West Seattle, Washington
18 Sunday
Thanks to Lauren for sending photos of tonight’s featured Halloween display – “pics of my house on SW Portland in Gatewood! It’s Berg’s Pumpkin Patch.”
Halloween is one week from tomorrow, and this weekend is full of festivities – we’re continuing to add to our West Seattle Halloween Guide! If you have info for it, please email westseattleblog@gmail.com as soon as you can; thanks!
Thanksgiving is one month away. The week before, you can make sure more kids have access to arts education by showing up for Friendsgiving, a party benefiting Mode Music & Performing Arts. This invitation explains what it’s all about:
Join us for a Friendsgiving Fundraiser on November 17th with live music, delicious dinner, local libations, and a heartwarming live auction to support Mode Music & Performing Arts‘ accessible arts programs!
Friendsgiving will be hosted on Friday, November 17th, 2023, 5:30 pm – 10 pm, at SoDo Park, located at 3200 1st Ave S. Our evening, emceed by KEXP DJ Troy Nelson, will be filled with Herban Feast catering, local drinks, student and teacher performances, plus a live musical performance by Tio Nacho’s House.
Mode Music & Performing Arts (MMPA) was founded by Erin Rubin in 2017 to provide accessible arts education programs for students in the greater Seattle area, from West Seattle and beyond. MMPA’s programming includes after-school arts enrichment, in-school arts programs, pay-what-you-can group classes and camps, and private-lesson scholarships for music instruction.
“I’ve always known there was a need for accessible arts education in our area as I saw the inequity in private one-on-one music lessons over the years as a music instructor. My goal in starting MMPA was to meet the students and families where they are, whether that be financially with scholarships and pay-what-you-can classes and camps, or meeting them directly after school to bridge transportation limitations,” Erin says. “Our team works hard to provide quality education taught by local, professional artists with little to no barriers. We are so happy to have the support of the community in our outreach so far.”
Want to make an immediate impact? We are actively recruiting both event sponsors and donors for auction items. Sponsor and donor information as well as tickets can be found at www.modemusicandperformingarts.org.
Mode Music and Performing Arts is a nonprofit arts organization offering innovative arts education programs promoting confidence, social awareness, equity, and empathy in our students and community.
7:47 PM: Two lanes of the westbound West Seattle Bridge are blocked by an emergency response after a collision described as a driver hitting a man who was either standing or walking on the bridge. This was initially reported to have happened on the Spokane Street Viaduct section of the bridge, near the 1st Avenue S. ramp.
7:55 PM: From the traffic camera showing the response, it appears this happened further east on the SSV.
8:31 PM: The scene has cleared. We’re checking with SFD regarding the person who was reported to have been hit.
9:42 PM: SFD tells us the man who was hit is 30 years old and was in stable condition when taken to the hospital.
Still looking for COVID and/or flu vaccinations? Neighborhood Naturopathic West Seattle (WSB sponsor) asked us to share this announcement with you:
Neighborhood Naturopathic currently has a limited stock of pediatric COVID vaccines (Moderna) and both adult and pediatric flu vaccines available for patients and non-patients. Anyone interested is encouraged to give us a call to schedule: 206-486-8383. We are located at 5410 California Ave SW, Suite #203.
3:36 PM: Thanks for the tip. Police are at 35th/Webster investigating gunfire. The 911 call came in around quarter till 3. At the scene, we noted that police have found multiple casings.
The area taped off is on the west side of the intersection. Traffic on 35th is getting through but Webster is blocked there.
3:40 PM: Update – we’ve just talked to a police supervisor. Police say one person was injured and taken to the hospital. They say a “blue sedan” was involved.
7:29 PM: There was no SFD response for a victim, and finally getting a chance to listen to dispatch audio (this happened while we were out on an unrelated story), we know why – the victim “showed up” at Harborview 20 minutes or so later. Also, officers told dispatch about bullet damage in an apartment building on SW Webster by the scene. And police were investigating a possibly related blue Honda Civic found, empty, at Westwood Village, with “bloody clothing” inside. … SPD says in an update on SPD Blotter that “multiple” buildings were hit and that the victim is a 30-year-old man.
West Seattle’s only emergency shelter is expected to open this week, with nighttime departures forecast to get down into the 30s. Manager Keith Hughes tells us, “Going by (the) weather reports, I am planning to open the Cold Weather Overnight Shelter starting Thursday night.” The shelter at the West Seattle Veteran Center/American Legion Post 160 building in The Triangle remains entirely volunteer- and donation-powered, so if you can help, here’s the wish list:
Food Pantry
Ground Coffee (Folgers 3# cans)
powdered coffee creamer (like Coffeemate)
Instant Hot Coco Mix (for hot water)
Bottled water
Soft drinks in cans (store brands and things on sale)
Instant Oatmeal packets
Granola type low sugar cereal
Pancake mix, bisquick mix,
Pancake syrup, butter, jam
Canned soup, chili, beef stew
Packaged food like top ramen, cup-o-noodles
Rice-a-roni, noodle-roni boxes
Dry pasta (spaghetti, egg noodles, macaroni )
Spaghetti sauce in jars
Food store gift cards so we can get fresh things like milk, eggs, butter, meatOther Needs
Travel size individual soaps, shampoo; tooth brushes & tooth paste (ask your
dentist for donations) bar soap for shower, laundry detergent pods
Toilet paper and paper towels, napkins, disinfectant wipes
Folding Camp Cots(Amazon or Big5), Single bed size blankets
Stocking caps, cotton gloves, tee shirts (mens L and XL) socks
Sheatshirts, regular and hooded -L, XL, XXL
You can drop donations off at 3618 SW Alaska starting tomorrow: “The Legion Hall will be open every morning starting Tuesday at 7:30 am to receive donations.”
