West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
Tonight we have full details of what’s happening at the Fauntleroy Fall Festival on Sunday (2-5 pm)! Here’s the activity list:
And here’s the schedule of time-specific performances and events:
Among the highlights – a performance by Endolyne Children’s Choir:
Endolyne Children’s Choir is thrilled to celebrate fall and the return of the Fauntleroy Fall Festival this year on Sunday. Led by director Megan Callaghan Booth and staff instructor Maya Adams, all choir levels will perform and show off what they’ve been working on since the start of the fall session.
ECC is a no-audition, secular choir welcoming all singers in grades K-12. There are 21 West Seattle schools represented in our choir. Come join us and enjoy all the free activities that the festival has in store!
The photo above shows the choir performing exactly where you’ll find them at 2 pm Sunday, inside Fauntleroy Church, one of the festival venues – all on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW, as shown on the official map. Everything’s free at the festival except food/beverage concessions. See you there!
Ten nights until Halloween, and we’re back to showcasing West Seattle decorations. The photo above is perhaps the least scary scene in David‘s Delridge yard, judging by the video he sent with this announcement:
Halloween frights return for 2022 at 5206 23rd Ave SW.
We are one block east of Delridge Way and SW Brandon St. Just past the new home construction.
The 29th, 30th, and 31st will have lights, sounds and ghosts. Full-size treats on Halloween.
This is one of the displays featured in our West Seattle Halloween Guide, and we’re continuing to add more – if you have decorations or an event to tell us about, send info (and photos if available) to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
3 notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
SHOPLIFTS-TURNED-ROBBERIES: Two incidents to report under this category – one happened this afternoon, with a 37-year-old man arrested after allegedly brandishing a knife when someone attempted to stop him from shoplifting at the Westwood Village Ross Dress for Less. According to police-radio discussion, he also was sought for an earlier theft incident at High Point Walgreens. He’s in the King County Jail tonight, sixth booking in five months … A different man is wanted for robbery after a shoplifting incident Thursday at Westwood Village Target ended the same way, with a knife pulled out when store security tried to stop him, according to police. An initial partial description broadcast over police radio: Asian man in his mid-20s, green jacket, white Honda Civic with no plates or possibly a temporary plate, last seen southbound toward Roxbury.
ON-RAMP WIRE THEFT: Today WSDOT tweeted the story of a daylight wire theft on the onramp from northbound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge:
At about 1:30 p.m. Monday, one of our signals techs spotted someone pulling wire out of conduit and a junction box mounted on the side of the NB I-5 ramp to West Seattle Bridge. It didn’t look legit so he had a colleague film & called 911.
State Patrol arrived and, with help from the video evidence, arrested the person. While the person had on a hard hat and vest, it was obvious to our worker it wasn’t a real operation. How? A legit signals operation will have warning signs, cones or barrels, a truck with markings and multiple people on site. None of those things were there in this case. So please be on the lookout and if you see something suspicious, call 911 to report it!
You can see the video by viewing the first tweet in the thread here.
TAILGATE THEFT: The photo and report are from Lisa:
I’d like to share that my truck was targeted overnight, and the tailgate was stolen off of it (picture below). It happened on Holden & 17th and a police report has been filed. This is just the most recent incident with our vehicles. A couple of months ago, the driver’s window was shattered. A few months before that, the rear window of our other car was demolished by someone throwing rocks.
It’s just so frustrating.
The report was filed online and they’re still awaiting the number; we’ll add it here when available. (Saturday update: 2022-922713.)
Is a tiny-house encampment emergency shelter or housing?
That question has posed some problems for Camp Second Chance, according to discussion at this week’s monthly meeting of CSC’s Community Advisory Committee.
Camp staff said they’d been trying to kick out one person who had refused to follow requirements for staying at CSC – including chores and working with case managers – and who also had parked several derelict vehicles in and around the 9701 Myers Way South site. Two of them were towed hours before Tuesday night’s online meeting. “Four or five” others had been tagged by Parking Enforcement. The person had been the reason for three of the five 911 calls made by the camp in the past month (the other two were medical), said CSC manager Scott Harris, but he has holed up in a tiny house and refuses to leave. That’s where the question of “shelter or housing” came in – Harris said police were contending the camp was housing and so trying to remove the person would be a form of eviction. We’ve asked the city’s homelessness-response spokesperson for clarification on what tiny-house encampments are considered to be, and are still awaiting the answer.
