West Seattle, Washington
02 Monday
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, October 2nd.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Rain at times, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise today is at 7:09 am; sunset, 6:46 pm.
REMINDER – LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE AHEAD
Another reminder that the West Seattle low bridge will be closed to surface traffic this Saturday (October 7) through Saturday, October 14, as SDOT announced Monday.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low-bridge cam:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
General-election voting starts in less than three weeks. You have many decisions to make, and the top of the ticket is the Seattle City Council District 1 race between Maren Costa and Rob Saka.
We presented a forum with them last Monday night; this week, you have two more chances to see them side by side in West Seattle:
TUESDAY (OCTOBER 3): Seattle CityClub and GSBA will present a District 1 debate in the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm, in-person and livestreamed. More info here, as well as a registration link which the sponsors say includes a chance to suggest a question.
THURSDAY (OCTOBER 5): The Harbor-Alki Neighbors’ Group has announced an in-person “town hall” with the candidates at 7 pm Thursday. The venue will be Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill):
Town Hall Q&A with Rob Saka and Maren Costa with emphasis on issues of specific importance to residents of Alki and Harbor Avenues, Alki Beach, and Beach Drive. The public is invited but space is limited. It is not required but registration is recommended: email diedrehaines@gmail.com. Potential questions can also be submitted in advance to the same email contact.
A livestream is not planned for this event, but it will be recorded on video for later viewing.
P.S. Those aren’t the last West Seattle forums for Saka and Costa – the next one after these will be October 10th at Our Lady of Guadalupe.
This is a little more complicated than items usually posted in the WSB Community Forums‘ Lost and Found (non-pets) section, so we’re publishing it here:
Last week my husband found some cash while out on a walk. He went to the door close to where he found it and asked a woman on the street if it was theirs but wasn’t able to find the owner. I’ve been watching the forums and other (online) groups to see if anyone reported they had lost it, but it has been quiet.
The cash was found near 55th Ave SW and Schmitz Park. If they can identify the general amount (there were bills and coins) and the name of the business on the receipt, we would be happy to find the owner!
If you lost some money – not a huge amount, but enough that somebody would definitely miss it – in that area, email us with the requested info and we’ll forward your note to the finders.
West Seattle Wellness has a new location and new owner as of today, founder Joe Bielling has announced. The practice, which has been located in Westwood Village (over NK Nails), is now in The Junction, at 4744 41st Ave SW (the City Watch building). And ownership has been transferred to West Seattle Wellness’s acupuncturist, Dr Xiangyu Xu. Everything else stays the same – business name, website, online calendar access, phone number, contact info for practitioners (they include acupuncture, pelvic health, counseling, and massage therapy). Bielling says he’s long been managing the business remotely while splitting his time between Seattle and Austin; now, he is focusing on a new personal career trajectory, post-psychedelic integration therapy.
One week from today, people 55+ are invited to join a Silver Seals Swim in West Seattle waters – even if you haven’t tried open-water swimming before. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
Celebrate the dynamism of our age with a fun, cold swim. We’ll start at at the Alki bathhouse and swim northeast along the beach as friends and family cheer us on. This event is FREE, but all swimmers must register and be over the age of 55. If you prefer to plunge instead of swim, that is also fine!
Date: SUNDAY, October 8th, 2023 Registration closes October 3rd.
Time: 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Cost: FREE. Coffee provided. Please consider bringing treats to share after the swim.
MANDATORY SAFETY MEETING VIA ZOOM
7:30 pm PT, Thursday October 5thYou must attend in order to participate. Please factor this requirement into your decision to register. No meeting recording will be available.
Interested? Register ASAP – the link is near the top of this page.
Who needs a runway when you can strut your stuff through the West Seattle Farmers’ Market? If you were there just after 11 am, you might have seen the mini-parade walk up from Doll Parts Collective (4832 California SW) and take a lap through the market as the opening act to the shop’s Designer Showcase, happening now. If not – here’s video as participants left the shop, northbound:
Local drag queen Jolene Granby led the way. She was scheduled to perform at the shop afterward.
The main attraction at today’s showcase is a variety of fashion vendors, as previewed here earlier this week. You can check them out at Doll Parts any time before 6 pm tonight!
Thanks for the texted tip about that sign on the door at West of Chicago Pizza (37th/Alaska), closed today because of an early-morning break-in. We went over and talked with proprietor Shawn, who said the burglar(s) got away with some cash. He’s closed today mostly to recover, as he got the alarm company call around 2 am – when he arrived, police were already there – and it was understandably hard to sleep after he returned home.
