West Seattle, Washington
11 Friday
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
ASSAULT SUSPECT CHARGED: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged the man arrested on Tuesday for allegedly shooting at his girlfriend at the just-cleared 1st/Cloverdale encampment. 42-year-old Pascual Ferrer-Gonzalez is charged with second-degree domestic-violence assault and first-degree unlawful gun possession. Charging documents say he “got upset with the victim and began hitting her. After hitting her he armed himself with a rifle and then fired a round at her.” After police arrested him, prosecutors say, they obtained a search warrant for the RV where they found him, and that’s where they seized the weapons and ammunition mentioned previously. He remains jailed, bail set at $300,000, with his arraignment scheduled for April 9th.
STORE SUSPECT CHARGED: Early Thursday, police were called to the Marshalls store in Westwood Village for a report of a possible burglary. They eventually found a 33-year-old woman hiding under a clothing rack inside the store and arrested her for investigation of burglary, though they found no sign of forced entry. The jail docket indicates she was charged with misdemeanor trespassing and released from jail today; the Municipal Court system isn’t bringing up documents to corroborate that so far, though, so we’re not identifying her.
POSSIBLY STOLEN/DUMPED PACKAGE: If you’re in the 4800 block of 42nd SW and are missing a package, Eric may have found the box, tossed into his yard. Contact us and we can connect you.
New music out today from local band Aurora Ave., which describes itself as “an 8-piece band from West Seattle that has honed an Indie-Pop, Jazz, and J-Pop sound into something uniquely our own.” They’ve been together for three years now (when we first mentioned the band, more than half the members were WSHS students), and have a new lead singer, just in time for their new single, explained this way:
The band’s new song Pearl is inspired by the challenges of finding your way in young life, and feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. The song has existed in concept for over 3 years, and a very different version of the track was slated but eventually scrapped from the group’s self-titled debut album in 2021. Now, over 3 years later, the track has evolved into one of the group’s favorite songs.
Pearl is tied together by an incredible vocal performance by the band’s newest member, lead singer Samara Reign. Samara brings a soulful, angelic quality to the band’s brass-heavy rhythms.
You can stream or buy “Pearl” by going to one of the links you’ll find here. If you’d like to see Aurora Ave. perform, mark your calendar for Northwest Folklife on May 24 – and more to come.
Back on March 20, we reported on the first cargo-ship call at the newly modernized second berth of West Seattle’s Terminal 5 [map]. At the time, the Northwest Seaport Alliance – the Seattle-Tacoma partnership that runs both ports’ cargo docks – said it wasn’t fully “commissioned” yet. Now it is, so, NWSA says, MSC Lily, at the berth right now, is the “inaugural vessel to call the fully modernized terminal.” We asked NWSA spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh what had been done since March 20 to complete the modernization; she replied, “The commissioning involved the shore power system for the last vessel. With that complete, the terminal is fully operational and the MSC Lily and future vessels can now plug-in and be worked.” The modernization of the two-berth terminal was a half-billion-dollar project.
You might have noticed the activity and new signage at 35th/Barton, as Tony’s Market gets ready to open for the season. One big change – new owners!
Razmye “Raz” Vorng and Sandy Saeteurn are taking over from Joey Genzale, who had run the produce-stand-and-more business since his dad, market founder and namesake Tony Genzale, died in 2010. They are West Seattle residents. They explain that Raz is an acquaintance of Tony, who they say “expressed his desire to close the chapter on his family’s produce stand. We wanted to salvage the business and keep it going.”
This is their first retail venture, though Sandy explains that Raz – who will run the store – “has an entrepreneurial mindset” as part-owner of Ananas Pizzeria on First Hill. They hope to open as soon as Monday (April 1) and expect hours for starters to be Mondays-Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm. And yes, they expect to continue the seasonal specialties for which Tony’s has long been known – pumpkins and Christmas trees.
1:50 PM: Friday afternoon whale watching! Reported by Kersti Muul – a baleen whale is in the area, most recently seen in the Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry lanes, southbound.
4:03 PM: If you haven’t seen Kersti’s updates in comments – she says it’s a gray. (Around here, baleen usually means gray or humpback – though others have shown up on occasion.)
Three Little Birds in The Junction is having a party today and tomorrow. Proprietor Jennifer Young explains, “Can you believe it? Three Little Birds is celebrating 10 years in business. We are celebrating all today and tomorrow with a big sale, prizes, and goodies. We are so grateful for our amazing West Seattle customers that have shown their love and support for ALL THESE YEARS!” The shop is open until 5 today, 10 am-5 pm Saturday: “We opened 10 years ago on 3/30 … so we are doing a 30% discount!” Three Little Birds, selling kids’ apparel and more, is at 4736 California SW, where it moved in October 2019 after being in Morgan Junction for its first five years.
