West Seattle, Washington
17 Friday
Along with other options for tonight, you can see a soccer playoff match right here in West Seattle. The WSHS girls play Seattle Prep in the Metro League semifinals at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm. The winner not only goes to the championship game but also is guaranteed a spot at the state tournament. Both teams are 12-3; the Wildcats, coached by Andres Lara Rodriguez, are undefeated in league play.
(Surf Scoters, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Welcome to the weekend! Some of what’s happening today/tonight:
GREEN SEATTLE DAY: The work parties are all full, but in case you see them and wonder, three West Seattle parks are among 17 citywide where volunteers are working today: Lincoln Park, Westcrest Park, and Pigeon Point.
AMATEUR RADIO LICENSING CLASS: 9 am-5 pm at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – full details here. (6000 16th SW)
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Interested families are invited to visit this independent elementary school on the north edge of The Junction, 10 am-noon. Enter Tilden School (WSB sponsor) via the west side of the building. (4105 California SW)
HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-1 pm open house at this P-8 Catholic school. (4142 42nd SW)
DELRIDGE GROCERY GROUNDBREAKING: 11 am, be there as the Delridge Grocery Co-op celebrates the ceremonial start of the build-out for its long-awaited store, followed by its annual member meeting – with community involvement encouraged! More info in our preview. (5444 Delridge Way SW)
HISTORICAL SOCIETY CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH GALA: 11 am at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s annual fundraising gala spotlights local music history, with a program highlighted by a live interview with Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan. (1936 Harbor SW)
DEATHSPLORATION RESOURCE & ART FAIR: 11 am-5 pm at Camp Long, as part of Deathsploration Month:
Discover cool art, organizations, local businesses, and how the death and dying community is living in Western Washington. Local organizations, artists, businesses post up at Camp Long for the day, creating space for you to discover, engage, learn and play. This event will feature prizes, freebies, and amazing humans.
Dance party and bonfire follow! (5200 35th SW)
BALLARD SEDENTARY SOUSA BAND: Birthday bash – with cake! – at Kenyon Hall, 3 pm. Ticket info here. (7904 35th SW)
KENYA FUNDRAISER: Enjoy Kenyan food and support education, 5-7 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. (3050 California SW)
INTERNATIONAL FOLK: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, Joe Jencks and Wes Weddell in concert. Ticket info here. (7904 35th SW)
‘NIGHTFALL ORPHANAGE’ FINALE: Last night for the 7:30-10:30 pm “garage haunt” show in an Alki yard.
Full details in our calendar listing. (2130 Alki SW)
GRETA MATASSA: The acclaimed Seattle jazz singer performs at the Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 8 pm. Tickets here. (2808 Alki SW)
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, Last Chance Family Band, The Berries, and Golden Ruins. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE OUR FULL CALENDAR … by going here.
P.S. Remember to “fall back” tonight (2 am Sunday) … if you have any clocks/devices left that don’t automatically adjust!
Chief Sealth International High School senior Bishop Jackson (#11, above) scored five of the touchdowns that carried the Seahawks to their highest point total of the season in a 55-34 win at Nathan Hale. Two of his TD’s followed Hale’s only first-half scoring, one that briefly gave the Raiders a 6-0 lead. Sealth had the lead at the half, 14-6, and started expanding on that in the second half with #22 Jesse Brown‘s TD following a faked punt.
#4 Quinn Killham was next with a Sealth TD:
Later, punctuating Jackson TD’s, #79 Randy Johnson added one:
Hale tried a comeback in the 4th quarter but never got close.
Head coach Ted Rodriguez‘s team is now 5-4. They play at Newport (in Bellevue) next Thursday, 7 pm.
(WSB photo from last Sunday)
Last Sunday, we had a brief report on a big police response at The Huxley apartments (Fauntleroy/Edmunds), explained at the time as a “possible burglary.” The full report wasn’t available when we followed up with police the next day. But today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney‘s Office filed a drug charge against the man arrested on Sunday, so those documents provide details on what happened:
The police report says the initial call was that two men and one woman were in an elevator with bicycle frames stolen from a storage area. Officers spotted the three trying to leave the building. One of them, 49-year-old Mark J. Fleck, fled back into the building; officers pursued him. (The document doesn’t say what happened to the other two.) Fleck was armed with what the report describes as a fixed-blade knife in a sheath hanging from his hip. He also had 3 grams of meth in a baggie in his pocket. And he had an arrest warrant for a probation violation. The charging papers say he has “a significant history of drug offenses.” He remains in jail, held without bail because of the warrant.
