BIZNOTE: Staples to close its Westwood Village store

(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).

FYI: Nationwide cell-phone alert test Wednesday morning. TV, radio, cable too

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.”

The list for your West Seattle Monday

(Newest image from Junction SDOT camera)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, highlights for the hours ahead:

FOR VETERANS: If you need help filing a disability claim, the DAV offers free drop-in assistance 9 am-1 pm. (4857 Delridge Way SW)

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, this is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.

MONDAY MEDITATION IN ALKI: Twice-monthly meditation with the Dharma Community at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MONDAY MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

BEDHEAD OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 7 pm (signups at 6:30) – info in our calendar listing.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three weekly events – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

CAN YOU HELP? 1 hour, 1 day a week: Another West Seattle school needs tutors

October 2, 2023 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on CAN YOU HELP? 1 hour, 1 day a week: Another West Seattle school needs tutors
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We’ve told you before about Invest in Youth, which matches volunteer tutors with local students. In West Seattle, the organization has just added another school, so it’s sent out another call for tutors, via board adviser Brad Ogura:

(Invest in Youth photo)

Sanislo Elementary has been added to the schools Invest in Youth serves, opening more volunteer opportunities in West Seattle (Delridge)! Brad Ogura, a tutor and board adviser for the educational nonprofit, reports that all tutor spots have been filled at Roxhill Elementary thanks to WSB readers. They’re now seeking volunteer tutors at Sanislo.

Make a commitment to make a difference in a local student’s academic success! As an Invest in Youth tutor, you’ll be paired with a 3rd, 4th or 5th grader and work with that same student each Thursday during the school year from 3:40 pm to 4:40 pm, beginning next month.

No experience is necessary; just a commitment to help narrow achievement gaps and promote educational equity right here in West Seattle. Tutors typically work on math skills, reading fundamentals as well as being a friend and mentor to their student. Time is spent in the classroom with other student-tutor pairs, and a teacher as well as an Invest in Youth staff member is onsite and always available to help when needed.

Invest in Youth needs your support. The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction reports that test scores for Sanislo students are far below state averages. Tutors can have a big impact and it only requires one hour and one day a week of your time. Both tutors and students consistently report that the program is a highlight of their week and an extremely rewarding experience.

Register online or contact our executive director Cindy Sackett (CSackett@investinyouth.org) if you have questions.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to October’s first Monday

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, October 2nd.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rain at times, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise today is at 7:09 am; sunset, 6:46 pm.

REMINDER – LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE AHEAD

Another reminder that the West Seattle low bridge will be closed to surface traffic this Saturday (October 7) through Saturday, October 14, as SDOT announced Monday.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low-bridge cam:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

WEEK AHEAD: Two more West Seattle chances to compare Seattle City Council District 1 candidates

General-election voting starts in less than three weeks. You have many decisions to make, and the top of the ticket is the Seattle City Council District 1 race between Maren Costa and Rob Saka.

(WSB photo, last Monday)

We presented a forum with them last Monday night; this week, you have two more chances to see them side by side in West Seattle:

TUESDAY (OCTOBER 3): Seattle CityClub and GSBA will present a District 1 debate in the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm, in-person and livestreamed. More info here, as well as a registration link which the sponsors say includes a chance to suggest a question.

THURSDAY (OCTOBER 5): The Harbor-Alki Neighbors’ Group has announced an in-person “town hall” with the candidates at 7 pm Thursday. The venue will be Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill):

Town Hall Q&A with Rob Saka and Maren Costa with emphasis on issues of specific importance to residents of Alki and Harbor Avenues, Alki Beach, and Beach Drive. The public is invited but space is limited. It is not required but registration is recommended: email diedrehaines@gmail.com. Potential questions can also be submitted in advance to the same email contact.

A livestream is not planned for this event, but it will be recorded on video for later viewing.

P.S. Those aren’t the last West Seattle forums for Saka and Costa – the next one after these will be October 10th at Our Lady of Guadalupe.

READER REPORT: Found cash

This is a little more complicated than items usually posted in the WSB Community ForumsLost and Found (non-pets) section, so we’re publishing it here:

Last week my husband found some cash while out on a walk. He went to the door close to where he found it and asked a woman on the street if it was theirs but wasn’t able to find the owner. I’ve been watching the forums and other (online) groups to see if anyone reported they had lost it, but it has been quiet.

