West Seattle, Washington

21 Tuesday

63℉

month : 06/2023 311 results

DEVELOPMENT: Official notice of next Design Review meeting for 1116 Alki Avenue
June 15, 2023 4:59 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(‘Preferred option’ massing from last year’s draft design packet by MZA Architecture)

As we reported two weeks ago, the Southwest Design Review Board has one of its now-rare meetings scheduled next month, for the second Early Design Guidance review of 1116 Alki Avenue SW. The date is now corrected to July 6th, and the official notice was made public by the city today. It’ll be a 5 pm online meeting, with the opportunity for spoken or written public comment. The project is proposed for six floors, 65 units, 102 offstreet-parking spaces; here’s our report from its first early-design meeting in April 2022. Information on how to attend/comment is on this city webpage, which is also where you’ll find the new design packet when available; note that the early-design stage is primarily about a building’s massing – size, shape, and placement on the site.

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YOUTH SPORTS: Players wanted for West Seattle Baseball’s Summer CRUSH
June 15, 2023 2:49 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Both days this weekend, West Seattle Baseball invites you to come watch tournament action, free, at the Pee Wee fields in lower Riverview. And if you have a prospective player in the household – WS Baseball is accepting signups for its Summer CRUSH league through June 23rd. Here’s the invitation:

(West Seattle Baseball photo)

Summer CRUSH is West Seattle Baseball´s fun summer league that combines some of the organizational elements of the spring league with more of the fun, summery vibe from sandlot-style baseball with your friends. It is also an opportunity for players to take advantage of more reps, plus try new positions and new facets of the game in a fun, low-stress situation. There generally are no practices and the baseball feels more like sandlot games or scrimmages. Again our focus is on having fun and playing more baseball.

CRUSH is divided into three divisions, 8U, 10U, and 12U. 8U is scheduled to play Mondays and Wednesdays. 10U is scheduled to play Tuesdays and Thursdays. 12U schedule details are still being determined but most likely be twice a week on weeknights.

Team rosters are built with summer vacations in mind. Larger rosters can sometimes mean that the batting order gets long, more often, however, it prevents teams being too short-handed to realistically play when multiple players are out of town on family trips. Again, games are scheduled only for weeknights, leaving weekends completely free.

Registration fee for CRUSH is $125, cost includes a ballcap and team jersey for each player. The CRUSH season will begin the week of July 10 and run for 6 weeks ending on August 17.

West Seattle Baseball is a 100% volunteer-run, non-profit youth baseball league. Our goal is to provide comprehensive baseball programming which appeals to kids of all levels of enthusiasm and ability. The league prides itself on being a fun and enjoyable program that our players, their families, and their coaches want to participate in again each succeeding season. To find more information about West Seattle Baseball, visit westseattlebaseball.com.

And again, the signup link is here.

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FOLLOWUP: Myers Way encampments ‘resolution’ status
June 15, 2023 1:21 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

(April photo of encampment, taken by an Arrowhead Gardens resident)

Back on Tuesday, we told you about reports of cleanup activity on the east side of Myers Way, though people and vehicles remained visible in the northeasternmost encampment area, on state/city land. We had asked local and state departments/agencies for updates. We’ve also gone back the past two days and seen no signs of further activity; this morning, the “no parking” signage along the city stretch of the street was gone. Meantime, a statement was sent to us and others, including Arrowhead Gardens resident groups and the Highland Park Action Coalition; it indicates that any further activity is still in the planning process. The statement is from Brian Nielsen, WSDOT Northwest regional administrator, who explains that he is “responsible for overseeing all aspects of state right of way within the Region”:

Dear Arrowhead Gardens Senior Living community and Myers Way neighbors,

I want to share with you information and next steps as it relates to the encampments on Myers Way. The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Washington State Patrol, King County Regional Homeless Authority and the City of Seattle collectively agree that this site is our top multijurisdictional site to address. Operational teams are coordinating a site resolution plan.

Our teams are working together to determine next steps to address the site and those living there unhoused. This work requires a multi-agency approach as the encampment is spread across both WSDOT and City property and we know from experience that close coordination is the best way to resolve these sites for the short and long term. Actions currently underway include:

Site stabilization

WSDOT, in coordination with partners, will assess the location to determine where we might make changes to better manage ingress and egress to the site to prevent further growth and better manage access.
The City of Seattle is onsite providing litter picks and trash mitigation at this site several times a week.

