West Seattle, Washington
23 Thursday
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, April 24th, starting a week that might finally bring warm weather.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The forecast for today: Cloudy, chance of more rain, high in the upper 50s. (Possibly the 60s by Wednesday, 70s by Friday!) Sunrise 6:04 am, sunset 8:12 pm.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to get them, check channels like this).
Water Taxi – Now on the spring/summer schedule, which adds Friday/Saturday night runs.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – looking southwestward toward it:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the 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: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem 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!
The second-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop is less than two weeks away, happening Saturday, May 6th. On that day, 93 artists are showing and selling their work at 25 locations around the peninsula, from North Admiral to North Delridge to Arbor Heights, at sites from studios and businesses to yards and other outdoor spaces. Here’s a printable version of the map/list; the interactive online version is here – you can click on locations to preview the featured artists’ work. Art Hop & Shop stops will be open 10 am-5 pm that day.
School fundraising parties are back in full force this year, and we’ve been asked to make sure you know about these two, starting with one looking for community volunteer assistance:
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY VOLUNTEER SEARCH: You can help make this party happen, with some perks:
Gatewood Elementary is holding their annual auction at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Friday, May 5th, 5:30 pm-10 pm. We are looking for volunteers from our community to help out with this year’s event! We specifically need help with facilitating the games during the cocktail hour, recording drink ticket sales, and live auction spotters and recorders. Gatewood auction committee will provide volunteers with a light dinner, soda/water, and our gratitude. Volunteers will also have the option to bid on live auction items. Your participation allows Gatewood parents to relax and enjoy the Auction! Thank you for your consideration! Sign up here.
MADISON BEACHY BULLDOG BASH: This party is happening 6-10 pm next Saturday (April 29) at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). The Madison Middle School PTSA says tickets are available here. But also: “Even if you can’t make the event, you can still support our students, staff, and community by bidding on items or making a donation here.” They also have warm words of thanks for private donors and businesses who have already contributed – more than 100 have donated auction items.
Lots of questions about a big police response at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) this past hour. It was reported as a shoplifter turning violent, which turns the incident into a robbery. We just went to the store to find out more. They said no one was seriously hurt. Police took a 17-year-old boy into custody.
82 percent of local voters have NOT sent in their ballots yet for the April 25 special election. You’re asked to help make a $1.25 billion decision, approving or rejecting a countywide levy to fund crisis-care centers. Here’s an info-sheet. As reported in January, it’s a nine-year levy that King County says would “cost approximately $119 per year in 2024 for a median-priced home of $694,000.” Tuesday (April 25th) is the deadline to get your ballot postmarked and into USPS mail, or (by 8 pm) into a dropbox. West Seattle has three: In The Junction on the south side of SW Alaska west of California (with 5-minute parking spots next to it in the lot behind Key Bank), by High Point Library on the south side of SW Raymond just east of 35th SW, and on Puget Ridge in front of the South Seattle College [6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor] administration building. See the full countywide list, including dropboxes in White Center and South Park, here.
(Added, reader photo)
2:31 PM: Avoid the 2200 block of Alki Avenue SW for a while. According to police/fire/dispatch communication, a driver hit a hydrant and that’s sent water over the street, taking it down to one lane. SPD is also being asked to block drivers from using Bonair to go downhill for now.
(Added, WSB photo of knocked-over hydrant)
2:36 PM: Update – SFD has asked SPD to “completely shut down Alki,” from the 1700 block.
2:57 PM: SFD also says it’s asked people to evacuate a building in the 2100 block of Bonair “as a precaution.” Radio communication suggested there’s concern about “erosion” from the rushing water (SFD is reported to have reduced the flow). We’re on our way to the area to try to find out more.
3:12 PM: SFD has closed out of the call. Ongoing communication between SPD and dispatch focuses on who’s going to clean up what an officer described as a “foot of mud … on Bonair and Alki.”
3:18 PM: Our crew just arrived and talked with SPU. Alki Avenue has reopened but Bonair is closed at Alki.
6:35 PM: We went through the area a little while ago and noticed the cleanup is well under way, with several types of city vehicles on site.
Thanks for the tip. If you’re uphill from Lincoln Park, you might have heard the drumming from this gathering – it was audible in Gatewood. Aztec dancers and drummers are gathered in the park this afternoon. We couldn’t get a lot of information (we were interrupting), but we’re told they are there to honor the Earth.
