West Seattle, Washington
25 Sunday
(Fauntleroy ferry dock, photographed in early April by James Bratsanos)
Sunday is not only the start of a new month, it’s also the start of higher fares if you’re bringing vehicles onto Washington State Ferries. May 1st is when the peak-season surcharges kick in. You can check the fares by going here – one example, taking a 14′ (or less) vehicle from Fauntleroy to Vashon would cost you $16.75 today, but $20.80 starting Sunday.
9:10 PM: Thanks for the tip. A crash at the 5-way intersection is blocking westbound traffic – SDOT says the crash is on West Marginal at SW Spokane. Avoid the area.
9:30 PM: That’s cleared, says SDOT, but now they’re reporting a crash on the low bridge, blocking the westbound lane.
10:30 PM: SDOT reports the low-bridge crash has cleared.
From Scott: “Catalytic Converter cut from our van last night. 2653 SW Yancy Street. 2nd time – same vehicle – same location. 3rd theft/damage to our vehicles in the area.”
From the sale with the gorilla suit, to the “Goofy Goths’ Garage Sale,” to the “2 designers with too much stuff” to sales with specialties (art glass and plants, for example), 320+ sales are signed up for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, which is now two weeks away – Saturday, May 14th. We are working on the map and list right now, so that it’ll be available one week in advance for you to see which sales are near you, which sales are offering items that interest you, etc. Over the years of WSCGSD – which dates back to 2005 – people have said that meeting neighbors has been the most fun part, and after the past two years, that’s something for which many have yearned. And then of course we’ve all been dealing with the West Seattle Bridge closure – one sale description even notes, “The bridge went down, our closets filled up.” 98116 has the most registered sales, followed by 98126, and close on its heels, 98136. You’ll see them all on the map by this time next week. 9 am to 3 pm are the official sale hours, but some are starting earlier, some are ending later, and a handful are adding extra days – several are starting Friday, several continuing Sunday. Watch here for more previews in the days ahead, plus the map/guide when it’s ready (our WSCGSD archive will always start with the most-recent story)!
3:50 PM: Big SFD response at Broadstone Sky Apartments, at 40th/Edmunds, but it’s already being downsized. Updates to come.
3:53 PM: SFD says there was a fire in a second-floor unit but the sprinkler system put it out. Firefighters are now checking inside the building, for water damage and carbon-monoxide readings.
4:07 PM: Firefighters confirm to our crew at the scene that no one was hurt and more units should be leaving the scene soon.
After 2 1/2 years, jewelry-shop owner Lauren Wiggins has a big announcement – her shop at Westwood Village has a new name, Lauren’s Jewelry:
To our valuable customers, we are pleased to announce that on May 3rd, we are rebranding our jewelry store. As many of you know, I bought Wyatt’s Jewelers in November of 2019 and have owned and operated it since then. This rename will play a major role in strengthening our growth and commitments, by helping our customers identify with our brand in the marketplace. We have worked so very hard as Wyatt’s Jewelers to take care of each and every one of you and look forward to many more years of providing you with all your jewelry needs. As Lauren’s Jewelry, we will still be providing our community with the latest trends, beautiful classics, custom projects, and repairs!
The changes will be effective from May 3rd on every platform.
We would like to take this time and thank you for your continued support with us as Wyatt’s Jewelers, and look forward to our time as Lauren’s Jewelry! If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact us at 206-937-9200 or laurensjewelrystore.com.
Her shop (a WSB sponsor) is in the center of WWV, on the ground floor of the building that also holds Sport Clips Haircuts and the future America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses.
You have a little over an hour to get over to Highland Park Elementary and shop the PTA’s giant rummage sale! Thanks to the texter who sent the photo from the early going. It’s a “give and take” sale – donations were welcomed in the early going, and visitors are advised to “take what you need.” The school is at 1012 SW Trenton, and the sale continues until 2 pm.
Another stolen car to look for – this one belongs to Nate:
I wanted to get the word out that my beloved 1999 Honda CR-V was stolen from our driveway in Pigeon Point at 5:55 this morning. The license plate is 487-KCX and it has a UW and University of Oregon sticker on the upper right corner of the back window, and a green King County Search and Rescue sticker in the upper left corner of the back window. It also has a black Yakima roof rack and an aftermarket spare-tire cover. The suspects pulled up in 2 vehicles, one silver SUV and what appears to be a green sedan. (5:55 am image:)
Please contact Nate at 425-638-2326 if found.
SUNDAY MORNING: Nate emailed to say his car’s been found, in Highland Park.
Drug Take-Back Day outside the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) is more than just a dropoff event for your unwanted/expired prescription drugs – it’s also a chance to talk with SPD reps. In our photo are the precinct’s longtime Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner and Officer Matthew Roberson. We stopped by in the first hour and dropoffs already had filled two boxes. This continues until 2 pm today.
