day : 06/10/2023 11 results

WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Another Upper Fauntleroy sighting; two on Beach Drive

10:50 PM FRIDAY: Shankar reported this sighting around 9 pm: “While walking my dog, just saw one of the resident coyotes trotting down 36th quite purposefully, before turning west on Trenton.” Not a cause for alarm, but for awareness – especially so you can be sure you’re not providing a food source, from unsecured trash to unaccompanied small pets. Here’s a simple one-sheet on coexistence do’s and don’ts.

10:21 AM SATURDAY: Sent by Cathy this morning: “Two large coyotes spotted at 6:30 this morning in Cormorant Park on Beach Drive. They followed friend and dog up to Alki Point. They hunt in early morning. Please be aware if you have pets outside at this time.”

Sneak-peek tour of White Center Food Bank’s under-construction new home kicks off two-site party

(White Center Food Bank photos)

You’ve probably noticed the new home of the White Center Food Bank taking shape along 16th SW just south of downtown WC. The food bank serves south West Seattle as well as unincorporated North Highline, and will have more room to serve the community, among other benefits. While construction continues, you can tour the in-progress renovations at the start of a two-site fundraising celebration two weeks from tomorrow.

Attendees will tour the new WCFB HQ 2:30-4 pm Saturday, October 21st, followed by food, music, speakers, and a silent auction at the White Center Eagles‘ aerie 4 pm-6 pm. Shuttle buses will take you from the new food-bank site at 10016 16th SW to the Eagles’ HQ at 10452 15th SW. The goal of all this: WCFB has raised almost two-thirds of the $8 million needed for the overhaul, and it’s hoping this party will get it closer to the finish line. Food providers will include White Center’s legendary Patrick’s Café and Bakery as well as Sap Sap Lao; the musical headliner is master Brazilian singer Adriana Giordano. You will also learn about the new HQ’s mission beyond “keeping White Center fed” – the building is also destined to “bring together an incredible array of community programing, hosted both by the food bank and partner organizations.” Tickets are available online – go here (that’s also where you can donate to the building fund even if you’re not interested in the party).

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Robbery attempt, three gun incidents, stolen bike

Five reports in West Seattle Crime Watch – the first four are from police summaries made public today.

STREET ROBBERY ATTEMPT: This happened Wednesday night but was not reported to police until Thursday afternoon, according to a summary made public today. The victim told police that he had left a restaurant in the 2600 block of Alki SW around 10 pm Wednesday and started walking away when two people “jumped out, pointed a handgun at him, and demanded his items.” But, the summary continues, “The victim screamed, which caused the suspects to flee and leave the area in a vehicle” without stealing anything. Neither the would-be robbers nor the vehicle were described in the summary, so we asked SPD. Det. Judinna Galpan responded: “Suspects: Two Black males in their mid – late teens. Wearing all black. One had a black bandana covering his face and the other possibly a red or black bandana. Vehicle: Tan or white sedan-type vehicle with no license plates.” If you have any information, the incident # is 23-288630.

These three other Wednesday incidents were also revealed in summaries made public today>

EARLY MORNING GUNFIRE: This was reported in the 6900 block of Delridge Way SW around 5 am Wednesday. 911 callers reported hearing “several shots”; officers “arrived and located evidence” of gunfire. No injuries. One person told officers a “blue sedan” might have been involved.

GUN STRUGGLE: At 1:45 pm Wednesday, officers were waved down in the 2400 block of SW Webster – just west of the Southwest Precinct – because two people were fighting. At some point, somebody “produced a handgun” and the two “struggled over it,” with the person who brought out the gun pistol-whipping the other person. Police say they recovered the gun and booked the person into jail for assault.

SHOT IN THE AIR: Then at 11 pm Wednesday, officers responded to a theft report at Westwood Village. Security at the business – not identified in the summary – told police that three people fled in a vehicle and that one of them fired a shot into the air as they drove off. Officers did not find evidence of gunfire aside from the witness report.

Also tonight, a reader report:

BICYCLE THEFT: This happened quickly, around 8:45 am today, when Dan went into his home for just a moment:

It was taken off my car when I ran into my house on Barton and 31st. It’s a pretty unique-looking bike and it looks like it was someone who just happened to be walking past in the 2 min I was in my house so I am assuming they are local. I got pretty clear footage of the person who took it.

The police incident # is 23-289429.

WHALES: Transient orcas off West Seattle

October 6, 2023 5:08 pm
|    Comments Off on WHALES: Transient orcas off West Seattle
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

5:08 PM: Transient killer whales are in the area, headed northeast from the tip of Vashon Island, according to a texted tip from Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see them too!

5:22 PM: Kersti says they’ve turned around and are now off Brace Point, headed southbound.

