day : 22/09/2024 9 results

10:49 PM: Thanks for the tip and photo. Emergency responders are on their way to the 4100 block of Beach Drive SW for what’s reported as a flipped-car crash. Everyone is reported to be out of the car, no major injuries, so it’s only a one-engine dispatch so far.

10:57 PM: Radio exchanges indicate a utility pole is damaged.

10:18 AM MONDAY: We’re still following up but so far, we’ve heard from SFD, which said no one was hurt, and from a nearby resident who says their parked car was damaged.

12:27 PM: Thanks to Brian for the photos – above, another view post-crash; below, Seattle City Light crews that have been working in the area because of the pole damage. We’re told some lost power for a while as a result.

Meantime, SPD tells us the crash report isn’t filed yet, so we have no further information about circumstances.

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WELCOME, AUTUMN: Almost-sunless sunset, and two sky sights ahead, at Alice’s fall-equinox gathering

September 22, 2024 10:40 pm

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| Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

If there’s a reason to skywatch or stargaze, Alice Enevoldsen is your go-to person in West Seattle. She is a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador, as well as an astronomy/physics instructor at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). Tonight, as she’s done more than 50 times dating back exactly 15 years, she led a sunset watch commemorating the change of seasons. The sun made only the most infinitesimal of cameo appearances, a glimmer through the Lincoln Park trees to the west:

About three dozen people joined Alice at Solstice Park, even knowing the clouds would keep them from enjoying one of the signature features of these sunset watches – seeing the setting sun line up with the precisely placed paths and stones at the park. But they got to hear, see, and participate in the traditional explanation of equinoxes and solstices, which as always featured young volunteers portraying the sun (while Alice held her Earth globe):

Another fun feature of Alice’s events – info about other upcoming reasons to look skyward. One is 2024 PT5, the name given to a “rock the size of a school bus” that will be orbiting Earth for about two months before returning to its regular orbit of the sun. You won’t be able to see it without a “fairly powerful telescope,” Alice warned, so don’t expect any viewing events.

However, she told attendees, a viewing event might be possible for Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), which might become bright enough to be seen without a telescope in the weeks to come. This would require an open southwest view, perhaps from a spot like the Lincoln Park shore. (Otherwise, Westcrest Park is one of her favorite West Seattleplaces to skywatch, especially when unpredictable sights like the aurora happen. Here are all the places to find her updates.)

NEXT SUNSET WATCH: 3:45 pm December 21st, for the winter solstice, at Solstice Park (upslope at 7400 Fauntleroy Way SW).

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UPDATE: West Seattle low bridge reopens after short closure because of ‘electrical issues’

September 22, 2024 9:21 pm

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| West Seattle news

9:21 PM: The low bridge is out of service again. SDOT says it’s “currently closed to traffic due to electrical issues with its gates” – all traffic, including bike/foot path users. This is happening two days after the bridge reopened to vehicle traffic following a six-day closure caused by crash damage. No update so far on how long this might take to fix.

9:32 PM: Apparently not long – it’s open again.

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BIZNOTES: Celebration; snow prep; restaurant change

September 22, 2024 8:50 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three biznotes tonight:

CELEBRATION: As featured in our highlights list, Charcuterie by Annalise (6032 California SW) celebrated the shop’s grand opening today, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony:

(Photo courtesy West Seattle Chamber of Commerce)

We first reported almost three months ago about Annalise Johnson‘s plan for a shop after three years of a mobile operation. She promises “a unique food experience destination for the community,” from sandwiches to gift boxes.

SNOW PREP: Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle (3602 SW Alaska, with new murals!) notes that the arrival of fall means it’s time to think snow! For one, you can use code 3X378 for 10 percent off season rentals of snow gear; for two, they’ve also announced the plan for selling and/or buying at this year’s West Seattle Ski Swap, October 12-13.

