WEST SEATTLE HALLOWEEN: Six trick-or-treat events

(WSB photo, 2023 Admiral trick-or-treating)

Feels like we have more Halloween/Hallo-weekend events in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar than ever – and we have more to add; you can scroll through what’s there already via this link. If your family’s main interest is in trick-or-treating, here are the big events:

ADMIRAL TRICK-OR-TREATING: 4-7 pm Friday (October 25). This spans a wider area than ever, according to the organizers at Admiral Neighborhood Association, from the South Admiral mini-business district (think Little Donkey, Alair, more) to North Admiral. You’ll find crossing guards in three spots too to help you get across California.

ALKI BEACH TRICK-OR-TREATING: Noon-2 pm Saturday (October 26). This spans the business district along the beach, from 63rd eastward. Info’s online at alkitrickortreat.com.

BEER GARDEN TRICK-OR-TREATING: All ages welcome at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 2-6 pm Saturday.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT: Hope Lutheran School invites everyone to trunk-or-treat in the lot across from the Hope North campus, 4100 SW Genesee, 6:30-8 pm Saturday.

JUNCTION TRICK-OR-TREATING: This is again combined with the West Seattle Harvest Festival, 11 am-2 pm Sunday (October 27) in The Junction, right after the costume parade that kicks off the festival (gather at 42nd/Alaska).

WHITE CENTER HALLOWEENTOWN: Block party on 16th SW south of Roxbury, 4 pm-2 am on Halloween (Thursday, October 31), featuring low-rider trunk-or-treating.

Are we missing anything? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WEST SEATTLE HALLOWEEN: Late-night lights

Another day-and-night display to showcase tonight – sent by Darrell in South Delridge:

It’s been fun decorating for Halloween. This year I’ve made some new scarecrows and changed things up. We will be giving out treats on Halloween and love having people stop to enjoy the decoration. The lights are on timers and don’t go off till 2 am. 9049B 18th Ave SW – cross street is SW Barton.

Got decorations to show off? Pics to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Fauntleroy Creek salmon watchers welcome school of students

From Judy Pickens of the Fauntleroy Watershed Council:

(Photo by Tom Trulin: Volunteer Rich Rosenthal kept groups moving among 5 learning stations along the spawning reach)

Salmon watchers on Fauntleroy Creek haven’t yet seen coho spawners but on Monday morning (10/21), several of them saw a large school of kindergarteners. The 52 students and more than a dozen adults from St. Francis of Assisi School in Burien came to learn about salmon and their habitat. Volunteer watchers engaged groups of students in talking about why spawners bury their eggs, how their carcasses enrich the habitat, and related topics.

If and when spawners arrive, we’ll announce a weekend “open creek” for the general public here.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Police seeking help identifying man ‘involved in’ southeast West Seattle shooting death

(WSB photo, October 13)

A week and a half after 53-year-old Oton Garcia Ruiz was shot and killed at the Shree’s Truck Stop gas station in southeast West Seattle, police are releasing photos of a man they say was “involved in” the killing, and asking for help identifying him. Via SPD Blotter:

Seattle police detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male involved in a homicide last week.

On October 13th at 8:01 p.m., patrol officers responded to a shooting at Shree’s Truck Stop, 7801 Detroit Avenue Southwest. The shooter fired into the crowded gas station with disregard to any of the patrons.

Police located a 53-year-old male victim who was sitting in his car, waiting to fill it up with gas. He sustained a fatal gunshot wound.

Homicide and Crime Scene Investigations detectives processed the crime scene. Detectives captured images from video footage of a man involved in the homicide.

He is of average height and weight with dark colored hair and mustache with a connected goatee. He was last seen wearing a pink polo shirt, New York Yankees baseball cap with a light blue bill and closure (snapback), dark jeans, and light-colored shoes.

If anyone has information regarding his identity, please call the Seattle Police Homicide tip line at 206-233-5000. You can remain anonymous.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Ephesus Restaurant close to reopening

(WSB photo from February)

Back in February, we reported on Ephesus Restaurant‘s original owner planning to reopen, after Ephesus closed under different ownership the year before, and readers have been asking frequently for updates. We finally have one. A liquor-license application appeared online today. We reached proprietor Hasan Ocak by phone. (He founded Ephesus as a Turkish restaurant in 1995.) He says he has remodeled and overhauled the restaurant at 5245 California SW (just south of Rite Aid) and now is waiting for his chef to arrive, and for the assembly of a kitchen staff. His timeline for opening will be determined by how all that goes – could be a week, could be a month, he told us. The staff availability also will determine what hours/days they’re open – probably 4-10 pm, he said, whichever days it turns out to be. Will the menu be the same as the old days? “Different,” he told us – how different depends on when he and the chef get together and compare ideas.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two burglaries

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

BURGLARY ARREST: This is unfolding right now on Puget Ridge – police have arrested a suspect after a reported home burglary in the 1500 block of SW Brandon.

