West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
9:34 PM: A few people have asked about the Seattle Fire response this past hour at Alki Bathhouse – attention-getting because firefighters extended a ladder to check out the roof.
Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photos. And thanks to Brad (via Cami) for the report that firefighters were looking into the possibility a “sky lantern” had landed on the roof. We’re following up with SFD to see if that’s what they found (the call was coded “rubbish fire,” but that’s used to cover a variety of possibilities).
ADDED TUESDAY: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Crews responded reports of smoke coming from the roof, so crews extended a ladder to climb up and investigate. No fire was found, and no injuries were reported.”
This Thursday, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s monthly online author series, Words, Writers, Southwest Stories, features Donna Sandstrom, author of “Orca Rescue!” – telling the story of lost orca Springer‘s successful rescue – and founder of The Whale Trail. Here’s the SWSHS announcement:
Working Together to Save the Whales
Stories of Hope, from Springer to the Southern Residents
In 2002 a young orca named Springer was discovered near West Seattle – lost, alone, and 300 miles away from home. Six months later she was rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to her pod on the north end of Vancouver Island. Today she is thriving, with two calves of her own. It’s the only successful orca reintroduction in history!
Join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and local author Donna Sandstrom for our next Words, Writers, Southwest Stories at 6 pm Thursday, October 10. Sandstrom will share the inspiring story of Springer’s rescue, and how it led her to found The Whale Trail. Learn about current initiatives to protect the endangered southern resident orcas and how you can participate in their recovery.
Donna Sandstrom is the Founder of The Whale Trail, a west coast-wide series of sites to watch whales from shore, In 2002 she was a community organizer on the successful effort to return Springer, an orphaned orca, to her pod. Donna recently served as a member of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force, where she championed solutions to reduce noise and disturbance around the endangered southern resident orcas. Prior to founding The Whale Trail, she was a team and project manager at Adobe Systems. She is the author of “Orca Rescue, the true story of an orphaned orca named Springer” (Kids Can Press 2021), which is a 2025 Sasquatch Award nominee. She is a long-time resident of West Seattle.
Register here to attend, and SWSHS will send you the link before the talk on Thursday.
P.S. “Orca Rescue” was recently published as an audio book – in which you can hear Springer’s actual calls!
Every week we feature dozens of events on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. This week, a new recurring event makes its debut – a community cribbage night! Erik Walum sent the announcement:
Starting Wednesday, October 9th at 6:00 PM, I am starting a cribbage night. The event will be every second Wednesday of the month at the West Seattle Eagles banquet room. It coincides with the club’s weekly taco dinner for the public. All ages are welcome and you don’t need to be a member to participate.
No RSVP needed – just show up. The Eagles are at 4426 California SW in The Junction.
(2023 Seattle Parks image of stadium study area for off-leash area)
Half a year after finalizing the location for West Seattle’s second off-leash area, Seattle Parks is inviting you to a “community engagement event” to find out more about it and offer comments. It’s set for 4-6 pm Wednesday, October 23, at West Seattle Stadium (where the new off-leash area will be created in the “unpaved overflow parking lot” south of the stadium). Parks’ announcement of the event says, “SPR’s project team and design consultant will be available to answer questions, present design concepts, and gather valuable community feedback (to) help shape the final design.” The announcement adds, “Attendees are also encouraged to bring their dogs on-leash in costume for a fun treat. SPR will be accepting pet food donations to benefit the Seattle Animal Shelter at the event or you can visit seattle.gov/animal-shelter/get-involved/donate to donate.” Parks says the off-leash area “will include fencing, seating for pet owners, and an environmentally friendly stormwater bioretention area with thoughtful plantings.” The project page says Parks is currently aiming to build the new West Seattle off-leash area in 2026.
P.S. We asked Parks two followup questions about the October 23 event – where exactly at the stadium, and is it strictly “drop-in”? Spokesperson Rachel Schulkin replied, “The gravel overflow parking lot that is usually chained/blocked off. Take the turn off of 35th Ave SW down the driveway toward the stadium/golf course and it will be immediately on the right. We’ll be the first thing people see when they pull into the stadium/golf course driveway so it should be easy to find as if they use the address for the stadium/golf course. And yes, this will be a drop-in event.”
West Seattle’s been fairly quiet for development applications lately. One project appeared on today’s Land Use Information Bulletin – the six townhouses (with nine parking spaces, as required by the Alki Parking Overlay) planned for 2236 Alki SW [map], replacing the 108-year-old triplex shown above. We reported briefly in May when the project was in early stages; now the project team has formally applied for a Shoreline Substantial Development permit (since it’s across the street from the bay), and that opens a comment period. Today’s notice explains how to send your comment in, deadline November 5.