Other updates:
CSC currently has 73 people – all its tiny houses are occupied, and any that become open are immediately filled. Case manager Marjorie Johnson said 17 of them are awaiting permanent housing at the buildings now owned/operated by LIHI, which also runs CSC and other tiny-house encampments. Ten are awaiting units at Dockside in Green Lake, four have applied to Boylston on Capitol Hill, and three elsewhere. Johnson hopes they will all be housed by the end of November. The day before the meeting, two people who had been at the camp since 2019 left for Dockside, and she said that was such a happy departure that she cried. She also finally has help – newly hired case manager Jenn Hunt was introduced.
Longtime CAC member Grace Stiller said her program Weed Warriors is continuing its work at the Myers Way Parcels – the city-owned land that includes CSC’s site – and again will have grant-funded stipends for campers to join in the restoration work.
The camp’s shower trailer is not yet connected to the sewer system, apparently because of a design issue with the trailer. They’re also working to get the trailer electrified, as the fire marshal frowns on the current use of propane.
NEXT MEETING: Online, 6 pm November 8th. All are welcome – this is a city-mandated forum for questions or concerns about CSC.
-Tracy Record, WSB editor
Just received two reports of discolored water today in West Seattle – one in Alki, one in The Junction. The person who texted the latter report said they had reported it to Seattle Public Utilities, which has just told them a water-main break is to blame – it’s not shown on the map yet, so we’re following up. If you are experiencing the problem, now or any other time, the SPU number to call is 206-386-1800 – that can help them figure out what’s happening and where. Here’s the general SPU advice about discolored water.
Imagine, a photo of Puget Sound in which the water and islands are visible, finally! The focus of this photo, sent by Danny McMillin, is the USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) as it passed West Seattle, headed northbound. It’s a 37-year-old Safeguard-class rescue and salvage ship operated by the Military Sealift Command. According to the MSC website, USNS Grasp is used for “salvage, diving, towing, off-shore firefighting, heavy lift operations, and theater security cooperation missions.” It’s homeported in San Diego.
Two election notes:
BALLOTS ARRIVE: As noted here Wednesday, King County Elections has mailed the general-election ballots, and they’ve started arriving, so voting has begun. If you want to return your ballot via a county dropbox, West Seattle has three – the full countywide list is here. We recently previewed what’s on your ballot. You have until Tuesday night, November 8th, to vote, and you can choose a new way to track your ballot. Not registered to vote yet? Not too late to change that.
SENATOR CAMPAIGNS IN WEST SEATTLE: U.S. Senator Patty Murray just made a noontime campaign stop in West Seattle:
(WSB photo)
She spoke at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), accompanied by Mini Timmaraju, who is president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. Murray is a Democrat running for a sixth 6-year term in the U.S. Senate, challenged in this election by Republican Tiffany Smiley. Murray chairs the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee. Her speech at C & P not only focused on reproductive rights but also touted, among other things, the federal funding that helped cover the cost of the West Seattle Bridge repairs. After the C & P event, she was off to campaign in other parts of the city, including the Rainier Valley and International District.
Sunday looks like the best day this weekend for outdoor events, and we have a few to preview. First – the Makers’ Art Market at High Point Commons Park on Sunday afternoon. This market has brought together dozens of local artists, crafters, and other creators at other locations, most recently Alki, but this time they’re teaming up with the High Point Open Space Association to bring the market to the park. More than 30 local makers and small businesses are participating. It’s a family-friendly event, too. The park is at 3201 SW Graham, and the market is set for noon-5 pm Sunday (October 23).
Rain at last! Thanks to Jerry Simmons for the photo of a soggy Steller’s Jay. Now – here’s what’s happening in West Seattle for the rest of today/tonight:
HOTWIRE BENEFIT FOR GENESEE HILL: Get your drinks/treats at Hotwire Coffeehouse (4410 California SW) – open today until 6 pm – and tell them it’s for the Genesee Hill Elementary PTA.
SOUTHWEST ART SHOWCASE: See the community show at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), which is open 10 am-6 pm today.