P.S. Shawn says this will NOT interfere with his plan to add a new feature at West of Chicago starting tomorrow – a game room.
Even before we get to Halloween, October brings plenty of fall fun. One of the biggest events is just two weeks from today, so here’s a reminder to set your calendar – the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. From 2-5 pm on Sunday, October 15th, you’ll find a variety of activities on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW in the heart of Fauntleroy, in and around Fauntleroy Church/YMCA and The Hall at Fauntleroy/Schoolhouse. Pumpkin-painting, birdhouse-building, salmon-hat-making, music, and more – all free (except for some food/beverage offerings) thanks to volunteers (can you help?) and donations. Rain or shine!
(Kingfisher, photographed by Susan Whiting Kemp)
Here are highlights for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
THE MISSING PIECE TURNS 3: Third-anniversary celebration, with discounts and merch, continues today at café/game lounge The Missing Piece. Open 9 am-10 pm at 35th/Roxbury.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
DOUGH JOY AT OUNCES: Another 10 am-2 pm Dough Joy Donuts popup at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) – every Sunday through the end of October.
GET FASHIONABLE! Doll Parts Collective (4832 California SW) hosts a designer showcase and fashion walk starting at 11 am; showcase continues until 6 pm – details in our calendar listing.
OPEN HOUSE AT THE WILDWOOD: You’re invited to visit the classic Fauntleroy house that’s been a B&B and now is a vacation rental, 11 am-3 pm. (4518 SW Wildwood Place)
DENNIS JAMES & THE MIGHTY WURLITZER – 2 SHOWS: At Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), Dennis James plays The Mighty Wurlitzer with silent films at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Walk-up tickets still available, according to the KH website.
‘MATT & BEN’: Last performance at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm. Sold out online (you can doublecheck at the box office).
COFFEEHOUSE ART: Jennifer Carrasco leads figure painting/drawing at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-9 pm. Contact her to sign up.
(Friday night sunset, photographed by Jen Popp)
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Police are investigating gunfire reported in the 1000 block of Harbor Avenue SW [map]. Officers have told dispatch they’ve recovered “multiple casings” in the angle parking area at Duwamish Head. Someone reportedly was seen “shooting into the air.” No injuries reported.
SIDE NOTE: Residents of this area are hosting a public “town hall” with the Seattle City Council District 1 candidates next Thursday – details in our calendar listing.
(Photo by Jean Sherrard: At left, Clay and Meg Eals, with West Seattle-connected heritage activists Mike and Jen Shaughnessy, Susie and John Bennett, (front, from left) Dora-Faye Hendricks, Deb Barker, Kerry Korsgaard)
Thursday night, West Seattle historian/journalist/author Clay Eals was in the spotlight at Historic Seattle‘s 15th annual Preservation Celebration. We reported in June that the organization had chosen Eals to honor as a “Preservation Champion.” On Thursday, he accepted the award at the event at Washington Hall in the Central District kicking off Historic Seattle’s celebration of its 50th anniversary. He was introduced by emcee Feliks Banel as, among other things, “Mr. West Seattle History”:
Eals spoke of the moments dating back to childhood that made him fall in love with Seattle, and observed that emotions shape preservationists – particularly joy and hope. His work has brought joy to many others, too – with preservation efforts dating back decades, including the fight to save the Admiral Theater. (You can see him in this 1989 TV news story about that.) Eals’s current work includes the Sunday Seattle Times “Now & Then” column, on which he collaborates with Jean Sherrard.
We just ran up to The Junction after two tips that Pizzeria Credo (4520 California SW) was closing after tonight. One was from John, who reported, “We were just at Credo and Jacques told us this was their final night. Sad they are leaving.” At the restaurant, proprietor Jacques Nawar confirmed to us that this is closing night:
He told us his lease was ending (we noticed earlier this year that the space was listed). He’s not planning to reopen elsewhere, but he is keeping his Panterelli coffee-and-pastry shop elsewhere in The Junction. He opened Pizzeria Credo 10 years ago and has even been featured on the Food Network.
Just received from Vanessa: “I just spotted a coyote crossing SW Southern St. right off of California Ave. (a few blocks east of Lincoln Park). It went up into the backyard area of the house on the northwest corner of that intersection.” We publish sighting reports for awareness, not alarm; read this to learn about co-existence advice. (See past sighting reports by scrolling through this WSB archive.)
One week from today, SDOT is scheduled to start a one-week closure of the West Seattle low bridge (aka the Spokane Street Swing Bridge) to non-maritime traffic. As announced this past Monday, the closure is so crews can “reinstall the repaired turn cylinder inside the east pier housing that was removed in early 2023.” While SDOT has promoted the West Seattle Water Taxi as an alternate way for bicyclists and pedestrians to get across the bay during the closure, there will be an overlap with the previously announced October 14-15 Water Taxi service suspension; SDOT says the low-bridge closure could continue until “mid-afternoon” on the 14th. (We’ll be checking Monday on the exact time the closure is scheduled to start next Saturday.)
Police are investigating what was dispatched as “road rage” gunfire near 7th SW and SW Cambridge [map] around 3 pm. Officers subsequently reported finding casings at that intersection. The shooter was reported to have been in a newer-model white 4-door Toyota Camry, last seen headed “eastbound.” No injuries or property damage reported.
Until 10 pm tonight, and again 9 am-10 pm tomorrow, you’re invited to a birthday party. The Missing Piece, the café and game lounge on the northeast corner of 35th/Roxbury, is celebrating three years in business. You can drop in and congratulate proprietors Alex and Michael:
From their announcement of this weekend’s party:
During the event there will be a 10% off sale on all food, drinks and games, several raffles including games and cafe related items, new T-Shirts available for purchase, and autumn seasonal drink specials. The all-new pumpkin spice latte served by The Missing Piece is prepared with a delicious house-made pumpkin sauce.
Beginning during the Birthday Bash on October 1, and continuing each Sunday during October, The Missing Piece will be celebrating the spookiest month of the year with a potion brewing event for prizes. The first potion ingredients can be gathered at the Birthday Bash, so be sure to dust off your cauldron and get ready to brew some sweet prizes.
The Missing Piece also has longrunning regular weekly events, as featured in our calendar and daily lists; you can see their ongoing calendar here.
If you’re looking for something to do online, besides read, here are two city surveys open right now, both offering a chance at incentives:
SEATTLE STREET SMARTS: SDOT is currently advertising this short survey on WSB. It’s mostly a test of when and where to stop for people crossing the street. Go here to answer it.
WASTE PREVENTION: Seattle Public Utilities is trying to figure out what would get us all to a future where nothing – or at least, very little – is thrown away. This survey asks you what you’re doing now and what would be needed to get you to do more. Go here to find the link (and get more context).
Today is the 12th day since 86-year-old Jim Price was last seen leaving his home on Pigeon Point in northeast West Seattle the evening of Monday, September 18th. So many have searched and/or on the lookout for him, but his disappearance remains a mystery. We asked Jim’s family what people can do to help now. A family spokesperson replied, “We’ve put together a kit with a new flyer that includes a QR code that links back to the kit, the search map that we will continue updating, and a info sheet with the latest updates and search tips.” You’ll find the newest version of those linked and downloadable here. The “latest info” document linked there also lists “unconfirmed sightings” as well as answering questions about where they’ve searched/checked, beyond the map. Otherwise, they simply ask that people continue “searching independently.” A family friend also has created a website, jimpriceismissing.com, which includes an email address for tips, as does the “latest info” doc (though it must be stressed, if you think you see him, please call 911 *at that moment* or as soon as you can – don’t wait to tell someone later).
The security-camera images are from Tails to Astonish, West Seattle’s only comic-book shop, burglarized again this morning. Nicole, co-proprietor of the shop at 4850 California SW, says the two burglars “took all the wall books. Still doing inventory” to determine what else is missing.
This is the second burglary at Tails to Astonish in less than six weeks; they also were hit August 23rd. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 23-283214.
ADDED: The store is closed today for cleanup/repairs, and is normally closed Sundays/Mondays; they’re not sure whether they’ll be able to reopen Tuesday as scheduled: “It’s really devastating to have this happen.”
(Squirrel stocking up – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Welcome to the weekend! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend off to a fast start with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
HEARTBEET’S LAST DAY: Today is scheduled to be the final day of operation for HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Café (6032 California SW), 8 am-3 pm.
THE MISSING PIECE TURNS 3: Third-anniversary celebration, with discounts and merch, at café/game lounge The Missing Piece all weekend. Open 9 am-10 pm at 35th/Roxbury.
NEIGHBORHOOD WALK FOR ALZHEIMER’S: Again this year, the local caregivers’ support group is hosting a mini-walk in Gatewood at the same time as the fundraising walk downtown. All welcome – meet at 10 am at 39th/Holden.
WEST SEATTLE RUST BUSTER: Cross country racing at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 10 am-3 pm.
