day : 18/02/2024 9 results

Noting for the record: From more than a few neighborhoods in north West Seattle, people texted us tonight, wondering about what one reader described as “racing cars and loud bangs,” audible all the way up to Admiral. Reviewing police-radio audio, we note the activity was a summer-size crowd of drivers drawn to Don Armeni Boat Ramp. One police officer dispatched in the 7 pm hour reported back, “There’s too many people here for me to do anything.” But others were sent and before 8 pm, one officer reported that they were planning to close the entrance to Don Armeni, where police estimated hundreds of cars/drivers had gathered. There were no confirmed shots-fired incidents; some cars are modified to generate backfire noise similar to gunshots (early in the evening, eastbound on Roxbury, we were right behind one). No injury incidents logged.

Alki Community Council celebrates cool people, spotlights safety @ February 2024 meeting

February 18, 2024 10:30 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Public safety was first up at the second meeting of the new-era Alki Community Council this past Thursday.

For starters, ACC leaders are inviting you to a free personal-safety-training event the ACC is organizing with Seattle Police crime-prevention experts, 3:30 pm Wednesday, March 13, at West Seattle Library (2306 42nd SW) – here’s the registration link.

Guests from SPD were up first, including crime-prevention coordinator Mark Solomon, who brought trends and data: “2023 was a bad year”; though many categories of crime decreased slightly, all neighborhoods citywide saw a continued rise in auto theft. Alki had more homicides (two) and robberies (nine). Regarding specific recent crimes, the police delegation briefly addressed the one-night wave of Starbucks burglaries; we covered two, Admiral and Alki, but it turns out there was a third that night, 35th/Avalon. The burglars “knew enough to get in but didn’t know Starbucks doesn’t keep cash in the register,” they observed. Solomon said that while there were four assaults logged in Alki in recent weeks, they all involved people known to each other. And there was one “shot fired” incident (February 3rd).

Looking ahead to summer, there was some discussion of how disorder on the beach will be handled. Solomon said that park rangers will be deployed “in the neighborhoods” such as Alki, not just downtown as in years past. The SPD contingent explained that rangers – who will be uniformed in brown vests and brown pants – have powers of “citation and exclusion” but not arrest, and they’re unarmed. So, “if something bad happens, we will go onto the beach.”

One attendee asked about the carjackings in recent months.

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READER REPORT: Metro planning stop closures in Highland Park

February 18, 2024 8:01 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

SUNDAY: The photo and report are from Juan:

I noticed that a number of bus stops along 16th Ave SW in Highland Park had signs stating the stops were under consideration for closure by Metro. The provide a deadline of February 29, 2024 to submit comments. I have not seen this information provided anywhere else and this came as a complete surprise.

The feedback address on the sign is busstopsw@kingcounty.gov. We’ll be inquiring with Metro on Tuesday (since offices are closed for Presidents Day tomorrow); if you’ve seen closure alerts elsewhere, please let us know.

ADDED MONDAY: We traveled along 16th for a closer look at where the stops are posted for removal. We saw the signs on some – not all – stops from south of Donovan to south of Holden.

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Questions about new soccer team West Seattle Junction FC? Community meeting planned February 29

February 18, 2024 5:32 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

If you have questions about the new “pre-pro” soccer team West Seattle Junction FC, which just announced its schedule for home matches at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex this spring and summer, here’s your chance to get answers: The organization will host a community meeting at adjacent Southwest Teen Life Center on February 29th. From the announcement:

West Seattle Junction FC is hosting a community meeting at the Southwest Community Center on 2/29/24 from 4:30-7 pm for any interested parties who wish to hear more about the club or to ask questions of our staff.

WHO: West Seattle Junction FC
WHAT: Community Meeting for those who would like to know about the club or ask questions.
WHERE: Southwest Community Center
WHEN: 4:30 pm – 7 pm on 2/29/2024

A new USL League 2 soccer team, West Seattle Junction FC, will be playing their inaugural season May through July of this year at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Center. This Community Meeting will provide an opportunity for people in the community to ask questions about these events. There will be 8 home games this season.

