West Seattle, Washington
23 Saturday
Two reader reports today, both thefts in unexpected circumstances, both sent by people named Sarah:
STOLEN WHILE LOADING: Thefts of items left in vehicles for hours aren’t surprising. Sarah H did not expect this theft to happen during the process of loading up for an outing:
This morning as we were about to leave for a backpacking trip, both our backpacks full of camping gear were stolen from in front of our house between 7:06 and 7:08 am as we were loading our car near PCC. It happened so fast that we believe it was a vehicle driving by, as we essentially had our backs turned. The backpacks are teal green (Osprey) and a gray/black (Gregory). If you happen to have any sightings or camera footage, please let us know. Most of our backpacking gear was from our wedding registry and we are heartbroken!
(added) Police report # is 24-275862.
(added) Sarah H’s stove was found by commenter Tom. They’ve connected. One more detail: They believe the thieves were in a “beige or silver 4-door sedan.”
STOLEN WHILE CHARGING: We’ve heard of public-charger cord thefts, but not so much the type of theft Sarah D is reporting:
Yesterday I went outside and found that someone had stolen my electric plug to my car. It was plugged into my electric car and a box on the street. I live on 40th Ave SW. Only reporting because other people leave their plugs in their cars overnight and wanted people to be aware.
“All is not lost.” So said Pope Francis in his environmental encyclical Laudato Si, and student projects based on it are part of what you’ll see at this year’s West Seattle Eco-Fair, happening right now in the Our Lady of Guadalupe gym (Walmesley Center, northeast side of 35th/Myrtle). Local sustainability-focused organizations are there to talk with you, too, about actions large and small that you can talk. Some of the participants are already very busy in the community, such as A Cleaner Alki:
And West Seattle Bike Connections:
We published the full list of participants here. Another reason to go: retired TV meteorologist Jeff Renner presents a talk at noon. Till then, learn about everything from throwing away less (WM Northwest and Ridwell have displays) to getting outdoors more. And see what the two parishes presenting the Eco-Fair, OLG and Holy Rosary, are doing:
The Eco-Fair also is mindful of the upcoming election, with a voter-registration opportunity right by the entry doors, and tabling by opponents of I-2117, the November ballot measure that would repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act.
The Eco-Fair continues until 2 pm today.
9:29 AM: Orcas are in central Puget Sound, southbound through the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry lanes, Kersti Muul tells us via text. Let us know if you see them!
9:35 AM: Kersti updates that it might actually be a baleen-whale sighting (usually humpback or gray).
9:42 AM: Confirmed to be a humpback.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s what to know for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – but first, traffic reminders:
SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT, 1ST AVE. S. BRIDGE, AND … Resurfacing work continues on the Spokane Street Viaduct (continuation of West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5), so the eastbound lanes are scheduled to be closed all weekend – that COULD end early, so check cameras before you go (9:31 am note, per commenter and camera, it DOES appear to have ended early, like last weekend) … Also, the 1st Ave. S. Bridge is scheduled to have two southbound lane closures now until noon today, for maintenance … And if you’re leaving the peninsula, review these alerts (including the 520 bridge across Lake Washington) first!
Now the events:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.
THE MISSING PIECE TURNS 4: 9 am-10 pm, The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW) celebrates its fourth anniversary with a variety of special offerings and sales – details in our calendar listing.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: 9 am at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), free community meditation – RSVP here.
INTRODUCTORY TRAINING ON TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE: 9 am-5 pm daylong training at Westside Unitarian Universalist (7141 California SW), community invited to learn “caring ways to engage with community relationship, conflict and trust-building.” More information, including registration links, in our calendar listing.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle has TWO farmers’ markets every weekend right now! Start your market shopping with this one – your weekly Saturday opportunity to go get fresh food from growers and makers – 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more, continuing weekly through late October! (9421 18th SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE MINI ALZHEIMER’S WALK: Not going downtown for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s? Join the West Seattle Caregivers Support Group for an unofficial walk around Gatewood. Meet at 39th/Holden by 10 am. Free and friendly … wear purple if you can.
