West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Mayor Jenny Durkan walked around the West Seattle Junction this afternoon for the fourth time since taking office two years ago.
And there was some sitting involved, too.
“I’m happy that you take a substantial interest in West Seattle,” Jack Menashe told her as they chatted for a few minutes on the couch in his family’s shop Menashe and Sons Jewelers (WSB sponsor). He wanted to discuss the future of Junction parking, and the mayor suggested they arrange some time to talk. He also invited her to visit the legendary Christmas-lights display at his Beach Drive home; Durkan joked that he might merit a discount from Seattle City Light.
The tour was full of that kind of warmth as well as some serious discussions. It began at Husky Deli, where proprietor Jack Miller greeted Durkan with a hug:
Inside, he scooped a small cone of Husky Flake for the mayor and she nibbled at it while mingling with the seating area in the shop. She was accompanied by a crowd at the start – TV crews as well as city personnel, including Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and SPD Assistant Chief Deanna Nollette, plus Southwest Precinct leaders Capt. Pierre Davis and Lt. Steve Strand.
The TV turnout thinned after a group interview stop outside Easy Street Records. “This is a great store!” the mayor enthused. The TV people wanted to know whether, for example, things were better than her last visit. Yes, she believed, but they could always be better, so she hit her budget talking points including police hiring.
Inside West 5, proprietor Dave Montoure had a different view. He shared concerns about crime and disorder and the uneasiness that can result. “When our door opens at 11 am on weekends, we don’t know what’s going to come in.”
The mayor spoke of not just policing but also alternative tools for dealing with street disorder, including the new Health One program that SFD will be launching. Nollette also mentioned the long-awaited return of Community Service Officers.
Among a group of other local entrepreneurs who gathered at West 5 was Dan Austin of Morgan Junction’s Peel and Press. He voiced concerns about police staffing and retention; the mayor said she believed police morale “is returning.” (She announced initiatives in that area during a Delridge visit last month.)
From there, the tour crossed California to Menashe and Sons. Along with Jack Menashe, others there to greet the mayor included City Council candidate Phil Tavel and signal-box-muralist Desmond Hansen. And then the group headed back southbound toward the final scheduled destination, Cupcake Royale.
After offering to treat anyone interested to cupcakes, the mayor sat down for a roundtable of sorts with some of the businesspeople who had met with her at West 5, as well as Lora Radford of the West Seattle Junction Association.
Topics included business regulation – – the mayor agreed more could be done to reduce the burden on small businesses – but came around again fairly quickly to public safety. The mayor stressed that it wasn’t just a matter of “throwing everyone in jail,” but providing shelter and services for those who need them.
The businesses need services too, Radford noted at one point – describing it as “inhumane” for small-business owners to have to continually deal with crime problems such as repeat break-ins. But with a few more beat cops, and outreach services, “we can take care of it,” she said. However, they need to know who they can call, who they can count on.
Durkan agreed. The answer to “who do I call?” is not always 911, she observed.
Having to navigate the system while also trying to run a business can be daunting, Austin added.
Shortly thereafter, the mayor’s assistants said time had run out. And after a few more conversations, her 23rd neighborhood tour was over.
WHAT’S NEXT? The City Council continues reviewing the mayor’s budget plan – next scheduled meeting Tuesday morning.
Took a while to get the details on this but for everyone who asked why the Guardian One helicopter was looping over White Center and South Delridge for a while – it was part of a search for someone who robbed an employee of Proletariat Pizza (9622 16th SW) in the alley behind the business, says King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott. He says a robber armed with a handgun took the employee’s wallet and cell phone “and fled northbound into Seattle on a bike.”
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight, starting with a followup on last night’s Admiral incident:
ADMIRAL INVESTIGATION: The police photo above shows the gun found in a trash bin, mentioned in our coverage last night. Here’s what else SPD is now saying:
A plainclothes officer working in the 2300 block of California Avenue SW witnessed a fight in an alley and attempted to intervene. At least one of the participants in the fight drew a handgun and reportedly pointed it at the officer. The officer drew his own weapon and fired multiple rounds at the armed suspect. The group of assailants then fled the scene.
Officers detained several people at the scene, and continue to search for additional suspects. The CSI Unit recovered a firearm at the scene, believed to be dropped by one of the suspects. Detectives believe no one was struck by gunfire in the incident. The 45-year-old officer, a 5-year veteran of the department, has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
The officer was working a plainclothes assignment and was not equipped with a body-worn camera during the incident. However, detectives are canvassing businesses in the area to recover any surveillance video that may have captured the incident, and are asking anyone with footage or information about this case to please call 206-233-5000.
