West Seattle, Washington
19 Monday
(WSB photo, Saturday night)
9:15 PM THURSDAY: A suspect is in custody in the Roxy’s Casino shootings. That’s according to King County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Glen Brannon, White Center’s new “storefront deputy,” who just announced today’s arrest during the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting we were covering for partner site White Center Now. We’re attempting to get more details from KCSO. The deputy described the shootings as not random, and said they involved a “beef” between two people, the suspect and one of the three victims. Two other people – both casino employees – were not intended targets. (A crowdfunding page is set up for one of them, identified publicly as CJ.) The casino and adjacent Roxbury Lanes, meantime, reopened today; they had been closed since the shootings just before 11 pm Saturday.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON: KCSO’s media-relations office has confirmed the arrest but offered no details – aside from confirming that one victim has died.
Thanks for the tips and photos – the one above is from Rebecca. A tree is down across Bonair in Upper Alki, so avoid that area for a while. Rebecca says it’s down near where Bonair meets Massachusetts.
Thanks for the photo. We’ve received several reports of brown water today, this time in Seaview – the photo is from a home near 45th/Seaview. No official word on the cause but lately it’s mostly been from hydrant testing stirring up the sediment, aka rust, in water lines. But please be sure to report it to SPU – 206-386-1800, 24/7.
(Sunday morning photo sent by Doug)
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has released the name of the 49-year-old man found shot to death at Don Armeni Boat Ramp early Sunday morning. He is identified as Peyman Shojaei, and his cause of death is listed as “multiple gunshot wounds.” Still no information from SPD on circumstances (we just asked again). Online research suggests Mr. Shojaei was local; his funeral is planned for next week at Forest Lawn Cemetery in High Point, and his name cross-references to an independent trucking business in North Shorewood. If you have any information about the case, SPD’s tipline is 206-233-5000.
2:47 PM: Thanks for the tips (and to Vern Murray for the photo). That moving truck is stuck atop the steep SW Charlestown hill west of California; multiple tipsters describe it as having “bottomed out.”
3:19 PM: In comments, Teri reports a tow truck has arrived.
3:48 PM: Todd reports via email that it’s now unstuck and has moved along.
(Southwest Seattle Historical Society photo)
As noted here earlier this week, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum is closed starting today for about a week and a half. The building isn’t the only thing undergoing an overhaul. SWSHS is also looking at new ways of serving you. They have some questions for you, too, via a community survey. Here’s how the SWSHS explains it:
Like all museums and cultural organizations, the last few years brought challenges for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and its landmark Log House Museum. But, says its new Programs and Outreach Director, Elizabeth Rudrud, it has also created opportunities.“Visitors are looking for new experiences with their local museums,” says Rudrud, “and the last few years have allowed museums to understand that, to think differently about their programs and audiences.”The is embarking on a strategic planning process to guide its decision making for the next three years and hopes to learn from its community.
A critical component of the process is a community-wide survey. “We hope to learn whether Duwamish Peninsula residents are interested in history, what stories from the past are important to them, what types of programs or services they would like to see us offer,” Rudrud continues, “and for those who have not been to visit the Log House Museum – why? Is this something that could change if the museum did things differently or programmed in different neighborhoods?”
Respondents who choose to enter their name and contact information will be eligible for a drawing to receive a $100 American Express Gift Card. The winner will be notified in late July or August. (Personal information is not required to participate in the survey.)
The museum is already thinking in new directions, renovating its interior to accommodate larger programs and offer private rentals to bring in unrestricted income as well as expanding how it talks about the area’s past.
Recently, it joined as an early partner with the newly established Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. “The partnership allows us to collaborate with a region wide network, rethink how we talk about maritime history, incorporate geological and ecological history, and consider maritime programming.”
The Log House Museum, located one block from Alki Beach, is in a prime location to talk about the history of waterways in Washington State. It was near this location where Chief Sealth, who regularly traveled the region’s waterways, welcomed the arrival of settlers who arrived at Alki Point in 1851 on the Schooner Exact.
The LHM expects to reopen by mid-month; its regular hours are Fridays and Saturdays, noon-4 pm.
(WSB photo, Lincoln Park South Play Area shortly after July 2017 closure)
After years of delays – six years, in one case – construction is finally on the horizon for two West Seattle playground projects, Lincoln Park South and Westcrest Park. Bundled together, as Seattle Parks said last year would be done, they are now open for bidding. The previous play equipment at Lincoln Park South was closed in July 2017 because of safety concerns from termite damage; at the time, Parks said it might take until the following year (2018) to get it replaced. A community-engagement process in 2017-2018 settled on a marine theme for the replacement. But over the ensuing years, the timeline has just kept sliding, with no clear explanation.
(WSB photo, Westcrest Park play area shortly after May 2021 closure)
Meantime, the Westcrest Park play area was closed two years ago, with similar “deterioration” concerns cited. Parks first said it would be replaced as part of the work at Westcrest Off-Leash Area, but last year decided instead to bundle it with the Lincoln Park project. The bid documents aren’t yet available online, but the schedule says bidding opened yesterday and will continue for three weeks. Typically, the construction schedule isn’t set until a contractor is chosen, so we don’t know yet how soon the work will start, nor whether the two will be built simultaneously or sequentially. The city website says the Lincoln Park project is budgeted at $600,000, but doesn’t list a dollar amount for Westcrest; both projects will be funded by the Seattle Park District.
