West Seattle, Washington
01 Tuesday
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PET-FOOD DRIVE DAY: The West Seattle High School NHS student-organized pet-food drive is collecting donations this afternoon, 3-5 pm, at the school’s north entrance (3000 California SW).
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
MARITIME HIGH SCHOOL INFO NIGHT: Some West Seattle students attend this specialized public high school in the Highline district and thought others might be interested, so they sent word of an Information Night tonight at 6 pm at the campus in Des Moines (615 S. 200th).
TRIVIA x 6: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
LIVE AT EPHESUS: Kimball & The Fugitive Trio now plays Ephesus Greek Restaurant (5245 California SW), 6:30 pm Wednesdays.
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.
HPAC: Live, work, play, study, shop in Highland Park, Riverview, or South Delridge? Your community coalition meets online at 7 pm, all welcome, with new SDOT director Greg Spotts among the guests and other topics including the new West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails map. The agenda and participation information are on the HPAC website.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Having an event – one-time or recurring – that could be featured on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Tell us about it! Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Another stolen vehicle to watch for. The report and photo were sent by Liz:
Between 1 am and 6 am this morning our truck, a 1996 Chevy K1500, was stolen from in front of our house on the 8400 block of 22nd Ave SW. Plate D63246B. Police incident # 2023-023543. Currently checking with neighbors for security camera images.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, January 25th.
WEATHER & WATER
Mostly cloudy, high in the upper 40s. … Just before 8 am, predicted high tide is 13.1 feet, last time we’ll see a 13-foot high tide until next January. So far, this last round of “king tides” has not brought the Duwamish back over its banks, so no new flooding trouble for South Park.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro is on a regular schedule today but still running with fewer buses and fewer drivers – keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions (far fewer of those alerts so far this week).
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on a two-boat schedule – check here for alerts/updates.
ROAD WORK
Again today, expect intermittent lane closures on the South Park Bridge, 8 am-3 pm each day, for workers who will be power-washing the bridge sidewalks.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.
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 – open again:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All working traffic cams citywide 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 bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do it safely) – 206-293-6302.
While the music video above for Not Dead Yet‘s “West Seattle Hey” features some WS icons, the bridge is not among them. Who knew, when the video was made in 2012, that the bridge would close for 2 1/2 years? But that’s all in the rear-view mirror now, and Not Dead Yet is still standing – and playing. This Friday (January 27th), you can see for yourself at The Skylark, doors at 7, music at 8. Not Dead Yet’s piano player Paul adds, “We will be joined by two other local W Seattle bands, The Still Peaking Project at 9 pm and the premiere of the Palm Ave Lounge Band at 10 pm.” So go enjoy a night of all-local music at 3803 Delridge Way SW (right next to the aforementioned bridge).
(WSB photo, January 9)
When West Seattleite Leesa Manion was sworn in as King County Prosecuting Attorney two weeks ago, she promised to make policy announcements before month’s end. Today she made good on that promise. She said she hopes the changes will bring “focused attention to some of King County’s greatest areas of concern.” Quoting from the announcement, they are:
*A new Gun Violence Prevention Unit “to identify and prosecute the individuals perpetuating the most harm in our communities, and also to connect individuals who are close to gun violence to meaningful community-based resources before they become victims or perpetrators of violence. This includes expanding coordination with our Extreme Risk Protection Order team.”
*A new division of criminal practice “focused on gender-based violence and prevention.” Manion notes, “Cases involving rape, sexual assault and domestic violence often share some common evidentiary issues, and a focused approach will improve the prosecution of these serious crimes.” The division includes the Domestic Violence Unit, the Sexually Violent Predator Unit, Special Assault Units that handle sex crimes, prosecutors handling commercial sexual exploitation (trafficking), and Hate Crimes, among other practices.
*A new Economic Crimes and Wage Theft Division to “include organized retail theft, economic crimes, identity theft, multiple types of fraud, elder abuse, and wage theft.” Manion noted, “In 2022, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed more than double the number of organized retail theft charges than it did in 2021. Many of those cases were filed in collaboration with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.”
*A new Felony Traffic Unit is being created “to underscore the importance and seriousness of vehicular homicide and assault cases and their devastating impacts on victims and survivors.”
The announcement adds:
The volume of felony criminal cases is not expected to decrease with today’s announcements of new divisions and units. Violent crimes and repeat property crimes remain a priority. Prior to today’s announcements of new divisions and units, the mainstream Criminal Division typically filed between 20-30 felony cases each day. (Here’s a summary for December.)
