day : 29/06/2023 10 results

Two years ago, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the former Fisher Flour Mill on Harbor Island – county-owned for 20 years – was transforming into a video/film-production facility. Tonight, he jubilantly hailed its “remarkable transformation,” as Harbor Island Studios celebrated its grand opening, calling it a facility that was “willed into existence”:

Also speaking was King County’s creative-economy director Kate Becker:

The event was part grand opening, part trade fair, part film festival. Part of its 117,000 square feet held tables from partners and vendors serving the video/film industry, showing off everything from camera-boom-equipped vehicles ..

to props …

to drones.

Hundreds of people mingled and wandered through the building’s separate spaces …

One included easels with scenes from a series that had shot there (and elsewhere in West Seattle), “Three Busy Debras,” which ran through 2022:

The point of the spaces is to give creative crews plenty of room to realize their productions’ vision. Harbor Island Studios got a test run on that over a weekend in April, when three teams shot three short films as part of the Seattle 48-Hour Film Project. Those films, and a documentary about making them, were screened for tonight’s attendees.

If Harbor Island Studios fulfills its promise – and if the state beefs up incentives for film production – Vancouver, B.C., could stop “passing as Seattle,” as Constantine put it.

But first, as Becker mentioned, there’s more interior work ahead at Harbor Island Studios, to maximize its 117,000 square feet of space.

ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: In case you’re interested, here’s the official news release the county posted today.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Plea bargain for Arbor Heights man accused of stalking U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal

June 29, 2023 9:08 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Almost a year after Brett Forsell of Arbor Heights was arrested following an incident outside U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal‘s West Seattle home, Forsell pleaded guilty today to one count of a reduced charge, misdemeanor stalking. He was originally charged with felony stalking. We learned about today’s plea and sentencing hearing by finding newly filed court documents tonight. In a written statement, Forsell admits to harassing Rep. Jayapal “by repeatedly driving in front of her house, stopping my car, yelling at her house, and driving off late at night.” Prosecutors say that according to neighbors and security video, the yelling on the night of Forsell’s arrest included exhortations for her to “go back to India” and to kill herself. Forsell was armed with a semiautomatic handgun when arrested by police. The plea bargain documents say that after pleading guilty today, he was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Pro Tem Jennifer Atchison to 340 days in jail, all of which he was decreed to have already served (via a combination of jail and electronic home monitoring). Other conditions include an “anti-stalking order” protecting the victim that includes a prohibition on gun ownership for eight years, plus a requirement for mental health, alcohol, and drug evaluations. Forsell, 49, also will be on unsupervised probation for the next two years.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Arcade close to opening

June 29, 2023 6:07 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Eagerly awaiting West Seattle Arcade? Co- proprietor Elyssa Cichy says it’s very close to opening at 2758 Alki SW:

We received our final approvals from the city this week, and are hoping to open very soon!

The last piece of the puzzle will be finding some great team members to help us get this place up and running.

If any of your readers are interested in a fun job at the arcade, they can email us at play@westseattlearcade.com

We are conducting interviews immediately.

Jobs entail making sure that everyone who walks through our door feels welcome and has a fun experience, handing out prizes, sales, setting up and taking down birthday parties and light cleaning.

We will be open every day, and are accepting applications for all shifts.

We first reported 5+ months ago on the arcade plan for the space that previously held Top Pot Doughnuts and various other food businesses.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Storage-facility burglaries; dumped-likely-stolen bicycle

June 29, 2023 4:35 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | Found bicycles | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

STORAGE FACILITY BURGLARIES: A victim told us about break-ins reported at Life Storage in the Luna Park area last week and an apparent arrest. For details, we’ve obtained the police-report narrative. The call started as an employee reporting last Thursday that someone – not a customer – had been sleeping overnight at the facility for two nights, during which four separate units had been broken into and “rummaged through,” though it wasn’t clear what if anything had been taken. Video showed that the suspect had been coming and going via a valid code, though whose code or how the suspect got it wasn’t clear. Evidence was found of cut locks, including one in the suspect’s backpack. The 52-year-old suspect was arrested and booked into the King County Jail, and released one day later. He is not yet charged, but still could be at a later date.

ABANDONED-LIKELY-STOLEN BICYCLE: A texter found this abandoned bicycle in Highland Park:

If it might be yours, let us know and we’ll connect you with the finder.

