Alki Community Council, Admiral concert, Delridge ‘volunteer hangout,’ more for your West Seattle Thursday

(Photo by Laura Goodrich – squirrel near Longfellow Creek)

Here’s what’s happening today/tonight:

FREE TREATS: Today’s the day that HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) is celebrating National Ice Cream Month, and spotlighting business client Full Tilt Ice Cream, with free ice bars all day, plus a drawing. Open until 5 pm.

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

SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.

HIAWATHA WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-5:30 pm. (2700 California SW)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, noon-7 pm – here’s the schedule of sessions.

ART POP-UP: First of three days at 4500 California SW – open until 10 pm; details here.

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

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Lumpia World will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run!

VOLUNTEER HANGOUT AT OUNCES: Get some goodies and meet some good people – visit Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) 5-8 pm and learn about volunteer power at Delridge Grocery Co-op – details 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.

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: The series of free concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association continues with Midpak and School of Rock performing at 6:30 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (Walnut south of Lander). Bring your own chair/blanket/picnic!

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The ACC‘s regular monthly meeting is at 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) or online (connection info is in our calendar listing). SPD usually attends ACC and topics tonight are likely to include Sunday’s crash and the longrunning push for more traffic calming on Alki and Harbor Avenues.

COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Levi Said and Anthony Lee Phillips perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages.

THURSDAY NIGHT CORNHOLE: Go play at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm.

HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH: Final week for the return of this hit musical at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing includes the ticket link.

There’s even more in our calendar!

CONGRATULATIONS! Softball champs head to state

July 20, 2023 9:25 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to Ryan for the photo and note:

The West Seattle Little League 9-11 girls won districts against Renton and are on to the state tournament!

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info

July 20, 2023 6:01 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, July 20th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high around 85. Today’s sunrise was at 5:32 am; sunset will be at 8:58 pm.

(Wednesday sunset photo by Chris Frankovich)

LOOKING AHEAD

The West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K this Saturday (July 22) will close California SW for several hours, morning to early afternoon, from Admiral to Edmunds, as well as some side streets. Take the no-parking signs seriously – violators will be towed.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Back to regular schedules – check here for advisories. Note extra C and H Line trips for this weekend’s Taylor Swift concerts.

Water Taxi – Also planning extra late-night runs for this weekend’s concerts. Regular service today, though.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service. Check Vessel Watch to see where the boats are.

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: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether 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!

FOLLOWUP: Gate status at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex

July 19, 2023 9:48 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | Westwood

As reported here, that reader-provided photo shows the scene Monday morning at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex as what was left of a burned, presumably stolen Kia Soul was towed away. The fire was reported around 4 am; nearby residents say the lot has been a chronic trouble spot for stunt driving and worse. It’s a Seattle Public Schools facility, so we asked the district whether the gate to that part of the lot was supposed to be locked. Short answer, yes, per a district spokesperson, whose full reply to our inquiry was:

Locking the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex gates is part of the nightly routine of the nighttime attendant at the complex. Seattle Public Schools facilities and grounds team reviews the safety and security procedures with the staff on a regular basis. The grounds team responds in a timely manner when gate locks are not functional to repair or replace the hardware.

The community can use our Safe Schools Hotline 206-252-0510 to report threats or dangerous activity on any SPS property. This phone number is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

After getting that response Tuesday afternoon, we went by NCSWAC at 1:30 am today to see if the gate was secured; it was.

CITY COUNCIL NOTES: Speed cameras; maritime/industrial zoning; rent control

July 19, 2023 7:11 pm

| 63 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Though it’s midsummer, the City Council has taken up some big topics. Here are quick notes on three:

SPEED CAMERAS: The Transportation and Utilities Committee has given its official approval to the proposal for “racing zones,” potentially enabling speed-enforcement cameras on Alki/Harbor Avenues and in other areas of the city. Tuesday morning’s vote was 4-0, including Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s vote. The discussion started 27:15 into the Seattle Channel meeting video below (and there was public comment starting around 6 minutes in):

Next step is a full Council vote, which could happen as soon as next Tuesday. As explained when we first wrote about this proposal last month, passage does not guarantee or fund cameras – that would be up to SDOT to plan and propose.

