction Community Festival two weeks from today:

The Gator Fair is on until 2:30 pm, at the Gatewood Elementary playground, 4320 SW Myrtle!

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VP visit, school-plan meeting, park music, street festival, playground party, disaster practice, 25 more for your West Seattle Saturday
June 1, 2024 6:07 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s up as your weekend begins, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – we begin with traffic alerts:

TRAFFIC ALERT #1 – VP VISIT – As we reported Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris is coming to Seattle for two campaign fundraisers this afternoon/evening, and it appears one is in West Seattle, west end of Genesee Hill, with Harris’s motorcade potentially headed this way shortly after her scheduled 3:30 pm arrival at Boeing Field. As is typical for motorcades, they mean some temporary road closures/traffic holds, so if you’re out and about in the late afternoon/evening, be patient.

TRAFFIC ALERT #2 – WHITE CENTER PRIDE STREET FESTIVAL – 16th SW will be closed to vehicles between Roxbury and SW 100th for the 11 am-11 pm street party. Festival details are on our partner site White Center Now.

Here’s what else is up:

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S FREE GROUP RUN: The store is where you and other runners will meet up for the weekly free group run at 8 am. (2743 California SW)

FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event every Saturday but please register.

DAISO GRAND OPENING: The new store at Westwood Village celebrates day 1 of its grand opening starting at 9 am today.

HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: This fall, Hope Lutheran (WSB sponsor) will open the former Seattle Lutheran HS campus as its new middle school campus, and you’re invited to come visit today during a 10 am-noon open house – details in our calendar listing. (4100 SW Genesee)

SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP: For women and non-binary people, 10 am-noon at Combat Arts Academy (5050 Delridge Way SW), by donation as a fundraiser for New Beginnings – sign up here.

DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET, WEEK THREE: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more. (9421 18th SW)

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

‘WELL-RESOURCED SCHOOLS’ MEETING: 10:30 am-noon at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), it’s the third meeting in Seattle Public Schools‘ new round of community meetings to try to explain its “well-resourced schools” concept, looking ahead to a possible proposal for elementary-school closures/consolidations.

GATOR FAIR: Gatewood Elementary invites you to its playground (4320 SW Myrtle) for games, performances, an art and science fair, and more, 10:30 am-2:30 pm, free (except for the food trucks).

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Second weekend of the season – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day, rain or shine. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

COLMAN POOL: Second weekend for the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

WSHS CAR SHOW: Third annual student-organized car show – free to visit, $10 to enter your vehicle – noon to 3;30 pm; details in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)

TALK WITH SDOT ABOUT HIGHLAND PARK WAY: Noon-5 pm, another chance to talk with SDOT about the Highland Park Way hill driving-lane-removal project – they’ll have a booth/table during the White Center Pride Street Festival, on 16th SW between Roxbury and SW 100th.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

DISASTER PRACTICE WITH THE HUBS: 1-3 pm, you’re invited to join Emergency Communication Hub volunteers outside Hope Lutheran (42nd/Oregon) as they go through a disaster-preparedness exercise – a way for neighbors to be ready to help neighbors in case of catastrophe – details in our calendar listing.

SOUNDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Music festival in Roxhill Park (29th/Barton), 1-5 pm, free, promising a “captivating lineup of performances that reflect the rich tapestry of global sound” – see full details in our calendar listing.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.

WSHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION & AFTERPARTY: Time for memories! 4-7 pm at the school, it’s the annual all-class reunion. Starting shortly afterward, go to Whisky West (6451 California SW) for the afterparty, featuring music by The Nitemates!

(added) DICK’S AT OUNCES: The Dick’s Drive-In burgers-and-shakes truck is at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 4-7 pm.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

AT THE SKYLARK: It’s a night for West Seattle bands – Full Life Crisis, The Slags, Alki Heathens at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors 7 pm, music 8 pm, $10 at the door.

BEATS: Saturday night DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Shonuph spins. (4547 California SW, alley side)

KARAOKE: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.

Planning a happening? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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UPDATE: 2 to hospital after crash on Fauntleroy Way by Lincoln Park
June 1, 2024 1:20 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Screengrab from SDOT camera near crash scene)

1:20 AM: Thanks for the tip. Fauntleroy Way is blocked both ways by the north Lincoln Park parking lot, after a crash. We don’t have details yet but police just reported to dispatch that several signs are down because of it.

3:06 AM: Officers have just told dispatch that Fauntleroy is open again. We still don’t know much – apparently two vehicles were involved; we’re inquiring with SFD about injuries, but only one engine was dispatched, usually an indication that injuries, if any, weren’t major.

