West Seattle, Washington
23 Saturday
9:58 PM: If you have to head south any time soon, you’ll want to avoid southbound Highway 509. It’s blocked a mile or so south of Cloverdale because of a crash involving drivers described as a suspect and victim in a West Seattle incident – the victim was said to be following the suspect after some kind of incident, possibly involving a gun, which officers say may have been thrown out of a car window on the West Seattle Bridge. Lots to sort out but in the meantime, southbound 509 is said to be fully blocked.
10:34 PM: Listening back to archived emergency-radio exchanges, this began with the victim alleging the suspect had shot at him “in a parking lot on Harbor Avenue.” Police are reported to have taken the suspect into custody at the crash scene.
10:59 PM: Police have told dispatch they’re reopening part of the freeway.
ADDED 11:11 AM MONDAY: Here’s the initial SPD summary, which says the first word of this came in a 911 call at 9:30 pm:
… a man called police after having exited his parking garage in the 3400 block of Harbor Av Sw, and gotten involved in a road rage incident. According to the victim, he may have mistakenly cut off two occupants of a black BMW, who exited their vehicle, with the passenger punching him in the face multiple times, and the driver brandishing a handgun. The victim said that before he could put his vehicle in drive, he heard his vehicle being struck by gunfire. While on the phone with 911, who told him multiple times to pull over, the victim said he was following the suspect vehicle across the West Seattle bridge in an attempt to get the suspect vehicle license plate. However, minutes later while traveling sbound on SR-509, both vehicles were involved in a collision. Only the driver was seen exiting the suspect vehicle, where he was positively identified at the scene by the victim and taken in to custody. A brief while later, the passenger returned to the scene on foot with his mother, where he was also positively identified and placed under arrest. There were no injuries. Both suspects were arrested for Investigation of Assault. As bullet holes were found in the victim vehicle, it was impounded with an investigative hold alongside the suspect vehicle. SFD, State Patrol, Tukwila and Renton Police assisted in this incident. GVRU, Homicide, TCIS, and even Harbor were contacted about this matter, as the suspect with the firearm claimed he tossed it over the West Seattle bridge. Spent shell casings were recovered at the original scene and placed into evidence.
In case you’re wondering, Tukwila and Renton were contacted because SPD was trying to find a K-9 team to help them look for the gun; they eventually got a response from Tukwila.
The human-made flying machines of Seafair‘s airshow are done for another year … tonight we’re launching one of our occasional galleries of natural-born flyers, thanks to readers’ contributions:
No birds visible but Stan Gelles tells us that’s a Bushtit nest – for the tiny birds that flock together, chirping, from tree to tree, shrub to shrub. Bigger birds from here – like the snacking Belted Kingfisher photographed by Stewart L.:
Stewart also photographed what might be the most photogenic bird on West Seattle shores, a Great Blue Heron:
A snacking heron captured the attention of Erin Jackson:
Erin also spotted a Glaucous-winged Gull in the process of dining:
That’s also what this Osprey photographed by Gary Jones was up to:
And Jerry Simmons saw this Bald Eagle getting ready for liftoff from an offshore raft:
Jerry also found a Barred Owl clearly trying to ask, “whoooo are YOU looking at?”
Thanks to everyone who sends bird photos, wildlife photos, sunset photos, breaking news photos … email is optimal, westseattleblog@gmail.com – but text also works if time is of the essence, 206-293-6302.
That photo from Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite shows ~800 swag bags for registered Night Out block/building party hosts to pick up tomorrow (if your party is registered, you should have received instructions for pickup). Hundreds of parties are planned around West Seattle for this national celebration of community solidarity and resilience, Tuesday night, August 5. If you’re not hosting or participating in a Night Out party, remember that streets will be closed for block parties, so getting around that night may mean some detouring. We’ll be out covering parties as always so if you’re having one and we’d be welcome to stop by for a photo, let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – or, on Tuesday night, take a pic and send it while you’re partying!
Sorry to interrupt summer with this reminder, but the start of school for Seattle Public Schools (among other local schools) is now one month away (and some start even sooner). Here’s one way to get ready – plan to participate in a “swap shop” that’s planned for two weeks from today. Lindsay Pearsall sent the invitation for the August 17th event at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW)
This summer, we’re doing a Back-to-School Swap Shop— where people can bring gently used items and take home anything they find useful. Whether it’s outgrown clothes, unused school supplies, books, toys, or backpacks—if it’s in good condition, bring it to share!
No money needed. No expectations. Just a fun and thoughtful way to support each other, reduce waste, and give new life to things your family no longer needs. It’s totally free and open to everyone in the community.
We hosted a similar Swap Shop event right before the holidays last year and had a great turnout. It was such a positive and practical way for neighbors to connect and support each other.
RSVP via this Eventbrite link!
The swapping/shopping will be 10 am-noon, but you’re invited to come at 9 am to drop off and set up your “swap” items, and to stay after noon to help clean up if you can; at 1 pm, unclaimed leftovers get donated via the Big Blue Truck.
