West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • Holiday Guide

    HOLIDAY GUIDE: All the WS info you need

  • Celebration

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

  • New biz

    FINALLY CONFIRMED: This space’s new biz

Camp Branching Out, Social-Emotional Learning summer camp in West Seattle: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!
April 30, 2024 11:56 am
|    Comments Off on Camp Branching Out, Social-Emotional Learning summer camp in West Seattle: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we welcome our newest sponsor – here’s their message for you:

Equip Your Child for Life’s Adventures: Social-Emotional Learning at Camp Branching Out, Led by Madyline Ekins, M.Ed., BCBA!

Does your child struggle with managing emotions, making friends, or bouncing back from challenges? Camp Branching Out, our Social-Emotional Learning Camp led by Madyline Ekins, M.Ed., BCBA, provides a fun and engaging environment to develop essential life skills!

Madyline Ekins is a passionate expert in social-emotional learning. She holds a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis, giving her a deep understanding of how children learn and grow. For four years, Madyline honed her skills working within Seattle Public Schools, and for the past three years, she has been empowering children through social-emotional camps and after-school classes.

While primarily geared toward children aged 4-10, we understand that development varies! We may have some flexibility in this age range based on the applicant pool to ensure a positive and nurturing environment for all campers. Our primary goal is to foster an environment where this year’s campers will grow and excel in their social and emotional intelligence.

Your Child, Our Focus!

This year’s curriculum at Camp Branching Out will be crafted specifically for our campers! Once we receive applications, Madyline will carefully review the information provided by parents to identify common areas of need and focus. This ensures the camp activities directly address the most relevant social-emotional skills for this year’s unique group of campers.

Imagine your child:

Feeling calm and confident: Madyline will utilize the Zones of Regulation framework to help campers identify their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Building strong friendships: Through engaging activities and the Superflex curriculum, campers will learn communication, collaboration, and empathy, fostering lasting friendships.

Thriving in the face of obstacles: Madyline’s camp fosters resilience with activities designed to build problem-solving skills and a growth mindset.

Don’t let summer be wasted! Give your child the gift of social-emotional intelligence with Madyline Ekins‘ expertise. Enroll them today in our limited-space Social-Emotional Learning Camp at Camp Branching Out!

Spaces are filling up fast! Contact us to learn more.

We thank Madyline Ekins, M.Ed., BCBA, and Camp Branching Out for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!

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15 options for your West Seattle Tuesday
April 30, 2024 9:54 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Seen off West Seattle this morning, cruise ship Crown Princess and ferry Chimacum – photo by Rick Cocker)

Here’s what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: The Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) continues its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, Mondays through Thursdays. Classes have been added, too.

ONLINE AUCTION: Day 2 of bidding in the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s weeklong auction, as previewed here – open to all!

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

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

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

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

IN-PERSON TOASTMASTERS MEETUP: Toastmasters 832 usually meets in person but tonight they’re gathering for an in-person social at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 6 pm, and you’re invited.

FREE INTRODUCTORY ASL CLASSES: This start-any-time series continues, 6 pm at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW), info here.

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

FREE TRACK RUN: Run with your neighbors! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

RUN + MOVIE: Meet up with the Mystery Made Run Club at the shop (4312 SW Oregon) at 6:15 pm for the pre-run briefing, then the 6:30 pm run, finishing at Good Society (California/Lander) for the “Dusted” movie premiere and more.

MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).

(canceled tonight) BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm Tuesdays. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

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

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

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ART: Contribute to Chief Sealth International High School students’ creativity
April 30, 2024 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

It’s a fusion of art, chemistry, and community support! Chief Sealth International High School teacher Carolyn Autenrieth explains:

I teach Ceramics at Chief Sealth International High School, and we are gearing up for our RAKU clay event again in June! As with many of our HS Art programs, funds are usually tight, and to do this event with the wonderful folks of Seattle Pottery Supply, we have to raise an additional amount to cover expenses and clay: $750

This is our 4th time providing a wonderful experience for our students to witness art and chemistry come together in real time! We are lucky to have Eric from Seattle Pottery, who does a great job with the equipment, also engaging the students actively in the process.