2:30 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB that two women were taken to the hospital by AMR ambulance, both in stable condition when transported, one 21, one 22.

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Preschoolers close busy salmon-release season on Fauntleroy Creek
May 31, 2024 11:47 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog

This afternoon, preschoolers from Holy Rosary School capped one of the busiest salmon-release seasons on Fauntleroy Creek since the first, in 1991.

Between April 28 and May 31, volunteers with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council hosted 720 students and 250 adults for 19 releases that introduced 2,000+ coho fry to the creek.

The total included about 400 fry reared by volunteer Jack Lawless to ensure that, even if a school lost a lot of fish, every student would have at least one to put in the water. His fish also enabled children from Holy Rosary, three other area preschools, and members of Scout Troop 284 to have a salmon-release experience.

During elementary-school releases, students explored habitat in Fauntleroy Park, and one group went on to Lincoln Park to hear the stewardship story behind Bruun Idun, the troll sculpture.

(Releases went on regardless of the weather – here, fish dipper Dennis Hinton assisted Highland Park Elementary 4th graders – photo by Tom Trulin)

“It was a very busy but rewarding season with quite a variety of enthused students,” said Dennis Hinton. Shannon Ninburg and Tom Trulin joined him in making up the release team, and six new watershed volunteers gave a hand.

Release fry and those from last fall’s spawning are now feeding primarily on aquatic-insect larva in the creek. Those that find enough food and protection will head to saltwater next spring as smolts (teenagers). From mid-March to mid-May this year, volunteers used net traps in the upper and lower creek to document 30 smolts en route to nearshore habitat in Fauntleroy Cove.

“Fry released at the big bridge in the park will linger there for a few weeks, so come have a look,” Dennis said. “Given the life cycle of these fish, the creek has salmon in it year round, so remember to help protect them by keeping dogs out of the water and leaving limbs where they are in the creek.”

(WSB photo)

Next up for the general public: the annual drumming in October to call in spawners and, if it’s successful, a weekend “open creek.”

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NEXT WEEKEND: Nationally renowned team invites you to a jump-rope show in West Seattle
May 31, 2024 9:00 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Rain City Ropeworks team members in 2023 world competition, photo courtesy Zack Hill)

Before they travel for national competition, West Seattle’s award-winning Rain City Ropeworks jump-rope team invites you to their show next weekend – Sunday, June 9, 2:30 pm at Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee) – here’s the invitation!

Join us for our annual Jump Rope Community Show, featuring the dynamic performances of the the Rain City Ropeworks Jump Rope Team! This family-friendly event will feature exciting routines from all team members, including members of our national team who will be traveling to Utah to compete in June. Enjoy fun audience activities, meet the team, and participate in our silent auction with fabulous items from our wonderful community sponsors. Plus, there will be other fun giveaways! You won’t want to miss this event!

Get tickets here; help us meet our fundraising goals here.

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BIZNOTES: Daiso’s grand opening; Kneighborhood Knives’ return; HomeStreet Bank x M & M Balloons; new wellness spa
May 31, 2024 6:12 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTES: Daiso’s grand opening; Kneighborhood Knives’ return; HomeStreet Bank x M & M Balloons; new wellness spa
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Four quick biznotes:

DAISO’S OPENING WEEKEND: You might see some commotion at Westwood Village tomorrow morning – the good kind. It’s opening weekend for the long-anticipated Daiso store, starting at 9 am Saturday and 10 am Sunday, with incentives for the first 100 people to spend $30, as noted on the door signage, so lines are likely. We first reported last July that Daiso was on the way.

KNEIGHBORHOOD KNIVES: Back in April, traditional whetstone-using knife sharpener Genevieve brought her Kneighborhood Knives sharpening business to Hotwire Coffee (4410 California SW), and she told us it was her most successful pop-up ever. So she’s coming back Monday (June 3), 8 am-3 pm. Just show up with your knife/knives, and she’ll sharpen them, $10 each.

HOMESTREET BANK X M & M BALLOONS: Every month, HomeStreet Bank-West Seattle (41st/Alaska; WSB sponsor) spotlights a local business or nonprofit. This month, it’s been M & M Balloon Company, whose co-proprietor Susan Lindsay visited the branch Thursday:

She’s pictured above with HomeStreet’s Andrew Tento. As happens each month, branch visitors can enter a free drawing for a prize from the spotlighted business, so Susan chose the winning ticket for a balloon arrangement.

NEW WELLNESS SPA: One of West Seattle’s newest small businesses emailed us to announce they’re open. Emma Hetnar has opened the private wellness spa Revitalize in Highland Park. She explains, “After overcoming my own battle with chronic illness, I was inspired to create a space where others could come to relax and heal, using the same equipment that I used in my personal healing journey. These treatments have played a pivotal role in my own healing and I am passionate about sharing their transformative benefits with others.” They’re explained on the Revitalize website, which is also where you’ll find information on contacting the spa for appointments.