Outreach, Housing, and Shelter – KCRHA will:

Assess housing and shelter availability and options within the current system.
KCRHA’s outreach providers are onsite regularly to engage and work with the people experiencing homelessness, ensure connections with services and prepare for housing when resources become available.

Outreach staff will also provide assistance to ensure that any barriers to housing, such as obtaining identification documents, are addressed ahead of time so that people may move into housing immediately when resources become available.

Housing and shelter outreach at this site are in alignment with state legislature requirements that WSDOT and its partners in Right of Way Safety Initiative work to “transition persons residing on state-owned rights-of-way to safer housing opportunities, with an emphasis on permanent housing solutions,” and that the housing offered is a “meaningful improvement over the individual’s current living situation” and “well-matched to an individual’s assessed needs.”

Although the circumstances and conversation regarding the encampment are challenging, I am committed to sharing the parameters in which our agency operates transparently. I also very much appreciate your concerns and understand that you have questions. Please know that we hear your concerns and are working with urgency. We are not currently in a position to share a definitive timeline for site resolution, but we would like to provide timely updates for your community as they are available. I will share more information next week.

City Councilmember Lisa Herbold had said last week that the resolution was “planned.” But we haven’t heard back from her office, the city’s homelessness-response spokesperson, or the state regarding exactly what it was that happened this past Tuesday. Meantime, no arrest reported yet in the Myers Way murder and assault cases from earlier this month.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Mural beginning to bloom outside WS Nursery
June 15, 2023 12:06 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo)

Something new is growing at West Seattle Nursery (5245 California SW) – the wall along the south side of the property, on SW Brandon, is getting a mural. The artist is Katie Todaro of Glam Dusty Studios, whose work you’ve likely seen beautifying other West Seattle walls.

(West Seattle Nursery photo)

When we stopped by this morning, Katie told us that with rainy weather likely to interrupt soon, the mural will probably be complete within two weeks.

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‘No kid should die’: Lucy Strong Foundation’s fight against childhood cancer gets boost from Movement Mortgage
June 15, 2023 11:31 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

A brave little girl from Arbor Heights was the inspiration for a gathering last night at Movement Mortgage (3727 California SW). Her name was Lucy and cancer diagnosed at age 3 cut her life short at age 8 – but her fight lives on, in hopes of saving other kids, via the Lucy Strong Foundation. Movement Mortgage offices nominated recipients for $10,000 GraceWorks grants via appraisal firm Karis AMC, and the West Seattle office’s proposal for the Lucy Strong Foundation was chosen. “No kid should die,” Lucy’s mom Nicole told the gathering last night:

Nancy Spiro from Movement Mortgage explained, “This is the first large donation the charity is receiving and we want to celebrate our hope to cure pediatric cancer.” Nancy’s daughter Raya went to school with Lucy and shared a memory at last night’s gathering:

The Lucy Strong Foundation is planning its first Sparkle and Shine Gala this November. You can check back here for more details.

Find out more about the Lucy Strong Foundation’s work – from funding research to delivering presents to young cancer patients – by going here.

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Timebank picnic, ’empowered dating,’ Alki Community Council, more for your West Seattle Thursday
June 15, 2023 10:26 am
|    Comments Off on Timebank picnic, ’empowered dating,’ Alki Community Council, more for your West Seattle Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(The view along the Alki Trail this morning – photo by Angela G.)

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

SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily operations continue for Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayers@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.

CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF PRIDE MONTH: 4 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon):

In this presentation, Mitchell C. Hunter of GenPride will use personal storytelling to illustrate the diversity of LGBTQIA+ people and their experiences. You’ll learn the historical context of discrimination they have faced, as well as milestones and achievements they have celebrated. Q&A will follow the presentation.

RSVP by calling 206-932-4044.

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), The Original Philly’s will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a three-mile run!