Please consider donating through this link to support our event. Thank you so much.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Last day of April
April 30, 2024 6:01 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, April 30.

LOW BRIDGE HAS REOPENED

Just in case you missed the reopening Monday morning, we’ll reiterate that the West Seattle low bridge IS open again.

ROAD-WORK ALERTS

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues at Delridge/Oregon, down to two lanes:

*We didn’t get to check Monday but work was due to start on the 30th/Holden sewer-pipe project, which will narrow Holden in the area for up to five weeks.

STADIUM ZONE

The Mariners have another 6:40 pm home game tonight vs. Atlanta.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Chance of rain, then clearing, high around 55. Today’s sunrise was at 5:52 am; sunset will be at 8:21 pm.

(Clouds photographed Monday from Lincoln Park by Susan Romanenghi)

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

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

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

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

High Bridge – reminder, westbound lanes will be closed 5-9 am Sunday for the Emerald City Ride. Meantime, 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.

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: Another stolen pickup –
April 29, 2024 10:17 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

As first mentioned in a comment below tonight’s earlier attempted-pickup-theft report, Stacia‘s truck has been taken too:

Our GMC 2500 truck was stolen at around 6:30 pm on Monday outside The Bridge restaurant on California Ave. It is champagne-colored with a black canopy. There is a fire fighter sticker on the back of the truck and the license plate # is C12280X. If seen, please call police. Incident #: 24-116220.

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READER REPORT: Suspected drunk driver crashes into Upper Morgan house
April 29, 2024 9:38 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

If you’ve traveled the SW Morgan hill east of Fauntleroy in the past few days, you might have noticed that plywood. Sabrina and Jenny sent the photos with word of what happened:

An unknown driver in an SUV crashed into (our) residence, 1:30 a.m. Thursday, SW corner of SW Morgan Street and 39th Avenue SW. It was late in the evening and the hill was wet with rain.

Police response was immediate. A patrol car was driving westbound on SW Morgan Street just after it happened and we did not have time to call 911. The driver fled but was apprehended, bleeding with a head wound, tended by fire fighters and taken away in a patrol car. Had our home not been reinforced with an above-ground concrete foundation on that corner, we would have awoken to the vehicle inside our building, built in 1915.

We sustained no interior damage but have been advised by the worker who temporarily weather-proofed the corner that our home has been structurally damaged. The corner beam is splintered and askew. We are awaiting assessment from our insurance company. We thank the officers and fire fighters on the scene and ask all drivers to consider their speed while driving. The accidents of late seem to be unreasonably violent for neighborhood streets with a 25 mph speed limit.

Sabrina and Jenny sent the photos and report over the weekend; we followed up with police today, and here’s the summary they provided: “When police arrived, there was no one in the car, but the driver returned to the scene. Investigators developed probable cause to arrest a 43-year-old man for DUI. He appeared to be hurt. Seattle fire crews responded to the scene to treat him and he was then taken to the hospital for further treatment. The man was the registered owner of the vehicle. It was towed from the scene.”

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FOLLOWUP: Work continues at Lincoln Park South Play Area
April 29, 2024 8:19 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Mike Munson for the photos. In case you’ve been wondering, work continues on the Lincoln Park South Play Area project, almost seven years after the previous play structure was closed for safety concerns. Contractor L.W. Sundstrom recently concluded work on the Westcrest Park Play Area – bundled with this one for bidding – and Seattle Parks said they would then move on to focus on this.