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UTILITIES: Power outage, brown water in Arbor Heights
May 31, 2024 5:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Two utility notes, both from readers in Arbor Heights:

ARBOR HEIGHTS POWER OUTAGE: Thanks for the texted tip about a 13-customer outage:

Seattle City Light blames it on “equipment failure.”

ARBOR HEIGHTS BROWN WATER: Thanks to Mark for the report about “brown water near 37th Ave and 97th St” early this afternoon. No emergencies today so likely hydrant testing again, but always report it to Seattle Public Utilities‘ 24/7 hotline, 206-386-1800.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Alki break-in suspect charged; backpack stolen in Upper Morgan
May 31, 2024 3:12 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two Crime Watch reports:

(WSB photo, Sunday morning)

ALKI BREAK-IN SUSPECT CHARGED: The man arrested last Sunday allegedly trying to break into an Alki residence is now charged. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 47-year-old Sergey Y. Maslov of Puyallup with attempted first-degree burglary. The charging documents confirm what commenters said that day – that the victim is a police officer, off-duty at the time this happened. Prosecutors say he called 911 saying the suspect was armed with a knife, trying to break into his residence, and threatening to kill him – a threat that the calltaker heard during the 911 call. Arriving officers are reported to have found the resident and the suspect in the back yard. Maslov is reported to have told officers, after his arrest, that he was looking for a pump for his bicycle – and he asked them to retrieve a laptop he was charging in the building’s laundry room. The victim told investigating officers that while he was armed with his service revolver, he never pointed it at Maslov, though he said he did identify himself as a police officer at one point. The charging documents say Maslov has no history of felony convictions but has theft, trespass, obstruction, and drug charges “pending.” He remains in the King County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. There is no mention in these documents of the other cases possibly linked to Maslov, noted in our previous followup – except a mention that the officer whose home he allegedly tried to break into had been among those responding to a similar Admiral incident a day earlier in which Maslov is suspected.

UPPER MORGAN BACKPACK THEFT: Jessica hopes you can watch for this, in case it turns up tossed aside somewhere:

My son’s school backpack was taken from my car this morning. It had his Highline school laptop in it. I don’t think he’s ever left it in the car, and I usually double check that I’ve locked the doors before I go to bed. It must have been the perfect storm of mistakes. It’s gray and from CabinZero and had a bunch of Spanish homework in it.

Here’s a stock photo of a similar backpack.

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FOLLOWUP: Seattle Public Library tech trouble continues
May 31, 2024 2:29 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

The Seattle Public Library has published another update on its tech troubles, blamed on a “ransomware event” first disclosed Tuesday. Here’s one major point:

As of Friday morning, May 31, all e-book and e-audiobook holds for Library patrons have been paused. You will not lose the holds you currently have, and you will keep your current place in the queue. Your e-book and e-audiobook holds will remain paused until access to our services is securely restored. We do not have an estimate for when that will occur, but we are working diligently to bring services back online.

SPL says you can check out physical materials but you can’t yet return them, so hold onto whatever you have until they say they’re ready – SPL promises to “update due dates once our systems are securely restored.” Go here to see the full current list of which services are available and which are not.

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UPDATE: Signs point to Vice President Kamala Harris visiting West Seattle on Saturday
May 31, 2024 12:16 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

12:16 PM: Thanks for the tips! All signs point to Vice President Kamala Harris including a West Seattle stop when she visits the area Saturday.

First we got reader reports about a block of NO PARKING signs along 55th SW on Genesee Hill for unspecified “special events” on Saturday. This is a block east of a residence owned by the listed hosts of a reception for Vice President Harris, as published by the Northwest Progressive Institute. While out sleuthing this, we happened onto a group of State Patrol motorcycles in The Junction …

and followed them all the way to the listed fundraiser hosts’ neighborhood, where they were talking with neighbors.

What we don’t know yet is what time on Saturday the vice president is expected to visit; she’s in San Diego today. The airspace notice for Seattle is from 1:15 pm tomorrow to 8:30 pm tomorrow. As is standard with presidential/vice presidential visits, watch for short-term road closures.

