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    SERIAL ROBBERIES: 24-year-old suspect charged

ELECTION 2023: The billion-dollar ballot measure you’ll be voting on
October 4, 2023 6:16 pm
|      64 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Ballots go out two weeks from today. Although we’ve been focusing on the Seattle City Council District 1 vote, you’ll be deciding another city matter in the general election: The renewal/expansion of the Seattle Housing Levy. You can read the ballot measure in its entirety here; its official explanatory statement begins:

Proposition 1 would authorize a seven-year property tax increase, replacing an expiring levy, to finance low-income housing and provide for housing needs of low-income persons. Approximately 51 percent of levy funding is anticipated to serve households earning 30 percent or less of Seattle area median income.

Over those seven years, as we reported earlier this year, the levy would raise almost a billion dollars. When councilmembers finalized it in June, we published a breakdown of where those dollars would go. Seattle has had a Housing Levy since 1986; that first one was for $50 million, while the one that’s expiring now totaled almost $300 million. If your house is worth about $900,000, this is projected to cost you about $32 a month. The arguments for and against are linked here. Projects funded at least in part by the expiring levy include Salish Landing, the 82-apartment Delridge complex that opened this year, built on the site of the former Lam Bow Apartments

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THINK SNOW! Season rentals start today at Mountain to Sound Outfitters
October 4, 2023 4:18 pm
|    Comments Off on THINK SNOW! Season rentals start today at Mountain to Sound Outfitters
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Winter-sports season approaches … and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) wants you to be ready. Today marks the start of M2SO’s winter-sports daily and season ski/snowboard rentals. Here’s how that works:

Mountain to Sound Outfitters offers Seasonal Ski Rentals and Snowboard Rentals for you to try before you buy. Some people know this as Season Ski Lease or Season Snowboard Lease and it’s all the same thing – pick it up now, and bring it back in April … or if you enjoy the gear you rent from us for the season, you can buy it outright in the spring.

Season rentals are typically available starting the first weekend in October and are due back by April 15th. Returns can be extended until May for an additional fee…. Daily rentals may be picked up the day before you head up to the mountain at no additional charge.

More info here, including the link for getting an appointment.

P.S. Also remember that Mountain to Sound Outfitters’ annual Ski Swap is approaching too – October 14-15 – whether you’re interested in buying or selling, you can find info here.

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FOLLOWUP: Pickleball at Lincoln Park? Here’s where Parks’ plan stands
October 4, 2023 2:11 pm
|      178 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

Our photo shows the spot in Lincoln Park where Seattle Parks says it will convert former tennis courts into new pickleball courts, photographed late in the day last Sunday. In the nine days since we last checked in on the controversy, there’ve been a variety of developments.

First, the backstory: We reported in August that Parks planned to add pickleball striping to three of the six tennis courts at nearby Solstice Park during upcoming resurfacing work. After feedback including tennis players’ opposition, Parks changed its mind, announcing – though not widely – that it would keep Solstice tennis-only while creating a pickleball-only site in Lincoln Park.

This did not go over well with the pickleball community, whose leaders say they had no warning the Solstice plans – months in the works – were being reconsidered, nor with a community of Lincoln Park devotees who are worried pickleball will be too noisy and disruptive for wildlife and peace-loving parkgoers. Both of those groups are represented in online petition drives; local wildlife biologist/advocate Kersti Muul started this one voicing opposition to the Lincoln Park pickleball plan (and potential off-leash area), with more than 1,200 signatures as of this morning, while the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association‘s petition, approaching 500 signatures at last check, asks the city to stick to the Solstice-striping plan.

Right now, though, Parks is standing firm. Its decision has been made, and it’s not reopening the discussion, according to what spokesperson Rachel Schulkin told us when we asked. She says the department’s position remains what she wrote in an email response to opponents of pickleball at Lincoln Park, including:

… This is an existing court, and the work is categorically exempt from SEPA [environmental study] requirements as maintenance of an existing facility. A landscape architect has been assigned to the development [of the] Lincoln Park tennis courts, and they have reviewed the site and will be using best management practices to implement courts here.