The group of transient killer whales known as the T65Bs are back in the area, Kersti Muul tells us – southbound toward Alki Point at last report.
The journey to opening a storefront can be a long one. More than a year has passed since we first told you about baker Chely Smithgall‘s plan to open a storefront for her Fine Baking Co. at 6971 California SW in south Morgan Junction. Her window signage is up but she hasn’t opened yet, so we checked in. She had good news: “We are finally approved! We are working on some last details and running tests on the new equipment, hopefully we’ll be ready in a couple of weeks.” She’s gained a reputation already, selling cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, personalized printed cookies, and other “treats” as a “home baker with a cottage food permit.”
(Photo by Jerry Simmons, showing what he called a ‘cloud flower,’ seen ‘blooming’ during Sunday’s sunrise)
Here’s our highlight list for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Visit Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am to 6 pm today, to see the art work community members are showing at the library this month!
COMMUNITY CUP SHOWCASE: Multiple artists’ cup creations, on display all month at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW), open until 2 pm.
SPORTS: The Chief Sealth International High School slow-pitch softball team (6-5) hosts Lincoln for two games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 4 and 5:30 pm.
FOOD TRUCK IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Rotating weekly food-truck visit, 4000 block of SW 107th, 4 pm.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! FOUR places to play tonight – Music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All are invited to free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community also hosts Monday night meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley in back of Bonjour Vietnam is open – tonight you can listen to live music from The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
SING! 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
If you have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Though we have a lost/found/non-pets board in the WSB Community Forums, we periodically post unusual discoveries here on the main page, and this is one of those, from Felicia in South Delridge:
Recently when I went out to my car I noticed somebody left a little memorial charm on a nail on my garage. It looks a little banged up, so I’m suspecting somebody found it on the ground and assumed it was mine and left it there for me to find but it does not belong to me. I’m trying to get the word out as wide as I can because sadly, this is a memorial pendant for a small baby. It does not have a name, but the back says “J.H.H.T.T. 08/04/2020 – 10/02/2020”
I’ve attached photos of the charm in hopes it might be published to the blog and be reunited with the person who loved this child.
Contact us if it’s yours – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you.
9:18 AM: Collision blocking 1st Avenue S. and SW Kenyon in southeast West Seattle – involving a truck and a motorcycle; the rider is being taken to the hospital, and crews say there’s a slick to clean up on the street.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Monday, October 7th.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Becoming sunny, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:17 am, while sunset will be at 6:35 pm.
(Sunday sunrise, photographed by Stewart L.)
ROAD WORK
*SDOT has not announced any dates yet for the remaining work on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project.
*The Highway 99 tunnel will close for maintenance and inspections again next weekend – 10 pm Friday (October 11) to 6 am Sunday (October 13).
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides later this month, exact date TBA. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues too, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
TRANSIT
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat.” Check for alerts here.
Metro buses today – Regular schedule.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides 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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Thanks to Sean O for sending two clips from a sighting tonight of three coyotes near 36th/Hanford. You can see the third in this one:
Other sightings since our last coyote update a few weeks ago:
HIGH POINT: Zachary saw two near 32nd/Raymond the night of September 17:
Two coyotes crossing 32nd Ave SW and SW Raymond St around 11:40. Didn’t mind me and my dog. Did stop to look at me as I tried to get a pic.
FAIRMOUNT: Anthony reported a September 20 sighting – “Spotted a coyote just before 10 pm at the intersection of Dawson and 38th. There were a rabble of smaller animals nearby scattering to evade it, too. I was behind the wheel at the time, so I could not safely get a picture.”
UPPER FAUNTLEROY: That same night, Tim had this sighting: “At about 9:15 p.m. I saw a large coyote trotting at a fair clip south on 37th Ave in the Gatewood neighborhood between Cloverdale and Donovan as I was walking north. It took a quick nose over toward me as I sped up past it, then it continued south. I warned a couple of dog walkers who were heading in the same direction. I’ve walked a lot in this neighborhood at night over the last five years (I’m a Gatewood resident), have seen a decent collection of wildlife, but never a coyote in this area.”
We share sightings periodically for awareness and education, not alarm. Many brochures and one-sheets offer simple tips for coexisting with coyotes – here’s one of them.
West Seattle PCC Assistant Store Director John Reed and Store Director Renee Crovisier
Photos and story by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It was a neighborhood birthday party 35 years in the making on Saturday, as PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) celebrated their 35th anniversary in West Seattle.
