West Seattle, Washington
28 Friday
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, October 9th, observed in our state as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, observed federally as Columbus Day.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Rain expected today, high in the low 60s. Sunrise today is at 7:19 am; sunset, 6:32 pm.
(Sunday photo by Tony Tschanz)
LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE CONTINUES
Third day of West Seattle low bridge being closed to surface (driving, riding, walking, running, rolling) use, for cylinder work. Free transit rides available – explained in the final paragraphs here.
HIGH-BRIDGE LANE-CLOSURE ALERT
Through tomorrow, SDOT expectss daily lane closures for “preventive maintenance.”
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Running on a Sundaay schedule today. < Metro – Regular schedule except for Water Taxi shuttles, which like the boats are on a Sunday schedule today; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
This happened around 6:30 pm Sunday in Morgan Junction, Christine reported via email:
I witnessed a purse snatch on Fauntleroy 1 block west of Starbucks. Suspect is white male wearing all black/ski mask and drove off in red/orange small Kia. Cops were called, issued case number, and little old lady is okay.
Police audio from the incident doesn’t have much to add – noting two juveniles possibly involved. SPD incident # is 23-292032.
7:29 PM: Multiple readers are reporting they felt an earthquake. Preliminary report is a 4.2, southeast of Marrowstone, in the North Sound. Tsunami **NOT** expected.
7:40 PM: The magnitude has been revised to 4.5.
7:45 PM: And another revision – 4.3.
8:23 PM: Checking the archives, last quake felt in our area was a 2.2 microquake nine months ago, 16 miles beneath California/Dawson. … That’s a lot shallower than tonight’s quake; according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network‘s event page, this one was 35 miles down.
8:37 PM: A reader comment reminds us to mention two things:
-If this reminds you to take just one simple preparedness step, know the location of your closest Emergency Communication Hub.
-The annual statewide ShakeOut earthquake drill is coming up October 19th.
8:50 PM: A few more notes – did you know Alki has a seismogram? Left side of this screengrab is how the 7:21 pm quake looked there:
And for even more data related to this quake, here’s its USGS page.
Four reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
MINI-MART BURGLARIZED AGAIN, REPEATEDLY: Thanks for the tips. Customers report that the mini-mart at the Exxon station in Morgan Junction was burglarized not once, not twice, but three times overnight. Archived police audio and the incident log confirms the multiple burglaries reported in the 2 and 3 am hours. One partial description: Man in his 30s, dark complexion, black ski mask, khaki boots. Items stolen reportedly included cigarettes and lottery scratch tickets.
KIA BREAK-IN: This report and photos were sent by Hunter:
I wanted to report a car break-in at the intersection of Lander and 42nd Ave (next to the tennis courts at Hiawatha). I’ve been driving a rental for work this week. Parked it for the weekend and when I returned this morning I noticed the driver’s side window had been smashed in.
Nothing was stolen (nothing was in the vehicle).
Police report has already been filed but I wanted to let the community know as well! The incident most likely occurred sometime last night.
ANYBODY MISSING THIS CAR? Bill sent this report and photo:
Likely stolen car dumped on Avalon. Plates are spray painted. Damage to front right fender. Reported via Find It Fix It.
BIKE-THEFT FOLLOWUP: We published Dan‘s bike-theft report on Friday. This afternoon, he emailed this update:
Great news, I found my bike! I was walking to the bus on Saturday night in front of Westwood Village and someone was walking down the street with it. It was not the same person from my ring video footage and I talked to them and they said they had purchased it earlier that day. After explaining that it had been stolen from me and calling the police, they gave it back to me with very little resistance.
As usual, we’re assembling a Halloween guide, with info on events between now and The Big Night, as well as decoration displays. So if you haven’t already sent us info on your event/display, here’s your invitation! Best way is via email – westseattleblog@gmail.com. If that doesn’t work for you, texting is OK too – 206-293-6302. We’re publishing the guide in a few days, and we’ll continue adding to it – in the meantime, Halloween events also can be found in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.
(2022 WSB photo, The Falconer at Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
From birds to bunnies to bouncing, crafting to cakewalking, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival‘s unique lineup of fun is just one week away! From 2-5 pm next Sunday, October 15th, festival activities take over both sides of the 9100 block of California Avenue SW in the heart of Fauntleroy, in and around Fauntleroy Church/YMCA and The Hall at Fauntleroy/Schoolhouse. Thanks to donations and volunteers (still a few spots left), it’s all free (except for some food/beverage offerings). P.S. If you’ve never been to the Fauntleroy Fall Festival before, our coverage from last year shows you some of the fun.
