West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
8:53 AM: Thanks for the tips. SPD and SFD are arriving at the scene of what’s described as an “overturned truck” (added: on its side, according to first firefighters there) toward the west end of the westbound bridge. Updates to come.
8:59 AM: Police just told dispatch that they’re diverting traffic at the Admiral exit. They’ve also calling for a second SDOT crew because of a large fluid slick as well as jersey barriers pushed into the opposite direction of traffic (the first crew is helping divert traffic). Meantime, the truck has been described as a “late-model Ford pickup.”
9:08 AM: No word on injuries but all three originally dispatched SFD units have already cleared the scene, which indicates nothing major.
9:28 AM: Tow truck reported to have just arrived.
9:48 AM: Eastbound bridge will be briefly blocked while the jersey barrier is pushed back into place.
10:08 AM: Above is the truck involved in the crash as it was being towed off the bridge. Meantime, police have just reopened the eastbound bridge and expect to reopen the westbound side soon.
10:18 AM: Officers just told dispatch that westbound is open again too.
11:34 AM: SFD tells us the driver, a woman in her mid-40s, was assessed at the scene but didn’t need further treatment.
(Early morning fishing at Lincoln Park, photographed by Lisa Ruiz)
Good morning! Holiday notes:
TRANSIT/TRAFFIC
–Metro buses are running on a Sunday schedule
–West Seattle Water Taxi is also on a Sunday schedule
–Sound Transit buses and light rail are on Sunday schedules too
-If you’re going to an area of the city with pay-station street parking, you don’t have to pay today
-Check local traffic cams here, citywide cams here
HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT
Last day of the season for city outdoor aquatic facilities – After today, city-run wading pools, sprayparks, and outdoor pools are all closed until next year – so it’s your last day for Colman Pool, open noon-7 pm, and Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm. (Lincoln Park’s wading pool ended its season early because of plumbing trouble.)
Art on the Corner – artist’s home-studio sale benefiting food banks, 8 am-3 pm at 39th/Holden
Mural-painting at Lafayette Elementary – help is welcome again today; go here to sign up for slot(s) between 10 am and 4 pm at 2645 California SW
Flag Ceremony and Community Picnic – public is welcome at Alki Masonic Lodge‘s annual event, starting with flag-dedication ceremony at noon at 40th/Edmunds
Pinball Tournament – not too late to register for fundraising tournament at Admiral Pub (2305 California SW), starting at noon – full details on the tournament website
NOT HAPPENING TODAY
-Banking (holiday)
-U.S. Postal Service (holiday)
-Libraries (closed)
-Many Seattle Parks facilities (here’s the list)
-City Council briefing meeting (they’re back from 2-week end-of-summer break tomorrow)
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET
Partly sunny, high in the low 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:30 am, sunset at 7:46 pm.
9:13 AM UPDATE: The showers were not in the forecast when we published this but the NWS has since updated to mention “slight chance of thunderstorms this morning.” They’re still saying it’ll be partly sunny this afternoon.
Sent by F:
Last night our Radwagon 5 metallic blue e-bike was stolen. The bike was locked up underneath our carport but the thieves clearly had tools to deal with the lock.
I encountered the thieves this AM on 42nd and Lander parked next to Hiawatha; my bike was strapped to the top of their car. I called 911 but they recognized my car and sped off through the neighborhood.
Description:
-Blue Honda CR-V, late model, with a mismatched panel. License plate BPV7859. Two males in late forties, one Hispanic and one most likely white. Both had a dirty/vagrant look to them. One was wearing a reflective work hoodie.
Police report: 24-247426
If you see these men driving through your neighborhood they are scoping out targets. Call 911.
For the record, we checked an online database and that plate checks to a Honda Fit, so it may not be what belongs with the vehicle F saw their e-bike on.