PCC staff hosted the afternoon festivities at the store (2749 California SW) and drew an appreciative crowd of neighbors and customers, with highlights including a performance by the student band from West Seattle High School, food samples from several Northwest makers, demo stations, and various other activities.
Upstairs, kids were invited to decorate their own mini-pumpkins:
…and PCC’s Ed Kernan led customers of all ages in a pasta-making demo:
Downstairs, customers enjoyed wine tasting as well as food samples throughout the store:
The first West Seattle PCC store opened in 1989 (the co-op’s sixth store, and largest at the time), and in 2019 the store doubled in size to 24,000 square feet after a two-year hiatus for construction.
PCC’s roots in West Seattle actually go back to the mid-1960s, according to this article from the PCC website, when the co-op had a drop-off site for grocery deliveries on a member’s porch in Delridge (prior to the co-op even opening their first storefront, in Madrona).
(WSB photo, October 2023)
All ages are welcome next Sunday afternoon to join in drumming – and a little dancing – to call the coho home to Fauntleroy Creek. It’s an annual tradition in a courtyard just yards from the banks of the creek, and it comes as volunteers launch the Fauntleroy Watershed Council‘s count of spawners arriving in the creek. No RSVP needed, just show up at SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way (across and upslope from the ferry dock), 4 pm Sunday, October 13.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“We need our community.”
Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair says that’s truer than ever while SPD works to rebuild its ranks.
We talked with her earlier this week at the precinct, our first opportunity for a sit-down conversation since she took over more than three months ago as leader of the officers assigned to West Seattle and South Park.
Before getting into how the precinct works – and how the community factors into what police do – we asked about how she found this profession, which has her now serving as the first woman to lead this precinct, in a department where women comprise only about 15 percent of the sworn staffing. This month marks 29 years since Capt. Bair started her policing career. In very early adulthood, she worked in her family business – an Arizona restaurant – for a while. “It was great preparation for interacting for the public, time management, customer complaints …” She might have stayed in the family business but she didn’t want to stay in Arizona: “I’m just not a hot-weather person.” Her interest in Seattle was piqued by movies like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Singles.” Her interest in police work traces to TV shows like “Cagney and Lacey” and “Charlie’s Angels.” (The Angels were private detectives, close enough.) In the beginning, she says, police work wasn’t what she expected – she looked younger than her early-20s age, so “I thought they’d put me in schools. Didn’t happen.” But she found fulfillment in the work anyway. “I’ve always wanted to help people. … I’m a very optimistic individual.”
That’s Cami Voss, who is performing one of the three mini-concerts set for this Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk, October’s edition of The Art of Music. All three mini-concerts are set for 6 pm to 7:45 pm Thursday, with a 15-minute break halfway through; Terra Nova Duo is performing at Alki Arts (6030 California SW); Sue Quigley is performing at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor); and Cami Voss is performing at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW). All are free – stop in for one, two, or all three. For more on the Art Walk itself – with dozens of venues, some featuring artist receptions, 5 pm Thursday “till late” – go here!
The video and report were sent by Kelly:
My car was stolen this morning. Black Dodge Charger. They had the keys, spare set. Not sure how. Plate APT 4041. Arbor Heights.
Call 911 if you find it.
10:37 AM: If you’ve seen the orcas passing west-facing West Seattle this morning, Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch tells us those are transients. But on Saturday, there was much buzz about Southern Resident Killer Whales making their first appearance this fall in central Puget Sound. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail told us last night that they almost got this far south – her group was standing by with shareable binoculars but they turned around and headed back north. Great time of year for whale watching – let us know if you see any!
10:53 AM: Kersti says today’s transient group – the T65Bs – are now “milling about” off Alki.
(Photo sent by Kathy)
Thanks for the tips. More trouble for Easy Street Records – two days after flooding damage inside, one of the shop windows was broken from outside, around 7 am. Police found a shrieking woman, took her into custody, and called for medical assistance; one of the people who told us about this, Kathy, says people nearby setting up for the Farmers’ Market told her that the woman apparently had thrown herself against the window. SFD tells us, “A crew was dispatched and treated an adult female in crisis. The patient was transported to the hospital by AMR.”
Family and friends will gather October 19 for a service in memory of Andrew J. King. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing now:
Andrew James King was born on the 13th of March, 1950. He was the third and youngest child of Donald and Andrea King.
He grew up in north Seattle and attended Ballard HIgh School, from which he graduated in 1968. After high school, he attended college at Pacific Lutheran University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1972. He continued his study of music at the University of Washington, where he earned a Master of Music degree with a special emphasis on organ performance in 1974. That same year, he became organist and cantor at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, where he served until his death on August 7, 2024. He also worked for 35 years at Rainier Industries in the accounting department, serving as the Vice President of Finance at the time of his retirement in 2016.