11:18 AM: As reported here earlier this week, today is the first day of a clearance operation at the encampment that’s been growing on 1st Avenue South, just north of the Highway 509 Cloverdale overpass [map].
The road is narrow and traffic is backed up on southbound 1st in the area. The site includes both state and city land, so multiple agencies are involved. The first thing they’re doing is removing and towing vehicles.
Agencies on site include SDOT, SPD, SPU, and WSDOT, and they expect to be there “all day.”
Though the city and state say they’ve been planning this for months, clearance plans acquired extra urgency after a man was arrested at the encampment on Tuesday after allegedly shooting at his girlfriend.
4:18 PM: We asked state and city spokespeople for details on today’s operation. “Ten individuals were offered housing from the Cloverdale site, and all 10 accepted,” said WSDOT’s James Poling. He says the vehicles removed were on the city part of the site, so city spokesperson Lori Baxter addressed that: “A total of 13 vehicles were towed today from City property as part of this site resolution, nine of which were abandoned and partially stripped. One box truck, one RV, and one motorcycle were also included in the towed vehicles.” She added, “Outreach coordinators from the Unified Care Team were also onsite to offer same-day shelter referrals for anyone at the site that had not already received an offer of housing. One additional shelter referral was made.”
8:14 PM: We drove through the area late today – above, the view of the cleared site from the road; below, a section of fencing placed along the road just to the south:
From Angela at Budget Blinds-West Seattle (2403 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor):
This morning between 6-7 am one of our Budget Blinds vans was stolen. It was seen around 6:50am between Brandon and 46th Ave SW. A wonderful & helpful neighbor spotted the van and as it drove past her many sample books flew out and onto the street. They were picked up and stored for us to come pick up. We’ve collected 5 so far. Here are a couple photo for reference. If anyone happens to see any more books, or any info on the van, please message me?
License Plate D27632B
2006 Ford Econoline
(2023 Seattle Parks image of stadium study area for off-leash area)
It’s official: Following a recommendation vote at last night’s Parks Board meeting, Seattle Parks says West Seattle’s second off-leash area will be just south of West Seattle Stadium (the area outlined in red, above). The announcement from Parks says the “planning and construction timeline will be announced soon.” It also reiterates that Lincoln Park (the other finalist for the site, after a long study process) was “found to be unsuitable (and) not recommended for an OLA at this time based on community feedback and other existing uses). The West Seattle Stadium dog park will be funded by the Park District. The department also is planning new dog parks in South Park (near the community center) and Georgetown.
(WSB photo, Darwin’s barberry starting to bloom at Don Armeni)
Here’s our list of highlights for the day/night ahead! Most are from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Our list includes Good Friday services at many of the 14 churches who have sent us their schedules.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).
HIGH-SCHOOL SOFTBALL: One home game – West Seattle HS hosts Silas, 4 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL: Two home games – West Seattle HS hosts Lakeside, 4 pm, while Chief Sealth IHS hosts Ballard, 7 pm, both at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
WSHS BASEBALL ONLINE AUCTION: You can support the Wildcats right now, online, in advance of their in-person fundraiser:
The West Seattle HS Baseball Program is holding their annual “Grand Slam Social & Fundraiser” event on March 30th, 6 pm – 9 pm at the Alki Masonic Center. This is one of our biggest fundraising events of the year. This year our auction is online and open to the community. Many of the items were provided by local WS businesses, including the food for the event. Key sponsors: Duo Cucina, Box Bar, Pine Lake Cellars, & Georgetown Brewery. Here’s the online link, open right now: Grand Slam Social & Fundraiser Catalog
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open tonight for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
‘MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL’: Second night for West Seattle High School‘s new production, 7 pm. Ticket info is in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Byland show, sale, signing, Q & A, 7 pm. (4559 California SW)
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm show for Checkered Record, Holy Hell, J Waylon. $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight: DJ Lady Coco. (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD! Skate to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 9 pm-midnight, this week featuring NUDA, Primer, Zara. $18 cover + $5 skate rental
LATE-NIGHT SINGING: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:09 AM: The encampment cleanup at 1st and Cloverdale is affecting traffic, we’re told – avoid the area.
Earlier:
6 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, March 29, and the Mariners have another home game tonight (6:40 pm), so if you’re traveling through the stadium zone, be aware.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Possible morning showers, then clearing, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise will be at 6:52 am, sunset at 7:35 pm.
SPRING BREAK
This is the last day before spring break for parochial schools, which are off next week, as are Highline Public Schools. (Seattle Public Schools and most secular independent schools are out the week of April 8.)
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here. One day now until the twice-yearly “service change” takes effect Saturday; here’s our look at West Seattle changes. (And if you’re taking the bus to/from the baseball game, here’s info.)
Water Taxi today – Metro will run the West Seattle Water Taxi late again tonight, for the Mariners’ opening homestand. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes. 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 our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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