If you use the Free Waterfront Shuttle downtown – maybe to get to/from the Water Taxi – it was scheduled to end as of today, but has been extended through year’s end. The shuttle had been run with Viaduct-related funding, and that ran out. At the last minute, its operator MTRWestern decided to keep it going for the rest of the year, so it will “resume operations on a reduced winter schedule,” according to today’s announcement. The shuttle is managed by Commute Seattle and the Downtown Seattle Association. In the current City Council budget-vetting process, Councilmember Abel Pacheco has proposed funding it – or something similar – next year by reallocating $1 million.
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Thanks to Jamie Kinney for sending the photo of tonight’s sunset! By the end of this weekend, the sun will be setting before 5 pm, since we “fall back” an hour at 2 am Sunday. (You can always check the sunset/sunrise/moonset/moonrise times on the WSB West Seattle Weather page.)
Tough day for the Metro League-champion Chief Sealth International High School slowpitch team in their first trip to the state tournament. They lost their opening game to Washougal, 13-8, and the subsequent consolation-bracket game to Prairie, 18-9. Head coach Alex Alicea‘s team made it to state with the distinction of having been the first Seahawks in 8 years to play for a league championship.
Family and friends will gather November 8th to remember Charlotte J. Dominico. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing with the community:
Charlotte Joan Dominico, born September 19th, 1938, passed away October 19th, 2019 in Seattle. Born in Minnesota and raised in West Seattle. Parents Garrett and Marion Ehlers.
Charlotte married her high-school sweetheart Larry Dominico after they both graduated from West Seattle High School in 1956. They were married for over 40 years before Larry passed away in 1998. Charlotte is survived by her children Larry Dominico, Dina Bittermann (Jim) and Mary Jo Werlech (Mike). Grandchildren Nic,(Karissa) Joseph Bittermann. Larry, Sam Dominico. Danny, Joey, and Michael Werlech. Great granddaughter Kinsley. She has two older brothers, Roland and Darrel Ehlers.
Charlotte fought hard but ultimately lost her battle with lung cancer.
Charlotte worked in the legal field for over 40 years, but what made her the happiest was spending time with her friends and family. She loved being with all her grand boys, cheering them on sporting events and attending anything that had to do with being around and spending time with them. She was so proud of all of her ‘kids.’ She loved to cook for her family and was a spectacular baker. Grandkids always knew where to find the cookies and desserts.
Charlotte will be remembered as a loving Mom, special grandmother, and friend. Her happiness and love will forever live in our hearts.
Donations can be made in her name to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Funeral at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Friday, November 8th at 2 pm. 7000 35th Avenue SW.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
4:43 PM: Big SFD response is heading to the 3800 block of Beach Drive for a possible paddleboarder in distress.
4:49 PM: Via radio communication, responders report the paddleboarder is OK.
Two more reader reports since this morning:
STOLEN PICKUP TRUCK: The photo and report are from Justin:
My truck was stolen last night around 3 am from right outside my home in Delridge (12th Ave x Thistle). It’s a tan ’97 Nissan pickup truck with Maryland license plates (license #: 7DD0397). There’s a cap on the bed of the truck, so it should look just like the picture. If you see this truck please let me know!! I really need it for work. If you come across it please call me @ (443) 865-2022! Filed a police report (#2019-406982) this morning that you can reference as well. Thank you!!!
(MONDAY UPDATE: Justin reports in comments that his truck has been found.)
SHOP DECORATIONS STOLEN: Alonzo at Our Secret Garden (4723 42nd SW, on the breezeway) says these decorations were stolen around 6 am:
The theft was recorded on video:
We will add the police-report number when we get it.
Thanks to West Seattle High School Spanish teacher Joy Patman for the photos from the Dia de los Muertos celebration that’s been under way all week. She says the altar was “constructed by all five of my classes with ofrendas for their beloved pets, friends, siblings, and family members who have passed away.” That was built Monday through Thursday; also each morning before school, they’ve been “face-painting students and faculty willing to walk around during their normal school day disguised as calaveras, or skeletons, for Day of the Dead.”
This is the second year for the face-painting tradition. Dia de los Muertos is actually more than one day, and continues into tomorrow.
(Photo courtesy Parie Hines)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Saturday’s “groundbreaking” for the Delridge Grocery Co-op‘s long-awaited store isn’t intended as simply a spectator event.
It’s also meant to be an invitation and a welcome for you to come into the organization and help shape the store.
The space on the ground floor of Cottage Grove Commons (5444 Delridge Way SW) has awaited the store since the supportive-housing building’s completion six years ago. But that building likely wouldn’t have a commercial space at all, if not for community clamor before CGC was built. At a meeting in June 2011 (WSB coverage here), someone suggested the building should have a ground-floor commercial space, perhaps for what was then the Delridge Produce Cooperative.
The suggestion took root.
The co-op itself had sprouted two years before that. In early 2009, we published a brief mention that founder Galena White was looking for people to help fulfill a longtime wish – making inexpensive fresh organic produce available in Delridge, long a “food desert.”