12:33 PM: SFD and SPD are at California/Manning [map] for a collision with an initial “rescue extrication” dispatch. Updates to come.
12:39 PM: One person’s been extricated. California is completely closed at the scene, between Manning and Spokane. We’re on our way to find out more.
(Added: Photo sent by Christopher Boffoli)
12:37 PM: We’re told the driver of a blue car – not shown – hit the light-colored car that is shown in the photo above. SFD is gone, traffic is reopened, and one police car remains, awaiting a tow. We’re checking on the condition of the person who was extricated; the medic unit was canceled at one point, which suggests injuries were not life-threatening.
6:36 PM: SFD tells us the driver who was extricated is a 47-year-old woman who was in stable condition when taken to the hospital.
11:28 AM: Workers are putting up fencing this morning at the Lincoln Park site where Seattle Parks plans to convert former tennis courts, long used as storage, into pickleball courts. We went down for a look after getting a tip that police were there too.
No incident was reported as far as we could determine – the officers were apparently there as a precaution, after last week’s report that a project opponent “occupying” the site had “interfered” with workers; the officers were getting ready to leave while we were there. They were heard explaining to a few concerned bystanders what constituted “trespassing.”
We also talked at the site with a Parks manager, Sandi Albertsen. She told us that the informational sign – as noted toward the end of our story about Saturday’s protest at the site – is expected to arrive soon, She also said that in addition to the new overlay for the existing paved pad, Parks plans to make ADA improvements on the west side of the site, improving a trail so the site is more accessible. This view looks toward the northwest, from the south side of the fencing.
If you’re just hearing about this situation, here’s a brief recap: Parks was planning to add pickleball striping to the tennis courts at Solstice Park as part of then-imminent resurfacing (now postponed until next year). Reaction to that led to Parks changing its mind and instead announcing it would use part of a previously received Associated Recreation Council grant to create six pickleball-only courts at this site in Lincoln Park while keeping Solstice tennis-only. The courts might eventually get lighting, depending on additional funding and other factors, Parks said. Opponents who contend that pickleball’s distinctive sound will be bad for wildlife and people have launched a push to at least get Parks to open a public-engagement process about the plan. Parks says it’s not planning to do that and is moving ahead with the project.
ADDED 6:59 PM: We went back before sunset for a look at the fencing and the signage.
That sign was just west of the existing paved area, behind the fencing that stretches out to the west, where Parks told us this morning that “accessbility” work would be done.
Project opponents have attached multiple copies of a flyer to the fence. Meantime, we’ll be asking Parks tomorrow for more specifics on the plan for the extra fenced-off area.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: A police summary from Monday, just released, describes the reason for the response:
On 10-23-2023, at 08:46hrs, officers were dispatched to Lincoln Park for a report of two men with dogs harassing work crews attempting to set up fencing for a proposed pickleball court. Police assisted in resolving the disturbance between both parties.
(West Seattle scene, photographed by Justin in Gatewood)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:
COMMENT DEADLINE EXTENDED: Today WAS the deadline for comments on the draft Seattle Transportation Plan, but it’s been extended to October 31st. Here’s the original story we published when it was released in August.
FOR VETERANS: If you need help filing a disability claim, the DAV offers free drop-in assistance 9 am-1 pm. (4857 Delridge Way SW)
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM: Age-Friendly Seattle presents a forum with Seattle City Council District 1 candidates Maren Costa and Rob Saka, 3 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), all welcome.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, this is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.
MONDAY MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
BEDHEAD OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 7 pm (signups at 6:30) – info in our calendar listing.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three weekly events – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Though the ’23-’24 school year is less than two months old, it’s the season to start thinking ahead to ’24-’25. For families of K-5 students interested in independent schools, Tilden School (WSB sponsor) is hosting the first of two open houses soon. You’ll be welcome to visit the Tilden campus on the north edge of The Junction 1 pm-3 pm Saturday, November 4th. If that date doesn’t work for you, Tilden also will offer an open house 10 am-noon on December 2nd. The school is at 4105 California SW. If you’d like to learn more about Tilden – now in its fourth decade of offering “academic, engaging, individualized K-5 education” – go to tildenschool.org and read our story from earlier this year.
9:36 AM: Police are at the scene of a “jackknifed semi” at 47th/Spokane.
10:02 AM: An officer actually just arrived and reports it’s a truck making a delivery to a construction site, NOT a “jackknifed” truck.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, October 23rd.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly cloudy, chance of rain. High in the upper 50s – then we might not even break 50 for the rest of the week. Sunrise today is at 7:39 am; sunset, 6:06 pm.
ROAD-WORK ALERT
We’re checking with SDOT to see if the Delridge repaving in the northbound lanes north of Genesee is expected to wrap up today as projected. (11:11 am update: Even while we awaited an answer to that inquiry, somebody at SDOT tweeted that the work may last until Thursday – thanks for the tip.)
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular schedule today – now on fall/winter schedule, still 7 days a week, but no late-night service Fridays/Saturdays.
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:
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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