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The weekly farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is open for shopping 10 am-2 pm, prioritizing vendors of color, presented by African Community Housing & Development.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SATURDAY COOKOUTS: Highland Park Corner Store is grilling, 11 am-2 pm on Saturdays through September. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
BENEFIT GAMING TOURNAMENT: Play Mario Kart and Smash Bros. to raise money for Enigma ASD Services, noon-5 pm at Till Dawn (5048 California SW). All ages.
OKTOBERFEST! Second annual Oktoberfest celebration at The Good Society (2701 California SW), noon-9 pm. Featured beers plus the renowned bratwurst plate – details in our calendar listing. All ages.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: See what’s new at the home of West Seattle’s history – visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 12-4 pm.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
RESTAURANT OPENING: First day for Burger Planet (9614 14th SW) planned to start at 4 pm – here’s our story from earlier this week.
LIVE JAZZ: 6-8 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW).
BURGERS & BEATS: Saturday night food and music at Revelry Room – burgers start at 6, DJs at 9. (4547 California SW, alley side)
AT THE SKYLARK: The monthly drag extravaganza West End Girls happens tonight at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm, $20 at the door.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
‘MATT & BEN’: Second-to-last show for the season-opening play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.
AT KENYON HALL: Nick Droz & Kurt Lindsay, 7:30 pm. Our calendar listing has the ticket link and other details. (7904 35th SW)
Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? Get it on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Photos and video by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
For the second consecutive week, the Chief Sealth International High School football team suffered a last-minute loss. Tonight at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, they were tied with Ingraham, 14-14, until, with 1:04 remaining in the game, the Rams got a touchdown, and the Seahawks were unable to answer. Sealth scored both TDs in the first quarter, out to a 14-0 lead after sophomore quarterback Mason Filitaula‘s TD just :47 into the game.
The point-after attempt was blocked but Sealth made up for it with a two-point conversion after the next TD by #5, senior Jamal Guy Jr., at 9:31.
Ingraham battled back, with one TD at 4:23 to go in the first half, which ended at Sealth 14, Ingraham 7, after a Seahawk field goal attempt failed in the last half-minute. Ingraham’s second TD came with 4:55 left in the third quarter, tying things up at 14-14 until they got their third with 1:04 left to play.
This was homecoming night for Chief Sealth, so both the band and cheer team were in full force, with the band playing on the field at halftime:
WHAT’S NEXT: Head coach Daron Camacho and the Seahawks (3-2) play on the road, at Brewster High School in Okanogan County, at 1 pm Saturday (October 7th).
Today’s been a very aerial day … first the Guardian One helicopter, then the C-17 over Elliott Bay, then two fighter jets loud and low just before dusk (we were under the awning at the high-school football game so could only hear, not see, them, and they weren’t on tracker). People at the Mariners’ game confirm it was a pregame flyover (here’s a pic).
ADDED: In comments, Jason uploaded photos including this one, plus a link to video.
The West Seattle High School PTSA hopes you can help – they’re bringing back the annual auction event and seeking both attendees and donors. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
Dear West Seattle Community,
We are excited to announce the return of our annual auction to support WSHS students and staff! Please plan to join us at The Tailgate Auction on Saturday, November 4, from 6 pm to 9 pm at Dakota Place Park (4304 SW Dakota Street).
Why do we need an auction?
As you know, Seattle Public Schools is facing an enormous budget shortfall and funding is limited for the programs we know our students need.
The WSHS PTSA is making every effort to fund the academic and classroom supports we have long taken for granted at West Seattle High School. Until last year, we benefited from a levy that funded a robust tutoring program, including school-day, after-school, and Saturday tutoring. Last year, we were able—through your generous donations—to fund a monthly staffed Saturday Study Hall that benefited an average of 100 students each session!
What will the funds be used for?
This year, we are hoping to fully meet the academic needs of our students. Our goals are to:
-Fully fund staffed Saturday School
-Bring back after-school study hall tutoring two days a week
-Bring back credit recovery in-person summer school
-Fund classroom and student club needs through PTSA mini-grantsAmbitious, I know!
How can you help?
–Get your tickets to the Tailgate Auction now. Make it a night out with your WSHS friends!
–Donate an item for the auction. Do you own a business or have a special skill (artist, talented chef, etc.)? Can you offer gift certificates, services (photographer, home improvement, etc.), sports tickets, theater tickets, vacation home stays, or other unique experiences?
–Make a tax-deductible gift to support our goals.Thank you for supporting WSHS students and staff!
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