MARITIME/INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY: This plan to create more certainty around the future of maritime/industrial land got final approval from the full council unanimously on Tuesday. Here’s what the council website published afterward. For a deeper dive, including a map (which shows that West Seattle’s east shoreline areas are among the land affected), see the Office of Planning and Community Development‘s website.

RENT CONTROL? On Friday, the council’s Sustainability and Renters’ Rights Committee is scheduled to consider a proposed rent-control policy for Seattle. It would only take effect if state prohibitions on rent control were repealed. The City Council website goes into details; you can read the proposal here. If the committee passes the legislation, it would go to the full council for a final vote.

GOT FEEDBACK? Since the speed cameras and rent-control proposals haven’t had final votes yet, you still have opportunities to provide feedback – council@seattle.gov (and watch the meeting agendas for specifics on commenting at meetings).

WHALES: Seen off West Seattle

July 19, 2023 6:12 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

From Gary Jones, this sighting less than an hour ago: “At least two whales, most likely humpback heading south just north of Alki Point, well east of mid-channel.”

THURSDAY: Here’s what you’ll see and hear at second of three Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented concerts

July 19, 2023 4:38 pm

| Comments Off on THURSDAY: Here’s what you’ll see and hear at second of three Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented concerts

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This Thursday (July 20th), you’re invited back to the east lawn at ” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Hiawatha Community Center for the second of this year’s three free Summer Concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Above is this week’s headline band, Midpak, who’ll be joined by musicians from the School of Rock. Bring a blanket or chair, picnic dinner if you feel like it, and grab a spot on the lawn (Walnut south of Lander) in time for the 6:30 pm start. (WSB is a community co-sponsor of this year’s revived series, which is curated by Stephanie Jordan for the ANA.)

COUNTDOWN: 3 days until West Seattle Grand Parade. Here’s a sneak peek

July 19, 2023 2:39 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

(2017 West Seattle Grand Parade photo by Christopher Boffoli – All-City Band)

This Saturday (July 22nd) is the day when West Seattle Grand Parade participants will roll, march, dance, and jump down California Avenue from SW Lander to SW Edmunds [map]. This past Monday, parade coordinators and committee members gathered for the annual pre-parade lineup meeting, and again this year, we got to observe.

This was the first year that parade applications were accepted online, so instead of the lineup meeting involving a long table topped with dozens of pieces of paper, this time it involved a spreadsheet with color-coded lines, projected onto a wall at the West Seattle Veteran Center/American Legion Post 160, in Pershing Hall, which serves as West Seattle’s only emergency shelter in the cold months.

Parade lineups are an art, not a science, and the descriptions submitted with entries are important in helping coordinators led by Michelle Edwards decide who goes where – it’s all carefully crafted, not just a matter of who shows up when and where on parade morning. But there are invariably last-minute surprises – no-shows, or entries that are nothing like what was described on the entry form. The coordinators just roll with it and make things work.

From the entries discussed at Monday night’s meeting, here’s some of what to look for (but again, it’s all tentative, subject to last-minute changes, cancellations, additions):

Marching bands including the ever-popular Seattle Schools All-City Band, featuring student musicians from all over the district, and Kennedy Catholic High School

Folklorico dancers

Youth groups (including jump-rope and singers)

Cheer teams

Floats from festivals (motorized) to schools (trucks and trailers)

Vessels, from the HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) hydro to a USS Nimitz replica

Classic and antique cars

Fire engines, antique and modern

Seafair Pirates and Clowns

The West Seattle Amateur Radio Club (whose members also help parade coordinators with communication along the parade route)

New entries include the Burien UFO Festival

In all, at least 70 entries are expected, more than last year. The Parade Committee is still working to confirm some entries who signed up early. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes activity, wander the staging zone (California north of Lander, plus Lander on both sides) before the parade start time of 11 am. Parade prep starts hours earlier (and remember the Float Dodger 5K takes off from the West Seattle High School lot at 9:30 am). The parade is presented by the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation. You can watch anywhere along the route; announcers will be at California/Charlestown and California/Alaska. We’ll have another preview tomorrow!