RESTAURANT CHANGE: Portage Bay Café in The Junction (4725 42nd SW) asked us to let you know it’s shifting to fall/winter hours, which means the restaurant will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The other days, it’s open regular hours – 8 am to 1 pm Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 8 am to 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen skateboard; package theft

September 22, 2024 6:21 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

STOLEN SKATEBOARD: The report and photo are from Jen:

I wanted to report a car break-in that occurred sometime late Friday night or early Saturday morning on Kenyon and 32nd. Stolen items include a Car Battery Jump Starter 12V battery pack, everything in the center console, and a newer Baker skateboard. Everything can be replaced, but the skateboard was a gift, and it would be great to get it back if anyone happens to spot it.

PACKAGE THEFT: The report and photo are from Robert:

We discovered these packages on the street walking home from Junction. We left them at the address on the packages [near where they were found by the curb, in south Morgan Junction/lower Gatewood]. There was a puzzle left, but whatever else was in these was missing. A neighbor came out and moved the packages inside a gate across from the mailboxes.

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SUNDAY EXTRA: Revisiting West Seattle Bridge history, featuring the mayor who got it built, on the eve of his memorial

September 22, 2024 3:46 pm

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| Obituaries | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Tomorrow (Monday, September 23) a memorial gathering at MOHAI will bid farewell to Charley Royer, Seattle’s longest-serving mayor (1978-1991). Though he wasn’t a West Seattleite, he will forever be known here as the mayor who built the West Seattle Bridge, which fully opened in July 1984; its construction was no sure thing after the 1978 ship collision that took out its predecessor. As we did when his brother, former deputy mayor Bob Royer, died five years ago, we’re taking the occasion to bring this out of the video archives:

Charley Royer and Bob Royer both were part of that panel discussion 10 years ago in West Seattle, on the 30th anniversary of the high bridge’s dedication. It was part of a series of bridge-anniversary events presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, at the time led by historian/journalist/writer Clay Eals, who moderated. As Eals notes, “Charley was mired in the contentious issue of building a new bridge, and, of course, took the famous call late June 14, 1978, ‘the night the ship hit the span,’ and told the bridge tender, ‘Seize the ship!’ He also was instrumental in steering money from all levels of government (as was [former city councilmember] Jeanette Williams) to get the high bridge built.” If you don’t want to watch the whole thing, he recommends Charley’s comments at 43:33-49:23, 58:32-1:01:27, and 1:25:25-1:28:16 in the video. Meantime, Mr. Royer’s memorial gathering is set for 4 pm to 6 pm Monday at MOHAI, 800 Terry Ave. North.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: South Seattle College’s fall quarter starts Monday

September 22, 2024 1:47 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

One last back-to-school date on the calendar – tomorrow (Monday, September 23) is the start of the fall quarter at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). It’s not too late to register for classes; you can see here what they’re offering. Notable for this quarter – it’s the first one for SSC’s new president Dr. Monica Brown, who started work in August. SSC serves about 15,000 students a year at its main campus on Puget Ridge (6000 16th SW) and satellite campus in Georgetown.

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YOU CAN HELP: Multiple ways – including shows next Saturday – to help Kenyon Hall ‘Save the Mighty Wurlitzer’

September 22, 2024 11:46 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photos courtesy Kenyon Hall)

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of historic event venue Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) is its “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ. The nonprofit venue is raising money to keep it operational – and next Saturday (September 28) brings a specific way for you to help – here’s the announcement:

The Wurlitzer, a rare and historic organ that represents PNW theater and music history, is threatened with disrepair unless more funds can be raised to repair and restore at beloved West Seattle community theater, Kenyon Hall. Three rank pipes shy of being the same size as a similar organ in the Paramount, the Wurlitzer is one of the remaining organs of its type nationally.

The Wurlitzer organ was created to provide the soundtrack to new and emerging technologies in both film and entertainment in the early 1900s, whereas before theaters often used small live orchestras. Seattle was the first city nationally to have an organ accompany a movie.

Kenyon Hall’s Wurlitzer stands as a wonderful achievement of the pre-digital age but is in need of repairs to ensure it will survive. While many of these organs are “going digital,” Kenyon Hall’s Wurlitzer organ remains completely analog, which means there are thousands of wires that need to be kept in good working order, and an entire three-room series of pipes and switchboards that need to be kept clean and climate controlled. Completely electro-pneumatic, every time a key is pressed by a performer an electrical current runs a wire which then activates a windchest, sending an air current to the corresponding pipe or ranks of pipes.

