West Seattle, Washington

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month : 02/2023 277 results

PHOTOS: West Seattle beach wildlife seen at low-low tide
February 19, 2023 6:51 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

As shown here last night, Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists were out at Constellation Park, helping people explore responsibly at low-low tide. Tonight we have photos of some of the wildlife they saw – the first three photos are from Rosalie Miller: Above, a painted anemone; below, northern kelp crabs:

And a rough piddock:

We don’t have the ID on this one, but Molly Al-Jawad sent the photo:

Tonight’s low-low tide, -2.5 feet at 10:18 pm, will be just as low as the one that brought explorers out last night. Meantime, you can watch this page later this year to see when the beach naturalists will be out during the summer daytime low-low tides.

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SOUTH DELRIDGE ACTION PLAN: Survey extended; HPAC briefing Wednesday
February 19, 2023 4:47 pm
|    Comments Off on SOUTH DELRIDGE ACTION PLAN: Survey extended; HPAC briefing Wednesday
 |   Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods

Today was scheduled to be the last day for answering the city survey that kicked off work on the South Delridge Action Plan. However, checking its start page reveals it’s been extended through February 28th. We discovered that while preparing to write a preview about community council HPAC’s monthly meeting coming up this Wednesday (February 22), which will include guests discussing the SDAP, described a month ago as intended “to develop a vision for the future of South Delridge, which includes parts of neighborhoods such as Westwood, Roxhill, Highland Park, Delridge, and White Center … (to) help the City support community and focus investments in the coming years.” If you haven’t already answered the survey, go here to find links in 4 languages; attendance info for Wednesday’s 7 pm online HPAC meeting is here.

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FOLLOWUP: Dates posted for Harbor Avenue RV ‘remediation’
February 19, 2023 2:28 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Safety | West Seattle news

As we reported Thursday night, a city rep told the Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council that the Harbor Avenue RV encampment area was scheduled for a sweep (aka “remediation”) late this month. Driving through the area at midday today, we noticed “no parking” signs along both sides of Harbor from Fairmount to Spokane, for next Thursday-Friday (February 23-24), and a closer look at the mandatory explanatory notices on some of them attribute the restrictions to “RV remediation”:

Most of the half-dozen-plus RVs scattered along that stretch of Harbor also have been tagged – the orange squares were in view on front windshields.

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Inspired by the Duwamish River? Learn to put it into words
February 19, 2023 12:52 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB file photo)

While much of Seattle’s only river, the Duwamish River, has been pressed into service as industrial “waterway” over the decades, some stretches retain remnants of its original wild beauty. In all its roles, the Duwamish can be a source of inspiration, and a writer who grew up in West Seattle wants you to know about a writing workshop he’s leading soon – not in WS but not far away. Here’s the announcement:

This winter Simon Wolf will offer Place Based Poetics: Writing with the Duwamish River, a workshop through Hugo House, an essential literary community in Seattle. The course draws on documentary and ecopoetic work that has preoccupied Wolf for the past three years, including his University of Washington Bothell MFA thesis, Charging. That project drew from Seattle settler history texts, family migration stories, and reflections on urban experiences, with the Duwamish River as a grounding line through every element. In his current work he questions his preconceived notions of nature and explores new ways of approaching the Duwamish River through writing, research, and his work in land restoration.

The course considers, “How can we write poems from a river? How can this river be the line that guides us through the violent past of Seattle? Part Seattle history, part eco-poetics, we will read excerpts of history texts and discuss poets that engage rivers, industry, and pollution in their work. Students will practice incorporating research into their poetry, will visit the river at least once, and leave class with two river poems.”

Registration is open. Hugo House members receive a discounted rate for the class, which meets in person at Hugo House Tuesdays 5 to 7 pm from February 28 through March 21, 2023.

Wolf also hosts a free monthly Writing Circle at Blue Cone Studios, on Capitol Hill, in Seattle that meets the last Friday of the month from 6-8 pm. Participants are invited to read and discuss poetry, make work together, and to share work in progress — all are welcome!

