West Seattle, Washington
31 Saturday
Even more food news tonight – Justin Cline, who founded Full Tilt Ice Cream in downtown White Center 14 years ago, just announced he’s adding something new at the same storefront: Elder Gods Pizza, which will serve vegan pizza, Detroit pan style. Pre-ordering starts tomorrow. The story’s on our partner site White Center Now.
(Photo by Kara Wallace)
That’s a look inside Current Coffee, which opens tomorrow in the former Caffe Fiore space at 2206B California SW. Here’s the announcement from its proprietor:
Seattle-born and West Seattle resident Tyler Meurk will open Current Coffee this Wednesday, February 23rd.
Featuring beloved WA roasters and introducing specialty coffee farmers from around the world, as well as selling natural wines and local beers, Current Coffee is a North Admiral destination for gathering with friends and neighbors. Tyler’s bond with Seattle’s coffee culture runs deep: For the last 14 years, he has worked as a barista, café manager, sales representative, and now owner/operator.
Tyler and his wife Katie (an entrepreneur who owns the local jewelry gallery Supply Chain) are committed to investing in West Seattle and delighting its residents through their businesses. In concepting Current Coffee, Tyler took inspiration from the movement of the waters that encircle West Seattle. Using “Current” is also a nod to discovering the rotation of seasonal coffees that Tyler will feature in his café. In keeping with the connection of community, Current Coffee features an immersive and captivating mural by West Seattle artist Jennifer Ament. Come by for a fresh pour!
Hours will be Wednesdays-Sundays 7 am-3 pm.
Two pandemic-related votes of note at this afternoon’s City Council meeting:
EVICTION-MORATORIUM EXTENSION FAILS: District 3 Councilmember Kshama Sawant proposed a resolution to extend the city eviction moratorium until the pandemic public-health emergency ends, countering Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s decision to end it on February 28th. The proposal was rejected, 3-5. Only West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold and West Seattle-residing citywide Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda joined Sawant in voting for the extension. (Councilmember Tammy Morales did not attend the meeting.)
EXTENSION PASSES FOR FREE STREET-CAFE PERMITS: Councilmembers unanimously approved extending the pilot program that “enables restaurants and other retail storefronts to utilize streets outside of their businesses for outdoor dining or displays,” as described by its sponsor, District 6 Councilmember Dan Strauss. The program was previously set to expire at the end of May; now it will continue through January 31, 2023. In the meantime, the city is expected to develop the rules and fees for a permanent program.
Three food-biz notes:
TACONTAINER CHANGING: Thanks to Kathy for the tip. After 13 months, TACOntainer – the taco stand in a small repurposed shipping container at 2530 Alki Avenue SW – is closing. But the container is staying. Proprietor Victor explains, “We’re concluding our TACOntainer operations due to family reasons, unfortunately. This will be our last week for now. We might open a few more times before mid-March but that is uncertain at the moment. Our friends (another Mexican food vendor) will take over our spot and the name will change and the concept will change, but the container will stay.” Victor says there should be more news on that in mid-March, and if his family situation allows, “We hope to be able to come back in a year or so.”
NO-NAME DINER NO MORE: Just down the street, at 2738 Alki Avenue SW, the No-Name Diner has closed. We noticed a sign on the door recently that said “closed for remodeling.” But according to a social-media post, the restaurant closed at the end of January, with proprietor Renae explaining, “A good friend named Vittor and our chef Shawn, along with a small team, will be starting up a whole new concept for a restaurant, and The No-Name Diner will be no more.” The location has gone through a long list of concepts since the sudden closure of Alki Bakery there in late 2010 – before No-Name, it was It’s BBQ Time in the Kitchen, which followed Alki Chicken and Waffles, which was preceded by B’s Po Boy, and before that Fatburger from fall 2013 to early 2017, following Bada Bistro‘s less-than-five-month run, after two years for the Beachside Café.
