West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
One month ago, we reported on the installation of two sets of speed humps on Alki Avenue. When SDOT confirmed the plan for them a week and a half earlier, they said, “We’re also installing on Alki Ave SW some in-lane crosswalk warning signs that say “State Law Stop for Pedestrians within Crosswalk.” Sometime in the past week (since our last visit to Alki), those signs went up, as shown above. Another reminder, as was noted in the comments on that earlier story – remember that every intersection is a crosswalk, marked or not.
In addition to the incidents we’ve already covered, here are three more from the past few days, the first from a reader tip, the other two from SPD summaries:
BUSINESS BURGLARY: Thanks to Brenda for the tip on this:
The Verizon store in Admiral confirmed to us today that they were broken into via car crash early Sunday. Store staff told us the driver/burglar left behind damage including the now-boarded up window/door on the east side of the store, but said it did not appear anything was taken. Cameras did catch a license plate number, which has been provided to police.
SHOPLIFT-TURNED-ROBBERY: This happened around 12:30 am Friday but wasn’t reported to police until nine hours later, according to the summary. It happened at the South Delridge 7-11; the summary says two people came in and grabbed beer, chips, and other beverages, then left without paying. The clerk followed them, took a photo, and walked up to their vehicle. One of the people brandished a gun, and then the two left.
GUNFIRE: Also in South Delridge, several 911 callers reported suspected gunfire around 6:17 am Sunday; calls were received by both SPD and the King County Sheriff’s Office, so both officers and deputies showed up to investigate. The summary says they found “evidence of a shooting” – which usually means casings – in the street at 20th/Roxbury. No gunshot victims turned up anywhere. The summary notes that a vehicle was believed to be involved, “possibly a black sedan.”
Halloween is three weeks from tonight! Two notes:
DECORATIONS: Thanks to everyone who continues sending Halloween-decoration pics to spotlight. Tonight, a pair of skeletons spotted by Victoria near Lincoln Park – having a garden party. More sightings welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com!
TRICK-OR-TREAT REMINDER: We’ve had a few questions about this year’s business trick-or-treat events. So far we have two in the calendar – on Halloween (Monday, October 31), The Admiral District hosts its always-popular trick-or-treat event, 3-6 pm, at participating businesses. The day before Halloween, the West Seattle Junction Harvest Fest – which started as business trick-or-treating but has expanded far beyond that – runs 11 am-5 pm this year on Sunday, October 30th, starting with the costume parade. Plus: Trick-or-treating is part of Trick or Trees in Highland Park, noon-4 pm Saturday, October 29th. We’re adding other Halloween events to our West Seattle Event Calendar as they come in!
With that amazing comeback win on Saturday, the Mariners have made it to Level 2 of the playoffs – the American League Divisional Series. Their best-of-five series against the Astros starts at 12:37 pm tomorrow at Houston. If you’re looking for someplace to watch the game, we’re building a list again, and so far have confirmed four West Seattle venues that’ll be open:
The Bridge (6301 California SW), open at noon
Admiral Pub (2305 California SW), open at 12:30 pm
Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW), open at 12:30 pm
Circa (2605 California SW), where co-proprietor Gretchen promises, “Sound on and $13 burgers & fries with $5 Manny’s pale ales”
Poggie Tavern (4717 California SW)
Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
Talarico’s (4718 California SW), open at noon
Got someplace to add? Let us know, in a comment or via email (westseattleblog@gmail.com), so we can add to the list – thanks! (We’ll also include the updated list in our Tuesday morning “what’s happening today” roundup.)
No watch party at T-Mobile Park this time, as the stadium is preparing to host Game 3 (and if all goes well Game 4) of the series, but there’s a West Seattle tie to a memorable element of the watch party for Saturday’s victory. The “rally cap” is well-known in baseball lore, but one fan there decided to put a shoe on his head when the Mariners were still four runs behind – and as they kept making up ground, the “rally shoe” caught on. WSB reader Doug pointed out this Seattle Times story tying the “rally shoe” to Ben Cox of West Seattle. He told The Times that he was inspired by someone else he saw do it earlier in the season. After the M’s completed their 10-9 victory, Cox turned the shoe over to the M’s, who tweeted that the shoe (which, they said, actually belonged to Cox’s wife) would go into the team Hall of Fame.