(Steller’s Jay, photographed by Susan Romanenghi)
Welcome to November! Highlights of what’s ahead:
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: 11 am at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)
CORNER BAR: 6 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club, the monthly pop-up bar. Counting down to HPIC’s centennial celebration in two weeks: “This month we celebrate the ’10s – a summary of our recent past. Thanks to Dina Johnson, Kay Kirkpatrick, Michele Witzki and other special contributors – that have put so much effort into documenting our history in such a way.” Music by Welcome Strangers and DJ Dr. Lehl. (1116 SW Holden)
SKELETON THEATRE: Animatronic Skeleton Theatre is back with “a remounting of “Ulna 13,” about skeletons in space. The show is about 20 minutes and will loop 6-9 pm. skeletontheatre.com. Free. (36th/Hanford)
‘NIGHTFALL ORPHANAGE’, second-to-last night for the 7:30-10:30 pm “garage haunt” show in an Alki yard. Full details in our calendar listing. (2130 Alki SW)
KARA HESSE: Live at the Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 8 pm. Tickets here. (2808 Alki SW)
DEAL: Music at Parliament Tavern, 8:30 pm. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
PREVIEW THE WEEKEND … via our complete calendar.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
NORTH ADMIRAL E-BIKE THEFT: The video and report are from Mandy in the 4100 block of SW Hill:
Our W bike was stolen from our side yard (Thursday). Locked to our deck. Broad daylight. 8 am … walked it out our front gate. We’ve filed a police report and have video on our neighbor’s camera.
The bike looks like this one.
DUMPED MAIL: A texter reports finding “a ton of other people’s mail near my mailbox” this morning, on 20th SW near SW Trenton. The mail was “from houses between Thistle and Cloverdale”; the texter dropped it off at a Post Office this morning.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning and welcome to November!
WATER TAXI: Reminder – the smaller Spirit of Kingston is on the West Seattle run.
TIME CHANGE: Tomorrow night (2 am Sunday), we “fall back” an hour.
7:38 AM: Someone is reported to be walking southbound in the northbound lanes of the 99 tunnel; police are en route to check this out.
10:18 PM: Thanks to Manuel for spotting that Instagram post and texting the tip. We’ve been watching that spot at 35th and Morgan since reporting on Pizza Hut‘s closure nine months ago. No hints, at the site or in permit files, until this. Grillbird also has a website that says, “We are opening in early 2020 in West Seattle. We can not wait to serve you Classic Seattle style teriyaki, Katsu and more!” We have sent an inquiry in hopes of finding out more.
11:55 PM: We’ve heard back from Grillbird’s proprietor Matt Parker, a restaurant-industry veteran and 10-year West Seattleite. He describes the restaurant as a “teriyaki chicken shop.” This is his first solo enterprise but his background, he told us by email, includes being “the restaurant designer for Huxley Wallace Collective: Westward, Quality Athletics, Scout, Kiki Ramen, Great State Burger, etc.” He adds, “We love West Seattle and and I can’t wait to meet the folks in High Point.” We’ll be chatting with him further to find out more.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: A little more from proprietor Matt, who we photographed at the restaurant-to-be this afternoon:
The vision for Grillbird is to serve up the best of what we all love about teriyaki (chargrilled chicken to order, exceptional value), and then to meet the needs of the modern customer (mobile pay, online ordering, delivery app, gluten free & vegan options, designed experience). Grillbird focuses only on the “hits” – a small but efficient menu serving up the dishes people consistently love. Everything will be made in-house, with quality, fresh ingredients, grilled to order and served quickly. Customers will be able to order by delivery, online app, phone or walk-in.
Grillbird is not a chain, or a concept. We are not “elevating” teriyaki. It’s just your local teriyaki joint made a little more modern and serving up (what we hope is) the best chicken teriyaki in town.
A few seats for dining in. P.S. He’ll be painting the exterior this weekend
Your Halloween doesn’t have to end when this night is over. Two shows/displays continue tomorrow:
SKELETON THEATRE: Tonight was the first of two nights that draws people from miles around to 36th/Hanford, to see the labor of love that a theatrical professional-led crew has staged, with various themes, for 14 Halloweens:
This time, the Skeleton Theatre crew is reprising their skeletons-in-space saga “Ulna 13,” not a bad choice considering we just marked 50 years since the first moon landing.
Skeleton Theatre shows are more comic than creepy, and run about 20 minutes, continuously with brief intermissions, 6 to 9 pm. Seems the skeletons have a new project, too:
From there, we headed to Alki.