WEST SEATTLE ECO-FAIR: As previewed here, it’s your second annual chance to talk with local advocates and organizations about what you can do to make a difference in our beloved planet’s environmental challenges. 10 am-2 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (35th/Myrtle), highlighted by Jeff Renner speaking at noon.
READY FREDDY PREP PARTY: Don’t miss a free chance to get in the spirit of Preparedness Month before it’s over! 10 am-10:45 am “prep party” with Alice Kuder from Just In Case, at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW) – our calendar listing has RSVP info.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: You’re invited to join others taking a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.
SSC GARDEN CENTER, WITH THE OTTER PUP: Summer gardening season isn’t over yet! Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm. Plus: The Otter Pup is open by the center, with coffee, ice cream, and other treats!
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
DREAM DINNERS TEST KITCHEN PARTY: 11 am-1 pm, learn about solving the perennial “what’s for dinner?” problem at Dream Dinners West Seattle‘s Test Kitchen Party, previewed here (with info on RSVPing via text). Dream Dinners is on the east side of outer Jefferson Square (4701 41st SW).
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Bonus Saturday session of long-distance get-out-the-vote advocacy, noon-2 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
OKTOBERFEST AT THE GOOD SOCIETY: 12 pm-10 pm, street party to celebrate Oktoberfest, with beer, food, even a costume contest at 5 pm. (California/Lander)
OKTOBERFEST AT THE BEER JUNCTION: 12 pm-midnight, the three-day celebration continues, with “brats, beer, pretzels,” more. (4511 California SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the new West Duwamish Greenbelt exhibit! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is also open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
DOG ICE-CREAM SOCIAL: Noon-2 pm at Mud Bay (2611 California SW) as part of Neighborhood Pet Store Day festivities.
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
\NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
SONG CIRCLE: 1-3 pm, monthly gathering with Sandra – details in our calendar listing, including how to contact her to get the location.
BIKE RIDE: As part of Oktoberfest, The Beer Junction is organizing a Bike Club ride, “all bodies welcome,” 2 pm, meet behind the store (4511 California SW).
(added) VOLLEYBALL: Undefeated West Seattle HS hosts Eastside Catholic at 2 pm. (3000 California SW)
BURGER PLANET ANNIVERSARY PARTY: 3-7 pm, the White Center restaurant (9614 14th SW) celebrates its first anniversary with a costume contest, gaming tournament, costume contest, and more – details in our calendar listing.
SAVE THE MIGHTY WURLITZER! 2 SHOWS: As previewed here – at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), two benefit shows today/tonight will raise money to help preserve the historic hall’s organ – 4 pm and 6:30 pm. At last check some tickets remained for both – buy yours here.
‘ROCK BLOCK TO SOOTHE YOUR SOUL’: 3-band lineup at Tim’s Tavern (9655 16th SW) in White Center, doors open 6 pm: 7 pm Actual Wolf, 8 pm Any Given Session, 9 pm Seola Station. $15/door.
AT THE SKYLARK: Monthly “West End Girls” West Seattle drag extravaganza! 7 pm doors, 8 pm show, ticket info here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
GUARDS AT THE TAJ: “Dark comedy” in its third weekend at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm – get tickets here.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Repoman. (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
KARAOKE AT THE PIZZERIA: Saturday is for singing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event is welcome to a spot on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Somebody in Fauntleroy with a green laser is reported to have pointed it tonight at multiple ferries and at least one plane. That’s according to a texted report and a police-radio FYI in the past few hours. The texter reports the “bright green laser … illuminated the pilothouses of multiple state ferries on at least two separate occasions.” The police-radio FYI was relayed as an FAA request for officers to check the area near the ferry dock after a plane reported the laser. The FAA notes that this is a safety risk and federal crime.
(WSB photo, this morning)
Two days after 32-year-old Laupule Talaga was shot and killed, a memorial of flowers and candles sits outside a door at Distinguished Foods, which rented space to his employer, Seattle Soul Kitchen. Police have nothing new to report publicly in their search for the person who entered the building at 4611 36th SW around 4 pm Wednesday and shot Mr. Talaga multiple times.