9:09 PM: Her official schedule is out now. She’s due to leave LA at 1:15 pm, arrive at Boeing Field at 3:30 pm, speak at her first stop at 4:35 pm (we believe that’s the one in WS) and at a second event at 6 pm, flying back to LA at 7:05 pm.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Cascadia Fresh Market expands hours, reminds you ‘Free Fridge is for everyone’
May 31, 2024 11:49 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Cascadia Fresh Market)

Three weeks after opening at 5444 Delridge Way SW, neighborhood food store Cascadia Fresh Market is expanding its hours! Here’s the announcement we just received from co-proprietor Jill Moore, including a reminder/clarification about the store’s “Free Fridge“:

We have decided to simplify/expand our hours to be open EVERY DAY from 10 am – 7 pm at Cascadia Fresh Market.

It’s a big ask to get people to change their current shopping habits and instead decide to utilize our neighborhood market. To make it as easy as possible to figure us into any routine, we are expanding our hours to 10 am – 7 pm every single day.

I also want to remind Delridgians about our “Free Fridge,” sponsored by the West Seattle Food Bank. Note that aim of the Free Fridge is to make sure no good food is wasted – therefore, the free items are for everyone who eats food. We believe it’s our community responsibility to use food well, and taking a free banana (with some brown spots) and a green pepper (with perhaps some shoulder withering) is an act of climate heroism as well as a perfectly legitimate way to feed yourself. Many people do not think to use the free refrigerator because they kindly want to save the food for those with higher food-support needs. While that is a lovely thought, we want you to know there is enough food to discard that worry instead of the food. The Fresh Market always generates new refrigerator inputs (nature is on its own schedule). If the free refrigerator were being consistently emptied by folks, we would bring additional food for donation from our Auburn warehouse – similar to the way we filled Carrot Man’s Carrot Stand during the pandemic. There is enough affordable food to buy enthusiastically at the market, AND to take for free from the Free Fridge anytime you see something useful for your meal. The Free Fridge is for everyone, and utilizing it keeps the food fresher for all.

In addition to fresh, affordable food – and many other items too, as shown in our story from its first week – the Cascadia Fresh Market plan includes support for local schools. Its proprietors – who own Cascadia Produce – are committed to at least a four-month trial period so they’re hoping you’ll come shop and prove the need for a permanent place in Delridge to buy good food.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Athlete of the Week honors for member of West Seattle High School’s state-champion baseball team
May 31, 2024 11:09 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Just days after the West Seattle High School baseball team won the 3A state championship (WSB coverage here), one of its seniors has received Athlete of the Week honors from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. Here’s how WIAA announced it:

CADEN FAHY – WEST SEATTLE BASEBALL (SR)

(Photo by Joe Christian for WSB, from WSHS state semifinal victory over Eastside Catholic)

West Seattle senior Caden Fahy earned first-team All-Metro League honors this past week. Fahy helped the Wildcats win the Metro Championship and come out victorious in their first two games of the 3A State Baseball Championships. Over the past three games, throughout the Metro Championship and two games at State, Fahy had 11 at-bats, coming away with two singles, four doubles, and four runs. He also took the mound at the end of his last game, earning a save and helping his team move on to the 3A Semifinal game.

The Wildcats went on to win that game and last Saturday’s championship game vs. Mount Vernon. As noted here earlier this week, a community celebration for the champs is planned Monday (June 3), 5 pm, at the WSHS gym (3000 California SW).

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10 notes for your West Seattle Friday
May 31, 2024 10:17 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Majestic Mt. Rainier, photographed from West Seattle on Thursday by Molly Al-Jawad)

Here’s what’s happening – right now and in the hours ahead – from the WSB inbox and Event Calendar:

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, until 3 pm.

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. Free! (1100 SW Cloverdale)

VISCON CELLARS: The tasting room/wine bar is open tonight for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

AT THE SKYLARK: Teenage Graffiti, Fleabag, Atmospheric River, Ella Curtis. 7 pm, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Cello X at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW), 7 pm, no cover.

SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

DJ AT REVELRY ROOM: DJ Chocolate Chick, 9 pm-1 am! (4547 California SW)

ROCK-N-ROLLER SKATE: “Make It Loud!” returns at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), roller skating to live bands, featuring Lemon Boy, Queen Chimera, Cottage Corpse. $18 cover, $5 skate.

LATE-NIGHT SINGING: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

REMINDER – EARLY CLOSING TIME CONTINUES AT ALKI: Through late September, the park officially closes at 10:30 pm.

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering David P. Nelson Sr., 1937-2024
May 31, 2024 9:00 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Dave Nelson and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Dave Nelson
1937~2024

It is with sadness and heavy hearts we report the passing of David “Dave” P. Nelson Sr. on May 5, 2024.

A longtime West Seattle resident, Dave is well known from his years as operator of Seacrest Marina and Boathouse.