MEDICARE INFORMATION: Community session in Vietnamese and Russian at Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), 2 pm.
SKI SWAP DROPOFFS: If you’re selling gear at this weekend’s West Seattle Ski Swap, drop it off at the VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska) 3-7 pm today. Not registered as a seller yet? The link is in our calendar listing.
HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT: 6 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW), “Room on the Broom” movie/book event – tickets required; our calendar event has info on how to buy yours.
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: One home game tonight – the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks host Lincoln at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm. Admission is $4 students/senior citizens, $6 adults.
MUSIC AT C & P: 7-9 pm, the Whateverly Brothers take the stage at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW), free, all ages.
BINGO AT ADMIRAL PUB: West Seattle’s “sassiest bingo party” starts at 7 pm. (2306 California SW)
AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with Jeanie Baby, Ash Tweet, Tylo, The Vulture Queen. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
AT ARTSWEST: The ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) play “Swimming While Drowning” continues the final week of its run, 7:30 pm curtain. Tickets are available online.
HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS/HOME SHOWS: See our West Seattle Halloween Guide!
Have something to add to our Event Calendar? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, October 21st.
WEATHER
Rainy and chilly today, and the high temperature might not even hit 50.
ROAD WORK THIS WEEKEND
The rain could get in the way of some of this – but:
-California/Findlay work this weekend, as noted here
-Two-week closure of the outer southbound lane on West Marginal Way between 17th SW and the Duwamish Longhouse starts Sunday, to collect data for the protected-bike-lane project
TRANSIT INFO
Metro buses are on their regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route (check here for alerts/updates).
The West Seattle Water Taxi is now on its fall/winter schedule (still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs).
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end.
Low Bridge: Open to all.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The alternate 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 trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Two cars in one last Crime Watch report tonight, both Hyundais:
STOLEN ELANTRA: Elizabeth‘s red 2017 Elantra sedan, license BBJ0776, was stolen Monday night (October 17th) from an apartment parking lot near Westwood Village.
If you see this car parked or being driven, contact police and please email Elizabeth at purrfull@aol.com as quickly as possible. (added) SPD report # is 2022-280221.
APPARENTLY ABANDONED SONATA: Julie sent the photo:
She reports, “This white Hyundai has been in front of our house for several days. Just noticed it has a window broken out and the ignition torn apart. It has a Zone 3 (Fauntleroy area) sticker. 46th & SW Trenton. I’ll report it to the city, but maybe someone will recognize it.” Plate # BXJ0011.
(SDOT photos)
After reporting last weekend that the California/Findlay “half-signal” was taking shape, we followed up with SDOT to get the timeline for completion of the installation – including other traffic-calming features – and activation. We finally got some information from SDOT today, after crews spent part of the day out at the intersection marking the layout for the street changes including a median island (top photo) and painted curb bulbs.
SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson says the median and curb bulbs will be installed after the pedestrian-activated signal is up and running, As for how soon that will be, he says as soon as possible, but they need to complete electrical work, which could happen this weekend if there’s a break in the expected rainy weather. He says the road markings could be painted as soon as this weekend, too. (Here’s backstory on the project.)
Two updates on West Seattle RV encampments:
16TH SW: As expected, a city contingent was out along 16th SW this morning by South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), where RVs and other vehicles were under orders to move. The on-site supervisor told us they didn’t expect to have to tow anyone, as the vehicles parked there were believed to be in running order (and the city homelessness-response spokesperson told us that impounding is only done as a “last resort”). We went back at day’s end, and the stretch along the college was clear.
We drove the entirety of 16th north of SW Holden and this is the one remaining pod of vehicles we saw, just north of SW Holly:
HARBOR AVENUE: At least one vehicle we recognized as previously parked on 16th SW had moved to Harbor Avenue, which we drove a short time later. The north side of the street has at least six RVs spread out across several blocks right now; at least one was towed earlier in the day, Mark Jaroslaw tells us, sending this photo:
He noted that parking-enforcement officers were present as the tow was being set up.
6:07 PM: Seattle Police are on SW Cambridge east of Delridge Way, investigating an incident that involved at least one officer shooting a dog. The incident began with a report of a dog biting a person. We are at the scene, where police will only say that no human was injured and the “dog’s status is unknown.”
