West Seattle, Washington
27 Sunday
8:29 AM: Crash at Delridge/Trenton.
Earlier:
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, November 22nd – two days until Thanksgiving.
WEATHER
Rainy, windy weather predicted for today, high near 50.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS + HOLIDAY PREVIEW
–Metro buses are on regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts. (HOLIDAY PREVIEW: Thursday will be a Sunday schedule, Friday will be normal weekday.)
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is running its fall/winter schedule – still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs. (HOLIDAY PREVIEW: No Water Taxi service Thursday or Friday.)
-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route – check here for alerts/updates. (HOLIDAY PREVIEW: On Thursday, the Triangle Route will be on a weekend 2-boat schedule.)
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).
Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.
Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.
All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
9:42 PM: Police are out with a K-9 right now in Highland Park, searching for a man suspected of shooting at another man. This is centered at 10th/Cloverdale, though the search is ranging further out – the suspect was reportedly last seen eastbound on Cloverdale. We haven’t heard a description yet. No injuries reported.
9:50 PM: Police have reported finding a shell casing – “.380 auto” – in the alley behind the house where this is reported to have happened.
11:10 PM: The search has wound down. The initial call was that a man had found an intruder in his neighbor’s house, and the intruder shot at him. The man chased the intruder a ways “with an ax.”
ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: Here’s the police summary of the incident:
At 2125 hours, officers responded to a report of an interrupted burglary where the suspect had fired a shot at the victim. The caller reported that he had heard the burglary occurring at his neighbor’s house. The caller armed himself with an axe and confronted the suspect, who was in the process of piling stolen items on the back deck. When confronted, the suspect fled on foot with the caller following. The suspect turned as he was running and fired 1 round at the victim, who discontinued his chase and returned home for police response. Evidence of a shooting was located and submitted.
Thanks for the tip. A texter asked about the fire-alarm response at Spruce (39th/Alaska, the building with LA Fitness). They reported smoke coming out of a vent from the underground building. Shortly after calling for a specialty unit that clears smoke, firefighters told dispatch that they’d had multiple reports of the suspected source of the smoke – drivers “drifting” in the garage.
(King County video)
Four and a half years after construction began by the north end of the 1st Avenue South Bridge, the Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station is ready to be put into operation. Next big rainstorm, the King County Wastewater Treatment Division says, the quarter-billion-dollar facility [map] will start treating stormwater that otherwise would overflow, untreated, directly into the Duwamish River. Though it’s ready to do that job, the facility does have a little more work ahead, according to today’s announcement: “King County will install art features early next year. One will light up the facility as water moves through the treatment process. Another will recreate rain events inside a 35-foot-high clear cylinder.” Meantime, as we’ve been reporting, KCWTD has another facility in the works to protect the Duwamish River – a 1.25-million-gallon overflow storage tank in southeast West Seattle, near the south end of the 1st Avenue South Bridge. The West Duwamish Wet Weather Storage Facility is being designed right now and expected to start construction in 2025.
West Seattle-residing U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal called a media briefing in Junction Plaza Park this afternoon to announce she’s asking the Federal Trade Commission to “closely investigate” the proposed Albertsons-Kroger grocery merger. The briefing location was chosen for being in line of sight to QFC (Kroger-owned) and Safeway (Albertsons-owned) stores.
(In background, Capco Plaza, anchored by QFC, and Jefferson Square, anchored by Safeway)
Among those joining her was Faye Guenther, head of the regional union that represents grocery workers, UFCW 3000. Here’s our video the entire 18-minute announcement and Q/A:
Rep. Jayapal opened by saying she and three other U.S. House members had moments earlier sent a letter to the chair of the FTC to request the investigation – you can see the letter here. She believes the $24.6 billion dollar merger would have “widespread and dangerous implications across the country,” affecting everything from prices to jobs. This is of extra interest to her as she’s been serving as vice chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law. Guenther said she hopes to testify at a hearing early next month in Washington, D.C.; “We want workers to be heard.” One of those workers, Naomi Oligario, said she’s a Safeway employee with 37 years of experience but almost lost her job in the Safeway-Albertsons merger. She said her biggest fear is that if the merger goes through, “they’re going to close stores again.” Shaun Scott of the Statewide Anti-Poverty Network said that would exacerbate food insecurity.