No need to worry about the weather – Healthy Kids Day fun is happening indoors at the West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor). We stopped by to see how it’s going. Kids can bounce and jump in the gym:
Art-making too:
It’s all free, membership NOT required, and happening until 1 pm!
(Friday rainbow, photographed by Hana Alishio)
Another long list of events and reminders to start the weekend, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ROAD-WORK REMINDERS: If you missed it in our Friday traffic watch, here’s what SDOT plans today:
Between 7 AM to 5 PM, we’re updating curb ramps at 16th Ave SW and SW Barton St in Highland Park. We will be working from the parking lanes, but people driving in the area can expect minor delays.
Additionally, between 7 AM to 5 PM, we’ll be installing traffic signs on southbound SR 99 between S Atlantic S and S Spokane St. During this work, we’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane. People driving southbound on SR 99 may experience delays.
In South Park, the intersection of S Chicago St and 5th Ave S will be closed from 6 AM to 4 PM for upgrading the main water line under the street. This work is part of the South Park Drainage and Roadway Partnership, which is a project we are working together on with Seattle Public Utilities to improve chronic flooding and drainage issues in South Park.
And a reminder that repairs were finished early on the Spokane Street ramp to NB 99, so it’s open again.
HIGHLAND PARK WAY CLEANUP: Join Adopt-A-Street volunteer Dustin at 9 am – our calendar listing explains the plan/location.
GUIDED HIKE: Meet in the upper north lot of Riverview Playfield (7224 12th SW) at 10 am for this hike – details in our calendar listing,
HEALTHY KIDS DAY: The fun, free, activities-laden event at the West Seattle YMCA, 10 am-1 pm – all welcome, membership NOT required. (3622 SW Snoqualmie).
INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY: Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) is open 10 am-6 pm and celebrating all day long, with guest authors during Family Reading Time hosted in the nearby HeartBeet Event Space at 11 am, and bonus fun at the shop.
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY: 10 am-2 pm, bring your expired/not-needed prescription to the lot outside the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), 10 am-2 pm, for safe, no-questions-asked disposal.
SCHOOL GIVE-AND-TAKE RUMMAGE SALE: The Highland Park Elementary PTA hosting the sale on the school’s north side blacktop – drop off donations at 9 am, shop (or take what you need) 10 am-2 pm. (1012 SW Trenton)
SPORTS: Two baseball games – the West Seattle HS plays Blaine at 10 am at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), and then Chief Sealth IHS plays the same opponent, same field, at 12:30 pm.
LIVE MORNING MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: 10:30 am-noon, Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Open to visitors noon-3 pm, as noted here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society has reopened its museum on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm, (61st/Stevens)
WINE TIME: Viscon Cellars‘ (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) tasting room is open 1-6 pm, for tasting or by-the-glass/by-the-bottle wine.
CAKE POP-UP: Lovely and Dapper Desserts will be at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) 3-6 pm with their legendary mini-cakes.
WEND AND MOLLY’S TURN 1: First-anniversary fun at a “street party” at 3278 California SW hosted by the neighboring shops WEND Jewelry and Molly’s Bottle Shop, plus adjacent Inkberry Tattoo (which isn’t quite 1 yet) – details in our calendar listing.
OPEN MIC: Go perform at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 6 pm!
EVENING MUSIC @ C & P COFFEE: Levi Said at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm, no cover.
DRAG SHOW AT THE SKYLARK: West End Girls take the stage tonight, doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm, tickets $13. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SNOOPY’: Final musical for Seattle Lutheran High School, 7:30 pm in the gym (4100 SW Genesee) – info’s in our calendar listing.
‘THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE’: Second weekend continues for Twelfth Night Productions’ musical, 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Get tickets here.
DRAG SHOW AT ADMIRAL PUB: Saturday’s the night for Dolly Madison‘s show at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 9 pm.
Something to add, for today/tonight or beyond? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Photo courtesy Beauty Therapy Collective)
Just west of the northwest corner of 42nd and Oregon, in a rapidly redeveloping pocket of The Junction, stands an old building that’s just been given another new life, as the Beauty Therapy Collective. The new owner of the building at 4208 SW Oregon is Nikki Nguyen, who intends to use the building to “provide suites for small individual business owners who want to own their own business and be their own boss.” That includes her own business, Nikki’s Lashes. She has room for others offering beauty and spa services – massage and cosmetic procedures, for example. Some spaces are taken, some are open. She’s been renovating the interior in time for a grand-opening celebration this Sunday (May 1st), noon-2 pm – everyone’s invited to stop in for a look.