(Tonight’s sunset, photographed by James Bratsanos)
Reminder that the earlier closing time for Alki Beach Park (and Golden Gardens in Ballard) is ending later this year than last year. As announced in May, the 10:30 pm closing time will remain in effect through Sunday, September 22nd; after that, closing time goes back to 11:30 pm, and beach-fire season ends. Last year, it all ended after Labor Day. The city continues to call this a “pilot,” though this is the fourth year they’ve had an earlier closing time for Alki
7:32 PM: If you’ve been noticing the police report on California south of The Junction – here’s how it’s played out over police radio: First there was a report of a man “covered in blood” with a possible stab wound near California/Lander. Police couldn’t find anyone. Then reoprts started coming in about a man “covered in blood” possibly carrying a pistol, in The Junction, Police have just caught up with a man who they believe is the person reported in both calls – and they say he’s covered in feces, not blood. They have taken him into custody at California/Dawson, though it’s not clear if any crime has been committed – one witness is reported to have told police the man dropped “the gun” near where police caught up with him.
7:37 PM: Our photographer says police at the scene (by Rite Aid) confirm the aforementioned circumstances. No gun found so far. What happens to him next, we haven’t yet heard.
Out of the WSB inboxes this afternoon:
CAR BREAK-INS: William sent the photo, noting two car break-ins on Belvidere Avenue in southeast Admiral.
ABANDONED CAR? Bill sent that photo, reporting, “Looks abandoned and ransacked. On the sidewalk/Duwamish Bike Trail north side of Highland east of the intersection with W Marginal.” He’s reported it but wanted to post here too in case this car’s owner is looking for it.
DAMAGED CAR: From a texter:
It looks like there may have been a gray car hit outside of the Rite Aid on California and it’s up on the sidewalk. Just saw it a few minutes ago when I drove by. Not sure if it was an active incident or a parked car was hit and just hadn’t been cleared, but there was debris around it. I didn’t see any police or response vehicles there when I drove by.
We checked the SFD and SPD logs; nothing in that area in the past couple days.
STOLEN MAIL FOUND: This just came in from “a neighbor on Alaska”:
We had a package stolen this week which was recovered by a very kind neighbor who found it in a ditch and delivered it to us. When I went to take out the trash I noticed a bag inside. I pulled it out and inside there was stolen mail, trash, and evidence of other stolen packages. Most of the mail was from Edmonds but I wanted to alert anyone who may be missing items like a book, small zipper bag, and bandana. These may have been stolen from a car. I have called the police and will be turning in the items to them and the mail to the post office.
Thanks to the anonymous texter who just sent that pic – they and Kersti Muul both just texted that southbound transient orcas are headed this way, toward the mouth of Elliott Bay – let us know if you see them!
One of West Seattle’s newest murals is adorning the restroom building at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), installed earlier this summer. We hadn’t heard about it until a brief Seattle Parks online mention this week; we went over for a closer look, and also contacted artist Juliana Kang Robinson to find out more.
She tells us the installation, commissioned by the city, is called “Pojagi Mounds.”
Pojagi Mounds is a landscape of belonging and togetherness. The design is inspired by pojagi, the historic Korean patchwork artform using scrap fabric to create cloths that were integral to a person’s daily life. They were used as tablecloths, to deliver gifts, to carry possessions on a journey, and protect valuables. Wrapping a gift in a pojagi communicated respect for the object and good will toward the recipient. Each patch added by the maker was like a prayer of good will that would enfold and carry the gift. For me pojagi represents how diverse members of a community can come together to enfold and carry one another. Pojagi Mounds underscores how the whole is more than the sum of its parts. A mountain is more than simply soil, plants and rocks just as we people in a society are greater when unified. My goal for this public artwork is to create a visual representation of this concept that spur viewers to ponder the beautiful and complex way that different parts can come together to unify and elevate us beyond the self.
She continues:
I used a traditional Korean color scheme called Obangsaek. Obangsaek means “Five Orientations” in balance with the universe – East (blue), West (white), South (red), North (black) and Center (yellow) to promote harmony while warding off evil spirits. In my work I like to incorporate animals with strong family bonds both in reference to the various creation myths and for the conjuring of strength, courage and belonging. In this mural I also wanted to honor our local “ecosystem engineers,” the beavers known for changing and maintaining ecosystems which significantly boost local biodiversity. I also love both creatures as a symbols for familial strength and working hard for one’s family and community.
You can see more of her work on her website.
Sent by Sheila:
This was found abandoned at Westcrest Park. Secured now and ready for owner to claim.
Sheila has the bike, so if you think it’s yours, email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you.