3 MORE DAYS IN WEST 5 AUCTION: When West 5 in The Junction announced its closure, there was mention of an auction. That auction is happening online right now and has three days to go – with items including its most-famous signage, indoors and outdoors:
Dozens of other items too, as shown here, where you can bid until 8 pm Friday.
(Photo courtesy Shirlee – cleanup trucks on Roxbury Monday)
As reported here yesterday, eastbound SW Roxbury was shut down between 8th and Olson for about eight hours on Monday after some kind of spill toward the end of the corridor. We followed up today to ask what they’d found out and why it took so long. Via SDOT, Seattle Public Utilities, and King County Road Services, here’s what we found out: The spill stretched across half a mile of the eastbound side of the street and was determined to be motor oil. The cleanup took so long because “of the extent of the spill, the number of drainage structures affected, precautions needed to work safely in the ROW, and the time it took for emergency cleaning contractors to arrive.” SDOT used “granular absorbents and sand,” subsequently removed by a sweeper truck, to clean the road, while SPU “coordinated emergency storm drain cleaning of 10 storm drain structures that were affected.” Investigators don’t know how it happened or who’s responsible.
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
ATM THEFT ATTEMPT: Thanks to Bolo for the tip. The US Bank drive-up ATM in The Junction – stolen in an early-morning heist five years ago – was again the target of would-be thieves early Monday. We say “would-be” because they failed, according to the police-report narrative we obtained today. It says that US Bank corporate security reported the theft attempt was caught on video just before 3:30 am Monday. Two people drove up in a “small to midsize silver DUV with a gray/black bottom”, pried open a “plastic base plat” on the ATM, attached a cable from the truck, tried to pull the ATM off its base, but failed and left.
ROAD-RAGE GUNFIRE: This was reported just after noon on Saturday, according to this police summary made available today:
(The) reporting party (RP) reported a shooting that occurred at SW Avalon Way and SW Spokane St. This incident started as a road-rage disturbance at the large intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Spokane St. The RP was driving eastbound on SW Spokane when the suspect’s vehicle was driving “aggressively” past multiple vehicles. The RP indicated the suspect vehicle nearly struck or may have slightly struck his vehicle after a merge in which the suspect cut him off. This enraged the RP, who merged in behind the suspect’s vehicle and began following him after honking and a mutual exchange of middle fingers (between himself and the suspect). At the intersection of 11th Ave SW and SW Spokane St, the suspect leaned out the driver-side window and fired approximately 4 times at the RP’s car. The suspect then quickly drove away, continuing eastbound on SW Spokane St up and onto the West Seattle Bridge, toward 1st Ave S/ 4th Ave S/ S Columbian Way and the I-5 North/South Interstate on ramps. The suspect’s vehicle was described only as a 4-door newer Lexus Sedan, black in color, with no other distinguishable or unique markings. The RP’s vehicle had what appeared to be new damage, consistent with bullet damage.
STOLEN VAN: West Seattle resident DMD says this happened near the airport, but is hoping neighbors here will be on the lookout for it too:
Flew out of Seattle for vacation. Van was stolen from the Seattle Airport Marriott parking lot between Feb 11-20 2022. It’s a 1998 Ford E-350 lifted four-wheel drive van. It is burgundy red with a large black winch bumper on the front. A case was opened with the police so any tips to me, them, or both are appreciated!
Call 911 if you see it – then let DMD know by texting 206-240-8993. (3/2 UPDATE: It’s been found, in north Seattle.)
1:32 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip – a whale sighting west of Alki, closer to the Bainbridge Island side of the Sound. She says they’re not heading in any clear direction right now and that the type of whale – orcas or baleen – hasn’t yet been discerned either. But if you’re at the beach, with binoculars, take a look!
1:45 PM: Kersti says whale-spotters have since deduced this was a “false alarm” – waves from a ship.
Last week, Chief Sealth International High School athletic director Ernest Policarpio told us about Seahawk wrestlers on their way to the state tournament at the Tacoma Dome. Today, he shares a photo and update:
Congrats to a great postseason for our wrestling team! We had 7 wrestlers make it to state and four of them placed in the top 8!
