West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
10:42 PM: If you’re west of The Junction and wondering about the police response in the Ercolini Park area – radio communication indicates police are investigating a driver who is suspected of hitting at least four other vehicles, including an SPD car. The civilian vehicles that were hit are reported to be along 48th SW near Oregon. No injuries reported.
11:38 PM: Photo added. The pickup in the photo was subsequently being towed. We’ll follow up with SPD in the morning.
10:49 AM: Per online records, the 60-year-old driver was booked into King County Jail for investigation of DUI.
8:05 PM TUESDAY: We’ve been watching the city’s Ethics and Elections Commission website for first indication of who’ll be running next year in City Council District 1, West Seattle and South Park, and tonight the first name is on the Campaigns page: Phillip Tavel. He is a lawyer who finished third in the 2015 primary.
We have a request out to him for comment, as well as an inquiry to incumbent Councilmember Lisa Herbold as to whether she’s yet decided on running for re-election. (2015 WSB photo)
ADDED 9:39 AM WEDNESDAY: Councilmember Herbold’s response to our question: “I’ll be answering this question soon. In the meantime, because I sincerely enjoyed campaigning with Phillip in 2015, it’s fun to think about a campaign trail reunion in 2019.”
ADDED 4:44 PM WEDNESDAY: The newly announced candidate’s statement:
First of all, thanks to the West Seattle Blog for diligently looking out for the news impacting our District.
Secondly, everyone’s focus right now, should really be on the election in 2 weeks. Remember that every vote does matter. There is no better way to give power to your voice than casting your vote. Complete your ballot today and mail it or swing by a DropBox, but PLEASE make sure you vote.
Regarding my campaign, I will be having several kick-off events throughout District 1 in late January (stay tuned for that) and my website will launch in mid-November. In the interim, if you want to talk to me you can come find me before, during or after the Trivia Night that I’ve been hosting for the past 10 years at Talarico’s from 830 – 10:30 every Wednesday night.
After the election in two weeks, I will present a full vision for D1. Some key points are a focus on restoring trust and respect between the city and the people of Seattle, working with businesses (large and small) to cooperatively tackle our most significant issues, and ensuring accessibility to city government. It’s vital to have open and inclusive processes so D1 residents know their voice is truly being heard.
Phil Tavel
In case you’re experiencing it too – Denise reports, “We have white water coming out of the cold water tap in the 2900 block of 39th. I called the city line at 206.386.1800 and the operator said an inspector would call back, but hasn’t yet.” That’s the number to call if you have discolored water, even if you know somebody else has reported it already.
Just in – the map of what’s happening where at the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival this Sunday! Even if you’re not planning to go, remember that the festival “footprint” is close to West Seattle Summer Fest – the streets will be festival-filled (and off-limits to motorized traffic) on California SW from Oregon to Edmunds and on SW Alaska from 44th to 42nd. The festival runs 10 am-2 pm, concurrent from the Farmers’ Market (which will be on its usual block, California between Alaska and Oregon), and one popular feature will start earlier this year- the Chili Cookoff “flights” go on sale just as the festival begins, 10 am on the KeyBank corner. (More flights for sale, too – 400 this year – $10 donation to the West Seattle Food Bank gets you a taste of the contenders‘ chili offerings plus a chance to vote!) Other times are the same as past years, costume parade at 11:30 am (start gathering by Junction Plaza Park at 42nd/Alaska at 11:15) and trick-or-treating at noon. We’re a Harvest Festival co-sponsor and will be reporting as-it-happens from the Info Booth at Walk-All-Ways – see you there, rain or shine.
P.S. In our next preview, get a sneak peek at this year’s lineup of free festival activities!
By the time the new tentative trial date for Ryan Cox arrives, nearly 16 months will have passed since he was arrested following the August 2017 stabbing of a man in Gatewood. The latest hearing in his case resulted in a new trial date in early December, with both sides saying they still had to work to do to be ready; the prosecution, for example, told the judge it has two more witness statements to get and expects to present at least 20 witnesses at trial. In July, Cox was found competent to stand trial. He remains in jail in lieu of $150,000 bail and is due back in court November 16th for an omnibus (trial-readiness) hearing.
Don’t have party plans set yet for this Saturday night? It’s your next chance to have a good time for a good cause. The West Seattle Community Orchestras rely on community generosity to help make it possible for student musicians to play for free. Here are the newest party details:
Rummage through your costume collection and then plan to join West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSCO) for its annual gala fundraiser in support of free participation in our orchestras for student musicians!
The West Seattle Big Band will once again provide music for dancing—and just plain good listening!