BLOCK-PARTY PLAN? Registration deadline for Night Out 2023 is days away

July 19, 2023 1:57 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Less than two weeks until Night Out, when neighbors around the country get together for community-building and safety planning. The official night is Tuesday, August 1st, but if you want to close your (non-arterial) street, you need to register your block party with SPD by next Monday (July 24th). That also is the day that Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite invites you to stop by the precinct (2300 SW Webster) to pick up swag for your party – “goodie bags for kiddos, and crime prevention materials for adults.” That’s 1-4 pm Monday in the precinct’s community-meeting room, first come, first served. As of this morning, 179 block parties are registered in the SW Precinct’s jurisdiction (West Seattle/South Park) – go here to add yours.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: GH Pasta & Pizza progress

July 19, 2023 12:01 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy GH Pizza & Pasta)

A reader asked for a progress report on GH Pasta & Pizza, the restaurant planned for the ex-Best of Hands/John’s Corner Deli spot at 7500 35th SW. Six months have passed since we first reported on what Chef Brian Clevenger (whose company runs Haymaker and Raccolto in The Junction plus 5 other restaurants citywide) is cooking up for the space. There was hope then of a “late spring” opening but as with so many new businesses/remodels, the timeline ends up sliding. But they’re close, says spokesperson Lesa Linster: “We are on target for an August opening, with the patio thereafter based on getting permitting back.” (The outdoor seating – up to 75 people – was a centerpiece of the January announcement, which, she reminds us, promised “large bowls of fresh pastas, a variety of pizzas with rotating specials, starters, and salads, all at approachable prices.” Also planned: “20 beers on tap, multiple TVs in the adults-only area.”

Morgan Community Association, running, music, theater, history, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

July 19, 2023 10:41 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday moonset, photographed from Alki by James Tilley)

Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the lineup for the hours ahead:

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

SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.

DELRIDGE WADING POOL: Noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

COLMAN POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

HISTORY HOUR: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), learn about Disability Pride Month.

TECH & SHOES DEMOS FOR RUNNERS: Doubleheader at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – 5 pm Garmin tech demo, 6 pm Saucony shoes demo in tandem with tonight’s 6:15 pm group run, as explained here.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – repair 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).

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

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Live, work, shop, dine, drink, play in the Morgan area? You’re invited to the quarterly MoCA meeting, online at 7 pm. Connection info and agenda toplines are in our calendar listing.

LIVE PIANO MUSIC: 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)

‘HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH’ Final week! Tonight’s performance of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) is at 7:30 pm – check here for tickets.

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

Planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or …? If it’s open to the community, send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

YOU CAN HELP: Summer food drive at Admiral Church

July 19, 2023 9:12 am

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news

If you have nonperishable food to share, Admiral Church invites you to bring it over and contribute to its summer donation drive for the White Center Food Bank. A bin is open in the church lobby (4320 SW Hill) 10 am-1 pm today and Tuesdays through Thursdays plus Sundays; church volunteers are outside to accept drive-by/dropoff donations 10 am-noon Mondays and 2-4 pm Thursdays. Here’s a list of what’s most needed. The donation drive continues through the end of August.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday info

July 19, 2023 6:03 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, July 19th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high around 80. Today’s sunrise was at 5:31 am; sunset will be at 8:59 pm.

(Tuesday sunset photo by James Bratsanos)

TRAFFIC ADVISORIES

*In Highland Park, the HP Way/Holden signal work continues.

*In The Junction, avoid 42nd SW between Alaska and Oregon – crane removal is scheduled to continue this morning.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Back to regular schedules – check here for advisories. Note extra C and H Line trips for this weekend’s Taylor Swift concerts.

Water Taxi – Also planning extra late-night runs for this weekend’s concerts. Regular service today, though.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service. Check Vessel Watch to see where the boats are.

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: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether 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!

VIDEO: ‘We’re your team.’ Outreach workers, WSDOT, city explain how they’ll ‘resolve’ encampment across Myers Way from Arrowhead Gardens

July 19, 2023 12:58 am

| 44 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

(Video of Arrowhead Gardens meeting, recorded by John Walling)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We will resolve this. It’s not going to be tomorrow, it’s not going to be next week, but it’s not going to be next year.”