Tomorrow’s the day – the return of Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor) in The Triangle! The Y welcomes families to help them celebrate “30 years of healthy kids … to celebrate kids being kids and to set them up for a summer of success!” It’s happening 10 am-1 pm Saturday, all free, membership not required. Don’t worry if the weather’s iffy – Healthy Kids Day includes indoor options too. Our calendar listing includes some of the activities you’ll be able to check out during HKD.
5:48 PM: Emergency-radio exchanges indicate the missing woman with dementia has been found, in south Admiral, and appears to be OK (but will be taken to a hospital just to be safe). Someone saw her and called in.
EARLIER:
Police are searching for a 2000 dark green Honda Accord reported stolen at gunpoint from the alley on the west side of the 3000 block of California SW. According to emergency-radio exchanges, the car’s owner said two men armed with pistols took her car and were last seen northbound in the alley. The preliminary description, according to dispatch and officers, was two Black men in their mid-20s, 5’8″, medium build, in light-colored hoodies, one with “some kind of badge,” both with pistols. The car’s plates were reported to start with BXU, and the car is reported to have rust on the roof. The victim was not hurt. If you have any information, call 911.
Tomorrow you can take a simple but potentially life-saving action – check for expired/no-longer-needed prescription drugs, and take them to the parking lot outside the Southwest Precinct. It’s not just a police campaign – a community coalition is involved. Here’s the announcement from one of the partners, the Southwest Seattle Youth Alliance:
SW Seattle Youth Alliance, Westside HEY [Healthy Empowered Youth], SPD, and DEA will be hosting a prescription drug take-back event on April 30th, from 10 am to 2 pm, at 2300 SW Webster St. This event is for the public to dispose of unused or expired prescription medication in a safe and easy way. Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be accepted. Medications can remain in their original containers and labels do not need to be removed. Medications not in their original containers will be accepted too.
This take-back event supports a campaign from the Washington State Health Care Authority, called Starts with One. This campaign informs and educates young adults, their parents, and older adults about the dangers of prescription-drug misuse and the importance of safe storage, and disposal of prescription opioids.
According to the campaign website, “75 percent of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them — usually taken from a friend or family member.” Simple steps, like safely disposing of medications, can stop them from being misused.
Participating in these take-back events is one thing that individuals can do to help address the opioid epidemic and protect their loved ones.
If you miss the event, some local pharmacies are permanent drop-off locations – you can look up the nearest ones here.
While you’re in The Junction on Sunday for the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, take a side trip into Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the first event there in many months – a book launch for West Seattle artist/gardener/author Lorene Edwards Forkner. 10 am-2 pm on Sunday (May 1st), she’ll be at the shop to sign her book “Color In and Out of the Garden” and “chat color and gardens,” as Click! describes the opportunity. The shop’s event preview quotes the author as explaining that her book “is a memoir in plants and color. It’s about looking out and looking in,” sparked by a daily practice in observation. She hopes “that readers will be inspired to look closely with great heart at the world around them.”
(WSB photo: Michele Rhilinger with regional Discovery Shops coordinator Michael O’Sullivan)
If you haven’t been to the Discovery Shop in the West Seattle Junction, you might not realize that it’s a volunteer-powered day-in-day-out fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. In an after-hours ceremony at the shop last night, the organization presented longtime volunteer Michele Rhilinger with its national Denise Noel Discovery Volunteer Award. From the announcement:
The heart and soul of the local Discovery Shop for more than 10 years, Michele Rhilinger is well-known throughout the West Seattle community as a representative of the American Cancer Society. Through her talents in merchandising, she has created a standard for a very high level of appearance of the shop and an exceptional level of customer service. Despite retirement from her professional career, Michele stayed in the volunteer role and has dedicated countless days for the benefit of the shop and ultimately for cancer patients. Michele’s support of the Discovery Shop and American Cancer Society’s mission is unmatched and respected by many in the community.
Here’s what she told those who were gathered to celebrate:
The Discovery Shop (4535 California SW) had a particularly tough time in the pandemic, Michele reminded us – it had just reopened after a remodeling closure when everything had to shut down.
(Photographed from West Seattle by Jerry Simmons, Space Needle sporting ‘Galaxy Gold’)
Here’s what’s ahead for the rest of your Friday:
LAST CHANCE: The “Oceans of Emotion” art exhibit at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) is closing – go see it before 4 pm today.
WINE TASTING: Visit West Seattle Liquor and Wine (4714 42nd SW; WSB sponsor) between 4 and 6 pm to taste spring wines.
MUSIC AT C & P: Katerina Moran performs at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover.
SPORTS: Two home games – the West Seattle HS boys’ soccer team hosts Rainier Beach at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), and WSHS’s softball team hosts Federal Way, also 4 pm, at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: RCK, True Unknown, & Rat Paws perform, doors at 7 pm, music at 8 pm, 21+, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SNOOPY’: Final musical for Seattle Lutheran High School, 7:30 pm in the gym (4100 SW Genesee) – info’s in our calendar listing.