Thanks to Libby for the report – brown water in the Fairmount Park area. Libby has already reported this to Seattle Public Utilities – 206-386-1800, the number to ALWAYS call about water trouble – and says SPU advised that there’s hydrant testing in the area. (The discoloration is caused when unusual activity, from hydrant testing to a fire response to a pipe break, stirs up “sediment,” most often rust, in the system.)
Two months ago, we published a call from Jennifer for no-longer-needed newspaper, to help Smidget Dog Rescue handle a plethora of puppies. This week, on behalf of the now-adoptable dogs in her collage (and others), she sent this message of thanks:
A HUGE thank you to readers! Over the last weeks I’ve picked up and delivered an entire shed full of newspapers for the puppies (40+ of them now) to Smidget Rescue! We are so grateful. The oldest ones are ready for applications!
Email for applications: Smidgetrescue@hotmail.com
Thank you for the boost [on the newspaper needs]. It’s a rough time for rescues and this was a big help.
8:42 AM: Three orcas are in Elliott Bay, headed toward downtown, according to a texted report from Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see them!
9:51 AM: Thanks for the updates in comments, and the photo uploaded by A Labs.
(Space Needle and Mount Baker, photographed Friday by Jerry Simmons)
One more day of post-summer sunshine expected today – here’s what’s happening:
LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE CONTINUES: This is Day 2 of the West Seattle low bridge’s week-long surface-traffic (driving, riding, walking, rolling) closure; here’s our Saturday-night update.
COLLEGE BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Day 2 of the UW-hosted beach-volleyball tournament at Alki, with play starting at 9 am again today.
CLOSING SALE CONTINUES: As noted Saturday, the closing sale at HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café (6032 California SW) continues, 9 am-4 pm, but they’d really like to clear everything out by noon, so go make an offer!
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Community art on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm.
POP-UP ART SALE: Again today, three artists are selling their work 10 am-5 pm in the pop-up space at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering fall fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.
SILVER SEALS SWIM: Too late to sign up if you didn’t make the deadline, but prospective spectators should note that – as previewed here – (age) 55+ swimmers will be in the water starting at 11 am, heading northeast along the shore from Alki Bathhouse.
BEE GARDEN NEEDS YOU: Volunteer at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham) 11 am-1 pm today to help get it ready for fall/winter!
OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES: Noon-7 pm, third and final day of Oktoberfest fun at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) – see the schedule/offerings/events here.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: Bring your pet – or a photo – to the West Seattle High School parking lot (3000 California SW) for the annual community Blessing of the Animals, with The Rev. Elise Johnstone from neighboring St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church presiding – details in our calendar listing.
COFFEEHOUSE ART: Jennifer Carrasco leads figure painting/drawing at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-9 pm. Contact her to sign up.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Both local high-school varsity football teams played on the road this week, and both won, according to the Metro League scoreboard. Friday night, West Seattle High School defeated Lakeside 23-7 at Northwest Athletic Complex; this afternoon, Chief Sealth International High School won its game against Brewster, 38-37. Next Friday (October 13th), CSIHS (4-2) is home at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm vs. Nathan Hale, while WSHS (4-1) plays again at NWAC, this time versus Ingraham, 5 pm.
Reminder that the West Seattle low bridge – aka the Spokane Street Swing Bridge – remains closed for a week of work following the return of the cylinder removed nine months ago for repairs. SDOT director Greg Spotts announced via Twitter/X tonight that today’s work to bring in the rehabilitated cylinder “went very well!” He added, “Tomorrow work continues on reinstallation.” The work is expected to continue until next Saturday afternoon (October 14th). In the meantime, as explained toward the end of this SDOT post, you can use the Transit GO app for a free daily round trip on Metro, either bus or West Seattle Water Taxi. (If you choose the latter, though, note two things: The WS Water Taxi will be on a Sunday schedule for the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday Monday, and next Saturday it won’t be running at all because of maintenance work to prepare for winter.)
6:04 PM: SFD medics and SPD officers are in the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW, where witnesses told them a bicycle rider fell “out of the blue” while riding on the trail. The rider, described as a male adult, is reported to have hit his head and suffered potential life-threatening injuries, for which he’s being treated right now. Avoid the area.
6:24 PM: Medical discussion over emergency radio indicates the rider, described as in his mid-40s, is still in bad shape and the reason he suddenly fell is a mystery. Medics are still working to revive him.
7:51 PM: As noted in comments, radio exchanges indicate the rider did not survive. We don’t have any other information about circumstances and it would be up to the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine whether a medical incident preceding the fall was to blame, or an injury from it.
8:42 PM: SFD has also officially confirmed to us that the rider died, and updates his age to “approximately 40.”
