West Seattle, Washington
21 Thursday
8:45 PM: What a week it’s been for sights in the sky! First the aurora, then that sunset, now … Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)! Thanks to everyone sending photos of the comet, visible around dusk in the west. Above, the first photo we received was from Lars Lindblad, at Me-Kwa-Mooks. Below, from James Tilley, at Alki Beach:
And this one is from Tracey Kipp (of WSB sponsor West Seattle Realty):
The comet’s visibility has been anticipated for months – skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen talked about it at her fall-equinox sunset watch. Meantime, we’re checking the other photos that have come in – we’ll be adding more!
9:40 PM: If the sky is clear, the comet will be visible in the west again tomorrow, Alice tells us – just look west after sunset. … Another photo from tonight, sent by Madison Kirkman:
Just in from a reader:
There’s an abandoned vehicle that’s clearly stolen, ditched at the corner of Andover and 50th Ave SW. It’s an older-model (updated) Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, gold/tan with a car seat in the back row. Someone ripped apart the ignition and it has no plates.
The finder was working on reporting to police too.
(WSB file photos from past Duwamish Alive! events)
Can you set aside a few hours next Saturday to do something that matters in a big way? You can help endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales by volunteering in the Duwamish River watershed to help the salmon on which they rely. We’re told every site for the October 19th Duwamish Alive! multi-site volunteering event still has spots open, even the popular on-the-river kayaking cleanup. Go here and pick a site. Or take inspiration from this first – Sharon Leishman of the Duwamish Alive! Coalition explains why your assistance is so important:
The Duwamish River is alive with its returning salmon and the wildlife that depends on them. Join us for a day in caring for our amazing river, its creeks, and all those living in and around it.
Our coalition partners will be hosting work parties throughout the watershed; efforts include caring for Duwamish Tribal Sacred Sites along the river, special salmon habitat sites that are critical for juvenile salmon as they make their way to Puget Sound, a kayak river cleanup, creating pollinator plant meadows, improving the river’s upland forested Greenbelt, and restoring Hamm Creek at a site that honors military veterans and John Beal, the person who started the immense effort in restoring the river’s health.
Activities include replacing invasive plants with native plants, mulching, removing trash from both the river and at sites, including special tire removal along the river. This is a day of not only improving the health of the Duwamish Watershed but also connecting with community. All are welcome to join this effort. This is a family-friendly event, all ages welcome.
Some of the sites are in West Seattle, others not far. Go here to choose where to help, 10 am-2 pm next Saturday!
(WSB photos)
Snow season has yet to begin, so it’s the right time to be sure you’re geared up for it. This weekend’s West Seattle Ski Swap has a bigger selection than ever – skis, boards, boots, apparel, more.
You’ll find all this at the West Seattle VFW Post 2713 Hall (3601 SW Alaska) until 5 pm today, and again from 10 am to 4 pm tomorrow.
The Ski Swap is presented again this year by Mountain to Sound Outfitters, whose storefront is across the street from the Ski Swap site.
(WSB photos)
We’ve mentioned the Delridge Farmers’ Market (in and around the courtyard at 9421 18th SW; WSB sponsor) every Saturday, but haven’t visited since early in the season, so we just went over to see what’s fresh and what’s new in its final weeks. It’s still brimming with fresh-grown vegetables and fruit, plus prepared food, flowers, and some extras (more on that in a minute). The newer vendors include King’s Mozzarella:
They have Mexican-style quesos as well as different varieties of mozzarella – including habanero, for heat lovers. (What they’re selling today, they made just yesterday!) Next door, Indian ice cream by Sookh:
You can get a bowl to enjoy at the market (there’s seating) or order pints to take home. Today’s flavors include Saffron Pistachio, Alphonso Mango, Cardamom Soy Sauce Caramel, and Turmeric Milk and Pumpkin, Many of the vendors with whom we spoke are from South King County, but yet another newer vendor brought mushrooms all the way from the Olympic Peninsula:
Grower Zach has multiple varieties, including blue oyster, lion’s mane, and enoki. Steps away from his table are vendors offering the fall bounty of greens and roots:
That’s today’s list from Umoja N’Inguvu, growing in Kent, as does Nhia with Blooms and Greens next door – you’ll find collards, red kale, parsley, more.
