West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
Again this year, Halloween is more like Hallo-week, with some of the 36 events in our West Seattle Halloween Etc. Guide happening tomorrow, continuing through a big busy weekend, and then more leading up to, and of course on, Halloween. If you haven’t sent us your event yet – from school carnivals to bar parties – it’s not too late; westseattleblog@gmail.com is the address. To check out the updated guide – now up to 36 listings – just go here. (Photo: Jack-o-turkey, sent by Wyatt)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning. No incidents or alerts currently.
TONIGHT: Sounders FC home match vs. Salt Lake at 7 pm, so the West Seattle Water Taxi runs into the late evening.
Those medals await the 8- to 12-year-olds who win the kids’ pumpkin-pie-eating contest at the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival. If yours wants to be part of it, you need to sign up at A la Mode Pies in The Junction (4225 SW Alaska, hours here) ASAP – they’re looking for 10 participants (eight spots remain at last check). The contest will happen at 1:30 pm at California/Alaska during the festival this Sunday (October 27th).
The festival also features:
–Applepalooza tasting and voting during the Farmers’ Market (10 am-2 pm)
–Activities presented by local businesses/schools/organizations (10 am-2 pm)
–Chili Cookoff benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank (10 am until sold out)
–Hot Cocoa/Cider Garden
–Costume Parade at 11:30 am
–Trick or Treating at noon
See you Sunday in The Junction! (WSB is a Harvest Festival community co-sponsor.)
(WSB file photo, past EWA in-store event)
Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) has a big event Thursday night, and you’re invited. But first – some big news: After celebrating the shop’s fifth anniversary last month at 4502 42nd SW in The Junction, proprietor Dave McCoy says EWA has signed a new five-year lease. You can congratulate him on Thursday night during “Get to Know Your NGO” night at EWA. He explains, “Each of the following will give 10-15-minute presentation on each of their mission statements and work they are doing in our area and then be available for personal Q&A afterward:”
Trout Unlimited
Wild Steelhead Coalition
Native Fish Society
Wild Fish Conservancy
Long Live the Kings
Puget SoundKeeper Alliance
CELP
Drop in and learn, starting at 7 pm Thursday (October 24th). Other upcoming events at EWA are listed here.
P.S. Emerald Water Anglers is also participating in Harvest Festival activities again this year – look for them amid the activity booths/areas on California SW between SW Alaska and SW Edmunds.
Question/concern for local police, but couldn’t get to this month’s two community meetings at the precinct? You’re invited to the next “Coffee with a Cop” tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, 9-11 am at the Admiral Safeway Starbucks (2622 California SW). These are usually low-key gatherings – just drop in and chat.
Six months after first word that the Row House was on the way to the AJ Apartments building at 42nd/Oregon, it’s about to open. We stopped by this afternoon for a peek inside. The newest branch of the nationwide indoor-rowing chain will “soft open” on Thursday with the first of a few days of free classes. They’re also having an open house 4-7 pm on Saturday (October 26th).
P.S. The Row House is among the businesses offering activities at Sunday’s West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival, so look for their booth on California between Edmunds and Alaska 10 am-2 pm that day.
Though Seattle doesn’t yet have a scooter-share program, that Lime scooter showed up mysteriously at 47th/Charlestown last month (thanks to Brian for the photo). You might see more of them soon, as the city is getting ready to launch a scooter-share pilot. First – you have the chance to take a quick survey to help shape the program. Second – the city has announced a public forum at City Hall next week, 6 pm on October 23rd. No word yet whether West Seattle will be included in the future scooter-share test run but these are your chances to voice hopes and concerns before the scooting begins.
(Added: WSB photo, looking at NW corner of Genesee/Avalon)
On Monday we reported on gas-leak repairs on Genesee west of Avalon. They’re not done yet and SDOT has just sent this street-closure alert:
PSE, the Seattle Fire Department and PSE’s contractor are continuing to work on this issue and have closed the west side of SW Genesee St at SW Avalon Way through this evening to make necessary repairs to stop the leak. PSE expects to conduct evening and night work to identify and resolve these issues.
Currently, SW Avalon Way remains open to traffic in both directions. However, people on the west side of SW Genesee St will not be able to turn onto SW Avalon Way and people on SW Avalon Way will not be able to turn west onto SW Genesee St. Residents near SW Genesee St can use SW Andover St and 32nd Ave SW to get to their homes during this work.
We have contact information for many of the buildings in the area and are reaching out to residents, businesses, and (WSB) to help share information about potential travel delays and the closed street.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
They’re already headquartered in the same building.