The cash was found near 55th Ave SW and Schmitz Park. If they can identify the general amount (there were bills and coins) and the name of the business on the receipt, we would be happy to find the owner!

If you lost some money – not a huge amount, but enough that somebody would definitely miss it – in that area, email us with the requested info and we’ll forward your note to the finders.

BIZNOTE: 2 big changes for West Seattle Wellness

October 1, 2023 6:45 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: 2 big changes for West Seattle Wellness
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

West Seattle Wellness has a new location and new owner as of today, founder Joe Bielling has announced. The practice, which has been located in Westwood Village (over NK Nails), is now in The Junction, at 4744 41st Ave SW (the City Watch building). And ownership has been transferred to West Seattle Wellness’s acupuncturist, Dr Xiangyu Xu. Everything else stays the same – business name, website, online calendar access, phone number, contact info for practitioners (they include acupuncture, pelvic health, counseling, and massage therapy). Bielling says he’s long been managing the business remotely while splitting his time between Seattle and Austin; now, he is focusing on a new personal career trajectory, post-psychedelic integration therapy.

NEXT SUNDAY: 55+? Take a Silver Seals Swim

One week from today, people 55+ are invited to join a Silver Seals Swim in West Seattle waters – even if you haven’t tried open-water swimming before. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

Celebrate the dynamism of our age with a fun, cold swim. We’ll start at at the Alki bathhouse and swim northeast along the beach as friends and family cheer us on. This event is FREE, but all swimmers must register and be over the age of 55. If you prefer to plunge instead of swim, that is also fine!

Date: SUNDAY, October 8th, 2023 Registration closes October 3rd.

Time: 11:00 am-12:30 pm

Cost: FREE. Coffee provided. Please consider bringing treats to share after the swim.

MANDATORY SAFETY MEETING VIA ZOOM
7:30 pm PT, Thursday October 5th

You must attend in order to participate. Please factor this requirement into your decision to register. No meeting recording will be available.

Interested? Register ASAP – the link is near the top of this page.

VIDEO: ‘Fashion Walk’ mini-parade opens Doll Parts Collective’s Designer Showcase

(WSB photos/video)

Who needs a runway when you can strut your stuff through the West Seattle Farmers’ Market? If you were there just after 11 am, you might have seen the mini-parade walk up from Doll Parts Collective (4832 California SW) and take a lap through the market as the opening act to the shop’s Designer Showcase, happening now. If not – here’s video as participants left the shop, northbound:

Local drag queen Jolene Granby led the way. She was scheduled to perform at the shop afterward.

The main attraction at today’s showcase is a variety of fashion vendors, as previewed here earlier this week. You can check them out at Doll Parts any time before 6 pm tonight!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: West of Chicago Pizza burglarized

Thanks for the texted tip about that sign on the door at West of Chicago Pizza (37th/Alaska), closed today because of an early-morning break-in. We went over and talked with proprietor Shawn, who said the burglar(s) got away with some cash. He’s closed today mostly to recover, as he got the alarm company call around 2 am – when he arrived, police were already there – and it was understandably hard to sleep after he returned home.

P.S. Shawn says this will NOT interfere with his plan to add a new feature at West of Chicago starting tomorrow – a game room.

COUNTDOWN: Fauntleroy Fall Festival, two weeks away

October 1, 2023 10:48 am
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Fauntleroy Fall Festival, two weeks away
 |   Fauntleroy | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

Even before we get to Halloween, October brings plenty of fall fun. One of the biggest events is just two weeks from today, so here’s a reminder to set your calendar – the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. From 2-5 pm on Sunday, October 15th, you’ll find a variety of activities on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW in the heart of Fauntleroy, in and around Fauntleroy Church/YMCA and The Hall at Fauntleroy/Schoolhouse. Pumpkin-painting, birdhouse-building, salmon-hat-making, music, and more – all free (except for some food/beverage offerings) thanks to volunteers (can you help?) and donations. Rain or shine!

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 10 options!

(Kingfisher, photographed by Susan Whiting Kemp)

Here are highlights for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

THE MISSING PIECE TURNS 3: Third-anniversary celebration, with discounts and merch, continues today at café/game lounge The Missing Piece. Open 9 am-10 pm at 35th/Roxbury.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).

DOUGH JOY AT OUNCES: Another 10 am-2 pm Dough Joy Donuts popup at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) – every Sunday through the end of October.