We plan to offset bringing another active use to Lincoln Park by relocating the SPR grounds storage facility to the crew headquarter location. This will remove trucks, along with their emissions and traffic, driving in and out of this actively used part of Lincoln Park.

We are committed to communicating our plans for pickleball courts in Lincoln Park frequently. While there are no opportunities for public engagement, we can answer any questions you have and share any concerns you may have with Parks and Recreation leadership. In addition, we’ll install a project sign near the site to share project and contact information.

Parks says it expects to complete the grant-funded conversion by “late fall.” Possible lighting is being considered separately; one reader who asked what was being taken into consideration for that was told, “At this point we are assessing the cost, what work would be needed to be done to install lights, and what type of lighting would be most appropriate for this space.”

All the while, the Solstice Park resurfacing hasn’t happened yet: “There isn’t a date set for Solstice resurfacing. We are still awaiting supplies coming in to the contractor, and then will have to plan for a stretch of drier weather.” Pickleball advocates say that project was at one point expected to be complete by the end of summer. The association’s official position:

Seattle Metro Pickleball Association is supportive of SPR’s plan to build dedicated courts for pickleball. We support the Lincoln Park site selected by SPR. We also believe they should put pickleball lines on the Solstice courts. We understand plans can change, but in this case, there was no visibility into the decision-making process, nor was it known that the Solstice plan was even being reconsidered.

Parks has said the Lincoln Park site was at some point considered when the Outdoor Pickleball Study was under development a few years ago, though that plan landed on Hiawatha as a pickleball-only site, and “public engagement” regarding that proposal is still expected.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Lane closures on high bridge
October 4, 2023 1:39 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Announced today by SDOT, once the work was under way:

In addition to the [upcoming] work on the low bridge, the West Seattle Bridge high bridge will conduct preventative maintenance from October 4 through Tuesday, October 10. This work will include a single right lane closure westbound starting at 6:00 AM and eastbound starting at 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

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FOLLOWUP: Delridge Playfield almost ready to reopen
October 4, 2023 11:56 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, Sunday)

If you’ve noticed that the turf-replacement project at Delridge Playfield looks almost done … that’s because it is, Seattle Parks confirms. We asked about its status, and a Parks spokesperson responded that the work will be complete on Friday (October 6th) and the field will open to users the next day (Saturday, October 7th). The project started three months ago – that’s less time than the four-month estimate. The contractor for the project is Ohno-Touchdown JV. The Delridge field is reopening one month after Hiawatha Playfield, which also has new turf.

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Emergency-alert test, District 1 Community Network, more on the list for your West Seattle Wednesday
October 4, 2023 9:49 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Woolly bear caterpillar, photographed at South Seattle College Arboretum by Rosalie Miller)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

EMERGENCY-ALERT TEST: 11:20 am today is when federal agencies are scheduled to test emergency warning systems, resulting in an alert being sent to most cell phones, as well as one for TV/radio/cable systems. No action is required – it’s just a test. More info about what you’ll see/hear and why is in our preview.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – repair it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

CANCELED GET READY FOR ECLIPSE VIEWING: Online event with West Seattle skywatching expert/educator Alice Enevoldsen, looking ahead to the October 14th solar eclipse, 6 pm. Our calendar listing explains how to participate.

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.

TRIVIA x 6: Six places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … there’s 7 pm trivia at West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) … 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run at 6:15 pm.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm in-person meeting for this community coalition with organization reps and advocates from West Seattle and the rest of District 1:

The October 4th District 1 Community Network (D1CN) meeting will be IN PERSON at High Point Neighborhood House from 7 pm to 9 pm, 6400 Sylvan Way SW, in West Seattle.