(WSB photo/video)
From “Rock-A-Hula” to “Viva Las Vegas,” Elvis Presley tribute performer Danny Vernon led the audience on a geographic as well as discographic tour of The King‘s music at The Mount (WSB sponsor) on Friday night. We recorded several of the songs – here’s the classic “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You“:
That’s Danny’s wife Marcia, nicknamed “Ann-Margret” after Elvis’s similarly red-haired sometime co-star, dancing and singing with her husband. They also did the “Bossa Nova”:
This one kept the tempo up:
And this song was a tribute to Elvis, “The King Is Gone“:
After a break – during which Marcia sang solo – Vernon returned in jumpsuit and shades inspired by later-stage Elvis:
August 16 will be the 48th anniversary of Elvis’s death at age 42. … This was the first of four consecutive Friday night concerts at The Mount planned for this year; next Friday (August 8) brings another tribute show, Joey Jewell paying homage to Frank Sinatra “and friends,” 6 pm, free, with barbecue dinner available for purchase starting at 5:30 pm.
Thanks for the tips and photo! For those wondering about the five-car SPD response on the north side of Morgan Junction Park at noontime, it was dispatched as a fight involving two men and one woman, with one person reported to be holding a knife. The presence of a weapon is what resulted in the large response. One person was reported injured – not described as knife wounds – and at least one person was taken into custody.
11:21 AM: Seattle City Light is on the scene of a power outage affecting nearly 400 customers in The Junction – thanks to the reader who sent that photo along with one of several tips we just received about the outage.
According to the SCL map, this started a few hours ago. It’s affecting some businesses as well as residents; we just heard from Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW), which says they’re out of power. We’re heading to The Junction to see who else is out.
11:39 AM: Before we even could get there, the power returned, reports Sharonn, who saw it happen while on the phone with us providing an update on who was affected.
11:49 AM: The SCL map hasn’t updated yet, so we’re not sure if that was a full or partial restoration.
12:10 PM: Map shows everyone’s back on.
A West Seattle 10-year-old and her friends are thanking the community for helping them raise $500 for Seattle Children’s Hospital with a holiday treat sale. They’ve delivered the donations and are now sharing their story:
(Popsicle sellers presenting donation to Children’s Hospital’s Dondi Cupp)
During the Kids Parade on the Fourth of July, my classmates Aimee H, Olivia W, Melissa A (not pictured), and I sold popsicles to the participants of the parade. We decided to sell popsicles because we wanted to donate all the proceeds to Seattle Children’s Hospital. There were two reasons behind this. The first reason, a former classmate of mine continues to receive care at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. And this past school year, one of our teacher’s daughters started treatment at the Seattle Children’s Hospital.
We want to thank the West Seattle community for helping us for nearly doubling our donation from two years ago!!
Sophia Chang (10 years old)
(Saturday photo by David Hutchinson)
Good morning! Last day of Seafair Festival weekend, so the Blue Angels make one more appearance on our daily list, otherwise mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ART ON THE CORNER: Another sale by the local artist who sells her work as a food-bank benefit, 8 am-3 pm today, south side of 39th SW/SW Holden in Gatewood. Cash/checks only.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: This week’s 9 am Sunday Funday run leaves from Hagosa’s House (4800 Delridge Way SW).
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Meet up with other players – all levels – 9:30-11:30 am at The Missing Piece. (35th/Roxbury)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Find the market on California between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, the heart of summer produce season (stone fruit, berries, cherries, salad greens), plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, flowers, more.
MASTER GARDENERS: They’re at the market today, also 10 am-2 pm, if you have a garden question/challenge/etc. that would benefit from expert advice.
SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: While you’re in The Junction, detour to the alley behind Carmilia’s boutique (4528 California SW) for food, music, and fun, 10 am-3 pm.
SEAFAIR SHIP TOURS: The two US Navy ships that sailed by during the Parade of Ships on Tuesday are open for tours at U.S. Coast Guard Pier 46 downtown, 10 am-4 pm, final day today. Info, rules, maps are here.
FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)
MAKERS’ ART MARKET AT ALKI: 11 am-5 pm, artists, crafters, other makers selling their creations, near the Bathhouse (2701 Alki SW). See our calendar listing for the lineup, as announced by organizers.
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open every day, 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESISTS: Sunday signholding in The Junction (California/Alaska), 11:30 am-1:30 pm.
COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water outdoor pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open today as its 7-day-a-week season continues, noon-7 pm, with four hour-and-a-half swim sessions, each half lap swimming and half open swim – see the schedule here.
WADING POOLS: Also at Lincoln Park, the wading pool is expected to be open, as is the EC Hughes wading pool (2805 SW Holden) – hours for both today are noon-7 pm.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: No more tours this year (as explained here).
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your summery Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE MODERN CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: Monthly gathering at 3 pm, Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW), “Portnoy’s Complaint” is the book this time.
(Saturday photo by David Hutchinson)
BLUE ANGELS: One last time today, the US Navy aerobatic team is scheduled to be up once for the Seafair Weekend Air Show approximately 3:35 pm-4:40 pm (and always subject to change – Saturday’s takeoff was at 3:50 pm). You might see the occasional flyby in this area after the Boeing Field takeoff.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music provided by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could feature on the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Congratulations to the DubSea Fish Sticks for their first-ever Pacific International League championship! We knew Saturday night’s game at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, vs. the Gumberoos, was sold out, but we didn’t realize a title was on the line until we heard about it from WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen – attending the game as a fan. He sent the video above and the photos below:
The Fish Sticks won 18-1. This was their last home game of the year; their season wraps with a Monday night road game. (The PIL season ends this early because the players have to get back to their respective colleges.) This is the fourth season since team owner Justin Moser rebranded the former Highline Bears and put the Fish Sticks on a course to provide entertainment as well as baseball.
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