West Seattle, Washington
28 Friday
10:07 PM: West Seattle’s expert skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen just alerted us to the possibility of aurora viewing tonight: “We’re flirting with Kp7 which is ‘go outside and look NOW, maybe go somewhere nearby and dark” numbers.” She recommends Westcrest Park. Here are Alice’s viewing tips and aurora’forecast links.
12:44 AM: Thanks to the commenters who’ve posted images from their sightings!
Seattle Public Schools and many local independent/parochial schools don’t start classes until after Labor Day. For one local school, however, this is back-to-school week. Classes start Wednesday (August 14) at Summit Atlas, the middle/high school in Arbor Heights that’s West Seattle’s first and only charter school. (Last day of the school year is earlier, too – that’ll be Friday, June 6, 2025.) After Summit Atlas, the next school to start classes will be Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School, on August 28.
We’ve received some questions about an emergency response at a residential building in the 6300 block of California SW, coded “scenes of violence.” This was for a person with what are believed to be self-inflicted wounds. He’s being taken to a hospital.
For those contemplating self-harm, the 988 crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day.
Six years after she and her husband closed their longtime West Seattle Junction shop Terjung’s House of Gifts (4547 California, now Jet City Labs), Gloria Terjung has passed away. Here’s the remembrance we received today:
Gloria Marie Terjung (Pucci)
February 24, 1930 – August 3, 2024It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Gloria Marie Terjung (Pucci), our dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and auntie. Gloria now joins her cherished husband, Gregor, who passed away in January of 2023.
Gloria was a life-long West Seattle resident and a proud and active member of her community. Born to Peter and Ethel Pucci, she was raised in the Italian neighborhood of Youngstown in West Seattle. Her family eventually moved 3 times: to Fort Lawton in the Magnolia area, Black Diamond on Lake Sawyer, and then to the Morgan Junction area of West Seattle. In adulthood, Gloria moved within the West Seattle area 4 more times. She attended Frank B Cooper School, West Seattle High School, and graduated from Tahoma High School in 1947, then married Gregor in the fall of 1950.
Gloria’s professional journey was marked by dedication and excellence, starting with clerical positions at John Hancock and Boeing, and devoted over 30 years of service as the Assistant to the Director of the Seattle Housing Authority. She also supported her husband Gregor’s daily operation of the family business Terjung’s Studio of Gifts in the West Seattle Junction for over 50 years. Her commitment extended beyond the workplace as a member of Soroptimist International of West Seattle, where she worked to enhance the lives of women and families in her community.
Gloria was a woman of many passions and found joy in gardening, sewing, camping, bookkeeping, boating, tennis, painting, playing the piano, listening to her grandson play the clarinet, ice cream, popcorn, clam chowder, and the color blue. Her culinary skills were renowned among family and friends, especially her famous spaghetti sauce, potato salad, and apple pie, which will be fondly remembered at family gatherings.
Gloria was known for her strong determination, tireless work ethic, and dedication to her loved ones. Her presence was a source of strength and inspiration, and her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched.
Gloria is survived by her daughters Gina McCullough Grohs and Gail Spores (Beldon); grandson Reis McCullough (Azusa); great granddaughter Noelle; sister Marlene Schlittler; niece Donna Irving and nephew Craig Schlittler; who all will remember her spirit, her laughter, and love for her family.
To share your condolences and memories of Gloria, visit EmmickFunerals.com/obituary/Gloria-Terjung
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
3:23 PM: Police are converging on 15th/Roxbury for a report of someone “down” after a report of two people shooting, possibly “at each other.” This is reported to have started on the city side of the intersection near Walgreens but the possible victim is reported to be in front of the gas station on the unincorporated side. Suspect(s) and whereabouts haven’t been clarified yet – various conflicting descriptions. Updates to come.
3:30 PM: Officers told dispatch they’ve found casings outside Walgreens, and one person is reported injured – described as a 22-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the back – outside the gas station across the street.
3:43 PM: SFD medics are taking the victim to Harborview. Officers have just told dispatch that so far they’ve found “19 casings, a mix of 9 and 10 millimeter” by Walgreens. Our crew has arrived in the area and we’re adding photos of the investigation.
3:54 PM: A K-9 team from KCSO has arrived at the scene to see if they can track the shooters – they’re heading north on 16th for starters.
4:07 PM: The track ended at 16th/Henderson, officers told dispatch.
5:01 PM: SFD tells us the victim was in serious condition when transported.