(WSB photo, Wednesday)
Seattle Soul Kitchen remains closed, but otherwise Distinguished Foods is open, according to a spokesperson for the kitchen-rental business, which sent this statement today:
… Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends as they navigate this unimaginable loss. In moments like these, words fall short, but we offer our sincerest condolences and unwavering support to those affected by this senseless act of violence.
We are incredibly thankful that no further injuries occurred, and we extend our gratitude to the first responders and community members who acted swiftly in the face of tragedy. The safety and well-being of our community are our highest priorities, and we stand with West Seattle as we collectively heal from this event.
To that last point, we asked if any security measures were planned; the spokesperson replied, “We are actively evaluating measures to enhance the safety of the building. This was a targeted incident, and while we continue to prioritize the safety of our tenants, customers, and employees, it appears there was little we could have done to prevent it.”
Seattle Soul Kitchen said via social media that Mr. Talaga was a father of three, and pleaded, “We call for peace in our streets and an end to the violence. It’s time to heal, time to put down the guns, time to live for our family and friends.” We asked Distinguished Foods if they knew of any crowdfunding to help the victim’s family; so far, no.
8:32 PM: Thanks for the tips. Power is out for 106 homes in the south Arbor Heights/Seola area. The City Light map says they’re “investigating”; we’re checking if there’s any obvious cause.
9:10 PM: Outage over, per commenter and SCL map. Likely cause seems to be a tree branch that fell on a power line in the 11600 block of Seola Beach Drive, per archived SFD dispatch audio.
Just as 5 pm arrived, a long line of West Seattle Wine Walk ticketholders filled the sidewalk on the west side of California SW north of SW Alaska, waiting to check in at Jet City Labs (one of two Wine Walk check-in spots tonight). Once their tasting tickets were in hand, they had more than two dozen venues to visit, almost all businesses with guest wineries. Spruce Hill Winery from SODO (WSB sponsor) was in the house at Rush Hour:
Jo and Ava were pouring Spruce Hill’s 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Granache, and 2021 Rainforest Red. Down the street at CAPERS, Viscon Cellars (also a WSB sponsor) poured tonight:
Viscon’s wines tonight were “Perseverance” Viognier, “Porch” Rosé, and “The Weekday” Cabernet Sauvignon. We also revisited Emerald Water Anglers, learning its new location at California/Alaska is fully open – tonight EWA (also a WSB sponsor) hosted Wandering Wolf Cellars:
The Wine Walk – which sold out of all 1,000 tickets – is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Junction Association. Watch for word of next year’s first Wine Walk (and other events)!
Another nightlife phenomenon in West Seattle is the monthly convening of what was the West Seattle Silent Book Club – aka “introverts’ happy hour.” It’s grown to a dozen venues every month where people gather to read and then chat – or not. It’s BYOB (bring your own book). This week, a big two-part announcement from organizers, as their October reading night approaches – a new partner and new name:
We are becoming an independent organization named West Seattle Book Club that is rooted in and local to West Seattle and White Center rather than being connected to a global organization. We are so very grateful to have begun as a chapter of the global Silent Book Club organization, and over the years (and because of the incredible support of this neighborhood!), we have become more than a chapter. We have become a neighborhood-wide reading night. As our gatherings have grown, there has been added complexity to organizing, and we have recognized the need for more substantial local support.
We are so excited to share that West Seattle Book Club is becoming part of the West Seattle Junction Association to support our sustainability as a reading community. As part of the West Seattle Junction Association, we will continue to gather all across the neighborhood, from White Center up to Admiral, and we will continue to be led and organized by the same team of local volunteers. The West Seattle Junction Association will provide the support and organization we need to sustain our neighborhood-wide reading nights. We are thrilled to be embedded in such an important neighborhood institution.
The newly renamed West Seattle Book Club‘s next gathering is this Thursday, October 3, 7-9 pm. For Thursday’s reading locations – from North Admiral to White Center – see our calendar listing.