When last we asked Parks about Lincoln Park South, spokesperson Karen O’Connor said, “We anticipate Lincoln will be completed in June.” The new play area is supposed to have a marine theme, as chosen in community meetings six years ago.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Attempted F-350 truck theft
April 29, 2024 6:17 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We’ve received reader reports of two Ford F-350 pickup trucks stolen in the past week or so, and just received this text about an attempted theft a short time ago:

Attempted theft of my 2002 F-350 at 5:20 pm in front of my house 1500 block of 45th Ave SW:

Saw thief in my truck, heard truck attempting to start, I ran outside towards my truck, thief jumped out of my truck and into silver/ champagne Honda Civic license plate CAY7778 and took off.

Police were called.

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From classroom to creek: Salmon-fry release season begins in Fauntleroy
April 29, 2024 5:32 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Field trip to Fauntleroy Creek this morning for fifth-graders from Arbor Heights Elementary, the first of this year’s Salmon in the Schools participants to release the fry they’ve been raising in tanks.

It’s been four months since volunteers Judy Pickens and Phil Sweetland coordinated getting salmon eggs from hatchery to teachers so that students could start fry-raising. Over the next month, Fauntleroy Watershed Council volunteers will team with teachers and students for 19 release visits.

Above is volunteer Dennis Hinton, one of those who helped with this morning’s Arbor Heights visit. These sunglasses factored into the event too, but not for the usual reason:

Polarized glasses helped the students see the baby fish in the water after they’re released. They’re part of a growing tradition – last year almost 1,000 people participated in the releases, the most since the first one in 1991. As for the fish, those that survive a year in the creek will head out for salt water next spring.

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HAPPENING NOW: Online auction to support Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s future as it navigates our area’s past
April 29, 2024 3:55 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Online auction to support Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s future as it navigates our area’s past
 |   How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

It’s the season for special events supporting the nonprofits that add so much to life on our peninsula. We reported on the West Seattle Food Bank‘s gala over the weekend, and next up, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society will gather supporters for a memorable evening this Friday. You can help SWSHS even if you can’t join the party in person – an online auction open to everyone is happening right now! Go here to browse what’s available – including West Seattle staycations (cottage on Alki!), a Yellowstone getaway, local tours (music tour! nature tours!), and gift cards to local shops and restaurants. Go to the SWSHS website at loghousemuseum.org to find out more about both the online auction and Friday’s gala, and to sign up for one or both!

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Watch out for otters
April 29, 2024 1:55 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Those two River Otters photographed recently by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor were seen by Anchor/Luna Park on Duwamish Head, not far from water. But otters’ dens are often far enough inland that they have to cross streets to get to them, so this is a reminder for drivers to beware: We received a report of a dead otter by the roadside near the north end of Delridge Way over the weekend. Whether or not it was hit by a driver, we don’t know, but certainly that area near the entrance to the bridge is busy and treacherous. And that area is not as far from the water as you might think, with Terminal 5 and other docks just downhill under the bridge. Otters are often seen crossing Alki Avenue, and several years back, two little ones made it all the way up Fairmount Ravine. So along with everything else to be mindful of if and when you drive – including people on foot and on wheels and in other vehicles – keep an eye out for low-to-the-ground creatures crossing. (Learn more about River Otters via this fact sheet.)

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COUNTDOWN: 12 days until West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024 on May 11
April 29, 2024 12:28 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 12 days until West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024 on May 11
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

We’re in the throes of mapmaking for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, with a record number of sales registered – more than 520! A couple notes:

-If you have just a few things to sell and nowhere to sell them, there are two registered WSCGSD sites to check with about space – Hotwire Coffee and West Seattle Eagles

-If your nonprofit is interested in post-Garage Sale Day donations of particular kinds of items, please let us know ASAP so we can include it on that particular page of our WSCGSD site

-As previously noted, the map and printable guide to all 520+ sales will be available this Saturday – one week before WSCGSD – look for the link here on WSB and at westseattlegaragesale.com

Official WSCGSD hours on Saturday, May 11, are 9 am to 3 pm, but some sellers will start earlier and/or end later, while at least 10 are adding extra days – all that info will be in their listings, on the map and in the guide. More updates ahead!

