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Spotlight Stories


  • Chase

    PURSUIT: Police chase 7-11 robbers at 100 mph

  • Schools

    SCHOOL CLOSURES: New district plan – 5

  • Flood

    WATER WOES: Easy Street’s tough cleanup

ORCAS: Big weekend for whale sightings
October 6, 2024 10:37 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

10:37 AM: If you’ve seen the orcas passing west-facing West Seattle this morning, Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch tells us those are transients. But on Saturday, there was much buzz about Southern Resident Killer Whales making their first appearance this fall in central Puget Sound. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail told us last night that they almost got this far south – her group was standing by with shareable binoculars but they turned around and headed back north. Great time of year for whale watching – let us know if you see any!

10:53 AM: Kersti says today’s transient group – the T65Bs – are now “milling about” off Alki.

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Woman to hospital after Easy Street Records window incident
October 6, 2024 9:44 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Photo sent by Kathy)

Thanks for the tips. More trouble for Easy Street Records – two days after flooding damage inside, one of the shop windows was broken from outside, around 7 am. Police found a shrieking woman, took her into custody, and called for medical assistance; one of the people who told us about this, Kathy, says people nearby setting up for the Farmers’ Market told her that the woman apparently had thrown herself against the window. SFD tells us, “A crew was dispatched and treated an adult female in crisis. The patient was transported to the hospital by AMR.”

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Memorial service planned October 19 for Andrew J. King, 1950-2024
October 6, 2024 9:00 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather October 19 for a service in memory of Andrew J. King. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing now:

Andrew James King was born on the 13th of March, 1950. He was the third and youngest child of Donald and Andrea King.

He grew up in north Seattle and attended Ballard HIgh School, from which he graduated in 1968. After high school, he attended college at Pacific Lutheran University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1972. He continued his study of music at the University of Washington, where he earned a Master of Music degree with a special emphasis on organ performance in 1974. That same year, he became organist and cantor at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, where he served until his death on August 7, 2024. He also worked for 35 years at Rainier Industries in the accounting department, serving as the Vice President of Finance at the time of his retirement in 2016.

He is survived by his wife, Larraine, their two children, David and Elizabeth, his brother Donald Jerry, his sister, Carolyn, a niece, three nephews, and many grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. He lived his life in service to others, and was an influence for good wherever he went. He will be missed by all whose lives were touched by him.

There will be a celebratory memorial Eucharist and Inurnment service on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 1 pm at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, 4105 California Avenue SW. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Andrew King memorial fund at FLCWS, the West Seattle Food Bank, or the arts organization of your choice.

(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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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Preserving, preparing, registering to vote, plus ‘Beyond Land Acknowledgment,’ ‘Screenagers,’ more
October 6, 2024 6:03 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bubbly scene at Alki earlier this week – photo by James Bratsanos)

Here are the highlights of what’s happening in our area today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more listings):

SWIM IN THE SOUND: At 9 am, dive into the weekly group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

VACCINATION CLINIC: 9 am-3 pm with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), flu and COVID shots offered, open to the community; our calendar listing has more information and the registration link.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet for today’s run at 9 am at Current Coffee (2206 California SW).

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE OPENING RECEPTION: 10 am-11:30 am, meet West Seattle neighbors showing their creations this month at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As usual, open 10 am-2 pm, with seasonal produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

WHILE YOU’RE IN THE JUNCTION … visit Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) for October’s first Sunday Small Business Pop-up Market.

DELUXE TAG SALE: Three fashionable vendors you probably know are throwing a “deluxe tag sale” 10 am-3 pm again today, “in the Alki neighborhood in the south side alley between 60th and 61st Ave SW off Admiral Way.”

NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE YET? Change that today! Special registration event at Fauntleroy UCC, starting at 11:20 am. (9140 California SW)

OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: Noon-7 pm, last of three days of beer, food, and fun. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

GET READY! One more free “Ready Freddy Prep Party,” 1-1:45 pm with Alice Kuder of Just in Case, at Whisky West (6451 California SW) – our calendar listing has RSVP info.

‘PRESERVING YOUR HARVEST’: 1:30 pm class at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW) – our calendar listing has info and the ticket link.

MUSICIANS FOR THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – Orville Johnson and Ross Robinson with Andrew Mason; bring food or money to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank.

‘GUARDS AT THE TAJ’: Closing performance for the award-winning “dark comedy” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 3 pm – info and tickets here.