Trivia is not trivial to West Seattleites! Every week, our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar features a long list of weekly games at local venues. Trivia host Will Drew organized the West Seattle Trivia Championships again this year and sent this report and photo after last night’s finale:
Last night, West Seattle’s 2024 trivia champion was crowned at The Good Society. The Nard Dogs, representing Beveridge Place, bested teams from Three 9 Lounge, The Good Society, Admiral Pub, and Talarico’s. The Great Space Baboon Uprising, also from Beveridge Place, took second place. Thank you to The Good Society for hosting, and for all the quizmasters and trivia teams that participated.
Three biznotes today:
EX-LODGE UPDATE: When we wrote two weeks ago about the “mystery” of who was moving into the former Lodge space at 4209 SW Alaska – described only as a restaurant – commenters said they’d been told that JaK’s Grill, currently barely half a block away, is the tenant. According to newly filed permit documents, they were correct. No other details yet.
EMERALD WATER ANGLERS PROGRESS: Speaking of Junction business moves – the new location for EWA, the ex-Bin 41 at 4707 California SW, is almost ready:
An employee there when we stopped by a short time ago says they’ll be “90 percent ready” by the time they host a West Seattle Junction Wine Walk (sold out!) stop at 5 pm tonight. Meantime, Emerald Water Anglers‘ original location at 42nd/Oregon remains open until the upcoming changeover. (Evening update: Proprietor Dave McCoy told us during our Wine Walk visit that the new location is now open and the old one has closed!)
PCC PARTY: You’re invited to a birthday party at PCC Community Markets West Seattle (2749 California SW; WSB sponsor) on Saturday, October 5. The store will celebrate PCC’s 35 years in West Seattle with “wine tastings and cake (plus) samples from local makers,” noon-4 pm that day. Also of note, it’s been almost exactly five years since PCC opened their current store on the ground floor of the mixed-use building at the old store’s site.
Two reader reports:
STOLEN MINIVAN: Sent by Kelly:
Sometime between yesterday evening and today (Friday) 10:30 am, a 2014 Mazda 5 was stolen from the first block of Hudson off California (the west side of California). It is a less than perfect looking silver older, small minivan. My niece had $1000 worth of work done on the car in BC, just days ago. Ohio license plates.
They’re awaiting the report number; call 911 if you find it. (Update: SPD incident # 24-275015)
POSSIBLY ABANDONED MOTORCYCLE: A reader says this has been in the same spot for more than a month:
My best guess is it looks like a 1980 Honda CB400T with a bit of custom work – and a slow oil leak. Maybe someone is missing their project bike?
If it’s yours and indeed stolen, let us know.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Time to review our reminder list of what’s happening in West Seattle and vicinity for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (go there any time to look beyond same-day):
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING: Happening all day – see our preview.
STAY ‘N’ PLAY RETURNS: Free weekly drop-in indoor play is back at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd), now until 11:30 am.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: With fall just days away, season-appropriate plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, now until 3 pm. Plus, until 2:30 pm, while you’re there, you can visit The Otter Pup for coffee, ice cream, and other treats!
OKTOBERFEST AT THE BEER JUNCTION: Open noon-11 pm – today’s the first day of this year’s Oktoberfest celebration. (4511 California SW)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: 1-6 pm, open in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION WINE WALK SOLD OUT: If you didn’t get your tickets, you’re out of luck this time, but watch here (and here on WSB too) for word of next year’s first Wine Walk!
VISCON CELLARS: Not going on the Wine Walk? Venture south of The Junction, where this tasting room/wine bar is open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FOOTBALL: Doubleheader tonight – West Seattle HS hosts Lincoln at 4:30 pm, Chief Sealth IHS hosts Ingraham at 7:30 pm, both games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
POTTERING CLASS SOLD OUT: Check here for Lora‘s other upcoming classes.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7 pm, singer-songwriter Dan Lundin at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.
AT THE SKYLARK: Fian, Cuvier, Sun Mother, doors at 7 pm, music at 8 pm, $10 cover, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
‘GUARDS AT THE TAJ’: Third weekend for this “dark comedy” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm.
