West Seattle, Washington
08 Sunday
Just out of the WSB inbox, from West Seattle/South Park school-board director Gina Topp: “Regrettably, I must cancel Saturday’s community meeting due to unforeseen illness. We will promptly reschedule. Apologies for the short notice; unforeseen circumstances necessitate this change.”
8:29 PM: Police have been pursuing suspects through south West Seattle, White Center, and Burien after a carjacking. While the stolen vehicle is reported to be a white Audi, officers have been pursuing another vehicle believed to be related, a dark gray Hyundai Tucson reported stolen from Federal Way. We don’t yet know exactly where the carjacking happened. The Guardian One helicopter has been assisting; the suspects reportedly have just abandoned the Hyundai in north Burien, with a ground search ensuing too.
(WSB photo added: Police on 35th while investigating nearby carjacking)
8:38 PM: We found police who could confirm to us where the carjacking happened: Alley behind residences in the 9200 block of 35th SW. (The car stolen there was described as a white Audi SQ5; we believe that was traced to south White Center.) Meantime, the ground/air search in north Burien continues.
8:43 PM: Officers have just reported taking one person into custody. They’re searching for the other, in the Salmon Creek Ravine area. Both carjackers were reported to be armed at the time of the original incident.
10:30 PM: The search ended during a gap in our live monitoring due to (a) a change in radio channels and (b) us having to step away from the desk for a short time. So far in trying to catch up with radio recordings, we’ve heard officers report that a stolen gun was recovered, as was a backpack, as were two ski masks, and that the carjacked white Audi (found because of tracking) has already been impounded. What we’re not finding yet: The status of the second suspect.
10:59 PM: Listening to county emergency-radio archives, it sounds like the second suspect was bitten by a police dog and taken for treatment. We will of course follow up on all this with police and prosecutors Monday, but will update sooner if any additional information emerges over the weekend.
Lots of planting happening this time of year, but this new planting in West Seattle is of special significance. These are camas plants, installed today in a new cedar planter outside the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse.
The Duwamish Tribe’s cultural preservation officer Nancy Sackman was joined by Sharon Leishman of the Duwamish Alive! Coalition for the planting. Camas has a cultural significance to the Duwamish people – with edible bulbs – and the planter will allow them to grow it in cleaner soil than they have access to on the Longhouse grounds.
The camas bulbs were sourced from Northwest Meadowscapes in Port Townsend; the planter, from Wabash Farms in east King County. Today’s planting was in advance of next Saturday’s Duwamish Alive! habitat-restoration volunteering; your help is needed that day, at multiple sites in the Duwamish River watershed – go here to sign up.
Two months left in the school year, but some major issues remain unsettled – such as, will Seattle Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brent Jones propose school closures/consolidations to help balance the budget? If you have an SPS-related question, concern, and/or comment – about the budget or any other issue – tomorrow (Saturday, April 13) is your chance to bring it to our area’s school-board director Gina Topp. In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, her next community conversation is set for 10:30-11:30 am Saturday at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW). No formal agenda – just drop in any time during the hour.
EARLY SATURDAY: Got a late-night note that this is canceled.
Another option for organic produce in West Seattle this summer – here’s the announcement we received today:
Clean Greens Farm and Market, a Black-led CSA that provides affordable, organic produce from local Black farmers, is pleased to announce that they will be coming to West Seattle this summer.
Beginning with this growing season, West Seattle residents can sign up for a weekly share of produce from our farm and pick it up at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Shares come in three different sizes to suit individuals, small families, and larger families.
Pickups will be on Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm and run from June 29th through the end of October.
Proceeds from the sale of CSA shares not only support the ongoing work of Clean Greens and Black Dollar Days Task Force, which promotes Black-led enterprises in Seattle, but they also support the provision of healthy, organic produce at low- or no-cost to low-income members of our community.
To join the CSA, please visit Clean Green’s website.
2:40 PM: Seattle Fire units have arrived in the 7100 block of 29th SW after a report of a broken half-inch gas line. They’re planning to evacuate two houses while awaiting Puget Sound Energy‘s arrival.
2:44 PM: Police just told dispatch they’re blocking southbound traffic at 29th/Myrtle [map].
2:54 PM: Firefighters have just reported that the “gas line has been secured.”
The photos and report are from Bianca:
My husband came across a dumped, damaged, and empty ATM on Seola Beach Drive a bit ago. I filed an online police report. There aren’t any marks indicating where it came from, but it appears to be one of the smaller machines you would find in a convenience store.
A sticker on it says it’s part of the MetaBank network.
A favorite springtime family event is coming up fast – one week from tomorrow, the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) presents this year’s Healthy Kids Day. Just out of the WSB inbox, this year’s official announcement:
The YMCA of Greater Seattle is thrilled to announce its annual Healthy Kids Day® event, which will be held on April 20, beginning at 10 a.m. This event will be held across 12 locations throughout Greater Seattle [including West Seattle]. As a free event open to the public, the Healthy Kids Day® event provides many family-friendly activities to foster healthy kids and families and ensure a vibrant and healthy kickoff to the upcoming summer season.
The sponsors of this year’s event are centered around transforming fun and play into lasting memories. Attendees can look forward to engaging in activities that promote health and wellness among children and their families. The activities vary by location. Families can expect snack ideas, water safety, sports challenges, bounce houses, and arts and crafts.