As Jayapal noted at one point, the merger also is under scrutiny from Washington state government; Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued to stop a “special dividend” from going out to Albertsons stockholders pre-merger.
In addition to the incidents we covered this weekend, police summaries reveal one we missed. According to SPD, a man reported to them at around 4:40 am Saturday that he’d been shot. They say he told them it happened about 20 minutes earlier in the “triangle’ area where Delridge, 16th, and Roxbury meet. He said several men came up to him and made a profane remark; then one of the men shot him in the knee. He was taken to the hospital; no suspects were found.
Looking to get your Christmas tree semi-early? As noted in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, today is opening day for Trees by the Sea (2530 Alki SW), which was finishing setup when we stopped by this morning. They’re open noon-7 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-8 pm Fridays, 8 am-8 pm Saturdays, 8 am-7 pm Sundays. They’re also planning to be open 8 am-noon Thanksgiving Day. West Seattle Nursery and Home Depot have trees already, too, and as listed in our guide, more locations to come!
Back in April, we reported an early-stage filing for 30 townhouses on the site of a building and parking lot long owned by West Seattle Christian Church. Its pastor told us at the time that it was part of a feasibility exploration for a potential sale. New documents in online city permit files indicate the project is proceeding, and the site plan now shows 31 townhouses proposed for the site. The official project address is 4425 41st SW; the developer is listed in city files as Jabooda Homes (whose website also shows the plan), working with Cone Architecture.
(Recent late-afternoon scene at Lincoln Park – photo by Shelley B.)
From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar, here’s the lineup for today/tonight:
THANKSGIVING ORDER DEADLINES: More deadlines today if you’re planning on assistance with your holiday dinner/desserts – see the list atop the Holiday Guide.
TURKEY DISTRIBUTION: For those who need a turkey but missed getting one at the Saturday events, the West Seattle Food Bank (35th/Morgan) continues turkey distribution noon-7 pm today.
SANISLO ELEMENTARY DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Dine/drink at Puerto Vallarta in The Junction (4727 California SW) today/tonight, and Sanislo Elementary gets part of the proceeds. Special kids’ activities now until noon!
FREE COMMUNITY YOGA CLASSES: Every Monday night in November, 5 pm and 6:15 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW) with Ms. Maria “for all ages, shapes, and sizes.” Bring your own mat or borrow one at HPCC.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), explained in our calendar listing.
COMEDY AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS: Tonight’s headliner is Susan Jones. Check to see if tickets are still left! (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to list on our calendar or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Just added to the list of giving opportunities in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – a food drive starts today at Canna West Culture Shop, with an incentive to give. Here’s the announcement:
Canna West Culture Shop has teamed up with the West Seattle Food Bank (WSFB) to help the hungry this holiday season by initiating a food drive. Starting today visitors to the Culture Shop, located at 5435 California Avenue SW, can drop off non-perishable food items that they want to donate for the holidays. In return for their donations, they will be given a coupon for 20% off of a single item in the Culture Shop.
“Our goal is to donate over 1,000 pounds of food this year,” says Canna West Seattle and Culture Shop owner Maryam Mirnateghi. “The West Seattle Food Bank is such a positive force in our community. Participating in their holiday food drive means a lot to me and my employees.”
According to the WSFB website, over 10,000 people currently live below the federal poverty level in West Seattle, a community where the cost of living is 47% higher than the national average. In the year 2020 alone, the WSFB distributed over 2.57 million pounds of food and spent $338,774 on purchased food, providing services for over 15,000 individuals.
