West Seattle, Washington
16 Friday
11:55 PM: Police are investigating gunfire that happened along Sylvan Way about an hour ago. Area resident Sam, one of those who heard and reported the shots, says they happened just before 11 pm, and that police found casings. No reports of injuries.
ADDED 10:39 AM FRIDAY: Here’s the SPD summary:
At 2255 hours, a SW Patrol Sergeant heard gunshots to the north of the SW Precinct. This information was broadcast, and officers responded to the area to conduct a search. Additional 911 callers narrowed down the possible location to the 6900 block of Sylvan Way SW. Officers arrived and found a scene in the middle of the road at this location. A search for evidence located evidence of a shooting in the street. The primary witness provided a minimal suspect description of an older 2-door black sedan that may have been involved that had sped away from the scene prior to police arrival. No property damage or victims were located during an area search.
We have charging documents in two West Seattle cases:
DON ARMENI BOAT RAMP ROBBERY: The three men arrested after crashing their car at Delridge/Genesee following the Sunday night holdup are all now charged. 29-year-old Isai Hernandez is charged with first-degree robbery, attempting to elude pursuing police, and first-degree unlawful gun possession. The other two, 18-year-old Roberto A. Lizama Diaz and 20-year-old Angel M. Macias, are both charged with first-degree robbery. Hernandez has a criminal record dating back to 2009, with adult felony convictions for assault, drive-by shooting, and possession of stolen property. The other two have no records. The charging documents tell basically the same narrative as reported in our Tuesday followup, alleging that the three held up a man who was sitting in his parked pickup truck at the park, stealing his wallet, money, and phone. Hernandez is accused of being the one with the gun, who fired a shot as they fled, and the driver of the getaway car. The documents also contain photos, which is unusual – here’s the photo reported to have been taken by a bystander, showing the three running away:
The documents also include mugshots of all three:
From left are Hernandez, whose bail remains set at $265,000 (including $15,000 in other unrelated cases), Lizama Diaz, whose bail remains at $50,000, and Macias, whose bail remains at $175,000. They’re all scheduled to be arraigned, entering an initial plea to the charges, on October 26th.
UPPER MORGAN STOLEN-CAR CRASH: Also filed this week, charges in a case we covered when it happened in June. This too involved a crash following police attempts to pull a suspect over. 30-year-old Dancho J. Gardipe of North Shorewood was arrested after crashing a stolen Subaru Forester near 40th/Morgan a short time after police had started trying to pull him over in The Junction.
Before coming to a stop up on the sidewalk, as our photo shows, Gardipe also hit a pickup truck whose driver complained of shoulder pain. He hit a parked vehicle too. Our original story mentions a man being taken to the hospital; that was Gardipe, who the charging documents say suffered a collapsed lung and broken leg. He is charged with one count of attempting to elude police; his record includes a conviction for obstructing police and several pending charges in other cases including a 2021 charge of stolen-vehicle possession. He is not currently in custody.
Back from a few stops along the October West Seattle Art Walk:
New Age Flamenco performed at Verity Credit Union (WSB sponsor) as one of the two groups in this month’s Art of Music lineup. Also at Verity, artist Marie Skoor was showing “The Private Collection of Sir Winston Mumford Johansson III“:
Despite the title, she is actually the artist; as explained on the Art Walk website, the drawings she showed “represent an imagined collection of a turn-of-the century explorer, adventurer, and amateur paleontologist: Sir Winston Mumford Johansson lll. The charcoal drawings have been done on heavily textured board, canvases, and panels to give an overall effect of the fossil subjects having been chiseled out of stone. The stark drawings are balanced with canvases painted in pastel hues. The charcoal drawings are a contrast from the artist’s usual use of a bright color palette using acrylic paints. The storytelling that accompanies the drawings are archival ‘item cards,’ meant to invoke an air of whimsy, returning us to the curio collections and oddities found in museums at the turn of the century.”
We also visited Rain City Clay in Arbor Heights for the opening of a juried show, “Percolate,” featuring “works surrounding the theme of coffee and tea.” Jennifer Fujimoto is the show’s juror:
Also among the 24 artists participating in “Percolate,” Erin Shafkind:
If you couldn’t get to the studio, “Percolate” continues online for the next two weeks. Also remember that many of the Art Walk venues keep display up all month, so you can see local artists’ work even if you weren’t able to go out tonight. Art Walk is always on the second Thursday, so the next one is November 10th.
As we continue spotlighting Halloween decorations, Ryan invites you to see the light show at his home on 47th SW between Dakota and Andover:
The show lasts about 18 minutes and is set to Halloween-themed music. You can listen via FM radio or a smartphone app; there is also a small push-to-listen speaker. It runs from dark until 10 pm every night between now and October 31.
