West Seattle, Washington
21 Saturday
(Also published on our partner site White Center Now)
If you’ve been in downtown White Center lately, you’ve probably noticed changes to the fire-ravaged block on the west side of 16th SW south of Roxbury. It’s been more than two years since fires ravaged multiple spaces in this block of businesses. Now seven of the spaces are up for lease to new business tenants (here’s the flyer). The spaces totaling 22,362 square feet could be leased in various combinations, the listing says … Not far south, next to Full Tilt, the Huong Xua Deli is finally getting ready to reopen, with COMING SOON signage … And on the other side of the September 2021 fire site, two venues have uncloaked with plans to share the former Bizzarro Italian Café space at 9635 16th SW:
The Alpine Diner and Bar, touting an “apres-ski” theme, and Big Mario’s Pizza. From the Alpine website:
Try our full food & beverage menu available daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, or visit the bar counter and cozy up to our vintage fireplace in the game room for ski ball and hoops. Enjoy our large outdoor patio with bocci ball and outdoor seating, opening Spring 2024. We share our space with the newest Big Mario’s location, meaning you can order from either menu.
The Alpine is from the same company that operates Lost Lake Café on Capitol Hill; Big Mario’s Pizza has a location there too, one of four in Seattle. The remodeled White Center space is expected to open this winter.
Denny International Middle School students walked to the campus together from Westwood Village this morning in commemoration of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.
It’s a simple observance in honor of what Ruby herself did on this date 63 years ago – as explained on the official event website, “Six-year-old Ruby Bridges stepped into the history books in 1960 when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, becoming a national icon for the civil-rights movement.”
The students warmed up with hot cocoa in the Galleria after their walk. Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day continues to grow nationwide, with Denny students among the more than 343,000 who participated last year.
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:
CAR WASH BURGLARIZED: Thanks for the tip on this. The coin machines at Car Wash Palace (35th/Graham) were stolen early today. According to archived dispatch audio, police were sent there around quarter till 6 am because of an alarm, and discovered the machines missing. Our tipster says that left the car wash closed for business this morning, but we haven’t been able to verify that yet.
SALON CARD READER THEFT/FRAUD: According to SPD report narrative, Tram’s Salon on the north edge of The Junction was hit by a card-reader thief and fraudster Monday afternoon:
At approximately (1:30 pm), the (thief) walked into the establishment and claimed he wanted to prepay for his services. The (victim) handed the suspect a small device used for processing card information for payment. Unknown to the (victim), the (thief) somehow used his card to refund himself $2,500. According to the (victim), he then ran out of the store with the … payment device. There is a possibility the money could have been taken after he stole the machine … later in the day, (the victim) received notification from the establishment’s bank.
The thief was described as a Black man in his mid-20s, 6 feet tall, thin, in a hoodie and mask.
STOLEN VAN: Tina sent the report and photo:
Our 2017 Kia Sedona was stolen from in front of our house last night, near 35th & Holden. It is brown with a U-Haul hitch installed. Washington License plate # BGU7189. Would appreciate if folks could keep an eye out.
SATURDAY UPDATE: Tina emailed to report, “Our minivan was recovered along with two other stolen vehicles. They were parked next to an abandoned apartment building on the 1700 block of SW Barton.”
(Photo by James Bratsanos)
Options for the hours ahead, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
MEET THE ARTIST: Highland Park’s big bird sculpture has arrived at Highland Park Way and Holden. That’s where you can meet artist Matthew Mazzotta at 4 pm; the gathering will then proceed a short distance south for more conversation at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way).
PRODUCTIVITY-BOOSTING ADVICE, FREE! 5 pm, the first of two free events this week at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor). This one will give you “tips and tricks on how to organize your physical AND digital space to improve performance.”
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
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.
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.
HOPE LUTHERAN ALL-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Looking ahead to next school year? Learn about Hope Lutheran School (WSB sponsor) at tonight’s all-school open house, 6:30 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4456 42nd SW)
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).
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm community gathering at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), with police there for Q&A, plus officer elections and holiday info.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm board meeting open to all community members. with agenda items including discussion of the Lincoln Park pickleball-court project. In person at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) or online (register at fauntleroy.net/meetings).
SING! Singers have an open invitation to join the Seattle Metropolitan Singers – “all treble voices welcome” – just attend one of their rehearsals, Tuesdays 7-9 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
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 look ahead any time via our event calendar – if you have something to add to it, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Back on November 4th, most Green Seattle Day volunteer events were scratched because of wind and rain. But hundreds of trees are still waiting to be planted, and that means they’re waiting for you. Lincoln Park has room for more volunteers this Saturday morning (November 18th):
Green Seattle Day @Lincoln Park is NOVEMBER 18, 9 am-noon, and registration is still OPEN! Event Registration and Details: seattle.greencitypartnerships.org/event/38152
Join hundreds of volunteers across the city planting thousands of native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers that will become the future forests of Seattle. All community members are welcome, and no experience is necessary! The event is family friendly and open to all ages. Coffee and light snacks provided and Green Seattle swag available for all who register. AND local band, The Potholes will be playing their acoustic hearts out for volunteers as they plant!