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The list for April’s final West Seattle Monday
April 29, 2024 10:57 am
|    Comments Off on The list for April’s final West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunday sunset at Constellation Park, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s happening this afternoon/evening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Reminder that expanded hours continue at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm Mondays-Thursdays.

BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!

‘LEAP OF FAITH’: Free film screening and discussion, 2 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill).

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.

FUTURE GROWTH PLAN: As previewed here last night, a special Admiral/Alki/Fauntleroy-geared briefing on the Draft One Seattle Plan – on which you can comment for one more week – is happening at 6 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill).

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “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). As always, all welcome, first-time players too.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play tonight – 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: All welcome to join free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MEDITATION ON ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community welcomes you to Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) for meditation. 7 pm.

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

KARAOKE: 9 pm brings Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Junction flower baskets arrive
April 29, 2024 10:24 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news

The Junction is in bloom. This year’s flower baskets, grown by Van Wingerden Greenhouses in Blaine, arrived this morning. Workers are hanging the ~100 baskets throughout the heart of the business district, where they’ll stay until fall.

This is the second year that the West Seattle Junction Association is using its “new” baskets, designed to use less water. A few remain available for “adoption” as a donation to help WSJA, which is a nonprofit, cover the costs – go here to do that.

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West Seattle High School’s Intersectional Feminist Club invites community support for ongoing projects
April 29, 2024 9:04 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

With less than eight weeks to go in the school year, students are looking ahead to next year while working toward the end of this one. That’s why one club at West Seattle High School is hoping for community support. The announcement and photo we were asked to share were sent by Kamil:

Hello! We are West Seattle High School’s Intersectional Feminist Club! We are a group of around 45 students dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming community in WSHS. We are committed to learning from each other and our community while honoring our individual identities through a feminist lens. Our overall goal is to empower our members and build a stronger community in WS rooted in feminism. We hold weekly meetings for all interested students. Within the past school year, we have held meetings about the history of feminism, analyzing the Barbie movie, Hour of Code, hosting book clubs, holiday cookie decorating, and more! We are most proud of our self-hosted, free Self-Defense class and our Menstrual Product Drive (2,092 products collected!), all proceeds to SODO Mary’s Place.

As we are nearing the end of the school year, we are seeking donations to operate our free self-defense class for WSHS students, help buy graduation cords to recognize our hardworking seniors, and for the upcoming school year’s activities. Any amount is greatly appreciated! Thank you for supporting WSHS’s IFC!

Donate at: schoolpay.com/pay/for/WSHS-Intersectional-Feminist-Club–Fundr/Sbk0bX4

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Monday notes; West Seattle low bridge reopens
April 29, 2024 5:55 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7 AM: The low bridge is now open.

AFTERNOON NOTE: For clarity, as inspired by comments below – At 7 am, SDOT’s live camera showed the gates lifted and the lights green. However, not in view on the live camera were barricades not yet lifted on the west end. At some point in the ensuing hour, they too were lifted, and SDOT tweeted at 8:02 am that the bridge had reopened.

Earlier:

5:55 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, April 29.

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE

The West Seattle low bridge has not yet reopened from its closure to install communication/control updates.

ROAD-WORK ALERTS

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues at Delridge/Oregon, down to two lanes for the project’s duration, up to one year.

*Work could start today on the 30th/Holden sewer-pipe project, which will narrow Holden in the area for up to five weeks.

STADIUM ZONE

The Mariners continue their homestand with a 6:40 pm game tonight vs. Atlanta.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Showers and thunderstorms likely, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:54 am; sunset will be at 8:19 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

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

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

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

High Bridge – 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.

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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Seattle Police are still offering Living Room Conversations. Here’s how one went at a West Seattle home
April 28, 2024 10:40 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

That “bag of bullets,” as one neighbor described it, is part of the reason why residents of one Highland Park neighborhood gathered for a “Living Room Conversation“ with police.