PICNIC WITH THE TIMEBANK: The West Seattle Timebank is having a picnic gathering, all welcome, at Lincoln Park, 6 pm – location map and more info in our calendar listing.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at The Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Seattle Parks reps are among the guests at tonight’s 7 pm monthly meeting. You can attend online (connection info here) or in person at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).

EMPOWERED DATING WORKSHOP: Presented monthly by Kate Mageau, 7 pm at Rainier Hair Studio (5619 California SW), explained here. $45.

There’s even more in our calendar!

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ALKI ELEMENTARY REBUILD: Community open house to say farewell
June 15, 2023 9:40 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(2013 photo from Alki Elementary’s centennial by Jean Sherrard)

With more than a century of history, Alki Elementary School has thousands of people with connections past and present. If you’re among them, you’re invited to an event next Wednesday. Here’s the announcement:

Alki Elementary School, a historic institution that has been a cornerstone of the West Seattle community since its construction in 1900, will soon bid farewell to its beloved building. In August of this year, the school is set to be torn down to make way for a brand-new facility, ensuring a modern and innovative learning environment for future generations.

Before bidding adieu to its rich past, Alki Elementary School is inviting the public to a special Community Open House on June 21, 2023, from 4 pm to 6 pm. This free event offers an opportunity for community members, alumni, and anyone with fond memories of the school to step inside and reminisce about the cherished moments shared within those walls.

Though no grand ceremonies are planned, the open house aims to create a casual atmosphere where attendees can freely explore the public spaces of the historic building one last time. From the vibrant hallways that echoed with laughter to the cafeteria that witnessed countless friendships being forged, visitors will have a chance to wander through the school and relive the memories that shaped their lives.

An interactive aspect of the event includes the provision of Sharpie pens for attendees to leave heartfelt notes and messages on the cafeteria walls. These messages will serve as a meaningful farewell for both the students and staff as they embark on their journey to a new facility.

Alki Elementary School recognizes the significance of its place in the community and seeks to honor the building’s legacy by providing this opportunity for all to come together and pay tribute. It’s a chance to celebrate the generations of students, educators, and families who have contributed to the school’s vibrant history. We respectfully acknowledge that Alki Elementary sits on the traditional and unceded land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

Don’t miss this final chance to walk the halls of Alki Elementary School before its transformation. Join us on June 21, 2023, and be part of this heartfelt farewell to an iconic institution.

At Alki and elsewhere, Seattle Public Schools‘ last day of classes is Friday, June 30th. The start of construction depends on what happens with appeals filed against the city’s decision to grant zoning exceptions; the appeal hearing is scheduled for late July.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday begins
June 15, 2023 6:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Thursday, June 15th!

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast: Starting off partly sunny, mostly sunny later, high around 70. Sunrise was at 5:11 am; sunset will be at 9:09 pm.

SCHOOL YEAR ENDING

Here’s our list of when local schools get out for summer – today is the last day for Westside School (WSB sponsor).

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. Note that on Monday, the WSWT will be on a Sunday schedule for Juneteenth.

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.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

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ELECTION 2023: 34th District Democrats’ endorsements, headlined by City Council D-1 choice
June 14, 2023 10:30 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

In a three-hour online meeting that concluded an hour ago, our area’s largest political organization – the 34th District Democrats – made their pre-primary endorsement decisions. Here’s how that shook out in the three major local races for which the incumbents aren’t running again:

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1: With almost 200 members in attendance, the group nominated four of the eight candidates for consideration. That first vote ended with Rob Saka at 50 percent, Maren Costa 24.6 percent, Phil Tavel 11.9 percent, and Preston Anderson 11.1 percent. 60 percent is required to win an endorsement, so this went to a second ballot between Saka and Costa; he won the sole endorsement with 63.7 percent. (For context, departing incumbent Lisa Herbold won the 34th DDs’ endorsement four years ago, and they gave a dual endorsement to her and Shannon Braddock in the first D-1 election back in 2015.)

KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8: Two of the three candidates for the position Joe McDermott is leaving were nominated for consideration. Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda just missed winning the endorsement by coming in a fraction of a point below 60 percent. The group then voted on whether to dual-endorse Mosqueda and Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon, but decided on “no endorsement” instead. They’ll be able to reconsider for the November general election.

SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 8: Only one candidate was nominated for consideration out of the three vying for the seat Leslie Harris is leaving. Gina Topp (a former 34th DDs chair) got the nod.

ALSO OF NOTE: The 34th DDs took various other endorsement votes but weren’t scheduled to vote on whether to endorse the Veterans, Seniors, & Human Services Levy. County Executive Dow Constantine moved to bring it up, noting that ballots will be in the mail by the time the group meets again July 12th. After voting to allow a vote, attendees endorsed the levy.

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PORT CONTRACT: Tentative agreement announced
June 14, 2023 9:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

The longrunning West Coast port-contract negotiations have finally resulted in an agreement. Announced tonight:

The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union today announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract covering workers at all 29 West Coast ports. The deal was reached with assistance from Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su. The parties will not be releasing details of the agreement at this time. The agreement is subject to ratification by both parties.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” said PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams in a joint statement. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports.”

As reported here earlier this year, port cargo volume drops have been blamed on shippers steering away from the West Coast due to uncertainty over the contract situation.

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BIZNOTES: Ice cream and pizza
June 14, 2023 7:32 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Two food-business notes:

YES, SHUG’S IS STILL ON THE WAY: After a couple reader questions recently about the status of long-on-the-way Shug’s Soda Fountain (Mini) location at California/Charlestown, we checked in with co-proprietor Colleen, who replied, “We are forging ahead! Just not sure when we can get the final push accomplished. I am so excited to share Shug’s with everyone and wish we were open already. Hopefully soon!” It’s going on five years since they first announced intentions for the space. They’ve had pop-ups on the way, plus permitting challenges and life circumstances contributing to the long delay.

NAME CHANGE: Erik emailed today to say he had received a postal-mail brochure for Romano Pizza and Pasta, at the same address he knew as Olympia Pizza (5605 Delridge Way SW). So we went over to see what was up.

We asked the staff if the name change signified an ownership change; they said no. We recognized the same staff as last time we had been there some weeks back; Erik said the menu in the brochure seems pretty much the same too. The restaurant opened, as Olympia Pizza, 15 years ago.

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HELPING: Student’s roadside pet-food drive in West Seattle
June 14, 2023 4:30 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

That’s Helena, a 12-year-old Madison Middle School student, and we just found out from her dad Patrick that she’s collecting pet food until 6:30 pm today at 50th/Stevens. Her dad says she’ll be accepting donations tomorrow too (we’re checking on the hours). The pet food she collects will go to Seattle Humane.

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UPDATE: City Attorney clarifies federal judge’s graffiti-vandalism ruling
June 14, 2023 3:59 pm
|      52 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

3:59 PM: Seattle Police published this statement this afternoon:

Late yesterday afternoon, SPD received an order from a US District Court judge that enjoined, in full, enforcement of SMC 12A.080.020 – the City’s misdemeanor property destruction law. This means that until further order of the Court, SPD cannot take action on damage to property under this law. This is not a matter within SPD or City discretion; we are bound by the court order as it is written.

We understand and share the concerns that are being relayed to us by our community, businesses and residents alike. We know, as evidenced by the thousands of calls for service we receive each year reporting acts of vandalism and other forms of property damage that property damage is, in fact, a crime that is of significance to community members. SPD is working closely with the Mayor’s Office and City Attorney’s Office to assess next steps with the Court.

We hadn’t heard about this case before. It challenges graffiti-vandalism arrests under a city law that specifically targets graffiti vandalism, but does NOT mention other forms of “property destruction::

A.A person is guilty of property destruction if he or she:
1.Intentionally damages the property of another; or
2.Writes, paints, or draws any inscription, figure, or mark of any type on any public or private building or other structure or any real or personal property owned by any other person.

The order by federal Judge Marsha Pechman is a preliminary injunction – meaning it could be temporary. Here it is, as linked in a news release from City Attorney Ann Davison‘s office. In the ruling, Judge Pechman writes in part that the law:

“… targets speech (and) poses a real and substantial threat of censorship. … On its face, the Ordinance sweeps so broadly that it criminalizes innocuous drawings (from a child’s drawing of a mermaid to pro-police messages written by the Seattle Police Foundation … The Court agrees with Defendants that the public benefits from preventing property damage and visual blight. But the criminalization of free speech significantly harms the public interest in far greater measure than the public might benefit from criminalizing property damage.”