Featured speakers:
Amy Smith Ed.D, Deputy Director, Community Safety & Communications Center (CSCC), City of Seattle,
Sound Transit Staff, Outreach Updates
Candidates for District 1 City Council

HIGH-SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: One home match – West Seattle HS hosts Lincoln, 7 pm. (3000 California SW)

LIVE PIANO MUSIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks. (4210 SW Admiral Way).

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: On- and off-shore options for volunteering on Duwamish Alive! day
October 4, 2023 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

Volunteers on kayaks work on water cleanup.(WSB file photo from past Duwamish Alive!)

The focus of this month’s Duwamish Alive! mega-work party on and around the Duwamish River and its watershed is to celebrate the salmon’s homecoming. Multiple sites from West Seattle to Tukwila are open for volunteer help 10 am-2 pm on Saturday, October 21st. Wherever you sign up to assist, you’ll provide the salmon a better chance at thriving by restoring their habitat to provide “food, shelter, and cool, clean water that salmon need,” as the Duwamish Alive! Coalition says. You can join a kayaking trash cleanup or habitat restoration in parks and open spaces, The coalition says, “By working together, we can make a substantial difference in improving the health of our region.” You can see the sites accepting volunteers, and find signup links, by going to duwamishalive.org or emailing info@duwamishalive.org.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday notes
October 4, 2023 6:07 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, October 4th.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rain possible, becoming partly sunny, high in the low 60s. Sunrise today is at 7:12 am; sunset, 6:42 pm.

(Tuesday night sunset, photographed by Marc Milrod)

3 DAYS TO LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE

We’re reminding you daily that the West Seattle low bridge will be closed to surface traffic (motorized vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians) this Saturday (October 7) through Saturday, October 14, as SDOT announced last week. The closure will start at 12:01 am Saturday, SDOT tells us.

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!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Robbery/assault in store lot; near-carjacking; stolen pickup
October 4, 2023 1:22 am
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Before the night is out, three more Crime Watch incidents we need to tell you about:

ROBBERY/ASSAULT IN GROCERY-STORE LOT: We just got a call from a longtime reader who wanted to be anonymous, a woman in her 60s who was robbed and assaulted in the Admiral Safeway lot tonight. She says it happened so fast – she was parked in the middle of the lot, around 9:30 pm, and a 4-door white sedan pulled up, with a man getting out of the back seat on the driver’s side, running up and grabbing her purse off her shoulder. He knocked her down, and she fell and hit her head, also banging up a previously injured elbow and replaced hip. The robber got back in the car, and they left via the 42nd SW exit. Her purse – a black Lesac – contained her phone and a red cardholder with her ID as well as debit and credit cards, which she says the robber quickly tried to use at gas stations and a fast-food restaurant. She says she only got a partial description – her glasses were knocked off when she was knocked down – 6′ tall, light to medium complexion, slender, light hoodie, dark pants. She says she screamed and someone called 911; police responded and SFD treated her at the scene. She says police also helped her get home safely and brought her a steering-wheel lock in case the robber came for her car (which is manual transmission, so they likely wouldn’t get far). If you have any information, the incident number is 23-286790.

NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR-CARJACKING. This one also was brought to our attention late tonight. It was caught on video that was provided to us by the camera’s owner, though he wasn’t the near-victim. He says it happened in North Delridge around 3:45 pm Tuesday, on 26th SW between Hudson and Alaska – a delivery driver left his car running when a passerby ran over and jumped in, jumping back out when the driver’s wife – in the car with their baby – screamed:

The camera’s owner says he provided the video to the driver, but didn’t know if the driver had subsequently reported this to police.

STOLEN WHITE PICKUP: Nathaniel reported this to us Tuesday afternoon:

I had my vehicle stolen on 42nd Ave in front of Nikko Teriyaki in the early morning of 9/29/23. It’s a white 1999 Chevy S-10, License plate # C78386Y. Incident # 23-282047

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Date set for Sound Transit’s next West Seattle meeting
October 3, 2023 9:06 pm
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

While Sound Transit works on the final Environmental Impact Statement for its West Seattle to SODO extension – to be released next year in the run-up to a final vote on routing and station locations – it’s been promising another round of “community engagement.” Tonight we know the date for an in-person West Seattle meeting that’ll be a key part of that – three weeks from tomorrow, Wednesday, October 25th. The 5:30 pm meeting at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) is described as a “station planning forum … to see updated designs for future light rail stations in West Seattle and SODO, and share your ideas and feedback.” Though the timeline for the final EIS has slid, Sound Transit still says West Seattle’s light-rail extension will be running by the end of 2032.