RANGER AND THE RE-ARRANGERS: Hot club swing at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm. Our calendar listing explains how to check if reservations remain.
‘THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE’: Second weekend begins for Twelfth Night Productions’ musical, 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Get tickets here.
Have something for our calendar/daily lists? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Another crosstown-competitors game at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex on Thursday afternoon, with Chief Sealth International High School the home team for softball vs. West Seattle High School.
(WSHS’s Caitlin Gordon and CSIHS’s Vivian Gaither)
The Wildcats took the lead early, scoring 3 runs in the 1st inning, and held it from there.
(CSIHS’s Maia Raines at bat, WSHS’s Ashlynn Crosby catching)
Final score, WSHS 13, CSIHS 3. Next up, West Seattle plays Federal Way at NCSWAC (2801 SW Thistle) today at 4 pm; Chief Sealth plays Lincoln at 4 pm Monday at Woodland Park.
9:22 AM: Trouble on West Marginal Way per tipster Lorena – stalled car blocking southbound lane.
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6:27 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, April 29th.
WEATHER
Partly sunny, high near 60. (Added 7:12 am: A rain shower is moving through.)
ROAD WORK – TODAY + THIS WEEKEND
(added 7:12 am) *The work on 8th north of Roxbury continues.
*One last overnight alert tonight for some work under the bridge related to repairs – 10 pm tonight to 5 am Saturday, S. Spokane Street will be closed to northbound East Marginal Way, which in turns will be closed at Spokane Street, with a signed detour to eastbound Spokane.
*The ramp from eastbound Spokane to northbound 99 has reopened early after pavement repairs.
*Weekend work announced by SDOT:
On Saturday and Sunday, between 7 AM to 5 PM, we’re updating curb ramps at 16th Ave SW and SW Barton St in Highland Park. We will be working from the parking lanes, but people driving in the area can expect minor delays.
Additionally on Saturday and Sunday, between 7 AM to 5 PM, we’ll be installing traffic signs on southbound SR 99 between S Atlantic S and S Spokane St. During this work, we’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane. People driving southbound on SR 99 may experience delays.
On Sunday between 7 AM to 3:30 PM, we’ll be installing speed bump markings in West Seattle at 12th Avenue SW and SW Kenyon St. We expect minimal traffic impacts and people driving will be able to continue around the work zone in both directions.
In South Park, the intersection of S Chicago St and 5th Ave S will be closed on Saturday and Sunday from 6 AM to 4 PM for upgrading the main water line under the street. This work is part of the South Park Drainage and Roadway Partnership, which is a project we are working together on with Seattle Public Utilities to improve chronic flooding and drainage issues in South Park.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi, which is operated by Metro, is now on the summer schedule – including later evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ferries: WSF continues using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
767th 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 city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.
All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-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.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The shrinking sworn staff of the Seattle Police Department doesn’t just mean fewer officers on the street. There are also ripple effects, as was evidenced in a public-safety discussion convened at noontime today by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
Two examples: One participant mentioned going to the Southwest Precinct with an urgent matter and having to wait a long time for an officer since the lobby was closed and locked. Another, responding to precinct commander Capt. Martin Rivera‘s plea to report all crimes, said he tries, but “your online-reporting system sucks.”
Along with Capt. Rivera, today’s online meeting was headlined by the two city councilmembers whose divergent proposals for boosting SPD hiring were the subject of impassioned discussion at this past Tuesday’s meeting of the council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee (WSB coverage here), West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold – who chairs that committee – and citywide Councilmember Sara Nelson. Our area’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott was there too but not as a panelist. Here’s what happened:
7:20 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are investigating another case of car-to-car gunfire right now – they’ve found “rifle casings” at two scenes, both in High Point, one on SW Graham and one on SW Morgan (both at the intersections with Lanham). No victims reported so far. Police are blocking traffic on SW Graham at 34th and to the east of there. Updates to come.
7:29 PM: Now police are saying there’s only one scene with casings, Graham/Lanham. According to dispatch, differing descriptions of the cars involved. (added) They’re also checking Sylvan/Holly.
7:45 PM: Photos added of markers showing where casings were found. Our crew talked with some of the witnesses who say they saw gunfire from a white car, and that a red car might have been involved too.
ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Police say this incident and the earlier one in Sunrise Heights might be related. Their summary of this one says, “Witnesses advised that a red sedan was following a white sedan from behind, heading Westbound on SW Graham St. Witnesses said occupants from both vehicles were firing shots. Officers located evidence of a shooting from Lanham Pl Sw and SW Graham St. Officers also found evidence of a shooting at the west side of the intersection of 35 Ave Sw/SW Graham St. Officers continued to canvas the area and found property damage on an unoccupied vehicle.” If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 22-106623.
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