BUSINESS BURGLARY: We heard a bit of this on police radio last night and followed up today. Here’s the summary we obtained:

On October 21 at about 11:16 p.m., Seattle police responded to a business in the 3600 block of West Marginal Way Southwest for the report of a burglary. A motion alarm was tripped at the business and a security surveillance employee saw armed suspects cutting through a fence, trying to break into the business and going in and out of cars. The alarm company also relayed initial information. The suspects were seen fleeing the scene in an SUV and car. Officers spotted what appeared to be one of the cars involved and activated lights and sirens. The car took off on Delridge Way Southwest at high speeds and then went eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge. A pursuit was authorized, but it was terminated in the area of 4th Avenue South and South Brandon Street. None of the vehicles involved were apprehended. The business itself suffered some damage to an exterior door, but it did not appear the suspects gained access beyond a stairwell. At this time, it is not believed anything is missing or stolen.

If you have any information, the incident # is 24-299339.

SOCCER: Junction FC team adds West Seattle Rhodies women’s team to the family

Earlier this month, at an event celebrating women’s soccer, the owners of West Seattle Junction FC said they had big news coming. This morning, it’s officially unveiled – here’s the announcement introducing you to West Seattle Rhodies FC:

A new women’s USL W League soccer team is coming to West Seattle in 2025 – West Seattle Rhodies FC. This exciting expansion into the United Soccer League (USL) will help establish a strong presence of women’s soccer in the Pacific Northwest. Based in the West Seattle community, the club will make its debut in the USL W League in the spring of 2025.

“We are beyond excited to embark on this new journey with the USL W League and bring West Seattle Rhodies FC to life. This is a remarkable opportunity to elevate the talent and passion of our community on a national platform, while creating pathways for women to thrive in soccer,” said CEO & Co-Owner Jessica Pierce.

“As a club, we’re dedicated to growing the game and fostering accessibility where players, coaches, and leaders can flourish. We’re eager to get started and contribute to the continued growth of women’s soccer in the Pacific Northwest,” Chief Marketing Officer & Co-Owner Marissa Villegas said.

Rooted in the vibrant West Seattle community, the club aims to foster a culture of inclusivity, excellence, and shared growth, building lasting connections through the beautiful game. The mission of the Rhodies is to develop the next generation of female athletes, inspire local pride, and establish itself as a competitive force in the USL W League.

“We are committed to empowering women in soccer by creating a platform where players, coaches, and leaders can grow and thrive together, just like the resilient rhododendrons that symbolize our club,” continued Villegas.

Why the Rhododendron

Our club draws inspiration from the rhododendron, a symbol of growth and resilience. Just as rhododendrons thrive in groups, we believe in fostering a supportive environment where women can grow and excel together.

Community Oriented

Rhodies players and staff will participate in youth camps and clinics, local events focused on youth development alongside our partners at the West Seattle Y, and community events alongside small local businesses. Home games will be played in West Seattle and the majority of the training sessions will be in the community as well.

About West Seattle Junction FC

West Seattle Rhodies FC is part of a broader vision initiated by the ownership group of West Seattle Junction FC, the men’s team which joined USL League Two in 2024. Both clubs share a commitment to fostering local talent and building a strong soccer culture in the region, with a particular emphasis on creating pathways for youth players to reach the next level. The combined ownership group will run both teams.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do at West Seattle Rhodies FC. As a club founded and majority-owned by women, we are committed to advancing women’s leadership in sports and ensuring that women are represented at every level of our organization.

Our ownership group includes two women of color, and we actively work to provide pathways for women not only on the field but also in key decision-making roles off the field. We empower women in leadership roles and promote diversity within our organization, and as we grow, we will expand our DEI initiatives, focusing on creating opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in all aspects of the game—on the pitch, in coaching, and in management.

Watch for more info here.

Here’s what’s on our list for your West Seattle Tuesday

(Northern Flicker with rainbow in background, photo by Michelle Green)

Here’s our list of what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from our Event Calendar, where you can get a preview days, weeks, even months ahead

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open noon-8 pm today – drop in any time to see what’s on display for this year’s Southwest Artist Showcase.