P.S. Sound Transit reps will talk about this meeting and other updates at Wednesday’s District 1 Community Network meeting (7 pm, High Point Neighborhood House, 6400 Sylvan Way SW).

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UPDATE: Man shot, killed on bus at 15th/Roxbury
October 3, 2023 5:16 pm
|      113 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center | WS breaking news

5:16 PM: Police and fire are at the scene of a shooting reported aboard a Metro bus that’s at 15th and Roxbury. The victim is reported to be a man about 30 years old “unconscious, unresponsive, with two gunshot wounds.” Police have broadcast an initial description of two suspects, both male, one Hispanic, with long hair, in a gray sweater, the other Black or Hispanic, “puffy” hair, white sweatshirt, both running northeast. The scene is described as on 15th just south of Roxbury. Traffic is being blocked on southbound 15th.

(Added: WSB photos)

5:22 PM: Dispatch has been told the victim is dead. The bus has been described as being stopped on the King County Sheriff’s Office side of Roxbury, but SPD responded initially.

5:39 PM: Investigators now say there was only one shooter. KCSO is searching with a K-9 team. If you’re seeing a helicopter, that’s the shared TV chopper, NOT law enforcement.

5:59 PM: Now Guardian One is over the scene too.

7:32 PM: No new information aside from KCSO confirming the victim’s death. Commenters who were on other buses at the time say their drivers were told the victim was NOT the driver. (The bus was H Line.)

10:12 PM: KCSO has since issued an official news release, though they still aren’t saying anything we haven’t already reported. For the record, here is the news release in its entirety:

This evening (October 3rd) at approximately 5:10 pm, deputies from the King County Sheriff’s Office responded to the vicinity of SW Roxbury ST and 15th Ave SW for reports of a shooting that occurred on a Metro bus. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a single victim, who was unfortunately pronounced deceased at the scene.

Multiple specialized units, including Guardian 1 aerial support and a K9 Unit, responded to conduct a thorough search for the individuals involved. As of this moment, the search operation has concluded, and the suspect(s) in question remain at large.

The King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit will be investigating.

11:20 PM: 15th has reopened, per a Metro advisory.

ADDED OCTOBER 10TH: The victim was identified today by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office as Marcell D. Wagner, 21. Cause of death “multiple gunshot wounds.”

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REMINDER: Overnight water outage Thursday/Friday for 650 customers in Morgan Junction, Gatewood, Fauntleroy
October 3, 2023 3:28 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

A reminder in case you didn’t see last week’s announcment or the postal mailer – or just forgot! – Thursday night is when Seattle Public Utilities plans to cut water service to 650 customers (mostly residential) in Morgan Junction, Gatewood, and Fauntleroy. 9 pm Thursday (October 5) to 4 am Friday (October 6) are the scheduled hours. The outage is for what’s essentially preventive maintenance – adding three valves to the system “to increase flexibility for how we send water through the distribution system (and to) reduce the number of customers impacted during future outages, whether during emergency repairs or planned shutdowns” like this, SPU says. The work will be done at California/Frontenac. Here’s the official notice.