6:54 PM: A little more information from SPD via Twitter: Both the dog and the dog-bite victim “left the area.” If you see an injured dog in the vicinity, please report it to 911. Via archived scanner audio, the dog was described as a pit bull. Nothing yet about why police opened fire on it; the department’s Force Investigation Team is investigating.
8:26 PM: Dispatch just told officers the dog has been dropped off at a clinic. No word on its condition.
ADDED 12:33 PM FRIDAY: A few more details just published on SPD Blotter:
Two officers were on another call near the 9200 block of Delridge Way Southwest around 5:50 PM when they heard screaming. Officers ran to the source of the screaming and found the injured man and the dog. An officer opened fire, striking the dog.
The male dog bite victim left the scene before officers or medics could speak with him. The dog also fled the scene but was later found and taken to an emergency veterinarian for treatment.
The Force Investigations Team is now investigating the shooting as in accordance with department policy. If you witnessed this incident or the events leading up to it, please contact detectives at 206-684-9292.
ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: A commenter points out police added some video from the incident to their original SPD Blotter post.
3:22 PM: Seattle Police say officers arrested a 16-year-old West Seattle High School student on Wednesday after what the report summary says started with a “google search that was construed as a bomb threat.” The SPD report summary continues, “The assistant principal brought the student into the office (Wednesday). The student admitted to the google search and was searched in the office. The student had four knives on his person. He was expelled from the school and went home with his father. The assistant principal requested police respond to collect the knives and arrest the student. Officers went to the student’s residence and arrested him without incident. He was transported to (the Youth and Families Service Center) and booked.” We asked SPD for more information on the incident; a spokesperson replied, “By policy, we have some limitations on what we can release regarding threats … For clarity, the threat did not mention knives.” The spokesperson also said the student was held for investigation of “possession of dangerous weapons on school facilities and harassment.” We’re checking with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on his status. We have also asked Seattle Public Schools how families have been notified (or will be) of this incident. We’ll update with whatever more we find out.
4:40 PM: An SPS spokesperson explained how the suspected threat was detected: “Seattle Public Schools-owned computers include a monitoring service called Securly. It alerted on some concerning language that was then reported to the district. We assessed the risk and continue to do so. At no time was there a specific threat to the school, students, or staff at West Seattle High School.”
Here’s what was discussed at last night’s quarterly meeting of the Morgan Community Association, held online and facilitated by MoCA president Deb Barker.
‘MORGAN MINUTE’ QUICK UPDATES: Barker recapped the September 24th Lowman Beach shoreline-restoration celebration (WSB coverage here) … The MoCA board still has an opening for vice president … MoCA still hopes to honor a former board member, the late Eldon Olson, with some kind of tribute – maybe a bench – in the area (though Seattle Parks doesn’t offer those commemorative opportunities any more) … The former Ivy Court mixed-use building at 6525 California SW has undergone remodeling and has a new name, The Morgan … Beveridge Place Pub will host musician Joshua Dennis as part of next month’s West Seattle Art Walk, 6-7:45 pm November 10th.
WHAT’S NEW IN MORGAN JUNCTION: Marcella Andrews introduced herself and her new business Transform Pediatric Physical Therapy. Among their offerings are 12-week treatment packages as well as group classes and camps. They help “any child who’s a little bit different from other children” and utilize a gym setting as well as a garden setting (with chickens) in a converted garage.
POLICE: New night-shift Lt. Nathan Shopay introduced himself. No one had questions for him but he said that since taking over the shift command, he’s noted a startling wave of gunshot calls all over the city. Right now the staffing level averages 10 officers a night “which is usually enough” but if there’s one big call, suddenly that occupies everyone. As Barker stressed, with Lt. Shopay vigorously agreeing, it’s vital to file a report about any and every kind of crime that happens; he stressed that the department is data-driven in terms of assigning resources so if they don’t hear about everything, they don’t know what’s going on. He shared his email address for community members with night-shift concerns: nathan.shopay@seattle.gov
MORGAN ELECTRIC-VEHICLE CHARGING LOT: We’ve covered this previously (here and here). Seattle City Light had three reps at the MoCA meeting with an update on the project at 4118 SW Morgan, a substation site until 2002. Construction is scheduled for late 2023, so it will be vacant and bare for another year – that’s in part because there’s a long lead time for ordering the necessary equipment. SCL’s Jacob Orenberg said environmental cleanup at the site should be finished before month’s end; it began (including tree removal) last month. He showed an updated site layout:
The driveway will now open onto SW Morgan rather than Fauntleroy or the alley on the site’s east side. The site will likely have “passive drainage” as well as incorporating CPTED principles. Answering questions about expected traffic, it’s likely to start at 22 users and eventually grow to as much as 80.
