West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
9:59 PM: This is all breaking right now. Police have just arrived at Global Smoke & Vape (35th/Roxbury) after a report that two people robbed the store at gunpoint. So far the robbers are described as white, male, in black ski masks and dark clothing. (This is the store that dealt with multiple crash-and-grab burglaries last year.)
Police are also responding to two local Starbucks stores with reports of burglaries that just happened – Alki and Admiral. The person who is reported to have broken into the Alki store is described as 5’8″, in a dark blue puffy jacket, dark pants; the only description from Admiral so far is someone in a gray hoodie who got into a vehicle described as a gray Nissan Rogue.
10:39 PM: No further information except that SFD was dispatched to the Alki scene to board up the door.
(Added: Photo sent by Charlotte)
11:59 PM: And now an SFD truck is being sent to “secure” the Admiral shop.
By this time tomorrow, we’ll know who the City Council has chosen to fill out its ranks until the November election. Tomorrow afternoon, they’ll appoint someone to take over citywide Position 8 until then; today, in a 3 1/2-hour special meeting, they listened to more than 60 people voice their choices (and other comments) before each councilmember got 10 minutes to ask questions. (The Seattle Channel‘s full meeting video is above.)
During the public-comment period, we counted 18 speaking in support of Tanya Woo, 12 for Vivian Song, 9 for Neha Nariya (including her parents), 6 each for Mari Sugiyama and Steve Strand (the lone West Seattle-residing finalist), 3 for Mark Solomon, and one for Linh Thai. (Unless it was the one speaker we missed, no one spoke in support of Juan Cotto.) The other commenters didn’t mention a candidate – at least not before their one minute of speaking time ran out.
When the councilmembers got their turns, a few asked multiple questions in lightning-round format. District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka of West Seattle just asked one question, about the finalists’ public-safety priorities. Thai promised to “engage the public and the 911 center” on issues. Sugiyama said she would focus on “accountability.” Strand said it’s all about staffing, and said that appointing a police captain to the council would send a message conducive to SPD’s hiring and retention efforts. Solomon, an SPD crime-prevention coordinator, agreed that more officers are needed and also said it’s important to get people to report all crimes. Neriya said restoring trust and “community policing” are vital. Cotto also focused on building trust. Song said she would be “data-driven” – looking at where crimes are happening and which (repeat offenders) are committing. Woo said improving public safety isn’t just an SPD job, but that every city department has a role to play.
The City Council’s decision is due during its 2 pm meeting Tuesday; here’s the agenda. If you have any last-minute message to send, council@seattle.gov is the address to reach them all.
Another in-person meeting of note announced today: West Seattle’s newly elected Seattle Public Schools Board director Gina Topp invites you to her first community-conversation meeting. Any questions/comments/concerns about SPS, bring them; no RSVP needed, just show up. The meeting will be at High Point Library (35th/Raymond) 1:30-2:30 pm Sunday (January 28). Topp won election in November with 89 percent of the vote in the race to succeed two-term board director Leslie Harris, who chose not to run again.
Seattle Police confirm two business burglaries reported over the weekend – Early Sunday, West Seattle Liquor and Wine in outer west Jefferson Square was hit for the second time in less than a week; after a break-in attempt last Wednesday, this time someone did get in, according to the report, and stole what was described as an “unknown amount of product.” Early Saturday, a burglary was reported at the Itto’s building (California/Genesee). In that one, police say, the cash register was stolen – which might be linked to this discovery just sent by a reader:
That turned up dumped near Fauntleroy/Hudson. The California/Genesee incident # is 24-017994; the Jefferson Square # is 24-019098.
If you worry that joining an advisory board would take too much time – the Southwest Design Review Board, right now, would prove that wrong. While it technically could meet twice a month, considering up to two projects per meeting, it’s been many years since there were enough qualifying development projects to fill that schedule. Last year, in fact, the SWDRB only met three times. Nonetheless, the city needs to have board members, and reader Rob McCulloch – a current SWDRB member – suggested we let you know that applications are open right now. The deadline is January 28 (next Sunday). Here are the basics:
Applicants should have knowledge of, or interest in, architecture, urban design, and the development process. They should have the ability to evaluate projects based on the City’s design guidelines, the ability to listen and communicate effectively, have a passion for urban design and community development, and the ability to work well with others under pressure. Prior experience with community or neighborhood groups is a plus. Board members must live in the city.
Currently the meetings are held online (the board met in-person pre-pandemic). More on the program, and how to apply (openings include boards for other parts of the city too), can be found here. (The rest of the city’s schedule is pretty empty right now too – see it here.)
One more West Seattle site still cleaning up after damage done in our freezing weather a week-plus ago: The Salvation Army‘s free playspace (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 3-5 pm) is canceled this week for pipe repairs that affected the South Delridge center’s “small gym.” They’re expecting to be able to offer the drop-in time for toddlers and caregivers again starting next Monday; we’ve updating our calendar’s standing listing (and today’s event list) to reflect.
(WSB photo, Rep. Jayapal at West Seattle town hall in 2018)
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal‘s first town-hall meeting of 2024 will be in her home neighborhood – West Seattle. It’s planned for 5:30 pm Wednesday (January 24th) and her office is asking for RSVPs as they finalize the location; if you’re interested in attending, here’s the form to use to RSVP. Rep. Jayapal represents the 7th District, which stretches far to the north and south – see the map here.
(Reader photo, off Alki)
Highlights for the rest of your Monday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CITY COUNCIL HEARS FROM VACANCY FINALISTS: Under way right now (9:30 am scheduled start), as previewed here – you can watch live here.
BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
(canceled) FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW):
Toddler Gym Playtime for ages 1-6 years old. Parent supervision is required. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3 pm-5 pm.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “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.
MEDITATION ON ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community invites you to Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) for meditation. 7 pm.
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three options tonight – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 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.
KARAOKE: 10 pm, Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
A remembrance from the family of Charlie Nickels, gone three years:
Charlie Nickels May 22, 1995-January 22, 2021 It seems like just a moment and also an eternity that you’ve been gone. You are loved and missed every day.
6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Monday, January 22nd.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Warmer, windier, rainy, high around 50. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:47 am, sunset at 4:54 pm (this Friday, the sunset will be at 5 pm).
ROAD WORK
As mentioned last week, SDOT says it’s resuming work on crossing improvements at Roxbury/Olson – here’s the project flyer.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, 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:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, 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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