West Seattle, Washington
07 Friday
By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Plans and proposals for pedestrian improvements at Fauntleroy/Rose were top of mind, along with final preparations for this Sunday’s big Fauntleroy Fall Festival, as the Fauntleroy Community Association board met Tuesday night at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse.
The meeting was facilitated by FCA vice president Catherine Bailey, who said their October meeting attendance was lighter than usual due to vacations. There were a handful of attendees participating via Zoom, as well.
Topline summaries below:
NO UPDATE FROM SPD: There’s wasn’t a police representative at the meeting, so no SPD update this month. Board members agreed that there may have been some confusion about the invitation for SPD to join, but they’ll work to address that for the November meeting.
PUMPKIN HUNT RECAP: As we reported last week, FCA’s annual Great Pumpkin Search was a big success, with 175 pumpkins hidden for searchers to find. Organizer Candace Blue wasn’t able to be at the event, but she prepared a report that was read aloud. Highlights of that: Attendance was strong, with 40 children participating (vs. 6 last year, when weather was an issue, as well as a competing event in the Alaska Junction at the same time). This year, though, there were sunny skies and no big competing event. Blue thanked the many volunteers who helped with the event, including setup, staffing, tabling and membership recruitment, hiding pumpkins, organizing prizes and many other tasks. Avalon Glassworks donated a glass pumpkin, and pumpkin hunters who found prize cards attached to pumpkins can pick up prizes at the Fall Festival. Follow-up tasks include finalizing the expenses for the event, gathering sign-up sheets and doing FCA membership outreach to those who expressed interest. The group also discussed a suggestion for next year’s hunt: Consider holding the pumpkin search the morning of the Fall Festival, to enable immediate prize pickup and strengthen both events.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE: FCA Secretary Meredith Sciarrio provided an update about FCA membership, including a year-end push for renewal reminders (neighhbors can join/renew online). The group uses PayPal for online payments, but neighbors are welcome to pay by check also. Current residential membership is around 225. Sciarrio said that the group needs to follow-up with businesses who haven’t yet paid for their FCA business memberships. One meeting attendee asked about the eastern boundary of the neighborhood that FCA serves, asking specifically about the 35th & Barton intersection (where crime near the 7-11 store has been an issue) and 34th Ave to the east of that. Board members agreed that 34th Ave is technically outside FCA’s area, but Bailey called it a “squishy boundary” and said the borders are treated flexibly. Board member Bill Wellington noted that the Seattle Comprehensive Plan calls 35th and Barton “Upper Fauntleroy” (which otherwise is generally west of 35th).
SDOT UPDATE ON FAUNTLEROY/ROSE CHANGES: As FCA discussed briefly in their September meeting (WSB coverage here), the Seattle Department of Transportation is finalizing plans for road/traffic/transit changes at Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Rose St.
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(Wednesday sunset photo by Tony Tschanz)
Yes, it’s game night again, but there’s more happening in West Seattle and vicinity before/during/after! Here’s our list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more for today/tonight/days and weeks ahead):
FREE PLAYSPACE: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is opening its free community playspace, 9 am-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. (42nd/Juneau)
DROP-IN COWORK HANGOUT AT THE VOID: Coffee and connections, new weekly casual coworking hangout at The Void, 10 am-noon. (5048 California SW)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Fall is a perfect time to plant! Explore the possibilities – the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Art is on display throughout Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), and you can visit any time during regular hours, 10 am-6 pm today.
LUNCH AND LEARN ABOUT TAX DEDUCTIONS: Free hourlong lunch-and-learn event at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor), noon-1 pm.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.
DROP-IN CHESS: High Point Library‘s weekly event is back today, 4-5:30 pm for players under 18. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two regular Thursday night events here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Stanford’s.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle!
RAT CITY ART AND FOOD WALK: At a variety of venues in South Delridge and White Center, 5-8 pm. See the participant list here.
MADAME B’S DARK BAZAAR: One of the Rat City stops is Madame B’s Dark Bazaar at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), where the bazaar is on from 5 to 8 pm, spooky storytelling 8-10 pm.
POSTCARDS FOR DEMOCRACY HAPPY HOUR: 5-7 pm gathering at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW) for long-distance advocacy.
