West Seattle, Washington
01 Monday
2:13 PM: A capsized boat with 1 person in the water is reported about a mile off the 6000 block Beach Drive – SFD and the Coast Guard are responding – more to come.
(Fireboat Leschi responding – photo by Jim Borrow, substituted for previously posted WSB phone photo)
2:33 PM: Per scanner, what was reported might not have been an overturned boat after all.
2:40 PM: And SFD now confirms it was “floating debris.” Land and sea response ending.
(SDOT cam overview of past West Seattle Summer Fest)
Even on this blustery gray January day, we can see summer … thanks to the West Seattle Junction Association, which is now accepting vendor applications for Summer Fest! This year’s dates are Friday-Sunday, July 10-12, and those days/nights will fill the streets with fun in the heart of The Junction. WSJA says the priority is on local arts; to register as a vendor and start the application process, go here.
Highlights for your Tuesday night, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DREAM DINNERS’ OPEN HOUSE: New to Dream Dinners (WSB sponsor)? You’re invited to visit tonight and prep three dinners at a discount, as previewed here. (4701 41st SW)
IB INFORMATION NIGHT AT CHIEF SEALTH: Interested in the International Baccalaureate program at Chief Sealth International High School? Come find out more about it at 7 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)
UNPLUGGED – A MUSICAL GATHERING: Acoustic musicians, this is for you! 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct, hear from/talk with police, and find out more about the state Department of Corrections from this month’s guest speaker. (2300 SW Webster)
TUESDAY TRIVIA: 8:30 pm at Admiral Pub with Devon. 21+. (2306 California SW)
OPEN MIC NIGHT: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Thanks to Jan P. for today’s featured photo, taken from California Way!
From the WSB inbox:
The Seattle Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is offering scholarships to women who will be 2020 graduates of The Seattle Colleges, including South Seattle College in West Seattle, and continuing on to earn their Bachelor’s degree in WA State.
AAUW works to advance equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. Eligibility details and application at: seattle-wa.aauw.net/college-scholarships .





(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning! No alerts or incidents in our area so far – just rain.
7:49 AM: Rain’s stopped, at least here. And a datapoint – today’s sunrise (at 7:47) is 10 minutes earlier than on New Year’s Day.
10:24 AM: Crash dispatch for 2-car collision, one person injured, on NB Highway 99 at Lander.
“We used to have a 100-hour work week, 6 days a week. In 1940 the US made the ‘radical’ shift to a 40-hour week that we enjoy today. Now 80 years later we need to re-think that paradigm.” So tweeted 34th District State Sen. Joe Nguyen of West Seattle tonight, after introducing Senate Bill 6516, which would downsize the official workweek to 32 hours in our state. After that, qualifying workers would have to be paid time and a half. Here’s the full text of the bill, as introduced, which includes a variety of exceptions:
Now that the bill has been introduced, it goes to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee for potential consideration. You can comment on the bill via the Legislature’s website.
Three months have passed since the last West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting (WSB coverage here), and tomorrow, it reconvenes after holiday hiatus. Who is the WSCPC, you ask? President Richard Miller has long worked to keep it going – but otherwise, it’s really whoever shows up. A centerpiece of each meeting is an update from Southwest Precinct police leadership and a chance to bring up questions and concerns. There’s often a spotlight guest, too; tomorrow night, you’ll hear from a rep with the state Corrections Department. It all starts at 7 pm Tuesday at the precinct meeting room right off the parking lot, 2300 SW Webster (next to Home Depot).
Catherine is hoping someone in the 31st SW/SW City View area can help solve their burglary:
Our home was broken into last night while we slept sometime between 12:30 and 7 a.m. We live in the Luna Park neighborhood and numerous valuables were taken including heirloom jewelry and all our personal information, purses, wallets, checkbooks, electronics (cell phone, x box, tablets…) and access to all our personal and credit accounts. A bag was left behind from another property or car prowl by the intruder that has been turned over to the police.
Police reports and fingerprints have been taken but we are looking for anyone who may have camera footage or noticed anything between those hours to please contact us or SPD with information. The incident number is 2020-023214.
Burglaries at night, while someone’s home, are far rarer than daytime break-ins.
(WSB photos. Above, mural inside Lula Coffee)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Be your own kind of beautiful.”
That’s one of the inspirational suggestions featured in art on the walls inside Lula Coffee Co., which celebrates its grand opening this Friday and Saturday (January 24-25) at 4451 California SW in The Junction.
The space has been transformed from its former identity as Red Cup Espresso, under new owner Taylor Platt and manager Caitlyn Johnson (L-R below).
Platt is a veteran of “the coffee world” – 9 years at Cutters Point Coffee Co. (Lula’s roaster), and she’s a former vice president of development for Gravity Coffee Co..