This is also a fun outdoor opportunity for student service hours! (Video link from last year’s event)Email flip98136@gmail.com with questions.
(File photo from a previous year’s drive)>
We’re continuing to tell you about holiday-season donation drives – like this one that just launched at longtime WSB sponsor Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency, to help keep people warm as the coldest time of year arrives:
The 10th annual winter clothing drive has begun at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency.
In conjunction with the West Seattle Food Bank/West Seattle Helpline, we are collecting donations of clothes, coats, and shoes from November 13th until January 1st. Please drop off your donations at 3435 California Ave SW. The office is open for donations Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9 am to 5 pm. Tuesdays 9 am to 2 pm. For undergarments and socks, please donate only new and unopened packages of clothing items.
Pickup may be available for those who have donations but are unable to transport them. For further information, contact the State Farm office at 206-932-1878.
Thank you, West Seattle, for your generosity and spirit of giving.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, November 14th.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise today is at 7:13 am; sunset, 4:34 pm.
WALKING TO SCHOOL EVENT
Between the north side of Westwood Village and Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon), in the 7 am hour, Denny students will head to the campus in observance of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.
OTHER TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here. P.S. Metro is recruiting for a new Fares Cabinet to discuss the future of fares.
Water Taxi is on its regular schedule too.
Washington State Ferries – The usual 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:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern 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 that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!
Received from Joel:
Just wanted to let West Seattleites know that a disgruntled neighbor threw garbage, including glass bottles, into the Delridge skatepark this evening. He was upset about the refuse being left behind on a daily basis.
I cleaned up what glass I could, and notified the police, but I’m sure there are small shards left that could hurt someone if they were to fall.
We suggested also calling the Seattle Parks after-hours maintenance number (206-684-7250).
It’s at the very least an excuse to wear an aloha shirt here in the heart of almost-winter. Friday night, get tropical with the Rotary Club of West Seattle at their fall fundraiser, playing ParrotHeads Rainbow Bingo with legendary bingo leader Sylvia O’Stayformore, plus music paying tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett. All are welcome, not just club members. Yes, there will be margaritas (among other cocktails). It’s happening at the West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), 5:30 pm, and you can buy ticket(s) here. Proceeds support the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation‘s many community projects, including scholarships.
Thanks to “Coach Steve” Fredrickson for the report and photos:
Congratulations to the Delridge “Da Pickles,” who won 1st place in Saturday’s City Wide Volleyball Jamboree 12-13 age group, and the Delridge “Devils,” who won 2nd place in the 10-11 group … making this coach extremely proud!!
The Jamboree was held at Rainier Community Center and was a double-elimination tourney where each team played just one set – very similar to pre-pandemic Jamborees.
The 12-13 team finished first in the league with a 4-1 record – the one loss was due to a forfeit because of Club tryouts. At the Jamboree they beat Ravenna and Loyal Heights, then again played Ravenna in the championship match…losing their only set but then won the second to bring home the Gold.
The 10-11 team finished third in the league with a 3-2 record. At the Jamboree they started off with a tough loss to Green Lake but then rallied back to beat Ballard and Green Lake in the losers bracket, only to fall to High Point in the Final, bringing home the Silver.
West Seattle was definitely well represented with Delridge and High Point taking three of the four medal awards!
(June 2021 photo by David Hutchinson)
5:06 PM: Two and a half years after those four cranes arrived for the first berth to open at West Seattle’s modernized Terminal 5, two more are about to arrive for the second berth. Construction is finishing up on the south berth; the Northwest Seaport Alliance had previously said the cranes were expected to arrive in October, but we’re now into mid-November, so we followed up today to check on the status. They’re on the way from ZPMC in China, according to NWSA spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh, and expected to arrive sometime next week. She says we’ll have a few days advance alert about their arrival. The south berth is being leased by SSA Terminals, exercising its option to lease it in addition to the north berth, where it started accepting cargo almost two years ago.
ADDED EARLY TUESDAY: If you want to track the ship, commenter Drew identified Zhen Hua 27 as the ZPMC ship headed this way.