(WSB photo from September – Ladder 13 at Station 37 in Sunrise Heights)
Will SFD Ladder 13 and Medic 26 stay in West Seattle? City Councilmember Lisa Herbold says she’ll push for it as one of her top two budget priorities – but to win over her colleagues’ support to add funding to the city budget, it’ll take a public show of support. Your next major chance to show support for – or opposition to – that and/or other budgetary issues is tomorrow (Tuesday, October 11th), 5 pm. You can comment either in-person (City Hall, 600 4th Avenue) or online – signups start at 3 pm; here’s how that works. The hearing will last until everyone who’s signed up has spoken, no matter how long that takes. This is the first of three public hearings, but the only one at the start of the council’s discussions of how/whether to change the mayor’s budget proposal. Councilmember Herbold’s latest weekly newsletter details the process, with dates and topics. Here’s our coverage of the initial mayoral budget announcement two weeks ago; the detailed budget summary is here, and the even-more-detailed “budget book” is here.
(Mary Springer, 2013 WSB photo)
It’s the end of an era for West Seattle community theater, in more ways than one. Here’s the announcement sent by Twelfth Night Productions:
After nearly 30 years, Mary Springer has decided to retire as Artistic Director of Twelfth Night Productions (TNP) in 2023. Mary is the heart and soul of this organization and has created a magical community of theater lovers, performers, and artists. Her background in education and incredible gift of community building made her the perfect leader for this endeavor. With her at the helm, TNP mounted technically challenging productions, simple yet soulful radio shows, small ensemble pieces, and everything in-between. This company made our community of West Seattle stronger and richer.
TNP’s mission has always been to create a joyful and supportive place for people to explore the performing arts. With a focus on the process, not the product, the community that was built here is truly remarkable. Many generations of performers have discovered or re-discovered a passion for performing on our stages. Professional actors have sharpened their skills with us before going on to have distinguished careers. There have been multiple marriages and deep friendships forged among community members who met while working with TNP.
The amount of time and work it requires to lead this community is immense and Mary’s always-present helpers, Kathy Ayer and Rick Springer, are also ready to ease into retirement. Earlier this year, we were also informed that our costume storage warehouse has been sold and will be torn down in 2023. Considering those challenges, it is with both sadness and excitement for the future that we announce we are closing our production company in 2023. The last few years have certainly taught us that you can never say never, but for now we are making the hard choice to close the curtain.
We have had an incredible run and feel confident that our legacy of community building, joy, and inspiration will be remembered well into the future. Our holiday radio play, Miracle on 34th Street, directed by Mary, will be our final production, and then we will work on continuing to liquidate our inventory (check our website later this monthly for sales dates in October and November) and celebrate our 30 years of theater.
Save the date for a huge party to celebrate this amazing community; on 2/25/2023 we would like to invite you all to The Hall at Fauntleroy. We’d love to see community members from our entire history for a night of karaoke, dancing, celebrating… and probably a few tears.
Thank you for joining with us, onstage, backstage, in the audience, and at our work parties. This community we all built together is a true gift.
You can also watch the TNP website for the dates of their final production this holiday season.
If you would like to get a flu shot but are having trouble making that happen, maybe this clinic tomorrow night is for you. The Roxbury Safeway pharmacy sent word that they’ve scheduled the clinic for 6-8 pm Tuesday (October 11th) at the store (28th/Roxbury). No appointment needed – just show up. As noted on this flyer for the event, the shot is “free” with most insurance plans, and if you’re doing grocery shopping while you’re there, you’ll be entitled to a 10 percent discount,
(Barred Owl, photographed at 34th/Thistle by Amy Hoffman this weekend)
As noted in the morning traffic/transportation wrapup, this is Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Seattle, and that means some holiday closures, including:
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY: All locations closed today.
SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION: Many facilities are closed today, including community centers and pools – details here.
NO CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: Usually at 2 pm Mondays but canceled today.
For the federal government, this is Columbus Day, with closures/changes including:
US POSTAL SERVICE: No regular delivery; post offices closed.
BANKS: Most (if not all) closed in observance of the federal holiday.
Here’s what IS happening today/tonight:
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Chief Sealth International High School‘s slowpitch-softball team plays Holy Names, 5:15 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), explained in our calendar listing.
MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
PLAY TRIVIA! Two scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster) and 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to list on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Paul “Gerry” Maurer and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Paul Gerry Maurer
May 2, 1942 — September 25, 2022Paul “Gerry” Maurer died on September 25, 2022, at the age of 80 at Parkshore Senior Living in Seattle due to failing health from long Covid and pulmonary fibrosis. He was deeply loved by family and friends and is dearly missed.
