West Seattle, Washington
24 Friday
STORE ROBBED: Police are investigating a shoplift-turned-robbery reported at the South Delridge T-Mobile store about an hour ago. Officers told dispatch the store reported two men made off with iPhones, an iPod, and asked for cash. They were described initially as two Hispanic men in their mid-20s, one in a red cap and green jacket, one dressed all in black. If you have any information, the incident number is 2022-312063.
ROBBERY CHARGE: A shoplift-turned-robbery case at Westwood Village earlier this month has resulted in a felony charge. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed a second-degree robbery charge against 23-year-old Alexis M. Smith, who has an Olympia address and no known criminal history. She is accused of stealing items worth $177 from Marshall’s around 7 pm November 3rd and threatening store security with what turned out to be sharp scissors, at first reported as a knife. Police found her a few blocks away, at Delridge and Trenton. She was booked into King County Jail and released the next day; she is due in court tomorrow for arraignment.
HARASSMENT CHARGE: A 37-year-old man is charged with felony harassment for allegedly attacking a man who was waiting with others looking for day-labor work outside The Home Depot on Delridge. Hector M. Madrigal is accused of approaching the victim around 8 am November 7th and demanding money. He then allegedly grabbed a “4 x 4 composite post” and threatened to kill the victim, hitting him in the leg. Police were called by a bystander reporting what looked like a fight. The victim told officers that Madrigal, who has three felony convictions, often hassles the people gathered to look for work there. Madrigal remains in jail in lieu of $20,000 bail and is due to be arraigned Wednesday.
(Photo by Ruby Athan)
Following up on the West Seattle High School girls’ soccer team’s strong season, the team has won numerous Metro League honors. Head coach Andres Lara, who himself was honored as one of two Metro League Coaches of the Year, sent the news. “Unfortunately it didn’t end up like we wanted but we had a good season, wining the Metro Sound division; also we got recognitions by the league,” he says. Here are the players who received honors:
Metro League Sound Division
Division MVP:
o Brooke Swanson (12, West Seattle)1st Team All‐Division:
o Forwards: Brooke Swanson (12, West Seattle)
o Midfield: Kate Cowan (12, West Seattle)
o Defense: Allie Bennett (12, West Seattle)2nd Team All‐Division:
o Midfield: Olivia Shih (10, West Seattle)
o Defense: Lola Personett (12, West Seattle)Honorable Mention (by school):
o West Seattle: Annabelle Braun (10), Hudson Steere (12), Mevina Ott (12)
Here’s the full list of Metro League honorees.
Thanks for the tips! A new retail shop has just opened in Sunrise Heights, at 7354 35th SW. We stopped in to find out more and learned today is soft-open day for PNW Baby. The staff told us it’s under the same ownership as City Mouse in The Junction.
The new shop is open today until 5 pm but still determining future hours, we were told.
(Photo by Stewart L., from Harbor Avenue)
Another sunny day, after a spectacular sunrise – thanks for the photos! But change is on the way. The newest forecast suggests a chance of rain overnight, and is virtually certain of rain by Tuesday morning,
(Photo by Mark Rhea, from Marine View Drive)
The National Weather Service notes that Saturday was the 12th consecutive dry day – and that date, November 19, is historically the wettest day of the year.
During the height of the pandemic, Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Holiday Gift Fair – centered on fair-trade/ethically-sourced items – moved online. Today it’s back in person, until 1:30 pm at the Walmesley Center (northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle).
This year rather than buying from individual vendors at tables, you can shop around the gym and bring your purchases to a central checkout. That includes OLG students’ bake sale raising money for WestSide Baby – parents are there to assist you.
You can also build your own Advent wreath:
And if you’re there at lunchtime – they’ll be selling food too, including teriyaki bowls.
P.S. See what’s up in the days and weeks ahead – gift fairs and much more – in our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (to which we’re adding daily)!
(Saturday morning photo by James Bratsanos)
Welcome to Sunday! We start with events from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR: 9:30 am-1:30 pm, “come to shop, eat, and make a wreath … Shop for ethically sourced gifts and food, including chocolates, Advent calendars, nativities, jewelry, holiday décor, scarves, and cozy socks.” The gift fair also includes lunch options and a bake sale. (7000 35th SW)
TOYS FOR TOTS: You can drop off unwrapped new toys at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s booth on the west side of the Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR: The White Center Library Guild‘s annual Holiday Bazaar & Book Sale concludes today at the library (1409 SW 107th), 11 am-3 pm.
PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA: Bring your pet(s) for pics with Santa, taken by a pro photographer, 2-6 pm at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
ORDERING DEADLINES: If you’re getting help with your Thanksgiving dinner, note that today’s the deadline for several ordering options – see them listed beneath the first photo in our Holiday Guide.
And now, from our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.
LACROSSE FOR GIRLS: Casual “fall ball” drop-in event at AT Milo Park (30th/Thistle), 9:30 am-11 am, as explained in our calendar listing.
DONATION DRIVE: In addition to what’s in our calendar listing for today’s 11 am-3 pm donation drive at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), the church says this is the current priority:
Please help our unsheltered neighbors meet the many challenges of living outdoors as the season turns cold and wet. Donations of clean and usable sleeping bags, blankets, tarps and tents are in great need, as well as warm outdoor clothing for men and women. Non-perishable food and hygiene items are always welcome.
LAST DAY FOR BOOK FUNDRAISER: Today’s the last day you can shop at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) and have part of your purchase benefit Louisa Boren STEM K-8. Shop hours today are 11 am-5 pm.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Get ready for Thanksgiving! 10 am-2 pm, the market offers fall produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. California SW between Oregon and Alaska.
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) CLUB: 3 pm monthly gathering at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), this month discussing “The Discomfort of Evening” by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld. More info in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT EASY STREET: Seattle punk veterans AAIIEE are live in-store at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 5 pm. Free, all ages.
NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
For those who have a view across Elliott Bay, or will be walking/riding/driving along the downtown-facing West Seattle waterfront, an FYI: The Space Needle has announced special lights for Sunday night:
In celebration of Team USA’s exciting return to the FIFA World Cup, and in anticipation of Seattle selected to be the host city for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the Space Needle is proud to light up red, white, and blue and fly the American flag.
The FIFA World Cup honor will take place on Sunday, November 20 at 9 PM, prior to Team USA’s first match on Monday morning vs Wales.
Additionally, the Space Needle celebrates two Seattle Sounders players who will be playing for Team USA in the World Cup: Seattle Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldan have been named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. This marks the first FIFA World Cup call-up for either player.
The report and photo were sent by Coach Al:
Congratulations to the High Point “Hurricanes,” who won 1st place in today’s ‘City Wide Volleyball Jamboree’ held at Miller Community Center, making this coach extremely proud!!
After going undefeated during the season (4-0), today they beat Delridge and Loyal Heights community centers, and then again played Delridge in the playoffs, winning the first & third games to bring home the Gold.
Delridge CC took home the Silver, so West Seattle volleyball was well represented!
Two weeks from tonight, it’s the biggest night of the holiday season in The Junction, with this year’s Tree Lighting and Night Market now joined by GLOWS. The Junction Association has announced more details, including the schedule for that night (Saturday, December 3) and the street-closure plan:
This year, the event becomes a festival with a stage show, later hours, a beer and mulled-wine garden, and an artistic light display element called G.L.O.W.S. (Glorious Lights of West Seattle).
Alaska Street will be closed from 42nd to 44th. California Ave will be closed from Oregon to Edmunds.
Everyone coming to the festival is encouraged to wear LED lights – anything from a single strand to a full-on costume. A group of roving artists will award prizes to the top individual costume ($250 Junction gift card), pet costume ($100 Junction gift card), and group costume ($500 Junction gift card).
Santa Claus will emcee the stage show, which features School of Rock, Endolyne Choir, Mode Music Studio, Elvis, and holiday surf band Dancer and Prancer after the tree lighting.
The Night Market will feature 24 local artisans selling pottery, jewelry, body care products, wreaths, succulents and other gifts. There will be a few tasty treats mixed in as well. The beer & mulled wine garden – a first at the Junction Holiday event – is presented by Elliott Bay Brewery and Darby Winery.
Schedule for December 3rd Holiday Festival, 4 – 8 pm
4:00: Festival begins. Night Market vendors and Beer & Wine Garden are open.
4:00 – 5:00: Endolyne Choir, Mode Music Studio, and School of Rock perform on stage.
5:00 – 6:00: Elvis performs. G.L.O.W.S. Costume Promenade on streets.
6:00 – 7:00: Costume Contest, Lighting of the Tree, Santa Claus with reading and carols.
