West Seattle, Washington
16 Wednesday
Today is scheduled to be the end of a nine-day closure for Delridge Community Center. According to Seattle Parks, the shutdown since September 2nd has been for “re-flooring and front entrance construction.” Monday and Tuesday, the community center is scheduled to be open “but no showers or programs.” Full operation is to resume Wednesday (September 13).
1:13 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are investigating an armed robbery at the Morgan Junction BECU standalone ATM today. It was reported just before 10:30 am. According to archived SPD audio, the robbers were described as three “unknown race males,” late teens or early 20s, wearing masks, in what turned out to be a stolen white Kia Soul, taken from the 3600 block of Beach Drive earlier this morning. One of the robbers had a gun. We’ll add anything more we find out.
2:31 PM: The robbery victim emailed us. Here’s how she says it happened: “Three young folk, all masked. Bright daylight, other people around. Only took maybe 30 seconds for them to get out of the car, take my wallet (and keys, ugh), get back in the car and drive off. Police confirmed the car was stolen, and that my description and those of other bystanders matched with other reports they’ve gotten from other recent incidents.” Meantime, a commenter below says their friend owns the stolen getaway car and that it was taken at about 2:30 am.
Another high-school team is off to a successful start of the season. The report and photo are from West Seattle High School volleyball coach Scott Behrbaum:
The West Seattle High School girls varsity volleyball team were the champions of the Kent Meridian Varsity Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, defeating Shadle Park HS in the finals. Way to go. Wildcats!
The Wildcats also defeated Holy Names in the first league match of the year on Wednesday, 9/6.
WSHS has three road matches ahead this week, and then will be home, vs. Roosevelt, on Wednesday, September 20th – here’s the season schedule as finalized so far.
(Added: Photo sent by Erin)
9:52 AM: In case you missed the advance notice – the military helicopters in the area now are practicing for this afternoon’s Seahawks flyover, so they’ll be back later too. They’re from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Pierce County.
2:07 PM: As discussed in comments, the actual game flyover was aborted. Via Twitter/X, the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade says that was because of “communication issues within Lumen Field.”
ADDED 9:18 PM: Though there was no stadium flyover, we have two photos to add. From one of the West Seattle flyovers – Jamie Kinney caught this very close-up view:
Jerry Simmons saw them on the ground:
(Latest view from SDOT traffic camera at California/Alaska)
Second-to-last Sunday of summer – here’s what’s happening:
ROAD-WORK ALERTS: The eastbound West Seattle Bridge exit to southbound I-5 is supposed to reopen by 8 am … The Junction paving project is scheduled to continue today – in the eastbound lanes of SW Alaska between California and 44th.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering late-summer 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.
CHALLAH BRAIDING: Demonstration at the Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, presented by Torah Learning Center of West Seattle.
(added) DOUGH JOY AT OUNCES: Last-minute announcement, another 10 am-2 pm Dough Joy Donuts popup at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), with a special Seahawks donut!
WSUU INGATHERING SERVICE: 10:30 am, annual “ingathering” at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, led by new minister Rev. Carter Smith, followed by a celebration, as previewed here. (7141 California SW)
FLYOVER: Military helicopter activity is likely at mid-morning and early afternoon in connection with today’s planned Seahawks flyover – home opener is 1:25 pm vs. Los Angeles Rams.
SEAHAWKS PARTY FOR VETERANS: The DAV at 4857 Delridge Way SW invites all veterans to a 1 pm Seahawks watch party, including food and fun.
MEMBERS’ PICNIC: Current or ready-to-join Southwest Seattle Historical Society member? You’re invited to a 1-3 pm picnic today at the Log House Museum‘s courtyard. (61st/Stevens)
‘MATT & BEN’: First matinee for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm. Check for tickets here.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Country-blues duo Steve Itterly and Jonathan Pitman perform 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover.
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!
Thanks to Al for sending photos and a report from tonight’s Sunset Paddle for Maui, a West Seattle on-the-water fundraiser organized by Alki Kayak Tours. Al told us via text, “15 boats, 21 people, at least 6 sea lions, and one gorgeous sunset…”
If you couldn’t join the paddle, here’s one way to help Maui fire survivors – the Maui Strong Fund.