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CONGRATULATIONS! Another local student serves as legislative page
February 19, 2023 10:53 am
|    Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! Another local student serves as legislative page
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

As noted here last month, the State Legislature has relaunched its page programs after a pandemic hiatus. Another local student has just completed a turn in Olympia – here’s the announcement we received:

(Photo courtesy Washington State Legislative Support Services)

Rowan Wohlf, a student at Chief Sealth International High School and South Seattle College, served as a page earlier this month in the Washington State House of Representatives. Sponsored by State Rep. Emily Alvarado, D-West Seattle, Rowan is the child of Nikki Wohlf and Ken Wohlf of Seattle.

Pages assume a wide variety of responsibilities, from presenting the flags to distributing amendments on the House floor. Pages support the efficient operation of the Legislature while also receiving daily civics instruction, drafting their own bills, and participating in mock committee hearings.

This year’s legislative session runs into April and applications for the page program are still open – find the info here.

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From ‘Fat Sunday’ party to ‘Smooch a Pooch,’ 14 West Seattle options for today/tonight
February 19, 2023 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on From ‘Fat Sunday’ party to ‘Smooch a Pooch,’ 14 West Seattle options for today/tonight
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Luna/Anchor Park, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s happening on day two of this three-day Presidents Day weekend:

ONLINE RELIGIOUS SERVICES: We’re continuing to update these – see today’s lineup here.

ANIMATED CAFE STORY TIME: 9:30 am in the building next to the coffee stand’s lot at 4518 Fauntleroy Way SW. Sign up in advance here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market offers winter produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)

MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: The Presidents Day Weekend Sale is on at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) – get gear and apparel for snow sports, with lots of time left in this year’s season – some items up to 40 percent off! Open 10 am-5 pm today. (3602 SW Alaska)

DONATION DRIVE: Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) is hoping you can donate to today’s drive – drop off items in the front courtyard, 11 am-3 pm:

The pantry is bare! There is a critical need for donations of non-perishable food for our unsheltered neighbors.

Donations of food, clothing, and outdoor gear are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center.

ART POP-UP: Danish artist Bjoern T.M. Larsen‘s pop-up shop in the Senior Center of West Seattle corner space (California/Oregon) is oen 11 am-5 pm.

‘FAT SUNDAY’ PARTY: Free music and food – Mardi Gras-style – at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), and everyone’s invited, starting at noon; details in our calendar listing.

FIXTURE/FURNITURE SALE: From the inbox: “Doll Parts Collective (newly relocated to 4832 California SW) is having a fixture/furniture sale at their old location (4448 California SW) today 2/19 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. They have furniture, clothing racks, small display items, and some deeply discounted home goods; even a few free items. Need a piano, anyone? Things are priced to sell! Also, in case you missed it, they’re now open at their new spot seven days a week, 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.”

‘SMOOCH A POOCH’: Adoptable dogs at a fundraiser for Beloveds 3-6 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW).

NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).

YOGA, MEDITATION, GONG BATH: Presented by Inner Alchemy 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

LATIN SUNDAYS: DJ at The Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), starting at 9 pm.

SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

Have an event to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 35th/Roxbury robbery
February 18, 2023 9:14 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 35th/Roxbury robbery
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

9:14 PM: Police are investigating an armed robbery reported at the strip mall on the northeast corner of 35th and Roxbury less than half an hour ago. We haven’t heard the business name mentioned over police radio, but a texter says it was the smoke shop. So far officers have told dispatch that the robbers were described as two Black men in black jogging suits, at least one armed with a black handgun, who got away in a white 4-door Hyundai Elantra, apparently with a third person. No injuries reported.

9:30 PM: This may be related to at least two subsequent robberies mentioned by dispatchers, both south of Seattle, in White Center and North Burien, both with similar suspect/vehicle descriptions.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Nighttime low-low-tide exploring at Constellation Park
February 18, 2023 9:04 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

As mentioned in our Event Calendar and daily preview list, Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out at Constellation Park right now, helping people explore what’s in view because of the nighttime low-low-tide. Thanks to Sara for sending photos!

They’re scheduled to be out until 10 pm – just look for the canopy, and the people on the beach, at 60th and Beach Drive.

But tread lightly – low tides like this one expose sealife that’s usually submerged.

P.S. The naturalists won’t be out, but tomorrow night the tide will be just as low at 10:18 pm, -2.5 feet.