That was the promise made Tuesday night to Arrowhead Gardens residents by Lisa Daugaard, whose organization is leading the in-person outreach to 48 people living in the encampment across Myers Way from the senior-living complex. She and colleague Nichole Alexander provided granular details of what’s ahead in the plan to move people out of the encampment.

It’s on a site that’s mostly state land, right-of-way for Highway 509 downslope to the east, so Washington State Department of Transportation reps led the meeting, which also was attended by city reps including Councilmember Lisa Herbold and a delegation from the Southwest Precinct.

(L-R at the table, Lisa Daugaard and Nichole Alexander from PDA, SPD’s Lt. Dorothy Kim, Councilmember Lisa Herbold)

Before an hour of Q&A, there was a half-hour of updates, starting with WSDOT officials trying to explain what will make this different from past clearances of the area.

July 18, 2023 9:16 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| High Point | West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

For many years, on the Tuesday before the West Seattle Grand Parade, the West Seattle Big Band has performed its free Concert in the Park. Tonight was the night!

The concert has several connections to Saturday’s parade – for one, the parade sponsors the concert (which was long part of the now-defunct summer-long Hi-Yu Festival). For two, WS Big Band director Jim Edwards (above left) is a longtime parade coordinator – these days with more of an emeritus role, while coordination is led by his daughter Michelle Edwards, a WSBB musician too:

Post-pandemic, the concert has had a new venue, High Point Commons Park, where the WSBB presented its program tonight.

The organization is more than a quarter-century old, with a mission of supporting students – donating its time and earnings to support school-music programs.

P.S. As for the parade – our previews of what and who you’ll see start tomorrow!

FOLLOWUP: Alki collision victim improves; city not yet committing to more safety measures

July 18, 2023 5:59 pm

| 140 COMMENTS

| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The 24-year-old woman rescued from her submerged car after a speeding driver hit her on Alki Avenue on Sunday is improving.

Harborview Medical Center tells WSB that Madison Kelly is now in serious condition, an upgrade from critical, which is how she was assessed after bystanders pulled her from the water and performed CPR even before SPD and SFD arrived at the scene. Crowdfunding continues to help her and her family with expenses.

We don’t know the status of the 23-year-old man reported to be driving at high speed before hitting her car so hard it was pushed over an embankment and into Puget Sound; police say they placed him under arrest at the crash scene but did not book him into jail as he was also taken to Harborview, with non-life-threatening injuries.

Nearby residents have long lobbied the city for more action against racing and other street disorder on Alki and Harbor Avenues. SDOT installed some speed humps/cushions and raised dividers last fall, but a long stretch of Alki Avenue – including the 1300 block, where the collision happened – remains without them. After Sunday’s crash, resident Steve Pumphrey, a leader of the neighborhood group that’s been pushing for changes, emailed city leaders a letter reading in part:

… The accident that may yet result in a fatality was reported as caused by high speed (a witness reports in excess of 90 mph) and reckless driving by the person behind the steering wheel of a so-called “racer.” It sadly becomes the capstone in an argument we have been making for years to have the city install speed humps along Harbor Avenue where they do not exist, along Alki Avenue to the beach business district, and around SW 63rd to Beach Drive. This stretch from the West Seattle Bridge to the beach and beyond is, and has been for years, a popular raceway known throughout the county, and if nothing is done, more incidents like (Sunday’s), and worse, will continue to occur. I should add that the problem becomes even worse during the dark hours.

The situation along Harbor and Alki Avenues has not improved except for a small part of the stretch where speed humps were installed earlier this year from the water taxi dock to Anchor Park. This is an urgent need, and something must be done before more innocent people — residents and visitors alike — are injured or worse yet killed!

Pumphrey also urged City Councilmembers to approve the speed-camera proposal currently before them.