Community groups are resuming their regular meeting schedules this month, and one of the first to reconvene will be the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Tuesday (September 12th) at 7 pm, ANA invites you to its next “general gathering,” with guests including Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison. She’ll talk about what her office is focused on right now, and listen to attendees’ concerns. ANA usually has a Southwest Precinct rep in attendance, too, so if you have concerns or questions, bring them. And they’ll recap a summer of fun events including the return of Summer Concerts at Hiawatha and the second Admiral Funktion festival. You’re welcome to come talk about those, too. The ANA gathering is at 7 pm Tuesday, in person, at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill).
(WSB photo from spring Recycle Roundup last April)
If you’re doing fall cleaning and finding things you no longer need, remember that the fall Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church is now just two weeks away – 9 am to 3 pm Saturday, September 23. The list of what Recycle Roundup partner 1 Green Planet will and won’t accept this time is available – see it here. (More than 60 items on the “will accept” list, only 20 on the “won’t.”) It’s free to drive up, ride up, walk up, and drop off your item(s); the church is at 9140 California SW.
Thanks for the tip! Just after we got a call about a crash at 42nd/Admiral, we heard the police dispatch for it. No injuries reported but westbound Admiral Way is blocked, so avoid the area for a while.
Sent by Nick:
Hi, just reporting a basic package theft, with clear images/videos – with a silver lining at the end!
A package thief stole from our front porch, moments after the FedEx delivery. This occurred at 5:02 pm on Thursday Sept. 7 at 35th & Andover. A police report has been filed, #2023-915431.
The woman appears to be white, mid-50s, 200 lbs, black tank shirt and white capri pants. Oddly, she left a note on the front porch scrawled on a paper towel, “Trying to tell you that U had a pkg.” A neighbor commenter on Ring says that her vehicle appears to be a black 2000-2006 Hyundai Elantra GT Hatchback – not a common vehicle.
I know my kid’s soccer cleats will never be recovered, but maybe somebody recognizes the woman in the picture and can provide additional information.
After posting the photos and videos on Ring, a generous neighbor offered a pair of second-hand cleats as a replacement. My kid can play soccer this weekend after all! Thank you, West Seattle – such a great community!
1:12 PM: This morning we mentioned paving work on SW Genesee between 26th and 30th SW. Now there’s a gas leak in the area and the street will be closed until it’s handled – SFD and SPD are headed that way.
1:15 PM: Firefighters have told dispatch it’s a “4-inch main behind a piece of heavy equipment.” They’re having residents in the immediate vicinity “shelter in place” with windows closed. They say the wind “appears to be blowing away” from the residences and are awaiting Puget Sound Energy (which provides gas service in our area).
2:10 PM: SFD reports that PSE has a “temporary shutdown” on the line but is still working to secure it further.
2:18 PM: SFD is affirming that the nearby residents are now safe and they’re reducing their response.
2:38 PM: All SFD units have now cleared. We haven’t heard whether traffic is resuming through the area, though – even before this, it was down to single-lane-with-flagger because of the paving work.
The photo is from Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle, where the West Seattle Boat Swap is happening until 4 pm. It’s all about, as M2SO describes it, “human-powered watercraft (Kayaks, SUPs, Canoes) and accessories!” With weather like this, there’s still lots of prime time to get out on the water, and it’s also never too soon to get ready for next year. The shop’s at 3602 SW Alaska (and once you’re all geared up, join tonight’s sunset paddle for Maui, presented by M2SO’s sibling business Alki Kayak Tours).
Sometimes we include this reminder in the daily preview list, but today we’re making note of it separately: The WSB Community Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales board is our spot for listings of yard sales, other items for sale, and free items. In the latter category, there’s a new listing this morning for free wood, and two late-season yard-sale listings. The Community Forums are also home to our free listings for local businesses with job openings, and the Lost/Found/Non-pets board (pets have their own page here. To post in the Community Forums, you need to register – go here for that.
(Lincoln Park – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Welcome to a late-summer Saturday! Here’s what’s happening:
TRAFFIC ALERTS: The big one, the eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramp to southbound I-5 is closed until early tomorrow, so you’ll have to get to southbound I-5 another way … Also on the eastbound bridge, crews will be installing the bridge-lane-enforcement camera and associated signage … Twp repaving projects: Eastbound SW Alaska between 44th and California, and SW Genesee between 26th and 30th – we’re told that street will stay open, with a flagger helping.
FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend off to a running start with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
WEST SEATTLE BOAT SWAP: Sell, trade, buy paddlesports gear during the Boat Swap at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), 11 am-4 pm.
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The weekly farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is open for shopping 10 am-2 pm, prioritizing vendors of color, presented by African Community Housing & Development.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn about Marco’s music here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
SATURDAY COOKOUTS: Highland Park Corner Store is grilling, 11 am-2 pm on Saturdays through the end of the month. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: See what’s new at the home of West Seattle’s history – visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 12-4 pm.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
END-OF-SUMMER BASH: Face painting! Alpacas! Music! Food! Beer! All ages welcome at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 2-7:30 pm – see the schedule here.
SUNSET PADDLE FOR MAUI: Join Alki Kayak Tours – rent from them at Seacrest, or bring your own gear – for a sunset paddle to raise money for Maui fire relief, 6:30-7:30 pm – details in our preview.
LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Noah Gundersen performs at 7 pm – buy his new album online or in-store to get in. (4559 California SW)
LIVE AT C & P COFFEE: 7 pm-9 pm, The Brews Brothers perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover, all ages.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: NiGHTofAL, Other, Fredrico Futura at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors 7 pm, music 8 pm, $10.
‘MATT & BEN’: Third night for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.
(added) OUT AT THE BOX: Drag show at Box Bar, 9:30 pm, no cover, 21+.
Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? Get it on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Gatewood has a new minister, and is extending an invitation to everyone in the community to the annual ingathering service and celebration this Sunday, including a community fair and dessert potluck.
First – meet the new minister!
Westside UU celebrates the hiring of Reverend Carter Smith, who joined us in the spring of 2023. She is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist from North Carolina whose calling to ministry is centered around building healthy and deeply connected communities that make space for people to share their gifts.
Carter has a BA in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School. As part of her training to become a minister, she served as the Intern Minister at the First Unitarian Church in Portland, and as Chaplain Intern at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Carter is especially passionate about UU Youth Movements now and historically, as well as the interfaith food-justice movement, and comes with professional and research experience in each subject.
Carter serves Westside for two weeks per month, and takes the Amtrak from her home in Portland to do so.
Here’s what she says Sunday’s gathering is all about:
This Sunday, Westside UU celebrates its annual Water Communion. Participants are invited to bring a small container of water and a stone to place on our common altar, though supplies will be provided for those who don’t bring any. It is a multi-generational service, engaging people of all ages in story, song, and celebration. Nursery care will be provided for the youngest members of our community. After the service, we will head downstairs to our social hall for food, music, and a chance to visit the tables of many of our small groups, committees, justice ministries, and more.
WSUU says it’s eager to welcome families with children of all ages, and offers special programming “focused on connection, belonging, and fun.” The congregation also wants people with physical challenges to know that WSUU’s main floors are wheelchair-accessible, with a lift. And if you can’t get there in person, you’re invited to check out the service via YouTube livestream.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
West Seattle High School‘s football season is off to a 2-0 start after a resounding win tonight over Franklin, 42-6 at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. Comprising most of the Wildcats’ score were six touchdowns – two by #3, senior Bo Gionet:
The first TD of the night was by #80, junior Myles Mutchler:
WSHS held Franklin scoreless for the second, third, and fourth quarter – after the Quakers’ TD in the final minute of the first quarter, they were done. Back to WSHS scoring: Another TD was by #5, senior Gibson Aguilar:
Another by #24, junior Airric Lewis, seen below with head coach Anthony Stordahl:
And the sixth and final TD for the Wildcats tonight was by #16, junior Niko Craven:
Among the night’s star runners, #1, senior Leland Gayles III:
The point-after kicks were all good – all by #34, sophomore Scott Bremen. And the defense was responsible for the announcer’s repeated use of the catch phrase, “brought down by a pack of Wildcats.” Many penalties, mostly for Franklin, slowed things down, and the game was headed for three hours before it ended in time for the second NCSWAC game of the night (Ingraham-Cleveland) to take the field.
NEXT WEEK: WSHS plays Cleveland at SWAC, 7:30 pm Friday (September 15th).