Meantime, the City Attorney’s Office said that today it would ‘file a motion asking Judge Pechman for expedited reconsideration of the order. The Criminal Division of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office will not be filing property destruction charges under this law for the time being.”

6:34 PM: The City Attorney’s Office has since sent this statement clarifying that the injunction only sought to target graffiti vandalism, not other kinds of property damage:

At the direction of the Court, counsel for the City and the plaintiffs conferred this afternoon to determine whether they agreed that the Preliminary Injunction should enjoin enforcement of both SMC 12A.08.020(A)(1) and (A)(2) or just SMC 12A.03.020(A)(2). After conferring, the parties submitted a stipulated notice to the Court stating their agreement that the Preliminary Injunction enjoins only SMC 12A.08.020(A)(2). We anticipate the Court will issue an order confirming the stipulation and narrowed scope of the Preliminary Injunction Order. The effect of this change is significant because it permits the City to continue enforcing violations involving property damage, a gross misdemeanor, under SMC 12.08.020(A)(1). Subsection (A)(2) of the ordinance remains enjoined, pending further order of the Court.

The aforementioned “stipulated notice” can be read here.

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Citywide reminder about fire-hydrant testing and brown water
June 14, 2023 2:14 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

If you’re a regular WSB reader – and/or you’ve been through this yourself – you know that fire-hydrant testing has led to an increased incidence of brown water. The hydrants are Seattle Public Utilities infrastructure; Seattle Fire tests them. The two departments have joined forces today for this citywide reminder about hydrant testing. What’s not mentioned is something SPU confirmed to us a few weeks back, after a reader tip – that a change in procedure has factored into the rise in reports. Also keep in mind that while much of this is attributed to hydrant testing, that’s not the only reason for brown water; line breaks and other problems can stir up the sediment in the lines too, so if it happens to you, continue reporting to SPU at 206-386-1800.

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COUNTDOWN: 1 month until West Seattle Summer Fest 2023!
June 14, 2023 12:15 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 1 month until West Seattle Summer Fest 2023!
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

One month from today, the peninsula’s biggest party of the year begins – West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction, Friday, July 14th, through Sunday, July 16th. We talked about the plan recently with Chris Mackay, executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association, which presents Summer Fest (which has its roots decades ago in an annual Junction-wide summertime sidewalk sale).

Hours and festival footprint will be the same as last year – vendors will be open 1-8 pm Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday, 10 am-5 pm Sunday, with music and beer garden running later on Friday and Saturday. Main-stage music will again be Friday and Saturday only – if you missed the lineup announcement last month, see it here. On Sunday, the Farmers’ Market will be on California north of Oregon like last year.

Enjoy festival browsing, to shop and learn? You’ll find more vendors this year – about 150 (listed here). The food booths will be a bit more numerous this year too (list coming soon). The kid zone on the west side of the festival – on SW Alaska and in the lot behind KeyBank – will include inflatables as well as free activities hosted by local schools. A community mural will be created again at Summer Fest this year (thanks to Dan Wiseman‘s legacy gift).

And of course it all starts Thursday afternoon/evening with Summer Fest Eve – your chance to wander the streets of The Junction and enjoy Art Walk venues while Summer Fest setup happens. We’ll see you in The Junction next month!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 robberies, 1 arrest
June 14, 2023 10:25 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two robberies in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

SUSPECT ARRESTED: If you noticed a police response in the Jefferson Square area this past hour, police were called after a reported robbery, and arrested a suspect. We’re still working to get specifics on what happened beyond “robbery at knifepoint” with the robber demanding the victim’s (corrected) wallet and phone; the suspect was arrested near the north side of the shopping center and some items were found in a subsequent search with a K-9. Thursday update: Police say the circumstances were as follows: “An employee was outside on his phone when a guy approached him and told him to hand over his phone and wallet. When the employee refused, the suspect pulled out a knife and repeated his demands.” The 35-year-old suspect is likely to have a bail/probable-cause hearing this afternoon.