We’ll be adding this to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and then our annual West Seattle Halloween Guide, which we’ll be assembling this weekend – got something we should inckude? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Photo courtesy West Seattle High School)
That’s West Seattle High School soccer player Alli Bennett, who has just received Athlete of the Week honors from the statewide Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. From the announcement:
A four-year varsity player and two-year captain, Bennett has shown leadership on and off the field. She is the only player on the team that has played every minute this season. The senior is the coach’s voice on the field in helping her teammates to get in better position and encouraging them positively. This past week, one of the biggest reasons why the Wildcats won the game against undefeated Roosevelt was her amazing defensive performance. Bennett posts a 3.99 GPA, she is part of National Honors Society, Link Program, Debate Club and Honor Roll. She also performs monthly volunteer work with NHS. Bennett has led her team in the most supportive way, while dishing out both of West Seattle’s assists in the win against Roosevelt.
Alli and teammates’ next match is at 7:30 pm tonight at Ballard HS. They have one regular-season match at home remaining after that – one week from today (Thursday, October 20), 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle).
That’s the murky view of south Bainbridge Island from Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook a short time ago. The wildfire smoke is back and expected to hang around a while. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has announced an air-quality alert, but it doesn’t officially kick in for King County until 5 pm Friday, despite all the smoke out there right now and the readings shown on this map. The alert is expected to stay in place all weekend. (Here’s the latest on the big wildfire that’s causing this.)
Maybe you’ve met Tony Wilson at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, where he sells his Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce. Now he’s expanding his West Seattle business by selling spicy dry rubs, and he’s launching them with a free community party on Saturday (October 15th). It’s happening 5:30-9 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor): “The event features a Spoken Word set by JT the Poet, a live painting by @JennaCreates, and free Hors D’Oeuvres by Leah Powers. We are also raffling off some great gifts from some amazing vendors, with all the proceeds from the raffle going to benefit The Heron’s Nest.” To RSVP (which is free) and/or to buy a raffle ticket, go here.
P.S. If you don’t shop at the Farmers’ Market, here’s where else to find Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce.
A short-lived “full response” in the 2300 block of Alki Avenue SW earlier this afternoon closed even before it caught our attention. But we’ve received a few questions about the 1:35 pm callout, so in case yu were wondering too: SFD tells us, “This was a small fire in a single unit that the first arriving crew was able to quickly extinguish prior to the arrival of the full response.”
Two items in West Seattle Crime Watch:
TENT TAKEN: From Coleman:
My iKamper Rooftop Tent was stolen last night off my truck. I live at 32nd and Holdon. My neighbor saw two men attaching the tent to their white 2004 Chevy Impala with a bright green compression strap. No rack. The tent would stand out like a sore thumb on their car. Here is a picture of my truck.
My kids are super upset about it. Maybe someone will spot it. The police case number is 2022-2747719.
MISSING A LAWN MOWER? A Seattle Parks employee texted to say they’ve found one:
We have recovered a lawn mower from one of our parks and it looks rather new. I think someone in the community is missing it; please contact 206-684-7475 with the make and model.
Answer the question “what’s for dinner?” with Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) and serve up a win for a local youth soccer team! Here’s how:
The Girls (04/05) Highline Select Soccer team (families live in West Seattle and Normandy Park and most have been playing together for over 7 years) are working to earn money to offset the travel expenses of a Tournament in Phoenix in February 2023. The ladies already have had a car wash, garage sa,le and are working concessions at Seahawks games to earn money, and now have teamed with Dream Dinners to generate additional financial assistance.
Help Our Soccer Team Reach Our Fundraising Goals! How a DREAM DINNERS Fundraiser Works:
· For $60, select three delicious medium family-size meal kits (each kit serves 3).
· They DONATE $10 per order back to the HSA Select G04/05 TEAM. They will DONATE an additional 5% (up to $20) when you place an additional order of at least 3 meals. A cap of $20 for the additional order donation.
· Select a pick-up date from the links below and place your order. Swing by the store to pick up your meals on your day.
· Enjoy your nutritious pre-prepped meals on hectic nights and conquer ‘What’s for dinner?’.
Please click a Link to Browse Current Menu and Place Your Order TODAY for November pickup- Spaces fill quickly!
· Wednesday, November 9th – AT 5:30 PM – dreamdinners.com/session/944247
· Thursday, November 10th – AT 11 AM- dreamdinners.com/session/944248
· Saturday, November 12th – AT 9 AM – dreamdinners.com/session/944249
· Monday, November 14th – AT 10 AM – dreamdinners.com/session/944250
Dream Dinners-West Seattle is on the east side of lower Jefferson Square, at 41st/Alaska.
If you tried Flip Your Trip during the West Seattle Bridge closure, you know how the transit-rewards program works. Metro is now expanding it countywide, as announced today. The announcement explains you “can earn points and then redeem them for discounts on future trips, and bike- and scooter-share services.” To participate, you start by downloading the Transit GO app.
