West Seattle, Washington
05 Tuesday
Multiple calls to 911 – plus a texter – reported suspected gunfire in North Delridge, and police have confirmed it – “multiple casings” found at 29th/Brandon, officers just told dispatch. No word of injuries or damage so far. They’re blocking Brandon while they investigate.
(Photos courtesy Christopher Boffoli unless otherwise credited. At right, WSB’s Patrick Sand in 2016)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
My heart is broken to have to share with you the news that WSB co-founder Patrick Sand has died.
Patrick died suddenly at our home/HQ in Upper Fauntleroy on Thursday morning (October 17). He called for help and I found him on the floor. SFD medics tried 10 rounds of CPR but were unable to revive him.
So many in West Seattle know Patrick as the salt-and-pepper-haired photographer who’s always there when something’s going on – breaking news, festivals, art walks, school sports, so much more. Photography and breaking-news rapid response were his major responsibilities for WSB, as well as our advertising business.
Patrick was my husband as well as my co-publisher and business partner. We had 40 years together, starting with our first date in Grand Junction, Colorado, in fall 1984. He had grown up there and was running a radio station; I went there for my first news-producing job, working at a TV station in the same building. My TV career later brought us from San Diego to Seattle in 1991; we looked around the city for places to live and chose – mostly because of its water proximity – West Seattle, where we welcomed our son five years later. Another milestone of sorts for us in the mid-’90s, Patrick took an early interest in the internet in 1994, and we bought a PowerMac and got connected via an early ISP called Delphi.
A decade-plus later, Patrick and I founded WSB as a news site in 2007. I had started it in late 2005 as a “blog about West Seattle” with random ramblings; in December 2006, after the big windstorm left tens of thousands of West Seattleites without power (us included), readers who had found us by then started asking us for more information about the status of restoration, and other problems. So we started trying to find out. During the next year, we started covering more and more local news, and in fall 2007, after some readers suggested we should try selling advertising, we decided to try to make a go of it as a business, so I quit my TV news job.
At the time, he was stay-home dad for our son Torin, which he always said was his favorite job ever, along with WSB. Stay-home fatherhood was relatively uncommon in the late ’90s-early ’00s, so it was his first round as a trailblazer, which we then were considered for launching WSB in the hyperlocal-news wave of the late ’00s.
WSB won a national Online Journalism Award and regional awards from organizations like SPJ and CityClub, but the most meaningful awards were local, like the Orville Rummel Trophy for Community Service that we carried in the 2010 West Seattle Grand Parade.
We rode in a little electric-powered cart that Patrick had to drive nerve-wrackingly from the downtown dealership where we found it (we declined the traditional ride in a convertible). Also so meaningful – the honor we received from the Fauntleroy Watershed Council last year.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand, October 2023)
WSB will go on. Patrick was too proud of, and dedicated to, our work to want to see it end just because his time on this plane of existence was up. His joviality and fortitude are irreplaceable, among so many other attributes I can’t even give voice to right now, so bear with us as we figure out how to move forward. Please honor his work and role in the community by continuing your partnership with us in community-collaborative news coverage.
Patrick Sand, 67, son of the late Henry B. Sand and Mildred E. Sand, is survived by me (wife Tracy Record), son Torin Record-Sand, rescue cat Sullivan.
To quote Jackson Browne‘s beautiful memorial song “For a Dancer” – “Somewhere between the time you arrive and the time you go, may lie a reason you were alive, but you’ll never know.” I’m pretty sure Patrick did know … and that all those of us whose lives he enhanced knew too.
SDOT will close the low bridge to all surface traffic for up to three days starting next Friday morning, to re-install a cylinder. Here’s the announcement:
The Spokane St Swing Bridge (commonly known as the “low bridge”) will be closed from 7 a.m. Friday, October 25 to 10 p.m. Sunday, October 27. Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be re-installing a hydraulic turn cylinder which was removed in April 2024 for repairs. More details and photos are available on this SDOT Blog post.
The bridge will be closed to people driving, biking, and walking. The West Seattle High-Rise Bridge will remain open while the low bridge is closed and is the primary option for people getting to and from West Seattle by car or bus.
This is one of several aging cylinders which SDOT is repairing over time to prevent issues like the 3-week bridge closure in January 2023. There are several types of cylinders which work together to lift and rotate the bridge.
Additional phases of this bridge rehabilitation project are expected to continue through 2025. Additional short-term closures will be needed as part of our ongoing preventative maintenance work on this bridge.
Replacing the cylinders is part of a longer series of projects to repair, maintain, and upgrade the low bridge …
Read about those projects here.
The report was sent by Robert:
My Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 Black E-Bike was stolen last night from out in front of 4100 SW Alaska St. The bike rack is located on 41st Ave near the corner of Alaska – right by Swedish Family Medicine. The person who stole it cut my ABUS lock.
The initial police report # is T00014213.
