month : 06/2023 311 results

COUNTDOWN: 1 week to Morgan Junction Community Festival

June 11, 2023 10:53 am

| Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 1 week to Morgan Junction Community Festival

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Next Sunday (June 18th) is the day the Morgan Community Association invites you to Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW) for this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival! 1-4 pm, here’s what you’ll find:

ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP:
1:00 pm – Mikey the Rad Scientist brings science and nature to life with his creative, interactive and engaging music. From the adventures of a water molecule named Carlos to a musical journey to the center of the earth, his music strikes an chord with children and parents alike. Mikey believes we can all have a great time singing and dancing about the wonders of the world.

2:00 pm – The Potholes (sponsored by WSB) are high-energy funky fusion humans. Home of the grooviest bangers on the block, served with a side of guac and a hint of rock. West Seattle High School proud!

3:00 pm – Gary Benson (sponsored by Thunder Road Guitars) is a local folk-rock favorite at past Morgan Junction Community Festivals. A solo performer in the style of the Beatles, Shawn Colvin, James Taylor and other folk singers, Gary sings “the music I grew up with and the current songs that I love.”

FEATURED GUESTS
Inside Morgan Junction Park we’ll host local nonprofits with interactive activities for kids. Be sure to visit West Seattle HEY, Poogooder, 34th District Democrats, SW Seattle Historical Society with Stone Cottage, Emergency HUBS, and Let The Kids Skate!

NEW PARK COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Seattle Parks continues to work on the adjacent Morgan Junction Park Addition plan. The design firm Board & Vellum along and Park’s project manager are excited to be participating in the Morgan Junction Community Festival. Be sure to stop by their booth to reconfirm the park design and provide input on additional features. After the Festival, Seattle Parks will host an on-line survey to gather input from people unable to attend the event.

Special Morgan Junction Community Festival Thanks to our Sponsors, our Supporters, West Seattle Blog, O’Neill Plumbing, Beveridge Place Pub, Alki Lumber, West Seattle Minuteman Press and all our Friends. The Festival would not happen without you.

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 10 things to do

June 11, 2023 6:34 am

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 10 things to do

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday pre-dusk colors, photographed by James Bratsanos)

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

TRY OUT KAYAKS: Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) is offering a test-paddle event 10 am-1 pm at Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor Avenue SW) – our calendar listing has the link for signing up.

DINE OUT FOR GENESEE HILL ELEMENTARY: All day at Lady Jaye (4523 California SW), which opens at 10 am.

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

SOUL SPA: Inner Alchemy is hosting Soul Spas on Sundays at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) during Farmers’ Market hours, 10 am-2 pm: “a fun community experience of meeting our talented local healers, makers, and artists right alongside the Farmers’ Market. Mini-sessions, shopping, connecting, and Timmy cooking brunch!”

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm daily through Labor Day. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

MAKERS’ ART MARKET: Noon-5 pm at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), shop for handmade creations.

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Second Sunday of the season for free tours of historic Alki Point Lighthouse (3201 Alki Avenue SW), 1-4 pm (last tour starts at 3:45 pm).

SEE A HUB IN ACTION! 1:30-4 pm, visit The Junction’s Emergency Communication Hub at Hope Lutheran (42nd/Oregon) to see how volunteers activate during the citywide “Power Down” disaster simulation.

MUSICAL MERMAID: Halcyon the Mermaid plays harp music at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm.

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

Have an event – one-time or recurring – to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

VIDEO: Five Seattle City Council District 1 candidates answer 34th District Democrats’ forum questions

June 10, 2023 11:56 pm

| 41 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(WSB photo: L-R, Stephen Brown, Maren Costa, Rob Saka, Phil Tavel, Preston Anderson)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

For the second time in five days, candidates for Seattle City Council District 1 answered questions side by side this afternoon. Five of the eight candidates participated in a forum presented by the 34th District Democrats at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge.

Like the King County Council D-8 forum that had preceded it (WSB coverage/video here), this one was a prelude to the 34th DDs’ endorsement meeting next week. Five of the candidates participated – Maren Costa, Preston Anderson, Rob Saka, Stephen Brown, and Phil Tavel; a sixth, Jean Iannelli Craciun, was expected, but sent a last-minute message citing a “scheduling conflict.”