(Photo by Vlad Oustimovitch)
Thanks to everyone who sent versions of that amazing sunset view from Saturday! A spectacular way to end August – and now, it’s on to the start of September and our daily highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more):
NO SSV CLOSURE: Reminder – the Spokane Street Viaduct (continuation of West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5) is fully open this weekend.
ART ON THE CORNER: 8 am-3 pm at 39th/Holden, artist Bonnie is having another one of her famous art sales, with proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank.
BIG BLUE TRUCK: It’s back in West Seattle – the Northwest Center‘s donation-dropoff truck (WSB sponsor)! You’ll find it outside WaFd Bank (4102 California SW). Our calendar listing has info on what items the truck will accept. 9 am-5 pm.
SWIM IN THE SOUND: At 9 am, you can join the weekly group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
NO WESTIES RUN CLUB: They’re taking a break this holiday weekend.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: No holiday for the market – as usual, open, 10 am-2 pm, late-summer produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon) P.S. Market managers are asking shoppers to take an online survey.
WEST SEATTLE BEE GARDEN WORK PARTY: Monthly chance to show the garden at Lanham/Graham some love, 10 am-noon. Here’s this month’s invitation from Lisa:
Our jobs:
-weed the overgrown shaded area – native shade plants from Wildflowers Northwest on the way to plant out this last wild zone including ferns and solomon’s seal
-clip more dried seed for our seed saving efforts – you are welcome to take seed home with you too, there’s plenty to go around!
-general weeding in beds and pathwaysWhat to bring/wear:
-Your gardening spirit (no experience necessary)
-Water bottle
-Closed-toed shoesYou may want to bring sunblock and a rain jacket! our weather is fickle these days. We have a selection of gardening tools and gloves available but if you have a favorite from home, please bring it, we love learning about folks’ favorite tools.
BIZARRE BAZAAR: Shop local artist/vendors at Box Bar (5401 California SW), 11 am-3 pm.
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open to the public for the second-to-last day of the season, noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL CLOSED: Its season ended early because of plumbing trouble.
SOUTHWEST POOL CLOSED: Maintenance and repair work continue.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Last chance this season! U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers are at Alki Point Lighthouse today for free tours starting at 1 pm; get there by 3:45 pm for the last tour of the day. (3201 Alki SW)
HELP PAINT! As previewed here, volunteers are working on murals at Lafayette Elementary today and tomorrow. Still some volunteer slots open as of early today – sign up here.
CHILDREN’S MOONLIGHT FESTIVAL: Annual celebration at the Vietnamese Cultural Center (2236 SW Orchard), 2-4 pm, lion dance, treats, lantern-making, and a parade – all welcome.
SMASH BURGER POP-UP: The Good Society is doing it again – 4-7 pm smash burgers – stop in at California/Lander for burgers and/or beer.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Enjoy Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Organizing and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
From a texter tonight:
We just saw a coyote in our neighborhood on 38th & Genesee – wanted to alert local pet owners!
That reminded us we were overdue to publish the others received since our previous compilation almost two weeks ago. Molly saw this one in Upper Fauntleroy earlier this week:
Spotted this one on 38th at about 9:15 pm. It then went down to Henderson and trotted west. Did not seem afraid of us—stood and watched us awhile until we shouted at it to shoo it away. Never seen one so bold!
That’s one recommendation of experts – try to “haze” them, by shouting, waving, etc., to try to encourage them to keep their distance. The same night, and almost the same time, as Molly’s sighting, Coleman saw a coyote in Sunrise Heights:
We just spotted a coyote 9:00 pm standing in front of our house on 32nd and Holden. Heading North toward Walt Hundley Playfield. Beautiful to see.
Several days before those, a texter sent this report and photo from the neighborhood near Gatewood Elementary:
Coyote sighting on Woodside at Myrtle. I saw [a previous] Woodside sighting in The Blog, so I was excited to see this one in person.
Last but not least, Kate shared this early-morning sighting of an apparent coyote family, near the Longfellow Creek Trail:
Now, our standard side note: We report coyote sightings in the spirit of awareness, not alarm – our chances of uneventful coexistence improve if you avoid providing food (from unattended pets to unsecured garbage). Here’s more of what you should know about coyotes.
Your ballot for the November 5 election will arrive in less than seven weeks. After a post-primary lull, it’s time to start up the pre-general election coverage.