MAKE IT LOUD: Tonight’s bands at Southgate Roller Rink are Marmalade, Jamn, Jaws of Brooklyn. 9 pm doors, $18 cover, $5 skates, 21+. (9646 17th SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, check here to see who’s spinning tonight! (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
Anything missing? If you have something else to add to our event lists and calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Those two Seattle Channel videos show City Councilmembers getting an overview of Mayor Harrell‘s $8.3 billion 2025-2026 budget proposal on Wednesday. Starting at 9:30 this morning, they move into the next phase, department-by-department presentations of budget highlights. We’ve been scanning the budget (the entire 735-page document is here) for items of note, particularly West Seattle-specific, and here’s what we’ve found so far:
The majority of references to “West Seattle” are in the context of planning for light rail, since the city is involved with station-area planning. This includes mentions in the individual budgets for SDOT, the Office of Planning and Community Development, and the Office of Sustainability and Environment. Then there’s a mention of the West Seattle Golf Course in the Parks and Recreation budget, which includes an increase in the total amount to be spent on the city’s four golf courses ($18 million next year, up from $14 million this year). The only mentions of “Delridge” also are in the context of light-rail station planning.
We also looked for “Southwest” references, and those were primarily in the Seattle Police proposal. The Southwest Precinct, which serves West Seattle and South Park, has a general fund allocation of $15 million this year, and that would rise to $17 million next year. The document doesn’t break down where the increase is going; staffing would stay the same, 102 full-time equivalents (FTEs), as usual the smallest staff of the precincts.
Obviously it doesn’t take a West Seattle-specific mention for our area to be affected. Individual departments also have released toplines, and the items we noted included a proposal for graffiti response to move from Seattle Public Utilities to Seattle Parks and Recreation (whose toplines are here including proposed fee increases for next year), and a proposal for the Department of Neighborhoods to offer fewer community grants. The SDOT budget overview notes that the department’s plan only addresses general-fund spending, not the funding that would result if the Transportation Levy renewal/expansion is approved by voters in November.
If you’re interested in specific departments’ plans, here’s the schedule for department-by-department presentations:
TODAY (agenda): Arts and Culture (slide deck), Economic Development (slide deck), Planning and Community Development (slide deck), Construction and Inspections (slide deck)
MONDAY (September 30): Sustainability and Environment, Parks and Recreation, SDOT, Education and Early Learning
TUESDAY (October 1): CARE, Police, Human Services
WEDNESDAY (October 2): Housing, Finance and Administrative Services, Human Resources, IT
Councilmember Dan Strauss is this year’s budget chair; he warned his colleagues that these would be full-day meetings (starting at 9:30 pm, with lunch breaks in the 1-2 pm vicinity). Other council committee meetings are pre-empted by budget meetings. You can see agendas here and watch meetings live (or archived) via Seattle Channel. Budget documents are all here, including individual-department breakouts.
TIMELINE: The council’s budget review and decisions will unfold over the next two months, with a final decision scheduled for November 21. Official public hearings are planned for October 16 and November 12. The council’s explanation of how you can participate in the budget process is here.
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, September 27.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Clearing, high in the mid-60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:03 am, while sunset will be at 6:55 pm.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT & 1ST AVE. S. BRIDGE THIS WEEKEND
*Eastbound lanes are scheduled to close all weekend for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project – but be aware that the schedule has changed without warning on past weekends, so check cameras before you leave. We’ll also do our best to catch if/whe work ends early so we can update
*Also this weekend, the 1st Avenue South Bridge has southbound lane closures both mornings, 6 am-noon.
*Regionally, here’s what’s happening.
ONGOING ROAD WORK
*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides next month; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
TRANSIT
Metro buses today – Regular schedule.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Late-night runs since it’s Friday.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat,” now available on weekends too. Check for alerts here.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides 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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Another victory for West Seattle High School volleyball has them now leading the Metro League Mountain Division. Here’s the team’s report on tonight’s contest:
Tonight WS varsity volleyball beat Seattle Prep in five hard-fought sets. With our win tonight, WS varsity volleyball leads the Metro 3A Mountain division. Thanks to all the students and families that came out to cheer on the team. Our next home game is this Saturday afternoon at 2 pm against Eastside Catholic.