With Thanksgiving just a week and a half away, we’re almost ready to launch this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. Thanks to everyone who’s already sent information on holiday-season events – bazaars/pop-up shops, donation drives, performances, open houses, holiday food specials, etc. … if you have something coming up but haven’t sent that info to us, hurry! Whatever you want the community to know, westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to reach us so we can get it into the guide (and if time/date-specific, into our year-round calendar too) – thank you!
THANKSGIVING NOTE: The guide will start off with Thanksgiving-related notes, which we’ve also been spotlighting here in the news stream. One more we’ve received word of – if you need help assembling Thanksgiving dinner, Husky Deli is another venue offering to make the whole thing for you to heat at home – $150 to serve five people – roasted turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, bread rolls, and a half-gallon of Husky ice cream (you choose the flavor). Get your order in by Monday, November 20th, for pickup the day before Thanksgiving (Wednesday, November 23rd).
(Photo sent by Shana)
Five years after Pike Place’s renowned Shug’s Soda Fountain – owned by West Seattleites – announced plans to add a “mini” location at California/Charlestown, it’s finally opening! They told us earlier this fall that they were very close, and now they’ve set the date: This Friday (November 17th), noon-9 pm. Since originally announcing the West Seattle plan, Shug’s has had plenty of community involvement, including pop-ups right outside the doors that are about to swing open, but now it’s time to finally welcome people inside. The menu board has been visible through the windows for some days, as shown in the reader photo above and others sent to us – scoops, cones, sundaes, floats, and some adult drinks (which is why a liquor-license application has been posted on the door).
(WSB photo, October 2)
11:56 AM: The impending closure of the Westwood Village Staples store – first announced last month – doesn’t just mean one less retail outlet. It means the end of other services provided there, such as TSA Precheck. We’ve received this note from Shana Anderson, who says she’s the main TSA agent at the store, and wants you to know this:
We close next Friday, the 17th, but I just found out that the Burien TSA won’t open for a month.
If people need Precheck before the holidays, they should go to tsa.gov and make an appointment. The closest Precheck places other than West Seattle are Renton and Fife.
12:57 PM: Shana just emailed again after learning that Wednesday is the last day at Westwood.
(Alki Pump Station 38 art, photographed by Curry Gibson)
Here’s the Monday event lineup, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
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)
LIBRARY CLOSURE: Today starts the second week of the two-week closure of Southwest Library for HVAC installation.
LEARN ABOUT BACKYARD BIRDING: Free presentation at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) focusing on seabirds, 3 pm, all welcome including non-members – RSVP requested if you can – 206-932-4044.
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.
INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION: The Alki Dharma Community invites you to this monthly event, 6:45 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
MONDAY MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
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!
Family and friends will gather this Saturday (November 18) to celebrate the life of Nancy Morrison. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with her community:
A long-time resident of West Seattle, Nancy Morrison, passed away on October 30, 2023. She is survived by her daughter Alice Desgranges, grandchildren Emma, Nicolas Desgranges, and Anseland Davis Morrison.
In the 1930s, after living in Oregon and Montana, Nancy moved with her family to Seattle when her father accepted a position as pastor at the West Seattle Baptist Church. She attended Lafayette Elementary School and Madison Junior High School until World War II began. Nancy wrote in her diary, “War was declared, but they only expect it to last about two weeks.” When her predictions didn’t come true, her family moved to Hamilton Air Force Base in California, where her father served as Chaplain while her brother went to fight in Europe.
After the War, Nancy finished high school in Goldendale and then traveled throughout the United States as an intern for the American Baptist Convention. Following her internship, she attended Linfield College in Oregon. When Nancy was 24 years old and teaching in a one-room schoolhouse on the prairie in Montana, her car broke down. She trudged through the snow to call for help and help came in the form of a husband. Jack W. Morrison was sent to give her a ride home, and they married in Havre, MT, in 1955. Nancy and Jack moved back to West Seattle, where they had two children, Mark and Alice.
A sociable community leader, Nancy Morrison was president of the PTA, President of P.E.O, a church leader and Sunday School teacher for 40 years, active in scouting, women’s democratic groups, and a long-term Women’s Health Initiative member. She loved meeting people and was ready to talk to anyone from her porch swing, at the grocery store, or during telephone calls filled with wit and wisdom. Nancy recently said, “I talked early and haven’t stopped talking since.”
Nancy had the privilege of being surrounded by a caring community of friends and neighbors. They exemplify the best a community can be. We are forever thankful for their support and friendship, which allowed Nancy to live her life on her own terms. She will be missed, but we know her faith has led her to a place of peace.
Memories of Nancy will be shared at a celebration of life on November 18, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at The Junction Church, 4157 California Ave SW. For more details, please email aliceamd@gmail.com.