MARINERS’ ALCS GAME 4: Still looking for a place to watch? Here are some options.
‘WELCOME THE ORCAS’ KICKOFF: Meet up with The Whale Trail at Elliott Bay Brewing in The Junction (4720 California SW), 5:30-8:30 pm, for the kickoff of this all-fall-long event.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm, now leaving from Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW), it’s the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Is walking more your speed? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL CANCELED: Because of the M’s game.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm doors, 8 pm music: Christopher Ellis, Polari, Lottie Johnston, Summerray. $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘THE ROOMMATE’ AT ARTSWEST: Final week! 7:30 pm. Our calendar listing has info including the ticket link. (4711 California SW)
DJ NIGHT: Extended-weekend spinning starts tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Kingblind & Teenage Rampage, 8 pm.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather November 6 to remember Sid Hoover, and are sharing this with his community now:
Sid Hoover, sidneyduttonhoover.com, a lifelong denizen of Puget Sound, died August 28 at the house he designed and built on Duwamish Head, where he had lived for 45 years with his wife Laura Sue, who survives him.
Other survivors include his stepsons, Derek Lloyd (Jackie) of Palm Desert, Ca, and their children Dillan and Jackson, and Neil Lloyd of Evanston, IL and his children Nicole Wade of Bolder Co and Jack Lloyd of Ottawa; his brother Jeff Hoover (Rosie Carey) of Kirkland, his sister Joy Hoover (Dave Gerkin) of Roseburg, Or.
We will miss his bright smile. He loved the word denizen.
His debut novel, Egos Eclipsed, is available online and his original music has been released under Unmires.
For decades he rode the 37 bus, and later the Water Taxi, to his job with the Seattle Municipal Courts, where he worked in probation. Sid was very modest and would never claim any credit for their groundbreaking work in domestic violence, always deferring to their women partners, but he started one of the first domestic violence units in the country. He realized the perpetrators were a different kettle of fish from the run-of-the-mill DUI drunks, flashers, and nuts who made up the majority of the caseload.
Mass on November 6 at St. James Cathedral at noon.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, October 16, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today suggests increasing clouds, high in the upper 50s, rain likely late tonight. Sunrise will be at 7:28 am; sunset, at 6:20 pm.
(Ferry and Mt. Baker, photographed by Mike Burns early Wednesday)
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Issaquah. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where; ferry alerts will update with any changes.
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – Now on regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule, but Metro IS adding extra runs again tonight for the big game. (Speaking of which …)
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners again host Toronto in Game 4 of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, first pitch shortly after 5:30 pm.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
11:50 PM: SFD and SPD are headed to Beach Drive SW and SW Canada [map] after a report of a crash involving a car that’s reportedly on its side after its driver hit a house and parked vehicles. Updates to come.
11:57 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’re going to have Beach Drive closed both ways “for quite a while.” Meantime, SFD reports one person is trapped inside the vehicle that’s on its side, a “small SUV.”
12:14 AM: Added a photo just received via text. Also, SFD told dispatch they’re taking the driver to the hospital.
12:24 AM: Police just told dispatch they’ve reopened southbound Beach Drive.
1:25 AM: Another texter reports the vehicles are being towed and scene is being cleaned up, sending these photos:
Thanks to Kate for the photos – she reports this is in Sunrise Heights, in the 7100 block of 30th Ave SW.
We’re continuing to feature your Halloween display photos every night during the spooky season – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Just in from Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck, word that tomorrow night’s scheduled monthly meeting is outta there:
We’ve heard the powerful voice of baseball fans. :) We are canceling tomorrow night’s 7 pm Alki Community Council meeting to allow everyone to enjoy the Mariners playoff game. We look forward to rescheduling with our presenters and seeing you in person at our next meeting Thursday, November 20th.
After their 13-4 loss to Toronto tonight at T-Mobile Park, the M’s are still up 2-1 in the best of seven American League Championship Series; first pitch Thursday is just after 5:30 pm.
Taya sent this photo out of desperation:
The car, a Honda Fit with plate starting in 7BT, is blocking their POD from getting picked up from the Alki neighborhood her family is about to move out of. Taya says the city can’t tow it for at least a week and it’s been there at least five days. If it’s your car, she begs you, come move it!