So far this season, the team is 4-0.
Thanks to Helle Jensen for the photo taken from North Delridge just before sunset. According to @westseawx, they’re a type of undulatus clouds.
Think global, act local. You’ve probably heard that many times. It especially rings true for things you can do to help the environment – for example, catching rainwater with a cistern, like the one above that we saw last night outside Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. It was installed via RainWise, one of the programs and organizations you can learn about at this year’s West Seattle Eco-Fair, set for 10 am-2 pm Saturday (September 28) at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (35th/Myrtle). The fair also will feature a talk at noon by retired KING 5 TV meteorologist Jeff Renner; organizers say he’ll discuss “the impact that climate change and other environmental issues are likely to have globally and in the Pacific Northwest, and what he believes we are called to do in response.” The Eco-Fair is presented by the Care for Creation Ministry of Holy Rosary and OLG Catholic parishes, with assistance from Peace Lutheran Church and other congregations. Here’s the list of exhibitors – which might be even longer by Saturday, we’re told:
A Cleaner Alki
Climate Reality Project — King County
Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition
Earth Ministry
Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE
Plant Amnesty
RainWise
Ridge to River Project
West Seattle Bike Connections
West Seattle Food Bank
Wolf Haven International
Admission is free and everyone’s welcome. One of the organizers, Vince Stricherz, adds, “Our hope is to make this an ongoing event with an organizational base that grows well beyond our two Catholic parishes to involve other churches and possibly even civic groups. The environmental issues we see today aren’t going away any time soon, so we hope to keep everyone in West Seattle connected with good information and ideas of how they can make a difference.”
A reader sent this from southwest Morgan Junction:
On Wednesday night we (my 9-year-old and I) came upon this guy attaching my rooftop carrier to his own car. Stolen from top of my car with a tool that he left at scene. Fauntleroy at Holly SW. He was late 20s/early 30s with a woman in the car too. Sped away in a very loud Mercedes, all-black super-tinted. No front plate, rear was obscured in image.
Police report # is 24-940633.
Stay out of the water near the west mouth of the Duwamish River. That’s the health alert from Public Health Seattle and King County because of a combined-sewer overflow reported by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division:
As rainfall hit the region, the King County Wastewater Treatment Division had an unpermitted overflow of combined wastewater and stormwater near the Duwamish West Waterway on Wednesday night, Sept. 25.
At around 7:50 p.m., the Harbor Avenue Regulator Station at 3432 Harbor Ave. SW in West Seattle malfunctioned and released a mixture of stormwater and wastewater from a <strong>combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfall near Chelan Avenue Southwest, an industrial area by the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5. CSO outfalls are specific relief points into nearby bodies of water to prevent backups into homes and businesses. The regulator station, which controls flow between sewer lines, has resumed normal operations. We are looking into the cause of the equipment malfunction.
The overflow stopped within 12 minutes as levels in the system went down. Early estimates show approximately 58,000 gallons of combined flow were released into the Duwamish Waterway. This water typically contains about 90% stormwater and 10% wastewater.
We reported the overflow to the Washington State Department of Ecology and are notifying nearby businesses. We are also working with Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) and are following its guidance. As a precaution, PHSKC advises the public to avoid contact with the water in the Duwamish West Waterway and Elliott Bay (east of Jack Block Park View Point) for seven days (until Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 8:05 p.m.).
A county document (page 10) explains what the regulator station does: “The Harbor Avenue regulator station regulates flow from the north and northeast areas of West Seattle into Delridge trunk. Wastewater flows directly through the station into the trunk. High flows can also be sent to West Seattle pump station.”
By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The Alki Community Council met online last week for their September meeting, with an abbreviated agenda as the group winds up its summer activities and prepares for the fall.
The meeting was facilitated by president Charlotte Starck, and began with an introduction of the group’s two newest leaders: Kevin Kramer (Board Chair of Operations) and Robyn Fritz (Board Chair of Parks). Kramer has a background in technology and operations, and will help the council ramp up their efforts in those areas. Fritz will help foster the council’s partnerships with Seattle Parks, and she joked that she is best known for walking her dog in the area, and meeting people (including Parks representatives) in that way.