The neighbors who organized it, after surfacing safety concerns to various city departments, invited us to sit in on the recent gathering in the living room of their home near Westcrest Park. They were joined by SPD Sgt. Dorian Korieo, whose community-outreach-centered work supervising 32 people includes the living-room program (launched more than a decade ago), and Officer German Barreto, community-liaison officer at the Southwest Precinct.

“It’s your chance to ask a police officer (something) without there being a crisis,” explained Sgt. Korieo.

A question came quickly: “How can we help you?”

“We’re hiring,” Korieo smiled.

But you might not be looking for work, police or otherwise. So another way you can help is to report everything, the SPD reps said. “Mayor Harrell is very clear – if it doesn’t have a stat on it, it didn’t happen.”

Read More

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WEEK AHEAD: Questions about One Seattle (Comprehensive) Plan? West Seattle-focused meeting Monday
April 28, 2024 9:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

The city is still accepting feedback on the Draft One Seattle Plan – the every-10-years update to the Comprehensive Plan that outlines the vision for shaping the city’s growth over the next 20 years. If the open house four weeks ago (WSB coverage here) didn’t answer all your questions, you might want to be at a meeting Monday night (April 29) featuring a presentation tailored to three West Seattle neighborhoods – Admiral, Alki, and Fauntleroy. It’s starting at 6 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) and will feature a presentation by the city’s point person on the draft plan. We’re told the meeting was put together by City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s office; his chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko said members of the three neighborhoods told them they didn’t know much about the plan, even as the May 6 deadline for comment approaches, so they arranged for the briefing. It’ll focus on how the plan might affect zoning. Though Admiral, Fauntleroy, and Alki are the focus, people from other neighborhoods are welcome too. (The city’s open houses, meantime, wrap up with an online version on Thursday, May 2.)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green F-350 pickup truck
April 28, 2024 7:47 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Just in via text, the second F-350 theft we’ve heard about this week:

Unfortunately, the West Seattle Rock Club show had a sad ending — one of our vendors had his truck stolen at 3:55 today from the Masonic Hall parking lot. 1999 green F-350 with silver canopy. License plate # (updated) B54044H. Stolen by thieves in a copper-colored truck with a triangle on the tailgate.

Call 911 if you see it. Police incident # is 24-115274.

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COUNTDOWN X 2: 1 week to Emerald City Ride, 3 weeks to West Seattle 5K
April 28, 2024 6:11 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN X 2: 1 week to Emerald City Ride, 3 weeks to West Seattle 5K
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Reminders about two big Sunday events on West Seattle streets in the next three weeks:

(Course map, from Emerald City Ride website)

EMERALD CITY RIDE ON MAY 5: One week until the Cascade Bicycle Club‘s ride across the westbound West Seattle Bridge and around the peninsula. It starts and finishes in SODO and gets going at 7 am next Sunday, May 5. Registration is still open. (The bridge’s westbound lanes will be closed to traffic 5:30-9:30 am that morning; the eastbound lanes will not be affected.)

(WSB file photo)

WEST SEATTLE 5K ON MAY 19: You also still have time to sign up for the peninsula’s first big 5K of the season, three weeks from today. The run/walk coordinated by the West Seattle High School PTSA starts (9:30 am) and finishes on Alki Avenue near the Bathhouse, out and back along the waterfront. Proceeds go toward programs supporting WSHS students. Be sure to sign up by May 12th – fees go up in the last week before the race. (The WS5K also involves a road closure – Alki/Harbor Avenues, 8 am to ~11 am on race morning.)

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: First community meeting for Morgan Junction Park’s ‘all-wheel area’
April 28, 2024 4:44 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

(WSB photo, Saturday)

As previewed here, the Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association held its first community meeting on Saturday, at By and By Skate Shop. We dropped in briefly and counted about 20 people there.