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BIZNOTE: Urban Animal to become nation’s first worker co-op veterinary practice
October 3, 2023 1:30 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | White Center

Urban Animal (WSB sponsor) – with clinics including 17th/Roxbury in White Center – is making history, announcing that it’s becoming “the nation’s first worker cooperative veterinary practice.” Urban Animal has three clinics and 110 employees, who will as a result “share in the governance and profits of the 11-year-old company” as it makes the transition to a “limited cooperative association.” The announcement says our state has more than 30 of those types of co-ops, but nowhere else in the state or country is there one that’s a veterinary practice. . In transitioning to a limited cooperative association (LCA), Urban Animal joins approximately three dozen worker cooperative-based businesses in Washington, yet the first veterinary practice of this kind. Founder Cherri Trusheim plans to “gift a portion of the company to seed it, with a goal over time to become a 100 percent employee-owned worker co-op.” Urban Animal explains that this is another way its business practices run counter to the “unprecedented corporatization” of veterinary care: “This often detracts from employee culture. Corporatization also diminishes the standard of care by upselling and tying veterinary professionals’ compensation to the amount of products and services they sell. Urban Animal is different and does not pay any employee based on production.” Trusheim hopes to set an example for counterparts as wel as attracting employees “who desire a workplace governed by those who provide veterinary care and not a group of nameless shareholders.” Their industry, like so many others, is dealing with a staffing shortage, but this is one way Urban Animal hopes to rise above the competition for workers. They’re working with an organization called The Cooperative Way to make the shift. Trusheim will remain Urban Animal’s CEO and all three clinics will remain open.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man shot; suspected gunfire; teenager assaulted
October 3, 2023 11:38 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

MAN SHOT: A man was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound after an incident that spanned two jurisdictions. SPD heard from King County Sheriff’s Deputies around 9:30 pm last night that they were dealing with a man who said he was shot near the Delridge 7-11. They found him near a fire station in White Center. Police tell WSB the victim was “uncooperative” but with what little information he did give them, they searched the area in South Delridge for evidence of gunfire, but didn’t find it. He was taken to a hospital. If you have any information on this, the incident # is 23-285758.

SUSPECTED GUNFIRE: Multiple people called 911 after hearing this near Lincoln Park late last night – an area resident sent the video/audio this morning:

At the time, police responded, but we didn’t hear any report suggesting they found evidence of gunfire. We have an inquiry out now to see if that changed later.

TEENAGER ASSAULTED: We asked police about this first thing this morning after hearing from a parent late last night that this was being discussed by other parents. A 14-year-old boy was treated by SFD medics after getting punched in the face Monday afternoon, according to SFD dispatch audio. Here’s what SPD told us when we inquired this morning:

Police responded to a report of an assault in the 3000 block of California AV SW around 4:00 p.m. yesterday. Officers arrived and contacted a 14-year-old male who was walking southbound on California when a red Kia pulled up next to him. The suspect driver, described as a Black teenage male in his teens with black cornrows and wearing a black hoodie, threatened to assault the victim. The vehicle then came to a stop and a passenger described as a White teenage male with red hair exited the vehicle and assaulted the victim. After the assault, the White male suspect returned to the vehicle and it drove off. The victim reported possibly seeing a total of four suspects in the vehicle. Officers spoke with others in the area about the red Kia and the possible suspects. Police obtained evidence of the vehicle, which was not reported stolen. SFD responded to the scene to provide aid. Police did not locate the vehicle or the possible suspects.

(3000 California SW is the address for West Seattle High School.) The parent who contacted us said students reported seeing guns during the incident but police say there’s nothing about that in their report. If you have any information on this, the incident # is 23-285519.

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Join an orchestra, see candidates, learn ASL, drop off art, network with bicyclists, more for your West Seattle Tuesday
October 3, 2023 9:49 am
|    Comments Off on Join an orchestra, see candidates, learn ASL, drop off art, network with bicyclists, more for your West Seattle Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Ghost seen in Gatewood, perhaps thiking, ‘Yikes, only four weeks to Halloween!’)

A busy list for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), meet up for long-distance political networking.

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE SUBMISSIONS: Noon to 8, Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) accepts dropped-off submissions for its annual Southwest Artist Showcase – up to 2 pieces per participant. It’s a non-juried, nonprofit exhibit open to all, with the work on display October 7-November 4.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Rehearsals begin and new musicians are welcome. 5:30-9 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) – see our calendar listing for the link to more info and registration. (WSCO is a WSB sponsor.)

