West Seattle, Washington
20 Saturday
9:07 PM: Traffic is jammed because of a road-blocking police response at Duwamish Head. We don’t yet know what happened – leaving Alki, we got caught in it ourselves. A texter says it was a guns-drawn response.
9:48 PM: Finally made it back to HQ. Commenter N7oep notes that this resulted in damage to Seattle Police cars. Steve Pumphrey sent this video of one being towed:
Steve also sent this video of the response:
9:59 PM: Catching up via archived audio, the initial call was gunfire, and police briefly pursued the suspect; when they initially stopped her, she was reported to be “non-compliant” and tried driving away – that’s how at least one patrol car was damaged – but they soon stopped and arrested her and another person.
ADDED: We received this video link showing the moment when the suspect tried driving away:
We hope to have followup information Monday.
(This morning’s moonset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Though the National Weather Service includes all of Seattle in a regional Heat Advisory alert for Sunday afternoon through Tuesday night, it’s looking like we won’t be all that sizzly. The alert says 90s are possible in parts of the region; the West Seattle-specific forecast, however, has highs in the low 80s all three days.
SUNDAY NIGHT NOTE: So much for the forecast … today’s official high was 88 degrees.
Summer’s big West Seattle events aren’t over yet. Among those yet to come, the Admiral Block Party, two weeks from today, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, in the street on California SW north of Admiral Way:
As noted on the poster – and in our most-recent preview – the August 23rd Admiral Block Party will have something in common with last month’s West Seattle Summer Fest this year – an “Eve” where the street’s closed for setup the night before, so you can come over and wander, enjoy sidewalk cafés, etc. That’ll be Friday night, August 22.
One important thing you might be able to help with right now: Volunteer to help make the Admiral Block Party happen! Here are the details:
Help us put on our “end of summer” celebration by volunteering for the Block Party:
Friday 8/15-Sunday 8/17 – poster distribution to area businesses. This can be done anytime over the weekend.
Thursday 8/21 – 6 pm-8 pm Street / parking strip cleanup on California Ave between College and Admiral Way
Friday 8/22 – 1 pm barricade placement for restaurant seating extensions.
Saturday 8/23 – load in and load out of sound gear for Main Stage bands.
11:30 am-2 pm / 2 pm-4:30 pm / 4:30-6:30 pm / 6:30-8:30 pmSaturday 8/23 – help out at the ANA booth in vendor row.
9 am-11:30 pm / 11:30-2 pm / 2-4:30 pm / 4:30-7 pm
If you can help with any of that, email info@connecttoadmiral.org as soon as you can!
Thanks to everyone for the photos and video! These three sightings were along the Alki shore:
Above and below, Caroline Weeks sent short clips of three otters enjoying breakfast on the rocks Friday.
Near Alki Point Lighthouse, an anonymous texter saw this coyote around 7 am today:
(Read a coyote-coexistence infosheet here.) And though it’s not low-low tide , today’s low tide was enough for this view photographed by Doug Eglington:
That was a -1.9-foot low tide; tomorrow’s lowest tide will be out to -1.6 feet at 12:17 pm.
(WSB photos)
At the southwest corner of California and Alaska, Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) members are collecting musical instruents right now for Music4Life, which will get those instruments to students who need them. In our photo above, Rotarian Brian Waid is holding an acoustic guitar that had just been brought in. Rotarian Irene Stewart, who traces her involvement with Music4Life back to its beginnings in the ’00s, said early donations included 3 violins, 2 recorders, 2 clarinets, 2 coronets, a French horn, a trombone, and a banjo!
Music4Life works with 15 school districts around Western Washington, including Seattle, and has collected more than 3,100 instruments since 2007. If you have one (or more) you can donate, Rotarians will be at California/Alaska until 2 pm today, as previewed here a week and a half ago. (You also can donate money to the program.) Waid says they’re having a great time not only collecting the instruments but hearing the stories behind them.
(The moon is full this morning. Marina Clough took this pic during the last full moon)
Busy Saturday – from a musical-instrument donation drive to live-music performances, with so much more inbetween, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT, DAY 2: Are you hunting yet? More clues today – see them, and see which floats have been found so far, by going here.
GARAGE/YARD SALES: See the newest listings in the WSB Community Forums.
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs – go run with them today!
MARATHON TRAINING: Also this morning at 8 am at West Seattle Runner, it’s kickoff day for the beginner/intermediate group of its free training program for the Seattle Marathon.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am outdoor meditation at Schmitz Preserve Park (5551 SW Admiral Way) – register here.
INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: That’s followed immediately by this 10 am walk in which you can participate even if you didn’t go on the introductory walk. Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.
DONATE A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT! 10 am-2 pm, the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation will collect no-longer-needed musical instruments for Music4Life – take then to California/Alaska in The Junction:
Types of Instruments Needed: All orchestra and band instruments, as well as guitars. Most needed: trumpets/coronets, clarinets, flutes, and violins.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, body-care products, more!
MASTER GARDENERS: Have a garden-related question? They’re ready to answer! Saturdays this summer, they’re at The Home Depot (7345 Delridge Way SW), 10 am-2 pm.