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Long-distance advocacy via handwritten postcards to be sent to voters in other states, with just three weeks to go until Election Day – drop in 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all welcome.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Lunch meeting at noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), Program: “Nancy Ward of the World Justice Project, focused on “action to advance the rule of law.”

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

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

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

FREE TRACK RUN: All runners welcome! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

OPEN CHOIR REHEARSAL: As previewed here, the Boeing Employees Choir (which is actually open to all) is having an open rehearsal at 6:30 pm at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska).

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

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

TRIVIA X 4: Four trivia options for Tuesday – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

SCHOOL-LEVIES INFO SESSION: As we’ve been reporting, Seattle Public Schools is proposing two major levies to go to voters in February, including the BEX VI levy with a proposed $50 million addition at Chief Sealth IHS. Tonight at 6:30 pm, the district is offering an online informational session; look for the link on this page pre-meeting (we’ll add it here when we get it, too – update – the link can be found here).

HIGH-SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Two 7 pm home matches – West Seattle HS vs. Franklin (3000 California SW) and Chief Sealth IHS vs. Lincoln (2600 SW Thistle).

Planning an event? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WEDNESDAY: First-ever West Seattle Runner Halloween Lights Run

(2023 WSB photo)

The annual holiday-season runs presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) are a staple, like the Christmas Lights Run (last year’s participants are shown above, pre-run). This year, they’re adding the first-ever Halloween Lights Run, 6:15 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, October 23) from the shop.. If you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the announcement from WSB co-proprietor Lori McConnell:

Join us for the West Seattle Runner Halloween Lights Run!! We will meet at the shop at 6:15 pm. Feel free to wear costumes! Tim says, you better wear costumes :) Put on lights and reflective to be seen and use headlamps/ flashlights to be able to see. We will map out an approximate 3-mile route to view Halloween displays in the ‘hood. This will be a nice easy-paced run, with walking and photo/viewing display opportunities, definitely not a race.

Just show up at the shop (2743 California SW) before 6:15 pm Wednesday. (And set your calendar for the Gobble Gobble Group Run on Thanksgiving – November 28 – 8 am on Alki.)

TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday info

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, October 22nd.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Some rain, some sun, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:39 am, while sunset will be at 6:07 pm.

ROAD WORK

*The low bridge will be closed Friday through Sunday for cylinder re-installation.

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides, likely next week. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*Narrowing on Fauntleroy at Raymond because of intersection work.

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, no “unscheduled third boat” this week and likely next. Keep updated via bulletins.

Metro buses todayRegular schedule.

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

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

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

SCHOOL CLOSURES? Superintendent’s short-list plan not out yet; local board rep sets next community meeting

Today was the date around which Seattle Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brent Jones had said he expected to release his list of up to five school closures. But – no list yet. We checked with SPS’s media team late in the day and they said they weren’t expecting anything today but “We’re hoping for later this week.” Meantime, West Seattle/South Park School Board Director Gina Topp has set her next community-conversation meeting for Sunday (October 27), 11 am-noon in person at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond);

COUNTDOWN: West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival on Sunday. Here’s who’s competing in the chili cookoff

(WSB file photo)

Time to start previewing Hallo-weekend’s big activities. Biggest of them all – the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival on Sunday (October 27). It starts off with the costume parade, led by the West Seattle High School Marching Band, and includes trick-or-treating. But for the savory palate, a non-candy treat awaits – the flight of chili that will get you the right to vote in the cookoff benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank. Here’s this year’s lineup, as announced by WSFB:

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds at the West Seattle Food Bank Chili Cookoff during Harvest Fest! This year, eight fantastic West Seattle-area restaurants will compete for the coveted title of Best West Seattle Chili. Here are the contenders:

Easy Street Café
Elliott Bay Brewery
Fire Tacos
Husky Deli
Margie’s Café
at the Center for Active Living
NW TX BBQ
Shadowland
The Westy

We’re excited to welcome a couple of newcomers to the competition this year. Margie’s Café at the Center for Active Living and Fire Tacos, who recently won Best Savory Taste at the Taste of West Seattle with their mouth-watering pork verdé, are joining the fray!

For just $15, you can purchase a flight of 8 chili samples, with all proceeds supporting the West Seattle Food Bank’s vital programs. These include food assistance, help with utilities and rent to prevent homelessness, clothing, bus tickets, and more. Join us at the Key Bank corner during Harvest Fest — the chili cookoff starts at 11am. Don’t miss your chance to vote for your favorite chili and help crown the winner of the Best West Seattle Chili trophy!