The announcement also shared the org chart that results from all this, with the last org chart under Manion’s predecessor Dan Satterberg (for whom she served as Chief of Staff).
Three more reader reports, two with security images:
STOLEN KIA: Nelson in North Shorewood says that amid multiple car break-ins, this one was stolen:
It’s a 2013 Kia Rio Hatchback, color black, with a sticker on the back right that reads “Not today Satan.” The neighbors reported seeing five armed men in two cars and called the cops. License plate BQR4838. (KCSO) case number C-23021370
BURGLARS ON CAMERA: From Mary:
We’re mid-renovation and had our home broken into last night. Mostly tools stolen and a laptop, front door left open etc. 11:20-11:50 pm Mon Jan 23. Cops have been gathering evidence but wanted to see if anyone sees anything on their cameras, etc. We’re in Fauntleroy right by Original Bakery off 44th coming down the hill. Sounds like very large white box truck [as seen by a neighbor].
PACKAGE TAKEN: Diane is looking for a stolen package:
She reports, “It happened today at 1:42, Myrtle and 31st. I just noticed around 3 pm on my camera. I drove around the neighborhood looking for a discarded package.” No luck yet.
With another round of extra-cold weather on the way, we’ve received this reminder from the emergency shelter at the West Seattle Veteran Center in The Triangle:
Just wanted to send out a reminder that the Shelter is open during these winter months. If you know someone/see someone that needs shelter, please send them our way: 3618 SW Alaska St.
-Cold Weather Shelter (overnight below 40F) open 5:00 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
-Warm-Up Center open daily 7:30 am to 11:00 am. Hot breakfast from 8:30 am – 9:30 am
When the daytime temperature is forecast as below 40 F, the Shelter will be open all day.
The extended forecast says lows in the 20s are possible starting Sunday.
(Photo courtesy Launchpad)
Working at home and need somewhere else to go for a while, but taking up a table in a coffee shop isn’t the solution? How about a free coworking space next to a coffee shop? The Morgan Junction entrepreneurs behind Youngstown Coffee and HeartBeat Organic Superfoods Café have launched Launchpad. It’s open daily 8 am-5 pm for drop-in coworking; the space also is available for rental for special events and meetings. Launchpad is officially described as “a free service offering of Launch Industries, a minority-owned and -operated business consulting and contract services firm.” Launch Industries is owned by Monica Colgan, proprietor of HeartBeet and co-proprietor, with wife Autumn Lovewell, of Youngstown. They hope Launchpad will have some synergy with Youngstown and HeartBeet: “You can support our small businesses when you visit by purchasing food & drink from one of the cafes.” Launchpad is at 6030 California SW.
The Seattle Public Library has just announced this year’s plan for free tax help, partnering with United Way of King County and AARP. Trained volunteers will be available to help you prepare personal tax returns and to answer questions. One of the eight branches at which this service will be offered is in West Seattle – the Southwest Branch at 9010 35th SW. It’ll be by appointment on Wednesdays, 1 to 6 pm, starting a week from tomorrow (February 1st). You can make an appointment and find out about other tax-help options by going to spl.org/taxhelp.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning:
(One of the broken car windows in the neighborhood)
CAR-WINDOW RAMPAGE: We’ve heard from multiple people about this. Here’s what Marcus and Chantell reported:
We along with many of our neighbors in the Fairmount Park neighborhood (we’re on the 5400 block of 37th Ave SW specifically) woke up to smashed car windows this morning. From talking with other neighbors out to survey the damage, it sounds like at least a couple dozen cars may have been hit.
They’ve talked with an officer who told them the report number for all the incidents is 23-022558. Another reader who emailed us said it was believed to have happened around 1 am.
BUSINESS BREAK-IN: Thanks to Mary for the tip. Burglar(s) hit another business overnight – this time, Dough Joy Donuts in The Junction. We went to the shop to ask about it.
Dough Joy is usually closed Tuesdays – but they’re there today cleaning up and expect to be ready to open on their next regular day, Thursday. They told us the burglar(s) took two iPads. This is at least the fifth Junction business burglary/burglary attempt in the past month – after By and By, Cherry Consignment, Junction True Value, and Menashe & Sons Jewelers. The West Seattle Junction Association tells WSB they’re talking about ways to improve business-district-wide security.