We sent inquiries to both SDOT and Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office on Monday morning to ask about the status of more traffic calming in the area. Councilmember Herbold and her office told us today that they contacted SDOT in both May and June to advocate for the neighbors, and shared a previous email chain with SDOT’s Bill LaBorde in which he told them last month in part:

… Regarding the traffic safety requests, we’ve been prioritizing all traffic safety requests against serious and fatal crash data overlaid with a racial and social equity screen and, by these criteria, the Harbor-Alki corridor doesn’t rank as high as requests we receive from other parts of the city with more urgent needs safety needs, more so given the speed humps and other traffic calming we’ve already added to the corridor over the last several months (the corridor ranks in the lowest 20th percentile of arterials in the attached 2022 High Injury Network map, which was compiled before the new speed humps were added). …

That’s from LaBorde’s email response dated June 9th. SDOT’s response to us, via spokesperson Mariam Ali, arrived less than an hour ago:

We are aware of the reckless and illegal driving occurring in these areas and are looking into identifying safety improvements to help address residents’ concerns. We continue to monitor the traffic data in the area as one of the steps to help us determine if any additional short or long-term safety improvements can be made.

As you know, we built safety improvements in this area to address community concerns to the reckless and illegal driving incidents. This includes:

-Building safety enhancements along Harbor Ave SW and Alki Ave SW between the West Seattle Water Taxi and Luna Park.
-Installing about a half dozen sets of speed humps, as well as a raised center divider to prevent people from illegally driving in the wrong direction to pass other cars.
-Working with Seattle Parks Department to consider whether to put speed humps within the Don Armeni Boat Ramp parking lot.
-Building speed humps and crossing improvements further west on Alki Ave SW between 63rd Ave SW and 57th Ave SW.

In addition, we’ve collected feedback on the early designs for the Alki Point Healthy Street project and working on a proposed design concept. We plan to share this proposed design concept with the community soon.

We also asked SDOT about the current price tag for a speed hump/cushion; roughly $10,000, Ali said.

We will continue to follow up on multiple facets of this, from the safety concerns to the people involved in this specific collision.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen gray Trek hybrid bicycle

July 18, 2023 3:56 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen gray Trek hybrid bicycle

| Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photo are from Lisa:

My bicycle was stolen between noon and 1 pm today on the east side of California Ave SW at SW Hinds Street. It is a dark gray Trek hybrid bicycle with disc brakes and mountain bike handlebars. It has a rear rack.

Lisa doesn’t have the permanent police-report number yet, but the tracking number is T23015545.

COUNTDOWN: Three days until Alki Art Fair 2023!

July 18, 2023 2:19 pm

| Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Three days until Alki Art Fair 2023!

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Again this year, the Alki Art Fair will run for three days – art and music along the promenade and around the Bathhouse – and it all starts Friday (July 21). Here’s the latest official overview:

FRIDAY 2-8 pm
SATURDAY 10 am-6 pm
SUNDAY 10 am-6 pm

Now in its 27th year, this FREE, family-friendly, annual arts and music festival brings Alki to life with over 100 professional artists, craftspeople and emerging artists. There will be live music, children’s activities, live demonstrations and local artisan food vendors for everyone to enjoy.

Visitors can take in the colorful views while strolling the promenade, as they eat and shop among the expansive lineup of artists, makers, and performers. It’s a great opportunity to engage with the local creative community and celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our local arts and culture.

The Alki Art Fair still needs volunteers to help with this year’s festival.

Volunteers can assist and mingle with the artists, help with the silent auction, staff the information booth, assist musicians, and more. Visit bit.ly/volunteerAAF23 for a full list of volunteer opportunities and to sign up today!

Event Highlights:

-100+ local artists & crafters selling works in a variety of media including painting, pottery, glass, textiles, metal, jewelry & more. See the full lineup of participating vendors at alkiartfair.org

-Live music and performances throughout the weekend on the Bathhouse Stage sponsored by Canna West Culture Shop and open mic stage on the promenade. This year we’re featuring a variety of genres including Latin, Soul, Funk, Pop, Rock and more. See the full lineup and schedule at alkiartfair.org/music

-Interactive Kid Zone hosted by OuterSpace Seattle (the galactic indoor playspace for kids of all abilities).

-Silent auction in the historic Alki Bathhouse featuring unique items from local artists and businesses.