She says she has longed to take over this shop since she first saw it shortly after moving to Alki five years ago and was excited to get the opportunity after it went up for sale last year. She wants Lula to be known for more than coffee; she’s worked to create a “super positive atmosphere,” which she says ex-employer Cutters Point is known for in Gig Harbor.
In particular, Platt says, Lula is a celebration of “girl power.” But girls aren’t the only ones likely to find meaning in the art by Tori Kirihara. Overall, the intention is for Lula to be “a place where everybody feels comfortable.”
And there are other reasons to hang out there: Seating with outlets (including USBs), for one.
Breakfast burritos made for Lula by adjacent taco truck El Chapulin Oaxaqueño (which doesn’t open until 11 am otherwise) and heated super-fast by the new Turbo Chef oven, one of the equipment upgrades. Pastries and bagels are available (multiple providers). And, Johnson adds, “We offer great milk alternatives at no additional cost, including oat, coconut, hemp, soy, and almond. We also use ‘clean label’ syrups.”
More changes are ahead – Platt hopes to install a speaker box for ordering, to “move people more quickly” through the drive-up line, one of just a few in West Seattle. And the hours are about to expand, to 5 am-7 pm weekdays, 6 am-8 pm Saturdays, 7 am-6 pm Sundays. (Maybe later in summer.)
You’re invited to stop in and give the shop a try during the grand opening Friday-Saturday, with specials including $1 12-ounce hot drinks.
P.S. About the name – it’s a nod to Platt’s mom, who, she explains, wanted to name her Tallulah. Some customers have called her Lula, she says, and that news thrilled her mom (“It’s finally happening!”). Whether you call her Lula or Taylor, she says, just come on in.
For the second year in a row, the West Seattle High School cheerleaders are headed to state. They earned the spot by competing this past weekend in two divisions, taking first place in Coed Non-Tumbling – including the second-highest score in their division in the state -and second place in Coed Game Day. Last year, they placed third in state competition. This is the team’s their second year competing under the direction of head coach Jasmyne Everhart (her 4th year leading the program) and co-coach Nadine Nguyen (3rd year with the program), and both years, their athletes have qualified for state. This year’s state championships are set for February 7-8 at Battle Ground High School in southwest Washington.
From West Seattle Girls Softball president Chrysta Torres:
Registration for the 2020 softball season is now open – and there is a $20 discount for registering in January! Practices will begin in mid-March, with games starting in mid/late April. The season will conclude the first week of June.
We invite girls 6-15 with any level of softball experience to join us for a fun season of recreational league fast-pitch softball. We teach the basics and build skills as players continue with the program and work to place players on teams that will be most beneficial to their needs.
We’d also like to thank the local businesses that sponsor our league year after year – we cannot do it without their support.
Ready to register? Find the link here, along with more info about WSGS.
Calendar note: After today’s holiday, Seattle Public Schools are back in session until midwinter break February 17-21. Next week’s scheduled “day between semesters” (January 29th) is canceled to make up for the district’s “snow day” last Wednesday. If you’re directly connected to SPS, that’s probably old news, but for everyone else interested, it’s confirmed on the district’s updated list of this year’s key dates, which notes that if any other “snow days” happen, the designated makeup dates would extend the end of the school year, currently set for June 18th.
(Bald Eagle, photographed by Chris Frankovich)
from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MLK DAY AT THE Y: The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is not only open today, it invites you to volunteer with a Community Beautification project now through noon – info here. (3622 SW Snoqualmie)
YOUTH BASKETBALL TRYOUTS: 10 am-noon at the Seattle Lutheran High School gym, last of three tryout sessions for 7th- and 8th-grade girls and boys interested in new AAU program West Seattle Saints. (4100 SW Genesee)
LIBRARIES CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY: Both Seattle and King County.
CITY PARKS FACILITY CLOSURES: See the list here.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: Another way to make this a Day of Service – give blood, if you can. A Bloodworks Northwest mobile blood drive is happening outside Admiral Safeway, 11:30 am-5:30 pm – details here. (2622 California SW)
ZEN MEDITATION: 7 pm at Fauntleroy UCC, hosted by Puget Sound Zen. All welcome, whether or not you’ve meditated before – details in our calendar listing.
3 TRIVIA/QUIZ NIGHTS: Monday nights offer three options:
*Best of Hands Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm, $2/person, 21+
*The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm, free, all ages
*Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Admiral Way), 8 pm, $2/person, 21+
FREE IMPROV MEETUP: 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse – details and registration info here. (9131 California SW)
Something for the calendar? Send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!