VIDEO OF FIRST WEST SEATTLE AUTOWORKS BREAK-IN: Last weekend we reported on two break-ins at West Seattle Autoworks (7501 35th SW; WSB sponsor), Friday night and Saturday morning. We included video of the second burglary, in which a white van was backed into the garage door twice, Today WSAW has shared video of the first burglary, in which a red Honda was driven up in front of the office and the burglars got out to smash their way in:
Just after a minute into the next clip, you’ll see the safe thrown out the window before one of the burglars struggles to get it into the vehicle:
In part of the security video, the vehicle’s plate is shown – CEK7902. One other number of note – if you have any information, the SPD incident number is 23-019442.
10:48 AM: A driver is reported to have hit the median near the Admiral Way offramp on the westbound West Seattle Bridge, and SFD and SPD are on the way – no word yet on injuries but all westbound lanes are blocked right now, so the response is likely to affect traffic for a while.
11:04 AM: SFD is clearing the scene, which suggests no serious injuries.
(Monday sunset, photographed from Lincoln Park by Kanit Cottrell)
Quick look at what’s up for the hours ahead:
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Long-distance political-advocacy group meets at 10:30 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
PORT COMMISSION: Port of Seattle commissioners meet in public session starting at noon at the Sea-Tac Airport conference center; the stream, agenda, and documents can be found here.
CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm this afternoon brings the full council’s weekly meeting, online or at City Hall (600 4th Ave.). See the agenda here; the meeting is also viewable via Seattle Channel.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).
TRIVIA X 3: Three places where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
You can always see more, and look way into the future, via our event calendar – if you have something for us to list, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Ollie the pup is awaiting one last wave of donations for the warm-clothing drive at Dave Newman State Farm Agency (WSB sponsor), on behalf of the West Seattle Clothesline/West Seattle Food Bank. Here’s the reminder:
The West Seattle Clothesline annual clothing drive is once again coming to a close. Last day to drop of donations is Friday the 27th. We would like to give heartfelt thanks to fellow citizens who made it possible by their generosity and giving nature.
The clothing drive at Dave Newman State Farm Agency happens every year in December and January. Watch for the clothing drive at the end of this year!
The office is at 3435 California SW – you can stop in any day this week between 9 am and 5 pm.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, January 24th.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy, chance of PM rain, high in the 40s. (Monday’s high was 46, three degrees below what’s normal for that date.) UPDATE: The “PM rain” has already arrived.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro is on a regular schedule today but still running with fewer buses and fewer drivers – keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions.
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on a two-boat schedule – check here for alerts/updates.
ROAD WORK
Today and Wednesday (January 24-25), expect intermittent lane closures on the South Park Bridge, 8 am-3 pm each day, for crews who will be power-washing the bridge sidewalks.
ADDED 8:55 AM: Lane closures on California south of Willow for what appears to be SDOT work.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.
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 – open again:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All working traffic cams citywide 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 bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do it safely) – 206-293-6302.
(October 7th photo by WSB reader Mel)
Three and a half months after the discovery of a 16-year-old girl’s body along Highway 509 south of West Seattle, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office has released results of her autopsy. The most recent media-information list released by the KCME says Keyaleas Brewer died of “asphyxia due to strangulation” and ruled her death a homicide. When we last checked with the King County Sheriff’s Office a few weeks ago, they repeated only that it remained an “open and active case.” Back in October, as reported here, they asked for video from anyone driving on southbound 509 between the 1st Avenue South Bridge and South 112th between 5 am and 7 am on Friday, October 7th – the morning Ms. Brewer was found dead – and welcomed anonymous tips via p3tips,com or info via email at mcutips@kingcounty.gov – refer to case #C22033455.
9:04 PM: Thanks to Maureen for the info: She reports “orange/brown water out of our cold-water faucets” near Admiral Way/59th. Any time you notice discolored water, report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800, which she’s doing now, and let us know too – back in 2016, it happened in so many areas, SPU eventually carried out a large-scale flush of water lines around the peninsula.
9:47 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s added comments about what they’re seeing/hearing. Here’s the SPU page about discolored (and otherwise problematic) water.
ADDED TUESDAY EVENING: SPU says they haven’t figured out the cause but they heard from 21 customers between 8 last night and 9:30 this morning. The water should have cleared up by now – let them know if it hasn’t.