GET FASHIONABLE! Doll Parts Collective (4832 California SW) hosts a designer showcase and fashion walk starting at 11 am; showcase continues until 6 pm – details in our calendar listing.

OPEN HOUSE AT THE WILDWOOD: You’re invited to visit the classic Fauntleroy house that’s been a B&B and now is a vacation rental, 11 am-3 pm. (4518 SW Wildwood Place)

DENNIS JAMES & THE MIGHTY WURLITZER – 2 SHOWS: At Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), Dennis James plays The Mighty Wurlitzer with silent films at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Walk-up tickets still available, according to the KH website.

‘MATT & BEN’: Last performance at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm. Sold out online (you can doublecheck at the box office).

COFFEEHOUSE ART: Jennifer Carrasco leads figure painting/drawing at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-9 pm. Contact her to sign up.

(Friday night sunset, photographed by Jen Popp)

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Harbor Avenue gunfire

ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: Police are investigating gunfire reported in the 1000 block of Harbor Avenue SW [map]. Officers have told dispatch they’ve recovered “multiple casings” in the angle parking area at Duwamish Head. Someone reportedly was seen “shooting into the air.” No injuries reported.

SIDE NOTE: Residents of this area are hosting a public “town hall” with the Seattle City Council District 1 candidates next Thursday – details in our calendar listing.

ADDED MONDAY: Here’s the SPD summary of the incident:

At 0229 hours, Dispatch received a call of shots fired in the 1100 block of Harbor Avenue Southwest. A witness stated that she saw two suspects exit a black hatchback vehicle and fire several shots. The suspects got back inside their vehicle and left Southbound on Harbor Avenue Southwest. Fired cartridge casings were recovered in the area. Officers conducted an area search but didn’t locate the suspects.

FOLLOWUP: Clay Eals accepts Historic Seattle’s ‘Preservation Champion’ award

(Photo by Jean Sherrard: At left, Clay and Meg Eals, with West Seattle-connected heritage activists Mike and Jen Shaughnessy, Susie and John Bennett, (front, from left) Dora-Faye Hendricks, Deb Barker, Kerry Korsgaard)

Thursday night, West Seattle historian/journalist/author Clay Eals was in the spotlight at Historic Seattle‘s 15th annual Preservation Celebration. We reported in June that the organization had chosen Eals to honor as a “Preservation Champion.” On Thursday, he accepted the award at the event at Washington Hall in the Central District kicking off Historic Seattle’s celebration of its 50th anniversary. He was introduced by emcee Feliks Banel as, among other things, “Mr. West Seattle History”:

Eals spoke of the moments dating back to childhood that made him fall in love with Seattle, and observed that emotions shape preservationists – particularly joy and hope. His work has brought joy to many others, too – with preservation efforts dating back decades, including the fight to save the Admiral Theater. (You can see him in this 1989 TV news story about that.) Eals’s current work includes the Sunday Seattle Times “Now & Then” column, on which he collaborates with Jean Sherrard.

BIZNOTE: Pizzeria Credo suddenly says goodbye

We just ran up to The Junction after two tips that Pizzeria Credo (4520 California SW) was closing after tonight. One was from John, who reported, “We were just at Credo and Jacques told us this was their final night. Sad they are leaving.” At the restaurant, proprietor Jacques Nawar confirmed to us that this is closing night:

He told us his lease was ending (we noticed earlier this year that the space was listed). He’s not planning to reopen elsewhere, but he is keeping his Panterelli coffee-and-pastry shop elsewhere in The Junction. He opened Pizzeria Credo 10 years ago and has even been featured on the Food Network.

WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Gatewood coyote sighting

Just received from Vanessa: “I just spotted a coyote crossing SW Southern St. right off of California Ave. (a few blocks east of Lincoln Park). It went up into the backyard area of the house on the northwest corner of that intersection.” We publish sighting reports for awareness, not alarm; read this to learn about co-existence advice. (See past sighting reports by scrolling through this WSB archive.)