‘WEST SEATTLE ANSWERS THE CALL’: This past Monday night, 200 local supporters of the Democratic presidential ticket gathered for one of the biggest local political fundraisers we’ve heard of in a while – probably the biggest one since the candidate herself spent an hour in West Seattle three months ago.
Co-hosts Amy Daly-Donovan and Laurie Reinhardt sent photos from the event, titled “West Seattle Answers the Call,” held at a West Seattle home. Speakers included King County Executive Dow Constantine, 34th District State Rep. and House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, and statewide Coordinated Campaign Director Christina Carvalho.
The organizers say, “There was so much good energy and camaraderie in the air.” They report the event raised more than $45,000 to support the presidential campaign as well as other Democratic races. They also noted interest in the yard signs, adding, “we purchased them from signsofjustice.com, a Portland-based, Black-owned business with great service and excellent quality!”
RECOUNT: One statewide race on the November ballot has yet to be finalized – State Commissioner of Public Lands, in which Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler finished in undisputed first place, but Democrat Dave Upthegrove was only 51 votes – a thousandth of a percent – ahead of Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson. That mandated a hand recount, and election offices around the state have been conducting theirs, with most reported to have finished but not yet certified. The biggest, King County, started last Monday and will certify results on Wednesday morning (September 4).
ENCOURAGING YOUNGER VOTERS: One week from today, 10 am-1 pm September 7th, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) will host a watch party for a YWCA-presented nonpartisan national town hall focused on Gen Z women voting, though all are welcome to attend. Our calendar listing has details; organizers of the event, which will be streamed from Philadelphia, say they’ve invited the presidential candidates too but haven’t yet received confirmations. (UPDATE: DNDA says this is canceled for lack of RSVPs.)
Big news from the West Seattle Community Orchestras – two new conductors. And the organization has opened registration for the new season, which starts soon. Here’s the announcement:
The West Seattle Community Orchestras organization is welcoming two new conductors.
Asieh Mahyar, who serves as the interim Director of Orchestral Studies at Pacific Lutheran University, will conduct the Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Iran and one of the very few female conductors from her country, Ms. Mahyar brings in her extensive experience working with ensembles at various levels and in different countries. For the 2024-2025 season, she eagerly looks forward to leading the Symphony Orchestra on a fantastic musical journey. Dynamic and vibrant, the repertoire will include festive Holiday music, selections from timeless masterworks, premieres of music by composers from diverse cultural backgrounds, and inspiring collaborations with distinguished local musicians.
The Wind Symphony is getting some new direction under Justin Murray as well. Justin is an active music educator, clinician, and conductor who also works as the Director of Membership at Classical KING (98.1 FM). This year, he is particularly excited about returning to directing an ensemble and sharing the process and experience of making music with members of our West Seattle Community.
If you want to join one of the 6 ensembles of WSCO, registration is currently open for returning and new members, with auditions on September 17 and rehearsals starting on October 8 at Chief Sealth International High School.
Thanks to the texter who sent that photo and a note that Lincoln Park‘s wading pool is closed, no explanation on site. According to a Seattle Parks social-media note we subsequently found, a “plumbing problem” will keep it closed for the rest of the season, which had been scheduled to end after Monday. This means no West Seattle wading pools, since the others closed about two weeks ago; the Highland Park spraypark is scheduled to remain open through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm daily.
12:15 PM: This year’s Alki Beach Pride celebration – combination beach party and street festival – is on! Thanks to Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck for the early photo. We’re headed to Alki for more pics but wanted to remind you first that Alki Avenue is closed to vehicles between 57th and 61st; that means a Water Taxi shuttle reroute. The festival is on until 8 pm; see the entertainment schedule here.
2:51 PM: The Rainbow City Marching Band was performing while we were there – here’s a bit of music (Macklemore‘s “Downtown”):
Also on stage – deputy mayor Greg Wong and City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s district director Leyla Gheisar, presenting a proclamation accepted by Alki Beach Pride co-founder Stacy Bass-Walden – it recounts the history and intent of ABP:
Beyond the stage, you’ll find dozens of booths, both vendors and resource providers:
Among them, the West Seattle Food Bank, whose booth is where – as noted here last night – you can enter a drawing for a ticket to the Taste of West Seattle, now less than three weeks away:
As noted in the city proclamation, this is the 10th ABP celebration, with a simple theme:
Headliner Mariah Counts is just an hour away; the festival continues until 8 pm
Thanks to Manuel for the photos! Another sighting of Northern Lights in our area overnight … his photos are from Alki.