Friday night means high-school football: Chief Sealth International High School played tonight at Memorial Stadium downtown, vs. Lakeside, whose Twitter/X updates include the final score: Sealth 36, Lakeside 21. Next Friday the Seahawks, now 2-0, play their first home game of the season, 4:30 pm Friday (September 15th) vs. Franklin, at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
That’s the aftermath of tree trouble by Lincoln Park‘s north parking lot. According to tips and photos from readers, that tree lost a big limb – right onto at least two cars, accordiing to AmyC, who sent this pic:
No injuries that we’ve heard of – photos show Seattle Fire Ladder 13 on the scene, but their call was simply coded “assist SPD” rather than a medical/injury response. P.S. WSB archives show we covered something similar six years ago.
Five months after the Morgan Junction McDonald’s (6546 California SW) closed for an extensive remodel, readers have been asking for updates, since the site appears close to complete. Today we reached owner Alia Abboud by email. She confirms it’s “very close,” and added, “We are waiting for power to be connected via Seattle City Light. Once that is done, we will likely open two to three weeks later.”
Alki Kayak Tours is raising money for Maui fire survivors with a community paddling event tomorrow (Saturday, September 9th) – just received:
From 6:30 – 7:30 pm, we are inviting the whole community to paddle out together to watch the sunset either bringing their own gear or renting from us; all rental proceeds and donations will go to benefit People’s Fund of Maui. We are meeting at the channel marker off Duwamish head aka Anchor Park and would love to get as many people out there as possible.
If you need to rent, Alki Kayak Tours is at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW).
12:56 PM: Thanks to Scott for the tip! He noticed that part of the fence was down and Hiawatha Playfield‘s new turf looked complete, so we went over for a look and then asked Seattle Parks about its status. Spokesperson Karen O’Connor replied that the turf-replacement project “is substantially complete,” adding: “The field is available for use and the remainder of the construction fencing will be removed by end of today. FieldTurf USA, Inc, the contractor for the project, will be working on finalizing a few items including delivering new soccer goals and completing the batting cage frame and tunnel.” FieldTurf won the contract with a $1.2 million bid.
3:33 PM: Update from Parks spokesperson O’Connor: “I just learned the construction fencing at Hiawatha will stay in place for another week or so; their subcontractor had some trouble with truck availability. There are openings in place around the field.”
(WSB photo, West Seattle Junction QFC)
As the Kroger/Albertsons grocery mega-merger plan continues moving forward, reports today say Kroger is planning to sell hundreds of stores to alleviate some concerns related to the merger. The buyer would be C&S Wholesale Grocers, a wholesale supplier that also operates some grocery stores in other states. The deal would include the QFC brand name, under which two West Seattle stores operate (The Junction and Westwood Village). According to Kroger’s announcement, any QFC stores not sold in the deal “will be re-bannered into one of the retained Kroger or Albertsons Cos. banners following the close of the transaction.” (Albertsons’ best-known “banner” around here is Safeway.) Also according to the announcement, Washington would be the state with the most stores affected – “104 Albertsons Cos. and Kroger stores” would be sold. (We haven’t yet found the list of specific stores.) The $1.9 billion deal would take effect after the Kroger/Albertsons merger closes – currently expected early next year – the corporation says. Its potential effects have been of concern here for reasons including the current proximity of Kroger and Albertsons stores – the Junction QFC store and Jefferson Square Safeway store are less than a block apart; the Westwood QFC store is just a few blocks from Roxbury Safeway. QFC, owned by Kroger since the late ’90s, has 50+ stores in Washington.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s what’s happening as the weekend approaches, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
FREE FITNESS CLASS: Noon at StarCycle (4532 42nd SW).
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FOOTBALL: High-school season continues, with one local team playing a home game – West Seattle HS vs. Franklin at 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). In a road game, Chief Sealth IHS plays Lakeside at Memorial Stadium downtown at 5 pm.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Songwriters’ Showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.
‘MATT & BEN’: Second night for the new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Check for tickets here.
MOVIE AT MAARTEN PARK: Last outdoor movie of the summer in West Seattle! All welcome at Maarten Park (42nd/Juneau) for “Paddington,” 7:30 pm.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: The Potholes, Service with a Smile, doors 7 pm, music 8 pm at The Skylark, $10 cover, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW).
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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