Gerry was born on May 2, 1942, in Long Beach, CA, to parents Mary Josephine Cushing Maurer and Paul Bulger Maurer. Gerry was the second of three children, along with sisters Mary Jo and Tath. The trio grew up on an avocado ranch in the Hollywood Hills, and Gerry attended La Habra and Hollywood High (class of 1960), where he was a member of the cheer squad and track team. Gerry was an avid sailor from a young age, skippering boats in multiple Transpacific (California to Hawaii) races when he was still in high school. His love for sailboats continued throughout his life as he captained his beloved yachts Surprise (C&C 35) and Dirigo (K50) in myriad races and cruised the Pacific Northwest, Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and beyond. One of his most cherished honors was becoming Commodore of the Seattle Yacht Club (SYC) in 1992. Racing sailboats was Gerry’s North Star and he continued to race mini-12s with SYC after retiring his yachts and loved teaching others to sail, as he did with the US Navy cadets.
Gerry received his BA from Stanford University in 1964, where he met his first wife, Kathleen Kirkpatrick (Pierce), and was a proud member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and a coxswain on the crew team. He went on to get his MBA from Columbia University in 1966, after which he worked in management for American Airlines before attending Officer Candidate School and serving in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. In 1970, he was discharged and moved permanently to Seattle, WA where he worked for Airborne Air Freight before buying American Conserving Company (aka “the apple factory”) which processed Washington apples for pies and juice, with his business partner and fellow Navy Officer, Glenn Kalnasy. In 1985, he shifted gears to estate and business planning with Northwestern Mutual Financial Services, where he built his own advisory firm, fully retiring in 2021.
In 1987, Gerry married Barbara and moved to her home in West Seattle. They had a shared love of the sea; most of their spare time was spent racing or cruising sailboats. They spent many years sailing the West Coast as well as chartering boats in the Caribbean, Greece and Croatia and traveling with the Cruising Club of America. When not on boats, the pair loved to ski and take family winter ski trips, igniting a love for the mountains in their two sons.
Gerry and Barbara were also devoted Rotarians. Gerry was a member of the downtown Seattle Rotary Club and Barbara served as President of the Burien Rotary. Together they were deeply involved in Rotary International service with schools, orphanages, and water projects across the globe, including two visits to India.
Above all, Gerry and Barbara loved hosting friends and family at their home, whether it was for an international business delegation, a holiday meal, or their annual Christmas ship party. They loved to cook and garden together and spent their “retirement” years enjoying their beautiful Puget Sound views and prolific garden. Gerry in particular was dedicated to his blueberry and rose bushes and could often be found out in the garden pruning or harvesting them. They were both very proud of their children and especially their many grandchildren who they gathered often for meals on their deck or holiday celebrations.
Gerry was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Glee Maurer. He is survived by his two daughters, Kristina Maurer Montague (Tom) and Serena Dawn Maurer (Sam); his two stepsons, Karl Asmund Norsen (Michelle) and Curtis Clifton Norsen (Betsy); his seven grandchildren, Chapin, Max, Ella, Millie, Tao, Harper, and Tabitha; and his two sisters, Tath Hossfeld (Dennis) and Mary Jo Martin (Richard); as well as his nephews Chris, Craig, and Andy; nieces Cecily and Jenny and their families.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Rotary International Foundation Memorial plans will be forthcoming on his online obituary.
(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)
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, October 10th.
WEATHER
Here’s the forecast – sunny, high near 70, wind picking up later
TRANSIT INFO
Metro buses are on their regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
No changes in ferries (check here for alerts/updates) today. The West Seattle Water Taxi is on a Sunday schedule today, the only local transit service with a schedule change for the Indigenous Peoples Day holiday.
ONE MORE TRANSPORTATION-RELATED HOLIDAY NOTE
It’s a free-parking day in Seattle neighborhoods with on-street paid parking.
ROAD WORK
-The SPU project that will close the east end of Sylvan Way for up to four weeks is expected to finally start this week.
-In South Park, a drainage project is closing S. Holden St. between W. Marginal Way S. and 5th Ave S. weekdays through October 14th.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera that’s atop the span.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end.
Low Bridge: Open to anyone who wants to use it.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The view, for those finding it more convenient.
Highway 99: Whichever bridge you’re using to get to 99, here’s the northbound side at Lander.
All currently functional city traffic cams can be seen here (new URL), 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.
If you see trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
| 59 COMMENTS