It’s your monthly chance to get out and enjoy the work of dozens of local artists! That tops our list of what’s happening in West Seattle tonight:
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, WITH MUSIC: 5 pm “until late,” art – and artist receptions – all over the peninsula! Info – including two locations for live music 6-7:45 pm – is in our preview.
Here’s what else is happening tonight:
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: The long-distance exercise in participatory politics has a 5:30 pm pop-up tonight at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
WORDS, WRITERS, & SOUTHWEST STORIES: At 6 pm, Fern Naomi Renville will give an online presentation titled “American Democracy’s Indigenous Roots and Future.” Our calendar listing explains how to register and attend.
ULTIMATE AT WALT HUNDLEY: 6 pm, Thursday night summertime Ultimate pickup games have moved to Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle).
BOARD GAME NIGHT: Go play at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), starting at 6:30 pm.
OPEN MIC: Go show off your musical talent, 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
‘SWIMMING WHILE DROWNING;: Second week begins for the ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) play “Swimming While Drowning,” 7:30 pm curtain. Tickets are available online.
BENBOW’S COUNTRY NIGHT: Thursday “Nashville Nights“ continue at the Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 9 pm. 21+.
Have something to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The revised list of key dates for this school year was sent to Seattle Public Schools families this morning (thanks for the forwards!), and they include make-up days for the days missed during the Seattle Education Association strike. The announcement says, “The five make-up days are February 2, June 27, 28, 29, and 30.” The announcement also notes that high-school graduation ceremonies “will be rescheduled (by October 21) based on the updated 2022-23 school year calendar.” Three dates are set aside as snow make-up dates if needed: July 3, 5, and 6. After the 2015 strike, all but one of the make-up days were scheduled within the previously planned school year.
We often publish remembrances of people who have died – and sometimes, on request, animal companions too. Here’s one, sent by Dr. Jean Nokes-Ghivizzani from West Seattle’s Falconridge Farm:
REMEMBERING CIELO
THE EQUINE QUEEN OF FALCONRIDGE FARM
1989-2022For 24 of her 33 years, Cielo has graced Falconridge Farm. She was a Canadian Warmblood mare, a granddaughter of Swaps, the renowned Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year. He was the favorite mount of the famous jockey Willie Shoemaker and noted for his desire to please his rider at the most difficult times, a trait Cielo inherited.
Originally Cielo was a jumping horse in Canada with an enviable record, and her full brother, Spartacus, was on the Canadian National Team. When she came to Falconridge at age 9, she agreed to change careers and became a dressage horse, rising far beyond expectations, reaching International levels and allowing her rider to earn the US Dressage Federation Silver Medal.
Brave and kind and always seeking to please, Cielo made many friends. She seemed to understand English and would sometimes be asked to go comfort some person or horse, and would. She was videoed for a part in a movie to be made in Canada and was the favored mount of Luna, our three legged calico cat whose obituary was published here October 30, 2019.
Cielo did an advanced dressage presentation at her 32nd birthday party, well attended by her many fans. She then agreed to teach long-lining to some of her human friends. On that fateful sunny August 30th she began to stagger badly and her favorite and only veterinarian eased her out of our lives. In medieval fashion, she was covered with a tarp then flowers and herbs and branches. Her cremated remains rest beneath the apple tree behind the barn. Her unique ways to please her rider were so well known that messages have come from 4 countries and 5 states, celebrating her life. It’s nice to think of her in her afterlife with Luna nestled in the middle of her back.
(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)
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, October 13th. Go, Mariners!
WEATHER
Here’s the forecast – sunny, breezy, high in the low 70s, no rain in sight.
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) so far today.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule – but remember that its fall/winter schedule (still daily but no late Friday/Saturday runs) starts Monday (October 17th), so there’s NO service this weekend (October 15-16) for season-change maintenance.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end.
Low Bridge: Open to all.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: Still showing this 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 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.
Now that it’s Thursday, the Mariners‘ next playoff game is just hours away (12:37 pm our time at Houston). And we have two related notes:
NEW FERRY NAMES: Washington State Ferries says it’s temporarily renaming all the boats in its fleet for as long as the M’s are in the playoffs, as directed by this proclamation. The new names are mostly M’s players. The two currently on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run, for example, M/V Sealth and M/V Kittitas, are temporarily M/V Robbie Ray and M/V Mitch Haniger. See the full list here.
BOOKSTORE DEAL: Also for as long as the M’s remain in the playoffs, West Seattle independent bookstore Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) is offering a deal – buy one hardcover book and get another of equal/lesser value for 30 percent off. In-store only; hardcovers only. And no, the books don’t have to be baseball-related!
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