The Seattle School Board has narrowed the list of superintendent candidates to two. We first reported three weeks ago that board president Gina Topp, who represents West Seattle and most of South Park, revealed they had 41 qualified candidates; eight were chosen for interviews through what a district news release describes as a “blind evaluation process” – reviewed without information on their names, locations, alma maters, and other affiliations. After those interviews, board members have settled on two finalists and plan to interview them one week from today. There’s been some criticism of the fact that the hiring process is proceeding without community members getting to meet the candidates; Topp is quoted in tonight’s news release as saying confidentiality was vital: “This approach allowed us to attract an outstanding pool of applicants, including sitting superintendents and other strong leaders who might not otherwise have applied.” The job is currently held by Fred Podesta, who was appointed after Dr. Brent Jones’s departure, but he did not express interest in holding the position long-term.
5:12 PM: This was broadcast on Seattle Police air as Guardian One following a car that had eluded King County Sheriff’s Office deputies twice today.
5:16 PM: According to an update on SPD radio, the “suspect vehicle” (described earlier as a GMC Denali) is near 35th/Barton. The incident happened somewhere outside West Seattle; when first mentioned on SPD air, the vehicle was passing through South Park.
5:30 PM: A ground search is under way too, we’re told, including a K-9 team. (That’s a reason for the loudspeaker messages people are mentioning.)
5:38 PM: The helicopter has moved on. We don’t know if that means progress in ground search, but we’re attempting to reach KCSO to check (and to ask what the people in the vehicle were wanted for in the first place).
6:34 PM: KCSO spokesperson Brandyn Hull tells us, “I believe this started off as a traffic stop around Olson PL SW & Myers Way. The driver eluded deputies twice today and once last month. While they recovered the car, they are still looking for the suspect for felony flight – attempting to elude.”
(WSB file photo, Morgan Junction drop box)
King County Elections drop boxes will open tomorrow, with more than 1.4 million general-election ballots now on the way. You should get yours by Monday (October 20) – if you don’t, call KCE at 206-296-VOTE. Here are the races you’ll see on your ballot if you’re registered to vote in West Seattle (asterisks denote incumbents, and names are published in the order they’ll be on the ballot):
KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Girmay Zahilay
Claudia Balducci
SEATTLE MAYOR
Katie Wilson
Bruce Harrell*
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, CITYWIDE POSITION 8
Alexis Mercedes Rinck*
Rachael Savage
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, CITYWIDE POSITION 9
Dionne Foster
Sara Nelson*
SEATTLE CITY ATTORNEY
Erika Evans
Ann Davison*
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 2
Kathleen Smith
Sarah Clark*
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 4
Joe Mizrahi
Laura Marie Rivera
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 5
Vivian Song
Janis White
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 7
Carol Rava
Jen LaVallee
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION, POSITION 1
Ryan Calkins*
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION, POSITION 3
Hamdi Mohamed*
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION, POSITION 4
Toshiko Grace Hasegawa*
34TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR
Emily Alvarado* (D)
34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE POSITION 1
Brianna Thomas* (D)
STATE RESOLUTION 8201 (constitutional amendment regarding long-term-care investing)
KING COUNTY PROP 1 (Medic One replacement levy)
SEATTLE PROP 1 (education levy renewal/expansion)
SEATTLE PROP 2 (B&O tax changes)
If you use a KCE dropbox, your deadline is 8 pm November 4. If you’re using USPS, this year the recommendation is to mail it at least a week before Election Day, so that would be October 28.
Three biznotes today, all related to reinvention in one way or another:
LADY JAYE’S TEMPORARY CLOSURE: Thanks for the tip! The Junction restaurant/bar at 4523 is closed for the next week. It had recently announced a plan to focus on sandwiches, and it had been on the market a while too. So we asked proprietor Evan Carter what the closure’s about. His reply: “We decided not to sell, just to revamp the menu and make it more approachable to ALL of West Seattle. So we will be doing our new concept called LJ 4.0 which will be headlined by the Wagyu Smash Burger as well as the other sandwiches that we have mastered over the last 6 years of running this restaurant and doing our daily specials :) But we will have a consistent menu that will be priced so everyone can enjoy. It will be like an elevated sandwich shop but still have the Lady Jaye restaurant feel and the same great cocktail and whiskey selection.” See for yourself starting October 22.
