month : 10/2023 322 results

Brown water in Fairmount Park area

Thanks to Libby for the report – brown water in the Fairmount Park area. Libby has already reported this to Seattle Public Utilities206-386-1800, the number to ALWAYS call about water trouble – and says SPU advised that there’s hydrant testing in the area. (The discoloration is caused when unusual activity, from hydrant testing to a fire response to a pipe break, stirs up “sediment,” most often rust, in the system.)

GRATITUDE: Pet rescue gets plenty of paper for puppies

Two months ago, we published a call from Jennifer for no-longer-needed newspaper, to help Smidget Dog Rescue handle a plethora of puppies. This week, on behalf of the now-adoptable dogs in her collage (and others), she sent this message of thanks:

A HUGE thank you to readers! Over the last weeks I’ve picked up and delivered an entire shed full of newspapers for the puppies (40+ of them now) to Smidget Rescue! We are so grateful. The oldest ones are ready for applications!

Email for applications: Smidgetrescue@hotmail.com

Thank you for the boost [on the newspaper needs]. It’s a rough time for rescues and this was a big help.

WHALES: Orcas in Elliott Bay

8:42 AM: Three orcas are in Elliott Bay, headed toward downtown, according to a texted report from Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see them!

9:51 AM: Thanks for the updates in comments, and the photo uploaded by A Labs.

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 13 notes!

October 8, 2023 6:16 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 13 notes!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Space Needle and Mount Baker, photographed Friday by Jerry Simmons)

One more day of post-summer sunshine expected today – here’s what’s happening:

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE CONTINUES: This is Day 2 of the West Seattle low bridge’s week-long surface-traffic (driving, riding, walking, rolling) closure; here’s our Saturday-night update.

COLLEGE BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Day 2 of the UW-hosted beach-volleyball tournament at Alki, with play starting at 9 am again today.

CLOSING SALE CONTINUES: As noted Saturday, the closing sale at HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café (6032 California SW) continues, 9 am-4 pm, but they’d really like to clear everything out by noon, so go make an offer!

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Community art on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm.

POP-UP ART SALE: Again today, three artists are selling their work 10 am-5 pm in the pop-up space at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering fall fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.

SILVER SEALS SWIM: Too late to sign up if you didn’t make the deadline, but prospective spectators should note that – as previewed here – (age) 55+ swimmers will be in the water starting at 11 am, heading northeast along the shore from Alki Bathhouse.

BEE GARDEN NEEDS YOU: Volunteer at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham) 11 am-1 pm today to help get it ready for fall/winter!

OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: Noon-7 pm, third and final day of Oktoberfest fun at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) – see the schedule/offerings/events here.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: Bring your pet – or a photo – to the West Seattle High School parking lot (3000 California SW) for the annual community Blessing of the Animals, with The Rev. Elise Johnstone from neighboring St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church presiding – details in our calendar listing.

COFFEEHOUSE ART: Jennifer Carrasco leads figure painting/drawing at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-9 pm. Contact her to sign up.

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!

SPORTS: Road wins for WSHS, CSIHS football teams

October 7, 2023 11:48 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Both local high-school varsity football teams played on the road this week, and both won, according to the Metro League scoreboard. Friday night, West Seattle High School defeated Lakeside 23-7 at Northwest Athletic Complex; this afternoon, Chief Sealth International High School won its game against Brewster, 38-37. Next Friday (October 13th), CSIHS (4-2) is home at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm vs. Nathan Hale, while WSHS (4-1) plays again at NWAC, this time versus Ingraham, 5 pm.

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Cylinder work on Day 1 ‘went very well,’ per SDOT director

October 7, 2023 9:26 pm
|    Comments Off on LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Cylinder work on Day 1 ‘went very well,’ per SDOT director
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Reminder that the West Seattle low bridge – aka the Spokane Street Swing Bridge – remains closed for a week of work following the return of the cylinder removed nine months ago for repairs. SDOT director Greg Spotts announced via Twitter/X tonight that today’s work to bring in the rehabilitated cylinder “went very well!” He added, “Tomorrow work continues on reinstallation.” The work is expected to continue until next Saturday afternoon (October 14th). In the meantime, as explained toward the end of this SDOT post, you can use the Transit GO app for a free daily round trip on Metro, either bus or West Seattle Water Taxi. (If you choose the latter, though, note two things: The WS Water Taxi will be on a Sunday schedule for the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday Monday, and next Saturday it won’t be running at all because of maintenance work to prepare for winter.)

UPDATE: Bicycle rider dies after falling in 1200 block Alki Avenue

6:04 PM: SFD medics and SPD officers are in the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW, where witnesses told them a bicycle rider fell “out of the blue” while riding on the trail. The rider, described as a male adult, is reported to have hit his head and suffered potential life-threatening injuries, for which he’s being treated right now. Avoid the area.

6:24 PM: Medical discussion over emergency radio indicates the rider, described as in his mid-40s, is still in bad shape and the reason he suddenly fell is a mystery. Medics are still working to revive him.

7:51 PM: As noted in comments, radio exchanges indicate the rider did not survive. We don’t have any other information about circumstances and it would be up to the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine whether a medical incident preceding the fall was to blame, or an injury from it.

8:42 PM: SFD has also officially confirmed to us that the rider died, and updates his age to “approximately 40.”

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police investigating possibly linked street robbery, gas-station holdup attempt

5:50 PM: Police are responding right now to the Admiral Safeway gas station after a report of an attempted robbery. According to dispatch, the caller reported at least two would-be robbers, one described as a white man in his early 20s with a black ski mask, the other a Black man his 20s driving a car described as a dark blue Hyundai Elantra with a dent on the driver-side door, no plates, last seen headed eastbound on Admiral after a staff member “chased them away.”