Each week during the food drive, the WSFB will pick up food donations at the Culture Shop and weigh the donation container’s contents. By the end of the food drive on December 31, the team from the Culture Shop and representatives of the WSFB will have an accurate measurement of how many pounds of food were donated during the Culture Shop’s food drive.
“As inflation and food prices have increased, we are seeing a growing need in the community for our services,” says Breanna Bushaw, Development Director at the WSFB. “We really appreciate our amazing West Seattle community and neighbors who help support the food bank.”
The Culture Shop is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm. After-hours food donations can be deposited at Canna West Seattle, located directly across the street. The Culture Shop will accept non-perishable food items that are unopened and in good condition.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, November 21st – three days until Thanksgiving.
WEATHER
Morning clouds, afternoon sun, high near 50. Still looks like serious rain is due to return Tuesday.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro buses are on regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is running its fall/winter schedule (still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs). Holiday note: NO Water Taxi service Thursday or Friday.
-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route (check here for alerts/updates).
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).
Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.
Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.
All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
11:33 PM: So far police have reported finding four casings in an alley off the 4800 block of Fauntleroy Way SW, after numerous 911 calls from people who heard gunfire in the area. No injuries or property damage reported so far. Possible vehicles involved were reported as a white pickup truck and a white or silver BMW.
11:45 PM: No further info. Police are looking to see if any area security cameras might have recorded the incident and/or suspect vehicles. Meantime, one resident in the increasingly dense area told us by text, “The gunshots were so close we all got down on the ground.”
12:04 AM: Officers told dispatch they’ve found a total of seven 9mm casings in a “parking lot” behind the 4800 block.
Tonight community naturalist and urban-wildlife first responder Kersti Muul shares the story of what happened when she checked out a report of a bird in trouble at Lincoln Park. What she found includes some information you should know in case you encounter one. The problem is HPAI – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – and a warning, this story includes an image of a dead bird (after the jump, if you’re viewing by laptop or desktop):
Today I received a text during my monthly Audubon Neighborhood Bird Project survey, about a bird on the shore by the middle seawall.
Right now we are having another big surge of HPAI, so I went down to assess the situation and dispatch or dispose of it properly if it was dead.
As I mentioned in my recent eagle notes, cackling geese and snow geese are now getting infected. Sadly, it was a snow goose. I’ve been watching the snow geese flying north over West Seattle in the past month.
I found a large spot of diarrhea and the bird also had what we call ‘twisted neck’:
The City Council is now just a week away from finalizing the budget for the next two years. Tomorrow (Monday, November 21) morning at 9:30 am, their next meeting as the Budget Committee starts with one last chance for you to speak out. Then they embark on one more round of voting on proposed changes to the amended budget plan introduced last week by the budget chair, West Seattle-residing citywide Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. Almost 200 amendments are on the list to be considered – you can see them all on the agenda, including the one (agenda item #128) that would add money to keep expanded Seattle Fire Department resources in West Seattle and South Park. If you’re interested in commenting tomorrow morning, you can do it remotely or in person at City Hall; the agenda explains how. You can also comment via email at council@seattle.gov.
STORE ROBBED: Police are investigating a shoplift-turned-robbery reported at the South Delridge T-Mobile store about an hour ago. Officers told dispatch the store reported two men made off with iPhones, an iPod, and asked for cash. They were described initially as two Hispanic men in their mid-20s, one in a red cap and green jacket, one dressed all in black. If you have any information, the incident number is 2022-312063.
ROBBERY CHARGE: A shoplift-turned-robbery case at Westwood Village earlier this month has resulted in a felony charge. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed a second-degree robbery charge against 23-year-old Alexis M. Smith, who has an Olympia address and no known criminal history. She is accused of stealing items worth $177 from Marshall’s around 7 pm November 3rd and threatening store security with what turned out to be sharp scissors, at first reported as a knife. Police found her a few blocks away, at Delridge and Trenton. She was booked into King County Jail and released the next day; she is due in court tomorrow for arraignment.