That’s a tiny fraction of the current daily traffic on the streets bordering the site. Based on other sites, they expect usage to be focused between 7 am and 10 pm. What’s next: Design documents will be finalized in the next few months and permits will be sought early next year; the station should be open to the public by early 2024.
SCL’s Victor Couto then answered more questions that had been asked previously. The Junction EV-charging station is the most popular in the city, with about 13 sessions per day, averaging about half an hour each. (Along with South Seattle College [WSB sponsor], it’s one of only two public fast-charging stations in West Seattle.) None of SCL’s current charging stations has as many chargers as this one will have – the highest number currently is 4 (this one is planned for 8 “second-generation fast chargers” which should last about 10 years).
Other questions included whether any temporary uses might be considered during the year before construction starts – food trucks, for example? Orenberg said he didn’t know but would inquire. Who will be dealing with non-charging customers – people using it for parking, camping, or? Couto said generally SCL security, which would “work with local resources.” Security would only be scheduled to visit once a month unless needed. The site will remain fenced (as it is now).
EARTHQUAKE PLANNING: Cindi Barker continued her series of MoCA presentations focused on a community plan beyond simply “show up at the hub.” That includes working with The Kenney (WSB sponsor), Gatewood Elementary, and local businesses about how they can be assisted in the aftermath of a disaster. They had a productive meeting with the school, which would work in an “incident management” mode with the principal serving as “incident commander” if catastrophe struck. They’ll be talking next with the PTSA, likely next month. They haven’t been able to engage with The Kenney yet.
MORGAN JUNCTION PARK ADDITION: This long-“landbanked” site north of Morgan Junction Park has become a source of contention in recent weeks, while it continues to remain vacant after development money “went away,” as Deb Barker put it, during the pandemic. As noted here, local skaters have turned it into an unofficial skate park The Seattle Park District‘s proposed budget would restore funding – but possibly not for several more years, Meantime, as has been discussed for many months, funding does exist for environmental cleanup at the site, removing concrete and contaminated dirt and bringing in new soils, seeding it, maybe creating some simple trails until actual park development happens. But, she said, we’re now in the season when sites like this can’t be dug up and exposed – so the remediation work won’t happen before spring. Mike Schwindeller of Seattle Parks said that despite what we’d been told just a few weeks ago, the site likely won’t be opened to the public until summer – digging could start in early spring but hydroseeding and grass establishment would likely stretch to summer.
Schwindeller said they’ve heard about the desire for skating features and they’ve also heard from neighbors upset about the noise, Parks is removing skate features and says they’d be open to revisiting design that could lead to integration of a “skate dot” when the park is developed.
Josh Radick, who launched the petition drive to try to save the unofficial skatepark, spoke, saying the skatepark started with “a local dad” mentioned the empty “slab” at the park site. They started cleaning up the site, “threw a few ramps down,” and said “we got a lot of love.” People donated materials, even immediate neighbors. Kids “started showing up … it was kind of empowering,” and they hoped to create something playful, small, with learning opportunities, not as big and intimidating as Delridge. They eventually poured concrete to build a ramp, and joy ensued. “We really want to be sure this is a thought-out, active space,” not just another “piece of grass with a couple benches.”
He handed off to Zac Corum, who said this has all led to a coalition led to parents who want more opportunities for beginning skateboarders. They really want to focus on getting active use into the design before the park is (eventually) built. They cited opportunities they see for the short run and long run.
Corum also said it’d be helpful to get information on the true health risk of the site right now. They asked for MoCA’s help, and had suggestions for using the site both post-cleanup and longer term.