Next on the agenda was a police update from SPD’s Southwest Precinct, with Officer German Barreto and Captain Krista Bair (who became the precinct’s leader in June) both in attendance. They discussed recent events such as the RV sweeps near Westwood Village, the Alki shootout on September 6 and an incident on the 2100 block of Harbor SW. Barreto gave an overall update similar to what he presented at last week’s meeting at the Admiral Neighborhood Association, and emphasized that citizens should call 911 (not the SPD non-emergency number) if they see anything suspicious. Bair talked about the challenges related to “encampment sweeps” on the peninsula, and commended Barreto for his ongoing work on that. For Alki specifically, Bair also noted that she recently talked to a long-time Alki resident who said that while increased traffic and “cruising” has always caused added issues on Alki in the summertime, in recent years the activities have often been more “destructive” and invasive in the summer months, and Bair agreed that it takes a strong partnership between the community and the police in order to make things better.
The next portion of the regular meeting was an update from Sean Blackwell from the city’s CARE Department (Community Assisted Response and Engagement), which includes a team of community crisis responders as well as a 911 call center, as we’ve reported previously. The department’s leader, Chief Amy (Smith) Barden, had attended and participated in the Alki council’s May meeting, and Blackwell provided some additional context in last week’s meeting regarding the department’s mission. He said that the team has their own mobile units and can respond promptly to calls, and because team members have expertise in social work and community engagement, they can be a resource to free up time for SPD officers to handle more urgent calls. Blackwell said that in the time since the team launched in October 2023, it has handled 767 call events (with an average of 40 minutes per visit), with 37% of those resulting in the team transporting someone to get needed services. The team started with 6 officers, and based on current plans will be expanding to 18 officers and 9 response vehicles, eventually serving West Seattle (their current focus is downtown).
To close out the regular meeting, attendee and neighbor Barb Richter gave a quick update on the Alki Point Healthy Street revision that was installed last June, saying that it’s been successful in reducing speeding and other issues, giving residents and visitors “a safe place to walk, ride and roll.” She acknowledged that there have been some concerns about parking (some of which we reported on in August, as it relates to the northern portion of the street) but she said that in her observation, legal parking was readily available during the summer months.
Following some closing remarks, the ACC group then transitioned into a virtual “executive board working session” to discuss organizational growth, strategy and other updates.
The Alki Community Council can be contacted at hello@alkicommunitycouncil.org. The group meets on the third Thursday of each month, with upcoming meetings as follows:
Again this year, on the same day as the Seattle Walk to End Alzheimer’s downtown, West Seattle caregivers are organizing an informal walk here on the peninsula. Here’s the invitation!
Saturday…September 28…10:00 am…Holden and 39th
For those who don’t want to go to the big walk (at Seattle Center), the Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Support Group has a local walk and welcomes anyone affected by the disease. We will meet at 39th Ave SW and SW Holden and walk together…usually under an hour and at a very social pace.
It’s FREE and FRIENDLY…wear purple if you have it.
No need to RSVP – just show up! (Here’s a map to 39th/Holden.)
(WSB photo, Monster Dash’s mascot in 2023)
Fall’s fun costumed 5K, the West Seattle Monster Dash, is exactly one month away. Organizers just sent the announcement, and we notice that you have only a few more days to sign up at lower rates. The Monster Dash – set for Saturday, October 26, at Lincoln Park – is a fundraiser for West Seattle’s Cooperative Preschool program. As organizers describe it, “This event is a costumed 5k trail run/walk, Kids Dash, and Kids Zone featuring games, activities, and prizes. Paid registration includes a T-shirt featuring our iconic Monster (all races) and bib with timing chip (5K only).” The 5K starts at 9:30 am, and the Kids’ Dash at 10:30 am. Adult and youth 5K registration is at the lowest price if you sign up before next Tuesday (October 1) – to register, go here. The Monster Dash (in its lucky 13th year!) is also still welcoming sponsors – go here.
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