Dave was born in Renton to Jasper and Grace Nelson, and grew up in Black Diamond alongside his siblings Les, Chuck, and Linnie. His Uncle Les, who would later teach him boat building, often took him out fishing and hunting in the wilds. (Like Dave once said, “If you wanted meat in those days, you went hunting.”) Those experiences, together with the time he spent with his grandfather up in Alaska, likely cemented his life-long love of the outdoors. One of his favorite stories was his ultimate achievement out bow hunting: He decided to sneak up on a dozing buck and take it down with a knife; at the last second he reached out, tapped it with his fingers, and watched it bound off into the brush. What trophy could top that?

Dave was drafted into the Army in Sept. of 1957; the first thing he learned was that the Army doesn’t mess around when they serve notice. The way he told the story, he went down to the Army office, slammed his draft notice down on the desk with a “You can’t take me! I’m in school!” and then stormed out. They replied by grabbing him off the street and throwing him on the bus for boot camp. Not one of his favorite stories. Still, like everything else he put his mind to, he excelled. He was trained as an aviation mechanic with a specialty in recon helicopters before being transferred to Fort Lewis. He served as crew chief from July 1958 until February 1959, earning a Good Conduct medal, and then as crew chief in the U.S. Army Reserve until his Honorable Discharge in August 1963.

Besides being a mechanic, Dave was also an accomplished shipwright. He worked for and learned the trade from his Uncle Les at Nelson & Hanson Boat Works from 1969 to 1978; his collection of blueprints, photos, and descriptions of boats built there are testament to how much Uncle Les and that work meant to him. He worked at Lake Union Drydock on large ships, where he again ended up running a crew. One of the ships that benefited from his expertise was the steamer Virginia V. This historic wooden vessel, still in operation on Lake Union, was one of the last of the Northwest’s “Mosquito Fleet” of steamers that served the communities on Puget Sound in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the ’70s and ’80s, Dave helped run K & H Research Inc. developing oil spill booms; he also managed Nor-Westerly Inc., a fiberglass manufacturer. But most everyone knows Dave from Seacrest down on Elliott Bay. He took over Lloyd’s Boathouse and Seacrest Marina in 1972, keeping the doors of that historical wooden building and its 150 boat slips open until 1980 when the city closed it. That’s the Dave most people knew: Behind the counter, chatting with people about where the fish were biting, heading out to the boat lift to run someone’s boat down to or out of the water, heading upstairs to get some work done on a boat, manhandling rental boats and running them out of or down to the water on the railroad track-like rails he built (and that are still in use). And doing most of the mechanical maintenance to keep all the machinery and rental boat engines up and running — with help from all those who wanted to give him a hand the same way he readily helped them when they needed it.

Once the city closed the old building, he operated Seacrest Boathouse out of a trailer and shipping container until the current building was completed in 1989. Through hard work and self-sacrifice he kept the doors open on the last of the 35 original boathouses in Elliott Bay, and the last place you could rent a boat to go fishing. In doing so he helped the Tengu Club, founded by Japanese fishermen in the 1900s, continue their long and storied tradition of Sunday fishing derbies in the depth of winter that began in 1932 — Sunday noodles with the Tengu fishermen in the Boathouse was the stuff of legend. He also supported the local chapters of numerous clubs helping preserve and protect the fisheries of the local Bay and rivers: Trout Unlimited, the Seattle Poggie Club, the West Seattle Sportsmen Club, and the Puget Sound Anglers. Dave also worked hands-on with the Pacific Northwest Steelheaders Association in their efforts to repopulate the sound and its rivers with salmon. Young salmon from the hatchery were kept in the Boathouse pens for several months so they could imprint on the Duwamish River before their release. No one who witnessed the salmon smolt boiling up in the pen while feeding could ever forget that sight. In the same way the hundreds of young people who participated in the Kids’ Derbies, or anyone joining any of the other fishing derbies run out of Seacrest, including the Seattle Police and Fire departments, would never forget Seacrest or Dave. Washington State Fisheries, NOAA, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the University of Washington Department of Oceanography all conducted fishery research from Seacrest. And everyone appreciated the appealing food service he, Edie Cooper, and her daughter Katrina put together in the new building when it was completed.

Behind the scenes, one of Dave’s less obvious talents was fishing herring. That’s a forever memory — heading out after dark with Dave on his custom-built herring boat, getting a lesson in spotting and netting herring balls, off-loading a successful catch into the Boathouse herring pens. And then scooping them out again at 3:30 in the morning to bag them up for the fisherfolk heading out for that dawn bite, armed with their fresh herring and a cup of thick, black boathouse mud to keep them awake. (Herring scales no extra charge.) Seacrest was the last place in the Bay where you could get fresh and live herring, and it was thanks to the time and effort Dave put into keeping those herring and pens in such good shape. It is truly astounding, all of things Dave did for the fishing community.