Rachel Glass moderated the forum, asking questions the organization had planned in advance. Here’s our video:

For those who don’t want to – or have time to – watch the video, we also summarized their replies. Take note that our summaries do not represent everything they said, nor are they direct quotes unless you see words/phrases/sentences within quotation marks. We’re summarizing the questions, too.

First, self-introductions.

June 10, 2023 9:44 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN COMPUTER: From Gershon:

I am just grasping at straws on how to get my computer back. It was my work computer with over 2 years of data that I am not able to replace. This hits me pretty hard. My vehicle was broken into in the parking lot behind the Skylark last night. My gray Dakine backpack was snatched, which had my computer and some other personal items in it. Send me a message if you see it ditched somewhere or have an idea on best way to retrieve it (buy it back) or something. The computer inside was a Samsung Galaxy book2, midnight blue.

Police report # is 23-909691. If you’ve found the computer and/or backpack, we can relay a message to Gershon (westseattleblog@gmail.com).

PRIDE FLAG STOLEN AGAIN: The Community School of West Seattle‘s Pride flag was stolen for the second time in less than two weeks. You’ll recall it was taken on May 27th, and replaced courtesy of White Center Pride. Then this past Thursday morning, it was taken, and the flagpole damaged, again:

Police report # is 23-909576. Whitney at CSWS says, “WC Pride is going to stock us up on poles and flags so that the thieves won’t win.”

CAR VANDALIZED: The reader who emailed us is hoping to find witness(es) to this:

It happened on Dawson, between California and 42nd SW, Friday between 5:30 am and 2:30 pm. The victim says, “Maybe someone has info or maybe saw something or has any surveillance cam footage.” It’s been reported to police, though we don’t have a report # yet.

VIDEO: 34th District Democrats’ forum for King County Council District 8

June 10, 2023 6:47 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| King Co. Council District 8 | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(WSB photo: King County Council District 8 candidates Teresa Mosqueda and Sofia Aragon)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With ballots going out in just a month, the start of primary-election voting is fast approaching.

Three of our area’s highest-profile elected positions will be on the primary ballot without incumbents. This afternoon, the 34th District Democrats held forums for two of those races – Seattle City Council District 1 and King County Council District 8 – as a prelude to their endorsement votes next week.

We recorded video of both and took as-it-happened notes. First, we’re presenting the one that started the afternoon, two of the three candidates vying for the seat that County Councilmember Joe McDermott is leaving after 13 years. At-large Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda and Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon shared the stage for 45 minutes at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge. (Participation was limited to candidates eligible for the 34th DDs’ endorsements, as spelled out here.)

34th DDs’ chair Graham Murphy welcomed attendees and Chris Porter moderated. First, here’s our video:

First, Porter asked a sort of icebreaker: Name your favorite food in District 8 (which includes Burien, West Seattle, White Center, Vashon Island, and more)

Aragon: Tung Kee Mi Gia.

Mosqueda: Marination.

Then, opening statements.

June 10, 2023 4:51 pm

| Comments Off on ORCAS: Get updates at The Whale Trail’s Summer Gathering

| West Seattle news | Whales

(J51 porpoising, photographed by Mark Sears, Permit 21348)

We haven’t seen them in West Seattle waters lately, but the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales are never far from many people’s hearts. Get updates and information at the Summer Gathering just announced by The Whale Trail:

Celebrate summer and the passage of a new law to protect the endangered southern resident orcas! The Washington State Legislature recently passed a bill requiring all boaters to stay 1,000 yards away from J, K, and L pods, starting in 2025. This milestone legislation will give the whales the space they need to find and catch their prey.

Join us for a special presentation by Dr. Julie Watson (Killer Whale Policy Lead, WDFW) and Captain Alan Myers (WDFW Enforcement). Learn more about background and need for the law, next steps, and how boaters in Puget Sound can help orcas today.

