West Seattle, Washington
13 Sunday
Tomorrow marks one week since Greg Spotts was confirmed as SDOT‘s new director. (Here’s the video of the City Council meeting at which that happened.) He’s already been holding community conversations, after extending this invitation to schedule them. And this Thursday (September 22nd), we’ve just learned, he’ll talk with the West Seattle Transportation Coalition – and you, if you attend the online meeting. It starts at 6:30 pm Thursday, all are welcome, and the info for participating (by computer or phone) is in our calendar listing.
On Sunday we reported on a power outage that left 74 customers out of power for about eight hours in North Admiral. Today, we talked with Seattle City Light‘s Jenn Strang about what happened. Strang says it took longer to fix because the crew first had to sleuth what had gone wrong, and while the original suspicion was a “bad fuse,” it turned out to be a “failed underground elbow.” (An elbow is a type of onnector.) She added that underground problems are often tougher to trace than others.
Six reports in Crime Watch:
BULLET THROUGH WINDOW: Just before 11:30 Friday night, according to a police-report summary, officers were called to a residence in the 2700 block of Alki Avenue SW for a report of a shot fired through a window. The single round was found embedded in an interior wall, according to the summary. It’s believed to have been fired from a vehicle. No injuries reported.
UNLAWFUL GUN POSSESSION: Just before 8:30 Sunday morning, SPD and SFD were called to a report of an unconscious person inside a car on Harbor Island. The report summary says SFD got there first and alerted SPD to a handgun seen by the car’s occupant. The person was found to be a convicted felon, and the gun was stolen, so they were arrested and booked into jail.
STOLEN CAR: Riley sent this reader report: “We had a vehicle stolen in front of our property at the 3900 block of Morgan around 5 am on Sunday. The attached photo is a stock photo but identical. There is no defining appearances to set it out from others. Lic #485XFZ. 2008 Acura TL type S. Police report number 2022-249779.”
ANOTHER STOLEN CAR: Dan sent this reader report and photo from just south of West Seattle:
North of 11th and 100th: Stolen Silver 2015 Hyundai Elantra, license plate number CBB2126. Our neighbor was able to provide doorbell cam footage of two individuals scouting, entering, and driving away with the vehicle around 2:45 am this morning. Any eyes our neighbors could provide or any advice on getting word out would be greatly appreciated.
POLICE CAR HIT BY DRIVER OF STOLEN CAR: Shortly after 3 am Sunday near Delridge/Juneau, someone driving a stolen car emerged from a driveway “at a high rate of speed,” according to the SPD summary, and hit a police car headed for the precinct. Despite major damage, the car was driven away from the scene, then abandoned nearby, and two people bolted. The police car was damaged badly enough that it couldn’t be driven, but the officer was not hurt.
HIT AND RUN: Reader report:
Hit and run at the intersection of Walnut Ave SW and Hinds midday on Sunday, Sept. 18. ‘Seeking a greenish van that crashed into a small car with 2 people inside, pushed it into the telephone pole (above), and drove away without stopping. The hit and run driver’s car (pictured below in the distance north of fire hydrant) is an old Toyota Sienna with a stripe around it.
The people who got hit had their airbags blow up and both people were shook up. Their car is in bad shape. If you see the greenish van, take a photo of the license plate number, AND REPORT TO THE POLICE. SPD incident # 22-249758.
Just got last-minute word from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner that the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting scheduled for tonight – first one in almost a year and a half – has now been postponed to 6 pm Thursday, October 13th.
(Photo sent by Toni – mural/signage by Andrew Miller)
Maybe you noticed the new coat of paint on the former West 5 building in The Junction (4539 California SW), which as reported here in June is being transformed into Camp West – and now includes the mural-style signage above. We’ve received a few inquiries about its progress. So we asked Patrick Haight, a member of the Camp West ownership team, how it’s going. He says the exterior “was painted to match our color scheme inside,” adding that kitchen equipment and coolers are in place – after a longer wait than they had expected after placing orders in late May/early June – while tables and booths are arriving soon. “The supply chain and available inventory has been challenging. However, we are just being patient in wanting the right equipment to meet our needs. An October opening is where our timeline stands, barring no more delays. We are optimistic and excited to get our Camp West Seattle up and running.” As noted in our June report, it’s a sibling establishment to Tacoma’s Camp Bar.
The fall season of the West Seattle Community Orchestras is approaching – and there’s big news in the WSCO announcement:
West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSCO) invites you to participate in the Fall 2022 session!
West Seattle’s very own community music organization once again is boasting three full orchestras! Registration is now open (see below).
The big news: Our Debut Orchestra now welcomes wind players and percussionists! After existing as a strings-only group due to COVID precautions, our entry-level group will once again include winds (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba) and percussion. Students grades 4 through 12 are especially welcome — and participate FREE! (Adults pay a modest fee.) A few loaner instruments are available to those in need.
Of course, our Concert and Symphony orchestras will be back. Both groups include students and adults. WSCO is hoping to have many wind players and percussionists participate. Also on the agenda again are classes for student and adult beginners wishing to learn to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass.
WSCO is delighted to have our conducting and teaching staff returning for the new season. They have selected great repertoire, including symphonic classics as well as holiday favorites.
More info is available on the website, but here’s a brief rundown:
— Registration is open through Sept. 25: wscorchestras.org/register
— Tues., Sept. 27: Audition night at Fauntleroy Church. (These are informal auditions, meant to help determine which group is right for you.) A specific time slot will be emailed to you.