(WSB photo, WS Big Band at last Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
Very special items for our silent and live auctions have been donated by our generous supporters. Here’s a small sample:
Canlis | Seattle Shakespeare Theatre | Boehm’s Candy Kitchen | Beer Junction | Chihuly Garden | MoPOP | Kenyon Hall | Seattle Storm | Lake Union Civic Orchestra | PlantAmnesty | Seafair | Countryside Café | Elliott Bay Brewery | Ivar’s| Caffe Ladro | Pagliacci Pizza | Bakery Nouveau
Here’s the agenda:
6:00-7:15: Doors open, cocktail reception, silent auctions, entertainment by WSCO musicians
7:15: Buffet dinner served
7:55-8:40: Live auction, raise the paddle, dessert dash
8:40++: Dancing to the West Seattle Big Band!Your support will help WSCO continue to provide FREE participation and instruction in orchestral music for our student musicians.
Here’s the important info:
— Saturday, October 27, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.
— Alki Masonic Lodge, 4736 40th Ave. SW.
— Adults 18+ $40, children 6-17 and seniors $25Plan to have fun while supporting this vital West Seattle resource! REGISTER & PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE HERE. Tickets also available at the door. Costumed or not, don’t forget your dancing shoes!
(American Crow photographed at Seacrest by Robin Sinner, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FERRY-SCHEDULE MEETING: 5-7 pm at Fauntleroy Church, drop in to talk with Washington State Ferries about the proposed overhaul of the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route schedule. (9140 California SW)
TELL CITY COUNCILMEMBERS WHAT YOU WANT IN THE BUDGET: 5:30 pm at City Hall downtown, it’s the second and final major public hearing about the city budget. If there’s something you are passionate about, this is the time/place to show it. (600 4th Ave.)
BALLOTS AND BARISTAS: Want to talk about the initiatives on this fall’s ballot? Stop in for this League of Women Voters-hosted coffeehouse chat at Cupcake Royale in The Junction. Free “babycakes” while they last! (California/Alaska)
KINDERGARTEN INFO NIGHT: 6:30 pm at Hope Lutheran School (WSB sponsor) – how to know whether your child’s ready for kindergarten, what to look for when choosing one, and what Hope offers. (4456 42nd SW)
WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK: Last meeting of the year since the next two months conflict with the holidays. 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct, all welcome to hear and talk about crime and safety issues and neighborhood safety. Here’s the preview. (2300 SW Webster)
PATHFINDER PTSA: 6:30 pm general meeting of the Pathfinder K-8 PTSA – agenda info here. Free child care for ages 5=12. (1912 SW Genesee)
TRIVIA AT OUNCES: 7 pm, free weekly trivia. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
‘GEEKS WHO DRINK’ AT WHISKY WEST: 8 pm, weekly trivia at Whisky West (WSB sponsor) with Geeks Who Drink. (6451 California SW)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE with our complete calendar and Halloween Etc. Guide.
This morning, before King County Councilmembers get briefed on budgetary matters related to housing, they’ll watch that trailer for West Seattleite Tomasz Biernacki‘s new documentary “Trickle Down Town.“ The film premiered to a full house Sunday night at West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater; your editor was among those there to see it. For most of the film, you meet people with different relationships to the homelessness crisis, telling their stories in their own words. Among the people in “Trickle Down Town,” which runs about two hours:
-A mail carrier living in an RV on Harbor Avenue
-A retired machinist living at city-sanctioned Myers Way encampment Camp Second Chance
-A recovering addict who hits the streets to deliver sandwiches, water bottles, and to listen
-An architect who found himself launching a nonprofit
-A couple whose backyard houses a formerly homeless person’s tiny home
-An artist living in a tiny house with his expectant partner
Others seen and heard from include a historian and local politicians. Much, but not all, of the film was shot in West Seattle. Its next scheduled public screening is Saturday, November 3rd, at West Seattle Meaningful Movies (6:30 pm doors, admission free, no RSVP required, Neighborhood House High Point). What else? The filmmaker tells us a few more screenings are planned – no confirmed dates yet nearby (though his website mentions one November 15th on Bainbridge Island). Eventually it likely will be available online. Making the film already has changed Biernacki’s life in one way: “Since making this film, I have joined the volunteers at Camp Second Chance and we are building tiny homes. I feel that is a viable and safe alternative to what is happening now around us. If we cant afford to provide affordable housing to people, then a place like Camp Second Chance is a safe alternative. Its not the prefect or permanent solution, but much better then people dying in our streets.”
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning! The fog hasn’t left yet. No alerts in or from West Seattle so far.
FERRY-SCHEDULE MEETING: 5-7 tonight at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) is the Washington State Ferries meeting seeking your feedback on a proposed major overhaul of the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route schedule. Info here.
7:15 AM: Stalled vehicle reported in SB turn lane of 35th SW at SW Juneau. Police on the way to check it out.
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