Featured speakers also include orca heroes House Majority Leader Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon and researchers Mark and Maya Sears. Mark and Maya will share updates about recent orca encounters in central Puget Sound, including rare encounters with J pod in April!

Hope to see you there! Get tickets now, before they sell out!

What: Whale Trail Summer Gathering: Celebrate Give them Space!
When: Thursday June 22, 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Where: C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW
Cost: $5, Kids under 12 get in for free.
Advance tickets: brownpapertickets.com

HELPING: Deloitte’s Day of Service at Providence Mount St. Vincent

June 10, 2023 2:11 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The Mount got a facelift inside and out on Friday from a big group of volunteers. Thanks to Scott Nelson for the photos and report:

On June 9, nearly 100 volunteers gathered at West Seattle’s Providence Mount St. Vincent (lovingly called “The Mount”) with wheelbarrows, shovels, and work gloves in hand. It was the annual Day of Service where Deloitte and Providence volunteers joined hands to show the West Seattle residents how important they are.

For 6+ years, this collaboration has benefitted the elderly residents and young children enrolled in learning programs who can better enjoy their common spaces, gardens, and each other as part of an intergenerational facility. This year’s Day of Service event is helping The Mount spruce up the grounds for their 100-year anniversary come January 2024.

Molly Swain, Foundation Director for The Mount, welcomed volunteers that morning, explaining that “The Mount is about community and people coming together to help make the end of life as extraordinary as the beginning of life.” Providence Group Vice President, Frances Chao, values the effort because it is “about connecting with each other and nature while carrying forward the spirit of Providence.” Randy Bush, Principal at Deloitte, and his Deloitte colleagues joined in recognition of Deloitte’s Impact Day and praised the opportunity to come together to give back to the community.

PRIDE 2023: Two major West Seattle events next weekend

June 10, 2023 12:19 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Two major Pride events in West Seattle are set for next weekend. On Saturday (June 17), the first Pridefest in The Junction is planned at seven venues. The lineup, from organizer Alex Garcia:

Our goal is to celebrate diversity, pride, community, LGBTQ culture and our local businesses. 1 night, 7 amazing FREE events in Alaska Junction. Click on links to RSVP and learn more

6-9 pm: Queer Art Show @ ~~Revelry Room~~ Jet City Labs

8-9:30 pm: Trivia Night Pride Edition @ Camp West

8-9:30 pm: LGBTQ Comedy Show @ Great American Diner

8-10 pm: Pride Bingo @ Supreme Pizza

9-11 pm: Queer Rock Show @ Poggie Tavern

9-11:30 pm: Queer Drag Show @ Shadowland

9 pm-1 am: Pride Fest Dance After Party @ The Alley

Organizer Alex is co-proprietor of Admiral Pub, which is hosting a pre-funk the night before – Friday, June 16th – 9 pm-midnight. Like last weekend’s Sounds From Around the World Festál, Pridefest is one of three grant-funded events happening this summer in The Junction, as first noted here.

Then on Sunday (June 18th):

(WSB photo, 2022 Pride March in Morgan Junction)

Autumn Lovewell and Monica Colgan of Youngstown Coffee, HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Café, and Launchpad are again organizing the annual Morgan Junction Pride March. 11 am, meet up at (updated) Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW) – the march’s mission is to celebrate families and youth so all ages, and allies, are welcome.

One week after Loop the ‘Lupe, one last hurdle to clear, with your help

June 10, 2023 10:57 am

| Comments Off on One week after Loop the ‘Lupe, one last hurdle to clear, with your help

| How to help | West Seattle news

One week ago, one of summer’s first big events, Loop the ‘Lupe, drew the largest turnout of its 7-year history to climb, run, crawl, jump hurdles in a 5K obstacle course. Now, one last obstacle, with which you can help even if you weren’t among them. From organizer Brian Callanan:

Great news: We just had our biggest Loop the ‘Lupe ever, with 703 obstacle racers, runners, and walkers! Congratulations, and thank you!

However: participation in our donation drive is down, and that’s where Loop the ‘Lupe needs help. As the cost of putting on this event rises each year, those donations are critical. This funding helps maximize the support of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s social outreach programs, like safe parking areas for our homeless neighbors, meals, rent assistance, and utility payments for those in need, and more.