HARASSMENT CHARGE: A 37-year-old man is charged with felony harassment for allegedly attacking a man who was waiting with others looking for day-labor work outside The Home Depot on Delridge. Hector M. Madrigal is accused of approaching the victim around 8 am November 7th and demanding money. He then allegedly grabbed a “4 x 4 composite post” and threatened to kill the victim, hitting him in the leg. Police were called by a bystander reporting what looked like a fight. The victim told officers that Madrigal, who has three felony convictions, often hassles the people gathered to look for work there. Madrigal remains in jail in lieu of $20,000 bail and is due to be arraigned Wednesday.
(Photo by Ruby Athan)
Following up on the West Seattle High School girls’ soccer team’s strong season, the team has won numerous Metro League honors. Head coach Andres Lara, who himself was honored as one of two Metro League Coaches of the Year, sent the news. “Unfortunately it didn’t end up like we wanted but we had a good season, wining the Metro Sound division; also we got recognitions by the league,” he says. Here are the players who received honors:
Metro League Sound Division
Division MVP:
o Brooke Swanson (12, West Seattle)1st Team All‐Division:
o Forwards: Brooke Swanson (12, West Seattle)
o Midfield: Kate Cowan (12, West Seattle)
o Defense: Allie Bennett (12, West Seattle)2nd Team All‐Division:
o Midfield: Olivia Shih (10, West Seattle)
o Defense: Lola Personett (12, West Seattle)Honorable Mention (by school):
o West Seattle: Annabelle Braun (10), Hudson Steere (12), Mevina Ott (12)
Here’s the full list of Metro League honorees.
Thanks for the tips! A new retail shop has just opened in Sunrise Heights, at 7354 35th SW. We stopped in to find out more and learned today is soft-open day for PNW Baby. The staff told us it’s under the same ownership as City Mouse in The Junction.
The new shop is open today until 5 pm but still determining future hours, we were told.
(Photo by Stewart L., from Harbor Avenue)
Another sunny day, after a spectacular sunrise – thanks for the photos! But change is on the way. The newest forecast suggests a chance of rain overnight, and is virtually certain of rain by Tuesday morning,
(Photo by Mark Rhea, from Marine View Drive)
The National Weather Service notes that Saturday was the 12th consecutive dry day – and that date, November 19, is historically the wettest day of the year.
During the height of the pandemic, Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Holiday Gift Fair – centered on fair-trade/ethically-sourced items – moved online. Today it’s back in person, until 1:30 pm at the Walmesley Center (northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle).
This year rather than buying from individual vendors at tables, you can shop around the gym and bring your purchases to a central checkout. That includes OLG students’ bake sale raising money for WestSide Baby – parents are there to assist you.
You can also build your own Advent wreath:
And if you’re there at lunchtime – they’ll be selling food too, including teriyaki bowls.
P.S. See what’s up in the days and weeks ahead – gift fairs and much more – in our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (to which we’re adding daily)!
(Saturday morning photo by James Bratsanos)
Welcome to Sunday! We start with events from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR: 9:30 am-1:30 pm, “come to shop, eat, and make a wreath … Shop for ethically sourced gifts and food, including chocolates, Advent calendars, nativities, jewelry, holiday décor, scarves, and cozy socks.” The gift fair also includes lunch options and a bake sale. (7000 35th SW)
TOYS FOR TOTS: You can drop off unwrapped new toys at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s booth on the west side of the Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR: The White Center Library Guild‘s annual Holiday Bazaar & Book Sale concludes today at the library (1409 SW 107th), 11 am-3 pm.
PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA: Bring your pet(s) for pics with Santa, taken by a pro photographer, 2-6 pm at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
ORDERING DEADLINES: If you’re getting help with your Thanksgiving dinner, note that today’s the deadline for several ordering options – see them listed beneath the first photo in our Holiday Guide.
And now, from our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.
LACROSSE FOR GIRLS: Casual “fall ball” drop-in event at AT Milo Park (30th/Thistle), 9:30 am-11 am, as explained in our calendar listing.