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BASKETBALL: Final district-tournament games for West Seattle High School teams
February 18, 2023 7:45 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Though their victories last night earned them berths in state-tournament competition no matter what, West Seattle High School‘s girls’ and boys’ basketball teams each had to play one last district game this afternoon at Bellevue College. Both scores are now in: The girls won, beating Eastside Catholic, 60-57, taking fifth place in the district; the boys lost to Rainier Beach, 71-58, finishing sixth. Seedings for the state tournament are due to be announced tomorrow afternoon, so that’s when we should know where and when both teams will play their first games in state competition, which begins Tuesday.

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UPDATE: Water outage on Puget Ridge
February 18, 2023 5:20 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Puget Ridge | Utilities | West Seattle news

5:20 PM: Thanks for the tips. As of about half an hour ago, Seattle Public Utilities is handling a water problem on Puget Ridge. It’s centered near 17th/Myrtle, according to SPU’s map. Though the map also projects a restoration time of 10 pm, we offer the same caveat as in power outages – those estimates are really just guesses, so could be much sooner or much later. If you’re having trouble and you’re not in the area shown on the map, call SPU at 206-386-1800 and be sure they know you’re affected too.

7:39 PM: We went to Puget Ridge and tried to find any SPU crews working around 17th/Myrtle; no luck. Water in the street, more than would be residual from the last round of rain, was in evidence on Myrtle between 16th and 17th, though.

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BIZNOTE: Art pop-up in The Junction
February 18, 2023 3:27 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: Art pop-up in The Junction
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Senior Center of West Seattle‘s corner ground-floor space at California/Oregon is hosting another pop-up shop. If you haven’t been yet, you have through tomorrow to go browse the art of Bjoern T.M. Larsen, who tells us a bit about himself and his work:

I’m a Danish artist locally residing in Seattle.

I studied art in Venice (Italy) and within decades I was able to build my own unique style by using iridescent Acrylics and resin on Canvas. I won several Art Festivals (Art Shoreline Festival 2020), I sell originals, prints of different sizes, and greeting cards.

With me there is Lucia, an Italian jewelry and candle maker.

Larsen’s pop-up is open until 5 pm today and again 11 am-5 pm tomorrow (Sunday, February 19th).

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COUNTDOWN: 1 week until ‘Polar Plunge’ party on Alki for Special Olympics
February 18, 2023 2:31 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Next Saturday (February 25th) is the day – you’re invited to the Polar Plunge “winter beach party” at Alki, benefiting Special Olympics Washington. Even if you don’t plan to participate in the plunging, you can stop by to watch, play beach games, contribute, and/or enjoy food trucks, a beer garden, and liv music. As explained by Special Olympics, the event is to raise money “that directly goes to providing athletes with year-round opportunities to train and compete, as well as receive free health screenings and leadership training … (ensuring) that over 7,500 Washington children and adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities have the opportunity to participate at no cost to them.” Events start near Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) at 8 am next Saturday, with a costume contest at 12:10 pm (the crowd gets to judge), and “polar plunging” beginning at 1 pm. Individual and team registration starts here.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Signal work on SW Holden
February 18, 2023 1:00 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks for the tips. Sorry we didn’t have an advance alert about this, but we just went to check after a couple of texts, and here’s what we found: SW Holden is blocked because of ongoing work on the new pedestrian signal that’s being installed at 12th SW.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue pickup
February 18, 2023 11:51 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photo are from Alexandra:

My friend’s blue truck (corrected – F-350) was parked at our house overnight and it was stolen between 930pm and 530am. Parked on Webster St by 7505 32nd Ave SW. It’s more royal blue in color and has a big fuel tank in the bed. License plate C85364V.

SPD incident number is 23-047033.

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: From birds to beach-walking to burgers, 18 options
February 18, 2023 6:43 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Puddle-jumping at Alki Promenade – photo by Dave L., leaping by Carol L.)

The three-day Presidents Day weekend has begun, and we have a vast variety of options for your Saturday:

SATURDAY MORNING ULTIMATE: 8 am at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW), just show up to throw with the West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee Family.

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT: Drop in for birdwatching at Camp Long (5200 35th SW), 10-11:30 am – free, no RSVP required.

MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: The Presidents Day Weekend Sale is on at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) – get gear and apparel for snow sports, with lots of time left in this year’s season – some items up to 40 percent off! Open 10 am-5 pm today. (3602 SW Alaska)

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: 10 am-5 pm, the garden’s centerpiece courtyard is open, while the rest of the garden’s grounds are accessible dawn to dusk. More info here. (5640 16th SW)

GRIEFSHARE RECOVERY GROUP: Continuing at 10:30 am today, “Grace Church will host a 13-week GriefShare recovery support group for those who have lost a loved one by death. There is a one-time charge of $20 for the GriefShare journal.” Meeting in the church basement. (10323 28th SW)

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

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

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FAMILY READING TIME: In partnership with Explorer West Middle School, 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.

DICK’S DRIVE-IN TRUCK: Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) is hosting the Dick’s Drive-In burgers-and-shakes food truck 11 am-2 pm today.

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history is noon-4 pm Saturdays. (3003 61st SW)

VISCON CELLARS: 1-6 pm, the doors are open for your visit to the tasting room at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) – selling wine by the glass or bottle. Learn about their wines here! (5910 California SW)

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: At the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, NWA is open for tasting 1-6 pm today.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School boys and girls teams both have district-tournament games at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE) this afternoon, boys at 3 pm vs. Rainier Beach, girls at 4:45 pm vs. Eastside Catholic.

IN-STORE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Midnight Marauders EP release show, 6:30 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW). Free, all ages.

EVENING MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: 7-9 pm, Roo Forrest and Friends perform at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.

(canceled) ‘AN ENDLESS SHIFT’: This solo show at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) has its second-to-last performance tonight, 7:30 pm: “Created from verbatim accounts of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Seattle nurses who were there, “An Endless Shift” is a tribute to the everyday heroes who were confronted with what would become the longest shift of their lives.” Get your ticket(s) here.

NIGHTTIME LOW-TIDE BEACH WALK: Find Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists at Constellation Park (63rd and Beach Drive), 8-10 pm. (Tide’s out to -2.5 feet at 9:30 pm.)

OUT AT THE BOX: “An evening of drag and laughs” at Box Bar (5401 California SW), 9:30 pm. No cover.

If you have a show, event, meeting, seminar, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? for our calendar … please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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UPDATE: ‘Rescue extrication’ response for crash on eastbound West Seattle Bridge
February 18, 2023 3:47 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

3:47 AM: If you’re heading out early this Saturday morning, be forewarned there’s a big crash response toward the east end of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge – it’s just been upgraded to a ‘rescue extrication” response. … Firefighters tell dispatch that three vehicles are involved, and they’re going to need to cut somebody out of one of them.

4:05 AM: The eastbound side is completely blocked by the response, as the traffic-camera image above shows, so if you need to get to I-5, the old detour route through Georgetown is a better choice right now. No word so far on how many people are hurt.

5:02 AM: Traffic camera shows the scene is cleared and eastbound traffic is moving through that stretch again.

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls going to state too, after win at districts
February 17, 2023 9:29 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

9:29 PM: West Seattle High School is also sending its girls’ team to the state tournament. The Wildcats just beat Holy Names 47-35 to clinch the spot. This game also was played at Bellevue College; details and photos when we get back to HQ.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

ADDED 3:20 AM: This was a little rough in the early going, with Holy Names’ defense succeeding for a while in keeping West Seattle from getting inside, forcing tough-to-land outside shots. But the Wildcats kept battling back.

That aggressive style, though, got them into foul trouble fairly quickly, giving Holy Names so many foul shots that those compromised much of the Cougars’ scoring. Nonetheless, WSHS stayed in command, with a 22-10 lead at halftime. Scoring leaders were #4, junior Carmen Cruz and #20, sophomore Colby Timmons.

Head coach Darnell Taylor‘s Wildcats play their final district game at 4:45 pm today (Saturday) at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE) vs. Eastside Catholic – winner takes 5th place, but both teans are guaranteed trips to the state tournament, which runs February 21-March 4.n

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS boys win spot at state with victory at districts
February 17, 2023 7:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

7:58 PM: The West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team is headed to the state tournament after a big win in districts tonight – 72-49 over Liberty HS at Bellevue College. Details and photos later.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

ADDED 1:40 AM: The Wildcats took the lead two and a half minutes into the game and never looked back. They just kept building, and Liberty had no chance to even attempt a comeback. By halftime, WSHS was up 38 to 29, then extended the lead into double digits in the second half.

