West Seattle, Washington
13 Friday
That video is from Rose, who has long had a video camera on her “Wild Reiki Spa” – and was surprised to see this video showing a non-wildlife visitor on all fours. This happened last night in Belvidere. She says the crawling prowler headed for a garden shed containing only garden tools, and she doesn’t think anything was taken. No police report # yet.
Even after 15 years and hundreds of coyote-sighting reports, some people still express surprise that they’re here. So we keep sharing sightings.
ADMIRAL: This is the most recent one sent in – Ashley reported this sighting around 3:30 am today:
I wanted to get the word out that I just happened upon our local coyote in front of Taste of Mumbai on California. He was running down the street with a cat in his mouth. If anyone is missing a gray striped cat in the area, the coyote got it sadly.
SYLVAN RIDGE: Michael recorded this short video on Wednesday:
He said, “I had no idea they could just walk into blackberry bushes like that.”
NORTH HIGHLINE: From the other side of the city-limit line, Katie sent this on Tuesday:
I wanted to let you know that at least one coyote was in our yard in the North Highline Unincorporated Area, so presumably they’ve made the trek all the way south through West Seattle. I wish I had a photo of the actual coyote, but I wasn’t fast enough. They got one of our chickens yesterday, unseen. Today they came back for seconds and I hustled out thanks to the vigilance (and volume) of the neighborhood crows.
PIGEON POINT: Annette reports that a pack of coyotes seems to be active in Pigeon Point: “We have lost 9 cats over a very short period of time.” She says she witnessed one cat taken by a coyote early in the morning. She says neighbors have reported the pack near Pigeon Point Park and the golf course downhill. “I know nature lives side by side in West Seattle due to the lovely greenbelts we have scattered throughout the area, but the size of the pack seems to be growing beyond what the area and our neighborhood can handle.” She was planning on trying natural deterrent including wolf urine.
Our standard disclaimer: Coyote reports are published here for awareness, not alarm. Experts say the best way to keep them at bay is to not provide food – they will not just eat unattended small pets, but also pet food and unsecured food waste. (And they eat small wildlife, too.) To learn more about coexisting with coyotes, including what to do if you encounter one, here’s info from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network sent that photo of an adult harbor seal resting off a submerged rock off Constellation Park with this gentle nudge:
Just a reminder that we are in the middle of harbor-seal pupping season. Moms nurse their pups for only 4 -6 weeks Then these vulnerable young marine mammals are on their own and typically end up on our West Seattle beaches this time of year, hauling out to rest and warm up. If you come across one, please call the Seal Sitters hotline at 206-905-7325.
The alternate way to remember that number is 206-905-SEAL.
After presenting a holiday parade and three free concerts, the Admiral Neighborhood Association has one more big event ahead this summer – the Admiral Funktion street party, 11 am-8 pm Saturday, August 24, on California SW north of Admiral Way. It’ll have all the things that make street festivals fun – music, food, activities – and since the ANA is a small-but-mighty nonprofit community group, it also needs you! ANA’s Dan Jacobs explains, “We are looking for ‘day of event’ volunteers. Shifts are early morning setup, later evening teardown, and daytime shifts for band/stage support. Besides the thanks of a grateful neighborhood, Mission Cantina and Arthur’s will be offering donations of food/drink items. If interested they can contact us here.” (WSB is media sponsor for Admiral Funktion – we’ll see you there whether you’re volunteering, attending, or both!)
Still some big summer events to come, especially at Alki, and this one’s happening tomorrow:
AAU Strength Sports Director Andrew “Bull†Stewart will present the 2024 AAU 28th annual Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic, taking place at the Alki Beach Bathhouse (2701 Alki Ave SW) on Saturday, August 10th.
(Photos courtesy Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic)
Framed by the Olympic Mountains and Elliott Bay, this raw, drug-tested powerlifting and feats of strength event is the longest running of its kind in Seattle. Lifters from all ages and walks of life will be competing in the squat, bench and deadlift categories, along with new team category “Double Deadlift†(deadlift by two people) and Feats of Strength (tire throw, farmers walk, to name a few).
Event begins at 9 am, and is free to the public! There will be some limited seating, vendor booths, and a lot of energy brought by the friends and families of these world-class lifters!
Local director Andrew “Bull†Stewart has been promoting strength sport events in Washington for over 30 years (including the wildly popular “Bull Stewart Alki Beach Classic†held seasonally in August). Bull Stewart is a 15 year National/World drug-free powerlifting champion, Hall of Famer, coach of the #1 AAU powerlifting “Bull Power Team†6 years in a row, the current Rainier Beach HS basketball strength coach, and the owner of Columbia City Fitness Center in Seattle (member of CCBA). His events are known to draw people of all walks of life together, generating a family friendly, positive environment where every member of our community is welcomed, regardless of race, creed, or religion.