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HOLIDAY WEEKEND: This summer’s lowest low tide is almost here

June 29, 2023 2:08 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Monterey Dorid sea slug, photographed during recent low tide by Rosalie Miller)

If you’re staying home for the extended holiday weekend, you might factor beach walks into your staycation. The next round of low-low tides is almost here. Saturday through Thursday will be prime dates for beach exploration. On Saturday, the tide will be out to -2.4 feet at 9:54 am; on Sunday, -3.2 feet at 10:38 am; on Monday, -3.8 feet at 11:24 am; on Tuesday (the Fourth of July), -4.0 feet at 12:11 pm (this summer’s lowest low tide); on Wednesday, -3.8 feet at 12:59 pm; and next Thursday (July 6th), -3.0 feet at 1:48 pm. Here’s the full chart. If you want expert guidance, Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach Drive) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) Sunday through Thursday – see the schedule here.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Coyote sighting

June 29, 2023 11:29 am

| 43 COMMENTS

| Coyotes | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks for the photos! For the first time in a long time, we’ve received reports of a West Seattle coyote sighting. Very early this morning, in Upper Fauntleroy, along 37th SW – the photo above is from William, and the one below is from Adam.

As we routinely reminded readers back when we received and published many such sightings (you can scroll through the archives here), this is not something to be alarmed about. Yes, coyotes eat smaller animals, sometimes even roaming cats, but more often, their diets have been found to include what you might consider nuisances/pests – like rodents. William, in fact, reported seeing the coyote after it “had just finished his unsuccessful pursuit of a squirrel.” Advice on how to coexist by keeping them at a distance is part of this state-produced Living With Wildlife guide.

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Driver crashes into wall at Southwest Teen Life Center building

June 29, 2023 10:17 am

| Comments Off on Driver crashes into wall at Southwest Teen Life Center building

| Safety | West Seattle news

A big cleanup is ahead after that crash a short time ago outside the Southwest Teen Life Center/Customer Service Center building in Westwood. Police say an “inexperienced driver” crashed a family member’s Mercedes into the wall and ramp railing near the center’s front entrance. Two other people were in the car and one was being checked out for minor injuries. An SDOT response team is being called in to help clean up a large fluid slick that resulted from the crash.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Woman shot in apartment

June 29, 2023 9:21 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(Added: Photo from Michael via comment upload)

9:21 AM: Police are investigating an early-morning shooting at an apartment in Highland Park. They were called just after 3:30 am for a report of a woman with gunshot wounds to the chest, back, and leg, in an apartment in the 8800 block of 9th SW. Officers’ early description of the shooter was “female, possibly known [to the victim]”; she reportedly entered the apartment and started shooting. We just checked with SPD; no arrest so far. The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center. We’re following up with SFD on her condition – she was reported to be conscious.

10:36 AM: Further research indicates the victim is 32 years old and that the suspect was definitely someone known to her.

1:47 PM: SFD says the victim was in stable condition when taken to the hospital.

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WEST SEATTLE THURSDAY: 13 notes!

June 29, 2023 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Reader photo – seals seen off Seola)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily operations continue at Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: 11 am online meeting starts with a discussion of reproductive-care issues, then guest speaker at 11:45, WSB editor Tracy Record. All welcome – email WSDW’s Ann Martin for the link, martinhtam@gmail.com.

HIAWATHA WADING POOL’S OPENING DAY: Noon-6:30 pm, first day of the season. (2700 California SW)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayers@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), NWTXBBQ will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run!

COOKING CLASS: Learn about potato salad at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 5 pm – details in our calendar listing.

CONCERT TRUCK: The Seattle Chamber Music Society‘s Concert Truck comes to the Seattle Chinese Garden (north end of South Seattle College campus at 6000 16th SW) for a free concert, 6 pm.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at The Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

THURSDAY NIGHT CORNHOLE: Go play at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm.

HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH: Opening night for the new musical at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing includes the ticket link.

There’s even more in our calendar!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info

June 29, 2023 6:03 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Thursday, June 29th – five days until the Fourth of July!

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Patchy morning fog, then clouds, then clearing, high in the upper 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:14 am; sunset will be at 9:11 pm.

STILL IN SCHOOL

Second-to-last day of the year for Seattle Public Schools.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, with trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions possible.

Water Taxi – The West Seattle WT is on its regular schedule. (Here are changes ahead for the Fourth of July and All-Star Week.)

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat schedule. 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: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether 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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