(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:07 AM: Good morning! We start with holiday notes:
*Schools closed
*Metro on “reduced weekday” schedule
*Water Taxi not running
*Sound Transit buses on regular schedule, light rail on #Connect2020 schedule
*Washington State Ferries on regular schedule
*Street parking is free of charge in pay-station neighborhoods
9:12 PM: A Seattle Fire “full response” is headed to the 9400 block of 18th SW [map]. More as we get it.
9:15 PM: The first firefighters on scene say it’s a shed fire in a backyard. Avoid 18th/Cambridge, as roads are blocked.
9:22 PM: The response is being downsized, as the fire is apparently confined to the shed, described as 20 x 20. SFD say a downed wire is complicating things, though, so Seattle City Light is responding.
9:32 PM: Shed fire is out, per SFD radio.
(At left, newly crowned Ms. Wheelchair Washington Kaitlin Skilton; photo by Klarissa Monteros)
The photo and report are from Amy:
West Seattle’s own Kaitlin Skilton competed yesterday (Saturday) in the Ms. Wheelchair Washington competition in Mountlake Terrace. Ms. Wheelchair Washington focuses on education and advocacy. Kaitlin spoke about inclusivity.
Kaitlin won, and was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2020!
Kaitlin is now eligible for Ms. Wheelchair America, and is planning to compete. It will be held in July in Little Rock, Arkansas.
You can find out more about the Ms. Wheelchair Washington program here,
If you live, work, shop, and/or study in Highland Park, Riverview, and/or South Delridge, Wednesday’s the big night – the next meeting of HPAC, which spans all three of those eastern West Seattle communities. Get updates on big projects including the Highland Park Way/Holden safety improvements; discuss where HPAC’s energy is best focused; and vote on a new logo. See the full plan here. All that and more awaits you if you are at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden) next Wednesday (January 22nd).
Next Saturday (January 25), two local benefits are planned to rally support for Australia’s bushfire victims. One is at Arthur’s in The Admiral District:
As noted when Arthur’s (2311 California SW) opened almost three years ago, the restaurant/bar is named after co-proprietor Rebecca Rice‘s Australian dad. So they have a special tie to the continent. As noted in the graphic above, you can either just drop in Saturday morning/afternoon/evening and part of your tab will be donated, or you can reserve a spot at the wine dinner – specifics on that are here.
The other benefit next Saturday is at LGBTQ+ bars around the metro area, with White Center’s Lumber Yard Bar participating. We published the preview on our partner site White Center Now; starting at 8 pm Saturday, the Lumber Yard and other participating venues will raise money for the Australian Community Disaster Relief Fund.
Weather panic isn’t the only reason to do meal planning in advance. One way to have a fridge/freezer full of ready-to-cook dishes is to visit Dream Dinners (WSB sponsor). The next West Seattle open house is this Tuesday (January 21), 6-7:15 pm – if you’re new to Dream Dinners, it’s a chance to go home with three dinners at a discount. Here’s the announcement:
Happy New Year!
January is a great time to take stock of priorities, like family dinners, healthy mindsets, and great habits. Our mission at Dream Dinners is to make gathering around the family table a cornerstone of daily life. Kick off 2020 with our New Year Open House and enjoy a Homemade, Made Easy new year! New Guests to Dream Dinners can assemble 3 Medium Dinners for $34.99.
Sign up online at dreamdinners.com/main.php?page=session_menu.
If you have any questions call us at 206-938-5999 or email us at westseattlewa@dreamdinners.com.
West Seattle Dream Dinners is on the outer east side of Jefferson Square, at 4701 41st SW.
(Rendering by Sazei Design Group)
This Thursday (January 23), the proposed Delridge Heights mixed-use building at 8854 Delridge Way SW – a vacant site that previously held a fire-damaged auto shop – goes to the Southwest Design Review Board for the third time. Below (and here), you can see the new “packet” detailing the revised design that board members will review. The meeting includes a public-comment period, so it’s published for your review too.
The plan by Sazei Design Group calls for what the city website summarizes as a “4-story apartment building with 18 small efficiency dwelling units, 14 apartments (32 units total), and office space. Parking for 14 vehicles proposed.” The packet says the “office space” is 1,150 square feet of commercial space that will include “retail.” Here’s our coverage of the previous two reviews – last September and August 2017. Thursday’s meeting is at 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building in The Junction (4217 SW Oregon).
It’s school-fundraiser season and Fairmount Park Elementary invites everyone to its event, this year titled FAL-CON. Not only are you invited – organizers suggest five reasons for community members to buy tickets. Here’s their pitch:
Fairmount Park Elementary is throwing its annual PTA Auction on February 8th and wants YOU to BUY TICKETS!
“But why,” you ask? “I don’t have children in the school to benefit from a PTA fundraiser.”
