West Seattle, Washington
04 Sunday
Not only is the holiday season here, but so is winter-sports season for local high-school athletes. Basketball began tonight for many teams, including Chief Sealth International High School. The CSIHS girls’ basketball team won their season opener at Evergreen HS in White Center, 35-16; the West Seattle High School girls’ season starts tomorrow (Tuesday) night at home, hosting Franklin, 7:30 pm. As for the boys, Chief Sealth opened with an 84-58 loss tonight at Kennedy Catholic in Burien; the WSHS boys start their season tomorrow night at Edmonds-Woodway, 7:15 pm.
Out scouting Christmas lights again tonight, we wandered over to the Charlestown Standpipe (aka “water tower”) vicinity, where you’ll usually find several densely lit homes. A little early, maybe, as the only one we found in full force was this one on the west side of 40th just north of Charlestown.
We’ll visit again later in the season. Meantime, tips welcome if you have, or see, festive lights – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Two burglaries in this West Seattle Crime Watch report:
BUSINESS BURGLARY: Thanks for the tip about police at The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW) Sunday morning, The police narrative we obtained today confirms a business burglary at the mixed-use building. 911 was called by security reporting a live video feed showing two people trying to cut a safe door. Here’s what police say happened when they arrived and discovered the break-in was at the T-Mobile store:
… officers noticed that the lock on the front door appeared to be punched out, and the door was not secured. We made entry and cleared the store. There was an office in the back that had a keypad lock with pry marks on the door. The door was locked, and it is unknown if the suspects were able to gain access to the back room. On the desks where the employees work, there were multiple drawers opened, and we found two specialized keys that are used to unlock the cellphones that are on display. It appeared that approximately 10 cellphones were taken from the walls. It is unknown what makes or models of phones were taken. I dusted for fingerprints and was able to lift one print from a metal bracket used to secure one of the missing phones, which I submitted in the Southwest Precinct Evidence Room as evidence.
The report also says the store had interior video cameras, but police couldn’t access them at the time as they were unable to reach a manager.
GARAGE BREAK-IN ON VIDEO: Chris sent the clips of a garage burglary in Admiral this past Monday and believes it’s the same burglar shown in other reports:
Our garage was broken into on Monday morning in North Admiral. We noticed that others have posted at photo of the exact same guy. He’s wearing exactly the same sweater as one of the daylight photos someone has posted of him.
Police report is 2025-345038.
As shown in the video, the burglar stole a bicycle from Chris’s garage.
Thursday night, 5:30-7:30 pm, you’re invited to Brookdale West Seattle (4611 35th SW) for a holiday event during which more than a dozen decorated mini-trees will be silent-auctioned by the Rotary Club of West Seattle Foundation to raise money for community projects. Daily through then, the Brookdale lobby is open to visitors, 9 am-5 pm, for a preview. Here are just a few – a tree donated by Kelli’s Child Care that’s perfect for Seahawks fans:
Another, donated by Mike and Kate Price, hits it out of the park for Mariners fans:
If you love winter snow, the tree donated by the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) might be your fave:
And for dog lovers, West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) unleashed this one:
On Thursday evening, when the mini-trees (and some decorated wreaths) will be silent-auctioned, refreshments including hors d’oeuvres will be provided, and you can park across 35th in the West Seattle Stadium/Golf Course lot and catch a shuttle at 5:30 or 6 pm. This flyer has more info about the event/auction, which raises money for signature Rotary Foundation projects including the West Seattle Grand Parade and Pencil Me In For Kids.
(WSB video of Ashton performing at this year’s West Seattle Summer Fest)
A young singer/keyboardist who often busks at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market wasn’t there this past Sunday.
But there’s a good reason for that.
Nine-year-old Ashton Hart Wecker is getting ready for the biggest show of his young life – thousands of miles from his home in West Seattle. Ashton’s parents Noah and Angie explain:
He has been invited to perform in New York City as part of the global non-profit Kids Rock for Kids. This organization brings together talented young musicians from around the world to put on performances that empower kids while raising money for various charities.
Ashton will be among one of the youngest musicians performing and the only one representing the Pacific Northwest, sharing the stage with kids from across the U.S., the U.K., Ecuador, and Italy.
The show is this Saturday, December 6, at The Bitter End, which Ashton’s parents note is “the oldest rock venue in NYC.”
Ashton was spotlighted on WSB this past January, performing at West Seattle Nursery (WSB sponsor) as WSN presented a gift to Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music and Performing Arts, both of which he’s studied at.