West Seattle had four players with double-digit point totals – #2, senior Maximus Holliman; #3, junior Bo Gionet; #5, senior Ryder Mackay; and #11, senior Luke Wade.

For outside-shooting fans, this game had plenty of threes, and sharpshooting combined with tough defense led WSHS to the big win. Tomorrow, head coach Dan Kriley and the Wildcats have one more game at the district tournament, 3 pm today (Saturday) vs. Rainier Beach, again at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE).

The game is for fifth place in the district, but both teams already are guaranteed a spot at the state tournament, which starts next Tuesday (February 21st) – opening-round matchups and locations are yet to be determined.

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Looking back as The Original Bakery enters second-to-last weekend
February 17, 2023 6:45 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(2011 Alonzo family photo: Erich, Anna, and dad Bernie)

By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog

Bernie Alonzo has had the tempting smell of fresh-baked bread in his lungs since he was a kid helping in his father’s bakery. When he and his wife, Lorraine, visited friends in West Seattle, they checked out the little bakery for sale in Fauntleroy. Buying it came naturally, and he’s been baking there since 1975.

Now nearly five decades later, he’ll be hanging up his apron on February 26. While tempting pastries, breads, and cookies fresh from the oven have kept people coming back for more, old-fashioned hospitality made The Original Bakery as much community center as business.

In a profile published in 2000 in the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s newsletter, Bernie explained that he was the fourth owner since the bakery opened in 1936 in the Adams Building at 45th Ave. SW and SW Wildwood Place. The founding owner’s name is lost to history, but Bill Latta owned it from the 1940s to the 1960s, then sold it to Florian Dunbar, who sold it to Bernie.

He kept “The Original Bakery” as the name, even though it’s legally “Bakery The Original.” In the early days, small neighborhood bakeries were common, so the deed made clear that this was the original bakery in Fauntleroy’s Endolyne business area.

Bernie established a routine of weighing out ingredients the afternoon before so he could start baking at 4:00 the next morning. He opened the door to customers at 7:30, Mondays through Saturdays. Young people needing work experience (including his three children) were often the ones behind the vintage display cases. After three decades of baking alone, daughter Anna Alonzo‘s arrival in 2009 after completing culinary school lightened his load.

As tastes changed over the years, Bernie responded by shifting to healthier recipes. In 2000, he recalled one of the biggest changes.

“I never thought espresso would be such an integral part of our business,” he said. “When we bought the first espresso machine in the 1980s, many people didn’t know what espresso was!”

Bernie looked forward to special orders, somewhat because they varied his routine but mostly because they enabled him to share in birthdays, weddings, or whatever his customers were celebrating. Over the decades he donated countless cakes and cookies in support of whatever good cause sought him out. He also enjoyed giving local artists free wall space in the bakery’s seating area.

Whether making sure customers knew they could sit awhile over their favorite pastries or always baking what people most enjoyed, a big part of what The Original Bakery long offered was constancy in the midst of change.

“You try to survive in business,” Bernie said in 2000, “but having people appreciate you as an important part of the community is a real plus. It’s been a nice reward for me.”

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alonzo kids helped their dad brainstorm how to safely continue to serve customers. His solution was to add a walk-up window and reduce hours. After operating that way for two-plus years, Bernie decided the time had come for him to start sleeping in. With Anna’s top priority being to raise her daughter, she was not in a position to take on the business.

“Since we announced our closing, we have been very busy every day, which is great,” she said. “We have also had an outpouring of good wishes and appreciation from the neighborhood.

“Folks have been bringing cards and saying goodbye and we’ve had former customers come from afar to say best wishes and thank you. It’s been very heartwarming.”

Stop by if you can (9253 45th Ave. SW) before The Original Bakery closes on Sunday, February 26, at 3:00 pm.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Early-morning gunfire
February 17, 2023 5:55 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

A police-report summary made available this afternoon says reports of gunfire early this morning in Arbor Heights were confirmed. 911 callers reported suspected gunfire around 3:30 am. SPD says the reports were of “hearing numerous shots being fired (between 5-8) with one describing it as ‘automatic’ gunfire.” They found “evidence of a shooting” (which usually means casings) in the 3300 block of SW 106th, in the middle of the road. No injuries or property damage reported.

