West Seattle, Washington
09 Monday
By Sean Golonka
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Two Seattle city councilmembers — District 1’s Rob Saka and citywide Position 8’s Tanya Woo — appeared tonight at the monthly meeting of the area’s largest political group, the 34th District Democrats, talking about ongoing city issues including transportation and the contested minimum wage for gig workers.
Saka and Woo’s appearances come as the city, with a council dominated by first-year members, is in the midst of a major year for long-term planning, with an update to its 20-year comprehensive plan in the works and an eight-year $1.35 billion-or-more transportation levy set for the November ballot.
Also tonight, the 34th DDs voted to oppose a trio of Republican-backed statewide initiatives headed for that same ballot, including proposals to repeal the Climate Commitment Act – major environmental legislation designed to cut greenhouse-gas emissions – and to repeal the capital-gains tax.
Saka and Woo talk transportation, public safety, more
Saka, who was elected to represent District 1 last November, said his legislative agenda in his first year “has largely been set for me” as chair of the transportation committee in a year the city is pursuing a new transportation levy, valued at “a minimum” of $1.35 billion.
(Framegrab from traffic camera, with NB Delridge/Henderson stop at right)
We had a question about a Burien Police car with what looked like a body at Delridge/Henderson, so in case you passed by and wondered too, here’s what happened: SFD originally responded just after 7 pm to a report of an unconscious man at the northbound bus stop there, with drug paraphernalia nearby. Recorded radio exchanges detail how they tried to revive him, but could not. Burien PD responded because they’re part of the King County Sheriff’s Office, which has jurisdiction for Metro transit facilities (and buses). The man who died was estimated to be in his mid-30s; the King County Medical Examiner’s Office will make the official determination of why he died. (Public Health – Seattle & King County tracks drug-overdose and alcohol-poisoning deaths here; so far this year, 306 deaths are confirmed in the county, another 37 suspected pending toxicology results. If that rate continued all year, the 2024 total would be close to the 2023 total, 1,338.)
(WSB file photo of Colman Pool)
Thanks to Keith for the tip. He discovered via the Seattle Parks website that Colman Pool rental reservations opened today, and the season opening date is set. If you’re new – Colman Pool is the only city-run outdoor pool in West Seattle, on the shore at Lincoln Park (approximately midway between the north and south waterfront entrances), filled with heated Puget Sound salt water. This year, the Parks website says, Colman Pool will open Saturday, May 25, for the first of multiple preseason weekends. The website doesn’t have a date (yet) for the summer seven-days-a-week schedule to start, but this might be a hint: Rentals are available daily, starting at 7 pm (when the pool closes), June 30 through September 1. Some kids’ swimming lessons will be offered this summer too, according to session and registration dates on the Colman Pool page, which is also where you’ll find the link for booking a rental. One more note, the dates are set for the annual swim-meet closures: June 27-29 and July 12-13.
Thanks for the tips. What’s going into the former Pizzeria Credo space at 4520 California SW has finally been revealed, with the new awning signage shown above: Pegasus Pizza. The owners are the same as the Pegasus Pizza that closed on Alki more than a year ago, according to the liquor-license application for this space (filed under the business name “Flying Horse”). Court files say the case related to the Alki closure was closed this past February with “full satisfaction of (the) judgment.”
With warmer, sunnier weather, more people are outside, and that invariably means more lost/found items. If you don’t frequent the WSB Community Forums, you might not realize we have a lost/found (non-pets) board there, and right now we have several new listings – lost/found keys and a found backpack, for starters. The forum boards are self-post zones (though we assist if needed) and you can get a login by going to westseattleblog.com/log-in (only required if you want to post something – otherwise it’s open to all for reading).
P.S. Our West Seattle lost/found pet listings are in the same place as usual – here.
Four incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:
FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE BURGLARY: We first heard about this when it was mentioned at last night’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, so we followed up with schoolhouse management today (the schoolhouse is a city landmark, nonprofit-operated home to multiple organizations and businesses):
This is the culprit who broke into the schoolhouse Sunday evening.
He first broke into Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes area about 10:45 pm. After he took their computer, sound system, and other oddities, he went across the street to Fauntleroy Church to do some damage over there before coming back to the schoolhouse into our hallways. He was able to break into one of our tenants’ rooms, stole their laptop, Bose system and some very personal items that were given to them by family members that are irreplaceable. One of our tenants’ clients recognized this guy from Morgan Junction area. Apparently, this client has seen him personally provoke & bother people within that neighborhood.
If you have any information, the police incident # is 24-095013.
FOUR VEHICLES DAMAGED IN AVALON HIT-RUN: Thanks for the tips this morning after people saw the damaged cars from this overnight incident.