And from the inbox:
TWO BICYCLES STOLEN: Lauren sent the photos and report:
I wanted to write in to report the theft of two bikes from our apartment complex, Upton Flats. My husband had two bikes stolen from the secure bike room in the lobby of our building. We don’t know exactly when they were taken, as my husband hasn’t been riding recently due to injury. We think it was sometime in the last few weeks. The bikes were a Pinarello Dogma F10 and a Rodeo Trail Donkey. There were other bikes in the room that were not taken, suggesting the thief knew what they were taking (the two bikes are pretty high end). I’ve attached photos of each bike. We have filed a police report and listed on Bike Index.
Possibly of interest as well: the package room in our building was broken into on Monday. Someone gained access to the building, and then pried open the door to the room. Packages were opened, and I assume items were taken. Our items were left (not interesting enough, I guess).
(Winning cake from 2017 festival)
Love cake? Especially if you love to bake and/or decorate cakes, part of Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival is for you – a cakewalk (with donated cakes as prizes) and decorated-cake contest. You are welcome to bring one or more cakes in for either one; this year the cake events are in the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). If you have an entry for the decorating contest, bring it 1-2 pm – if you’re donating a cake, 1-2:30 pm. The cakewalk starts at 3 pm. (See the full festival schedule here.)
From SDOT, the weekly Avalon/35th project update:
We started preparing for striping on SW Avalon Way this week and anticipate beginning striping as soon as the end of next week. This work is weather dependent and requires the road to be dry to allow paint to set.
Work near 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way Intersection:
We are rebuilding the center lanes on SW Avalon Way east and west of the 35th Ave SW intersection. For the safety of the public and our workers, we are temporarily restricting left turns from westbound Avalon at 35th. We expect this traffic configuration to remain in place until the end of next week. Thank you for understanding and being patient with our work.
Please expect:
To yield to oncoming traffic when trying to turn north or south on 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way
Traffic delays at the 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way intersection due to this lane reduction and turn restriction
One lane of travel in each direction on SW Avalon Way
Right turns only in and out of driveways at this timeFinal Striping and new design for SW Avalon Way:
In the coming weeks, we will begin placing final striping in Zones A – C (SW Avalon Way from SW Spokane St to about 200 feet east of 35th Ave SW). This final striping will reflect our final design which was developed after months of outreach and community engagement before construction with the purpose of creating a safer, multimodal corridor along SW Avalon Way.
Expect to see striping on the road for:
New protected bike lanes northbound and southbound on SW Avalon Way
Flex posts likely will be installed in the spring as warmer temperatures are needed for installation
Peak bus-only travel lane for northbound buses
Narrowing of travel lanes and removal of the center turn lane to encourage slower, safer speeds and easier crossingsFor more information on the final design, see our final design plans and graphics on our website.
Information by Zone
Zones A – C (SW Avalon Way from SW Spokane St to 35th Ave SW)
“No parking” signs are up in Zones A – C to prepare to place final striping on the roadway
These signs may be out for a few weeks to prepare for striping and give us flexibility to take advantage of dry weather to complete work; please pay attention to dates on the “no parking” signs for the latest information
While striping takes place, you can expect short-term single-lane closuresZone C and Zone D (SW Avalon Way from Fauntleroy Way SW to just east of 35th Ave SW)
We are excavating and completing concrete paving on the south side of SW Avalon Way in part of Zone C Zone D. Please note:
We will continue pouring concrete curbs and panels on SW Avalon Way southeast and southwest corners of 35th Ave SW
As soon as next week, we will begin demolishing and pouring panels in the center turn lane of SW Avalon Way east and west of 35th Ave SW
People driving must turn right in and right out of driveways surrounding the intersection of SW Avalon Way and 35th Ave SW as we work in the center lane
Detours are in place for people walking; please follow the posted signs on the sidewalksZone E (35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St)
We have begun demolition on the east half of 35th Ave SW which will continue this week
Access to the West Seattle Stadium and golf course will remain open during construction
Left-turn pockets on 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St may be temporarily disrupted as we load out materials from excavation on the east side of 35th Ave SW.
Please be patient and be considerate of local neighbors and avoid cutting through our work zone. Speeding through residential streets is dangerous for everyone.
The move of one retailer from Morgan Junction to The Junction has cleared the way for another to move in the opposite direction. Behind the papered windows at 4736 California SW, former home of Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor, now at 6400 California SW), the new West Seattle home of kids’-consignment store My Three Little Birds (also a WSB sponsor) is taking shape. We just talked there with proprietor Jennifer Young, who has already cleared out of her original south Morgan Junction space and is working to reopen the bigger-and-brighter new space as soon as possible. If you have questions, well-wishes, etc., she plans to be outside the shop handing out candy for trick-or-treaters during Sunday’s West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival. This is the sixth year in business for My Three Little Birds, which also has a Burien location. (P.S. Thanks to Mike for the tip!)