‘BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT’: Five-week series of Sunday night events at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW):

We are pleased to be able to offer this series to our community and invite all who are interested in learning more about the history and future of the Duwamish tribe and the effects of colonization on the Indigenous community to join us.

5 pm-6 pm, no RSVP required.

‘SCREENAGERS: ELEMENTARY AGE EDITION’: As previewed here, 5:30 pm at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW), the Seattle premiere of the latest documentary in the “Screenagers” series – a must for parents of elementary students. Q&A with the filmmaker afterward. Co-presented by the Lafayette Elementary PTA. Advance tickets here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.

Are you organizing and/or publicizing something that should be listed on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Just email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SPORTS: This week’s high-school football updates
October 5, 2024 8:01 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

With one game last night and one this afternoon, this week’s local high-school varsity football games are both in the books. This afternoon at Memorial Stadium downtown, West Seattle HS won its second game of the year, beating Franklin 34-7. Last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth IHS lost to Lakeside 13-10, its first defeat of the year. Next week, both teams play Friday night games at NCSWAC (2801 SW Thistle) – WSHS (2-3) vs. Lakeside at 4:30 pm, CSIHS (4-1) vs. Cleveland at 7:30 pm.

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HALLOWEEN 2024: Our first featured display – R & B, ‘just getting started’
October 5, 2024 6:22 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Halloween | West Seattle news

Earlier this week, we published our annual request for pics of must-see West Seattle Halloween displays – and now that the big night is less than four weeks away, it’s time to start showing them! Among the first displays shown to us is the one in the pic above and video below, from Halloween devotées R & B (aka Ron & Brian), who report, “We’re not even close to being finished yet but we’ve got something up on 47th between Hanford and Hinds.”

If you have a Halloween display to show off, send your pic(s) and location – doesn’t have to be the exact address, as long as people can find you if they want a firsthand look – to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Vintage clothing stolen; packages found
October 5, 2024 3:28 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports today:

VINTAGE CLOTHING STOLEN: MM reports that this happened in Seaview: “My car was burglarized in the front of my house between the hours of Friday October 4th night 6 pm – Saturday 10 am. A gray plastic bin with an attached lid was full of vintage clothing. Some of the items taken were WW2 gray military pants, two gold purses, 1940s women’s shoes, Levis, vintage fabric, alligator purse, dresses.” SPD incident # is 24-941744.

PACKAGES FOUND: If you live on 12th SW and are missing packages, that might be what WSM spotted:

Was out walking today in the Highland Park neighborhood and saw discarded (possibly stolen) packages along the parking strip … blocks away from the address shown.

If possibly yours, let us know and we’ll connect you.

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FERRIES: Fauntleroy vessel moves; next terminal-project meeting
October 5, 2024 12:44 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Two Washington State Ferries notes of West Seattle interest:

FAUNTLEROY MOVES: M/V Cathlamet has been out of service for Coast Guard-required drydocking,” per WSF, but is expected to return to service later today, replacing M/V Kitsap on the Triangle Route, likely by the 5:45 pm Vashon to Fauntleroy sailing. Cathlamet and Kitsap are the same size/class, so that won’t change capacity. But Kitsap will then head to Mukilteo/Clinton, replacing 90-vehicle M/V Sealth, so that route will be back to “normal vehicle capacity,” WSF says. (Sealth in turn is headed to the San Juans to replace M/V Chelan, which, WSF says, “will move out of service for maintenance work through the end of October.”

FAUNTLEROY TERMINAL PROJECT: It’s not on the project website yet, but a Community Advisory Group member tells WSB that the next CAG meeting has been set for 6 pm Wednesday, October 23, online as usual. Watch for the viewing link to appear here soon. WSF continues working toward a “preferred alternative” for the terminal/dock-replacement project, expected to go into construction 2027-2029.

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COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks until Fauntleroy Fall Festival. What you’ll see, and how to help
October 5, 2024 10:26 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2023 Fauntleroy Fall Festival)

No major events this weekend, so we’ll take some time looking ahead to what’s next – including the Fauntleroy Fall Festival! Organizers have sent a reminder of what you’ll find at this free festival, plus a request for help in filling up the volunteer roster:

We are a little bit over 2 weeks away from the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. This year’s Festival is Sunday, October 20th from 2-5 pm and will feature a number of annual favorites — bunny petting zoo, birdhouse building, pumpkin decorating, bouncy houses, live music, arts & crafts, much more.