As one tipster this morning, Michael, described it, “Someone SMASHED a parked car so bad the three cars ahead where pushed together.” SPD hasn’t been able to find the report on it but archived audio from the initial response around 1:15 am indicates the hit-run vehicle was a black GMC Yukon registered to someone in North Seattle; a man was seen walking away. Four other vehicles were reported damaged. Here’s another aftermath shot from this morning, sent by Jill, of vehicles still at the scene:
No injuries were reported, as there was no SFD response.
HIT-RUN ON VIDEO: Angela is hoping to find the driver who did this to her car before abandoning the car they were driving:
(Monday) night around 11 pm my vehicle was hit on the 4500 block of 47th Ave SW by a 2013 Ford Flex. My daughter woke me up when she got home around 1am to let me know there was a vehicle blocking the road with airbags deployed and door open. I went outside and called police who arrived in minutes. Vehicle was not reported stolen and driver is captured on video walking around and looking at my vehicle. Also spoke to neighbors. I’m hoping they reach out to me to provide insurance and take care of the damage they caused.
The license plate on the abandoned car started with AKV, in case that helps jog any memory (police impounded it). If you have any information, the incident # is 24-095491.
CAR BREAK-IN: The image and report were sent by Rachael:
We had two of our car windows smashed at 2:53 am on Ferry Ave. Just wanted to alert folks.
12:14 PM: Seattle Fire has units arriving at Jefferson Square for a hazmat call at Safeway – reported as a refrigerant leak. Updates to come.
12:17 PM: First units to arrive say they’re not certain yet that it’s a hazmat situation – they’re being told there was a “small fire behind a wall” extinguished by employees, but they’re investigating. They’re also planning to block 42nd SW in the area.
12:22 PM: SFD says they’ve confirmed, no hazmat after all, just that small fire. The incident commander on scene tells us it’s related to an “electrical problem in the meat department.” They’re downsizing the response.
12:55 PM: SFD has closed the call. The store was cleared for people to go back in.
Tomorrow night (Thursday, April 11), you can wander the peninsula, enjoying art and food/drink specials, during the first West Seattle Art Walk of spring 2024! Here’s the list of 40+ spring venues:
The Art Walk’s “official” hours are 5 pm to 8 pm, but artist receptions may start/end at different types, depending on what the venue decides, so browse the April previews here to see who you’ll find, where, and when. Spotlights include:
*West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosting artist Autumn Tranquilino 5-9 pm.
*Rush Hour (4517 California SW) hosting artist David Amaya 5-8 pm.
*ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosting artist Audineh Asaf 5:30-7 pm.
*Canna West Seattle (5435 California SW; WSB sponsor) with artist Sarah Hie in the house and selling prints 5-8 pm. (21+ only)
*Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) hosts multiple artists/vendors during its Jet City Cauldron pop-up shop, 5-9 pm on Art Walk night.
Those are just a few of the dozens of participating venues! The second Thursday of every month is a chance to explore local businesses as well as to meet local artists, so set aside some time to enjoy the evening.
(WSB is a community co-sponsor for the Art Walk.)
(Sunrise photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor – remember, no Water Taxi this weekend)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are reminders for the rest of today/tonight:
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Second week for the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, Mondays through Thursdays.
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -1.8 feet at 12:51 pm.
RECYCLING/COMPOSTING 101: Free Earth Month presentation at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 1-2 pm. Details in our calendar listing.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
BOSTON MARATHON SENDOFF RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for a special 6:15 pm group run:
We want to send off the folks heading out to Boston. It will be a chance for us to celebrate your accomplishment and also for those who don’t yet know one another to connect beforehand in case you want to meet up in Beantown or strategize and share tips. Everyone feel free to wear old Boston gear or blue and yellow in support of those running.
We run at 6:15 pm, any distance you choose. We will have refreshments back at the shop after the run for social hour.
Meet at the shop. Email lori@westseattlerunner.com with any questions.
FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7:30 pm online meeting including City Councilmembers Rob Saka and Tanya Woo, plus some endorsement decisions. More info, and registration link, here.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Dream Dinners West Seattle (WSB sponsor) can help you get dinner on the table this month and next while lending a hand to the South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools around West Seattle!
Anyone can support the preschools – just place an order of at least 3 dinners. Can order either April or May. All orders must be placed by May 10th. Put the code word “CO-OP” in the special instructions so we can keep track of everyone that orders. Call/text 206-938-5999 for questions.
Here’s the link to the local store, which is on the north side of outer Jefferson Square (41st/Alaska).
6 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, April 10, still spring break for Seattle Public Schools and independent schools with similar calendars.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Increasing clouds, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise will be at 6:28 am, sunset at 7:52 pm.
ROAD-WORK ALERT
More repaving work today on 21st SW between Dawson and 22nd – details here.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here – lots of trip cancellations this week.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Reminder, NO WATER TAXI this weekend – April 13-14 – to prepare for the spring/summer season (which adds Friday/Saturday later-evening sailings starting Friday, April 19). The shuttle buses WILL run, though, Metro says.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for last-minute 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 – and a reminder, it’ll be closed to surface traffic April 19-28:
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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