6:11 PM: Officers investigating that incident mentioned that it sounded like an “earlier robbery.” The call log now shows a “purse snatch” investigated about 15 minutes earlier in the 4100 block of California SW. We’ll be working to get details on that.

8:30 PM: Per commenters and archived police-radio audio, the purse-snatch robbery happened by Tram’s Salon, and was reported to involve two men, one in a ski mask, who grabbed the victim’s purse, briefly dragged her, then got away in a black Kia, no plates.

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Oktoberfest at Highland Park Corner Store

Thanks to Kathleen for the photo! That’s your host Meaghan at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), where Oktoberfest-ivities continue until 7 pm. Special food, beer, music, more (including a 5 pm stein-raising competition), as noted on the HPCS website. (As also spotlighted in our daily event list, North Delridge’s Ounces is celebrating Oktoberfest too!)

READER REPORT: Film crew at Lincoln Park

October 7, 2023 4:16 pm
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 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Thanks to everyone who messaged us about a film-crew sighting on the Lincoln Park waterfront today. According to the texter who sent the photo above: “Spoke to one of the organizers. It’s a short film. They are hoping to submit to Sundance. All local crew (Seattle-based).”

CONTINUING SUNDAY: Closing sale at HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café

1:49 PM: One week after HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café closed in Morgan Junction (following its sibling businesses Youngstown Coffee and Launchpad Coworking), proprietors Autumn and Monica sent word that their “closing sale” is under way right now, continuing tomorrow (Sunday): “We have plenty of items left that would be helpful for folks looking to save some money. Pantry and frozen/fresh items, kitchen/office/electronic supplies, holiday decorations, masks, paper goods, kitchen equipment, Vitamixes, metro racks, and much more.” The sale continues at 6032 California SW until 4 pm today, and 9 am-4 pm tomorrow.

6 PM UPDATE: Tomorrow between 9 am and noon, it’ll be “make an offer” – they’re still planning to be there until 4 pm but the faster they clear it all out, the better.

READER REPORT: Looking for lunch? Taco pop-up in Sunrise Heights

October 7, 2023 12:15 pm
|    Comments Off on READER REPORT: Looking for lunch? Taco pop-up in Sunrise Heights
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news

Thanks to Tisbury for sending the photos and report:

Popup tacos ,chilaquiles and pozole at Webster and 35th at Milpa Masa Tortilleria. (Until) 2 pm – come support @ Rice Beans and Happiness. They’ll be there till 2 pm or until they sell out. *Sent by a neighbor to let everyone know.

COUNTDOWN: One week until West Seattle Ski (and Snowboard) Swap 2023

October 7, 2023 10:42 am
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 |   Triangle | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo, 2022 West Seattle Ski Swap)

With the summer encore this weekend, it might be difficult to convince yourself that winter weather isn’t far away, but this might help: A reminder that Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) is presenting the annual West Seattle Ski Swap next weekend:

Do your snow dances and get your gear together – you have one week left to pre-register your gear for the annual West Seattle Ski and Snowboard Swap. This event is a great avenue to outfit yourself and your entire family with good useable ski and snowboard gear. The key to this event is to help spread the word! Who knows what’s in your neighbors’ garage that might be the perfect tool for the snow rider you met on the chairlift last year?

If you have something to sell, the dropoff time is 2-5:30 pm Friday (October 13th) – the link for registering to sell is on this page. The venue is West Seattle’s VFW Hall, right across the street from M2SO in The Triangle, 3601 SW Alaska. If you’re shopping, the hours next weekend will be 10 am-5 pm Saturday (October 14th) and 10 am-4 pm Sunday (October 15th).

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 20 notes, including low-bridge closure

(Friday sunshine, photographed by James Bratsanos)

Welcome to the weekend! Highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: The West Seattle low bridge is scheduled to be closed today through next Saturday (October 14th) for reinstallation of a cylinder removed earlier this year – that means no usage by drivers, riders, rollers, walkers, runners.

FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend off to a fast start with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The White Center Kiwanis‘s annual breakfast raising money for youth programs is open to all, 8 am-noon at White Center Eagles (10452 15th SW).

UW BEACH VOLLEYBALL AT ALKI: As previewed here Friday, the University of Washington beach volleyball team is opening its season with a tournament at Alki Beach. Play starts at 9 am, today and tomorrow.

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Community art on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm, artists’ reception 11 am-1 pm.

POP-UP ART SALE: Three artists are selling their work 10 am-5 pm in the pop-up space at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The weekly farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is open for shopping 10 am-2 pm, prioritizing vendors of color, presented by African Community Housing & Development.

RIFLE RANGE OPEN HOUSE: Ever been to the Roger Dahl Rifle Range at West Seattle Stadium (4470 35th SW)? The West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club opens the doors today for an open house, 10 am-2 pm.

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn about Marco’s music here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

OKTOBERFEST AT HPCS: Food, beer, music, activities, 11 am-7 pm – see the schedule here. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: See what’s new at the home of West Seattle’s history – visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 12-4 pm.

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES Second day of three-day celebration, 2-9 pm, with beer, food, music, activities – even a costume contest today! See the schedule here. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

BURGERS & BEATS: Saturday night food and music at Revelry Room – burgers start at 6, DJs at 9. (4547 California SW, alley side)

AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with Mutual Stoke, Easy A’s, Dead Streets tonight at The Skylark, 7 pm doors, 8 pm music, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm, $20 at the door.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s invited, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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.