THE CLAY CAULDRON’S PERMANENT CLOSURE: Proprietor Frances Gifford tells us she’s closing The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW) at the end of the month. But first – a party this Saturday:
In a followup exchange after we received this announcement, Frances confirmed she’s retiring, though she and associates are looking for a new place to start a pottery studio with which she’ll help out.
DREAM DINNERS GOES INDIE: The meal-prep business in outer Jefferson Square is now independent, rather than a franchisee, but they’re still there to help you save time and solve dinner dilemmas. You’re invited to a freezer sale – what’s in the freezer(s), ready to take-and-bake, not the appliances themselves! – and open house this Saturday, 11 am-1 pm. They’re on the southwest corner of 41st Avenue SW and SW Alaska.
Every year, Seattle University circulates the Public Safety Survey, open for a month and a half, with findings provided to Seattle Police and used in planning. Today’s the first day the survey is open this year – here’s the announcement:
Seattle University is administering the annual citywide Seattle Public Safety Survey, which is accessible at publicsafetysurvey.org from October 15th through November 30th and is available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Korean, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese. The purpose of the survey is to solicit feedback on public safety and security concerns from those who live and/or work in Seattle. A report on the survey results will be provided to the Seattle Police Department to help them better understand your neighborhood’s safety and security concerns and community-police dialogues will be held in May-August 2026 to provide opportunities for police-community engagement about the results. More information on the Seattle Public Safety Survey, which is part of the Seattle Police Department’s Micro-Community Policing Plans (SPD MCPP), can be found on the SPD MCPP website.
All available language versions are linked from the main survey page. It’s not a quick survey, so if you don’t have time right now, you can use our ShareThis link to send the story to yourself as a reminder)
We’ve heard from victims of two burglaries early today:
HOME BURGLARY IN GATEWOOD: Burglars broke glass to get into Paul‘s home this morning:
At approximately 6:10 am, there was an attempted break-in at our home at 36th Ave SW and SW Othello. We were asleep and heard the very loud crashing of them busting through our rear sliding door.
We immediately started yelling to scare them off and called 911. They were able to snag a purse off of our dining-room table as well as stealing our Yeti cooler under the deck. They immediately ran off once they knew someone was home. They did unscrew our front porch light bulb so there was some planning involved. Two vehicles were seen departing the area – a sedan and SUV (unfortunately I didn’t have my glasses on so no further details). Incident number is 25-301510. We are just now learning it appears they also broke in to our neighbors vacant house first, and stole items there including their vehicle (a blue Subaru sedan).
ALKI COFFEE/BEN & JERRY’S BURGLARIZED AGAIN: Received from co-proprietor Jonathan:
I am unfortunately writing this email to let you know that for a second time in 3 months we had a break in at our Alki Coffee/Ben & Jerry’s shop where they stole our cash drawer and safe. It happened this morning around 4 am. It appears that they somehow jimmied the sliding doors in the front to enter, which set off the alarms so they were in and out pretty quick.
Unfortunately due to the multiple break-ins that have occurred, we are going to be changing how we do things at the shop and will no longer be accepting cash as a form of payment and will carry no cash on premises going forward.
While it is incredibly frustrating and sad that this keeps happening not just to us, but to other small businesses along Alki, we plan to keep working with our neighbors and the community to make Alki a safer place for local businesses to thrive and where people can gather, connect, and enjoy this special neighborhood together.
(To Jonathan’s last point – we had reported just last night on a community event hosted there over the weekend.) Meantime, the SPD incident # for this is 25-301471.
(Fall-colors contrast! Photo by Jerry Simmons)
We know, there’s just one marquee event in Seattle tonight. But in case you’re interested in alternatives – here’s what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (and if we’re missing something – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!):
SANISLO ELEMENTARY DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: All day at Puerto Vallarta in The Junction, open until 11 pm. During dinner (5-8 pm), a piñata is planned around 6:30 pm
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fauntleroy (this is our weekly last-minute reminder, so would-be walkers can set their calendars for next Wednesday morning!).
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW)
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: The show continues, with art on display all around Southwest Library (9010 California SW), so you can visit any time during regular hours, 12 pm-8 pm today.