He retired from the Boathouse at the end of 1993; the fishing restrictions and closures that are good for the salmon were not kind to the boathouse business. To honor his hard work and perseverance and to show their love and appreciation, key individuals in the fishing community worked to have January 22, 1994 proclaimed Dave P. Nelson Day by the King County Executive, the Seattle Mayor, and, most meaningfully to Dave, the Tengu Club.

Dave was married to his first wife Sharon until 1980; they had four children Dave loved very much. He married Edie Cooper in December of 1994, and in the early 2000s they retired up to their dream property on Whidbey Island. There Dave stayed busy taking care of their 10 acres which included a large garden and small apple orchard, feeding the resident deer population every morning and evening, sharing his love of nature and fishing with Edie’s grandchildren, fishing out of his boat while he was able and off the shore after. True to his nature, Dave took care of Edie at home during her long bout with Parkinson’s until shortly before her passing in 2018.

He was also preceded in death by his brother Chuck Carter, beloved sister Linnie Griffith, oldest son Eric, and daughter Rose Donavick. He is survived by Rose’s husband Mark Donavick; brother Les; son David Jr. and his two children; daughter Lorna Osterbeck, her husband, their two children and grandchild; nieces and nephews; and Edie’s four children, Jerry Strassburg, Katrina Barmuta, Karl Strassburg, and Kevin Varden, and their spouses, children and grandchildren.

Dave lived a long and full life, and touched so many with his kindness and generosity. He will be missed by all, and forever in our thoughts.

(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)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: May’s final day, + weekend alerts
May 31, 2024 6:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: May’s final day, + weekend alerts
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, May 31.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high in the upper 60s.. (Watch the extended forecast, currently: “A late-season atmospheric river will bring moderate to heavy precipitation from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday across all of western Washington.”) Today’s sunrise was at 5:15 am; sunset will be at 8:58 pm.

WEEKEND ALERTS

*The White Center Pride Street Festival will close 16th SW between Roxbury and SW 100th for most of Saturday.

*From WSDOT: “The right lane on SR 99 northbound at milepost 27.17 near the First Avenue Bridge will close beginning at 6:00 am until about 1:00 pm on (Saturday).”

=ONGOING ROAD WORK

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.

*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:

STADIUM ZONE

If you’re going through SODO tonight, note that the Mariners play the Angels, 7:10 pm, with fireworks afterward.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. And since it’s Friday, sailings run later into the night.

Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route, although there was some crewing doubt last night, so be sure to check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is. … Work at the Southworth terminal is continuing to close some lanes there.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Low bridge: Open.

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

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

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 open for vessel traffic. (The low bridge has been reconnected to the feed, too.)

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!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police investigate gunfire
May 30, 2024 10:37 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

ORIGINAL REPORT: Police responding to suspected gunfire in North Delridge have just told dispatch that they’ve found evidence – shell casings on the one-lane bridge across Longfellow Creek near 28th SW and SW Nevada [map]. There’s a report that someone saw a person in a vehicle firing a gun, possibly a dark SUV. No injuries reported so far.

ADDED MONDAY: Police finally released a bit of additional information – that they found a total of three casings. No injuries or damage otherwise.

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FOLLOWUP: Here’s how Councilmember Saka’s survey about transportation-levy priorities turned out
May 30, 2024 10:10 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

ORIGINAL THURSDAY NIGHT REPORT: As a City Council committee led by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka continues reviewing the proposed transportation-levy renewal/expansion, Saka has released results of his survey about levy priorities. We published the participation link back in early April. He told his email-newsletter list today that more than 1,800 people took the survey; here’s how that broke out geographically:

Here’s how he wrote about and showed the results:

Of the high-level survey responses, the categories of “Street Repaving” (including filling potholes!), “Bridge Maintenance and Repair” (not surprising given the extended closure of the West Seattle bridge!) and “Safe Crossings, More and Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Better Lighting, Safe Routes to Schools” tied for the top combined first, second, and third choices of respondents.

I do understand that the categories of Personal Safety, Pedestrian Lighting at Stops, and, More Transit Routes & Stops, and New Sidewalks also ranked high and is strongly corroborated by the many qualitative comments.

And while other categories may not have ranked as high, they will likely be included in the final proposed Transportation Levy package – all which will be ultimately for the voters to decide on this Fall’s ballot.

The graph below shows the categorization of some of the major qualitative comments received. I read the many comments which, together with the quantitative survey results, will help inform my Office and guide my decisionmaking as we move forward together.

Soon, I will be sharing my draft “Chair’s Amendment” to the Mayor’s proposed Transportation Levy renewal package and this information will be available on Council’s website.