Yet another West Seattle auto theft to report. From Sukie via email:
Our green Honda CR-V (2000 model, license plate AHH9110) was stolen sometime between last night and this morning from in front of our house on SW Austin Street near 35th Ave. If anyone sees it, here is the police incident number: 23-109448.
Call 911 and refer to that case number if you see it.
FRIDAY UPDATE: Sukie says the car was found in White Center, in relatively good shape.
A Celebration of Life is planned May 12th for Dick Warren and Vanetta Warren, who died five days apart after almost 60 years together. Their family is sharing their remembrances together, too. Here is Dick’s:
Richard (Dick) Eddy Warren passed away surrounded by family on Alki Beach the evening of October 29, 2022.
Dick was born in Seattle on 1/2/1932 to parents (Hetty) Margaret Warren (Richards) from Vashon and Eddy Arnold Warren, originally from Manitoba, Canada.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Vanetta Rae Warren (House), just 5 days before.
He is survived by children: Michael, Mark, John, Helen, and Bob; grandchildren: Brian, Michael, Bart, Sarah, Barbara, Erika, Patrick, and Paula; great-grandchildren: Coralie, Oakley, Freya, Tucker, Alessa; and first cousins who were very much like siblings: Fran, Charles (Buzz), Billy Anne, Charlotte, and Emma.
Dick grew up on Vashon Island, frequently visiting his maternal grandparents in Dockton, on Maury Island. Dick bought his first car at age 13 and with it delivered groceries from the Dockton General Store. He also piloted the passenger ferry, Yankee Boy, from Vashon to Tacoma. He became both the LifeGuard and swimming instructor at the Dockton State Park plus starting quarterback for Vashon High School’s football team and graduated in the class of 1949. He was accepted into medical school at the University of Oregon in Eugene but lacked the funds to attend. However, the University of Idaho in Moscow awarded him a 4 year swim team scholarship and together with his ROTC support he completed University there majoring in Civil Engineering. Dick served in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, stationed first at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, then later in France dismantling World War II bombs during the Korean War. He met and married his first wife, Maureen and settled in Idaho. In 1955 his eldest son, Mark was born, soon followed by John, Hellen and Bob. Sadly, his marriage did not last and Dick moved back to Seattle in 1963.
A Celebration of Life is planned May 12th for Vanetta Warren and Dick Warren, who died five days apart after almost 60 years together. Their family is sharing their remembrances together, too. Here is Vanetta’s:
Vanetta Rae Warren (House) passed away surrounded by family at her home on Alki Beach the evening of October 24, 2022.
Vanetta was born in Bozeman, Montana 3/24/1934 to parents Edgar (Ed) J. House and Lucile M. House (Johnson). Her parents, older brother Wayne House, and younger brother Bruce (Pinky) House, preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Michael; her grandchildren: Ben, Brian, Michael, Bart, Sarah, Barbara, Erika, Paula, and Patrick; great-grandchildren: Coralie, Oakley, Freya, Tucker, and Alessa.
Vanetta left Bozeman with her family at age four and moved to Vashon Island. She grew up on the Island and graduated from Vashon High School. In 1952 she married fellow Vashon native Mitchell (Mike) Plancich. They had one child, Michael (Little Mike). Sadly, their marriage did not last and Vanetta moved to Seattle to secure employment. She worked at a variety of secretarial jobs and studied at night school to become a dental hygienist, a career she followed for the next decade.
In 1964 she met an old high school boyfriend, Richard (Dick) Warren, who was recently divorced and had moved from Idaho back to Seattle. They married in 1965, then moved to central Alaska where they both worked at a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) base in Clear, Alaska. Vanetta worked as the executive secretary for the base director and Dick as an engineer. Vanetta was a good sport and frequently collected both husband and son from their many outdoor adventures in a weatherized four-wheel drive pickup truck. After three-years of careful saving, they moved back to Seattle and bought a small beach cabin on Alki Beach in West Seattle. With Michael’s help they remodeled the beach cabin, building a large back deck with a privacy fence. Vanetta hosted many happy parties with out of town guests sleeping outside on the deck on the waterbed from May through September.