(Photo courtesy MJAWA)

The group’s focus is adding an “all-wheels area” to the south end of Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW) when the park’s expansion to the north is built. So what happens next after this gathering? We asked MJAWA’s Matthew Lee Johnston:

Community input now gets internalized by the design team, who will be working on three alternatives based on the feedback they’ve gathered from the community. We got over 100 responses to the online survey, with over 76% of the responses coming from West Seattle, which Grindline says was their most successful survey they’ve facilitated! The three alternatives will be presented by the team at the Morgan Junction Community Festival, where we will be gathering input and feedback on those design concepts.

The festival will be at Morgan Junction Park on Saturday, June 15.

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VIDEO: West Seattle Food Bank’s ‘Instruments of Change’ gala spotlights ‘explosive growth’ and honors C & P Coffee
April 28, 2024 1:30 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

Story by Tracy Record
Photos/video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

The West Seattle Food Bank is providing food to 30 percent more people than it did a year ago.

If that sounds like a big increase, consider this: The need for another WSFB service, emergency financial assistance, has gone up 300 percent.

All that is part of why every dollar given at the WSFB’s “Instruments of Change“ dinner/auction mattered so much. The crowd gathered Saturday night at The Hall at Fauntleroy heard about the people behind those numbers – an average of 500 families served every day that the Food Bank’s 35th/Morgan HQ is open for distribution, home deliveries to 400 more families every week, more than 400 students getting “backpacks” of food to take home for the weekend, when there’s no school meals to stave off hunger. And the WSFB operates the Clothesline clothing bank, too, whose clientele has doubled.

To help pay for all those services for another year, hundreds of supporters not only bought tickets to the dinner, but also had the opportunity to give more in multiple ways at the event, such as the traditional “dessert dash”:

There was also bidding on auction items – the silent auction included this bicycle:

The live-auction options included a West Seattle “staycation” that went for $400 and an annual favorite, the taco-and-margarita party with WSFB executive director Fran Yeatts and former operations manager Lester Yuh (auctioneer Matthew DiLoreto awarded two, at $2,600 each)

Before the bidding, Yeatts took the microphone to speak about the WSFB’s “explosive growth” as well as a big upcoming staff change and a highlight of the night – the annual Instrument of Change Award, presented this year to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) proprietors Pete and Cameron Moores.

As Yeatts explained, C & P supports the food bank in myriad ways – from regular musical fundraisers tp Pete’s weekly volunteer delivery-driver shift!

Also speaking was the new WSFB board president, Joe Everett, who you might know as the longtime City Attorney’s Office liaison at the Southwest Precinct. He spoke about how his public-service career has shown him so much of what happens “when our social safety net fails” but he’s heartened at the support for the work WSFB does “to stop those things before they happen”:

A video produced by Straight 8 Films was shown later, introducing gala-goers to WSFB clients and volunteers, with the observation “None of us ever expect to be in need … but it happens … and when it does, you can expect the West Seattle Food Bank to be here.”

Earlier in the program, there were shoutouts for some of the elected officials past and present who were in attendance. We photographed them, and a few others, during the “happy hour” that opened the event. First, from left, State Rep. Emily Alvarado, State Senator Joe Nguyen, and Deputy King County Executive Shannon Braddock:

Below, former State Rep. Eileen Cody and former King County Councilmember Joe McDermott:

Below, WSFB’s outgoing development director Breanna Bushaw (thanked by Yeatts in her speech) and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce executive director Rachel Porter:

And incoming WSFB Development Director Robbin Peterson with executive director Yeatts:

If you couldn’t get to the event, you can help WSFB in multiple ways every day of the year – here’s how.

(WSB was a community co-sponsor of this year’s Instruments of Change.)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue Astro van (update: found)
April 28, 2024 12:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

That van belongs to Alex, who reports via email: “I came home from work on Saturday (4/28), to find out my van was stolen from 42nd Ave SW, just off of Juneau. It’s a blue 2004 Chevy Astro van with black wheels and black front bumper. License plate number CFH2656.” Police report # 24-114825. Call 911 if you see it.

UPDATE: Alex says the van’s been found.

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