LEARN ASL: Free class, 6 pm at West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW) – info’s in our calendar listing.

TAE KWON DO: First West Seattle Tae Kwon Do Club class of the month, 6 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW).

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

FREE TRACK RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: In-person monthly meeting at 6:30 pm, High Point Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) – more info in our calendar listing.

SELF-IMPROVEMENT: Improve your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills with West Seattle Toastmasters 832 during their 6:30 pm online meeting – RSVP info is in our calendar listing.

THE CLAY CAULDRON: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance or drop in to work on your project(s).

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES: Seattle CityClub and GSBA will present a City Council 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.

SING! Singers have an open invitation to join the Seattle Metropolitan Singers – “all treble voices welcome” – just show up for one of their rehearsals, Tuesdays 7-9 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).

TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

You can see the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something for us to add to it, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Beverly J. Alger, 1932-2023
October 3, 2023 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Remembering Beverly J. Alger, 1932-2023
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Beverly Alger, and sharing this announcement with her community:

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beverly June Alger, on September 26, 2023, in Seattle, at the age of 91, from cancer.

Very proud of her Norwegian heritage, she lived almost her entire life in West Seattle, and loved everything that it had to offer. She lived a long and full life that included traveling to many places around the world, always enjoying life with grace and style.

We are deeply grateful for the medical care and support she received from her doctors, Providence Hospital, Swedish Hospital, and The Kenney Senior Living Community. She is survived by her youngest daughter Linda, son-in-law Brent, and many nieces and nephews, all who loved her very much.

(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)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday watch
October 3, 2023 6:01 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, October 3rd.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Showers possible, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise today is at 7:11 am; sunset, 6:44 pm.

4 DAYS TO LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE

We’re reminding you daily that the West Seattle low bridge will be closed to surface traffic (motorized vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians) 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!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Multiple Admiral/North Admiral car prowls, vandalism
October 2, 2023 8:11 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Multiple incidents of car prowls and/or vandalism were reported in Admiral and North Admiral early today.

First, we have two photos from Timothy, who reported:

I’m sorry to report that 2 cars had smashed windows from vandalism last night on Walnut Ave SW between Hanford and Lander. It happened around midnight, when I heard my car alarm go off. Nothing stolen from my car. It would be interesting to see if others were impacted and if anyone has video of the area. I have submitted a police report.

Checking archived dispatch audio and SPD’s Twitter/X call log, we noted multiple car break-in/vandalism reports checked out by police early this morning, including at least four different addresses in North Admiral. We asked SPD whether final reports indicated that some or all of the incidents were connected, and spokesperson Officer Shawn Weismiller said he couldn’t confirm that: “This in an open and on-oing investigation and detectives will be looking to determine if the incidents are related.”

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MORE FALL FUN: Fauntleroy Community Association’s Great Pumpkin Search returning
October 2, 2023 6:35 pm
|    Comments Off on MORE FALL FUN: Fauntleroy Community Association’s Great Pumpkin Search returning
 |   Fauntleroy | Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

(2022 photo courtesy Fauntleroy Community Association)

The Fauntleroy Community Association wants to be sure you know it’s planning another Great Pumpkin Search this year – and that volunteers are appreciated too if you have any time to spare:

You can look forward to “The Great Pumpkin Search,” presented by the Fauntleroy Community Association. This fun event for the whole family will be on Saturday, October 21, from 1 to 3 pm. The Association will have a booth set up in the triangle across from Endolyne Joe’s. The pumpkins will be hidden on the streets that spoke out from that triangle. There will be little pumpkins (easy to find) for the wee ones and a few larger pumpkins (harder to find) for the grownups. As a bonus, there will be a few prize pumpkins and related gifts to find. All of this is on a first come, first serve basis. We also encourage you to take a picture if you find pumpkins and post them on social media and tag it #FCAPumpkinSearch.