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ELECTION 2023: Veterans, Seniors, Human Services Levy proposed for renewal vote in August
February 17, 2023 4:32 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

This is the last year of the current King County-wide Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, approved by voters in 2017 as the renewal and renaming of the Veterans and Human Services Levy, which was originally passed in 2005. Today, County Executive Dow Constantine announced he plans to ask voters to renew the levy on the August 1st primary ballot. From the one-sheet that accompanied the announcement:

If renewed, the levy will:
• Fund permanent supportive housing, specifically for veterans
• Keep reducing veteran homelessness
• Expand investments in the human services workforce
• Double current funding for senior centers
• Maintain access to counseling and mental health supports for veterans and seniors
• Dedicate King County staff to strengthen resident and resource connections
• Deepen community-centered programming for survivors of gender-based violence

Here’s what today’s announcement says the money’s done since the most-recent vote:

Veterans

-Served more than 27,000 veterans, servicemembers, and their families with fewer eligibility barriers than many federal programs
-Contributed to a 40 percent reduction in veteran homelessness
-Provided more than 260 veterans, servicemembers, and family members with over 15,000 mental health counseling sessions
-Built 234 units of affordable housing for veterans and their families

Seniors

-Funded 39 senior centers across the county
-Served more than 100,000 seniors through expanded senior programming

Build Resiliency

-Launched DVHopeline, a countywide, 24-hour multi-lingual and multimodal domestic violence hotline, that received 16,000 calls or texts and referred nearly 7,000 of those callers to additional support
-Funded mobile advocacy services for more than 1,200 survivors of gender-based violence
Helped build more than 1,000 units of affordable housing and 198 new shelter beds
-Funded 55 agencies with 675 bonuses to support workforce retention

The new proposal would raise $581 million over six years and, Constantine’s office says, would cost the owner of a “median-priced home” $83 a year, at 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which is the same rate as the current version. The King County Council will have to vote by May to get the renewal on the August ballot.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Sign’s up for Dué Cucina West Seattle
February 17, 2023 3:01 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

While in The Junction today, we noticed the sign going up at the future Dué Cucina restaurant (4437 California SW). It’s been six months since we first reported the Italian mini-chain was expanding to the former Ma’ono space. We don’t have a projected opening date yet, but it’s close enough that Dué Cucina has posted a listing in the West Seattle Jobs Offered section of the WSB Community Forums. If you’re curious how they’re changing the interior, they posted a sneak peek video here earlier this month.

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YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle businesses invited to join in fundraiser for Turkey/Syria earthquake relief
February 17, 2023 1:44 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Twelve years ago, almost 30 West Seattle businesses – and many of their customers – joined in a one-day fundraiser to help Japan recover from the earthquake/tsunami disaster. Now another catastrophic earthquake has taken thousands of lives, this time in Turkey and Syria, and local businesses are again joining forces for a community-led fundraiser. The West Seattle Junction Association and Chamber of Commerce asked us to publish this invitation for businesses to be part of it:

West Seattle supports Syria and Turkey earthquake relief efforts:

Want to join? If you are a business owner in West Seattle, email Chris Mackay at chris@wsjunction.org by end-of-day Monday (February 20th) and let her know you would like to join.

We will be asking West Seattleites to support all participating businesses by patronizing them between Friday, February 24, and Sunday, February 26. The businesses will donate a portion of their sales to AHBAP, a Turkish-run non-profit providing shelter to victims, or to the White Helmets, based in Syria doing rescue and recovery work. Both organizations are locally based and well-respected by the locals.

One Junction business owner who is from Turkey and has family there, YogaSix studio owner Sechil Thornton, says, “So many families have experienced unspeakable heartache with the loss of loved ones and an uncertain future. There are millions of homeless people, many sleeping in tents, schools, parks or their car. Those who were fortunate to be able to flee the cities are now being temporarily housed in hotels. With no timeline, or place to start in trying to rebuild their lives. I believe we must stand with all human beings in their times of need and ensure they receive our support. Which is why we are so grateful and proud to be a part of the West Seattle community showing its support stepping up to aid in relief efforts.”

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