(Others around the Sound saw them too.) For tips on aurora-viewing, and links to forecast sites, check out this page on West Seattle skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen‘s website.
(Bush cricket, photographed near Lincoln Park by Steve Bender)
Welcome to the holiday weekend! Here are notes for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NO SSV CLOSURE: Reminder – the Spokane Street Viaduct (continuation of West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5) is fully open this weekend.
ART ON THE CORNER: 8 am-3 pm at 39th/Holden, artist Bonnie is having another one of her famous art sales, with proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank.
GARAGE/YARD SALES: See what’s listed today in the WSB Community Forums.
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.
BIG BLUE TRUCK: The Northwest Center‘s donation-dropoff truck has returned to West Seattle! You’ll find it outside WaFd Bank (4102 California SW). Our calendar listing has info on what items the truck (a WSB sponsor) will accept. 9 am-5 pm.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle has TWO farmers’ markets every weekend! This is the first 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! (9421 18th SW; WSB sponsor)
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 – even though we’re getting a taste of fall weather. 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.
KNIFE-SHARPENING POP-UP: Kneighborhood Knives returns to Hotwire Coffee (4410 California SW) for another one-day pop-up, 11 am-4 pm, $10/knife.
DIVAS BRUNCH: Prelude to Alki Beach Pride, drag brunch at Harry’s Beach House (2676 Alki SW), 11 am and 1 pm seatings. Go here to see if tickets are left (there were some as of very early this am).
POP-UP PLANT SALE: 11 am-7 pm – details in our calendar listing. (6350 18th SW)
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: Spraypark’s open, 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
ALKI BEACH PRIDE: On the beach and on the street, this is the 10th edition of West Seattle’s biggest Pride celebration, noon-9 pm. Key points:
-Alki Avenue SW closed between 57th SW and 61st SW
-Entertainment schedule on the ABP website
-Other highlights in our preview, including free HIIT class on the beach at noon, Drag King Story Time at 12:10 pm in Alki Bathhouse, volleyball starting at 1 pm
FREE FROZEN TREAT FOR YOUR PUP: You’re invited to treat your dog to something tasty and free! Noon-3 pm at All the Best Pet Care (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor), bring your dog in to get a free frozen treat!
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), bonus weekly session of long-distance advocacy, drop-ins welcome.
COLMAN POOL: Final weekend of the season begins. Open noon-7 pm on the Lincoln Park shore – find the session schedule online. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Final weekend of the season for this pool too – 12 pm-7 pm in the upper park, north of the main lot. Update: Closed for rest of the season because of plumbing problems.
SOUTHWEST POOL CLOSED: The city-run indoor pool will stay closed for repairs and maintenance until after Labor Day.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is also open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
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).
MAKE A BIRD BATH: 1 pm class at The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), $40. Our calendar listing explains how to sign up.
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.
MONTHLY SONG CIRCLE: Soul Sisters in Seattle welcome you to join them at 1 pm:
Come join a group of kind, fun women for a song circle led by Sandra Glauz. No singing experience needed, just come if you want to sing delightful, easy, heart-filled songs and chants. Sandra teaches all the songs and parts. Please reach out to Sandra with your name and cell phone number and she’ll text you the address and flyer. listwithsandra@yahoo.com
NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Sam Weber ft. Moonface, doors 7, show 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – details in our calendar listing. All ages.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
WEST END GIRLS AT THE SKYLARK: The monthly West Seattle drag extravaganza, featuring Fraya Love, Cookie Couture, and special guests Midori Monet, Londyn Bradshaw, Whispurr Water-Shadow, & BabyLoveCrash! Doors 7, show 8, all ages. Tickets online or at the door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Cide. (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
KARAOKE AT THE PIZZERIA: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
11:54 PM: We only have a fraction of the story on this so far, but several people have asked, so we’re reporting what we’ve heard at this point: Police were called to North Admiral shortly after 11 pm for what the dispatcher initially said sounded like an attempted carjacking. Two areas about two blocks apart have been mentioned – the 1900 block of 44th SW and the 4300 block of SW Holgate. One juvenile suspect was being detained at the scene; someone else was reported to have gotten away in a black Honda, last seen headed west on Holgate. Somewhere in all this, there was gunfire. No one was treated at the scene, but police asked dispatchers to alert local hospitals in case anyone showed up with a gunshot wound. The juvenile suspect is in custody. That’s all we know so far.