As always, our event is free to the community, except for our food vendors. Come join us at The Hall at Fauntleroy, Fauntleroy YMCA, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, and Fauntleroy Church. We are very grateful to our sponsors to keep this event free to the community including Birdhouse, Endolyne Joe’s, DSquared Hospitality, Garden Coaching Solutions, Hazelwood, Wildwood Market, Fauntleroy Church UCC, Fauntleroy Children’s Center, and the Fauntleroy Community Association.

We are still looking for a few last volunteers to help out with the festival; please feel free to sign up to help make the event a success.

The festival venues are on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW, and crossing guards are part of the volunteer lineup to help festivalgoers get safely back and forth. And – given the season – we’ll remind you, the festival happens rain or shine!

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WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 31 notes!
October 5, 2024 6:07 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Michael Ostrogorsky, West Seattle seen from city’s new Overlook Walk downtown)

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

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.

HEAVILY MEDITATED: 9 am at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), free community meditation – RSVP here.

VACCINATION CLINIC: School clinic, but community’s welcome too – flu and COVID shots available, 9 am-3 pm at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW).

DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle has TWO farmers’ markets every weekend right now! Start your market shopping with this one – your weekly Saturday opportunity to go get fresh food from growers and makers – 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more, continuing weekly through late October! (9421 18th SW; WSB sponsor)

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: You’re invited to join others taking a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Gardening season isn’t over yet! (Is it ever?) Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.

COMMUNITY CUP SHOWCASE: Rat City Studios and Rain City Clay‘s annual show at Dubsea Coffee officially opens with a 10 am reception. (9910 8th SW)

DELUXE TAG SALE: Three fashionable vendors you probably know are throwing a “deluxe tag sale” 10 am-3 pm both days this weekend, “in the Alki neighborhood in the south side alley between 60th and 61st Ave SW off Admiral Way.”

FREE WRITING GROUP: Canceled this week due to illness.

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

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

OKTOBERFEST AT HIGHLAND PARK CORNER STORE: 11 am-7 pm, brats and beer, pretzels and polka, to celebrate Oktoberfest at HPCS. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)

PCC PARTY: 35 years of PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle! Visit the store (2749 California SW) between noon and 4 pm to enjoy the festivities.

POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Another bonus Saturday session of long-distance get-out-the-vote advocacy, noon-2 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the new West Duwamish Greenbelt exhibit! (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is also open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

\NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR, WITH FLASH SALE: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. And today’s the last day of a FLASH SALE – see our calendar listing for details.

OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: 2-9 pm, second of three days of beer, food, and fun. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

TRIO OF TRIOS: 2:30 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – “In just over an hour, this program will take listeners through three centuries, with three different composers and three different combinations of instruments.” Find the program, performers, and ticket link here.

BOOKS AND BRICKS BENEFIT: Enjoy international cuisine and a fun night to benefit education in Kenya, 5 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW), details in our calendar listing.

FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR MADISON MUSIC: At the West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), 5:30 pm, all welcome, details in our calendar listing.

DESTINATION DELRIDGE – CASINO NIGHT: DNDA‘s biggest fundraiser of the year! 6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

CIRCLE OF SONGS: Monthly unplugged-music event, 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.

AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm doors, 8 pm music, Stout Pounders plus Mayfly at The Skylark, $10 at the door, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Alain Johannes live in-store, 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), free, all ages.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

GUARDS AT THE TAJ: “Dark comedy” in its final weekend at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm – a few tickets remained as of early today, available here.

REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Alice Camille. (4547 California SW)

JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Saturday singing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.

West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event is welcome to a spot on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Here’s the Sound Transit route/station-location recommendations for first of two major votes
October 4, 2024 11:27 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

By month’s end, the Sound Transit Board of Directors is expected to make its final decision on routing and station locations for West Seattle light rail. The first step is a vote at next Thursday’s System Expansion Committee meeting. The agenda for that meeting is out, and with it, the proposed resolution spelling out Sound Transit staff’s recommendation for the routing and station locations. The recommendation mirrors the “preferred alternative” from the Final Environmental Impact Statement – in short, the segments titled SODO 1c, DUW-1a, DEL-6b, and WSJ-5b (to find them more quickly, check the Executive Summary). The recommendation keeps all three proposed West Seattle stations (Delridge, Avalon, Junction). Here’s how the routing is described in words, without graphics, in the proposed board resolution:

The route, profile, and stations for the West Seattle Link Extension are identified in the following paragraphs (as generally described in the West Seattle Link Extension Final Environmental Impact Statement):

A. SODO Segment: The West Seattle Link Extension would begin just north of the existing SODO Station and travel at-grade west of and parallel to the existing Link light rail line replacing the SODO Busway. It would continue south at-grade under South Lander Street, which would be reconstructed as an overpass over the new and existing light rail. It would transition to an elevated guideway south of South Lander Street.

