West Seattle, Washington
09 Monday
9:47 PM: Police are back at the 35th/Avalon 7-11 after another robbery in the past 15 minutes or so. Three people are reported to have gotten away with the store’s register. Two are described as Black, male, black face masks, black shirts, blue jeans, 5-9, 170, and the third is described only as female. The two male robbers are said to have implied weapons but none were actually seen.
10:08 PM: Officers just told dispatch the store will be closed for a while because Robbery Unit detectives are going there to investigate further.
ADDED: One more bit of info – they might have gotten away in a black Kia headed NB on 35th.
(SSC photo: Dr. Monica Brown at right, greeting students at start of fall quarter)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The new president of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), Dr. Monica Brown, is in her fourth month of leading West Seattle’s only higher-education institution.
But who’s counting? She is. When we sat down to talk recently, she cited the number of days she had been on the job, “and I have been counting.” (In a good way,)
This is her first college presidency, after several senior roles elsewhere, most recently senior vice president for student affairs at Montgomery College in the Washington, D.C., area, a job in which she was “primarily responsible for all things related to student services.” More of an “internal” role, she said, but with external support involved.
What hasn’t changed in her elevation to a presidency is the “focus on all things students’ success.” Working with her cabinet, she says, it’s important to have a sense of the community’s needs as well as students’ needs, though “these things are ever evolving.”
After more than 20 years at Montgomery College, she crossed the country to come work at South Seattle College. Why?
Thanks for the tips and photo. A car wound up on the Admiral/Olga embankment a few hours ago and police are blocking bridge-bound traffic on the curve as they work to get it unstuck. So far as we can tell from the logs, no one was hurt in the original incident.
Two notes about West Seattle encampments:
BEHIND HOME DEPOT: A texter reported that it looked like city crews were engaged in a cleanup at this encampment today, and on behalf of the Unified Care Team, city spokesperson Callie Craighead confirms it:
The area behind the Home Depot on Delridge was resolved today with tents and debris cleared. Over the last several months our contracted outreach partners have been engaging with the individuals residing at this encampment and at the time of resolution, 4 out of 5 offers of shelter were accepted.
This encampment has had multiple fire responses, including a big one this past spring.
SCHMITZ PRESERVE PARK: Multiple readers have reported an encampment inside Schmitz Preserve Park (one of whom sent the photo above), and wondered what the city plans to do about it. Nothing yet, Craighead told us:
UCT is actively monitoring the reported encampment at Schmitz Preserve Park. UCT uses an objective prioritization matrix based on health, safety, and accessibility hazards and shelter availability. Based on the current size and impact of this encampment, it is not scheduled for resolution at this time. We will continue to monitor the area and asses the site for resolution based on changing conditions and the availability of resources.
Thanks to Gene Pavola for the photo. Fins protruding from the water are often assumed to be whales – but not in this case. That’s a “sailing” sea lion, a phenomenon we’ve explained over the years, with the help of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network (see this story, for example). Gene photographed the sea lion at noontime today.
Just about time to seriously get into the holiday previews. We’re working on this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, as noted the other day – thanks to everyone who’s sent info for that! Meantime, if you’d like to sing “The Messiah” without leaving the peninsula, West Side Presbyterian Church will be the place. Music director Anthony Spain asked us to publish this call for singers to join the choir:
The choir of West Side Presbyterian Church will be singing Christmas sections of the Messiah in December, and is welcoming singers of any age in our community to join us. The choir sings in the beautiful sanctuary space at WSPC, and will be joined by members of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra for this Messiah. For more information, please reach out to Music Director Anthony Spain at anthonys@wspc.org
(Constellation Park section of Alki Point Healthy Street, February)
Months after the city installed much-discussed permanent changes on the Alki Point “Healthy Street”— Beach Drive and Alki Avenue’s respective west-of-63rd SW stretches – SDOT is wondering what you think. They;ve sent out a survey solicitation – here’s the heart of it:
Since 2020 SDOT has been partnering with Seattle Parks and Recreation and the community to improve safety and access for people who walk, bike, and roll while enjoying Alki Point. Throughout the past four years SDOT has evaluated the temporary Healthy Street, made adjustments and heard the community call for permanent changes. This year we began the construction on the first phase of permanent improvements including:
-A shared-use path along Beach Drive SW for people walking, biking, and rolling
-Three designated public parking areas
-Speed cushions to slow down vehicles
-A vehicle turnaround at the end of the Alki trailAs a regional destination park and marine reserve habitat, Alki Point serves people enjoying many popular outdoor activities like kayaking and paddle boarding, whale watching, exploring the low tides, and taking in views of sunsets and the mountains. We understand the unique nature of Alki Point and are seeking your feedback on this survey to better understand how the changes are working so far and inform our next steps.