5:50 PM: SPD spokesperson Officer Eric Muñoz tells WSB the victim is 23 and was found “suffering from two gunshot wounds to his leg and lower back.” He is expected to survive. No additional information on circumstances and no comment on whether the victim was targeted; regarding description, he says only that “Two suspects wearing masks, possibly in their late teens to early 20s, were seen fleeing the area.” If you have any information, the incident # is 24-224883, and you can call 911 or the SPD tipline at 206-233-5000.
(Added: WSB/WCN photo)
Thanks to Sue for the tip. Just published on our partner site White Center Now, the proprietor of the Bok a Bok fried-chicken mini-chain has just closed two locations, including White Center, where he founded Bok a Bok eight years ago. He says “third-party apps” took too big a cut. Details here.
The photo above is from a texter who says they walked past that vehicle at Fauntleroy and Myrtle this morning around 7 am and that it was still running. We then heard from Aaron, who sent this report and other photos:
I’m writing on behalf of a couple neighbors at Myrtle and Fauntleroy across the street from Gatewood Elementary.
According to the neighbors, a stolen car hit the electrical pole in front of their house and then drove through their fence before being abandoned earlier this morning.
SPD has been through but I don’t have the police report number. Seattle City Light will come later today to replace the pole.
Aaron says the neighbors reported this happened in the 6 am hour. We haven’t found the police-report number or dispatch audio yet but will add any other available info when we do.
We start again today with a major traffic-alert reminder:
(Photo sent by Eddie – contractor Combined Construction staging under the bridge for SSV work)
EASTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSED: The all-weekend-long closure continues for the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct – the continuation of the high bridge from the Highway 99 overpass to I-5 – plus the inside westbound lane. This is for the ongoing resurfacing project. Here’s the latest traffic-camera image:
(SDOT camera’s latest look at the Spokane St. Viaduct)
If this reopens earlier than planned, as it did last weekend, we’ll publish a separate update. Meantime, here’s what’s happening on your summer Sunday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):
BIG BLUE TRUCK: Second weekend for the return of the Northwest Center‘s donation-dropoff truck (WSB sponsor) to West Seattle! You’ll find it outside WaFd Bank (4102 California SW). Our calendar listing has info on what items the truck will accept. 9 am-5 pm.
SWIM IN THE SOUND: At 9 am, you can join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 9 am, the Westies meet up at Caffe Ladro (7011 California SW) for this week’s Sunday run.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, midsummer produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
ZUCCHINI RACING AT THE MARKET: It’s that one special day every summer when kids of all ages get a chance to turn a zucchini into a “vegetable vehicle” and race it down a ramp, 11 am-1 pm at the market.
SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: Pop-up shopping experience – music and food too – behind Carmilia’s, in the alley behind the east side of the 4500 block of California SW, 10 am-3 pm. More info in our calendar listing.
GRIEF WALK: 10 am, meet at the Hinds entrance to Schmitz Preserve Park for a Grief Walk with Listening to Grief.
CAMPAIGN BRACELETS: Outdoor table at 4155 California SW where supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris‘s presidential campaign can get or make friendship bracelets.
bRUNch: Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) welcomes you for a fun run (11 am) and/or brunch (11 am-2 pm) – Sully Eats is on site; see the menu here.
ADMIRAL CHURCH COMMUNITY JAZZ PICNIC: Noon-3 pm, all welcome for free food and free music, on the lawn at Admiral Church. (4320 SW Hill)
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open to the public today, noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Elsewhere at Lincoln Park, you’ll find this 7-days-a-week city wading pool, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.
E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL: Also open noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)
TIP TOP ICE CREAM POP-UP: From New Zealand via Highland Park, popping up today noon-6 pm at Future Primitive Alki (2536 Alki SW).
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers are back at Alki Point Lighthouse today for free tours starting at 1 pm; get there by 3:45 pm for the last tour of the day. (3201 Alki SW)
CHAMBER MUSIC MASTERPIECES: Concert with EUROPA Ensemble and Music Northwest at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW), 3 pm. Ticket info and program details are in our calendar listing.
FREE OUTDOOR YOGA: 6 pm at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block Beach Drive SW) with Dragonfly – details in our calendar listing.
GONG BATH & NATURE MEDITATION: 7:30 pm at Lowman Beach Park (7017 Beach Drive SW) – ticket link’s in our calendar listing.
(Friday night’s sunset – photo by Curry Gibson)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Enjoy Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.
Organizing and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
| 7 COMMENTS