Early next year, the West Seattle Food Bank and West Seattle Helpline will become one organization.
We talked this morning with the organizations’ executive directors, Fran Yeatts of WSFB and Erin Dury Moore of WSH, about what’s ahead.
First thing you should know: Don’t stop giving to either one in the months ahead! Their distinct missions will continue – food and more (as currently provided by WSFB), emergency financial aid and clothing (as currently provided by WSH). The merger won’t result in any cutting of services.
So how did the merger decision come about?
While Sound Transit continues environmental work – including soil sampling on Harbor Island (thanks to those who have sent photos recently, including the one above) – they’re also continuing community conversation about West Seattle light rail. Next step: Two “neighborhood forums” just announced. ST says these are “to learn more about the alternatives we’ll be studying in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, what happens next in the environmental review process and how you can stay engaged” as well as “opportunities to participate in small group activities to discuss how the vision and values of your neighborhood relate to future light rail stations.” The dates/locations:
November 21
Station areas include Delridge, Avalon and Alaska Junction
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Avenue SW****
December 7
Delridge station only
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Delridge Community Center (Gym), 4501 Delridge Way SW, SeattleThis event focuses on the Delridge station and builds upon the community engagement and collaboration approach outlined in the Racial Equity Toolkit. Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters will be available.
Before these, the ST Board is due to decide this Thursday (1:30 pm October 24, downtown boardroom) whether the environmental studies will include either or both of two additional West Seattle alternatives, Yancy/Andover Elevated and Pigeon Point Tunnel. As reported here earlier this month, a board committee recommended including the former and leaving it up to the full board to discuss the latter.
(Sanderlings, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights for the rest of your Tuesday:
TODDLER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, bring the little ones! (2306 42nd SW)
MEDICARE INFO: Two free workshops in West Seattle this afternoon – 1:30 pm at West Seattle Library (2306 42nd SW), 2:30 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING: If you want to make a case for including something in, or excluding something from, next year’s city budget, tonight’s public hearing is your big chance. 5:30 pm at City Hall downtown. (600 4th Ave.)
SAFETY & CRIME PREVENTION: The West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network‘s last meeting of the year is at 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct. No special guest, but come find out about a change in the meeting schedule for next year, aa well as the usual updates from, and Q&A with, police. (2300 SW Webster)
EXPLORER WEST MS OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm, your family is invited to come learn about Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), “the only independent 6th-8th-grade school in West Seattle redefining the middle school experience.” (10015 28th SW)
KINDERGARTEN INFO NIGHT: Is your child ready? Hope Lutheran School hosts a Kindergarten Information Night at 6:30 pm. (4446 42nd SW)
OPEN MIC NIGHT: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
BROWSE OUR COMPLETE CALENDAR … to see it all!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:11 AM: Good morning. No incidents or alerts currently.
8:05 AM: Some problems, as mentioned in comments, including crash on EB bridge parallel with Admiral.
Thanks to Marlene for the tip that some City View residents are experiencing brown/discolored water because of a pump-house problem. We checked with Sabrina Register at Seattle Public Utilities; she tells us that as is usual in such cases, the water is safe to use, just doesn’t look so great. She said the problem’s believed to be limited to “a few blocks” and crews are working on it. She also mentioned a reason some other areas of West Seattle might experience discolored water tonight or tomorrow night – overnight hydrant testing in two areas, California between Admiral and Lander, and 35th SW between Barton and Henderson. P.S. The general advice on dealing with water discoloration is here.
Salmon sightings to report:
FAUNTLEROY CREEK: One day after the annual gathering to call the coho home, the first one has made it to the creek’s spawning reach, reports Judy Pickens on behalf of the volunteers watching the creek. It did not want to pose for a clear photo, so the one above is the best available for now. Three others have turned up – one dead, two alive – by the creek’s mouth. Now that the salmon have shown up, watch for word of “open creek” time this Saturday when you can go try your luck at spotting one!
LONGFELLOW CREEK: Jacquelyn sent this sighting from Longfellow Creek by Dragonfly Park:
Here’s info on Longfellow salmon-seeking.