General Game Information:

● We will set-up the field approximately 1 hour to the start and tear down within an hour of each game.
● We will leave the neighborhood as we found it: litter and recycling will be handled professionally.
● During the event hours, we expect between 500-1000 attendees.
● No streets will be closed and our spectators will be encouraged to take public transportation.
● Sound amplification will be limited and non-audible beyond the field. .

We are working closely with the City of Seattle Parks Department to minimize the impacts of the event. Our goal is to create an enjoyable and positive experience in the neighborhood.

Junction FC says the meeting will be open-house format – just drop in during that window. See the full announcement, including contact information if you have questions before then, in our calendar listing.

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UPDATE: Crash at Fauntleroy/Findlay

February 18, 2024 4:16 pm

| Comments Off on UPDATE: Crash at Fauntleroy/Findlay

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:16 PM: Avoid Fauntleroy Way just south of Fairmount Playfield for a while – a two-car crash at Fauntleroy/Findlay [map] has blocked northbound Fauntleroy, and police are detouring traffic. No major injuries, but SFD was called in to check out one person with pain from airbag deployment.

4:49 PM: Police have reopened northbound Fauntleroy.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Buoy at the library

February 18, 2024 3:33 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo)

When the Seattle Kraken hockey team’s mascot Buoy showed up for story time at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library this morning, children’s librarian Leslie Sumida had the perfect books: “I’m Cool,” featuring a Zamboni (the machine used to smooth the rink for hockey) and “The Three Silly Billies,” starring a troll tending a bridge. We counted about 50 people there (including a few little kids who found Buoy a bit scary!).

Local libraries have regular story times, sometimes with other guests – for example, this Tuesday (February 20th), it’ll be Firefighter Story Time, meant for preschoolers, at 3:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).

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BIZNOTE: Original owner wants to bring back Ephesus Restaurant

February 18, 2024 1:08 pm

| 34 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Six months ago, we reported on the closure of Ephesus Restaurant (5245 California SW), which had previously been taken over by new ownership that changed the menu from Turkish to Greek. Now, its original owner wants to bring back the original Ephesus. We learned this after a tip from Mark that someone was painting inside the building. We went over and found Hasan Ocak, who told us his plan is to reopen the restaurant he founded in 1995. The space needs a lot of work, though, he said – noting he’s already made six dump runs with debris – so he’s not sure about a timeline.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: New camera catches coyote

February 18, 2024 11:11 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The photo was shared by Karla, who’s in the 5400 block of 34th SW, just south of Camp Long. She explains, “I put out a game camera last week and caught this coyote posing in our yard.” What should you do if you see one? Scare it away, as advised in this state-produced Living With Wildlife guide, which has other helpful information about coexistence. We report coyote sightings for awareness and education, not alarm; you can browse our archives here.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 10 things to do

February 18, 2024 6:21 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Smithtwin, near White Center)

Here’s what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MINI-POLAR PLUNGE: 9 am every Sunday, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at 9 am at rotating locations – today it’s Highland Park Corner Store (7749 Highland Park Way SW).

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

SMALL BUSINESS POP-UP FAIR: While you’re at the Farmers’ Market, check out this market too, with local vendors selling a variety of items inside Jet City Labs (4547 California SW), 10 am-2 pm.

STORY TIME WITH BUOY: At West Seattle (Admiral) Library, meet the Seattle Kraken hockey team’s mascot. Doors open 10 am, story time is at 10:30, Buoy stays for meet-and-greet at 11. Free. (2306 42nd SW)

PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND SALE: Continuing today at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), lots of snow sports gear on sale – as shown here. The shop is open today 10 am-5 pm.

DONATION DRIVE: 11 am-3 pm, Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) is looking for warm outerwear to help people in need stay warm through the remaining weeks of winter (and the chilly spring nights). See our preview for more on how you can help.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need to borrow something for a home project? Visit the WSTL 11 am-4 pm. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)

‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Third matinee for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm – tickets here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: See and hear the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.

Planning something that we can include on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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