Go here to answer the survey. It’s open until December 2.
Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:
YET ANOTHER 7-11 ROBBERY: The 35th/Avalon 7-11 was held up again early today, shortly after midnight. Police say two “masked male subjects dressed in all-black clothing with black ski masks, walked into the store and both male subjects pointed a handgun at” the clerk and told him not to move. One then jumped over the counter, opened the register and started taking out money, while the other grabbed merchandise. Between cash and merchandise, they got away with less than $200. They pointed a gun at the clerk again as they left and then got in a blue Kia that might have had a third person in it, taking off southbound on 35th.
STOLEN WORK TRUCK: Be on the lookout for a 2004 white Chevy Silverado 2500 Ext Cab with black mesh sides and a logo for Emerald Streak Landscaping and the phone number 206-356-2920. It was stolen from Metropolitan Market‘s parking lot at 1:30 pm last Friday. If you have any info, the police report # is 24-317036. (added) Plate is E36198M.
(‘Fungal bouquet’ photographed at Fauntleroy Park by Rosalie Miller)
Here’s today’s list of what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more events than we spotlight in the list):
CITY COUNCIL TALKS BUDGET: As the budget-shaping process nears its end, councilmembers meet all day (meeting started at 9:30 am) to talk budget amendments – here’s the agenda; watch via Seattle Channel.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy at 10 am. Details in our calendar listing.
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TODDLER STORY TIME: At Southwest Library, 3 pm, for kids ages 1-3. (9010 35th SW)
HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), volunteers are there to help K-12 students with their homework.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
CRIBBAGE NIGHT: Monthly event at West Seattle Eagles (4410 California SW), nonmembers welcome, all ages, come play cribbage!
TRIVIA x 4: Four trivia options tonight: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
POETRYBRIDGE: Monthly gathering at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to celebrate poets and poetry.
MUSIC BINGO X 2: One night, two games! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … At Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.
KUNDALINI YOGA AND GONG BATH: 7 pm with Inner Alchemy at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35; ticket link is in our calendar listing.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Your turn in the spotlight! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Photo courtesy WSHS)
That’s a rehearsal photo from the next student production at West Seattle High School, opening tomorrow (Thursday, November 14), “Ophelia.” The student cast and crew are hoping you’ll be part of the audience during one of the performances. Here’s what it’s all about:
Ophelia
Book by By Jeff WanshelDirected by Allison Irvine, this play imagines a world where, rather than being relegated to an unceremonious offstage death, Ophelia takes center stage in the story of Shakespeare‘s most famous brooding prince. Join us for a night of swords, vengeful ghosts, and perhaps more than one person hiding in the curtains…
The show dates are November 14th, 15th, 16th and 20th, 21st, and 22nd at 7:30.
Here is the link to get tickets.
$10 adults and $5 students
The performance venue is the theater at WSHS (3000 California SW).
8:55 AM: Jay texted to say the Delridge onramp to the bridge is suffering from its “standard flooding” and there’s a backup on Delridge as a result.
8:14 AM: Three-vehicle collision at 2nd/Olson, blocking northbound on Olson per dispatch.
6:48 AM: If you’re using West Marginal Way, a caller tells us her vehicle is broken down, with flashers on, on the southbound side in the 4700 block (near the Duwamish Longhouse), and she wants people to take care going past while she awaits a tow.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, November 13.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
A wind alert remains in effect through 8 am, with south gusts up to 45 mph possible. The forecast otherwise: Showery, breezy, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:12 am, while sunset will be at 4:34 pm.
TRANSIT
Water Taxi today – Regular service.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Sealth as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.
Metro buses today – Regular schedule.
ROAD WORK
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
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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