After four days away from its homeport Bremerton, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is headed back southbound in Puget Sound. Thanks to the person who texted us the photo as it passed Dungeness Spit earlier; the MarineTraffic.com tracker verifies that it’s headed this way, currently off south Whidbey Island. Might be hard to see if the weather doesn’t lift!
3:23 PM: Now in view from West Seattle, just as the weather lightens.
(Added: Photo by Don Brubeck)
If you visit Metropolitan Market (41st/42nd/Admiral; WSB sponsor) before about 2 pm, you can watch floral manager Rachel Mottwiler transforming that 300-pound pumpkin into a Halloween creation. We’re told she is legendary for her carving – here are some smaller ones already on display:
You’re also invited to sample cider at the store too.
P.S. Metropolitan Market is one of the regular participants in Admiral District business trick-or-treating, which (as featured in our Halloween Etc. Guide) is happening the day before Halloween this year – next Wednesday (October 30th), 3-6 pm.
(The seabird that’s Halloween-ready – Harlequin Duck, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Highlight time! First, from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide:
HIGH POINT CC FESTIVAL: Fall Festival at High Point Community Center, 5:30-7:30 pm. (6920 34th SW)
ALKI CC CARNIVAL: Spooky Carnival at Alki Community Center, 6-8 pm. “Spooky fun for the howl family! Carnival games and prizes and a Spooky Scream Room for the brave Trick-or-Treaters. Teen and adult volunteers are greatly appreciated.” 25-cent tickets or $7/unlimited bracelet. (5817 SW Stevens)
HIAWATHA CARNIVAL: Halloween Carnival at Hiawatha Community Center, 6-8 pm. Ages 5 and under in the auditorium, 5-12 in the gym. Tickets 25 cents. (2700 California SW)
SOUTHWEST POOL SWIM: Pumpkin Splash Family Swim, 7-8 pm at Southwest Pool. Free. If you’re under 18, an adult MUST be with you in the water. (2801 SW Thistle)
ALKI ‘GARAGE HAUNT’: Nightfall Orphanage, 7:30-10:30 pm. Full details in our calendar listing. (2130 Alki SW)
And from our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
TALK WITH YOUR COUNCILMEMBER: 2-7 12-5 pm, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s monthly district office hours, drop-ins welcome. At Southwest Customer Service Center. (2801 SW Thistle)
CIDER FUNDRAISER: Taproot School students will be selling hot cider 4-5:30 pm by the Lincoln Park south lot – for the ferry line as well as parkgoers – to raise money for Immigrant Families Together. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FREE TASTING FRIDAYS: 4-6 pm at Capco Beverages in The Junction. (4100 SW Alaska)
TALK WITH THE MAYOR: After a walking tour of the West Seattle Junction starting at 4 pm, Mayor Jenny Durkan – accompanied by Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, Assistant SPD Chief Deanna Nollette, and Southwest Precinct Captain Pierre Davis – is scheduled for a community conversation at Cupcake Royale at 5 pm. (California/Alaska)
FOOTBALL: West Seattle High School‘s last scheduled home game of the season is vs. Sammamish at Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)
TX TRUMBO: Singer-songwriter at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
FIX: Live in-store performance at Easy Street Records, 7 pm. No cover. All ages. (California/Alaska)
MUCH MORE … our full calendar is here, and the Halloween Etc. Guide is here!
Before we get to the list for today/tonight, a reminder about tomorrow (Saturday, October 26th) – it’s the next twice-yearly Drug Take-Back Day. 10 am-2 pm, take unneeded/unwanted/expired prescription pills/tablet to the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) and drop it off. No questions asked. (If you miss the chance, here are year-round dropoff locations.)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:31 AM: Good morning.
FERRY DELAYS: From WSF: “The Fauntleroy 7:05a.m. departure to Vashon and Southworth is delayed due to a disabled vehicle on board the vessel. This will delay the 7:30am Vashon to Southworth, the 7:55a.m. Southworth to Vashon, and the 8:15a.m. Vashon to Fauntleroy departures.”
WEEKEND REMINDER: Sunday is the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival, which means street closures beyond the usual block for the Farmers’ Market – California will also be closed south to Edmunds, and SW Alaska between 42nd and 44th. Here’s the bus-reroute info..
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