Vanetta continued working and became bookkeeper then later vice president of Air Club International. She followed that career with one as a real estate agent specializing in area condominiums.
Although sad to see the little cabin go, they replaced it with a beautiful new home on the beach, designed by Dick but with features she specifically requested. Vanetta lived in that same location for nearly 54 years, cooking (especially French and Mediterranean cooking with Dick), and entertaining family and their many, many friends. She loved dancing and dining out, the Arcadians’ Dance Club, the West Seattle Book Club (she always enjoyed a good mystery), and playing Bridge with friends. Vanetta and Dick loved to travel and visit friends. Besides spending most Thanksgivings with friends in Hawaii, they traveled to French Polynesia, sailed to Fiji, made multiple trips to the East Coast and Europe (Vanetta especially enjoyed Denmark, France, Italy, and Greece). But, they always returned to their home, where she co-hosted an annual family gathering, ‘Camp Alki.’ She especially enjoyed having her home filled with the laughter of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their dogs, beach fires, salmon bakes, children roasting hot dogs or marshmallows, and just playing on the beach.
Vanetta will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her and especially by her entire family. A Celebration of Life for both Vanetta and her husband, Dick, who sadly passed away just 5 days later, will be held at Salty’s on Alki on May 12, 2023. Please click on this link to RSVP to the Celebration of Life.
(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)
The photo and report are from Tom in Fauntleroy:
My 1998 Toyota 4Runner, silver in color, was stolen overnight, from 8 pm-8:50 am this morning. License number 681 MCR. Stickers in front windshield of yacht club. Near 45th and Director.
Call 911 if you see it. SPD incident # is 23-109374.
(Seen on Saturday’s West Duwamish Greenbelt hike – photo by Troy Sterk)
Highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BENEFIT BOOKFAIR: Last day to shop at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) and either buy books for the Tilden School (WSB sponsor) library or have part of your purchase go toward the school! More info here.
ONLINE RELIGIOUS SERVICES: We’re still updating the online list – see today’s lineup here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm; the market offers spring produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY PICNIC: Everybody’s welcome at Lincoln Park Shelter 5, 10 am-1 pm. More info on the RSVP page. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
POST-EARTH DAY RESTORATION: Lincoln Park’s forest needs your help year-round, and here’s another chance – dig in with Friends of Lincoln Park 11 am-1 pm today – RSVP ASAP here.
WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD RUMMAGE SALE: 11 am-3 pm, second and final day for this sale benefiting the WCLG’s work supporting library programs. (1409 SW 107th)
(added) BENEFIT WORKOUT: Anita is leading a workout at West Seattle Health Club (28th/Yancy) at noon to raise money for Neighborhood House (here’s the donation page).
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (& MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Monthly gathering at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm. This month’s topic: “Wuthering Heights” (1847) by Emily Brontë (initially published under her pen name Ellis Bell). More info in our calendar listing.
END THE WEEKEND PEACEFULLY: Inner Alchemy offers Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Breath Work, and Gong Bath from 7-8:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). RSVP/fee info is in our calendar listing.
TIM’S TAVERN: 6 pm doors, 7 pm show at the new Tim’s Tavern in White Center (16th/98th), country/western tunes with The Ambaum Dukes. More info here.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event – one-time or recurring – to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: Police are in south Highland Park investigating a reported home-invasion robbery. The victim called 911 to say someone broke into her home near 14th/Henderson and robbed her, getting away with, among other things, her vehicle. It’s described as a 2008 silver Chevy Silverado. The robber was described only as male, 5-10, thin to medium build, in a black mask, not anyone the victim knew. That’s all we’ve heard so far. (added) If you have any information, the incident number for this is 23-109133.
ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: Police finally released this: “On 4-24-2023 at 0103 hours, police responded to the 1400 block of SW Henderson on a home invasion robbery. The victim was asleep when she was awoken by the suspect who assaulted her, then stole her purse, keys, and vehicle. The suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle prior to police arrival and was not located.” The SFD log shows an engine was dispatched on a low-level response, so it appears the injuries were not major.
At the end of an epic Record Store Day at Easy Street Records in The Junction, the grand finale was an all-star performance, first time in a long time that The Rockfords took the stage. Here’s how they’re explained in Easy Street’s latest newsletter:
The Rockfords could be called a Seattle supergroup, but the band was actually a reunion; Chris Friel and Danny Newcomb of the band Goodness and Rick Friel of Jody Watts were in a band called Shadow with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam during the mid-’80s; in the late ’90s they re-formed and added Goodness vocalist Carrie Akre under the name The Rockfords (named after McCready’s favorite TV show The Rockford Files).