Just like the Spring Egg Hunt, we would love volunteers to hide the pumpkins at 11:30 am that day. If interested, please call or email Candace Blue, 206-401-8406, blueyvette47@gmail.com.

P.S. We’re assembling our annual Halloween-and-more fall-fun page this week, so if you are planning an event you haven’t yet sent us information about, please do as soon as you can – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Southwest Library sets closure dates for air-conditioning installation
October 2, 2023 4:39 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

(Southwest Branch, WSB file photo)

The Southwest Library is one of the few Seattle Public Library branches without full A/C – but as noted before, that will change, And now we know when. Here’s today’s announcement from SPL:

The Seattle Public Library’s Northeast and Southwest branches will temporarily close in November for the installation of new electric HVAC systems that will provide air conditioning and more efficient heating to the branches, preventing unscheduled branch closures during heat waves and reducing the Library’s carbon footprint.

The closures are required for the safety of patrons and staff while the HVAC systems are installed on the roofs of the branches and because of the lack of temperature and air-filtration controls during the project.

HVAC installation at the Northeast and Southwest branches was made possible through funding provided by the Seattle City Council in 2021.

The Southwest Branch will close from Monday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 19. The branch will reopen on Monday, Nov. 20. The branch book return will also be closed during this time. The branch meeting room will remain open until the branch closes on Nov. 6.

Because the closure of the Southwest Branch lasts less than a month, patron holds scheduled for delivery to the Southwest Branch will be held until the branch reopens rather than being rerouted to another location. Patron holds remaining at the Southwest Branch at the time of closure will be extended, and will not expire until Monday, Nov. 27. The Southwest Branch will also remain available for patrons to select as a preferred holds location.

Patrons are encouraged to contact staff at the Southwest Branch to make plans for accessing their holds during the branch closure. Staff are available to help in person or by phone at 206-684-7455.

When the Southwest Branch reopens, patrons may experience a short delay in the delivery of their holds to the branch while staff work through the backlog.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Lady Di Pet Chaperone finds a new home
October 2, 2023 3:01 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Back in August, we told you about Sarah Mettler‘s quest for a new home for Lady Di Pet Chaperone, which is about to be displaced by redevelopment for the second time in the dozen years since she took over the business. She asked WSB readers to suggest potential new locations, and says she got “great responses.” And now, she’s found a new location.

If all goes well, she’ll relocate the business to 9037 35th SW, in the Westwood/Upper Fauntleroy mini-business district around 35th/Barton, in late November/early December. That site too has had a redevelopment proposal but like so many other project sites right now, nothing’s imminent; Mettler says she has a two-year lease.

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BIZNOTE: Staples to close its Westwood Village store
October 2, 2023 12:53 pm
|      152 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo)

Thanks for the tips. Another big-box closure at Westwood Village – signs up today announce that the shopping center’s Staples store is closing November 17th. We have a message out to the company to ask why. A check of national news doesn’t show any large-scale wave of Staples closures, though the privately held office-supply chain is closing one in Massachusetts this week. Other major retailers that have closed at WWV include Bed Bath & Beyond (in the space currently temporarily occupied by Spirit Halloween) and Barnes & Noble (replaced by Ross Dress For Less), though the center’s new-ish ownership has filled other smaller spaces, and has a Daiso store on the way (as we first reported in July).

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FYI: Nationwide cell-phone alert test Wednesday morning. TV, radio, cable too
October 2, 2023 11:20 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news

Right about this time Wednesday morning (11:20 am our time on October 4), your cell phone will likely go off with one of those shrieking alert tones you’ve heard after Amber Alerts. It’s a nationwide warning-system test that you might already have heard about since it was announced in August – we’re mentioning it today just in case you haven’t. The test is explained in detail here. In short, at or shortly after 11:20 am Wednesday, your phone should receive the alert – just once – and the screen will show, ““THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Around the same time, radio, TV, and cable systems will broadcast a similar emergency message. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission are teaming up on this and summarized in the announcement: “The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.”

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