‘NIGHTFALL ORPHANAGE’: This too is the creation of someone with a professional background. as noted in the preview; for a third year, the creator and his accomplices have put on a “garage haunt” to spread Halloween spirit at the beach:
Our photos only hint at the experience; see more on the official website. Better yet, go experience it for yourself, until 10:30 tonight and again 7:30-10:30 tomorrow and Saturday. Bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank.
Every year while out on Halloween, we notice more and more decorated homes – not just carved pumpkins, but also lights, creatures, silhouettes, all sorts of spookiness. Susanne sent us these photos from Gatewood.
We also featured some Belvidere creativity, courtesy of Rose, with this morning’s highlight list. Thanks to everyone for sharing what you’re seeing!
ADDED: A display in Admiral, shared by Ryan:
(WSB photos)
Among the scariest West Seattle spots this Halloween night … it’s the 15th year for the Meeds Manor Haunted House! Different location this year – 45th and Stevens. We stopped by in the early going pre-dusk:
The Meeds family says the displays just keep growing every year.
Bring non-perishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank so you don’t run the risk of having to walk the plank:
It’s among the spooky sights highlighted in our Halloween Etc. Guide.
When we showed you striping work on SW Avalon Way on Wednesday, the newest information from SDOT was that it would be “final” striping. Now, the weekly project update says it’s not:
This week and next week, we will be placing temporary striping of the final road design on SW Avalon Way. At this time, temperatures are too cold to place final striping on the road, so we will return to apply final striping when the weather gets warmer.
Please note the dates on the “no parking” signs and expect short-term, single-lane closures during striping. After temporary striping is complete, parking will be restored, where feasible, until we return to place the final striping on the road.
As you adjust to the new channelization, please drive carefully and allow everyone a little extra space. We will also be installing new signs along the corridor next week to help guide people driving and biking along the corridor.
This new design accommodates transit needs, north and southbound bike lanes, and adjust parking on both sides of SW Avalon Way. For more information on the final design, see our final design plans and graphics on our website.
Work near 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way Intersection:
We are rebuilding the center lanes and will begin work on the northern 2 lanes on SW Avalon Way east and west of the 35th Ave SW intersection. This intersection will continue to change as work continues. Please drive slowly as our traffic control will shift frequently.
Please expect:
To yield to oncoming traffic when trying to turn north or south on 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way
Temporary removal of the southbound left turn lane on SW Avalon Way at the 35th Ave SW intersection. This turn lane will be restored as soon as next week.
No left turns for people traveling northbound on SW Avalon way at the 35th Ave SW intersection. People driving can turn right onto 35th Ave SW or continue straight on SW Avalon Way.
Traffic delays at the 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way intersection due to this lane reduction
One lane of travel in each direction on SW Avalon Way
Right turns in and out of driveways at this time
Work is continuing in Zones C, D and E. See our website or most recent email updates for more information on what’s taking place.
The update included this Q/A:
Why are you painting temporary striping of the final design?
Current roadway temperatures are too low for final striping paint to dry on SW Avalon Way. Instead, we will use a temporary paint that can dry at cooler temperatures to mark the final lane configuration. We will return when the weather gets warmer to apply final striping.
Will work continue as the weather gets colder?
Yes. Although much of our work is weather dependent, we will continue to work through the end of this year. We will likely pause work early next year, as cold temperatures and rain make it more difficult to complete work.
We’ve asked for clarification on what they mean by “warmer” weather for final striping – more seasonal fall temperatures, or springtime as previously planned.
4:10 PM: The new “Magic of Morgan” Halloween celebration – previewed here Wednesday – is on until 5 pm at Morga Junction businesses. We’ve stopped at a few – above, pumpkin decorating is happening inside Youngstown Coffee Company (6032 California SW); below, Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) is offering treats:
4:50 PM: Other participants – Frank at Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW):
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Julie and Dayton at O’Neill Plumbing (6056 California SW):
(Both those businesses are WSB sponsors.) More West Seattle Halloween coverage to come!
3:50 PM: If you’re headed for Morgan Junction from points south, note that northbound traffic is being detoured at Graham because of the crash in our photo. No injuries reported.
4:07 PM: The street’s clear now.
(Spirit of Kingston – WSB file photo)
Announced this afternoon by the King County Water Taxi:
Due to a mechanical issue on one of the Sally Fox’s main engines, the 149-passenger Spirit of Kingston will replace the 278-passenger Doc Maynard on the West Seattle route. West Seattle riders should plan accordingly given the reduced passenger capacity, especially on the 8:00 and 8:35 morning sailings as well as the 4:45 and 5:25 evening sailings. The Doc Maynard will provide service on the higher ridership Vashon Island route. The Sally Fox repairs are expected to be complete next week, at which time the vessels will return to their usual assignments.
This is the first week of the fall/winter schedule for the Water Taxi, which doesn’t return to 7-day service until March 21, 2020.
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