48-year-old Michael J. Mullen is back in jail. Last June, he was arrested and charged with unlawfully possessing a “heavily altered” shotgun (photo in our coverage) that he was brandishing at people in the alley behind businesses on the west side of the 4700 block of California SW. He was released from jail two days after that arrest, and the case has continued slowly proceeding through the court system. Last Thursday morning, he was arrested for allegedly threatening his roommate at their house west of The Junction. Court documents say the roommate called police after Mullen had threatened to go get his gun, after hours of ranting about people allegedly refusing to provide him with information about a woman he was obsessed with. He’s been in jail since Thursday, charged with misdemeanor domestic-violence harassment, bail set at $50,000. He is scheduled for a mental-health evaluation and competency hearing next week, at his lawyer’s request.
(Photos by Jason Grotelueschen for WSB)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One more time, the two candidates for Seattle City Council District 1 are side by side tonight answering questions, with two more weeks of voting ahead.
This district has the highest number of ballots received so far – more than a thousand – according to brand-new numbers from King County Elections.
But 67,000+ ballots are still out there. So right now, Phil Tavel and Lisa Herbold are at Arrowhead Gardens, the fourth forum/debate event in West Seattle in eight days.
We’re there, for coverage we’ll bring you tomorrow. First – this story is about the third event, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association on Saturday morning, moderated by your WSB co-publishers. Here’s the video:
Ahead – quick summaries of the hour-long Q&A:
(Photo courtesy Debora)
Puget Sound Energy confirms that they’re repairing a gas-line leak on Genesee west of Avalon. Nearby residents says the leak was first noticed over the weekend. But it didn’t rise to a level requiring an emergency response, and PSE didn’t send a repair crew until today. The utility told us that no customers are affected; they’re still investigating the cause.
We reported briefly Saturday night on a police search following a business robbery at 35th/Roxbury. Today we’ve obtained the report; here’s what police say happened at the Cheap Smokes and Beer store (9450 35th SW):
Around 9:15 pm, three people entered the store – described as males, all wearing masks and gloves. One, wearing a black jacket, black pants, and red mask, jumped over the counter and started hitting the clerk, at least eight times. The second robber, wearing a gray jacket, black pants, and white mask, also jumped over the counter and began stuffing cigarettes into a purple bag. He then took the register off the counter and gave it to the third robber. All three took off with the register, cigarettes, and the victim’s Galaxy S4 phone, in a case that also had his ID and other cards. They were last seen headed northbound; a subsequent K9 search suggested they had then gone into the alley east of the building, but the trail ended there, so it’s possible they got into a vehicle. The clerk had a “small lump on the right side of his forehead” but told officers he didn’t need medical attention
(WSB photo, November 2018)
ORIGINAL REPORT: In our coverage of Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s South Park walking tour last Tuesday, we mentioned she was expected to be in West Seattle for one this week. That’s now been confirmed; the West Seattle Junction Association says the mayoral visit on Friday afternoon will include a public meeting/conversation at Cupcake Royale (California/Alaska) at 4:30 pm. Durkan has been touring with Police Chief Carmen Best and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins to underscore the importance of public-safety spending while her budget plan is under City Council review; as noted in our daily highlights, councilmembers are looking at the Seattle Police budget this afternoon. Last fall, you’ll recall, the mayor and Chief Best held a community Q&A at Cupcake Royale (WSB coverage here).
TUESDAY: The community conversation is now expected to start at 5 pm.
1:50 PM: Thanks to Karen for sending the photo! That’s the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), headed northbound in Puget Sound again, just two and a half weeks after its latest return.
1:57 PM: A closer look just came in from Gary Jones (thank you!) at Alki Point:
The Nimitz’s recent voyages have all been training for its next deployment.
(WSB photo from past West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival)
We know, the weekend’s just ended, but so much is happening next weekend, we’re going to spend the whole week looking ahead to it. Today we’re continuing previews with another one focused on the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival. It runs concurrent with the Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm Sunday (October 27th), and while the market remains on its usual block of California SW, the street closure will extend south to SW Edmunds, with the extra block full of activities provided by local businesses, schools, and organizations, who provided these descriptions:
*Create King and Queen crowns
*Decorate tea-light lanterns with leaves, glitter, etc. and put the handles on. Made out of school milk cartons!
*Bean Bag into Pumpkins Toss
*Jack o’ Lantern Face basketball hoop shoot.
*Tea light crafts
*Turkey hands: kids will draw their hands and paint them to look like turkeys
*Pumpkin faces: kids with paint a paper plate with two holes for eyes and they can paint
*Photo booth with Halloween props
*Hula hoops for contests to see who can last the longest and just general fun with a large photo backdrop so parents can take pictures
*Kids coloring placemats.
*Spin a wheel or pick up a pumpkin (and look underneath) to see if they win a prize or a 4oz Pumpkin yogurt cup
*Fly casting for kids!