5:50 PM: Police are responding right now to the Admiral Safeway gas station after a report of an attempted robbery. According to dispatch, the caller reported at least two would-be robbers, one described as a white man in his early 20s with a black ski mask, the other a Black man his 20s driving a car described as a dark blue Hyundai Elantra with a dent on the driver-side door, no plates, last seen headed eastbound on Admiral after a staff member “chased them away.”
6:11 PM: Officers investigating that incident mentioned that it sounded like an “earlier robbery.” The call log now shows a “purse snatch” investigated about 15 minutes earlier in the 4100 block of California SW. We’ll be working to get details on that.
8:30 PM: Per commenters and archived police-radio audio, the purse-snatch robbery happened by Tram’s Salon, and was reported to involve two men, one in a ski mask, who grabbed the victim’s purse, briefly dragged her, then got away in a black Kia, no plates.
Thanks to Kathleen for the photo! That’s your host Meaghan at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), where Oktoberfest-ivities continue until 7 pm. Special food, beer, music, more (including a 5 pm stein-raising competition), as noted on the HPCS website. (As also spotlighted in our daily event list, North Delridge’s Ounces is celebrating Oktoberfest too!)
Thanks to everyone who messaged us about a film-crew sighting on the Lincoln Park waterfront today. According to the texter who sent the photo above: “Spoke to one of the organizers. It’s a short film. They are hoping to submit to Sundance. All local crew (Seattle-based).”
1:49 PM: One week after HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café closed in Morgan Junction (following its sibling businesses Youngstown Coffee and Launchpad Coworking), proprietors Autumn and Monica sent word that their “closing sale” is under way right now, continuing tomorrow (Sunday): “We have plenty of items left that would be helpful for folks looking to save some money. Pantry and frozen/fresh items, kitchen/office/electronic supplies, holiday decorations, masks, paper goods, kitchen equipment, Vitamixes, metro racks, and much more.” The sale continues at 6032 California SW until 4 pm today, and 9 am-4 pm tomorrow.
6 PM UPDATE: Tomorrow between 9 am and noon, it’ll be “make an offer” – they’re still planning to be there until 4 pm but the faster they clear it all out, the better.
Thanks to Tisbury for sending the photos and report:
Popup tacos ,chilaquiles and pozole at Webster and 35th at Milpa Masa Tortilleria. (Until) 2 pm – come support @ Rice Beans and Happiness. They’ll be there till 2 pm or until they sell out. *Sent by a neighbor to let everyone know.
(WSB photo, 2022 West Seattle Ski Swap)
With the summer encore this weekend, it might be difficult to convince yourself that winter weather isn’t far away, but this might help: A reminder that Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) is presenting the annual West Seattle Ski Swap next weekend:
Do your snow dances and get your gear together – you have one week left to pre-register your gear for the annual West Seattle Ski and Snowboard Swap. This event is a great avenue to outfit yourself and your entire family with good useable ski and snowboard gear. The key to this event is to help spread the word! Who knows what’s in your neighbors’ garage that might be the perfect tool for the snow rider you met on the chairlift last year?
If you have something to sell, the dropoff time is 2-5:30 pm Friday (October 13th) – the link for registering to sell is on this page. The venue is West Seattle’s VFW Hall, right across the street from M2SO in The Triangle, 3601 SW Alaska. If you’re shopping, the hours next weekend will be 10 am-5 pm Saturday (October 14th) and 10 am-4 pm Sunday (October 15th).
(Friday sunshine, photographed by James Bratsanos)
Welcome to the weekend! Highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: The West Seattle low bridge is scheduled to be closed today through next Saturday (October 14th) for reinstallation of a cylinder removed earlier this year – that means no usage by drivers, riders, rollers, walkers, runners.
FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend off to a fast start with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The White Center Kiwanis‘s annual breakfast raising money for youth programs is open to all, 8 am-noon at White Center Eagles (10452 15th SW).
UW BEACH VOLLEYBALL AT ALKI: As previewed here Friday, the University of Washington beach volleyball team is opening its season with a tournament at Alki Beach. Play starts at 9 am, today and tomorrow.
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Community art on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm, artists’ reception 11 am-1 pm.
POP-UP ART SALE: Three artists are selling their work 10 am-5 pm in the pop-up space at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The weekly farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is open for shopping 10 am-2 pm, prioritizing vendors of color, presented by African Community Housing & Development.