7:00 – 8:00: Holiday headliners Dancer and Prancer perform on stage.
Last month we published WSJA’s call for artists to create light costumes for GLOWS; here’s the announcement of who was chosen.
(Photo by Doug Eglington)
Thanks for the tips and photos! After many texts about a celebratory vehicle parade to Don Armeni (and since headed westbound toward Alki), many displaying the Samoan flag, we went down to find out why. Participants told us it’s about Samoa making it to the Rugby League World Cup final for the first time ever. The match was played earlier today and Australia – which has won the championship 11 out of the past 12 times – beat Samoa 30-10, but Samoans are bursting with pride that their team made it this far.
(Photo sent by Ian)
2:26 PM: Seattle Fire says a 75-year-old woman hit by a driver near the Junction 7-11 was in critical condition when medics took her to the hospital. We don’t know anything about the collision beyond that it happened around 9:45 am and was dispatched as “vehicle versus pedestrian – severe impact,” as police had cleared the scene by the time we heard about it (thanks to Ryan for the tip) and went there. Archived emergency-radio audio did not yield any further details aside from the first SFD unit telling others that though the dispatch was to an Edmunds address, the scene was on Erskine. We’re attempting to find out more from police but might not be able to get followup information until Monday.
5:35 PM: An SPD spokesperson tells WSB, A pedestrian was crossing at the 4300 block of Erskine Way SW, and she was struck by a vehicle traveling slow speeds. The driver didn’t commit any crimes, and he was released at the scene.”
SUNDAY PM: A family member has confirmed that the victim died today. (added) Also, we are told the age provided by SFD was incorrect – she was 83 years old.
(WSB photos)
If you just make it to one bazaar this holiday season – consider heading to Arrowhead Gardens in southeast West Seattle (9200 2nd SW) before 3 pm, to browse/shop rooms full of handmade creations, mostly by AG residents, like Dolores (above) and Linda (below).
Linda’s jars contain not only preserves but also sauces/syrups/marinade bases – lemon-rosemary, among others. Also eyecatching as we wandered the vendor tables in the central AG building (on the east side of the complex), these little owls:
Also some wearables like hats and scarves. You can enter AG from Olson or Myers, on the hill over Highway 509.
10:59 AM: Until 1 pm, the West Seattle Food Bank is offering turkeys and boxes of other food to drive-up/ride-up visitors in the north parking lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). Here’s what’s in the boxes:
If you can’t get to either of today’s turkey giveaways but are at risk of holiday hunger, the WSFB is also distributing turkeys at its HQ (35th/Morgan) noon-7 pm Monday (November 21) and 10 am-2 pm Tuesday and Wednesday (November 22-23).
12:07 PM: Just got a text that they’ll be wrapping up shortly as the 500 turkeys are almost all gone.
(WSB photos)
For the next few weekends, we are in the heart of holiday bazaar season, with opportunities to buy handmade creations both seasonal and timeless. The first event to open today is at Alki Masonic Center in The Junction (40th/Edmunds).
This one draws crafters from around the region. It’ll be open until 4 pm.
The entrance is off the lot on the south side of the building.
(WSB photos)
At 39th/Oregon this morning, Eastridge Church volunteers are continuing the church’s longstanding tradition of giving away turkeys and bags of groceries before Thanksgiving. This year, it’s back to walk-up after they switched to drive-up during the height of the pandemic. Bags of food are given along with the turkeys:
Between the church’s two campuses – West Seattle and the Eastside – the church is distributing 1,500 turkeys this year. It continues until noon or while supplies last; we’ll update if we get word they’ve run out.
In our photo above is Jaeley, who’s helping greet people today.
(WSB photo: Holiday wreaths are up in The Junction)
With Thanksgiving approaching, this is the first weekend of the holiday season, so we’re starting this preview of today/tonight with events from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
TURKEY GIVEAWAY AT EASTRIDGE CHURCH: 9 am-noon, the church at 39th/Oregon is giving away hundreds of turkeys and bags of groceries. This year it’s back to walk-up distribution; the line usually forms along 39th.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 9 am-4 pm at Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW).
TURKEY GIVEAWAY AT SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: 10 am-1 pm, the West Seattle Food Bank is distributing 500 turkeys and boxes of groceries to people who drive up/ride up in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
CRAFT BAZAAR: 10 am-3 pm, shop local at the Arrowhead Gardens Holiday Craft Bazaar (9200 2nd SW).