2:06 AM: Going into the audio archives from early in this incident – the shots were reported fired by someone “in defense of” the victims, fired as the vehicle left the scene “with seven or eight suspects” inside. That person was still at the scene talking with police (after setting down his gun at their request).
ADDED 1:14 AM SUNDAY: Just received the police summary:
The incident occurred at (11:05 pm Friday) in the 4300 BLK of SW Holgate St. The owner of a vehicle came outside her house and saw four to five suspects inside her vehicle. The suspects were attempting to steal the vehicle. She notified her uncle and friend about the incident. The suspects exited the vehicle, but one of them left his cell phone inside the victim’s vehicle. The uncle grabbed the cell phone from inside the car and threw it on the ground. One of the suspects charged the uncle and he was afraid of being assaulted. The friend of the family fired a warning shot and two more shots at the suspects’ vehicle. The suspects fled the scene. The suspects left one juvenile behind who was arrested and booked at [the juvenile detention center] for attempted/auto theft. The firearm was recovered and submitted to evidence. … The male who shot at the suspects was investigated & released at the scene.
Got your ticket(s) for the Taste of West Seattle? The peninsula’s premier food fair – a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank – is now less than three weeks away, on Thursday, September 19th.
More than 30 food and beverage purveyors will be at The Hall at Fauntleroy that night for this event – with tastes and sips to delight you. Once you’re in, you’re in – it’s not a “one ticket, one taste” type of event (but it’s 21+). General admission is $75 and gets you in at 6 pm; VIP early admission, 5:30 pm, is $125. Along with selling tickets, WSFB has been giving away a few of these coveted tickets, including a drawing today at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor), which has been showcasing WSFB all month:
(WSFB’s Whit and Robbin, HomeStreet’s Gus and Andrew)
We’re told you can also enter a drawing tomorrow at Alki Beach Pride (12-9 pm at the beach and in the street) – just look for the WSFB booth. But however you get your ticket, don’t procrastinate – The Taste usually sells out. Here’s where to find out more.
P.S. Attendees get to vote, too, choosing the best taste or sip in multiple categories. (WSB is media sponsor – see you there September 19th! The Hall is at 9131 California SW.)
(WSB photo,s this afternoon)
Last week, we reported on the city saying it was “closely monitoring” the growing RV encampment on SW Trenton by Westwood Village. While, as we noted, there have long been a few RVs there, the number has increased in recent weeks to at least five, plus other assorted vehicles, and sidewalk obstructions; nearby residents said the nature of the activity there has changed. In their response to us, a city spokesperson also said a “resolution date for this site is pending.” Now, there’s a timeframe – half a dozen of the people who have reported this encampment via Find It Fix It forwarded us this update they received from the city late today:
In response to your recent email or customer service request submitted with the City of Seattle’s Customer Service Bureau or Find It, Fix It app, the Unified Care Team (UCT) would like to provide you with an update on the scheduled resolution for the large unauthorized encampment located along SW Trenton St. UCT is scheduled to resolve this site in the next 3 weeks based on available shelter and resources.
The City’s contracted outreach partners have been engaging at the site to make offers of shelter and provide connections to services in hopes of avoiding the displacement of any high-needs individuals into other parts of the neighborhood or repopulation of this site.
On the day of scheduled removal, any tents remaining on the site will be removed, and individuals will be offered storage of personal property in addition to an offer of alternative shelter. The Unified Care Team will then conduct a thorough cleaning of the site and removal of all trash and debris.
Following removal, this site will remain on a frequent inspection route in an effort to quickly address any attempted repopulation of the site. Frequency of inspection and removal of obstructions will be reassessed over time based on the level of site activity observed. If you observe a new encampment at this site, please report it using the Customer Service Bureau’s Unauthorized Encampment service request form or submit a service request using the City’s Find It, Fix It mobile app. As always, dangerous or criminal behavior associated with this site should be reported to 9-1-1 for emergency situations or SPD’s non-emergency number (206) 625-5011 for other criminal activity or incidents.