That’s another view of one of the windows broken at Baked Custom Cakes in The Admiral District by a vandal who also broke windows at Alki Bike and Board next door, as reported here on Thanksgiving Day. The holidays can be a make-or-break time for small businesses, but these two are bearing extra expense because of the vandalism. We mentioned Alki Bike and Board’s sales last weekend; Baked also has something you might want to buy:
Proprietor Kristina tells WSB that she’s selling gingerbread kits – not just houses, but also cookies – that matter a lot to her bottom line “especially this season with having to replace my shop windows; as you can imagine those are not cheap and this is a slower time for me so these really get me through the holidays.” You can order kit(s) online at curbside-store.square.site. (Part of the proceeds also benefit West Seattle Food Bank.)
(Added: Reader photo. Alaska House is building on the left)
11:12 AM: Thanks for the tips. The situation that’s been unfolding this past hour at the Alaska House apartments in The Junction (on 42nd just north of Junction Plaza Park) started with a report of gunfire in an apartment and a man threatening people, in what’s described as a domestic-violence situation. Police have one suspect in custody and found “live rounds” plus at least one bullet hole in an apartment on the 8th floor. A gun was recovered, according to police radio. More info as we get it.
11:23 AM: So far, police have reported finding a shotgun but not the pistol they believe the suspect fired (the rounds that were found were described as .22). No injuries reported but medics were called to check out a pregnant woman who was one of the people allegedly threatened.
TUESDAY UPDATE: Police have confirmed that the other gun was found by a worker in the building. Meantime, while we’re still awaiting probable-cause documents, we do know from the jail roster that the 67-year-old suspect’s bail was set today at $250.000.
(One more look at Sunday’s splendor – photo by James Bratsanos, looking at Manchester and The Brothers)
Here’s what’s happening in West Seattle, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide (got something to add? please send info!):
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE: Bring donations of warm clothing to the bin at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (3435 California SW; WSB sponsor), 9 am-5 pm weekdays.
OTHER DONATION DRIVES … are listed in our Holiday Guide, and we’re continuing to add more – whatever you can give, whenever you can give!
ROTARY FESTIVAL OF MINI-TREES: Last week to see the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s decorated mini-trees at Brookdale West Seattle (4611 35th SW), 9 am-5 pm through Thursday – then Thursday night you can bid on them at a holiday reception!
FAUNTLEROY FESTIVAL OF TREES: The Fauntleroy Church Festival of Trees opens for public drop-in viewing starting this morning, 9 am-noon Mondays through Thursdays. You can vote for your favorite(s) by bringing nonperishable food donation(s) to stack beneath it/them! (9140 California SW)
BABY STORY TIME: At Southwest Library, 12 pm-12:30 pm.
HOMEWORK HELP: Free drop-in homework help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4 pm to 5:45 pm.
INTRO TO ZEN: Quarterly free event at 5:30 pm, preceding weekly meditation at Fauntleroy Church, as featured below. (9140 California SW)
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players included!
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group for people experiencing grief – participate once, occasionally, or every week. Fee; book a spot here. (4034 California SW)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play tonight! Every-other-week Monday music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm sessions … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ALKI MEDITATION: Doors open at 6:45 for 7 pm Monday night meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players are welcome to enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: South-end Monday night meditation – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, sing karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks to EVERYONE who sends info for our calendar and Holiday Guide; if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Now that December has begun, January is in view, and it’s not too soon to think about resolutions for 2026. If you’re thinking about volunteering, here’s an option: Volunteer to talk with adult English-language learners who want to practice conversation skills.
A new conversation circle is starting up at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), Friday afternoons, 12:30 pm to 2 pm, January 9 through March 13, in partnership with Literacy Source. If you’re interested in volunteering, email carolines@literacysource.org (and if you’re a beginning/intermediate English-language learner interested in participating, just show up on January 9).
6:01 AM: Good morning! Back to work and school – it’s Monday, December 1, 2025!
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high in the mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 7:37 am; sunset will be at 4:19 pm.
CLOSURES
–South Park Bridge closed overnight tonight and Tuesday night.
-The Highway 99 tunnel will have lane closures tonight, Tuesday night, and Wednesday night:
Monday night: From 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, the right lane of the northbound SR 99 tunnel will close. The Royal Brougham Way on-ramp to northbound SR 99 and the northbound SR 99 off-ramp to Republican Street will close at the same time.
Tuesday night: From 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, the two left lanes of southbound SR 99 will close north of the tunnel. The southbound SR 99 off-ramp to Harrison Street will close at the same time.
Wednesday night: From 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, to 5 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, the Sixth Avenue North on-ramp to southbound SR 99 will close.
Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will use this closure to remove existing vegetation for later replanting.
TRANSIT TODAY AND TOMORROW
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is on the three-boat schedule, with M/V Cathlamet, M/V Kittitas, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where; ferry alerts will update with any changes. Regular schedule today.
Metro buses – Back to regular weekday schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to 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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