In the meantime, Councilmember Saka notes that one public hearing and four other meetings – all of which also include public-comment periods – remain for levy consideration:

June 4, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting

June 4, 4:30 PM | Second Public Hearing

June 18, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting

July 2, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting

July 9, 2:00 PM | Full Council Meeting – Final Adoption of Proposed Levy Package to go before Voters in November 2024 General Election

Agendas explain how to comment, and will appear on this page when posted.

ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: A new council memo details key points of Saka’s aforementioned levy amendment, though the specific text is not yet available.

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FOLLOWUP: Healthy Street additions ‘not responsive to our concerns,’ says Alki Point For All
May 30, 2024 7:52 pm
|      82 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(SDOT current/future cross-section comparison, from project webpage)

For the first time since SDOT announced last Friday that it would proceed with the Alki Point Healthy Street plan, adding a few features, we’re hearing from the group that had been fighting the plan. Alki Point For All says it wants to clarify that the SDOT changes did not constitute a compromise. Here’s their statement:

Last week the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced that it is proceeding with construction at Alki Point, with changes based on community feedback, including ours. To clear up any confusion caused by that announcement, the changes are not responsive to our concerns. SDOT has not addressed the substantive issues we have raised regarding the harmful impact of this project on social equity, safety, and marine education and conservation. At a recent meeting we encouraged SDOT to consider solutions that would better meet the needs of the wider community, while still achieving its goals. The small cosmetic changes announced last week bear little resemblance to the ideas we proposed, as described below.

1. Transformative Art. We encouraged SDOT to consider street art as way to organically slow traffic and increase safety. Bloomberg Philanthropies has proven this concept in projects all over the country: Asphalt Art Initiative and Asphalt Art Safety Study. We suggested that local artists like the Youngstown Arts Collective could be engaged to create the design. In piloting this approach, Alki Point could serve as a model for other Healthy Streets, and bring communities together rather than dividing them. Instead, SDOT will add decorative art to their existing design — missing the point, and the opportunity.

2. Welcome Signs. We proposed replacing the Street Closed signs with signs that said “Welcome to Constellation Marine Reserve. Go Slow.” The goal of that change was to alert drivers they are entering a special place, and encourage (or require) them to slow down, while at the same time welcoming the public to use a public space. SDOT liked our idea for “Welcome” signs, but plans to install them in addition to, not instead of, the Street Closed signs. It’s hard to imagine a more confusing message: welcome, and stay away.

3. Bus Parking. SDOT’s solution is insufficient for the need—the spaces they’ve identified are too small. When students come to Alki Point for field trips, the number of busses can range from two to nineteen. We recommended that SDOT contact schools to determine the actual need.

4. Time / Area Closures. Instead of a permanent “rolling” lane, we proposed using time and area closures such as car-free Sundays. Shorter temporary closures would be safer for people who want to recreate in the street, and allow more people to access the area year-round. That suggestion was ignored.

In October 2022, SDOT announced its preferred design for Alki Point, which called for the loss of five parking spaces on Alki Ave SW. In December 2023, the agency revealed its final design, which for the first time included the addition of a “rolling” lane and the loss of 62 parking spaces along the west side Beach Drive. These significant changes were made too late for public comment, without stakeholder notification or engagement, and in violation of their own guidelines for Healthy Streets.

SDOT has broken faith with its constituents in both how its decisions were made and how they are described. This latest announcement is more of the same. We expect more from a city that values transparency and accountability in governing. Nearly 1800 people have signed our petition asking the Mayor to halt this project.

So beyond this statement, what does the coalition plan to do? we asked on followup. Spokesperson Donna Sandstrom replied, “We are considering our next steps. Our goal in writing this was to set the public record straight – SDOT’s announcement created a false impression that they were responsive to community feedback. They were not. For now we are still encouraging people to sign our petition. We’re working on a website and reaching out to the people who came to our meeting. We see this as the first leg of a relay. We didn’t achieve our first goal of halting construction, but we are confident that this wrong will be righted in the long run.” She says the group also is heartened that City Councilmember Rob Saka has pledged to evaluate the project in the fall. Meantime, SDOT said earlier this week that construction of the permanent features, including a walking-and-rolling path replacing waterfront parking spots, will resume as soon as this Saturday (June 1).