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 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.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – free weekly in-person group for writers of all levels. For location info, go here.’
DICK’S DRIVE-IN TRUCK: 11 am-2 pm, the Dick’s Drive-In burgers-and-shakes truck will be at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW).
WEST SEATTLE’S ONLY SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) continues daily operations today, 11 am-8 pm.
ALKI HISTORY WALKING TOUR: Southwest Seattle Historical Society leads this tour at 11 am – preregistration required.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)
CHERRY CONSIGNMENT CELEBRATION: The shop on the north edge of The Junction celebrates its 16th anniversary today and invites you to come join the party. Open noon-5 pm. (4142 California SW)
WADING POOLS: City-run wading pools scheduled to be open in West Seattle today are Lincoln Park (12 pm-7 pm) and Hiawatha (12 pm-5:30 pm).
COLMAN POOL: 12-7 pm swim sessions at Lincoln Park‘s heated saltwater pool (on the shore, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Explore the present and past at the home of West Seattle history, open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the newest exhibit, about Seattle Teriyaki! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: Get out on the water with a personal watercraft you’re considering buying! 1-4 pm with Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) at Alki Kayak Tours. Our calendar listing has info on reserving a time slot.
MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL BUG SPRAY: 1 pm class at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor)
BOOKSTORE ROMANCE DAY: Wine! Words! Author signing! 1-3 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW).
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, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area. Come support our student winemakers and join us for a student tasting.
And today, a special event there:
FIRST ANNUAL ALUMNI WINERIES CELEBRATION: 2-5 pm at Northwest Wine Academy, graduates who’ve launched their own businesses are showcased during a fundraiser for the academy. Our calendar listing includes ticket info and the list of featured participats.
STREET FIGHTER VI TOURNAMENT: Recently opened Fourth Emerald Games in The Junction hosts a tournament at 3 pm – see our calendar listing for sign-up info. (4517 California SW, upstairs)
FREE MASSAGE: Walk into Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) 3-5 pm for short, specific free massage.
ALSO AT NEPENTHE: Summer mini-market starting at 3 pm!
WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE: 3-5 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), join a postcard-writing campaign.
SALSA & BACHATA ON ALKI: Annual “dress all in white” version, starting with lessons at 4:30 pm. (60th/Alki)
CONCERT AT ALKI ARTS: 6 pm, Patrick Porter performs an “intimate” pay-what-you-feel concert at the gallery. (6030 California SW)
ACAPULCO LIPS, LIVE: Tonight Acapulco Lips plays Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm, free, all ages.
WEST SEATTLE BANDS AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm (doors at 7), catch Western Groovers & Ida Bloom. $10/door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight, after their Easy Street gig, it’s Acapulco Lips at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
SATURDAY NIGHT SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight with rotating DJ Josh and DJ NightMere, 21+, at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Closing out this Saturday list, there’s 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
2:30 AM: Police are investigating a reported street robbery in which a phone was taken from the victim. They’ve been sorting out the actual location, since the victim reported it from their home at a different location, but the location mentioned most recently was 47th/Lincoln Park Way. The robbers were described as “two Black males, masks, dark clothing, handguns” who got away in a silver or gray “older” Chevrolet Silverado missing its bumper. They’re also suspected in an earlier robbery but we don’t have details on that yet.
2:34 AM: Police just found what might be that Silverado, on Alki, but haven’t yet found the robbers. They may have left in another vehicle, and they might have an accomplice.
10:03 AM: The police-report narrative on this likely won’t be available until Monday but the victim’s parents have sent us details to clarify:
Our 19-year-old son was the victim of the “street robbery” at 2 am this morning that you posted about. We wanted to clarify and provide some other details, it was a scary situation for him and could happen again (our understanding from the police at 4 am is that the suspects are still at large.)
Our son was driving south on California at Thistle street, when two men pulled their truck forward and blocked his car from being able to move forward/turn on to Thistle. They approached the car with handguns and lasers aimed at him, demanded he get out of the car and lie face down on to the ground, where they searched his pockets (threw his car keys a few feet away) and asked for cash. He didn’t have any on him. They briefly checked his car, took his phone from there, then drove off. They didn’t physically assault him.
They were not Black, as your post states. They were wearing hoodies and paint ball masks.
Our son found his keys and returned safely home shortly after, and that’s when we called 911.
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: SPD has finally released short summaries. The two robberies in which the same people are suspected happened seven minutes apart, 2:10 am and 2:17 am, first the one for which the victim’s family provided the summary above, second, this one – which was indeed on Lincoln Park Way:
Victim is an UBER driver and was driving a passenger during the robbery. The driver was driving a client at the 7000 BLK of Lincoln (Park) Wy SW. The suspects drove up and cut the victims off with their truck. Two suspects got out of the truck with handguns and pointed it at the victims. The suspects demanded everything, and the driver complied. The suspects drove off northbound. The same suspects committed another armed Robbery in West Seattle (see case# 25-227103). The truck was located at 59 Ave SW/Alki Ave SW. When the three suspects saw police, they exited the truck and got inside other vehicles. The suspects scattered in different vehicles. The truck that was used in the Robbery was towed.
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