2 tree lightings, Winter Wander scavenger hunt, music, more for your West Seattle Friday

(Thursday photo @ Hiawatha, tweeted by @i8ipod)

Still just a little snow on the ground (and a little more possible) as one of the biggest weekends of the holiday season begins. So here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Friday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide (where you’ll find lots of other seasonal info too):

SOUTHWEST POOL: Normal operations today, (corrected) closed tomorrow, as announced last night.

POTTERY POP-UP: Shop work by artists from Rat City Studios and Rain City Clay during the first day of this three-day pop-up at California/Oregon, 11 am-5 pm,

CAT/KITTEN ADOPTION: 2-4 pm at Pet Elements (6511 California SW), Beloveds Animal Relief Rescue Foundation can introduce you to cats/kittens looking for their forever homes.

FESTIVAL AND FRUIT-TREE LIGHTING: Celebrate the season with a two-part High Point celebration, first a Winter Festival 3-5 pm, then the Fruit Tree Lighting at 5:15 – this year it’s all happening outside Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) and the Amphitheater behind it: “Join over 15 organizations with fun-filled activities for all ages. Dance to live music from West Seattle High School Band and stay for the fruit tree lighting.”

SCAVENGER HUNT BEGINS: At 4 pm, the hunt is on! That’s the official start time for the nine-day Winter Wander West Seattle scavenger hunt that Alice Kuder is presenting again this year – have fun exploring the peninsula, with a chance for prizes from local businesses. Register your team ASAP – all the details are in our preview.

WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE: Second weekend begins for thousands of lights synched to music outside a home on 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota – 6:30-10 pm,

‘LIGHT UP THE NIGHT’ AT OLG: 7 pm outside Our Lady of Guadalupe (7000 35th SW), the lighting of the city’s highest-elevation Christmas tree and thousands of other lights on the OLG grounds, plus a Christmas carol singalong and more. Bring nonperishable food if you can, to donate to St. Vincent de Paul.

HOLIDAY CONCERT: West Seattleite-founded Puget Soundworks, an all-gender, LGBTQIA+-centered community chorus, presents the first of three performances of their holiday concert “Menagerie,” 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – tickets here.

THE PROFITS: Live at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), alternative/new wave/rock/funk. Doors at 7, music at 8, $10.

ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Tonight at 7:30 pm, it’s your next chance to see “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.

Have something to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WORLD CUP: Where to watch Saturday’s early-morning USA-Netherlands match in West Seattle

With the USA team set for a must-win World Cup match against the Netherlands team early Saturday (7 am), we’ve received some questions about who’s opening early for watch parties. So we’re again building a list in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. So far we have five establishments on the list – Christo’s on Alki, Prost, The Bridge, The Westy, West Seattle Brewing. Anyplace else? Please let us know so we can add!

WEATHER, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Friday notes + weekend alert

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, December 2nd.

WEATHER

Very cold overnight – temperatures dropped into the 20s. But only a slight chance of snow this morning, with today’s high near 40. (Check the latest alert status here.)

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is back to its regular schedule this morning.

-WSF’s Triangle Route is too – check here for alerts/updates.

Metro buses are on regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts. 7:15 AM UPDATE: Metro is suspending Routes 55, 56, 57 for the rest of the day.

WEEKEND ALERT

Saturday’s big Hometown Holidays festival in The Junction means street closures on both California and Alaska most of the day and into the evening

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Charges filed against suspected serial shoplifter

That security-camera image is from charging documents in the case that the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed against an alleged serial shoplifter, 25-year-old West Seattle resident Joseph E. Herdrich. It is described as showing Herdrich exiting the Marshall’s store at Westwood Village on October 5th with more than $850 in stolen merchandise. He wasn’t arrested that day, but just two weeks earlier, he had been arrested there in similar circumstances – here’s a security-camera image from that day, in which he is accused of stealing $700 worth of merchandise:

Three and a half days later, on September 24th, with no charges yet filed, he was released from jail. But he’s there now, two weeks after yet another arrest at Westwood Village, after allegedly shoplifting more than $500 in items from the QFC store on November 18th. In that case, store security confronted him and got the items back; he was still outside the store when police arrived and arrested him. Now the KCPAO has charged him with three counts of second-degree burglary for all three of the incidents we’ve mentioned, The charging documents say Herdrich had already been banned – “trespassed” – from both those stores and from other businesses in Westwood Village, but keeps going back to shoplift. An SPD detective wrote in a September report that Herdrich had been under investigation for months for thefts at both the same Marshall’s store and Delridge Home Depot and that he was “driven by his fentanyl addiction.” Herdrich’s arraignment is scheduled for December 7. His bail was set at just $250 by a judge who prosecutors say was unaware of his previous arrests; they argued for raising it to $5,000 given the added facts in the case, but the court docket says that motion was denied.

ORCAS: New state report recommends keeping some boaters and paddlers further away from endangered Southern Resident whales

(Photo by David Hutchinson, from January 2020 visit of Southern Resident Killer Whales)

“A big win for the whales.” That’s how Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail describes a new recommendation from the state to require some boaters and paddlers to give Southern Resident Killer Whales more space. She served on the governor-appointed task force that advocated for SRKW protections including keeping boats further away from the endangered orcas. Here’s what the state has announced:

A new report released by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recommends that the Legislature increase the vessel buffer for recreational boaters, commercial whale watching operators, and guided paddle tours around Southern Resident killer whales to 1,000 yards to further support orca recovery.

Prompted by Senate Bill 5577, the report considers the effectiveness of rules for recreational boaters and commercial whale-watching operators aimed at protecting Southern Residents from the effects of vessel noise and disturbance.

Listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2005, Southern Resident killer whales face three main threats: lack of food, contaminants in their food, and vessel noise and disturbance as they forage and communicate using echolocation. Center for Whale Research’s September 2022 census recorded the Southern Resident population at just 73 individuals.

Just this past summer, the Department designated 12 Southern Residents as vulnerable after researchers demonstrated they were in the lowest body condition state—the bottom 20% for the whale’s age and sex—which is associated with a two-to-three times higher rate of mortality.

The news release also notes:

The Department also recommends maintaining the definition of commercial whale watching and the license requirement, but recommends changes to reduce the potential financial and administrative burden of the license and rules, simplifying where possible, and further distinguishing between motorized commercial whale watching and non-motorized, guided paddle tours. While the report recommends a 1,000-yard buffer around Southern Residents, it doesn’t suggest any changes to commercial or recreational viewing of other, healthier populations such as Bigg’s killer whales, humpback whales, gray whales, or any other whale species currently in the area, which comprise most whale-watching opportunities in Washington.

The full 86-page report is here. Sandstrom says The Whale Trail was part of a focus group interviewed while the report was being prepared, and supports its recommendations. She points to research “quoted in the report shows that female Southern Resident orcas stop foraging when vessels approach closer than 400 yards, and that SRKW exhibit behavioral changes when vessels approach closer than 1,000 yards.” That study (summarized here) was by researchers including West Seattleite Jeff Hogan. The current regulations are a 300-yard buffer on either side for recreational boaters and 400 yards in front and behind, while commercial whale watchers have to stay 1/2 nautical mile away October through June but are allowed to view the Southern Residents from 300 yards away for two 2-hour periods each day July through September.

The Legislature would have to take action to put this new recommendation into place – but in the meantime, she notes, “Until the law is changed, boaters can voluntarily pledge to stay 1/2 nautical mile from SRKW by taking the pledge at GiveThemSpace.org.”

WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Menashe home’s first official night, and 2 special dates to visit

We’ve been by already twice for previews (here and here) – and tonight’s the first official night for the Menashe Family‘s famous Christmas lights at 5605 Beach Drive SW. Our photo doesn’t really do it justice, so if you love lights, you have to see it in person. Here are two special dates you might consider visiting:

SANTA & MRS. CLAUS PHOTOS, DECEMBER 10: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there 5 pm-9 pm Saturday, December 10, for DIY photos with kids. No charge but you’re asked to bring a nonperishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. (The WSFB donation barrels will be there starting the previous night, Friday, December 9, through Sunday, December 11, so you are invited to bring food donations those nights too.)

