West Seattle, Washington
09 Friday
(Added: Reader photo)
11:39 PM: Police have told dispatch that a crash in the 1900 block of Harbor Avenue SW is blocking the road in both directions. No serious injuries reported but police say the three people in one of the cars fled the scene on foot. Officers are calling for two tow trucks as well as SDOT cleanup for a fluid spill and debris on the road.
12:26 AM: Police just told dispatch that the road has reopened. No further word on the occupants who fled the scene from one car, nor on whether the car was stolen.
(Water Taxi during August sunrise – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
With Metro making its fall “service change” adjustments to bus routes this weekend, you might be wondering about the West Seattle Water Taxi. Its summer schedule, with late-night runs on Fridays and Saturdays, is planned to last six more weeks, until October 14. Before the pandemic and West Seattle Bridge closure brought big changes, the Water Taxi downshifted in fall/winter to running five days a week, commute times only. But the past two years, Metro has kept the foot ferry running all day, seven days a week, year-round. We asked Metro repeatedly whether that would continue this year; the answer was that they didn’t know yet. So with fall approaching and no announcement yet, we asked County Councilmember Joe McDermott if the council had perhaps been briefed on a plan. In fact, he told us, Metro notified the County Council in mid-June that it would continue all-day, every-day service again this year. The memo sent to councilmembers noted that not only does that make for a service on which customers can rely, but a survey of Marine Division staff showed it’s popular with them too “as they will no longer be laid off during the winter months (allowing) Metro to be more competitive for workforce in the challenging marine industry.” The memo also noted that ridership last winter, after the West Seattle Bridge reopened, was even higher than the previous winter, when it was still closed. And the memo included one more point – that “the extended service bridges an important gap in our current bus service, due to bus operator workforce shortages.”
West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center was brightly decorated this afternoon for one of the most festive occasions of fall, Tết Nhi Đồng, the Children’s Moonlight Festival. It drew a sizable crowd of all ages:
While a lion dance and martial-arts demonstration were part of the afternoon, kids’ activities were the centerpiece:
Young participants got lanterns for a parade around the center’s North Delridge grounds before the festival wrapped up. Never been to the Cultural Center? In addition to special occasions like this, it’s open most Saturdays for the general public to visit.
ADDED: Thanks to Lynda Bui with the Cultural Center for video of the lion dance:
Vovinam Martial Arts from Burien performed the lion dance as well as the martial-arts demonstration, while artist Rick Klu did face-painting.
(WSB photo)
After two reader tips, we just went over to the Walgreens in South Delridge and confirmed it’s closed, with the front entrance boarded up. Its website also describes the store as currently “temporarily closed.” Archived police-radio audio explains why: Around 5:45 am, a 911 call came in from a security firm monitoring live video of the store and seeing a vehicle crash into the entrance. Police arriving in the area saw a white pickup truck speeding away, though the audio isn’t clear on whether that was definitely the vehicle involved. We don’t know what if anything was taken from the Walgreens, since the store is closed and we won’t be able to request the police-report narrative until after the weekend.
We start this bird gallery with a sighting northeast of The Junction. We heard about those birds from two people this week, including Ian, who sent the photos.
Brought back memories of The West Seattle Turkey, though online matching suggests these are probably Guinea Fowl – perhaps with a home nearby, because the sightings were in the same general area.
Other recent photos (thanks for everyone who continues sending bird pics) start with two charming Steller’s Jay views by Jerry Simmons:
Two more backyard birds – a Northern Flicker, photographed by Samantha Wren:
And a Red-breasted Nuthatch, from Jon Anderson:
And two waterfowl – a Western Sandpiper, photographed by James Tilley:
And Gene Pavola‘s photo of a Great Blue Heron:
Thanks again to everyone who shares photos, from birds to breaking news – if not urgent, email is the best way, westseattleblog@gmail.com, but otherwise, you can also text us 24/7 at 206-293-6302.
First one appears to be a definite candidate for the dumped-likely-stolen file:
Abandoned burgundy KIA found on 27th and Kenyon. Obvious signs of being stolen (broken windows, ignition, etc.) and signals of drug use. This has been reported to police and assume it will be towed soon. Also footage from camera shows multiple people and cars involved during the dump.
The second one is a little more of a mystery. The reader report came in Saturday; we looked about an hour ago, and the truck is still there, so we’re publishing this:
Appears to be abandoned at 41st and Ida. Half in parking strip. Side work door attempted to be pried open.
It’s also parked facing the wrong way. The person who emailed said they’ve reported to police. Also of note – that’s the same Gatewood intersection where a stolen Hyundai was dumped earlier this week.
Both of West Seattle’s public high schools have started their football seasons with victories. We covered West Seattle HS‘s home win on Friday; then on Saturday, Chief Sealth IHS opened their season on the road at Bellingham. That game ended with a 32-27 victory for the Seahawks. Next week, head coach Daron Camacho‘s team is on the road again, 5 pm Friday (September 8th) vs. Lakeside at Memorial Stadium downtown.
The latest in the resurgence of West Seattle coyote sightings is from Alexis: “My brother saw a coyote last night at 48th and Hinds heading south.” We publish these for awareness, not alarm; you can help ensure uneventful coexistence by not providing potential food sources, from outdoor pet food to unsecured trash to unaccompanied pets. You can read more about them in this state Fish and Wildlife fact sheet. (See past sighting reports by scrolling through this WSB archive.)
(Saturday’s sunrise, photographed by Stewart L.)
Day 2 of the holiday weekend – here’s what’s happening:
ART ON THE CORNER: Gatewood artist Bonnie is again selling her work to benefit local food banks. 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, stop by 39th/Holden.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering late-summer fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.
DONUTS ON DELRIDGE: 10 am-2 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), Dough Joy Donuts will pop up.
FREE STARCYCLE CLASS: 10:15 am – our calendar listing explains how to register, and has other free-class dates. (4532 42nd SW)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm, second-to-last day. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: The weather forecast is iffy so check the hotline after 9 am, 206-684-7796; if it’s open, it’ll be noon-7 pm, second-to-last day of the season. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, rain or shine, second-to-last day of the season for this outdoor salt-water pool, open noon-7 pm. See the session schedule here.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Last chance this year for a free tour, 1-4 pm, last tour starts at 3:45. (3201 Alki SW)
CHILDREN’S MOONLIGHT FESTIVAL: 2-4 pm at Vietnamese Cultural Center (2236 SW Orchard), crafts, treats, lion dance, face painting, and a lantern parade.
JEWISH STORY HOUR: 3:30 pm, the Torah Learning Center of West Seattle will present a story hour at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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