CHRISTMAS MARKET: One more option for shopping local today – gifts and treats at the Christmas Market at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), 11 am-4 pm.
ORDERING DEADLINE: Today is the ordering deadline for holiday meals/sides from Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) – info is right under the first photo atop our Holiday Guide.
CHRISTMAS TREES: If you want an early tree, the first ones have arrived in West Seattle. Our Holiday Guide has that running list too.
From here, it’s the non-holiday-related happenings, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
COVID BOOSTER-SHOT CLINIC: Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW) is hosting a clinic that’s open to the public, with Pfizer bivalent boosters available to people ages 5 and up – more info in our calendar listing.
MEMBERSHIP MEETING: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s annual meeting – non-members welcome too! – starts at 10 am at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens). Preregister here.
MORNING MUSIC AT C & P: 10:30 am-noon, Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in-person gathering in West Seattle, free but registration required; details in our calendar listing.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Open to visitors noon-3 pm, as noted here. (2234 SW Orchard)
WINE TIME: The tasting room at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) – selling wine by the glass or bottle (get what you need for Thanksgiving!) – is open 1-6 pm. (5910 California SW)
RANGER & THE RE-ARRANGERS: “Gypsy jazz” at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: “A rockin’ night” with Drastic Down, Seed, Foul Blooded, doors at 7 pm, music at 8 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
THEATER: Last chance to see Blue Hour‘s ‘boom’ at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm.
Something to add? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
2:37 AM: After multiple reports of gunfire in South Delridge, both Seattle Police and King County Sheriff’s Deputies are out searching right now. There are no reports of injuries so far. Officers are telling dispatch they’re finding “bullet damage to cars.”
2:43 AM: They’re looking for a suspect who apparently allegedly at some point threatened officers, and at least part of the search has ranged north into Highland Park. A K-9 team is part of the search.
9:29 AM: Update from police:
Police investigating a report of domestic violence came under fire from the suspect as he fled the West Seattle scene early Saturday morning.
A woman called 911 around 12:30 am to report that her ex-boyfriend was chasing her through West Seattle and pointing a handgun at her. Police responding to her home spotted the 26-year-old suspect’s vehicle driving toward the house. Officers attempted to get the suspect to stop the vehicle but he drove off at a high rate of speed.
45 minutes later, officers were dispatched to multiple reports of shots fired near the victim’s home. Responding officers again spotted the suspect’s vehicle and chased it to 17 Avenue SW and SW Barton Street, where the suspect exited the car and began running away. Officers gave chase until the suspect turned and opened fire on the officers. Bullets struck multiple vehicles parked in the area, and even hit a car narrowly missing the leg of the officer that was outside of that vehicle.
Police contained the area and searched with a K9 officer but have not found the suspect yet. Officers described the shooter as a Hispanic male, 5’7”, 140 lbs, mustache, goatee, wearing a black hoodie and missing one shoe.
If you spot the suspect please call 911 immediately.
The photo and report are from Timothy Pollin, the new Senior Gardener for Seattle Parks‘ Southwest District:
I have seen a very interesting brown crow at Alki Beach a few times now. I thought it would be fun for the bird enthusiasts out there.
In his email to us, he also described it as a “caramel crow.” The scientific term is “leucistic.” We’ve featured leucistic crows here before, most notably one we had seen for years near our HQ in Upper Fauntleroy, until its death in the July 2009 heat wave. P.S. The difference between leucism and albinism in birds is explained here.
(Photo courtesy Delridge Grocery Co-op
The Delridge Grocery Co-op is now taking orders for this year’s gift basket – a gift idea that’s not only tasty for the recipient, it also does good for the DGC. Here’s the announcement:
The Delridge Grocery Co-op is celebrating small businesses this holiday season with its third annual Holiday Gift Basket, now available for ordering for pickup at the store or delivering to West Seattle addresses. Get early bird pricing through November 25 (Black Friday) — $65 for pickup or delivery!
Focusing on small producers from the Pacific Northwest and around the US, the Holiday Gift Basket is packed with delicious discoveries that are a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and a little bit fiery.
From the PNW, the basket features one of a variety of hot sauces from Haxan Ferments, preserved lemons from Villa Jerada, a citrus-infused olive oil gift set from Oregon’s Durant Olive Mill, and a tin of Jacobsen Salt Co. flaked salt harvested from Netarts Bay on the Oregon Coast.