STORE HOLDUP: Thanks for the tip on this – someone driving by the 35th/Barton 7-11 around 6 am noticed police cars and crime tape. According to archived dispatch audio, a store staffer called 911 around 4 am to report a robbery at gunpoint about half an hour earlier. The robbers were described as white, male, masked, about 18 years old, and in a black 4-door car. Police were working to get access to security video.

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Council candidate forum and more for your West Seattle Wednesday
June 14, 2023 10:03 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Northern Flickers, photographed by Jay Speidell)

Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening today/tonight on what’s expected to be the warmest day of the week:

TODDLER READING TIME: Bring your little one to Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) for Toddler Reading Time, 10:30 am.

CANDIDATE FORUM: A coalition of advocacy groups is presenting a City Council District 1 forum focused on mobility, 5 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way), also livestreamed – our calendar listing has the RSVP link.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – fix it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

TRIVIA x 6: Here’s where to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Our area’s largest political group makes its pre-primary endorsements at an online meeting tonight, 6:30 pm. See their website for info on how to attend.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

PIANO NIGHT: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

KARAOKE AT BENBOW ROOM: 9 pm-2 am – info in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

If you are planning an event – presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or … – that could be featured on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar, tell us about it! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Dr. Patrick M. Hogan, 1948-2023
June 14, 2023 9:13 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Dr. Patrick M. Hogan, who had a longtime dental practice in West Seattle. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing:

Pat died peacefully surrounded by his family May 31, 2023 at the age of 74 due to pancreatic cancer. Born October 25, 1948, in Seattle to Raymond and Kathleen Hogan, he attended Mercer Island High School where he played football and graduated in 1966. Pat graduated Cum Laude from the University of Washington and was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.

In 1971 he married the love of his life, Jan. Pat graduated from the UW School of Dentistry in 1974. After graduation, he spent 3 years as a Captain in the Army Dental Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, earning the Army Commendation Medal. While at Fort Bragg, Pat and Jan welcomed their daughter, Kelly, in 1976. They subsequently returned home to Seattle, where Pat began his practice at the West Seattle Dental Center in 1977. Daughter Kyle was born in 1980, and Kacey in 1986. Pat and Jan lived in Burien, West Seattle, and Normandy Park while they raised their three girls.

Pat thoroughly enjoyed serving the West Seattle community as a dentist and treated his patients with a very high level of care, and he was known to follow up with patients in the evenings and on weekends. As Pat stated about his practice, “The true joy of practicing dentistry is in the relationships that you build with your patients. My practice feels very much like a family. We have many patients who started in our practice as children, and are now bringing their children to see us. I can’t express what that type of loyalty means to myself and to my staff.” During his 46 years practicing dentistry, he spent time teaching at the UW School of Dentistry, participating in West Seattle Rotary, and numerous dental study clubs, including the Renaissance Study Club, receiving years of continuing education.

Pat was very active in basketball until “the hips wore out” and was also a “founding father” of Hoopaholics Basketball Camp, which benefits Childhaven. Pat retired from dentistry in 2020 and he and Jan moved to Bainbridge Island. Throughout Pat’s life his passions were his family, basketball, and exploring the waters of Puget Sound and the San Juans in the family’s wooden trawler the “First Light.” Pat is survived by his wife Jan Hogan, brother Tim Hogan (Candy), daughters Kelly Johnston (Scott), Kyle Udo (Chandler), Kacey Lugar (Evan) and six grandchildren: Jane, George, Bennett, Emerson, Ella and Clare. A private celebration of his life will be held for family and friends on June 27.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday info
June 14, 2023 6:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday info
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Wednesday, June 14th!

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

(Tuesday photo by James Bratsanos)

Today’s forecast: Starting off mostly cloudy, sun later, high in the upper 60s. Sunrise was at 5:11 am; sunset will be at 9:08 pm.

SCHOOL YEAR ENDING

Here’s our list of when local schools get out for summer – today is the last day for Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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. Note that next Monday, the WSWT will be on a Sunday schedule for Juneteenth.