-Local food lineup features a range of sweet, savory, spicy and delicious options including Caribbean Cuisine, Dippy’s Ice Cream, Lbees Filipino Deli, Pop’s Sausage Grill, Simply Kettle, Road Dawg, Sap Sap Deli, Moe’s Falafel, and Little Jamie’s Mini Donuts.

Sponsors:

Canna West Culture Shop, Outer Space Seattle, 4Culture, Office of Arts & Culture, West Seattle Blog, Aegis Living, Nucor Steel, PNW Marketing, Smith Brothers, Live Oak Audio Visual, BAM Performing Arts Studio, Seal Sitters, Lake Washington Windows

See you at the beach!

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: BedHead Coffee reopens

July 18, 2023 1:20 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Thanks to Chau for the tip! BedHead Coffee has reopened on the southeast corner of 16th/Holden in Highland Park. When we reported last fall on its closure, its founder told WSB that she had sold her interest to her former partner and wasn’t sure about its future. But now BedHead is back in business. The barista there when we went over this morning said their hours are 6:30 am-2 pm weekdays for starters, until they hire someone to run the stand on Saturdays.

They have plans for a menu expansion, but coffee is the focus for now as they get going again.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Arcade now open!

July 18, 2023 11:18 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Elyssa and Matthew Cichy are welcoming players into their newly opened West Seattle Arcade at 2758 Alki Avenue SW! Today is the second official day of business, six months after we first reported on their plan. We stopped in last night for pics. You’ll find a wide variety of games, from classic arcade fare …

… to games brought in from Japan:

And if you want to try your claw-machine luck …

You can go see for yourself right now – hours are 11 am-10 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 11 am-11 pm Fridays, 10 am-11 pm Saturdays, 10 am-10 pm Sundays. As noted in our original January report, they’re also offering birthday-party space.

Seeing Taylor Swift this weekend? Two West Seattle notes, including extra Water Taxi runs

July 18, 2023 10:51 am

| 19 COMMENTS

| King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

Our inbox suggests the citywide excitement over this weekend’s sold-out Taylor Swift concerts at Lumen Field is more intense than what preceded last week’s All-Star Game. So, two notes:

EXTRA WATER TAXI AND RAPIDRIDE RUNS: Transit services are adding more runs for Saturday and Sunday, including Metro buses and the West Seattle Water Taxi. The WT will add 11:45 pm and 12:15 am runs from Pier 50 downtown both nights, and Metro has a special shuttle that will take concertgoers to the dock, as well as (updated) added C and H Line service.

YOUNGSTOWN COFFEE: The coffee crew at 6030 California SW is stoked. Here’s their announcement:

In celebration of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour coming to Seattle this weekend, Youngstown will be running a special Taylor’s Version menu and giveaway! Our menu and contest is running now through July 23rd (Taylor’s final night in Seattle) and a winner will be chosen that evening.

Prizes include Speak Now tay’s version CD, Youngstown gift card for $25, Youngstown t-shirt, and sticker. To enter, visit our shop and purchase any drink off of our Diva Summer or Taylor’s Version menus and get one entry form.

Two park concerts and more for your West Seattle Tuesday

July 18, 2023 9:54 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Madrone trees at Lincoln Park, photo by Darlene Allen)

Two ways to enjoy music in local parks top our list of what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.

E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

FREE COVID VACCINATIONS: The Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is partnering with Othello Station for the first of three free clinics, 2 pm-5:30 pm, no health insurance or appointment required. If you have questions, call the branch at 206-684-7455 or go to the Public Health – Seattle & King County website.

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

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm stories and activities for kids at the Delridge P-Patch, weekly throughout the summer starting tonight. (5078 25th SW)

PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Community Orchestras welcome you to play music with them tonight, at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – 6 pm easy music, 7 pm intermediate music. Audience welcome too! More info in our calendar listing.

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

WEST SEATTLE TOASTMASTERS #832: 6:30 pm online, work with others to improve your communication, leadership, and public-speaking skills! Get the link by RSVPing to wstoastmasters832@gmail.com

WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND CONCERT IN THE PARK: In High Point Commons Park, 7 pm, enjoy the West Seattle Big Band! Free, all welcome, BYO chairs/blankets/picnics. (3201 SW Graham)

MORE TRIVIA: Three places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

You can look into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!