Wednesday’s the day that King County Elections plans to mail ballots for the February 14th special election. You’ll get a ballot with one measure – Seattle Initiative 135, which we wrote about earlier this month. If passed, this “would create a public development authority to develop, own, and maintain publicly financed mixed-income social housing developments.” The initiative does not specify how that housing will be funded, but supporters explains in their FAQ, “Once the public developer is established, they can receive and request funds from city, state, federal governments, as well as private donations if those donors feel so inclined.” Read I-135’s full text here. Ballot dropboxes open Thursday – West Seattle has three – one day after ballots are sent; you’ll have until 8 pm February 14th to get your ballot into one, or you can send it via USPS mail as long as it’s postmarked by that day.
P.S. If you want to find out more about I-135 before voting, it’ll be a major topic at the West Seattle Democratic Women‘s meeting Thursday night online – our calendar listing has info on how to RSVP.
As featured in our Sunday event list, the Vietnamese Cultural Center of West Seattle held a community Tết (Lunar New Year) celebration on Sunday. On behalf of the center, Lynda Bui shared the photo and this note:
Under cool gray skies, members of the community and Vietnamese Cultural Center gathered to welcome the Year of the Cat. The great lion-dance team of Vietnamese Youth Group GĐPT Vạn Hạnh joined us with a wonderful performance. It is rare to be able to gather on the actual day (and on a weekend) so we thank everyone for making time to join us.
Best wishes to you all in the new year. May all your endeavors go your way and good health to you all! Thank you for your support and we’ll see you again. Happy Vietnamese Lunar New Year!
You can see video here.
P.S. Two more Lunar New Year celebrations are yet to come in West Seattle, both welcoming the community too – West Seattle HS Chinese students’ event at Hiawatha on February 3rd, and the Seattle Chinese Garden‘s New Year Lantern Festival on February 5th
From Nico, who says this happened in North Admiral:
We had a car stolen overnight last night. 2000 Honda CR-V, WA Plate # AJZ2148. Antisocial sticker on back window and has a roof rack. Police report has been filed. Contact me or SPD if you happen to see it.
More new-business news – we’d been looking into who’s taking over the ex-Best of Hands Barrelhouse space (7500 35th SW) since a reader mentioned the “For Lease” signage had disappeared, and now we have the answer: GH Pizza and Pasta. The name may be new but the operator is not – Chef Brian Clevenger and General Harvest Restaurants, which already has Haymaker (open since 2019) and Raccolto (open since 2016) in The Junction, among other Seattle restaurants. The announcement notes, “The menu boasts fan favorite large bowls of fresh pastas, a variety of pizzas with rotating specials, starters, and salads all at approachable prices.” They’re excited about the new West Seattle location, planning to offer “a huge year-round outdoor-seating section along with a separate adults-only space.” GH Pizza and Pasta is aiming to open in West Seattle in “late spring.” But will the rooftop cow stay? We asked that on followup; the reply – “Of course!” There’s one GH Pasta location so far, in Belltown, and the announcement notes GH Pizza and Pasta is currently “taking over” Haymaker’s Eastlake location – see the menu here.
Two years after 24 Hour Fitness left Westwood Village, the center’s owners appear to have found another gym to move into the space. Though the “for lease” sign is still up, documents in city permit files indicate that Fitness 19 has plans to take over the spot. Fitness 19 describes itself as “a simple fitness club concept – an extremely affordable, family-friendly facility that offers state-of-the-art cardio, strength, and free-weight equipment,” operating in 12 states; the only location listed in Washington right now is in Ballard. In addition to documents seeking a city permit to add signage for the WWV space, we’ve also found state records for a newly formed LLC on behalf of “Fitness 19 WA 318,” with Westwood Village’s address. We have an inquiry out about when they hope to open.
(Comatricha nigra slime mold, photographed at Schmitz Park by Rosalie Miller)
If you haven’t checked the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar yet today, here’s the highlight list!
MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “Private Buckaroo.” Free popcorn! Advance registration required – our calendar listing explains how.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm, councilmembers preview the week ahead (here’s the agenda). You can watch online or on cable via Seattle Channel.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, begins today, 3:30-5 pm.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), explained in our calendar listing.
MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – new 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to list on our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
It’s the time of year for families to look ahead to next school year, if they are thinking of changing schools, or have a first-time student to enroll. We’ve already spotlighted some open houses and tours, and more are ahead this week. Here are two Seattle Public Schools we’ve heard directly from – Wednesday morning at 8:15 am, Arbor Heights Elementary opens its doors to prospective parents; while the tour’s geared toward pre-K and kindergarten families, all are welcome. The school is at 3701 SW 104th. Then Thursday morning at 8:30 and Thursday evening at 6, families can visit Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton). A full list of SPS tours is on the district website; if your school would like to be on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar too, send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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