West Seattle, Washington
24 Saturday
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Fauntleroy neighbors gathered Tuesday night for one of the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s biggest events of the year — the FCA Annual Meeting and Food Fest at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).
The popular yearly event (see WSB coverage of last year’s fest) featured food and drink samples from local purveyors, tables hosted by local community groups, and a brief FCA business meeting to elect next year’s FCA board:
From left to right, that’s Reed Haggerty (FCA’s newest board member), David Haggerty, president Frank Immel, vice president Catherine Bailey, treasurer Alan Grainger, Amber Heinemann, Meredith Sciarrio and Bruce Butterfield. Other board members for the upcoming year include David Follis, secretary Kris Ilgenfritz, Susan Lantz-Dey, Mike Dey, and Bill Wellington. This slate of officers was presented and approved unanimously by those in attendance on Tuesday night.
Unsurprisingly, the popularity of the Food Fest is driven largely by — you guessed it — the food! Here’s some of it:
Read MoreA little over an hour before today’s deadly shooting outside the Southwest Precinct (WSB coverage here), Mayor Bruce Harrell and CARE Department Chief Amy Barden were in West Seattle to talk about the expansion of CARE Community Crisis Responders into the SW and South Precinct areas. At the media briefing after the shooting, SPD Chief Shon Barnes was asked if this was a situation for which they could have been called. He said he didn’t know, but pointed out that the situation unfolded very quickly. (The official description of CCRs is that they “typically respond to low-acuity mental health crisis calls that do not pose a threat of violence nor involve a medical emergency […] and will only respond to calls that do not require enforcement of any kind.”)
The CARE responders officially started responding to calls in this area last week, as we showed you on Friday. This morning’s event outside Delridge Community Center was meant to be celebratory as well as informative. Here’s what the mayor – who had announced the expansion months ago – said:
He was followed by Chief Barden, who noted that so far in the past year and a half, her responders have gone out on more than 1,700 calls, with only three resulting in calls for police to return to the scene:
As with many city-presented media events like this, they scheduled community speakers too – including Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck:
And the city officials took Q&A, during which the mayor and chief were asked about further plans to expand the responder team, which would among other things be subject to negotiation in the city’s contract with police:
Since the responders told us last week that they’re working out of a Third Avenue location, we asked how soon they are expected to have a workspace at the Southwest Precinct, as previously suggested. Answer: As soon as next month.
If you have questions about the Alki Standby Generator Project – toward the south end of the Alki Point Healthy Street’s Beach Drive stretch – you can get answers during an “informational meet and greet” just announced for next Monday, March 24:
Are you interested in learning more about upcoming construction in your neighborhood? Please join us for an informational meet and greet at Constellation Park on Monday, March 24.
Members of the project team will be onsite to answer your questions and provide an overview of upcoming construction work this spring. The meet and greet will be followed by an optional site walk for those interested in seeing how crews will move throughout the neighborhood along the conduit route.
Event details:
WHEN: Monday, March 24, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Constellation Park (Beach Dr SW and 63rd Ave SW)The meet and greet will start at Constellation Park, then move along the construction work area.
We are hosting this rain or shine. Please dress for the weather accordingly. We hope you can join us!
The project is meant to make the pump station at 63rd/Beach more outage-resistant and therefore less overflow-prone.
12:23 PM: Developing story at the Southwest Precinct: According to emergency radio, officers were dealing with a man armed with a knife in the Southwest Precinct lot, after a report of a possibly suicidal man in the area. They were trying to get the man under control with a non-lethal “40,” but reported that he continued to approach them with the knife, and they shot him, calling “officer-involved shooting” over the air. Medics are on their way.
(Added: WSB photos)
12:28 PM: Police told dispatch that no officers are hurt. … Over SFD radio, responders describe the man who was shot as about 30 years old, with three gunshot wounds, now getting CPR.
12:33 PM: Officers have told dispatch that SW Webster is being blocked at Delridge (that’s the main street for access to the precinct).
12:45 PM: WSB’s Anne Higuera at the scene reports that the medic unit with the man who was shot has left, with lights but not a siren. The perimeter to keep media and community members has been moved further back, too.
12:59 PM: We’ve confirmed that new Police Chief Shon Barnes has arrived at the scene. He was just at thr precinct last night for what turned out to be his first Seattle community meeting (WSB coverage here).
1:33 PM: In our photo above are CSI detectives who just arrived at the scene. A few moments after our photo, they put up a tarp blocking that view. No confirmation yet of whether the man survived – nor whether he was indeed in the medic unit that left. SPD promises an eventual media briefing at the scene.
2:13 PM: The chief has just finished briefing media. He says the man has died. We’ll add the briefing video upon return to HQ.
2:40 PM: Above is our video of Chief Barnes’s seven-minute briefing, including Q&A (added: he confirmed, in response to our question, that this happened in the secure area of the precinct lot, where the department vehicles are parked, but didn’t know how the man got in). The only other notable update besides the confirmation that the man was killed is that the shots were fired by one officer. (SPD also has posted to its Blotter website, noting something else the chief said, that per department policy, video from the incident will be released within 72 hours.)
4:11 PM: A reader called to point out that SW Webster is still closed at Delridge.
ADDED 3:38 PM FRIDAY: The King County Medical Examiner identifies the man who was killed as 36-year-old Urban A. Seay. Cause of death is listed as “multiple gunshot wounds” and ruled “homicide” (which means a person was killed, not necessarily that it was decreed a crime).
4:39 PM FRIDAY: SPD meantime has released video from the incident. Here’s the direct link; we’re also writing a separate story.