Rose De Dan has shared interesting wildlife views from her “Wild Reiki Spa” garden camera in Belvidere before – this time, a coyote stopping for a drink. Rose says, “I am at least able to let my neighbors know, and it sounds like they are all keeping their cats on house arrest at night. I know I am! My cat Tamerlan showed up as a starving adult stray tomcat (now neutered) and it has been quite the process getting him to accept staying in since he had never been in a house before. Now he sleeps with me, but as the daylight wanes it is getting harder to keep moving his curfew up…” We share coyote videos and photos (scroll through the archive here) for awareness and education, not alarm; here’s one of many info-sheets with advice on co-existing with them.
(Thursday night’s moonrise – photo by Mark B. Bauschke Photography)
Here’s our reminder list of what’s happening in West Seattle and vicinity for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (go there any time to look into the future):
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY MOVE-A-THON: This year’s move-a-thon, the Rainbow Ramble, is happening today, and the PTA invites community support to reach the fundraising goal.
PET FOOD DONATION DRIVE: Reminder that you can still donate at All The Best Pet Care (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor), as announced earlier this month – open until 7:30 pm tonight.
INDOOR PLAY: Need an indoor place for your little one to play? 10 am-11:30 am, you’re welcome to “Stay ‘n’ Play” at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Visit the Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) to see the art in this year’s Southwest Artist Showcase. The library is open today 10 am-6 pm.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Fall is here, and season-appropriate plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
ART-GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH … and glass-blowing demos! Noon-4 pm at Avalon Glassworks (2914 SW Avalon Way).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history, noon-4 pm. (61st SW & SW Stevens)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: 1-6 pm, open in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
FOOTBALL: One game tonight at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – West Seattle HS (2-3) vs. Ingraham at 4:30 pm.
FEATHER IN THE WIND ART SHOW: 5-7 pm, opening night for this pop-up art show with five artists in the upstairs annex at Alki Arts (6030 California SW)
VISCON CELLARS: Season’s just right for this cozy tasting room/wine bar, open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FOOD POP-UP: Lovely & Dapper Desserts, McCormick Jam Co., and Timmy’s smash burgers, 5-9 pm at The Nook (2206 California SW).
‘NIGHTFALL’: This haunted experience, benefiting charity, opens tonight at a West Seattle private residence, 5:30-9:30. See our calendar listing for details.
WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK DINNER/AUCTION: 6 pm, “Bring It Home,” at Sea Mar Community Center (9635 Des Moines Memorial Dr S) – details in our calendar listing.
AT KENYON HALL: 6 pm signups, 6:30 pm music, for the monthly “incubator night.” (7904 35th SW)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors 7 pm, music 8 pm, West Seattle favorites Not Dead Yet, with Snowday and The Flat Rocks, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 7-9 pm, steel guitarist Fraser Havens at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
FULL MOON SOUND BATH: 7:30 pm with Inner Alchemy, $40. (3618 SW Alaska)
MAKE IT LOUD: Tonight’s music at Southgate Roller Rink is: Annie J EP Release Party with Kate Dinsmore and Julian Forest. 9 pm doors, $18 cover, $5 skates, 21+. (9646 17th SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Mike Illvester tonight! (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
Are we missing anything? If you have something else to add to our event lists and calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Astha Tada, and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Astha Asae Tada, age 81, passed away peacefully in Des Moines, Washington, on September 18, 2024. She was born on April 5, 1943, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Astha attended Roosevelt High School in Honolulu and went on to earn both her bachelor’s degree and Master’s of Library Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
In 1967, Astha moved to Seattle, where she dedicated her career to fostering a love of reading and learning in children as a librarian in the Highline School District. After retiring in 2003, she found a new passion in volunteering, contributing her time and talents to various organizations. Her work with the White Center Library Guild and the Beta Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International helped raise scholarship funds and support local libraries.
Her dedication and service were recognized with several awards, including the 2012 Highline Schools Foundation Outstanding Volunteer and the 2016 King County Library System Friend of the Year.
Astha was a loving mother and a cherished friend, known for her kind heart and unwavering commitment to her community. She is survived by her sons, Terence and Kyle, and her brother, Kent. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tosh, who passed away in 2001.
A memorial service will be held on April 5, 2025, 12 PM at the Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home.
(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)
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, October 18th.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Cloudy, rain likely, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:33 am, while sunset will be at 6:14 pm.
ROAD WORK
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides around October 28th. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*The south Beach Drive gas-pipeline project continues; we noted work this week in the 6000-6300 blocks, with traffic flagged through flaggers helping alternate directions through a one-lane stretch.
*SDOT says the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project is complete – no more lane closures.
TRANSIT
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat.” Check for alerts here.
Metro buses today – Regular schedule.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Remember that the fall/winter schedule is in effect now, meaning no late Friday/Saturday runs until spring.
WEEKEND NOTE
The Salty Half and 10K runs leave from Don Armeni Boat Ramp at 8:30 am Saturday. No street closures, though – participants will run on the paths.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
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.
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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