Loria Yeadon, CEO of YMCA Greater Seattle, shared her thoughts on this event: ” Children must remain engaged in physical and mental activities throughout the summer months. At the YMCA, we’re passionate about providing families with the resources to develop and maintain healthy habits all year. Healthy Kids Day is a signature free event encouraging families to explore and participate in many fun, healthful Y activities, fostering community connection and wellness. If you don’t have a Y membership, this is a perfect time to join and get the entire family moving and connected with your neighbors in the community. Join us!”
The West Seattle Y is at 36th/Snoqualmie [map], and Healthy Kids Day events are usually indoor and outdoor, depending on the weather; membership is not required to participate.
(Photos courtesy Housing Diversity Corporation)
The new 115-apartment complex at 3405 Harbor Avenue SW, just north of the West Seattle Bridge, is close to completion. The developers at Housing Diversity Corporation shared “our first photos of 3405 Harbor against the Seattle skyline,” taken via drone, now that part of the scaffolding has been removed.
HDC’s Alex Thompson tells WSB the complex has a name: Harbor Flats. It’s on track for opening in June; we covered its groundbreaking in March 2022. Final-stage work includes installation of utilities plus the automated parking system (similar to this); the building will have spaces for 60 vehicles. West Seattle-headquartered STS Construction Services (WSB sponsor) partnered with HDC on construction of Harbor Flats.
(The Gatewood tulip festival continues! WSB photo)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Open until noon to conclude the second transitional week of new hours at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor).
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: First of two days for the UW’s second and final Alki Beach tournament of the season – play started at 10 am; see the schedule here.
STAY & PLAY INDOOR GYM: Free drop-in play, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
LIBRARY CLOSURE: The Seattle Public Library‘s just-announced closure days start today; the West Seattle (Admiral) branch will not be open, but it’s regular hours today for our area’s other libraries.
LOW-LOW TIDE: Beachwalking alert – the tide is out to -2.0 feet at 2:19 pm today.
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).
FREE CONCERT WRAPS UP HONK! FUTURE CAMP: 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School‘s auditorium (2600 SW Thistle), three groups take the stage! From our calendar listing:
Please join us Friday April 12th at 7 pm for a free concert celebrating the close of our 1st Honk Future Street Band Camp. Honk! Future is a Honk!- style street band composed of 5th through 12th grade students, formed during a five-day spring break camp sponsored by Honk! Fest West and the Seattle All-City Band. The concert, made possible by support from Friends of All-City Band and the Music Performance Trust Fund will feature performances by Honk! Future, Soul Jambalaya, and Super-Krewe.
No charge for admission.
KENYON HALL CABARET: Monthly all-ages drag show at 7 pm – info and tickets here. (7904 35th 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 doors, 8 pm show for Shaker Bloomheart, Some F—ing Vegan, Ruby Vision. $10 cover, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SECOND WEEKEND FOR ‘ENGLISH’: The new play continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Ticket link – just a few available for tonight as of early this morning – is in our calendar listing.
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 Atomic Pines, LipStitch, Eep Oop. $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!
9:36 AM: Via text: “Brown water this morning on 41st SW between Hudson and Dawson.” This is the third report we’ve received this week; though we didn’t get the chance to publish it at the time, a reader notified us about “super brown water” near Gatewood Elementary on Wednesday, and we did publish this report from southeast Admiral on Monday. A leading cause is fire-hydrant testing, but it can also be a clue to system trouble like a pipe break, so always report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800.
4:14 PM: Also just heard from Tricia, reporting: “I have brown water in Gatewood. Southern and California.”
(2023 Garden Tour reader photo, by Bill Schrier)
This year’s West Seattle Garden Tour is still more than two months away – on June 23 – but the WSGT is already looking ahead to next year in one important part of what they do – giving grants to other nonprofits. Here’s the announcement:
Each year, the West Seattle Garden tour, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides grants to other nonprofits for projects that fit our mission — to promote horticulture, education, and artistic endeavors within West Seattle and neighboring communities. We are now seeking grant applicants for 2025 and nonprofits with eligible projects are invited to apply.
Our 2025 grant application form and guidelines are now available at westseattlegardentour.org/apply-for-a-grant. Completed applications are due by July 15, 2024. Grant amounts historically range from $2,000-$6,000, but larger and smaller grants have been awarded. Successful applicants will receive their funds in March 2025.
The list of this year’s grant recipients is here. You can buy a ticket for this year’s tour here.
6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, April 12, last day of spring break for those who were out this week.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny, high in the upper 50s, on our way to a sunny weekend. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:26 am, sunset at 7:54 pm.
(Thursday evening photo by Bruce Gaumond)
ROAD-WORK ALERT, CONTINUING THIS WEEKEND
Repaving work today is scheduled to continue on 22nd/23rd east of Delridge – details here – and through the weekend, too.
SPORTS-RELATED TRAFFIC
-Alki might be busier than usual, with another UW beach-volleyball tournament today and Saturday – play starts today at 10 am.
-In SODO, Mariners’ homestand begins with 6:40 pm game vs. the Cubs.
TRANSIT NOTES, INCLUDING WATER-TAXI-LESS WEEKEND
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here – lots of trip cancellations this week.
Water Taxi today + this weekend – Regular schedule today. 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 – remember, 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 open 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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