That’s. Cub Scout Pack 793, and they’re in the middle of this year’s door-to-door Scouting for Food drive. Here’s their announcement – including how to donate even if you’re not in the door-to-door zone:
If you live in the North Admiral neighborhood near Hiawatha Playfield, you may have noticed a colorful hanger on your door this past weekend. That’s because Cub Scout Pack 793, based out of Holy Rosary near The Junction, is participating in Scouting for Food, an annual service project dedicated to fighting hunger in our community.
On Saturday (March 22), starting at 8:00 AM, these young scouts will be out collecting non-perishable food donations from doorsteps to support the West Seattle Food Bank.
“Pack 793 has scouts from 5th grade all the way to Kindergarten,” said a den leader. “They all do their best, but you can only cover so much ground with those little legs.”
If your home isn’t in the collection area, but you’d still like to contribute, donations can be dropped off to the scouts in the parking lot between Hiawatha Playfield and West Seattle High School, on the Walnut Street side, on March 22 between 10 am and 12 pm.
Join Pack 793 in making a difference — every can and box of food helps! For more information, visit pack793.com.
(Shield bug photographed at Jack Block Park by Steve Bender)
Here’s what’s happening on your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Wednesdays at 10 am, too! Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore’s new location. (4522 California SW)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: All levels welcome, noon-4 pm at The Missing Piece (35th/Roxbury).
REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. Drop-in. $20. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TODDLER STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION: BECU‘s new White Center branch (WSB sponsor) invites you to a celebration, 3-5 pm today:
What: BECU White Center Neighborhood Financial Center grand opening and ribbon cutting; light refreshments will be shared
Who: Remarks will be given by BECU Branch Manager Andrew Blanco, and Samantha Le of the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce and Success Foundation. BECU’s Chief Member & Digital Experiences Officer Jason Rudman will lead the ribbon cutting ceremony.
When: Wednesday, March 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. Remarks will begin at 3:30, with the ribbon cutting around 3:50 p.m.
Where: 1515 SW 107th Street, Suite 100
HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm free drop-in help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
DELRIDGE SIDEWALKS: Tonight’s the night for the walking tour announced by the city:
Building Sidewalk and Walkway Connections
Want to see new safe places to walk in the Delridge neighborhood? Please join us for a neighborhood walk and share with us where you would like to see new walkways and/or sidewalks.
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm
Location: Gather at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW) and then walk the neighborhood with us!
RAINWISE WEBINAR: Are you eligible for rebates? Want to know more about being part of RainWise? 5 pm webinar – info, and a link to check your eligibility, are in our calendar listing.
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).
WORDSWEST PRESENTS A BOOK LAUNCH: 6 pm, C & P Coffee is the site for this WordsWest Literary Series revival:
WordsWest Literary Series Presents
Let’s Launch Forty Bouts in the Wilderness
A new poetry collection by Katy E. Ellis
Website: wordswestliterary.weebly.com/next-event.htmlPlease join WordsWest Literary Series for a special event to celebrate the book launch of co-curator Katy E. Ellis’ second collection of poetry Forty Bouts in the Wilderness (MoonPath Press), a book about returning to difficult places by choice or by what seem like fateful accidents. This event will include readings by co-curators Susan Rich and Harold Taw. Books will be for sale and treats will be served!
(5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Open invitation to the group’s weekly meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 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)
TRIVIA x 3: Three Wednesday trivia locations on our West Seattle list: 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), all ages until 10 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Ready to take the mic and show your talents? 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!
8:45 AM: Our video shows the scene just outside Denny International Middle School earlier this morning, as community advocates joined educators and students for one of at least three local “Walk-In” rallies to show support for public-school funding. (We had photographers at West Seattle High School and Genesee Hill Elementary as well and will add those photos later.) This was a nationwide initiative; in our state, participants were not only trying to send a message to the federal government regarding Department of Education cuts, but also to the State Legislature, which has big decisions to make about school funding – and other budget matters – before this session ends.
9:01 AM: Above and below are photos by WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen, who covered the rally at Genesee Hill Elementary:
School-funding cuts would result in a “lack of people, lack of support and lack of safety in schools,” according to Alison Aylesworth, the organizer of this walk-in and a teacher at Genesee Hill.
“Dismantling the department of education would put a huge burden on our special education students” Said Kristen Marklund, a special education assistant. “Our School is very passionate about our community, and this rally is to support them.” After gathering, the crowd walked around the side of the school, carrying signs and chanting things like “read, write, rise!”
11:48 AM: Below are photos by Oliver Hamlin for WSB at West Seattle High School’s Walk-In:
Above, that’s art teacher Michelle Sloan waving to passing cars. Sloan, who has been teaching at the school for 10 years, said she participated to protest cuts to the Department of Education and to protect special education and after school-care funding. Below, WSHS student Jonah Shah holds a “Don’t Mourn, Organize” sign:
Below, Finn White, a WSHS student and member of the Social Justice Club, thanked educators and urged people to vote in local elections:
About 45 people were gathered while we were there.
8:25 AM: Crash reported on 35th SW at Edmunds, blocking northbound, up to 3 vehicles involved.
9:07 AM: An apparently stalled vehicle is blocking the Admiral Way offramp from the westbound bridge.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, March 19, 2025; spring arrives at 2:01 am tomorrow.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast – cloudy, chance of rain, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:13 am and 7:21 pm.
HEADS-UP
You may see demonstrations outside local schools this morning – at least three are planning, in the 7 am hour, to be part of the national Walk-In to oppose education-funding cuts.
ROAD WORK
-In White Center, the 16th SW closure at 104th continues its second week, with detours.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule. (Check out the service-change details announced Monday.)
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Sealth serving as the “bonus boat.”
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 (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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