10:54 AM: Thanks for the tips. When Starbucks announced last month that it would permanently close its Alki shop, the final day was announced as this Sunday, August 11. But now there’s a note on the door (as shown in our photo above) saying the doors will close for the last time at 6 pm tonight (Friday, August 9). We have an inquiry out to the company asking about the change. When Starbucks announced the shutdown of the 2742 Alki Avenue SW store after 25 years, the company said only that the decision was the result of a process in which they “evaluate our store portfolio annually to determine where we can best meet our community and customers’ needs.”
11:39 AM: Starbucks spokesperson Sam Jefferies says the “change” is because he initially told us (and other media organizations, according to our online check of others’ stories) the wrong date – he now says it was always planned as today.
(Hydrangea blossom, photographed by Janelle Otterholt)
Here’s our Friday highlight list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, until 3 pm.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. Free! (1100 SW Cloverdale)
WADING POOLS: Open today – Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm; Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Hiawatha (2700 California SW), noon-5:30 pm.
COLMAN POOL: You can swim today in the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
VISCON CELLARS: In addition to participation in West Seattle Wine Weekend, it’s a regular night for the tasting room/wine bar to be open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
KENYON HALL CABARET: Monthly drag show, 7 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), all ages, ticket link in our calendar listing.
GAME NIGHT, WITH WINE: 7-9 pm monthly event at Spruce Hill Winery (2960 4th Ave S. in SODO; WSB sponsor), play games, enjoy discounts on bottles of wine! Our calendar listing has info you’ll need to reserve your table.
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, Drewby’s Going-Away Show with King Sheim and Sabrina Saed, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
CAMP LONG OUTDOOR MOVIE: The second of three Fridays this month with outdoor movies at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) starts tonight at dusk (8:30ish) with “Wakanda Forever” – free, BYO chair/blanket.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Hershe! (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
YOU SKATE, THEY PLAY: “Make It Loud!” at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), roller skating to live bands, featuring The Warlochs, Oliver Elf Army, Eternal Wave. 9 pm. $18 cover, $5 skate.
What are we missing? If you have something else to add to our event lists and calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Thanks for the tips about SWAT units in Morgan Junction. Police have SW Morgan blocked right now between 40th and 42nd. All they’ll tell us is that it’s a warrant situation.
8:30 AM: The street has reopened.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, August 9.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Until 9 tonight, we’re still under a Heat Advisory. Meantime, the forecast is for sun, mid-80s, with smoky haze. Today’s sunrise was at 5:58 am, while sunset will be at 8:30 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule for both routes. That includes later runs for the West Seattle route.
Metro buses today – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURE SCHEDULE FOR TONIGHT + WEEKEND
*The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. Here’s the current closure schedule – for tonight and this weekend, it starts with two eastbound left lanes closing 7-10 pm tonight, then the entire eastbound SSV plus one westbound left lane will close from 10 pm tonight until 5 am Monday. The added westbound lane closure means that the northbound I-5 exit to the westbound West Seattle Bridge will be closed for the weekend too. (Note that the closure ended early last weekend, so we’ll be watching in case that happens again this time, and we’ll publish an update if it does.)
ALSO THIS WEEKEND
On Saturday, Seacrest is the start and finish for Peace Peloton‘s Summit to Sound bike ride. Riders leave in shuttles in the morning to go to the start of 80- and 50-mile routes, which end with a celebration at Seacrest.
OTHER ROAD WORK NOTES
*Here’s the latest on the East Marginal Way S. project, particularly of note for people who travel by bike between downtown and West Seattle:
WHAT: Updated detour route for people biking on East Marginal Way S
WHEN: Starting as soon as August 12 and lasting for several weeks
WHERE: People biking will be routed onto the street of E Marginal Way S in temporary protected bike lanes from S Spokane St to north of the Terminal 30 parking lot at approximately S Stacy St. At the T30 parking lot / S Stacy St, people will be routed back into the existing bike lanes and sidewalk on the west side of the street. Please note that the T30 parking lot is south of the main T30 entrance.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, at least into early 2025. Lane closures have begun on the top deck too.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch. Watch for no-parking zones and steel plates, plus flaggers.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (Some important cameras are back but some others remain out)
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
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!
3:21 AM: Right now, police are investigating a robbery reported just after 3 am at the Fauntleroy/Alaska Shell station mini-mart. The only description so far is five Black male teenagers, two dressed in all black, two in gray shirts and black pants, one in a red shirt and black pants, all in masks. They’re believed to have left in a vehicle, heading eastbound on Alaska, but there’s no description of it yet. Police say the clerk didn’t see a weapon but believes they were armed. Dispatch has told officers that this may be linked to a robbery in North Seattle earlier tonight.
12:54 PM: A bit of additional info from SPD – they say the robbers “walked in and pushed the clerk up against the wall demanding money (then) took cash and tobacco products.” SPD also notes that “fingerprints were lifted from the scene.” (added) SPD incident #, if you have any information, is 24-222163.
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