FREE MOVIE AT THE LIBRARY: Also at Southwest Library, free all-ages screening of “Karate Kid: Legends,” 2:30 pm.
FREE KIDS’ ART WORKSHOP: With Rec’N The Streets at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3 pm.
WATCHING THE GAME: We’re building a list if you don’t have a favorite spot to watch – check back here later as we add more – first pitch is right after 5 pm.
ONLINE PUBLIC MEETING FOR 2345 HOBART: 5 pm, as previewed here, the city is taking comments on a project that requires an exemption because of an Environmentally Critical Area on the site.
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, new weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix your broken item instead of throwing it out! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: 6-8 pm, drop in and create! If you want some inspiration, this month’s spotlight project is a seasonal pumpkin luminary. (3400 Harbor SW)
FREE ART CLASS: 6-8 pm, pay what you can, all levels invited to explore watercolors at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: All are welcome at the group’s weekly happy-hour meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 California SW).
FAUNTLEROY FERRY TERMINAL COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP: Last scheduled meeting of this longrunning group, which will receive and discuss updates on the project, 6 pm online. Our calendar listing includes the link for registering to watch (no public-comment period).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: An energetic way to mark the middle of the week – the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – all welcome, regardless of pace!
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd SW and SW Juneau) – agenda highlights are in our calendar listing.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS:
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
KUNDALINI YOGA: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
TRIVIA x 3: Three West Seattle trivia spots on our Wednesday list (be aware that game-watching might delay or cancel): Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 8 pm … Quiz Night also starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and it’s an 8:30 pm start for trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: You’re invited to sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
As noted in the morning traffic/weather info roundup, we asked Metro whether they were considering adding West Seattle Water Taxi runs for the Mariners’ playoff games. Spokesperson Al Sanders tells us yes:
The West Seattle Water Taxi will be running post-game service on Wednesday [tonight], Thursday and (if needed) on Friday. Sailing times from Pier 50 will be at 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
If the Mariners do make it to the World Series, the Marine Division will consider additional service on a game-by-game basis.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today is sunny, high in the low 60s. Sunrise will be at 7:28 am; sunset, at 6:20 pm.
(This week’s snow-capped Olympics, photographed by Chris Frankovich)
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Issaquah. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where; ferry alerts will update with any changes.
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – Now on regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule, no more later-night service scheduled until spring. (We’re asking if they’re considering changing that plan for the M’s playoff run, though! UPDATE: They will run postgame service. Speaking of which …)
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners are back home to play Toronto in Game 3 of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, first pitch shortly after 5 pm.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
1:49 AM WEDNESDAY: “Found naked robbery and kidnap victim on our porch,” the text began. It was about an incident we’d heard a bit about on the scanner – police were looking for robbers in a blue/white Astro Van somewhere around 28th/Roxbury. Radio exchanges indicated the victim was robbed of everything, including his clothes, by someone he’d met up with regarding selling coins, The robber implied a gun. The texter said the victim told them “he was robbed by multiple attackers at (Roxbury) Safeway, assaulted, then dumped in our street,” half a mile away. They said medics took the victim away for treatment. We’ll see what else we can find out from police later this morning.
ADDED 10:47 AM THURSDAY: Here’s the police-report summary:
At 0028 hours, a victim stated that he was selling rare coins in the area of 27 Ave SW/SW Cambridge St. The victim stated that van pulled up and he got inside the van to attempt to sell the coins. The victim stated that the van was occupied by two males, and one put a hard object to the back of his head. The victim stated that a gun was implied but not seen. The suspects struck the victim in the head with a hard object and stole his coins, clothes, other personal items. The suspects drove the victim to the 10000 BLK of 31 Ave SW and pushed him out of the van. The victim knocked on a community member’s door and 911 was called. Officers conducted an area search for the suspects and cameras. Officers didn’t locate the suspects.
By Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The organization SR3 most often comes to Alki for the activities embodied in its name – Sealife Response + Rehab + Research.
At Alki Coffee Company on Saturday, the activities were education and outreach.
A group gathered at the coffee shop to listen to Casey Mclean, founder and executive director of SR3, which she launched in 2010 as a response to the lack of a marine mammal rescue group in the Pacific Northwest. She summarized her aim at the beginning of her presentation: “I was shocked there was nowhere for sick and injured marine mammals to go. I said, someone should do something about this, and someone said, ‘YOU should do something about this’.”