The market, managed by African Community Housing and Development, not only helps BIPOC growers and prepared-food providers reach buyers, but it also fights food insecurity with a free-food program. And we’re told that on the last market day of the year, October 26, they’ll be giving away 125 frozen halal whole chickens. Visit and you might find nonfood surprises (today, on the south side of the market, you can get a chiropractic adjustment). The market is open until 2 pm today – and then the last two markets before fall/winter break are 10 am-2 pm October 19 and 26.
With ballot-mailing season just days away, we checked for the first time in a while to see if either of West Seattle’s drive-up/ride-up post-office mailboxes had been returned. The photo above is from the Westwood post office (2721 SW Trenton), where this box’s predecessor had been removed for repairs last month. Note that the new box is the bigger old-style drive-up/ride-up type. We also checked at the West Seattle Junction post office (4412 California SW), which has been without an outdoor mailbox since the last one was stolen almost a year ago. Still no replacement, though a USPS spokesperson told us last month that they do intend to install a new one but were still waiting for it (we’ll check back with her next week after the holiday).
In a doubleheader last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, both high-school varsity football teams scored victories by keeping their opponents scoreless. West Seattle High School (3-3) opened the night against Lakeside, winning 13-0; Chief Sealth International High School (5-1) closed the night with a 50-0 win over Cleveland. Next Friday (October 18), WSHS plays Ingraham at NCSWAC at 4:30 pm, while CSIHS is on the road, 7:45 pm at Nathan Hale.
(Caterpillar on a fall flower – photo by Rosalie Miller)
Here are the highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.
(added) COMMUNITY CIDER PRESSING: Celebrate the season with a fresh fall beverage!
Join us for a hot cup of cider at the Arbor Heights School Garden (South Side of the School Building on 105th) between 9 am and 1 pm. We rented an electric press through City Fruit, so the cider making is quick and efficient. Bring apples if you would like to press your own cider to take home. Don’t forget to bring empty jugs.
WATCH THE HUSKIES: The Bridge (California/Graham) is opening early if you want to watch the 9 am UW-Iowa game.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: 9 am at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), free community meditation – RSVP here.
VACCINATION CLINIC: School clinic, but community’s welcome too – flu and COVID shots available, 9 am-3 pm at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW).
WEST SEATTLE SKI SWAP, DAY 1: Biggest Ski Swap ever, we’re told, with double the consigned items – so go shop and get ready for snow season with some great deals! 10 am-5 pm at West Seattle’s VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska), presented by Mountain to Sound Outfitters.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle has TWO farmers’ markets every weekend right now! Start your market shopping with this one – your weekly Saturday opportunity to go get fresh food from growers and makers – 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more, continuing weekly through late October! (9421 18th SW; WSB sponsor)
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: You’re invited to join others taking a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Gardening season isn’t over yet! (Is it ever?) Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
COMMUNITY CUP SHOWCASE: Rat City Studios and Rain City Clay‘s annual show at Dubsea Coffee continues – shop’s open for viewing, and beverages!, until 2 pm. (9910 8th SW)
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – “This is a free, weekly, in-person active writing group grounded in the Amherst Writers and Artists method. It is a safe, critique-free space. Writers of all levels welcome, 16 and up.” Our calendar listing has location and RSVP info.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Another bonus Saturday session of long-distance get-out-the-vote advocacy, noon-2 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the new West Duwamish Greenbelt exhibit! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is also open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
\NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: 2 pm in the St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church parking lot, bring your pet – on leash or in carrier – for this annual tradition. Free. (3050 California SW)
PAUL GERARD, LIVE: Performing 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
DAVE NACHMANOFF & FRIENDS, LIVE: Performing at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7 pm doors, 7:30 pm show, tickets here.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, Soul Focus FM. (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Saturday singing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event is welcome to a spot on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
1:27 AM: Happening right now – police and fire are responding to what’s reported to be a flipped-vehicle crash toward the north end of California SW, involving a driver suspected in a hit-run by Seacrest. Officers report they have one person in custody at the California crash scene. The flipped vehicle (we don’t actually know so far if it’s on its roof or side, as authorities tend to use “rollover” to describe both circumstances) is reported to be a Chevrolet Colorado truck.
1:44 AM: The truck has since been described as off the road, flipped, minus one or two wheels. Meantime, one person at the hit-run scene is reported to be injured.
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