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FOLLOWUP: Seattle Parks updates on pickleball and tennis
May 30, 2024 3:57 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

(October 2023 WSB photo of Lincoln Park ex-site)

One week after Seattle Parks announced it had ditched the plan for converting former tennis courts in Lincoln Park to pickleball courts, it’s out with a citywide update on pickleball and tennis, including a reiteration of its Lincoln Park intentions, and a bit about Solstice Park (both of which we’ve boldfaced below for emphasis):

Seattle Parks and Recreation is excited to announce several developments based on the 2022 Outdoor Pickleball Study and the recent 2024 SPR Pickleball and Tennis Vision presented to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners …

… First and foremost, SPR is announcing the establishment of two sport-specific hubs: Green Lake Park (East Courts) will be a dedicated pickleball hub, and Lower Woodland Park (Lower Courts) will be a dedicated tennis hub! These two locations are excellent models for the start of sport-specific hubs in the city. SPR will use these models to pilot new initiatives as we refine the “hub specific” model for implementation elsewhere.

Additionally, the Belltown Pickleball Courts at the intersection of 5th Ave. and Taylor Ave. are now conducting a “Quiet-Paddles” only pilot. Players must use their own paddles – or check out a loaner paddle from nearby businesses – that meets criteria for Quiet-Category paddles certified by USA Pickleball. These products deliver essentially 50 percent or less of the acoustic footprint of equipment commonly used in the play of pickleball.

SPR is moving forward with new outdoor court capital development. This summer SPR will be resurfacing and restriping the tennis courts at David Rodgers Park tennis courts, Amy Yee Tennis Center outdoor courts, and, if budget allows half the tennis courts at Solstice Park (with the other half planned for resurfacing in 2025). Additionally, we will be adding noise-reducing fence technology to the courts located at Miller Park and Laurelhurst Park to mitigate noise associated with pickleball play.

SPR will not be pursuing the proposed pickleball courts at Lincoln Park. The fence surrounding the existing court slab will be removed and the area will remain “undeveloped” until a more suitable site can be identified and agreed on by community members.

SPR has launched a new online engagement hub at Project: Racquet & Paddle Sports (seattleparksandrec.com) which will be a one-stop shop for all racquet and paddle sports in the City. The community who visit the online hub may engage with planning efforts, connect with other community members, get updates about planned events, and provide feedback on SPR’s efforts to improve and increase all racquet and paddle sports courts and programs.

Lastly, SPR is working through re-vamping the online reservation system and the “Rules of the Court” at all facilities to simplify and clarify when and how the courts are used for the sports of pickleball or tennis. Look for changes coming to the online system, as well as new signs and banners posted at courts over the next few months.

We’re seeking comment from Parks on one followup point – whether the old slab at Lincoln Park will stay or go. As for Solstice Park, it was originally scheduled for resurfacing and restriping last year – and after we learned and reported the plan to add pickleball striping, the now-scrapped Lincoln Park pickleball alternative emerged.

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BIZNOTES: More signs of change
May 30, 2024 2:38 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two more window signs of note:

TOP POT DOUGHNUTS: When we reported a month-plus ago that Top Pot Doughnuts was returning to West Seattle, we noted that sources had told us the location would be the ex-Wildflour/Flying Apron spot at 4709 California SW. Thanks to Anne for the tip that proof has appeared in the windows today:

Our photographer talked to Top Pot employees working in the space today and they said they’re hoping to be open “in a couple months.” A company spokesperson told us by email “summer.”

PEARLS: We noticed this sign, and empty windows otherwise, while passing Pearls (4800 Delridge Way SW), and stopped for a closer look:

No further info so far. We’ve added it to our watch list for future reopening.

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BIZNOTE: MOD Pizza closes West Seattle Junction location
May 30, 2024 12:31 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Thanks to Lauren for the tip and photo. MOD Pizza has closed what was its first West Seattle location, on the east side of The Junction, in The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW). Its Westwood Village location remains open. The now-closed location opened in February 2018. Besides its employees and fans, another group will be affected by the closure – the many nonprofits, sports teams, etc. for which it’s held dine-out fundraisers. The Seattle-born chain closed more than two dozen stores earlier this year, according to reports.

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MUSIC: First band announcement for Admiral Music in the Parks
May 30, 2024 12:18 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(ABBAgraphs at The Mount, WSB photo from 2019)

As noted here two weeks ago, the Admiral Neighborhood Association is relaunching its summer concert series as Admiral Music in the Parks, and has chosen three locations for this year’s three shows:

Thursday, July 18th 6:30 pm @ Belvedere Park

Thursday, July 25th 6:30 pm @ California Place Park

Thursday, August 1st 6:30 pm @ Hamilton Viewpoint

ANA has now made its first band announcement – not for the first date, but for the third – ABBAgraphs will bring the music of ABBA to the final show on August 1st! All shows are free – bring your own blanket/chair.

P.S. ANA is still seeking concert sponsors – you can contact them here to find out more about that.

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