Mclean’s presentation went over the core tenets of their organization. She covered the ways in which they respond to marine mammal distress, how they rehabilitate marine mammals, and how they research the conditions of marine mammals in this region. She started with a summation of why the work matters: “All of these animals are apex predators, they speak to the health of our ocean overall. If they are sick, everything below them is going to be sick as well. Ultimately this affects all human life.”
The response efforts, she said, cover three main issues that cause serious distress in marine mammals: emaciation, disease, and direct human interaction (such as gunshots, unnecessary human touch, or interaction with domestic animals such as dogs). Their organization, she said, is ready to respond whenever. “We are ready 365 days a year, 24/7. Times aren’t necessarily convenient. The animals need you most right before dawn, right before it gets dark, and on holidays.”
(WSB file photo)
They have both a dedicated ambulance and a truck ready to respond to incidents.
She said the number of reported incidents has increased since the 1990s. This represents a dual-edged sword: “There are more people who are spotting them, there’s more people who live here and we understand why the animals are important – so that’s positive.” but, she said, “There are also issues with the populations, the populations have grown because there is less hunting, so there are more animals now impacted by humans.”
For the rehabilitation portion of the presentation, she went over the details of the SR3 facility in Des Moines, which has been operating since 2021. She provided some statistics: They receive around 600 calls a year, and currently are actively treating around 188 marine mammals. They actively teach students and volunteers in the marine veterinary field, in addition to their primary staff, they’ve taught around 45 students, and have 225 volunteers, who put in around 10,000 hours of volunteer work a year.
Primarily, they care for the marine mammal species most commonly encountered in the Northwest: Harbor seals and their pups, sea lions, and sea otters. But she highlighted that recent patients have included less-often-seen animals, such as a porpoise and sea turtles
The sea turtles, she said, represent the pace of the rapidly changing climate. “We recently treated loggerhead turtles. Only eight have been documented [in the region] throughout the past 25 years, but we had four over the past few years.” The reason, she said, was “Global warming causes new migration patterns. They just follow the warm water, then they get pushed into our cold water.”
For research, she went over their work in studying zoonotic disease outbreaks. “We’re trying to detect things before they happen. Avian influenza is an example. It went from birds to marine mammals, and we can detect that.” she said. The previously mentioned rare rescue of a porpoise also provided an insight to new research: “[They] had a parasite that we have never seen interact with the porpoise in this specific way, causing neurological damage.”
She also went over their work in studying and tracking orca pods from the air, with drones.
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Mclean said frequently they have shared this information with government entities in both the United States and Canada, which has led to changes in regulation to help protect the whales.
She finished with details on how people can help SR3. She recommended looking at options to volunteer or donate to the organization, and pointed at the organization’s website for both. She said that while the organization is for the most part private, there are also ways for the public to interact with it, such as fundraisers, or their yearly open house. There will be another open house next April.
She shared one last highlight on something which she felt would have the most impact for the organization: contacting local legislators about state legislation. She highlighted that there is a current bill (HJM 4004), text available here, for the government to authorize the killing of seals and sea lions to protect local salmon populations. The bill has gone through one committee, but is still waiting for a House vote, which will likely occur in the nexxt session.
She feels that this bill will be incredibly harmful to the local marine mammal population. “This bill won’t help salmon or whales. If we kill the seals that are eating salmon, we will also hurt the whales that are dependent on seals as available prey.” She detailed that the population of harbor seals in the Pacific Northwest has remained steady since the 2000s, even while the salmon population has declined. “They [state legislators] have tried to do measures like this in some way since 2008, it does not change anything, salmon populations are still declining.” she said. She encouraged the group gathered there to contact their local legislators to encourage them to vote against the bill.
The audience was composed mostly of members from local open-water swim groups, including the Notorious Alki Swimmers and the Vashon Open Water Swimmers. Both groups were finishing up a swim that afternoon near Alki. We spoke to one swimmer about their interest in why they were there to attend the event: “We encounter the seals a lot when we swim, they have an endearing curiosity for humans, and come right up to us while we’re on the water. You develop a great respect for them.”