The Wurlitzer rests at historic Kenyon Hall, a West Seattle community theater built in 1916 that hosts regular theater and concerts. The most notable concert was an exclusive performance by Pearl Jam’s lead singer, Eddie Vedder. In addition to hosting concerts and theater, the Hall is used as a rental space for music recitals, private concerts, social gatherings, and educational events, and is run by local nonprofit Seattle Artists. Kenyon Hall aims to provide living wages to performing artists and teachers while also keeping ticket prices manageable for interested audiences and lesson rates for students affordable.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw with it a drastic decrease in the amount of public arts venues in West Seattle and Seattle in general, and it is Kenyon Hall’s goal to keep the spirit of public arts alive, providing stages for artists new and old to perform and space for audiences to congregate and commune with each other. A fundraiser is planned for Saturday, September 28th from 4 pm-8:30 pm with local performers such as Tomo Nakayama, Erik Walters of Pedro the Lion, and hosted by local Kenyon Hall Cabaret drag performers.

Details of the event can be found at www.kenyonhall.org. Tickets can be purchased via Kenyon Hall’s website or directly through this ticket link (2 seatings). The live stream of the event will be hosted on Kenyon Hall’s YouTube page. This giving campaign will run through the Fall through links provided on Kenyon’s Hall’s “donate” page or directly through this campaign site.

If you’ve never seen/heard the Mighty Wurlitzer being played, you can find many videos online – including this one.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Your options for the weekend’s second half, as autumn arrives

September 22, 2024 6:07 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Welcome to fall! The equinox moment was 5:43 am, so the season has officially changed, and here’s what you should know today, starting with three FYI’s:

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT OPEN: The plan for work all weekend changed early Saturday, so the Spokane Street Viaduct (continuation of West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5) is now fully OPEN. (You can doublecheck this traffic cam to be sure.)

STATE FERRIES’ FALL SCHEDULE: This starts today. Biggest change is that the unscheduled “ghost boat” on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth run will now also sail on weekends when staffing and vessels are available.

LAST EARLY-CLOSING NIGHT AT ALKI: This is the day that Seattle Parks announced would be the last for early closing at Alki Beach Park (and Golden Gardens).

The beach is in fact where we start the list of what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SWIM IN THE SOUND: At 9 am, jump into the weekly group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet for today’s run at 9 am at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW).

VACCINATION CLINIC: Open to the public, 9 am-3 pm with the Visiting Nurse Association at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW), appointment required: “Patients will be able to get a flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, or both in the same appointment. We can vaccinate kids 4 and up for flu and 5 and up for COVID-19. We will be using the updated Moderna products for 2024. Each patient needs their own registration, in their name, with their information.” Here’s the registration link.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As usual, open 10 am-2 pm, with seasonal produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

GRAND OPENING: Today’s the big day for Charcuterie by Annalise (6032 California SW), noon-5 pm, as previewed here.

BOOK LAUNCH: 2-4 pm, “Plum Blossom Wine,” a translated book of poetry, celebrated at Seattle Chinese Garden (6000 16th SW) – one of the translators is garden docent/volunteer Sibyl James. The publisher says the book “gives voice to an important female Chinese poet writing in a time when literature was dominated by men.”

‘GUARDS AT THE TAJ’: Second matinee for the award-winning “dark comedy” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 3 pm – info and tickets here.

COLORING BOOK RELEASE: 5 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), a DJ set with Marco Collins celebrates the release of “Color Me, I’m Sick: A Grunge Coloring Book.”

FALL EQUINOX SUNSET WATCH: Join Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, upslope) at 6:30 pm to mark the change of seasons and learn about what “equinox” really means. Free, all ages.

HAVE FUN GETTING READY: 6:30 pm, Alice Kuder of Just In Case is leading another of her free Ready Freddie Prep Parties at Whisky West (6451 California SW) – RSVP here to be sure there’s room.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.

Are you organizing and/or publicizing something that should be listed on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Just email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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