He is survived by his wife, Larraine, their two children, David and Elizabeth, his brother Donald Jerry, his sister, Carolyn, a niece, three nephews, and many grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. He lived his life in service to others, and was an influence for good wherever he went. He will be missed by all whose lives were touched by him.
There will be a celebratory memorial Eucharist and Inurnment service on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 1 pm at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, 4105 California Avenue SW. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Andrew King memorial fund at FLCWS, the West Seattle Food Bank, or the arts organization of your choice.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
(Bubbly scene at Alki earlier this week – photo by James Bratsanos)
Here are the highlights of what’s happening in our area today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more listings):
SWIM IN THE SOUND: At 9 am, dive into the weekly group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
VACCINATION CLINIC: 9 am-3 pm with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), flu and COVID shots offered, open to the community; our calendar listing has more information and the registration link.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet for today’s run at 9 am at Current Coffee (2206 California SW).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE OPENING RECEPTION: 10 am-11:30 am, meet West Seattle neighbors showing their creations this month at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As usual, open 10 am-2 pm, with seasonal produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
WHILE YOU’RE IN THE JUNCTION … visit Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) for October’s first Sunday Small Business Pop-up Market.
DELUXE TAG SALE: Three fashionable vendors you probably know are throwing a “deluxe tag sale” 10 am-3 pm again today, “in the Alki neighborhood in the south side alley between 60th and 61st Ave SW off Admiral Way.”
NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE YET? Change that today! Special registration event at Fauntleroy UCC, starting at 11:20 am. (9140 California SW)
OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: Noon-7 pm, last of three days of beer, food, and fun. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
GET READY! One more free “Ready Freddy Prep Party,” 1-1:45 pm with Alice Kuder of Just in Case, at Whisky West (6451 California SW) – our calendar listing has RSVP info.
‘PRESERVING YOUR HARVEST’: 1:30 pm class at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW) – our calendar listing has info and the ticket link.
MUSICIANS FOR THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – Orville Johnson and Ross Robinson with Andrew Mason; bring food or money to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank.
‘GUARDS AT THE TAJ’: Closing performance for the award-winning “dark comedy” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 3 pm – info and tickets here.
‘BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT’: Five-week series of Sunday night events at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW):
We are pleased to be able to offer this series to our community and invite all who are interested in learning more about the history and future of the Duwamish tribe and the effects of colonization on the Indigenous community to join us.
5 pm-6 pm, no RSVP required.
‘SCREENAGERS: ELEMENTARY AGE EDITION’: As previewed here, 5:30 pm at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW), the Seattle premiere of the latest documentary in the “Screenagers” series – a must for parents of elementary students. Q&A with the filmmaker afterward. Co-presented by the Lafayette Elementary PTA. Advance tickets here.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Are you organizing and/or publicizing something that should be listed on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Just email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
With one game last night and one this afternoon, this week’s local high-school varsity football games are both in the books. This afternoon at Memorial Stadium downtown, West Seattle HS won its second game of the year, beating Franklin 34-7. Last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth IHS lost to Lakeside 13-10, its first defeat of the year. Next week, both teams play Friday night games at NCSWAC (2801 SW Thistle) – WSHS (2-3) vs. Lakeside at 4:30 pm, CSIHS (4-1) vs. Cleveland at 7:30 pm.
Earlier this week, we published our annual request for pics of must-see West Seattle Halloween displays – and now that the big night is less than four weeks away, it’s time to start showing them! Among the first displays shown to us is the one in the pic above and video below, from Halloween devotées R & B (aka Ron & Brian), who report, “We’re not even close to being finished yet but we’ve got something up on 47th between Hanford and Hinds.”
If you have a Halloween display to show off, send your pic(s) and location – doesn’t have to be the exact address, as long as people can find you if they want a firsthand look – to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Two reader reports today:
VINTAGE CLOTHING STOLEN: MM reports that this happened in Seaview: “My car was burglarized in the front of my house between the hours of Friday October 4th night 6 pm – Saturday 10 am. A gray plastic bin with an attached lid was full of vintage clothing. Some of the items taken were WW2 gray military pants, two gold purses, 1940s women’s shoes, Levis, vintage fabric, alligator purse, dresses.” SPD incident # is 24-941744.
PACKAGES FOUND: If you live on 12th SW and are missing packages, that might be what WSM spotted:
Was out walking today in the Highland Park neighborhood and saw discarded (possibly stolen) packages along the parking strip … blocks away from the address shown.
If possibly yours, let us know and we’ll connect you.
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