SANTA, MRS. CLAUS, & REINDEER PHOTOS, DECEMBER 20: The Clauses will return for photo ops Tuesday, December 20, 5 pm-9 pm, this time with real reindeer. The family hopes this will be a food-drive event too but they’re still working on logistics.

Got lights? Seen lights? See what we’ve shown here, and suggest what we should show next by emailing westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

FOLLOWUP: Southwest Pool’s plan for next two days

December 1, 2022 8:04 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Southwest Pool’s plan for next two days
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

After being closed Tuesday and Wednesday for a staff shortage caused by illness, Southwest Pool opened for limited operations today. Now we have an update on the next two days:

Southwest Pool will run normal programs Friday, December 2nd, but we are closed for Saturday, December 3rd.

We still have multiple staff members out sick and are unable to operate full programs safely.

Friday normal operations.

Adult Swim 12-2:30 pm.
Seattle Public Schools Swim Meet 3-6 pm.

Saturday closed.

Lessons and programs cancelled. Lesson participants will receive a refund for the missed lesson.

We are working to return to full operation as soon as staffing allows. Check Southwest Pool’s webpage or call 206-684-7440 for updates.

FOLLOWUP: Beaches reopen after Lincoln Park sewage leak

Four days after a sewage leak was detected and repaired at Lincoln Park, testing shows the beaches in the area are safe to use again. That’s the word from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, which is responsible for the equipment that failed and caused the leak – an air valve in a vault along a “force main” that carries wastewater and stormwater north from the Barton Pump Station north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. KCWTD spokesperson Marie Fiore says they estimate 13,000 gallons had leaked before th problem was fixed, but they don’t know how much of that got into Puget Sound, as some of it was contained by the vault and pumped out by Seattle Public Utilities before crews zeroed in on the problem and handed it off to the county. Fiore told us earlier this week that the vault is inspected frequently and had gone through an inspection less than two weeks before the valve failure.

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Next chance of snow

As David Hutchinson‘s photo from Alki shows, this morning’s snow was followed by north wind and a 12-foot high tide splashing the Sound over the seawall. If the newest forecast holds out, that’s as lively as things should get until at least tomorrow morning, which is when the National Weather Service sees a “chance” of more snow. Tonight is likely to get icy again, with the temperature expected to drop below freezing.

BIZNOTE: Spiro’s Pizza and Pasta closing in West Seattle; new restaurant moving in

Recently we noticed online permit activity for 3401 California SW, long the home of the West Seattle location of Spiro’s Pizza and Pasta. The owners weren’t ready to comment on their restaurant’s future until today. Here’s their announcement:

Dear West Seattle,

Since 1991, Spiro’s Pizza & Pasta and the Voltsis family has had the privilege and honor of being a part of the community. From the little location at 3401 California Ave, we have been able to grow our businesses, as we have been able to watch the area expand as well. Through our modest doors we have seen generations of families come in, and watch their children grow, and through time come in with their children. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful neighborhood over the past 31 years.

After three decades at this location, it is time for us to sadly say goodbye to West Seattle. We will close our doors in West Seattle for the final time December 16th, 2022. We ask that you welcome the new tenants, West Seattle residents Mike Meckling (Woodinville Cut Shop, Neumos) and Ben Jenkins (Shadowland, Dumplings of Fury) who will be opening a family-friendly Mexican restaurant offering authentic Mexican food by chef Danny Ludwig.

We will forever remember our time in West Seattle, and we thank you for the many years of patronage and friendship.

With our sincerest gratitude to West Seattle,
Jim, Sia, Evan and Eleni Voltsis

You can read the backstory of the multigenerational family pizza business here. West Seattle was their first location; Spiro’s is also in Shoreline and Mukilteo.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 reader reports

Two reader reports:

PACKAGE THEFT: Jessica reports this person stole a package Wednesday on 14th SW and her security cam got the thief and his getaway car:

Couldn’t make out a license plate #. Saw him drive away in person and it looked like the plate was covered with a yellow paper/advertisement.