So where do things stand? Schwindeller said they’re going to continue to try to “secure the site” – so far, Barker said, all they’re seeing is zipties on the fence and pieces of paper warning against unauthorized use. “Your methods are jokes,” she said flatly. She also pointed out that MoCA asked years ago to activate the site – so now there’s activation, and Parks is trying to shut that down, so “frustration” has resulted.
What does “skate dot” mean? she asked. “Skateable features integrated into the site, not a big bowl,” for example, said Schwindeller. The supporters warned that “mixing use” could wind up in injuries and skateboarders don’t want that.
So what’s next? Revising the design, Barker observed, would require a whole new public process – which had happened years ago, resulting in the existing design.
Attendee John Kinmouth wondered if there’s some middle ground that could be reached to permit interim use of the site. Is there any way to “follow other DIY traditions in the community, where they’ve been allowed to continue?” he wondered.
Cindi Barker recalled the bruising 2007-2008 battle to try to get skating incorporated in the Myrtle Reservoir Park dessign (here’s a sample of our coverage). She said that basically, rather than asking MoCA to shoulder this, the supporters themselves need to marshal neighborhood support and work with Parks. And she voiced disappointment that the skaters hadn’t come to MoCA sooner, “The bone you gotta pick is with Parks – when you work that out,” they’ll be happy to support it.
“We’re not going to go back to square one” with the old design, promised Schwindeller. He said they could bring in a “sub-consultant,” maybe someone like Grindline, to work on possibilities. There was also talk of surfacing this to new Parks Superintendent AP Diaz. The discussion concluded with a suggestion from Deb Barker that a meeting be set up sometime soon to hash through everything.
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS: Rosa Garcia, now filling in as community-engagement coordinator, introduced herself and offered to help as a liaison between community members and city departments.
NEXT MEETING: MoCA meets quarterly, so the next meeting is January 18 – 2023!
-Tracy Record, WSB editor
The video was sent by Gene, reporting a burglary at his parents’ house on Puget Ridge late Tuesday/early Wednesday, A camera focused on their driveway shows his mother walking into the garage – and the burglar crawling in through the almost-closed garage door seconds later. Gene says, “It looks like the thief has been watching my parents daily to know their routine.” The clip above is the clearest, showing the burglar at 11:16 pm; other clips show him leaving two minutes later, then returning at 2 am and staying almost an hour and a half before leaving again at 3:22 am, Items missing so far: A spare key to the garage, cash, and cards (a text alert was received warning of fraudulent use of one of them). Since they didn’t learn about the burglary until hours after it happened, they’ve filed an online report with SPD; we’ll add the number when it’s available.
ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Gene says cameras caught the burglar walking past the house again tonight.
(Photo courtesy Virago Gallery)
Virago Gallery in The Junction is celebrating 10 years, and proprietor Tracy Cilona invites you to join the party this Saturday – here’s the announcement:
10-Year Anniversary Party!!!
Saturday, October 22nd, 3 pm to 8 pm
Please come and celebrate TEN YEARS of VIRAGO GALLERY!!!Sip a little bit of bubbles, snack on some Dough Joy vegan doughnuts and come check out the current work by local artists, designers and jewelry makers. 20% off everything in our shop!!!
La Macòn has been an independent power house of handmade leather garments and handbags for discerning Pacific Northwest style seekers since 2000. La Macón’s creative roots take inspiration from the classic silhouettes of the 60s mod scene and are infused with the new wave years that followed.
Stone Crow Designs came on the scene in 2010 – an Eco line that is darker, edgier with a twist of punk rock, Stone Crow Designs utilize luxurious sustainable resources and new technology to help our environment.
Gritty Jewelry and Foster Merritt by Kim Merritt. My ride-or-die long-term artist-in-residence blends brutalist sensibility with stunning stone work that speaks to everyone. Handmade, carved and casted, these pieces are an untraditional heirloom collection for the bold and unique.
Crystal Fosnaugh is a Seattle artist and educator working with oil paint, encaustic, and ink, to create surrealist stories and scenes with lush flora, fierce fauna and a whimsical reframing of the body.
Virago Gallery is at 4537 California SW.