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.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

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SCHOOLS: Invitation for well-wishes as Lafayette Elementary teacher prepares to retire
June 13, 2023 9:58 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

In the waning days of the school year, some longtime educators are not getting ready just for summer, but for the endless summer of retirement. That applies to one at Lafayette Elementary for whom colleagues are organizing a “fond farewell” and hoping you can help:

Did you or your child attend Lafayette Elementary and have Cindy Adams as a teacher? After over 30 years of teaching, she will be retiring. Please help us wish her a fond farewell and thank you for all of her years of teaching. Students and families, past and present, are invited to send cards, art, poems to the front office to be compiled to send as a surprise to her by June 29th.

Please feel free to email your letter to bjjones1@seattleschools.org and we will print it out. Or mail your letter to Lafayette Elementary (2645 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116) addressed to Cindy Adams c/o Brooke Jones. Thanks so much!

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FOLLOWUP: Myers Way encampment ‘resolution’ begins
June 13, 2023 7:15 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Myers Way | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips. The no-parking signs along the city’s portion of Myers Way are there because clearance work has begun on the encampments on the east side of the street; City Councilmember Lisa Herbold had said in her newsletter last Friday (as reported here) that she was told “resolution” was planned. Today, two readers told us in mid-afternoon that they had seen city vehicles and tow trucks in the area earlier; we went out immediately to look but the crews were gone, while vehicles and campers remained along the northeast end of Myers. Subsequent inquiries to city and state contacts haven’t yet yielded any information. But during the Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee meeting that just wrapped up, camp managers confirmed that clearance work had happened earlier today. They expressed gratitude – declaring “it was a great day for cleanups along Myers Way” – as the unsanctioned camping causes problems for their attempts to maintain order at their site on the west side of Myers. The clearance work also caused some chaos outside their gates, they said, as some east-side campers and their possessions migrated across the street. While outreach workers have been working with the east-side campers, none will wind up at Camp Second Chance, as its 64 tiny houses are fully occupied, the managers said. We hope to find out more about the east-side situation tomorrow and will check in the morning to see if crews return; the “no parking” signage carries dates running for another week-plus past today.

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ELECTION 2023: You’ll vote in November on Seattle Housing Levy renewal/expansion
June 13, 2023 4:30 pm
|      73 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The mayor proposed it in March, and the City Council finalized it this afternoon – the next renewal of the seven-year Seattle Housing Levy, expanding it to almost a billion dollars, will be on your November ballot. Here’s an overview of where that money would go, according to the council’s website:

Rental Production and Preservation:
$707,270,379 – Capital funding for new production of affordable rental housing, acquisition of structures to create or preserve affordable housing, and reinvestment in existing affordable housing to make capital improvements.

Operating, Maintenance, and Services:
$122,300,000 – Operating support for Housing Levy-funded buildings for 20 years, supplementing rent paid by low-income residents, including formerly homeless residents and other residents with supportive service needs. Wage stabilization support for supportive housing workers serving residents who have experienced homelessness and who are living with low incomes.

Administration:
$60,000,000 – Funding for administration of all programs, including holding costs and predevelopment costs for land in the City’s possession.

Homeownership Program:
$50,689,796 – Assistance to low-income homeowners to maintain stable housing through emergency home repair grants, assistance to eligible homebuyers through home purchase loans, and development subsidy loans for the development of new resale-restricted homes.

Prevention and Housing Stabilization:
$30,000,000 – Rent assistance and stabilization services for low-income individuals and families to prevent eviction, support housing stability, and address homelessness.

Acquisition and Preservation:
Up to $30,000,000 (no additional funding) – Short-term acquisition loans for cost-effective purchases of buildings or land for rental or homeownership development.

The first Seattle Housing Levy was a $50 million, 8-year measure in 1986; the one that’s expiring, passed in 2016, was for $290 million. You can see the rest of its history here. As for this one, when proposed in March, it was described as costing the owner of a median-value home – $855,000 – $32 a month.

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WHALES: Orcas, humpback in nearby waters
June 13, 2023 2:21 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

2:21 PM: Two whale reports from Kersti Muul: First, southbound orcas off Bainbridge Island, visible from Alki, within this past hour; second, a humpback whale off Blake Island. Let us know if you see any of the above!

5:15 PM: Update from Kersti – the humpback is in Elliott Bay, headed toward Duwamish Head.

5:33 PM: From there, Kersti says, the humpback is heading toward downtown.

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