*”Mock” election for kids to try out ranked-choice voting.
*Spin wheel for small prizes!
*Cookie Decorating
*Coloring pages
*Marshmallow/toothpick building, hand turkeys, and large Pinko
*”Build your own sushi” table with hot glue guns (adults will be there to help assemble), cotton balls, felt and markers etc. Come on over and build your own nigiri and temaki’s!
*Math games for students and they will win free prizes and candies
*Coloring and origami
*Sensory bins
*Food systems-based trivia for all ages. Prizes will include a selection of goods
*Spinning wheel that kids can spin to win fun prizes
*Spooky tic-tac toe with painted rocks. Winners will receive a prize!
*Learn to row with a coach.
*Button making and a guitar for kids to try out
*Cow Toss Corn Hole
*Mini putt-putt golf green with small prizes for making a hole in one.
*Goal with a goalie that kids will be able to pick up a lacrosse stick and take shots on goal!
*Allow kids to harvest seeds off plantings and create seed packs that they can take home and plant in their home gardens
*A spin wheel, ring toss, Plinko board
*Witch hat hoop throw and obstacle course.
*Decorate lunch sacks to look like Turkeys
*Decorate mini pumpkins
*Pie Face – kids dig through whipped cream with their mouth to pull out the candy corn and pumpkin candy. Each has their own pie dish to dig in
*Ring toss the Pumpkin – we line up pumpkins and they use a hula hoop to ring toss a pumpkin
*Connect 4
*Jenga and Corn Hole
*Color your own teddy bear and a photo booth.
*Cornhole, stickers, coloring.
*Getting kids involved in jump roping
*Photo booth
*Fishing booth where kids get fishing poles to catch Goldfish crackers.
*Applepalooza (Farmers’ Market taste testing and voting)
*Photo Booth with costumes and cut out dancers and coloring!
*Coloring pages and a fun spinner wheel trivia game
Also – the costume parade at 11:30 am, trick-or-treating at noon, and the chili cookoff (as previewed here). We’ll be in the Info Booth at Walk-All-Ways just like West Seattle Summer Fest – see you there!
(Hawk meets ‘owl,’ photo by Mark Dale)
A few highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CITY COUNCIL TALKS POLICE BUDGET, CRIMINAL JUSTICE: 2:30 pm at City Hall, as the council’s second level of budget review continues – see the agenda here. Public comment period included; livestreamed at Seattle Channel. (600 4th Ave.)
DUWAMISH RIVER CLEANUP CATCHUP: Something to say about the ongoing cleanup operation in our area’s only river? Interested in catching up on what’s happened so far? 5 pm at South Park Community Center, be there. Child care, refreshments, interpretation available. (8319 8th Ave. S.)
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES: Arrowhead Gardens hosts a forum with Lisa Herbold and Phil Tavel, 6 pm, public welcome. In the community room on the east side of the complex. (9200 2nd SW)
FREE IMPROV CLASS: 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse with Play It Out – details and RSVP info here. (9131 California SW)
3 TRIVIA/QUIZ NIGHTS: We have listings for these three Monday night options!
*Best of Hands Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW), 7 pm, $2/person, 21+
*The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm, free, all ages
*Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Oregon), 8 pm, $2/person, 21+
MUCH MORE ... for all ages; browse our complete calendar!
From the United Way of King County, now recruiting for volunteers to help with tax prep in our area (and elsewhere):
Every year in Washington State, low- and middle-income families and individuals struggle to pay the bills and keep food on the table. During tax time, it can make an unstable situation even worse. Not only is Washington’s tax system the most regressive in the nation, but predatory tax preparers could charge upwards of $300 for a tax return, and may not tell their clients about certain credits or saving opportunities they might qualify for.
Clare visited one of our United Way tax sites. She was a single mother of two making $30,000 a year. She struggled to pay her housing and grocery expenses. During her time with our Free Tax Campaign volunteers, she received a $3,000 refund at absolutely no cost. This meant that she was able to meet some of her basic needs to support her two children.
In 2019, our amazing volunteers helped 21,975 people by bringing back $30.1 million in tax refunds and credits in the process. For many of our clients, this helps them to cover the cost of basic needs like food and shelter. For this upcoming tax season, we’re hoping to make an even bigger impact in our community. To do this, we need your help.
We rely on our talented team of volunteers to make this possible. Join us and fight against poverty. We provide free comprehensive training that will boost your skills, and help reach the people who need it most. No prior tax experience needed!
Find a Free Tax Prep location near you and get involved (here).
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