Our goal for this year is $5,000, and we’re about $1,250 short of that, as of this writing.

You can help get this fundraiser to the finish line by going here.

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 17 notes!

June 10, 2023 6:25 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Snail on sea holly, photographed by Jerry Simmons)

Welcome to the second weekend of June. Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening!

SHOREWOOD ON THE SOUND STREETS OF GARAGE SALES: Loved West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day? Today, head to this community a short distance south of West Seattle and shop all day, 9 am-4 pm! Here’s the sale map.

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: 9:30 am-3 pm, the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center will be open, selling a vast variety of student-grown plants. (6000 16th SW, north end of campus)

SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is happening weekly this year, 10 am-2 pm Saturday, prioritizing vendors of color and presented by African Community Housing & Development.

CELEBRATING TEACHER KYLENE: She’s retiring from West Seattle Cooperative Preschools after 30 years, and a celebration is happening at Highland Park Playground (1100 SW Cloverdale) 10 am-noon today.

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

SPRAYPARK OPEN: Highland Park Spraypark is open daily, through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

GEORGETOWN CARNIVAL: Noon-10 pm, all kinds of fun, all over Georgetown – see the map, schedule, and more by going here.

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

WORKSHOP AND BEACH WALK: For shoreline property owners, as explained here. Starts at 12:30 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) and includes a Lincoln Park beach walk. Preregister here.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM CLOSED: It’s usually open Saturdays, but not today.

CANDIDATE FORUMS: The 34th District Democrats present an in-person doubleheader – King County Council District 8 candidates at 1 pm, followed by Seattle City Council District 1 candidates at 2 pm – in the theater at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

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

DUBSEA FISH STICKS: 6 pm home game at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd) for the collegiate summer baseball team‘s game vs. the Seattle Studs.

MUSIC, COMEDY, SHENANIGANS: That’s what “Perfectly Shaped Heads” promises at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm.

PRIDE EDITION OF OUT AT THE BOX: 9:30 pm at Box Bar (5401 California SW).

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

FOLLOWUP: Myers Way encampment ‘resolution’ planned, Councilmember Lisa Herbold says

June 9, 2023 10:04 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, May 30)

After a murder and other incidents, “resolution” is planned for the encampment on the east side of the north end of Myers Way, according to City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. From her newest weekly newsletter:

… On May 31st, I requested that the King County Regional Homelessness Authority consider this location for its State-funded work removing encampments in State Right of Way. The funding supports shelter and services to people living at a site. I’ve also learned that last week the Executive [mayor] also reached out to WSDOT (which owns most of the land under the encampment), also recommending the site for joint resolution. I was told that the decision was made recently to move forward with that joint resolution at Myers Way, which I fully support.

Because this work is supported with blended funding, both from the State Right of Way program, King County Funding, and City of Seattle funding, the LEAD Policy Coordinating Group, of which I am a member, also has to agree that LEAD should take on the project. The City contract for LEAD services requires resources focused on geographic areas. So, we have LEAD resources specifically focused on South Delridge and Highland Park, you may remember the work they did at the Rosella Building in December and the Roxbury/Delridge Triangle before that. The Myers Way/Arrowhead Gardens area is not currently included as a focus area, but that will hopefully change. On Friday, I requested that LEAD refocus its District 1 specific work to Myers Way. I hope to have an outcome of that request to report out next week.

The City’s Unified Care Team, which responds to encampments, reports it’s been a complex site for the City to work in for several reasons: because the majority of the site is not City property, and the site has challenging topography and requires an in-depth safety plan that take into consideration EPA regulations in run-off areas, soil saturation levels that affect use of heavy machinery used in site resolutions, and land inclines and soil shifting.

Nonetheless, the UCT has been on site providing trash mitigation and geo cleans for RVs; along with 3-4 visits per week from outreach workers who also mitigate fire hazards and conduct needs assessments for residents.