DONATION DRIVE: In addition to what’s in our calendar listing for today’s 11 am-3 pm donation drive at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), the church says this is the current priority:
Please help our unsheltered neighbors meet the many challenges of living outdoors as the season turns cold and wet. Donations of clean and usable sleeping bags, blankets, tarps and tents are in great need, as well as warm outdoor clothing for men and women. Non-perishable food and hygiene items are always welcome.
LAST DAY FOR BOOK FUNDRAISER: Today’s the last day you can shop at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) and have part of your purchase benefit Louisa Boren STEM K-8. Shop hours today are 11 am-5 pm.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Get ready for Thanksgiving! 10 am-2 pm, the market offers fall produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. California SW between Oregon and Alaska.
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) CLUB: 3 pm monthly gathering at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), this month discussing “The Discomfort of Evening” by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld. More info in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT EASY STREET: Seattle punk veterans AAIIEE are live in-store at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 5 pm. Free, all ages.
NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
For those who have a view across Elliott Bay, or will be walking/riding/driving along the downtown-facing West Seattle waterfront, an FYI: The Space Needle has announced special lights for Sunday night:
In celebration of Team USA’s exciting return to the FIFA World Cup, and in anticipation of Seattle selected to be the host city for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the Space Needle is proud to light up red, white, and blue and fly the American flag.
The FIFA World Cup honor will take place on Sunday, November 20 at 9 PM, prior to Team USA’s first match on Monday morning vs Wales.
Additionally, the Space Needle celebrates two Seattle Sounders players who will be playing for Team USA in the World Cup: Seattle Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldan have been named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. This marks the first FIFA World Cup call-up for either player.
The report and photo were sent by Coach Al:
Congratulations to the High Point “Hurricanes,” who won 1st place in today’s ‘City Wide Volleyball Jamboree’ held at Miller Community Center, making this coach extremely proud!!
After going undefeated during the season (4-0), today they beat Delridge and Loyal Heights community centers, and then again played Delridge in the playoffs, winning the first & third games to bring home the Gold.
Delridge CC took home the Silver, so West Seattle volleyball was well represented!
Two weeks from tonight, it’s the biggest night of the holiday season in The Junction, with this year’s Tree Lighting and Night Market now joined by GLOWS. The Junction Association has announced more details, including the schedule for that night (Saturday, December 3) and the street-closure plan:
This year, the event becomes a festival with a stage show, later hours, a beer and mulled-wine garden, and an artistic light display element called G.L.O.W.S. (Glorious Lights of West Seattle).
Alaska Street will be closed from 42nd to 44th. California Ave will be closed from Oregon to Edmunds.
Everyone coming to the festival is encouraged to wear LED lights – anything from a single strand to a full-on costume. A group of roving artists will award prizes to the top individual costume ($250 Junction gift card), pet costume ($100 Junction gift card), and group costume ($500 Junction gift card).
Santa Claus will emcee the stage show, which features School of Rock, Endolyne Choir, Mode Music Studio, Elvis, and holiday surf band Dancer and Prancer after the tree lighting.
The Night Market will feature 24 local artisans selling pottery, jewelry, body care products, wreaths, succulents and other gifts. There will be a few tasty treats mixed in as well. The beer & mulled wine garden – a first at the Junction Holiday event – is presented by Elliott Bay Brewery and Darby Winery.
Schedule for December 3rd Holiday Festival, 4 – 8 pm
4:00: Festival begins. Night Market vendors and Beer & Wine Garden are open.
4:00 – 5:00: Endolyne Choir, Mode Music Studio, and School of Rock perform on stage.
5:00 – 6:00: Elvis performs. G.L.O.W.S. Costume Promenade on streets.
6:00 – 7:00: Costume Contest, Lighting of the Tree, Santa Claus with reading and carols.
7:00 – 8:00: Holiday headliners Dancer and Prancer perform on stage.
Last month we published WSJA’s call for artists to create light costumes for GLOWS; here’s the announcement of who was chosen.
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