The new SODO Station would be at-grade, immediately west of the existing SODO Station. The existing at-grade pedestrian crossing of the light rail tracks at SODO Station would be closed, and a new pedestrian grade-separated crossing of both existing and new tracks would be used to access both stations. There would be a station access from the new South Lander Street bridge. Access to 4th Avenue South would occur via South Lander Street.

B. Duwamish Segment: Elevated route would continue along the west side of the existing light rail line, south from South Forest Street; continuing southwest to cross over to the south side of the Spokane Street Bridge and the West Seattle Bridge. The guideway would continue west and to the south side of the West Seattle Bridge, crossing over the Duwamish Waterway and Harbor Island on a new high-level fixed bridge. The height of the bridge could be adjusted through coordination with the United States Coast Guard. The guideway would then cross the northern edge of Pigeon Point in a combination of elevated guideway and retained cut-and-fill; turning southwest on an elevated structure that follows Delridge Way Southwest.

C. Delridge Segment: Elevated route would continue along the west side of Delridge Way Southwest, north of Southwest Andover Street. The elevated guideway would travel west along the north side of Southwest Yancy Street then cross Southwest Avalon Way, transitioning from elevated to at-grade in the vicinity of 32nd Avenue Southwest. The guideway would turn south to travel south along the east side of the West Seattle Bridge connection to Fauntleroy Way Southwest and transition into a retained cut.

The Delridge Station would be elevated north of Southwest Andover Street and west of Delridge Way Southwest in a northeast-southwest orientation.

D. West Seattle Junction Segment: Tunnel route would begin in a retained cut south of Southwest Yancy Street and follows the east side of the West Seattle Bridge/Fauntleroy Way Southwest to Southwest Genesee Street, entering into a tunnel at Southwest Genesee Street and 37th Avenue Southwest and curving southwest west of 37th Avenue Southwest to 41st Avenue Southwest to terminate at Southwest Hudson Street, with tail track in a north-south orientation under 41st Avenue Southwest. Preferred Option WSJ-5b is a refinement of Alternative WSJ-5 analyzed in the Draft EIS, and it was refined based on the Sound Transit Board’s direction to explore an option to shift a station entrance to 42nd Avenue Southwest at the Alaska Junction Station to improve access to the Alaska Junction.

The Avalon Station would be in a lidded retained cut south of Southwest Genesee Street, beneath 35th Avenue Southwest.

The Alaska Junction Station would be in a tunnel beneath 41st Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street. Station entrances would be on either side of Southwest Alaska Street. The entrance south of Southwest Alaska Street would be on the west side of 41st Avenue Southwest. The entrance north of Southwest Alaska Street would be on the east side of 41st Avenue Southwest.

The System Expansion Committee could vote on this resolution as-is, or could decide to amend it. Their meeting is scheduled to start at 1:30 pm Thursday (October 10) in the Santa Fe Room at Union Station downtown (401 S. Jackson); the meeting will also be streamed, as explained on the agenda, which also has information on how to comment. The next major step after this meeting is expected when the full board meets two weeks later.

ABOUT THE COST: As reported when the Final Environmental Impact Statement was published, the West Seattle extension’s cost projection has swollen, potentially past $7 billion. The decision on routing and station locations does not include an allotment of construction money; it moves the project further down the design road, which is expected to take three more years. Past the midway point in design is usually when a “baseline” budget will be set and approved, for example. At last month’s meeting, board members passed this motion “directing the (CEO) to develop a workplan on measures the agency will pursue to address rising project costs and inform future baselining decisions.”

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Man hit by driver near Westwood Village, taken to hospital
October 4, 2024 10:56 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood

For those who asked about an emergency response at 26th/Barton around 9:30 pm, it was reported as a driver hitting a pedestrian. We don’t know details of the circumstances, but Seattle Fire says the pedestrian – a man in his mid-30s – was taken to the hospital by AMR ambulance, in stable condition.