RIFLE RANGE OPEN HOUSE: Ever been to the Roger Dahl Rifle Range at West Seattle Stadium (4470 35th SW)? The West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club opens the doors today for an open house, 10 am-2 pm.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn about Marco’s music here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
OKTOBERFEST AT HPCS: Food, beer, music, activities, 11 am-7 pm – see the schedule here. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: See what’s new at the home of West Seattle’s history – visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 12-4 pm.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
OKTOBERFEST AT OUNCES Second day of three-day celebration, 2-9 pm, with beer, food, music, activities – even a costume contest today! See the schedule here. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
BURGERS & BEATS: Saturday night food and music at Revelry Room – burgers start at 6, DJs at 9. (4547 California SW, alley side)
AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with Mutual Stoke, Easy A’s, Dead Streets tonight at The Skylark, 7 pm doors, 8 pm music, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm, $20 at the door.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s invited, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
10:50 PM FRIDAY: Shankar reported this sighting around 9 pm: “While walking my dog, just saw one of the resident coyotes trotting down 36th quite purposefully, before turning west on Trenton.” Not a cause for alarm, but for awareness – especially so you can be sure you’re not providing a food source, from unsecured trash to unaccompanied small pets. Here’s a simple one-sheet on coexistence do’s and don’ts.
10:21 AM SATURDAY: Sent by Cathy this morning: “Two large coyotes spotted at 6:30 this morning in Cormorant Park on Beach Drive. They followed friend and dog up to Alki Point. They hunt in early morning. Please be aware if you have pets outside at this time.”
(White Center Food Bank photos)
You’ve probably noticed the new home of the White Center Food Bank taking shape along 16th SW just south of downtown WC. The food bank serves south West Seattle as well as unincorporated North Highline, and will have more room to serve the community, among other benefits. While construction continues, you can tour the in-progress renovations at the start of a two-site fundraising celebration two weeks from tomorrow.
Attendees will tour the new WCFB HQ 2:30-4 pm Saturday, October 21st, followed by food, music, speakers, and a silent auction at the White Center Eagles‘ aerie 4 pm-6 pm. Shuttle buses will take you from the new food-bank site at 10016 16th SW to the Eagles’ HQ at 10452 15th SW. The goal of all this: WCFB has raised almost two-thirds of the $8 million needed for the overhaul, and it’s hoping this party will get it closer to the finish line. Food providers will include White Center’s legendary Patrick’s Café and Bakery as well as Sap Sap Lao; the musical headliner is master Brazilian singer Adriana Giordano. You will also learn about the new HQ’s mission beyond “keeping White Center fed” – the building is also destined to “bring together an incredible array of community programing, hosted both by the food bank and partner organizations.” Tickets are available online – go here (that’s also where you can donate to the building fund even if you’re not interested in the party).
Five reports in West Seattle Crime Watch – the first four are from police summaries made public today.
STREET ROBBERY ATTEMPT: This happened Wednesday night but was not reported to police until Thursday afternoon, according to a summary made public today. The victim told police that he had left a restaurant in the 2600 block of Alki SW around 10 pm Wednesday and started walking away when two people “jumped out, pointed a handgun at him, and demanded his items.” But, the summary continues, “The victim screamed, which caused the suspects to flee and leave the area in a vehicle” without stealing anything. Neither the would-be robbers nor the vehicle were described in the summary, so we asked SPD. Det. Judinna Galpan responded: “Suspects: Two Black males in their mid – late teens. Wearing all black. One had a black bandana covering his face and the other possibly a red or black bandana. Vehicle: Tan or white sedan-type vehicle with no license plates.” If you have any information, the incident # is 23-288630.
These three other Wednesday incidents were also revealed in summaries made public today>
EARLY MORNING GUNFIRE: This was reported in the 6900 block of Delridge Way SW around 5 am Wednesday. 911 callers reported hearing “several shots”; officers “arrived and located evidence” of gunfire. No injuries. One person told officers a “blue sedan” might have been involved.
GUN STRUGGLE: At 1:45 pm Wednesday, officers were waved down in the 2400 block of SW Webster – just west of the Southwest Precinct – because two people were fighting. At some point, somebody “produced a handgun” and the two “struggled over it,” with the person who brought out the gun pistol-whipping the other person. Police say they recovered the gun and booked the person into jail for assault.
SHOT IN THE AIR: Then at 11 pm Wednesday, officers responded to a theft report at Westwood Village. Security at the business – not identified in the summary – told police that three people fled in a vehicle and that one of them fired a shot into the air as they drove off. Officers did not find evidence of gunfire aside from the witness report.
Also tonight, a reader report:
BICYCLE THEFT: This happened quickly, around 8:45 am today, when Dan went into his home for just a moment:
It was taken off my car when I ran into my house on Barton and 31st. It’s a pretty unique-looking bike and it looks like it was someone who just happened to be walking past in the 2 min I was in my house so I am assuming they are local. I got pretty clear footage of the person who took it.
The police incident # is 23-289429.
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