— Tues., Oct. 4: Rehearsals begin. (Fauntleroy Church or Chief Sealth International High School)
— More info, email info@wscorchestras.org
Please pass the word to all, but especially to students! We hope to see many newbies of all ages join the many who have participated for years in this great organization!
(Photo sent by Mardi Clements)
Thanks for the tips. Almost two months after the ferry Cathlamet crashed into an offshore component of the Fauntleroy ferry dock known as a “dolphin,” repairs are starting. After getting word that this crane had arrived off the terminal early this morning, we asked Washington State Ferries spokesperson Ian Sterling about it. His reply:
This is the barge that does annual maintenance work on most of our terminals. It was in Vashon last week and prior to that in Bremerton. The contractor is American Construction and in Fauntleroy they are to do not only annual maintenance, but to proceed with first temporary and then later permanent repairs to the left outer dolphin. They intend to start the demolition of the damaged piles and remove the concrete pile cap. New piles and a new cap are expected to be installed at a later date this fall/winter. They will also be doing regular maintenance and repairs not related to the Cathlamet. These include repair to the right outer dolphin and replacing rub timbers on both wingwalls. Work is expected to take about a week and it’s not expected to have much impact to the traveling public.
The Cathlamet, meantime, is undergoing repairs at a drydock in Everett.
Three days until fall … so we’re featuring more late-summer flowers; the photo above is from Amanda. And now, on to today’s notes, mostly from listings on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BLOCK DROP: None today, but plan to join in one Sunday morning at Roxhill Park.
SPRAYPARK CLOSED: Reminder that the season has now ended for Highland Park Spraypark.
MEET WITH POLICE: After almost a year and a half, West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meetings resume so community members can hear from and talk with police. 6 pm online – connection information is in our calendar listing. Postponed until October 13th
COMMUNITY SUP PADDLE: 6-8 pm with Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor SW) – details here.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), explained in our calendar listing.
NEED TO LAUGH? Tonight is Comedy Night at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm.
MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm.
PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have something to add to our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather Wednesday (September 21st) to remember Mike Madura. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:
Michael Dominic Madura passed away on May 14th, 2022, from heart failure; he was 68 years old.
Mike was born to Victor and Marjorie Madura in Fort Collins, Colorado on July 10th, 1953; Mike was the third of eight children. That same year, Vic and Marge moved their family to Seattle, where Vic, an Electrical Engineer, accepted a job at the Boeing Company. Mike, along with his siblings, attended Holy Family Catholic School in Seattle. After grade school, Mike attended Saint Edwards Seminary, in Kenmore, Washington; he later attended South Seattle Community College, completing an AAS in Electronics, and shortly thereafter, accepted a position at the Boeing Company.
Mike had a passion for electronics, restoring and repairing vintage tube radios and TVs, and installing an occasional car stereo, or two – Mike loved his electronic gadgetry. He also enjoyed decorating for the holidays, especially Halloween, creating motion activated spooky characters to entertain the trick-or-treaters; Mike had a wonderful sense of humor.
Mike was also a devout Catholic, always wishing he had completed his vocation at the Seminary so that he could’ve become a priest. He enjoyed long weekends on spiritual retreats, reconnecting with Christ, and the religion he so loved.
Mike is survived by six of his siblings: Frank Madura, Patricia Madura, Timothy Madura, Susan (Madura) Brown, John Madura, and Joseph Madura.
A funeral mass will be held for Mike at Holy Family Parish on Wednesday, September 21st, at 11:00 AM.
(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)
If you’re commuting by Water Taxi or ferry today – you might have a bonus: At least 4 orcas in Elliott Bay, southbound, reports Kersti Muul.
(Scroll down for updates on today’s traffic)
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, September 19th, first weekday with the reopened West Seattle Bridge. The format for the daily traffic notes is obviously evolving with this big change. Today, we’ll be live-chronicling the first commute with the bridge. As we start, no problems reported, so here’s some basic daily info:
WEATHER
Here’s the forecast – sunny, high in the low 70s.
TRANSIT INFO
Metro buses are back on the high bridge, and today also is their first weekday since Saturday’s twice-yearly service change; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
No changes in ferries (Check here for alerts/updates) or West Seattle Water Taxi service today.
BRIDGES
High Bridge – here’s the reactivated camera atop the span.
Low Bridge: All restrictions are now lifted, so it’s open to anyone who wants to use it.
We’ll add other cameras as the morning goes. All currently functional city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
6:26 AM: The helicopter near the bridge is just the shared-TV chopper, covering the same thing we are – first bridge-open morning. So far, bridge traffic remains very light.
7 AM: All still quiet, on the bridge and other routes. If you’re heading for 1st Avenue through downtown, be aware that traffic is being affected by a fire near 1st/Cherry in Pioneer Square.
7:30 AM: The bridge is busier but no backups. Same goes for other routes (including the ex-detours) covered by cameras. We’re heading out for a ground-level look around.
8 AM: Bridge = still lightly traveled. … Our crew’s just back from a trip through Highland Park, down West Marginal, up Spokane to Avalon, no backups in sight.
8:07 AM: First West Seattle problem of the morning – crash reported at 26th/Roxbury.
8:27 AM: Not major – blocking a turn lane. No major injuries:
Back to the bridge – still no slowdowns/backups.
9 AM: Looks like Morning 1 is traffic-jam-free. But Tuesdays anecdotally always seemed busier, so we’ll do this again tomorrow.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
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