(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)
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, November 13th.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Chance of showers, sun later, high in the low 50s. Sunrise today is at 7:11 am; sunset, 4:35 pm.
OTHER TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.
Water Taxi is on its regular schedule too.
Washington State Ferries – The usual 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:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern 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 that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!
(Photo by Sara Raymond)
We told you back in June about Panterelli, the coffee-and-pastry shop in The Junction owned by Jacques Nawar, who ran Pizzeria Credo a block away for a decade. Today we received an announcement that Panterelli will celebrate its grand opening this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, after having been in “soft open” mode for four-plus months. Panterelli focuses on éclairs and choux à la crème (cream puffs, pronounced “shoe”), and will introduce new choux creations as part of the grand-opening festivities. As the announcement explains, “Panterelli is named for the chef who created the distinct pastry style for Catherine de Medici in 1540.” It also says Panterelli – at 4210 SW Alaska – will soon expand its hours, currently 9 am-3 pm Wednesdays-Sundays (closing earlier if and when they sell out).
The report and photo are from Beth:
I’m hoping the WSB community can help identify a hit and run car/driver.
Last night our houseguest’s car was hit around 9 pm by a hit and run driver.
We heard the loud noise but didn’t know what it was until this morning when we looked outside.
They hit the front of the car and the rear view mirror of our guest’s car and left the casing for their own rear view mirror behind.
Please be on the lookout for a vehicle (likely an SUV or minivan) with driver’s-side damage in the front and missing the casing for the driver’s rear-view mirror.
We live in the Genesee neighborhood on a street without a lot of through traffic so I’m hoping the car is seen nearby.
Police report number pending.
Please email if seen: hitandrunwestseattle@gmail.com
Congratulations to two West Seattle-residing Kennedy Catholic High School students who have just won state 4A swimming championships! The report is from Casie:
West Seattle residents Kaitlyn Vu (top left) and Lucy LaBella (bottom right) are state champions! Sophomore Kaitlyn and freshman Lucy won the 4×100 Free relay for Kennedy Catholic High School at the WIAA 4A state championship this weekend. Kaitlyn was also the 100 Breaststroke state champion. Kennedy placed third as a team.
Full results from the championships at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way are here.
For the first time in a while, we’re commemorating a Seahawks afternoon with a gallery of bird photos sent by WSB readers, starting with sea and shore birds:
Above, a Surf Scoter, photographed by Tom Trulin near Lincoln Park. Below, Horned Grebes, which James Tilley found near Jack Block Park:
A Surfbird off Alki, from Robin Sinner:
Susan Kemp saw this Great Blue Heron off Constellation Park:
Cindy Roberts photographed this Western Meadowlark at Don Armeni:
Continuing inland, this immature Cedar Waxwing is from Jerry Simmons:
Mark Dale photographed this Cooper’s Hawk in his Gatewood yard:
An Anna’s Hummingbird is visiting a fuschia plant in Samantha Wren‘s photo:
At Lincoln Park, Jamie Kinney found this Barred Owl:
And we’ve been receiving more photos of the roaming Guinea Fowl that some are mistaking for turkeys. Kathy Humphrey sent this one:
Huge thanks again to everyone who continues sending bird photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – we use some in daily preview lists, too.
Meantime, a bird-health note. Krystal sent this last night:
I wanted to let you know, in case you wanted to share it on your Sunday bird report (my favorite!), that we’ve spotted conjunctivitis in the House Finches in the Sunrise Heights/Westwood neighborhood at our feeder. We quickly took our feeders down and our neighbors did the same, and we will keep ours down for the next few weeks. We always wash our feeders in-between fillings, but the recommendation from Cornell suggests leaving the feeders down for a couple weeks, and also recommends against feeders with larger ports where the birds can rub their heads on the openings, such as tube feeders. More info here.
We didn’t hear about today’s Seahawks flyover in advance, but a couple people mentioned it afterward. And James Tilley sent this photo:
He notes, “Just after the flyover at the game, they made another pass over Alki, presumably on their way to land at Boeing Field, as they were dropping gear as they flew over the beach.” According to the Seahawks website, these were “two EA-18 Growlers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.”
Until 3 pm, you are invited to visit Fauntleroy Creek for a close-up chance to see salmon. As of Saturday, 34 coho spawners had made it into the creek in the span of a week, and more are expected.
So volunteers are standing by during today’s “open creek” to show you where to look along a stretch of the creek that otherwise isn’t usually open to the public. Go to the overlook where SW Director turns onto upper Fauntleroy Way SW (across the street, and up the embankment, from the ferry dock) and wait to be called down to creekside!
Fauntleroy Creek is a rarity, one of just a handful of Seattle creeks where salmon come to dpawn.
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