CAR PROWLS: Libby sent this report:

Writing on behalf of two of us neighbors in the 5900 block of 38th Ave SW. We both left our cars unlocked and they were rummaged through (Tuesday) night sometime between 11 pm and 4 am. The thieves took miscellaneous items, vehicle registrations, and insurance cards. We have filed police reports. A good reminder to lock your vehicles!

BIZNOTE: Changes for SoundYoga

Longtime WSB sponsor SoundYoga wants you to know, “We’re still here!” despite one big change. Here’s the announcement, and a request:

On February 2, 1998, Chris Dormaier, Yoga instructor and author, founded and began operating the SoundYoga studio at 5639 California Avenue SW.

For nearly 25 years at this location, Chris and her fellow teachers have provided various levels of Yoga classes and Yoga teacher training to many of our West Seattle and broader Seattle-area residents. This past summer, Chris was notified by her landlord that the SoundYoga lease would not be renewed. Well, the time has come to close the beautiful SoundYoga studio space. However, like many businesses, SoundYoga had pivoted to providing online classes during COVID and we will continue to offer online classes after the studio space is gone. We will also offer a limited number of in-person classes near our former studio. If you have studio space to share, please contact us at info@soundyoga.com.

Our last day in the studio was November 30, 2022, and we look forward to continuing to serve the West Seattle community and beyond via our online classes found at SoundYoga.com.

WEST SEATTLE THURSDAY: Lights, music, theater, books, more!

December 1, 2022 11:29 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE THURSDAY: Lights, music, theater, books, more!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Now that the weather has calmed – a look ahead at the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:

SOUTHWEST POOL REOPENS: After a two-day closure, the pool at 2801 SW Thistle is back open today but on a limited schedule – details in this update.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: Drop in to see the dozen-plus decorated, donated trees and wreaths on display at Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California SW) before 5 pm, and if you like one (or more) consider bidding for it in the Rotary Service Foundation‘s benefit auction next week!

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UPS: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Foody Moody will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm Thursdays for a ~3-mile run.

MENASHE FAMILY LIGHTS: Tonight is the first official night for West Seattle’s brightest holiday display (5605 Beach Drive SW). Here’s our preview from earlier this week.

(Update: Canceled) MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 7 pm, Bill Davie and Amy Read perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

WEST SEATTLE’S SILENT BOOK CLUB: It’s gotten so popular, it’s meeting at multiple locations tonight, 7 pm – the list is here.

PIANO BAR: Larry Knapp and Friends provide the music – and you could too, as there’s an open mic as well as the option to just sit and enjoy the music. 7-10 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), $5 entrance fee. Drinks and fruit/cheese trays available for purchase.

COMMUNITY MEETING: If you live in White Center or vicinity, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is your community council, meeting monthly online to discuss a variety of issues. Here are details on tonight’s 7 pm meeting and how to watch/listen/participate.

ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Tonight at 7:30 pm, the second week begins for “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.

Have something to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

VIDEO: What it’s like operating West Seattle’s only emergency shelter, and how you can help

“I have people here … They need to be treated with dignity.”

And that’s why Keith Hughes keeps opening the doors of the West Seattle Veteran Center to people who need someplace to go during cold-weather emergencies.

Some have asked what kind of help he could use right now. Warm-clothing items like hats and gloves. Volunteer help, too. And also – understanding.

If you know of someone who needs shelter – or have hats/gloves to donate – the center is at 3618 SW Alaska.

WEATHER, SCHOOLS, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Thursday morning/midday updates

(Latest ‘live’ view from California/Admiral SDOT camera)

Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 1st. Icy (and then snowy) weather has led to some changes this morning. (Anything to add? Text/call 206-293-6302)

SCHOOL CHANGES
Several schools and neighboring districts are starting late, as announced last night and this morning. See the updated list here. (6:36 am update: Updated on the list but also FYI, Vashon Island SD has now changed to “all schools closed.”)