Senior Delaney Graves – 140 lbs – 2nd in State
Junior Saleen Kelly – 155 lbs – 6th in State
Freshman Micah Policarpio – 170 lbs – 7th in State
Senior Ethan Heathershaw – 195 lbs – 5th in StateWith the wrestlers in the photo from left are Coach Joey Richards, Daron Camacho, Sergio Lopez, AD Policarpio, Maurice Dolberry, and kneeling is Coach Alexia Ramos.
(Reminder to take care of your neighborhood birds – hummingbird feeders, too – in the cold weather)
The National Weather Service insists sunshine is on the way. Still very lightly snowing as of this writing, though. If any other weather-related changes come in (text 206-293-6302), we’ll add to this list, but here’s what we have for now:
WARM-UP CENTER/COLD-WEATHER SHELTER: If you or someone you know needs a place to go, as reported here last night, 3618 SW Alaska is the place. They’re also in need of various donations, as our story mentioned, to support the people they serve.
NO GOLF: Seattle Parks says the snowfall has closed the West Seattle Golf Course – too much for golfing, not enough to open the course for “winter activities.”
FOOD FUNDRAISER CANCELED: Chef Gino Williamson won’t be out at 5441 Delridge Way SW because of the weather, but look for him 11 am-7 pm tomorrow.
CITY COUNCIL: Their weekly meeting is at 2 pm, online, with items including a proposal to extend the eviction moratorium despite the mayor’s decision to end it. The agenda explains how to comment; Seattle Channel is where to watch.
DEMONSTRATION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: 4:30-6 pm at 16th/Holden, Scott leads the weekly demonstration for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.
BASKETBALL: The West Seattle High School girls play a must-win regional-playoffs game at home (3000 California SW) tonight, 7 pm vs. Liberty High School from Issaquah. Our preview includes the ticket link.
TRIVIA X 2: Two venues to play tonight – 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
There’s more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather Thursday to remember Colleen Mary Doyle. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with her community:
Colleen Mary Doyle passed away peacefully at her home on February 15, 2022 with her family by her side.
Colleen was born on April 29th 1945 in Seattle and was the middle of three children. She lived her entire life in Seattle, where she attended Holy Rosary School, met her husband Thomas Walior, and where they raised their four children, Daimon, Joe, Shannon, and Erin.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Walior.
She is survived by her sons Daimon (Olympia, WA), Joe (Seattle), Shannon (Seattle), and her daughter Erin (Seattle).
Five grandchildren: Katie, Danny, Sam, Josh, and Mira. Also, one great-grandchild, Delilah Lou.
She was a part of many stewardships in her parish of Holy Rosary in the last decade of her life. Colleen was a devoted and beloved wife and mother and will be terribly missed by her entire family and anyone who had the opportunity to call her friend.
Funeral will be Thursday, February 24th, 10:30 am, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4210 SW Genesee St.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
8:35 AM: As commenters have noted, snow continues.
8:59 AM: Seattle Parks says West Seattle Golf Course (and others in the city) are closed because of the weather. Meantime, the National Weather Service has yet to publish any advisories or indications about how much longer this is expected to last.
9:31 AM: Still snowing.
Earlier:
================================
6:03 AM: Good morning. After the late-night snow, extra caution is in order.
WEATHER
Cold and windy today, not expected to get out of the 30s.
REMINDERS
8th SW sewer repair – This week, crews are expected to start up to 3 weeks of work on 8th SW between Roxbury and Cambridge, which means parking restrictions and lane closures.
Midwinter break – No classes this week for Seattle Public Schools and those who follow its schedule.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES, LIGHT RAIL TODAY
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations. Also remember the new bus stops at Alaskan Way/Jackson that opened on Saturday.
Water Taxi‘s back in service. (Added: No Vashon service this morning because of the weather.)
Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
Light rail: Here’s the Sound Transit holiday schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
700th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
| 7 COMMENTS