There are lots of reasons you might want to support a local school! First off, maybe you feel strongly that children in your community should be able to read fluently – studies show that kids who aren’t reading at grade level by third grade will struggle rest of their educational career in processing information. Auction proceeds fund specialist positions and programs not in the school district budget.
Perhaps you like the idea kids learning to process complex emotions and situations appropriately. Having a school counselor on staff (also not funded by district) is key for social/emotional development!
You may be an outdoor enthusiast who loves the idea of kids getting the experience of going to wilderness camp – the annual auction helps make the 5th grade trip to Islandwood affordable and accessible to all students!
It could be you think teachers should not have to spend their own money on supplies for the class – the PTA covers that so they can focus planning lessons rather than stretching dollars. If you know a teacher, you also know how hard they work and that having the right tools makes all the difference.
Or maybe you just like to party! The Fairmount Park Elementary Auction is Comicon themed – named FAL-CON after the Fairmount Park Elementary mascot – the falcon! It will be over-the-top fun. For the price of admission you will get a full belly of delicious food offerings, a complimentary beverage, access to a bunch of elaborate games and movie inspired photo-ops. Plus, there will be great deals on donated items from West Seattle businesses! Often items in the silent and ticket auction go at or below retail value, so you could technically make money by attending and shopping for gift cards you can use all year.
Come to FAL-CON. Dress up, hang out, eat, drink, take a selfie with E.T., but most of all, support educational opportunities for local kids. After all, we all have to live with them once they grow up.
Auction details:
Date: Saturday, February 8th, 2020
Time 5:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: The Hall at Fauntleroy in West Seattle.
Buy Tickets: https://fpepta.schoolauction.net/falcon2020/homepages/show
Got a school event – fundraiser or other type – open to the community? Send us info for our calendar (even just the basics) – we don’t know unless you tell us! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Ferry and rainbow, photographed from Alki by SF)
Fairly quiet pre-holiday Sunday – here’s a handful of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
YOUTH BASKETBALL TRYOUTS: 9 am-11 am at the Seattle Lutheran High School gym, second of three tryout sessions for 7th- and 8th-grade girls and boys interested in new AAU program West Seattle Saints. (4100 SW Genesee)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Produce, cheese, meat, beverages, bread, pasta, soup, and more, in the street in the heart of The Junction, 10 am-2 pm. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
TIME TRAVEL: Explore West Seattle’s history at the Log House Museum on Alki, open noon-4 pm today. (61st/Stevens)
JAMTIME: 1-4 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), old-time, bluegrass, country jam. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
‘THE REVOLUTIONISTS’: 3 pm, first matinée for ArtsWest‘s new production – “a quartet of fierce women — Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle — lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.” Check for tickets here. (4711 California SW)
(Long-exposure post-sunset photo by James Tilley)
LYLE IN CONCERT: Live at Brace Point Pottery in Arbor Heights, 6-8 pm, “seven-piece art-rock band with a sound that’s difficult to describe and a giant, collective open heart.” (4208 SW 100th)
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley, 8 pm. 21+.
SEE IT ALL … by browsing our complete calendar!
First, two report about purses:
LINCOLN PARK CAR BREAK-IN: From Allison:
At around 10:15 AM this morning, my family and I went to Lincoln Park for a walk. As I was helping my 4-year-old out of the car, my husband put my purse in the trunk of our SUV, under the privacy screen. Upon our return about 1 hour later, we realized that our back window on the passenger side had been broken and my purse, and only my purse, was gone. We filed a police report but am looking to understand if any witnesses got a picture or if anyone has found any of my belongings. I suspect my ID and others things that don’t have any value may have been put in a trash can or thrown on the side of the road. We’ve made a police report and are now going through the processing of suspending all the necessary accounts. If you have any information or see my belongings, which will be a pain to re-establish, please let me know: allisonmichellec (at) yahoo.com. We so appreciate our friend and several kind strangers who helped us clean up and offered their support!
PURSE FOUND: A reader found this at Delridge Playfield – hours before Allison’s was stolen, so it’s not hers.
Yours? Let us know and we will connect you to the finder.
SAXOPHONE FOUND: Tim brought this in after it turned up:
Possible stolen/lost alto saxophone. It was sitting in the rain last night and a neighbor saw it the grass against our front wall this morning. It’s banged up. North Admiral.
With this too, let us know if it’s yours and we will connect you to the finder.
ANOTHER TIRE-SLASHING: Jeff reports: “I just saw a post on the blog about a tire slashed in Westwood Village and wanted to share that we’ve had 3 tires slashed over the last 2 months at 35th x Barton right next to the Super Deli Mart. Even one on Christmas Eve. Parked on the street, usually happens late at night/early morning.”
Crime concerns or questions? The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets Tuesday at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), all welcome, 7 pm.
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