WEATHER UPDATES

The Winter Weather Advisory is still in effect through 4 pm, warning that more snow is possible throughout the day (6:19 am, light snow is falling now) but so far the main challenge is ice. (7 am: Cars are coated in snow up here.) (7:53 am: Mostly stopped for now.)

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

Metro buses are on regular routes and schedules in our area but snow routes in the service’s East Region; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts, and here for weather-related changes.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is back to its full schedule. (6:51 AM UPDATE: West Seattle run now out of service – mechanical problem with Spirit of Kingston. 7:23 AM UPDATE: Metro expects WSWT service to resume with 7:40 am run from downtown to WS.) (12:30 pm note: A short-term “staffing shortage” has the WSWT canceling one more round trip today: “Thurs. Dec. 1, 12:30 & 1:00pm Water Taxi departures canceled due to temporary staffing constraints. Regular service resumes with the 1:30 p.m. departure from downtown and the 2:00 p.m. departure from West Seattle.”)

-WSF’s Triangle Route is back to 2 boats – check here for alerts/updates.

TRAFFIC UPDATE

8:12 AM: Truck has gone sideways on the NB I-5 ramp to WB West Seattle Bridge:

Check the live camera here.

10:33 AM: The ramp has reopened.

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: School changes for Thursday (ongoing updates)

9:25 PM: Just got the first announcement of a school change for Thursday, so we’ll start building a list. Please text or call 206-293-6302 or email westseattleblog@gmail.com with updates – thank you!

2 HOURS LATE THURSDAY
Hope Lutheran School starting 2 hours late, no morning extended-care program or half-day preschool
(added 9:59 pm) Highline Public Schools starting 2 hours late – full details here
(added 10:12 pm) Kennedy Catholic High School starting 2 hours late – full details here
(added 5:27 am) South Seattle College, 10 am start
(added 5:44 am) Summit Atlas starting 2 hours late
(added 6:44 am) Highline College starting at noon
(added 6:47 am) The Bridge School starting 2 hours late
(added 6:57 am) Holy Rosary School starting 2 hours late
(added 6:57 am) Our Lady of Guadalupe School starting 2 hours late

SCHOOLS CLOSED THURSDAY
(updated 6:34 am) Vashon Island School District just changed its status to “all schools closed”

FOLLOWUP: Southwest Pool to reopen Thursday with ‘limited operations’

November 30, 2022 9:22 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Southwest Pool to reopen Thursday with ‘limited operations’
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

After a two-day closure because of staff illness, Southwest Pool will reopen tomorrow, but not yet on its full schedule, according to the announcement we received tonight:

Southwest Pool will run limited operations on Thursday, December 1st.

We still have multiple staff members out sick. We are able to run limited programming including our afternoon swim lessons. The day will look like:

12-3:30 Adult Swim – No WX or 3pm Lap
4-5:30 Lessons
5:45-6:45 Lap Swim
Public Swim Cancelled

We are working to return to full operation as soon as staffing allows. Check the pool webpage or call 206-684-7440 for updates.

WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Shining bright in Fauntlee Hills

Tonight we photographed one of the first big West Seattle Christmas light displays up every year … at the home of Ken Arkills in Fauntlee Hills.

The house is on a corner lot, so there’s a lot to see on multiple sides.

You can see it at 39th SW and SW Trenton [map].

If you have lights to show everyone, or happened to see a notable display, please let us know – again this year, we hope to showcase lights every night through Christmas. Photos are welcome but if you don’t have them, just tell us where we can find the lights to photograph them ourselves – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: 2 easy ways to give the gift of history

November 30, 2022 7:42 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: 2 easy ways to give the gift of history
 |   Holidays | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)

Two holiday-shopping notes tonight from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – first, TONIGHT is the deadline to order Log House Museum 25th anniversary apparel in time to get it before Christmas (as first mentioned here two weeks ago) – you can order here. They’ll have another batch for sale after that, through year’s end, but not available before Christmas, so if you’re interested, order now.