Everyone’s in the spirit (thanks to Desiree for the recent photo of decorations seen on Seattle Fire’s Junction-based Ladder 11). With 11 days to go until Halloween, we’re approaching the first of two Hallo-weekends, so our seasonal guide – all the events, from trick-or-treating to nightlife – is launched, featuring decoration spotlights too. We’ll continue to add to it as we get announcements (and decoration photos), so keep checking back. It’s at westseattleblog.com/halloween. Have something to add? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Smoke-choked sunrise photographed at Don Armeni by Doug Eglington)
Today’s list will be updated as the day goes on with any smoke-related cancellations/changes we hear about (please email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 if you have something to report). To start with:
TRANSFER STATIONS CLOSED: Seattle Public Utilities is closing them again today, including the one in west South Park that serves this area.
Now, here’s what IS happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
JOB FAIR: Now through 7 pm at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW).
EARTHQUAKE DRILL: 10:20 am today, it’s the Great Washington Shakeout – you can participate wherever you are.
PIZZA FUNDRAISER: 10:30 am-10 pm, get food from/at MOD Pizza in Westwood Village (2800 SW Barton) and help the HSA G04/05 team raise money for their last travel tournament as a team. The code and other info can be found here.
DESIGN COMMISSION TALKS LIGHT RAIL: Two weeks after touring potential West Seattle light-rail station sites, the Seattle Design Commission talks again today about the WS/Ballard Sound Transit project, 1:30 pm. Here’s how to attend online, or in-person downtown.
DIA DE MUERTOS CRAFT EVENT: 3:30 pm-5 pm, the South Park Library (8604 8th Ave. S.) will teach you how to make a nicho for Dia de Muertos.
BEER FUNDRAISER: 4-10 pm, another dine-out fundraiser, this one benefiting the Alki Elementary PTA, at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW).
THINKING ABOUT BUYING A HOME? “Buyers and Bubbly” class tonight with experts from every step of the process, 6-8 pm at Compass Real Estate in The Junction (4531 California SW).
BOARD GAME NIGHT: Go play at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), starting at 6:30 pm.
SELF-DEFENSE CLASS: 7 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – email to see if spots are still open.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm monthly meeting, which you can attend online (connection info is in our calendar listing) or in-person (Alki UCC, 6115 SW Hinds). Agenda is on the ACC website (click October 20th on this page).
‘SWIMMING WHILE DROWNING;: Final week begins for the ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) play “Swimming While Drowning,” 7:30 pm curtain. Tickets are available online.
BENBOW’S COUNTRY NIGHT: Thursday “Nashville Nights“ continue at the Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 9 pm. 21+.
Have something to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, October 20th.
WEATHER & AIR
Some clouds, some sun today, high temperature in the low 60s, rain still on the way for Friday – possibly up to an inch. As for air quality, we’re still under an alert, and you can check current pollutant levels here.
TRANSIT INFO
Metro buses are on their regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route (check here for alerts/updates).
The West Seattle Water Taxi is now on its fall/winter schedule (still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs).
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end.
Low Bridge: Open to all.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The alternate 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 trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
(October 7th photo by WSB reader Mel)
More than a week and a half after a person was found dead along southbound Highway 509 a few miles south of here, investigators have finally identified her publicly. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office says she was 16-year-old Keyaleas Brewer. But they have not yet determined how she died nor whether her death was a case of homicide; a spokesperson says that could take days, weeks, or months. So the King County Sheriff’s Office has made one more request for help: If you were driving on southbound 509 between the 1st Avenue South Bridge and South 112th between 5 am and 7 am on Friday, October 7th, and have dash-cam or any other type of video, detectives want to hear from you. You can send information anonymously via p3tips,com or contact them via email at mcutips@kingcounty.gov – refer to case #C22033455.
King County Elections has started mailing ballots for the November 8th election, and you can vote as soon as yours arrives – drop boxes open tomorrow (or just drop it into USPS mail, no stamps needed). Something new this time – the county has launched ballot alerts. From today’s announcement:
Voters can now opt in to receive text or email notifications as their ballot is processed, making it even easier to know that their vote counted. Ballot alerts will also let voters know if there is an issue with their signature that they need to resolve before their vote can be counted. Alerts are available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
You can sign up by going here (the option will come up on the second screen). Here’s our preview of what you’ll see on your ballot when it arrives. Election Night – when the voting ends and vote-counting begins – is Tuesday, November 8th,
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