The basket also includes a salted caramel chocolate bar from GoodSam, Big Heart rooibos tea sourced directly from a small family farm in South Africa, bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup from Tree Juice, and a unique popcorn-on-the-cob grown from heirloom seeds by Utah’s Petersen Family Farm.
Enjoy special early bird Holiday Gift Basket pricing through Black Friday (November 25) — $65 for pickup or delivery. Order here.
After November 26, the Holiday Gift Basket will be $70 for both pickup and delivery. For convenience, you can choose which weekend to receive your basket (through the weekend of Dec. 16-19). The all-volunteer Delridge Grocery Co-op is open on Fridays from 3–7, Saturdays from 9–3, Sundays from 11–3, and Mondays from 3–7.
Last year’s Holiday Gift Basket sold out, and we were able to add a larger refrigerator to our store. Proceeds from this year’s DGC Holiday Gift Basket will go to help upgrade our equipment and advance our efforts to increase market hours and inventory in 2023.
To help us increase the hours and days we’re open, you can further support the DGC by volunteering for retail shifts, packing our weekly Essentials produce boxes, and driving deliveries on Saturdays. We also need help behind the scenes to coordinate volunteers, research and write grant proposals, and help get the word out via social media. Learn about our volunteer opportunities on our website.
Basket contents:
• Haxan Hot Sauce, Various Flavors (Haxan Ferments, Seattle)
• Preserved Lemons (Villa Jerada, Seattle)
• Citrus Infused Olive Oil Gift Set (Durant Olive Mill, Oregon)
• Flake Salt Tin (Jacobsen Salt Co., Oregon)
• Salted Caramel Chocolate Bar (GoodSam)
• Popcorn on the Cob (Petersen Family Farm)
• Happy Rooibos Tea (Big Heart Tea)
• Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup (Tree Juice)
The DGC’s storefront is at 5444 Delridge Way SW – but again, you can order your gift basket(s) online.
(WSB file photo)
One week from tonight, the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship sets sail for the first time this season, and it’ll be headed directly for West Seattle. If you haven’t seen it before, the Christmas Ship carries carolers (and paying passengers) to stops around the region, making multiple stops most nights for 20-minute performances of holiday songs, including singalong favorites. Everyone’s welcome to watch from shore. Its West Seattle schedule this year is the same as last year – three stops on its first two nights of the season:
Friday, November 25
Choir: The Dickens Carolers
Performance: Don Armeni Boat Ramp @ 5:35 pm
Saturday, November 26
Choir: The Dickens Carolers
Performances:
Salty’s on Alki @ 5:35 pm
Alki Beach Park @ 8:35 pm
Weather permitting, the Alki Beach Park stop will include a bonfire set up by Seattle Parks. You can see this year’s full regional Christmas Ship schedule (November 25-December 23) here.
The Christmas Ship stops are among many events featured in this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, and we’re adding more nightly – if you have something to add, send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
New estimate for shore-power use to start at Terminal 5 in West Seattle: Early next year. We’ve been reporting on the problems getting the modernized terminal’s new feature activated, so that many of the cargo ships using T-5 won’t have to burn fuel running their generators while in port. First, it was a subject of labor negotiations. Then once those were worked out, the Northwest Seaport Alliance – which oversees cargo terminals in Seattle and Tacoma – said a technical problem surfaced. They were still figuring out how to solve that problem at the time of our most recent report earlier this month. We followed up again this week; NWSA spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh told WSB that they’ve made progress: “The project team, alongside the terminal operator and ocean carrier, has identified a solution for the shore power plug-in configuration and will be installing and testing the shore power capability in December.” But, she says, that’s not expected to lead to operational use before January: “It is anticipated that the use of the shore power system is expected to begin in Q1 2023.” By that time T-1 will have been open a year.
The latest confirmed-gunfire incident in West Seattle happened last night just before 10:30 pm on Puget Ridge. The police-report summary says 911 callers reported hearing shots in the 6000 block of Croft Place SW [map]. Police found “evidence of a shooting” but no victims or property damage. A nearby resident told them she heard five shots and a vehicle speeding away, but according to the police summary, she had no description of the vehicle or who was in it. If you have any information about this incident, refer to case # 2022-309409.
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