Second, the museum’s gift shop will be open the next three Saturdays, with a holiday sale – half-price books and glass souvenir ornaments (photo above). You can shop local, support a nonprofit, and celebrate local history. The museum and gift shop are at 61st/Stevens, and you can visit the shop noon-4 pm December 3, 10, and 17.

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Wondering what’s next?

Right now some wet snow is falling, but not sticking, and the temperature’s a few degrees above freezing. There’s a chance of more-serious snow overnight, the National Weather Service warns, so it has a Winter Weather Advisory in effect again, currently set to expire at 4 pm tomorrow.. The NWS’s analysis (aka “forecast discussion“) says colder air is on the way and that could mean, if not snow, icy streets, so if you have to head out in the morning, leave yourself extra time. The NWS says things will be “unsettled” into next week, but there should be breaks in the moisture, including parts of Friday and Saturday.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man arrested near school in stolen pickup with drugs, gun

(Seattle Police photos)

Seattle Police have arrested a man found in the stolen pickup shown above near Highland Park Elementary, passed out, partly unclothed, with drugs and a loaded gun. They say people at the school and in the neighborhood reported the man around 7:40 am for “lewd conduct” at 11th/Cloverdale. Officers found the 26-year-old man, a convicted felon, inside the pickup “which appeared to have been spray-painted white,” with his pants pulled down. His girlfriend was trying to wake him up. After learning the pickup was stolen, they arrested him, and a subsequent search turned up what SPD lists as “a 24-gram brick of cocaine, 115 grams of methamphetamine in individual baggies, a 55-gram rock of methamphetamine, 149 fentanyl pills, and ammunition.”

He’s currently in the King County Jail. Court records show he’s already awaiting trial on four King County charges from 2020 and 2021 – 2 cases of attempting to elude police, one of possessing a stolen car, one of possessing drugs.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Mailbox prowlers

The video and report are from Amy:

We live in a townhouse in the alley behind Juneau Street Market. Our neighbor’s mailbox was broken into on Monday night and his mail was stolen. (The thief also checked our mailboxes and checked out our neighbor’s house.) We have video of the thieves approaching and of the break-in. (above) … Our neighbor has reported the incident but we wanted the West Seattle community to be aware.

This is the framegrab with the clearest view of both faces:

We’ll add the incident # when we get it.

SCHOOLS: Meet – and join! – Friends of West Seattle Elementary

Those are some of the founding members of the new PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) launched for West Seattle Elementary. Elle sent the photo and report:

West Seattle Elementary is excited to announce the launch of its Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): Friends of West Seattle Elementary (also known as FOWSE).

Readers may be surprised to hear that unlike every other public elementary school in West Seattle, West Seattle Elementary did not have an established PTO until the 2022-23 school year. In partnership with the Alliance for Education, a non-profit that supports excellence in education by advancing educational justice and racial equity for students in Seattle Public Schools, and West Seattle Public Schools Equity Fund, WSE has been building the groundwork to establish and govern such a group for several years.

FOWSE aims to support WSE students in their academic success by building a strong community between teachers, staff and families, and providing additional resources through fundraising efforts and volunteers to help close the achievement gap. WSE Principal Pam McCowan-Conyers said, “Establishing a PTO at West Seattle Elementary is a pivotal step to creating an equitable learning environment where parents, teachers and staff partner on how best to serve the unique needs of our students”. The group had its inaugural meeting on November 7th and interested community members and/or parents are invited to attend their next meeting January 9th @ 5 PM at High Point Community Center.

If you’re a parent at the school or community member interested in getting involved with the PTO or simply learning more, visit the PTO website, make a donation here (select ‘Friends of West Seattle Elementary – 23602‘ under group dropdown) or send them an email at friendsofwse@gmail.com for more information.

West Seattle Elementary is in its second year at the former Schmitz Park Elementary while an addition is built at its permanent High Point campus.

If you’re a parent at the school or community member interested in getting involved with the PTO or simply learning more, visit the PTO website, make a donation here (select ‘Friends of West Seattle Elementary – 23602’ under group drop down) or send them an email at friendsofwse@gmail.com for more information.