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BIZNOTE: All The Best Pet Care launches pet-food drive, doubling your donations
October 4, 2024 7:33 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

If you’re shopping for pet food this weekend – or any time this month – you can also do a good deed by being part of this month’s pet-food donation drive at All The Best Pet Care (WSB sponsor), which has a West Seattle store at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW. Here’s the announcement:

(Photo courtesy All The Best Pet Care: Volunteers from Dog Gone Seattle picking up Nulo donations from the 2023 food drive)

Many people are seeking ways to make sure their donation dollars are maximized and used wisely. Those who wish to help local animal shelters and rescues can double their donation at All The Best Pet Care. For the entire month of October, any Nulo or Weruva dog or cat food purchased for donating at an All The Best Pet Care stores will be matched, pound for pound. Customers who buy Nulo or Weruva products for their own cats and dogs will also have a matching amount donated. Customers purchasing these items receive 10% off all month.

The donation recipients will include Alley Cat Project, Ballard Food Bank, Bella’s Voice, Dog Gone Seattle, Homeward Pet, MEOW Cat Rescue, Motley Zoo, Pawsitive Alliance Seattle Area Feline Rescue, Seattle Veterinary Outreach, Resilient Hearts Animal Sanctuary, Washington Health Outreach, and White Center Food Bank.

“Our goal is to donate 24,000 pounds of premium quality cat and dog food to our many deserving animal shelters and rescue groups, which is about equal to a $60,000 donation. We’re excited about this opportunity to make a huge impact on needy dogs and cats in our community,” said Josh Moss, co-CEO of All The Best Pet Care.

The West Seattle All The Best Pet Care store‘s hours are 9:30 am-7:30 pm Mondays-Saturdays, 10 am-7 pm Sundays.

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SPORTS: Successful week for West Seattle HS, Chief Sealth IHS volleyball
October 4, 2024 5:31 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Our area’s two biggest high schools are both having excellent seasons in volleyball, and each team notched two more wins this week. West Seattle HS is leading the Metro League Mountain Division at 7-0; Chief Sealth IHS is second in the Metro League Sound Division at 9-1. This week, the Wildcats beat Bishop Blanchet 3-0 at home and Holy Names 3-1 on the road; the Seahawks were victorious over Cleveland and Rainier Beach, both by a score of 3-0, both at home. Next week’s schedules for both teams are here; if you want to see them both on the same court at the same time, WSHS and CSIHS will face off one week from Monday, 7 pm October 14, in the West Seattle gym (3000 California SW).

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READER REPORT: Wet-season warning about a treacherous turn
October 4, 2024 4:00 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

Received from Rachel, who has a warning for you:

The rains have returned and I wanted to send a warning about a very slick corner that has caught numerous drivers off guard when taking it too fast.

These photos are a result of making a left from SW 16th to SW Austin going too fast on a wet road. I have lived at this corner for 20 yrs and this is a yearly occurrence. Note: tree always wins and this poor tree has taken quite the beating. I also have concerns that someone standing on this corner might end up getting hit.

One car took out the walk signal and kept going. I have brought this to the city’s attention and they said since there are no police reports there is nothing they can do. Most drivers hobble off or call a tow truck and it never gets called into 911.

She’s hoping a highlight here might “help save a few from falling victim.” So consider yourself warned!

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Easy Street Records cleaning up after flooding damage – not because of the weather
October 4, 2024 12:16 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(first two photos courtesy of Matt Vaughan)

Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan opened the shop a little later than usual this morning after cleaning up from flooding. No, it wasn’t a weather problem – Vaughan says the water was from a burst pipe in an apartment over the shop. So far, he says he’s lost about 5,000 records and 300 hoodies and tote bags to water damage.

Both the shop and the café are open, however (and as noted in our daily event list, an in-store concert is planned tonight).

1:08 PM UPDATE: WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen stopped by and talked to Vaughan, who took a quick break to show us that his staff had things mostly cleaned up at that point, with fans running. He noted where the water initially came into the store upstairs, before leaking down to the lower level of the store and even through to the Corner Pocket bar in the basement:

He added that he was grateful to those who worked hard to mitigate the damage, and said he had experienced “much worse” in terms of water damage during the store’s 36 years in business.

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MISSING: Annie – UPDATE: Found
October 4, 2024 10:55 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news

4:05 PM: Annie has been found, safe.