FOLLOWUP: Delridge Playfield, unfenced

Thanks to Jay for the photo! The fencing is down at newly resurfaced Delridge Playfield. As reported here earlier this week, the turf work was scheduled to finish today, with official reopening tomorrow. This comes three months after work began – one month faster than the original estimate. (The project had a few non-turf components that readers have noted aren’t quite done yet, though.)

WEST SEATTLE HALLOWEEN: Decorating? 2 reminders

Three and a half weeks until Halloween. Maybe you’re decorating this weekend? Two quick reminders:

WANT TO SHOW OFF? We’ll be showcasing decorations here on WSB again this season, as we get tips and/or photos. Let us know what you have and where! westseattleblog@gmail.com is the address.

WANT TO BE KINDER TO URBAN WILDLIFE? Please don’t use fake webbing, longtime reader Arlene reminded us to remind you. It’s bad for bugs and birds, in particular. Explanations abound, like this one. Wondering what IS okay? Find suggestions here.

SPORTS: UW beach volleyball returning to Alki this weekend

October 6, 2023 12:28 pm
|    Comments Off on SPORTS: UW beach volleyball returning to Alki this weekend
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

image(WSB photo from UW’s first home beach-volleyball match at Alki, in 2016)

Summer’s encore is just in time for fall beach volleyball – and this weekend, the University of Washington team is hosting a season-opening tournament at Alki. Arizona, Oregon, Utah, and Boise State are visiting for the two-part, two-day tournament, with play starting at 9 am both days. The UW preview explains that the matches will actually comprise two tournaments, with two champions. This is the only home match of the Huskies’ season. Not the first time they’ve played on Alki, though – they’ve played here multiple times dating back to 2016.

WEST SEATTLE FRIDAY: 11 options!

(Tree frog, photographed this week at White Center Pond by Steve Bender)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Free drop-in indoor gym for kids 5 and under and their caregivers, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: 3-10 pm, first of three days! Beer, food, music, more. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

(added) BRISTON MARONEY AT EASY STREET: 6 pm in-store performance – purchase required, as explained here. (4559 California SW)

GEORGETOWN HAUNTED HISTORY TOUR: Venture over and prepare to be spooked. Various tour times, starting at 6:30 pm – details and ticket link in our calendar listing. (6605 13th Ave. S.)

FOOTBALL: Neither local high-school team plays a home game tonight, but at 7 pm at West Seattle Stadium, Lincoln plays O’Dea.

DANCE NIGHT AT THE SPOT: Fridays are DJ Dance Night at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: The Loveless Building, Olroarlo, Sea Bishop, 8 pm at The Skylark, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! (4547 California SW)

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle Bee Garden’s next volunteer work party

(WSB file photo)

Again this Sunday, the West Seattle Bee Garden is inviting volunteer helpers to buzz on over!

Come join the Fall gardening fun at the West Seattle Bee Garden, Sunday, October 8th from 11 am-1 pm.

Maintenance work will continue to remove the horsetail, other weeds, and general garden cleanup. Dress for the weather, bring garden/work gloves and a water bottle. Light snacks will be available. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow community members interested and passionate about bees, plants and caring for a shared outdoor community space.

Sign up here

Can’t make this one? To sign up to learn about future volunteer opportunities, write to: volunteerwsbg@gmail.com

The West Seattle Bee Garden is located at the north side of High Point Commons Park, at Graham/Lanham.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday notes + weekend alerts, including low-bridge closure

6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, October 6th.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Patchy morning fog, then sunny, high in the low 70s. Sunrise today is at 7:13 am; sunset, 6:40 pm.

HIGH-BRIDGE LANE-CLOSURE ALERT

SDOT says it’s doing daily “preventive maintenance” on the high bridge through Tuesday (October 10th), with lane closures – one each way, westbound 6 am-3 pm, eastbound 9 am-3 pm. (A commenter says Thursday’s work lasted longer.)

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE STARTS 12:01 AM SATURDAY

Another reminder – the West Seattle low bridge will be closed to surface traffic (motorized vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians) starting at 12:01 am Saturday for up to a week (until October 14th), as SDOT announced last week.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule. Monday note: For Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the WS Water Taxi will be on a Sunday schedule.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also 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 cam:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern 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 feed on Twitter/X 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!

UPDATE: Stolen Kia in SW Thistle car-on-side crash

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

12:31 AM: Police are investigating a crash in the 3700 block of SW Thistle after 911 callers reported that car went on its side and people were seen fleeing from it. Police tell us it’s a stolen Kia Sorento that was headed westbound when the driver hit a parked car and the car went sideways.

ADDED 12:36 AM: Here’s the parked car:

ADDED 12:56 AM: Thanks to Justin for sending the wide view: