West Seattle, Washington
24 Wednesday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
While most of the local election-season spotlight has shone on the Seattle City Council District 1 race, two other major local positions are on the ballot, both also without incumbents. The candidates in one of those races, King County Council District 8, answered questions for half an hour at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly lunch meeting.
Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon and citywide Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda are the candidates for the seat that County Councilmember Joe McDermott is leaving. They answered questions asked by local journalist/broadcaster, and WS Chamber board member, Brian Callanan. We recorded the event on video:
From here down are our brief summaries of the questions and answers, starting with the introductory statements. These are summaries/paraphrases with the exception of anything you see in quotation marks.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch incidents, one under investigation right now:
SOUTH DELRIDGE GUNFIRE: Multiple 911 callers reported gunfire about 15 minutes ago, including one person who said a bullet went through their apartment wall. Police have confirmed that and found other “spent rounds,” at 17th/Henderson, and they currently have Henderson blocked off while they look for other evidence. No reports of injuries. Here’s the partial description of the shooter that’s been broadcast so far – Black, male, fired the shots, then got into a white Chrysler SUV and left the scene.
CRASH-AND-GRAB ATTEMPT: Thanks to Chuck for sending the tip on this tonight – it was logged as “property damage” so that didn’t catch our eye in looking at the early-early-morning log. The door at the 76 station/minimart at 4001 California SW is damaged after a would-be crash and grab burglar drove into it around 3 am:
What the would-be burglar(s) didn’t count on is that the manager was still there, and he chased the would-be burglar(s) away; they took off without taking anything.
That’s the map for Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival – venues on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW in the heart of Fauntleroy, 2-5 pm. Here’s what you’ll find – the activity list, and the schedule for time-specific events:
And one more reminder for cake-bakers – you’re invited to enter the decorated-cake contest (with entries doubling as donations for prizes in the cake walk) – bring your fall-themed cakes to The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s Vashon Room (south end of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse) by noon Sunday – more info here.
(SDOT camera image)
The alert is just in from SDOT, for repaving work next week:
Delridge Way SW between SW Genesee St and SW Dakota St
8 AM Mon. October 16 through 5 PM Mon. October 23 *
*Weather permitting SDOT will replace several damaged concrete panels in the northbound lanes.
The northbound bus and travel lanes on this section of Delridge Way SW will be closed 24 hours a day from 8 AM Mon. Oct. 16 to 5 PM Mon. Oct. 23
o During this time, the two southbound lanes will be temporarily converted into one northbound lane and one southbound lane.
o No detours will be in place. Traffic will continue using Delridge Way SW.
Some on-street parking in the area may be temporarily closed for use byconstruction equipment.
o Any parking restrictions will be posted prior to taking effect.
Sidewalks will remain open at all times.
This project is comparable to the project SDOT crews completed earlier this year in the southbound lanes of this same section of Delridge Way SW.
The man charged with a North Delridge murder and South Delridge shooting in one night last year has been found guilty by a King County Superior Court jury. 44-year-old Jaycee C. Thompson was arrested and charged days after the crimes. In June 2022, he shot and killed 56-year-old Anthony “Gonzo” Gonzalez, described as a “friend,” at an encampment at 26th/Juneau, hours after shooting and wounding a 35-year-old man at 16th/Barton. Charging documents said Thompson shot Mr. Gonzalez dead after forcing a man, at gunpoint, to take him to the structure in which the victim lived, where he reportedly first said something like “Where’s the money and drugs?” before opening fire. Thompson, a convicted felon, had been released from jail one week before the shootings, over prosecutors’ objections, as explained in our original story on his arrest. The jury in this case found him guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted robbery, and first-degree kidnapping, as well as “special verdicts” that he committed crimes while armed with a gun. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 26th; we’re awaiting information from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on the potential sentencing range.
(WSB photo from West Seattle Ski Swap day 1)(WSB photo, 2022 West Seattle Ski Swap)
Quick reminder that one of this weekend’s biggest events will be the West Seattle Ski Swap, presented each year by Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) at the VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska) both days this weekend. If you have something to sell – skis, snowboard, boots, gear – you need to preregister ASAP and drop off your items this afternoon, 3-7 pm. Here’s where to find the link to sign up. Otherwise, if you’re just shopping, sale hours are 10 am-5 pm Saturday, 10 am-4 pm Sunday.
Transient orcas were in Elliott Bay and visible from West Seattle shores for much of the day on Thursday, as noted here. West Seattle photographer Jamie Kinney caught some amazing views – the first four photos are his, and you can see many more in this gallery on his website.
As reported by Kersti Muul starting Thursday morning, these were transient killer whales (though Southern Residents were seen yesterday too).
The whales brought out a crowd, too – here’s a Thursday photo from Duwamish Head, received from an unidentified texter:
No reports of whales in the West Seattle vicinity yet today, but Orca Network commenters have seen several in the South Sound, so eventually they’ll have to head back this way again.
(Dragonfly, photographed at White Center Pond by Steve Bender)
Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Open 10 am-2 pm for plant shopping, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
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).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE CONTINUES: 10 am-6 pm, Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open – drop by to see the work displayed by community members in its annual Southwest Artist Showcase.
ALKI ARTS POP-UP: Multiple artists’ work on display and available for purchase, 11 am-6 pm at California/Oregon, daily through this Sunday.
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: Tasting room/wine bar open 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/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
OKTOBERFEST DINNER: The White Center Eagles are having an Oktoberfest celebration and membership drive today and tomorrow, all welcome, starting with dinner tonight:
White Center Eagles, located at 10452 15th Ave SW, is holding a membership drive on October 13th & 14th. The public is welcome to come find out what the Eagles are all about and all of the charitable work we do in our community. We have been part of White Center since 1946. The membership drive coincides with our annual Oktoberfest event on both Friday & Saturday. Friday features a traditional Jagerschnitzel dinner from 5 to 7 pm with music by the Tim Turner Band from 7 to 11 pm. Saturday we’ll be open at noon for the Huskies game and then join us for the Bierlympic Games from 2 to 5 pm. The Bierlympics include cornhole, beer pong & a stein holding contest. Dinner on Saturday will be brats, sauerkraut & German potato salad from 5 to 7 pm.
More info on tonight’s dinner is on this flyer.
KENYON HALL CABARET AND PRE-SHOW COCKTAIL HOUR: Drag show at 7 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), all ages, preceded by 6 pm 21+ cocktail hour with the queens at The Locol next door. Info on both in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT C & P: 7-9 pm, the monthly Songwriters’ Showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover.
FOOTBALL: One home game tonight, 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth IHS hosts Nathan Hale. Also at 7 pm, at West Seattle Stadium, Seattle Prep plays Eastside Catholic.
DANCE NIGHT AT THE SPOT: Fridays are DJ Dance Night at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
CRYSTALS 101: Learn about them at Inner Alchemy (3043 California SW), 7 pm, $35.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Not Dead Yet, Memphis Radio Kings, Knathan Ryan, an all-West Seattle bill, as previewed here – 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!
Here’s another opportunity to invest just a little time to make a big difference in a young person’s life. Dozens of students at West Seattle High School are awaiting adult mentors – here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for 40 volunteers to mentor 9th through 12th graders once a month at West Seattle High School in a program called “MentorU.”
One in three kids in America are growing up without a sustained, positive adult mentor in their lives and over 30 kids at West Seattle High School are on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound’s wait list for a mentor. The gap between mentorship and youth who need it most continues to widen due to perceived barriers of the time and expertise needed to become a mentor. Understanding the critical need, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound seeks to engage and galvanize community members to help bridge the gap between people and possibility.
The MentorU program engages local adult volunteers and 9th through 12th graders in 1:1 mentoring relationships with meetings just once each month during the academic year. Using a social-emotional learning methodology, youth participants are guided through personal development and beyond high school planning activities with volunteer mentors at their side for support and guidance. To be a great mentor you don’t need to have a specific title, a degree, or any special qualifications other than being compassionate, patient, and accepting. Even the littlest moments can grow into big ones – sometimes all we need is a little encouragement, a little hope, and a little inspiration.
The program uses a cohort-based approach, working with incoming 9th graders, with the goal of ongoing student participation from 9th through 12th grade. Most mentors will be matched with incoming 9th graders. It just takes a little time, a little encouragement and a laugh or two, so that every child has what — and who — they need to achieve a BIG and bright future. Volunteer mentors in MentorU simply sit and talk with a high schooler during one 90-minute facilitated mentoring session per month. It truly takes little to be big.
Mentoring has a long track record of proven positive outcomes, in particular, 100% of young people matched with mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound graduate high school. A staggering 79% of youth with a mentor last year experienced improvement in or reported no worsening of depressive symptoms – a goal which MentorU’s social-emotional programming directly supports.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for 40 volunteers of all gender identities, ethnicities, nationalities, and backgrounds who are willing to spend just an hour and a half per month to help kids at West Seattle High School in MentorU achieve their BIGGEST, brightest futures. The program dates are generally on the last Wednesday of each month from 2:30-4:00 PM:
October 25th
November 29th
December 13th
January 31st
February 28th
March 27th
April 24th
May 29th
June 12thLearn more and get started at inspirebig.org/mentoru or apply now at bit.ly/3FtLFpX
Questions? Email Match Support Specialist Erin Escobar at erin.escobar@bbbsps.org.
8:39 AM: Noticed while heading back from an interview just now, the signals at 26th/Barton are in flashing-red mode.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, October 13th.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny today, possibly rainy tonight, high in the upper 60s. Sunrise today is at 7:25 am; sunset, 6:25 pm.
(Thursday photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
TWO NOTES
-No Seattle Public Schools classes today.
-1 am Saturday through 3 pm Monday, the ramp from Beacon Hill to the westbound West Seattle Bridge will be closed.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular schedule today. Remember – this is the last Friday of the season for later-night service, and there’s no West Seattle service this Saturday and Sunday.
Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.
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 – which has been open since Tuesday:
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 that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!
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