Earlier:
Read More

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READER REPORTS: Stolen work van, found trailer, hit-run info sought
October 4, 2024 10:00 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | Westwood

Three reader reports this morning:

STOLEN VAN: Sent by Greg:

Reporting that my van was stolen last night from our home in the Gatewood area about 9:00 pm in case someone spots it parked in the area. The van is a white 1998 Ford Econoline 150 with a roof rack, license #C74786Z. The van was filled with carpentry tools. Please contact me at 206-234-6402 if you see it!

FOUND TRAILER: Jo spotted this trailer parked, door open, no one around, items inside:

If it’s yours, let us know – we don’t know if it’s been reported to police yet. (Update: It apparently was stolen from a band – we’ve heard from them and told them where Jo saw it.)

HIT-RUN INFO SOUGHT: Sent by Tracey:

My friend was hit and run on his e-bike yesterday afternoon. Details are sketchy as I took him to urgent care and he hit his head (helmet on). He lives on 32nd and Thistle and was on his way home with groceries from QFC. His groceries were scattered all over the street and he lost his glasses. He said there was a roundabout at the intersection he was hit at. No one stopped to help him recover his belongings. Any information from the community would be supportive. And his glasses remain lost.

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16 things to do on your West Seattle Friday
October 4, 2024 9:04 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Wednesday’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Time to review our reminder list of what’s happening in West Seattle and vicinity for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (go there any time to look into the future):

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Last of four days to bring your artwork to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) for this year’s Southwest Artist Showcase, as explained in our preview. Library hours today are 10 am-6 pm.

STAY ‘N’ PLAY RETURNS: Free weekly drop-in indoor play for little ones at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd), 10 am until 11:30 am.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Fall is here, and season-appropriate plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am until 3 pm.

OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: 3 pm to 10 pm – today’s the first day of this year’s Oktoberfest celebration at Ounces in North Delridge. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: 1-6 pm, open in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).

VISCON CELLARS: Venture south of The Junction, where this tasting room/wine bar is open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

FOOTBALL: One home game tonight – Chief Sealth IHS hosts Lakeside at 6 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

PLAY GAMES: Game Night at Spruce Hill Winery (WSB sponsor) & T2 Cellar, 7-9 pm, just minutes away in SODO, bring your own game(s) or use theirs. Reservations recommended – our calendar listing explains how. (2960 4th Ave. S.)

3 WEST SEATTLE BANDS AT THE SKYLARK: Doors 7 pm, music 8 pm, at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW):

West Seattle’s very own Full Life Crisis is playing the Skylark Cafe on Friday, October 4th! This will be the debut of FLC’s new drummer Lee Brown!! Come check out the thunderous rhythm and tight power pop that is their signature sound! FLC will be joined by the legendary Slags, and also prog rockers Alki Heathens. It will be an evening of great local music at one of the best live music venues in Seattle! Doors open at 7 pm and Full Life Crisis takes the stage at 8 pm! $10 cash at the door.

LIVE AT EASY STREET: Naked Giants show and signing, 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), free, all ages.

AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

‘GUARDS AT THE TAJ’: Final weekend for this “dark comedy” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm.

VISIT YOUR FIRE STATION: 8 pm to 8:15 pm tonight, join your local firefighters in remembering those who’ve lost their lives:

In a gesture of remembrance, Seattle Fire will pull their apparatus out front of each station to flash their red lights continuously between 8-8:15 p.m. Please note: Stations that are on an emergency response may not be in quarters to participate.

Community members are invited to show their support for firefighters by visiting their neighborhood station to observe the remembrance or change out an exterior light with a red bulb for the evening.

West Seattle’s five fire stations are 11, 29, 32, 36, and 37. Addresses and other info are on this page.

MAKE IT LOUD: Tonight’s bands at Southgate Roller Rink are Crazy Eyes, Wild Powwers, The Fabulous Downey Brothers. 9 pm doors, $18 cover, $5 skates, 21+. (9646 17th SW)

REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Twilight is spinning tonight! (4547 California SW)

JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).

Are we missing anything? If you have something else to add to our event lists and calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Friday + weekend info
October 4, 2024 6:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Friday, October 4th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rainy, breezy, high in the low 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:13 am, while sunset will be at 6:41 pm.

ROAD WORK

*SDOT has not announced any work this weekend for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project.

*The Highway 99 tunnel will close for maintenance and inspections 10 pm tonight to 6 am Saturday (and again next weekend, for longer – 10 pm October 11 to 6 am October 13).