It’s been a month since Arrowhead Gardens residents met with city reps (WSB coverage here) who agreed that removal of the encampment was needed, but had no firm commitments. That was three weeks before the shooting that killed 35-year-old Reginald Moore.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Try kayaks on Sunday

June 9, 2023 8:05 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

By Sunday, the sunshine is expected to return, along with 70ish temperatures. Perfect day to try a kayak! Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) invites you to Seacrest on Sunday for a test paddle – here’s the announcement:

(Photo courtesy Mountain to Sound Outfitters)

On Sunday, June 11th, from 10 am-1 pm, Mountain to Sound Outfitters is stoked to host Eddyline Kayaks at Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor Avenue SW) for our annual Eddyline Kayaks Test Paddle.

If you are interested in exploring our beautiful waterways via kayak, this is the event to talk to industry experts and try some of the best locally made kayaks in the world.

Pre-registration is required. Registration fees apply to any kayak or SUP purchase.

The registration link has more information about the event and the kayaks.

WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Here’s the last-day list

June 9, 2023 6:52 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Summer vacation has begun for at least one local school, and for many others, it’s just days away. In case you’ve wondered, we looked up the last-day-of-school dates – here’s what we found via online calendars:

TODAY (June 9): Summit Atlas
TUESDAY (June 13): Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor)
WEDNESDAY (June 14): Our Lady of Guadalupe
THURSDAY (June 15): Westside School (WSB sponsor)
NEXT FRIDAY (June 16): Highline Public Schools, Holy Family, Holy Rosary, Tilden School (WSB sponsor), Vashon Island School District
JUNE 30: Seattle Public Schools

Note that for most schools, the last day is a shortened day, so you’ll see activity outside the usual scheduled hours.

FERRIES: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth now expected to remain 2-boats-only service until next year

June 9, 2023 4:36 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

When Washington State Ferries held an online community meeting this week for its southernmost routes (video above), it included bad news for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth – WSF now doesn’t expect to restore 3-boat service to the route before “early 2024.” (The previous official estimate was to have weekday 3-boat service back last month.)

Getting in the way are the same twin troubles they’ve been mentioning for months – personnel and vessel shortages. In the former, they still need more licensed deck officers most of all – the system currently has 170 and needs 200 – and there’s a long process to qualify; WSF says it’s doing OK on hiring entry-level crew members. Regarding vessels, one current example was given – M/V Cathlamet had to be pulled from the Triangle Route this week and replaced with the lower-capacity M/V Sealth because of a domino effect that started when the Bremerton route’s only boat, M/V Walla Walla, started having trouble again. (It’s the one that ran aground on south Bainbridge Island earlier this year.) It’s out for two weeks.

Also discussed briefly, the Fauntleroy dock/terminal replacement project. WSF’s David Sowers said they’re still working to develop a “preferred alternative”; in the meantime, you might notice some work around the dock next week – a boat will be working near and under the dock to map eelgrass and microalgae.

ELECTION 2023: Candidate forum doubleheader Saturday for City and County Council candidates

June 9, 2023 2:40 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Missed our candidate forum this past Tuesday and/or want another chance to see the City Council District 1 candidates? Tomorrow is your next chance – and as a bonus, it’s a doubleheader, also including the first local faceoff between the County Council District 8 candidates. The 34th District Democrats are presenting the forums Saturday afternoon as a prelude to their endorsement votes next week, but the forums are open to all. They’re happening at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), with County Council candidates Sofia Aragon (Burien mayor) and Teresa Mosqueda (at-large Seattle councilmember) at 1 pm, City Council D-1 candidates (we’re checking on their final RSVP list) at 2 pm. We’ll be recording both forums on video and will publish them Saturday night, as soon as they’re uploaded.

P.S. Next Wednesday (June 14th), there’s yet another chance to see the City Council candidates, also at Youngstown CAC, focusing on transportation, mobility, and climate issues, presented by a coalition of regional organizations; their forum starts at 5 pm and you can RSVP for in-person or online attendance here.