The Farmers’ Market will be in its usual spot and time (10 am-2 pm) during the festival (11 am-2 pm) but an extra block of California will be closed for festival activities – between Alaska and Edmunds.

WEST SEATTLE HALLOWEEN: ‘The 4040 House’ is live!

The photo is from Ryan, who emailed to announce:

CThe Halloween show at the 4040 House is live! This year is our biggest one yet! The haunted jukebox is back with several new songs, even more lights, and some cool special effects!

The show runs every night between 6 pm and 9 pm. It’s located on 47th Avenue Southwest between Dakota and Andover. The street is quite narrow, so if you’re driving, please park on the side streets and walk up to the house.

Got decorations to showcase? Photos and info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – and see what we’ve already shown here!

ELECTION 2024: City Council candidates appear at West Seattle Chamber of Commerce online forum

(WSB photo, ballot box at South Seattle College)

With 15 more days to vote – until Tuesday night, November 5 – the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce held its first “Chamber Chat,” with the organization’s Government Affairs Committee focusing on candidates and issues on the ballot. They first heard from both candidates for the final unexpired year of the City Council citywide Position 8 term:

CITY COUNCIL CITYWIDE POSITION 8: Alexis Mercedes Rinck said she’s “fighting for a city that works for all of us.” She says that she’s worked “across 39 cities” and various organizations on housing policy, as well as restructuring UW’s budget. She said her roots go back to a troubled childhood but people who fought for her saved her. She wants to work for a “fairer tax system” and to move from “budgets with band-aids” to budgets that “set up” the city to thrive. In Q&A, she was asked how she’d work with colleagues with different goals/philosophies. She said that she felt she’d bring balance to the council. She said she could work with folks “from MAGA to Marxist” and currently works with reps for different cities that are all over the political spectrum. She said she helped work on homelessness-fighting plans, too. She stressed a collaborative nature to “get folks around the table … to problem-solve” and says that’s what she wants to bring to citywide office. Answering another question, about public safety, she said “Seattle kids deserve to go to school without fear” among other things and that action is needed now – building staffing “across the board,” including law enforcement and other responders, is her priority. “It’s not enough to just respond” – work on prevention is vital too, especially gun-violence prevention. She supports “permit to purchase.” She added, “We know what we need to do” – reports have made numerous suggestions – we just need to implement them. Housing would improve safety, too, she believes.

Regarding transportation, she said she lives car-free and relies on public transit daily. Safety on transit is a priority too. “On the whole, I’m really committed to creating a safe multi-modal transit system,’ prioritizing all ways of getting around, plus electrification, adding sidewalks, and finding “progressive (revenue) options” to fund all that. How would she support small business? “They’re the cornerstone of our community,” Mercedes Rinck declares, saying she worked at one as a restaurant, but knows owning one is a whole different thing. She also mentioned the end of the tip credit and said she’s committed to help figure out how to ensure affected small businesses can keep their doors open. She thinks the Office of Economic Development can do a lot of work for entrepreneurs and wants to hear more about what they have or haven’t been doing.

She was also asked about the Department of Neighborhoods, with a suggestion that the city doesn’t really reach out to neighborhood groups any more. “How do you get people in the neighborhoods involved again, get the department involved again in bringing those voices to the table?” Mercedes Rinck agreed she wasn’t seeing much DoN involvement so the department needed to be empowered to do more outreach; she said she needs to find out more about their staffing level and look for opportunities to invest – “we know that community engagement is a lot of time, time that people don’t have sometimes.” Next: Why is she seeking office? She thinks the city has a lot of urgent needs, like what she saw in her area, the Central District, which recently had two shooting incidents, Also – dealing with the high housing prices and cost of rents going up; she says we need more housing supply, She feels she’s “somebody to act, move with urgency,” and says, “Let’s get stuff done!”

Next was appointed incumbent councilmember Tanya Woo. In opening remarks, she said her parents had the first Chinese bakery in Seattle; she comes from a long list of business owners – her parents currently own a restaurant in Chinatown/ID. She has experience building “workforce housing” and has formed a public-safety group that started walking nightly in a time of anti-Asian hate and now walks weekly. The group, she said, segued into homeless outreach and assisted seniors as well. She said more incentives are needed for building affordable housing and believes that density and “more trees” can both happen. She is in favor of reducing permit wait times, which she says she’s experienced as a small business owner. “There isn’t going to be one thing that changes overnight – it’s all part of a puzzle.” Building back SPD staffing and having alternative responders are both important, she says, as well as figuring out how to connect people with services. “I imagine a city like where I grew up – where kids can go to school without worrying about getting shot,” like her worry-free days at Schmitz Park Elementary in West Seattle. Her priorities: Public safety, homelessness, housing affordability.

How would she work on council to fully and fairly represent constituents? She says the current councilmembers are “all friends, a civil group, all in person” so she doesn’t do anything without collaborating with other councilmembers (she mentioned collaboration with CM Rob Saka for one). She is all for “finding the common ground. … That’s where I reside, how do we work together to reach the greatest good?” She added, “We just have to try things” and make changes if it’s not working. “It’s all about listening and making sure people are heard … and being out in the community” She said she’s out at meetings and events at least once a day.

How does she approach public safety and transportation? “Balanced approach,” she says. Regarding police, “while we did not defund police, we demoralized police … since most are on patrol work, we are not able to investigate” as many crimes as before. “I also believe in a balanced approach” and supports expansion of CARE Team, LEAD, REACH, and seeing how other groups are working to increase safety. Regarding transportation, she says ST3 and ensuring community measures are being heard is a priority. “I know we’re not even there yet” regarding station siting. She was involved in assembling the Transportation Levy, while noting she isn’t allowed to advocate for it.

How will she advocate for small businesses? She thinks the impending compensation change is going to force a lot of small businesses to close. She wants to find ways to be proactive and help businesses pay for things like shatter-resistant glass treatment and anti-graffiti coating. Other issues plague businesses – trespassers, drug use right outside, employees not feeling safe coming to or being at work. She said she wants to hear what businesses like those in the Chamber need. “I feel the desperation of many businesses, the weight of” how policies are affecting them.

Other questions: A local bank manager asked about graffiti vandalism, calling “demoralizing” despite not being on the scale of drug addiction or homelessness. It’s “demoralizing” to see buildings defaced, and it seems to add “a temperature of chaos … it’s like a war on our city.” Woo agreed, “I abhor graffiti.” She said her group has chased vandals down to let them know how much their deeds hurt small businesses, especially in “historic districts” that might have rules making it even harder. She feels graffiti comes down to “consent” – yes, there’s some consensual art out there, but much graffiti is vandalism detracting from the “beauty of our buildings.” Other factors delay cleanup like weather and waiting for the availability of cleanup crews. Invited to say a few closing words, she made allegations against her opponent’s stands on various issues, including saying Mercedes Rinck’s interest in “more progressive revenue” is not realistic because most of a long list of recommendations are for taxes that “are illegal.” (Mercedes Rinck wasn’t there to rebut because of the event’s format – each candidate appeared individually.)

TRANSPORTATION LEVY: The group was also scheduled to hear from guests for and against the Seattle Transportation Levy; no pro-levy guest was available, so committee chair Jordan Crawley offered some basic information about the $1.55 billion levy. Former Seattle City Councilmember Alex Pedersen – former chair of the council’s Transportation Committee – spoke against it. He was asked about his biggest concerns regarding the levy, which he said would be “Seattle’s biggest tax ever.” He feels it’s “unaffordable, inequitable, and would be ineffective.” Rents would go up, he says, as property owners pass the cost through. One point on equity – he says it could have at least partly gone through a less regressive funding source. He also says it’s not doing enough for pedestrian safety and bridges, among other things; he’d also like to see its projects “broken into smaller pieces” – the repaving funding all goes into 15 big projects, he says, but could go into more smaller projects that repave more streets. In all, he would just like to see it redone and sent back to voters in the first half of next year. Some supplementary funding is necessary, he says, so that’s why he favors rejecting this one and calling for something new to be drafted quickly.

The Chamber also was scheduled to talk about the statewide initiatives on the ballot, but also did not have a “pro” guest, and we couldn’t stay for that part of the program. Your ballot should have arrived by now – if not, here’s what to do!

FOLLOWUP: ‘Welcoming’ mural progress


On Sunday, we published an invitation to a “community paint party” all afternoon at the new “welcoming mural” under the overpass just north of the Luna Park mini-business district. This afternoon, we went by for a look at how it’s coming along.

We didn’t have time to stop and talk with the mural crew but last we heard they were planning to wrap up by tomorrow (Tuesday, October 22).

TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Crash on westbound West Seattle Bridge

2:57 PM: Police and fire are responding to a reported pickup spinout/crash near the Admiral exit on the westbound West Seattle Bridge. No details yet on injuries or traffic effects.