*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 later this month, exact date TBA. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

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

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat,” which is also being used on weekends when crew/vessel are available. Check for alerts here.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi today – Regular 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!

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FOLLOWUP: More about the $50 million Chief Sealth IHS addition proposed as part of Seattle Public Schools’ $1.8 billion BEX VI levy
October 3, 2024 7:20 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

When we reported Monday night on Seattle Public Schools‘ proposed $1.8 billion, six-year capital-levy renewal/expansion – BEX VI (aka the sixth “Building Excellence” levy) – we noted the biggest West Seattle project on its list is a $50 million addition for Career Technical Education at Chief Sealth International High School. We also noted that the levy document linked to the agenda for next week’s School Board meeting (4:15 pm October 9) has no other details about the proposed project, and that the process of developing the levy list did not involve community consultation the way BEX V did. So we had to ask SPS’s media team to dig up details on the proposal, which they’ve done over the past few days. According to district spokesperson Tina Riss Christiansen:

An addition to Chief Sealth International High School is proposed to meet the needs of the Career and Technical Education Program, eliminate the eight portables along the west property edge, and enhance energy conservation, addressing both State of Washington Clean Energy and City of Seattle’s Building Emissions requirements.

The classroom addition is planned to be added at the northern portion of the existing school and will include relocating the existing Career and Technical Education construction trades classroom from the basement and the food service classroom from the interior of the building. Both classrooms are undersized for the student populations they serve and poorly located for routinely transporting the materials and supplies required to meet the educational program needs.

In addition, SPS plans to construct eight general education classrooms.

The project is contingent on School Board approval of the levy projects and voter approval of the levy. Construction is planned to occur with students remaining on-site.

The $50M is divided 2/3 construction and 1/3 A/E fees, permit costs, construction contingency, furnishings, and Washington State Sales Tax.

No renderings yet, the district says, because design work won’t start until and unless the levy – one of two that the district plans to send to voters in February – is approved.

We are in the process of scheduling community information meetings on both levies after the Oct. 9, 2024, Board Meeting and Study Session.

Adding proposed project information to the website is also in progress.

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ORCAS: In Elliott Bay as sunset nears
October 3, 2024 6:19 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

6:19 PM: Up for sunset whale-watching? Kersti Muul reports that transient orcas are in Elliott Bay, headed southbound toward Alki. Let us know if you see them!

6:29 PM: Update from Kersti – now in the ferry lanes, heading toward the point.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: ‘Screenagers: Elementary Age Edition’ premiere @ Admiral Theater
October 3, 2024 5:59 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news

Social media isn’t just a complication in the lives of middle- and high-school students. It’s increasingly factoring into the pressures faced by elementary students too. That’s the focus of a new film that’ll have its Seattle premiere at the Admiral Theater this Sunday (October 6), co-presented by the Lafayette Elementary PTA, with the filmmaker present for a post-screening Q&A. Here’s the announcement sent to us:

Seattle’s Dr. Delaney Ruston will speak after the city’s premiere screening of her latest film, “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition,” this Sunday, October 6 at the Historic Admiral Theater in Seattle.

As middle and high schools are banning phones, elementary schools are seeing a surge in smartwatches and devices in classrooms. “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition,” the fourth documentary in the Screenagers series, exposes how devices like smartphones and smartwatches, and the content on them – mainly social media and gaming – rewire young minds, affecting focus, academics, sleep, behavior, and development. Get the hard-hitting truth, real-life stories, practical strategies, and expert advice from renowned physicians, psychologists, and researchers like “The Anxious Generation” author Jonathan Haidt, to make screen time less invasive.

This groundbreaking new documentary takes a deep dive into the profound impact social media, video gaming, excessive screen time, smartphone & smartwatches in schools is having on sleep and the academic, social, and emotional development of kids in K-5. According to the CDC, children ages 8-10 spend an average of six hours daily on screens. One elementary school principal in the movie told us smartwatches are appearing more and more in classrooms and are highly problematic.

“We wanted to create a film that helps parents, educators, and caregivers understand the effect screens and gaming are having on younger children and offer them strategies and tools they can use,” Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston says. “We want to spark conversations and “empower families and educators with the knowledge they need to set clear rules and make informed choices.”

Sunday’s event at The Admiral (2343 California SW) starts at 5:30 pm. You can get tickets in advance through the theater’s website.

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