The group’s self-titled LP and bonus EP were among today’s Record Store Day releases. We recorded a bit of video during their sound check:
(Our photographer had to bolt after that because of breaking news on the other side of Walk-All-Ways.)
Many trees were planted coast to coast in honor of Earth Day. But this one had extra meaning. On Friday, Providence Mount St. Vincent planted a Japanese maple to mark the conclusion of Volunteer Appreciation Week. Both volunteers and staff pitched in to get the tree planted. The Mount’s new chaplain Peter Min also offered a blessing for the volunteers.
The new tree is by the southeast corner of the main building, not far from the front entrance.
(Mayor’s Office photo)
Southwest Pool in West Seattle is expected to be part of a program announced by Mayor Bruce Harrell today. Registration will open May 16th for Swim Seattle, described as “a new drowning-prevention and youth aquatics initiative.” Here’s the city news release, sent following a launch event at Rainier Beach Pool:
Swim Seattle is a new initiative that will combine the efforts of YMCA, Public Health—Seattle & King County, Associated Recreation Council, Washington State Parks, No More Under, Seattle Children’s, and the University of Washington to remove barriers to learning to swim and to eradicate disproportionate drownings among youth of color.
In 2023, Swim Seattle will begin as a pilot by providing a year of free lessons to a cohort of 250 youth, prioritizing access to those who cannot afford lessons, while also providing workshops to support children and their families in becoming comfortable swimmers and water safe.
“Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water is an important lesson that will serve them for years to come,” said Mayor Harrell. “For far too long, lack of access to swim lessons and water safety education has put children and families of color at a disproportionate risk of drowning. Swim Seattle will address these disparities by offering free lessons to the children who need them most, removing the barriers that have prevented many youth and families from accessing swim lessons and offering culturally responsive workshops so they have the tools they need to stay safe in and around the water. Programs like this will help every child, from every neighborhood, access opportunities to learn and grow, promising a safer future for our entire city.”
“Swim Seattle is a promise that, together with our partners, and any interested investor to come, the Department of Parks and Recreation will not stop until we can eradicate the barriers to learning to swim and erase the needless risk and harm to our children. While we are starting small, with phased and implemented pilot programs to study effective outcomes, we know a program like Swim Seattle cannot wait, and drowning disparity data amongst white children and children of color implores us to act now. Swimming is an essential life skill that must be taught to all children, and Swim Seattle will ensure that all those living in a city surrounded by water can enjoy that water safely,” said AP Diaz, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent.
“Water safety is a critical part of childhood development,” said Loria Yeadon, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle. “Unfortunately, many historical and generational barriers prevent children (especially children of color) from accessing swimming lessons, including cultural barriers, systemic inequalities, and lack of transportation. We still feel the effects of those barriers today. At the Y, we are breaking barriers to swim safety and fun by offering programs designed to make swim lessons accessible, affordable, and culturally responsive. Water safety is for all and our collective responsibility, and we are excited to join the Swim Seattle collaboration to ensure that every child learns how to swim and stay safe around the water.”
“Water safety is a fundamental life skill that every child should have the opportunity to learn. Swim Seattle is doing its part to ensure that children in our community have access to quality swim lessons, regardless of their financial circumstances. By working together, we can ensure that every child has the chance to swim safely and confidently in our state’s beautiful bodies of water,” said Chezik Tsunoda, Executive Director of No More Under.
“We all have some connection to the dangers of drowning. And we all can help improve this devastating problem. Numbers show that water safety is a critical public health and public safety issue. Swim Seattle invests in our children’s futures and will save lives in the long run,” said Tony Gomez, Manager of Injury Prevention for Public Health-Seattle & King County and one of the co-leads for the Washington State Drowning Prevention Network.
Registration for the first cohort will begin May 16, online, in-person at Seattle pools, and via phone (206-684-8020). Lessons will begin in summer 2023 at pools throughout the city, and workshops for families will be monthly on topics such as skincare and haircare when swimming, addressing fears of water, and water safety practices.