4:32 PM: SFD tells us, “Crews evaluated a 22-year-old man who reported no injuries.”

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Molly Moon’s West Seattle update – including location switch

(Reader photo from April, the formerly planned Molly Moon’s space)

Half a year after Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream uncloaked plans to expand to West Seattle by hanging a banner at 4540 California SW, we have updates.

For one, Molly Moon herself tells WSB today that “We hope to open in West Seattle in the spring. It’s been a wild ride with this location and real estate in the Junction. we hope the community believes we’re worth the wait. We’ll try hard to get open around the time the sun stays up until 7 pm again!”

(WSB photo)

Here’s a big part of that “wild ride” – Instead of opening in the ex-Seattle E-Bike space, they’ll be opening in the space that Cupcake Royale just vacated a few doors down, as rumored. When we asked about it previously, they weren’t ready to comment, but they’re confirming the plan now: “It was touch and go and I wasn’t sure it would happen, but we closed on the purchase of the West Seattle Cupcake Royale on Friday. We will file for building permits there and open our shop on the corner of California and Alaska. … Our plans for the corner space are the same — we’ll be making all the ice cream on site, like we do in all of our locations, and creating about 15 – 20 living-wage jobs with upward mobility opportunities when we open. We’re really looking forward to joining the WS community!”

Meantime, they’re looking for a “great tenant” for their originally planned space at 4540 California, for which they have a 10-year lease. If interested, email (updated) hello@mollymoon.com.

CONGRATULATIONS! Chief Sealth IHS slowpitch-softball team to state

The update and photo are from Chief Sealth International High School athletic director Ernest Policarpio:

The Chief Sealth Slowpitch Softball team, after losing a tough first-round matchup vs Holy Names 15-5 on Thursday, won 4 straight this weekend to clinch a state trip to Yakima this weekend. Bracket (here).

The team, which won the Metro League championship a week earlier, went to the state tournament five years ago.

The list for your West Seattle Monday

(Sunday sunset from Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, photo by Eugene Lee)

Here’s our highlight list for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

COMMUNITY CUP SHOWCASE: Multiple artists’ cup creations are on display all month at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW), open until 2 pm.

ARBOR HEIGHTS FOOD TRUCK: Rotating semiweekly food truck visits, 40th/107th, 4-7 pm.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, including first-time players.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm evening group with Listening to Grief, preregistration required. (4034 California SW)

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Four places to play tonight – Every-other-week music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: You’re invited to free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community also hosts Monday night meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley in back of Bonjour Vietnam is open – tonight, live music from The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

SING! 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

If you have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

ORCAS: Southern Residents in the area

9:02 AM: Just got a text from Kersti Muul reporting that Southern Resident Killer Whales from J-Pod are in the area – southbound in north Elliott Bay, last seen off West Point. Let us know if you see them!

9:42 AM: Kersti reports they’ve now been seen toward the west side of the Sound, off Bainbridge near Winslow.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Monday notes

6:07 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, October 21st.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Showery, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:38 am, while sunset will be at 6:09 pm.

ROAD WORK

*The low bridge will be closed Friday through Sunday for cylinder re-installation.

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides, likely next week. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*SDOT says the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project is complete – no more lane closures.

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, no “unscheduled third boat” this week and likely next. Also, possible delays offloading at Vashon, due to lane closure 6:30 am-3 pm. Both of those situations are explained here.

Metro buses todayRegular schedule.

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

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

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen black Ram pickup truck; found Mongoose bicycle

Two reader reports:

STOLEN PICKUP TRUCK: Sent by B:

My buddy’s 2002 black Dodge Ram 2500 extended-cab 4×4 truck was stolen in Arbor Heights this morning. It has a Cummins diesel and a unique exhaust (little louder then stock) and license plate WA: 2FISHON – could be in Seattle, Burien, King County, or anywhere.

No police report # yet; will add when we get it.

FOUND BICYCLE: This was spotted in Westwood today by someone suspecting it was stolen and abandoned:

Yours? Email us and we’ll connect you.

TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: West Seattle low bridge back in service after 2+ hours

8:17 PM: Off-and-on trouble continues for the West Seattle low bridge. It’s been closed to all surface traffic for more than an hour – no ETA on when it’ll be fixed, so don’t pull up and wait.

9:34 PM: Back in service again – green lights for both the path and driving lanes. Reminder – the low bridge has a scheduled closure starting this Friday, for re-installation of a cylinder.