King County Assessor John Wilson just finished a media briefing on what his staff is seeing as they work on property valuations that will affect next year’s tax bills. His assessment of the situation: “Assessed values are going down in some areas for the first time in a long time” – at least a decade. This follows a big jump last year, so Wilson sees it as “re-level-izing.” So far, his staff has finished just two of the 85 districts, so valuation notices will be going out in those two districts first – Queen Anne and Sammamish. In QA, Wilson said, valuations are down 8 percent, while in Sammamish, they’re down 22 percent. So far, they’re only seeing a few areas of the county that aren’t trending downward – Normandy Park, for example, is up, while South Seattle is flat. Wilson says the downward trend also applies to commercial property, which he attributes to the work-from-home trend reducing demand for commercial space and therefore bringing down rents. Valuation reviews for all 85 districts won’t be complete until late summer, so it might still be months before you get your valuation notice if you own property. These are 2023 valuations for the tax bills that go out in early 2024. Wilson cautions that “Assessed values are not the sole predictor of property taxes” – they won’t know how taxes are going until the taxing jurisdictions start sending their budgets for next year. One more note, while you can’t appeal your property taxes, you can appeal your property valuation, provided you do it within 60 days of the notice date – the process is explained here.
(Photo by Marc Milrod)
Here’s the list of what’s ahead as the new month begins, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: Got questions? A local expert has answers. 11 am presentation at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily operations continue for Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayers@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.
GIRLS RIDE WEST SIDE: New bicycle club has a 5:30 pm ride tonight – more info in our calendar listing!
THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Lunch on the Plate will be visiting.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a three-mile run!
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at The Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.
WHITE CENTER PRIDE FLAG-RAISING: 6:30 pm ceremony and entertainment in the park outside Mac’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW), presented by White Center Pride.
YOUTH PRIDE MINI-PARADE: Immediately after the aforementioned flag-raising, three local schools lead a Youth Pride Mini-Parade heading south into the heart of the White Center business district – our preview includes the route map.
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO: First June class, 6:30 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW).
WEST SEATTLE SILENT BOOK CLUB: Read and then chat – or not! 7-9 pm, this month’s gathering has NINE venues, all in our calendar listing.
PIANO BAR: Larry Knapp and friends provide the music as you enjoy Piano Bar at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 7-10 pm.
COMEDY IN THE JUNCTION: 8 pm at Great American Diner (4752 California SW):
Want to be one of those people who can say “I saw that comedian before they got big?”
This is your chance. Cozy Comedy is back at the Great American Diner with their audition show. Seattle’s most up-and-coming comedians will audition to be part of their rotation of comedians that fill 13 different venues across the state.
Closing out the show is Erin Ingle, who may just be Seattle’s tenderest feminist, with comedy that’s equal parts joy and judgment. Erin has been performing stand-up since 2012 and currently headlines around the PNW. Erin has been featured on Comedy Central, NBC, and at the “10,000 Laughs,” and “Laugh Your Asheville Off” comedy festivals, and her monthly comedy Q&A show “Is This Normal?” brings in a regular cult crowd. She hopes one day to be friends with someone who owns a glamorous boat.
Tickets $10 at cozycomedy.com
NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: Live/work/study in White Center/vicinity? This is your community coalition and they’re meeting online at 7 pm. Our calendar listing includes connection and agenda information.
There’s even more in our calendar!
Mental illness affects more than the people struggling with it – their families, friends, co-workers are affected too. One of your West Seattle neighbors found support and wants both to let you know about it, and to invite your support. Here’s the message from Jesse:
I have experienced incredible support and care from an organization called NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This organization offers support groups, education, and listening ears to families who have a loved one with mental illness. Their goal is to help the caregiver, so the caregiver can better help their loved one in crisis and learns ways to help themselves. Often persons in crisis have little resources for help. This means often it’s a family member or friend who steps up and dedicates part of their life and resources to help this loved one. This takes financial and mental tolls on the caregiver. The support from NAMI and the many other caregivers is an indispensable resource. NAMI helped myself when I had a loved one enter a mental health crisis. My life changed completely after I never saw my husband, home, or puppy again due to his actions. At my lowest NAMI gave me the tools and support I needed to get me to a place where I am stronger than I have ever been. I am grateful beyond words. This is why I created my fundraising team The Cortex Vortex!
Saturday, June 3rd, NAMIWalks is hosting a fundraising walk at Marina Park in Kirkland. We hope to get people out to support the cause to aid mental illness in our community. We are asking for donations to continue providing the resources to help more families in need. Please Join, Donate & Walk with your Families, Friends and Pups!
If you decide to join the walk event, it’s happening 8-11 am Saturday. If you need support, here’s how to contact NAMI’s Helpline – that page also has information about emergency resources.
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, June 1st.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the mid-60s. Sunrise was at 5:16 am; sunset will be at 8:59 pm.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions can and do happen at any time.
Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs Friday and Saturday nights.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
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