Where will West Seattle’s second dog park be? 2 sites identified as potential off-leash areas

June 9, 2023 11:18 am

| 121 COMMENTS

| Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

11:18 AM: Seattle Parks has unveiled its whittled-down list of potential sites for new dog parks around the city. They have funding to design and build two – and to design a third; funding stipulates that one of the two has to be in West Seattle, which has only one off-leash area, at Westcrest Park in the southeast corner of the peninsula. The citywide list was presented last night to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. We watched the meeting, which was held at Parks HQ downtown and streamed online. This item started at about 1:20 into the meeting:

The Parks project team explained that the nine “preferred” sites citywide were from the original list of 30. One of the criteria to make the final cut: They needed to be sites already owned by the city. Here are the two in West Seattle:

Upper Lincoln Park – This site is a grassy area south of the sports field. Parks staff noted that the grass is worn in the area and that suggests to them that the area is already being used as an unofficial dog park. Here’s what was shown at the meeting:

West Seattle Stadium – This site is actually south of the stadium, west of the golf course, and downhill/east of Rotary Viewpoint Park. Parks staff noted that one big challenge would be parking, as the stadium/golf course lot fills up during event times. Here’s what was shown at the meeting:

(More than a decade ago, at least part of that site was proposed for a driving range, ultimately scrapped.)

As noted on the Parks website, the department also studied proposed sites at Me-Kwa-Mooks, Hamilton Viewpoint, and Delridge Community Center (we first reported the study sites in March; most had been suggested by community members). The briefing was relatively short, as they went quickly through the full list of nine sites. Next step is an online survey that’s supposed to start today – we’ll add the link here when available.

11:51 AM: Here’s the survey link.

The list for your West Seattle Friday

June 9, 2023 10:12 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thursday sunset as the clouds moved in, photographed by Jan Pendergrass)

As the weekend approaches, here’s what’s on the schedule for today/tonight, mostly as featured on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

GARDEN CENTER OPEN: Need more plants for your garden, containers, etc.? You can shop at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open with a wide variety of plants, until 3 pm. (North end of campus, 6000 16th SW)

SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm, rain or shine, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open daily.

SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café in the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

LINE DANCE PARTY: 1:30 pm-4 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW), presented by Lifelong Recreation – our calendar listing has the link for pre-registering.

VISCON CELLARS: Stop by Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW).

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Itchy Kitty, Mr. Dinkles, Miss Prince, 7 pm (doors at 6), $10, all ages, at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

LIVE AT EASY STREET: Hunter Pinkston is onstage at 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)

LIVE AT C & P: Songwriters’ Showcase tonight at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW), 7 pm. No cover.

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

UPDATE: Two West Seattle power outages

June 9, 2023 9:04 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Utilities | West Seattle news

9:04 AM: Thanks for the tips. On this rainy morning, there’s a power outage that Seattle City Light says is affecting 41 customers, shown on the outage map in an odd patchy footprint along the bridge and on Harbor Island:

Among those affected, we’re told, is the Nucor steel mill. We’re checking with SCL on the cause.

9:49 AM: Down to 15 customers. Meantime, a smaller outage continues in Riverview, six customers, blamed on “bird/animal contact.”

10:13 AM: The larger of the two outages is over, but the one in Riverview continues.

AFTERNOON UPDATE: The Riverview outage ended by 1:30 pm, a texter tells us. SCL blames both on bird mishaps.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday info, including morning crashes

June 9, 2023 6:03 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:50 AM: A commenter reports the light is out at 35th/Avalon. That’s possibly because of a patchy power outage we’ll be writing about separately.

9:09 AM: Police are responding to a reported crash at 8th/Henderson.

9:22 AM: That location’s been corrected to 8th/Barton and it’s closed the southbound leg of the intersection, per emergency-radio exchange.

10:49 AM: Crash involving a school bus blocking Dumar (between Delridge and 16th). No injuries reported – one child was on the bus, officers told dispatch.

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Friday, June 9th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Cloudy, chance of more showers, high in the mid-60s. Sunrise was at 5:12 am; sunset will be at 9:06 pm.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions can and do happen at any time.

Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs on Friday and Saturday nights.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

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

Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

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Some action taken, more requested, as Alki/Harbor Avenue residents meet with city officials again

June 8, 2023 11:56 pm

| 43 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Fewer RVs and greenbelt campers. More traffic calming. “Partnership” with police.