Once again, we would like to thank you for your patience throughout this frustrating situation and for communicating with us as we advance our efforts to keep Seattle streets, sidewalks, and public spaces clean and accessible to all.
Hearing about this, we immediately tried to follow up with the Unified Care Team spokesperson in the mayor’s office, but they’re gone for the holiday weekend, so we won’t likely be able to get followup information before Tuesday. The city has cleared at least three other roadside RV encampments in West Seattle that haven’t been “repopulated,” but the removals were followed by modifications of the area where the RVs had been parked – a new bike lane along SW Andover, eco-blocks along West Marginal, no-overnight-parking signage along Harbor Avenue.
(Reader photo, Monday)
Back on Monday, that large police response drew attention in the 4700 block of 46th SW. Emergency radio indicated that, after officers chased him on foot, a man was taken into custody on suspicion of violating an anti-harassment order. We’ve been researching the case since then – it’s going through Seattle Municipal Court, and that system has a lag for document availability. But now we’ve confirmed that the suspect, 31-year-old Casey Carlstedt, is charged, and the file includes the police report detailing what officers say happened that morning:
Officers responded to a reported order violation at the Safeway supermarket located at 4754 42 Av SW. A staff member called 911 because a known suspect (Carlstedt) was in the store, and she believed that an order was in place that prevented him from being there.
(He) is a known prolific offender in the William Sector area – specifically in the Admiral and Alaska Junction areas. Carlstedt is familiar to most patrol officers in the precinct as well as many business owners and staff. (He) is also on the (City Attorney’s Office) High Utilizer list.
As (an officer) arrived in the area, she saw A/Carlstedt near the intersection of 42 Av SW / SW Alaska St. (She) stopped her patrol car and told Carlstedt to “STOP.” Carlstedt fled on foot and led officers on a foot chase over several blocks and across multiple busy roadways. Carlstedt fled through residential yards to escape (the officer). He ignored repeated commands to “STOP” and was told more than once that he was under arrest. Carlstedt yelled that he was not violating an NCO while fleeing from police. … Carlstedt was eventually detained on the 4700 block of 46 Av SW.
Checking the system, officers say, they found an anti-harassment order prohibiting Carlstedt from being within one mile of a particular person’s home, and they say he “was seen well within 1 Mile of that address.” He was arrested and booked into jail. The City Attorney’s Office has since charged him with violation of a court order and obstructing a public officer (gross misdemeanors), and he has pleaded not guilty. A document from Wednesday indicates that Municipal Court Judge Willie Gregory set bail at $7,500, though on the jail docket, it’s listed as twice that, possibly because he is listed as having another order-violation case pending. (We’re looking into that.)
BACKSTORY: Our previous mentions of Carlstedt include a 2021 case in which he was accused of using “bear mace” on a man who confronted him during an alleged car-prowl attempt, a 2020 case that was a lot like the current one, and multiple 2017 cases.
There’s still room for more players to register for a fundraising pinball tournament in West Seattle on Monday (Labor Day, September 2). Organizer Michael sent the announcement:
Admiral Pub is hosting a pinball tournament charity event this Monday 9/2/2024. Doors at 11 am, starts at 12:30 pm. It’s a format called pingolf. Players each play 18 holes (different pinball machines) and try to reach the target score in 1-5 balls. Getting the target score in one ball will be a hole in one, etc.
The charity is Pasado’s Animal Rescue. Interested players can pre-register or get more info here – westsidepinball.com
There will also be raffles for gift cards to local restaurants around West Seattle/White Center, prizes, etc. All proceeds from the raffle go to the charity as well as a portion of the entry fee into the tournament.
Participation is capped at 72 players, according to the tournament website, but at last check there are still spots, so sign up fast if interested!
12:46 PM: At least one humpback whale is passing Alki Point, per Kersti Muul, who says that it’s headed southbound, and there might be a second one too. Let us know if you see it/them!
12:54 PM: Texted update from Kersti – three humpbacks and they’re “close in” in the Brace Point area.
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