Our past few showcased Halloween decorations have been relatively simple. Tonight we rev up to all-out! As Halloween approaches, the lively lights start up. The photo and video are from Derick at 37th SW and SW Graham, who declares, “Our light show is up!”
Halloween show runs Sunset to 9 pm. On the 31st it will go until 10 pm.
There are low volume speakers out front that play music. You can also tune in with your car radio via 87.9FM.
I added more lights and new songs. The playlist is currently ~7 minutes long, but I’ll likely add a couple of songs by Halloween.
I made a simple website for information about the show and how to contact me.
SeattleLightShow.com
Got decorations? Seen decorations? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(Photo sent by Michael Reilly)
Everyone’s cheering for the Mariners. Even the statues! But you’d probably like to watch them in American League Championship Series Game 3 tomorrow with some people who are a little less, well, stony-faced. We’re getting questions about West Seattle watch parties, so maybe you can help us build a list. First one sent to us:
SEASIDE GRILL: Alki Beach Pride is hosting this watch party, with appetizer and drink specials. (2820 Alki SW)
Added Wednesday:
ARTHUR’S: “At Arthur’s we will have the game on with sound! Happy hour for the first portion and our fresh sheet with specials throughout.” (2311 California SW)
THE NEIGHBORHOOD: “We will be playing the M’s game with sound!” They’re open 3 pm-9 pm. (6503 California SW)
ADMIRAL PUB (2306 California SW): Watching.
THE WESTY (7908 35th SW): Watching.
WEST WINGS (2329 California SW): It’s also Wing Wednesday, half off second order.
WHISKY WEST (6451 California SW): Half-price wings too.
TALARICO’S (4718 California SW): Open at 3 pm.
POGGIE TAVERN (4717 California SW): Watching.
BEVERIDGE PLACE PUB (6413 California SW): Watching.
LARRY’S TAVERN (3405 California SW): Watching (and skipping trivia in favor of the game).
Game time is 5 pm Wednesday – we’ll add to this list with anyplace we hear about from you – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – and anyplace we find while looking around!
The only West Seattle project to have had a Southwest Design Review Board meeting this year, ~86 apartments at 3010 SW Avalon Way [map], now has its official design decision. The official report was released by the city today; see it here. This opens a two-week period for appeals, as explained in this notice. As we reported when the project went before the board in March, the project is proposed as an eight-story building with no offstreet parking. As for whether it’s on track to be built any time soon – since the development market has been fairly slow around here – that’s hard to tell from the document files, and of course the West Seattle light-rail project likely looms large in that area’s future.
Less than a week after celebrating Harvest Fest in advance of Halloween, the West Seattle Junction Association is presenting a new event this year – a Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) celebration in the “Lower Junction” (east edge of The Junction, mostly on the west side of Fauntleroy Way):
Saturday, November 1st | 11 AM – 2 PM
Join us for a vibrant Day of the Dead celebration as we transform Fauntleroy Ave into a colorful block filled with papel picado, marigolds, and community spirit. Come honor loved ones, enjoy live music, and explore festive activities from your favorite local merchants.
What’s happening:
Live Mariachi band (Mariachi Estrellas de Mexico)
Calaveras face painting (skeleton art)
Community Ofrenda at Maris – starting Oct 30, bring a photo of a loved one to add to the altar, honoring their life and spirit. The ofrenda will remain up through Nov 2.Merchant Activities:
–Orangetheory Fitness – “Afterlife Burn” 30-second rowing challenge, giveaways, swag, class vouchers + photo area
–Sound & Fog – offering Mexican hot chocolate + Day of the Dead–themed treats
–Maris – Create your own skull keychains + Day of the Dead magnets
–Club Pilates – Color your own calaveras, try the “Deadly Plank Challenge,” join the magic-circle fun
–Spa Phoebe – Create your own skull scratch masks, make your own bath salts with essential oils and grab a free temporary Day of the Dead tattoo
–City Sweats – Add to our Gratitude bowl: share memories or notes of thanks; entries entered in a raffle for complimentary wellness services
–Bohemian Studios – Participate in Day of the Dead -themed morning Barre classes at 8:30 A & 10 A plus Vinyasa Yoga at 11:30ACome walk the block, sip, shop, move, and celebrate life and remembrance together in true West Seattle style.
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