CLOSURE REMINDER: 1 week until West Seattle low-bridge closes to surface traffic

One week from today, SDOT is scheduled to start a one-week closure of the West Seattle low bridge (aka the Spokane Street Swing Bridge) to non-maritime traffic. As announced this past Monday, the closure is so crews can “reinstall the repaired turn cylinder inside the east pier housing that was removed in early 2023.” While SDOT has promoted the West Seattle Water Taxi as an alternate way for bicyclists and pedestrians to get across the bay during the closure, there will be an overlap with the previously announced October 14-15 Water Taxi service suspension; SDOT says the low-bridge closure could continue until “mid-afternoon” on the 14th. (We’ll be checking Monday on the exact time the closure is scheduled to start next Saturday.)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: ‘Road rage’ gunfire

ORIGINAL SATURDAY REPORT: Police are investigating what was dispatched as “road rage” gunfire near 7th SW and SW Cambridge [map] around 3 pm. Officers subsequently reported finding casings at that intersection. The shooter was reported to have been in a newer-model white 4-door Toyota Camry, last seen headed “eastbound.” No injuries or property damage reported.

ADDED MONDAY: Here’s the SPD summary of the incident:

At 1500 hours, officers responded to a shooting/Road Rage call at Southwest Cambridge Street and 7th Avenue Southwest. The victim advised that a white vehicle was driving fast and cutting vehicles off. The victim turned onto 7th Avenue Southwest and the suspect’s vehicle followed him. The victim advised that the suspect pulled along the side of his car and fired rounds at him. The suspect left the area heading eastbound on Southwest Cambridge Street. The victim sustained no injury and no damage to his vehicle. Officers conducted an area search, but the suspect was not located. Officers located shell casings at the intersection.

CONTINUING SUNDAY: The Missing Piece’s ‘3rd Birthday Bash’

Until 10 pm tonight, and again 9 am-10 pm tomorrow, you’re invited to a birthday party. The Missing Piece, the café and game lounge on the northeast corner of 35th/Roxbury, is celebrating three years in business. You can drop in and congratulate proprietors Alex and Michael:

From their announcement of this weekend’s party:

During the event there will be a 10% off sale on all food, drinks and games, several raffles including games and cafe related items, new T-Shirts available for purchase, and autumn seasonal drink specials. The all-new pumpkin spice latte served by The Missing Piece is prepared with a delicious house-made pumpkin sauce.

Beginning during the Birthday Bash on October 1, and continuing each Sunday during October, The Missing Piece will be celebrating the spookiest month of the year with a potion brewing event for prizes. The first potion ingredients can be gathered at the Birthday Bash, so be sure to dust off your cauldron and get ready to brew some sweet prizes.

The Missing Piece also has longrunning regular weekly events, as featured in our calendar and daily lists; you can see their ongoing calendar here.

SURVEYS: Two city departments have questions for you

If you’re looking for something to do online, besides read, here are two city surveys open right now, both offering a chance at incentives:

SEATTLE STREET SMARTS: SDOT is currently advertising this short survey on WSB. It’s mostly a test of when and where to stop for people crossing the street. Go here to answer it.

WASTE PREVENTION: Seattle Public Utilities is trying to figure out what would get us all to a future where nothing – or at least, very little – is thrown away. This survey asks you what you’re doing now and what would be needed to get you to do more. Go here to find the link (and get more context).

STILL MISSING: Where the search for Jim Price stands after 12 days

Today is the 12th day since 86-year-old Jim Price was last seen leaving his home on Pigeon Point in northeast West Seattle the evening of Monday, September 18th. So many have searched and/or on the lookout for him, but his disappearance remains a mystery. We asked Jim’s family what people can do to help now. A family spokesperson replied, “We’ve put together a kit with a new flyer that includes a QR code that links back to the kit, the search map that we will continue updating, and a info sheet with the latest updates and search tips.” You’ll find the newest version of those linked and downloadable here. The “latest info” document linked there also lists “unconfirmed sightings” as well as answering questions about where they’ve searched/checked, beyond the map. Otherwise, they simply ask that people continue “searching independently.” A family friend also has created a website, jimpriceismissing.com, which includes an email address for tips, as does the “latest info” doc (though it must be stressed, if you think you see him, please call 911 *at that moment* or as soon as you can – don’t wait to tell someone later).

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Tails to Astonish burglarized again

The security-camera images are from Tails to Astonish, West Seattle’s only comic-book shop, burglarized again this morning. Nicole, co-proprietor of the shop at 4850 California SW, says the two burglars “took all the wall books. Still doing inventory” to determine what else is missing.

This is the second burglary at Tails to Astonish in less than six weeks; they also were hit August 23rd. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 23-283214.

ADDED: The store is closed today for cleanup/repairs, and is normally closed Sundays/Mondays; they’re not sure whether they’ll be able to reopen Tuesday as scheduled: “It’s really devastating to have this happen.”