That’s part of what Alki/Harbor Avenue-area residents listed as “accomplishments” when they met with city reps Wednesday night for the fourth time in their ongoing push against crime and street disorder in the West Seattle waterfront area. (Here’s our coverage of their meeting back in December)

But they say there’s work yet to be done. For one, they’re particularly concerned about the increase in gun violence, with the recent shooting deaths of Peyman Shojaei at Don Armeni Boat Ramp and Davonté Sanchez near Whale Tail Park. And they want the city to install signage reinforcing the no-parking hours of 11 pm-5 am. They also want to see traffic calming extended further north/westward toward the beach.

The meeting at Admiral Church was facilitated by Mike Gain (above), one of the leaders of the ad-hoc community group.

City reps in attendance included, above from left, Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Dorothy Kim (currently acting precinct captain), SDOT’s Bill LaBorde, Unified Care Team rep Tom Van Bronkhorst, Seattle Parks’ Andy Shaffer, and Deputy Mayor Greg Wong (who had to leave an hour into the meeting). The city delegation included other reps from the mayor’s office, SPD, Office of Economic Development, and Seattle Public Utilities.

Another of the community group’s leaders, Steve Pumphrey, showed photo and video examples of what he and his neighbors have been trying to get stopped, including waterfront parties with blasting music in the 3 am vicinity and drivers doing donuts and other stunts. (See his slide deck here.)

June 8, 2023 7:49 pm

| 32 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(SDOT camera image from shortly after crash)

Two and a half months after two 18-year-olds died when a wrong-way driver hit them on the West Seattle Bridge, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed charges. 36-year-old West Seattle resident Delfino Lopez-Morales is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving. We have been watching court files closely ever since the crash, and just found the charging documents. In them, investigators say he had a blood-alcohol level of .14, almost twice the legal limit, three hours after the crash, and a THC level suggesting he had used cannabis within a few hours of the crash. Court documents add that an empty beer bottle was found in the truck he was driving. The two victims, Khalea Thoeuk and Riley Danard, both from Snohomish County and on their way to Alki to celebrate Riley’s birthday, were killed instantly. The charging documents say Lopez-Morales, driving a friend’s truck, was going 100 mph when he hit them. He was seriously injured and has been under medical care since the crash, at Harborview Medical Center until sometime in the first half of May, when he moved to rehab. Here’s the investigator’s narrative from the charging documents:

June 8, 2023 6:23 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:23 PM: Get out and wander the peninsula tonight – it’s West Seattle Art Walk night!

Our first stop was West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) in North Admiral, where illustrator Andrew Gregg is showing work tonight. Much of his art is focused on athletes, as you can see in the background of our photo. If you visit WSG before 7:45 pm, you can also catch live music by Taylor John Hardin, one of three Art of Music performances during tonight’s Art Walk.

6:41 PM: Paul Gerard is another of the Art of Music performers; as shown above, he is performing until 7:45 pm at Wildflour (4709 California SW; formerly Flying Apron) in The Junction. The visual artist there tonight is Jenna Brechbiel.

Also in The Junction, Matthew Cory is the featured artist at Compass (4509 California SW):

Some receptions run as late as 9 pm, so you still have time to go out and enjoy some art!

TRAFFIC ALERT: New stop signs at 44th/Findlay

June 8, 2023 4:47 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

4:47 PM: Thanks for the tip! That’s one of two new stop signs on 44th SW where it meets SW Findlay [map]. This is just west of California/Findlay, where SDOT installed a pedestrian-activated “half-signal” last October. The reader who emailed us about this earlier today said “yield” signs had been there previously, adding, “Not sure why the change – no recent increase in accidents or near-misses. Also, when traveling north on 44th, the new stop sign is obscured by a tree.” Same tree that’s in our photo, but the sign only comes into view when you arrive right up to it. We have a question out to SDOT about the rationale for the installation.

6:50 PM: SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson responded, “This was a standalone project. The new stop sign is intended to enhance safety and provide clarity for people traveling through this intersection.”