7 PM: SPD and SFD are headed to a possible shooting reported in The Junction. The report came from a caller at the Junction 47 building at California/Alaska but they’re trying to confirm where the possible victim is. Updates to come.
7:03 PM: Police are still checking but so far there’s NO confirmation of any shooting, with or without a victim.
7:08 PM: Police have concluded that it was a false report by a person in crisis. The SFD response has been canceled.
It’s Salute to Armed Forces night as the Mariners continue their series vs. the Cardinals, and that included a US Air Force C-17 cargo-plane flyover. We noticed it as it headed southbound over West Seattle a short time ago, so we’re making note in case you noticed it too.
(Added photo sent by James Bratsanos.)
Three weeks from today – Saturday, May 13th – the peninsula will be Garage/Yard Sale Capital of the World (well, at least the state – we’ve heard from somebody in Spokane who’s coming over to shop) as West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day arrives for another year. 260 sales are registered now, and if you plan to have one too, you have five more days to register to be on the map/list – registration closes at 11:30 pm Thursday, April 27, so we can get the map and list ready for circulation a week before WSCGSD.
So far 98116 is the zip code with the most registered sales, 103, followed by 66 in 98136 and 50 in 98126. The two zip codes that are only partly in West Seattle follow – 98106 (31) and 98146 (11). But that’s just a preliminary tally; we’re likely to see at least a few dozen more register by the deadline. As always, some sales are starting early and/or ending late – some are even adding days, Friday and/or Sunday – but the basic WSCGSD window is 9 am to 3 pm. So here are the three dates to remember:
–APRIL 27: Last day to register a sale
–MAY 6: Map/list available
–MAY 13: Sale day!
If you’re ready to register (have your up-to-20-words sale description ready, here’s where to tell us your plan!
That traffic-camera image from a few minutes ago suggests the crowd has finally thinned a bit at Easy Street Records, where people were lined up well before today’s special early (7 am!) opening for Record Store Day. WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen got in line at 6:45 am and was still waiting two hours later – he sent this photo showing the early-morning line wrapping down Alaska and onto 44th:
While he waited, Jason reported “seeing happy people coming out with lots of records.” Easy Street’s award-winning proprietor Matt Vaughan said this RSD brings more than 300 “exclusive titles,” and Taylor Swift was the biggest draw. Eddie sent photos, too, and says the line was still going strong around quarter to 11.
You’re likely to see a crowd at the corner again this evening – The Rockfords will wrap up Record Store Day with an in-store performance – their first show in 20 years – at 7 pm. More on that in ESR’s newsletter.
We stopped by the Southwest Precinct after the first hour of today’s Drug Take-Back Day dropoffs – one box was filled and a second well on the way. Left to right above are Betsy Cruz from the DEA, SPD Officer Taylor Vergara, and Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner. All you have to do is walk into the meeting room right off the precinct’s public parking lot (2300 SW Webster, just west of Delridge) and drop your unwanted, no-longer-needed, and/or expired medication. They have some swag too, while supplies last. As featured in our calendar and preview list, this continues until 2 pm.
P.S. If you missed it, as commenter “Auntie” notes, there are multiple West Seattle year-round dropoff spots too – you can look them up by zip code here.
It’s a familiar sight if you walk, run, ride, or drive along SW Thistle in Gatewood – the garden outside Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle). It’s not just for show – it’s part of the church’s RainWise installation, as are cisterns:
The church’s grounds are the setting for today’s RainWise info event – more West Seattle residents are eligible for rebates to lessen the load on our area’s stormwater system by capturing rainwater, so they’re getting the word out this spring. Even if you’re not, you’re welcome to stop by and talk about topics including wildlife habitat:
This is on until 1 pm – more info here. (And if you miss it, another round of RainWise events, in-person and online, is coming up soon – watch this page, and our calendar, for details..)
As one commenter noted following today’s event list, “two lines, no wait” at Fauntleroy Church‘s spring Recycle Roundup, a free dropoff event that continues until 3 pm. The list of what Recycle Roundup partner One Green Planet will take is long – more than 70 different kinds of items you might just have in a closet, basement, outside, but can’t donate or sell. Check the list here. Then just drive up, ride up, walk up, and drop it off.
P.S. If you missed this – Fauntleroy Church usually does it in the fall too, so watch for news of that!
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