West Seattle, Washington
31 Wednesday
(Mount Rainier and the Duwamish River, seen from the bridge earlier this week – photo by James Bratsanos)
What’s below is mostly from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – regular Wednesday events remain on our calendar but we haven’t verified whether they’re all still on despite the semi-holiday, so this list is focusing on the NYE-specific:
RESTAURANTS AND COFFEE SHOPS THAT ARE OPEN TONIGHT (AND TOMORROW): We ask about New Year’s Eve/Day while compiling our Christmas coffee-shop list – see that list here – and restaurant/bar list – see that here. (Changes/additions? Please tell us!)
GROCERY STORE HOURS: Some changes for New Year’s Eve/Day, and one closure – here’s the list.
CELEBRATE NEW YEAR AT NOON: You can do this noon-2 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
NEW YEAR’S EVE WALKS: The Emerald City Wanderers‘ are offering 5K and 10K routes again tonight (and tomorrow):
New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day
Say farewell to 2025 with a New Year’s Eve walk along Alki. Enjoy sunset views of Puget Sound and city lights of downtown Seattle, as well as the holiday lights of the West Seattle neighborhoods. Return on New Year’s Day for a lovely morning walk on a different route through West Seattle. On both days, join us afterward to warm up and socialize, with snacks and hot soup at the Start Location.
New Year’s Eve: Registration: 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Start Location: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave. SW
NYE AT THE 4040 HOUSE: The lights-synched-to-music display at 4040 47th SW is on for New Year’s Eve! Received this morning:
Join us tonight from 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM as we ring in the New Year the best way we know how — with music, lights, and a whole lot of joy. We’ll be rocking straight through the night with a few new songs and a special midnight countdown to welcome 2026 in glowing style. Bundle up, bring your people, dance a little, and help us celebrate another year of community at the 4040 House. Friendly parking reminder: Please park along Dakota or Andover. Residents on 47th Ave SW rely on street parking, and the street is quite narrow.
NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT PARADE: Highland Park Improvement Club presents the NYE tradition – all-ages parade with noisemakers through neighborhoods in HP, leaving from Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW). Gather at HPCS 5:30-6 pm; parade takes off at 6.
MASQUERADE NYE 2026 – New Year’s Eve celebration, 9 pm-2 am, at Jet City Labs & Revelry Room: “A stylish New Year’s Eve gathering with soulful DJ sets, a full buffet, a midnight champagne toast, and plenty of room to celebrate. Masquerade attire and masks encouraged.” Ticketed event. More info here.
THE FINAL TOAST: West Seattle Supper Club party at Phoenecia (4717 42nd SW)
8 pm-1 am, Various levels of ticketing and experiences – all in our calendar listing – ticketing page here.
MIDNIGHT FIREWORKS: Yes, the Space Needle plans pyrotechnics and drones again to greet 2025. Light shows precede the big display, starting at 10 pm – see the schedule here. If you’re not going downtown, myriad north/northeast-facing West Seattle spots have a view of the Needle (the Alki/Harbor waterfront gets clogged, though, so if you’re headed there, go early).
Anything to add? westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to get us calendar/event listings, all year ’round!
End of the year, end of the holidays, end of the long-running donation drives. Here are two that you can still show support for:
WINTER-CLOTHING DRIVE AT DAVE NEWMAN STATE FARM INSURANCE AGENCY: The annual warm-clothing drive at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (3435 California SW; WSB sponsor) continues through today.
FOOD DRIVE AT FITNESS TOGETHER: At WSB sponsor Fitness Together in The Junction:
Fitness Together West Seattle will be having a food drive supporting Immanuel Community Services for the month of December! Please bring holiday items and non perishable items to our studio to help those in need!
Please drop items at our studio on the 2nd floor:
4546 California Ave SW
(Our entrance is in the Alley behind The Matador – Look for the green awning)
And remember that food-donation bins will be set up at Alki for tomorrow’s 10 am Polar Bear Swim – bring nonperishable food if you can.
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s New Year’s Eve – Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
As noted a few hours ago, a Dense Fog Advisory alert is in effect until 10 am. After that – the forecast says it’ll be partly sunny, high in the mid-40s, cloudy tonight but no rain expected before Thursday pm. Sunrise will be at 7:57 am (as late as it gets, and it’s staying there for a few more days); sunset at 4:27 pm.
SCHOOL’S STILL OUT
Winter break continues for a second week (most if not all schools reopen Monday, January 5).
TRANSIT TODAY & BEYOND
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule. The Water Taxi will NOT run on New Year’s Day, but will run fare-free all day today, New Year’s Eve.
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route has its third boat back and is now on the winter schedule, per WSF’s alerts page. A weekend schedule is planned for New Year’s Day.
Metro buses – They’re back on the regular weekday schedule and routes in our area; Metro is now fare-free until 3 am Thursday (New Year’s Day)..
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already at the scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
(SDOT traffic-cam screengrab from right before we published this story)
3:12 AM: Perhaps 2025 just wants to vanish into the fog. The National Weather Service has a Dense Fog Advisory alert in effect for our area until 10 am. This not only could mean visibility problems, but also the possibility of icy streets, as the fog meets near-freezing temperatures. So give yourself extra time to get wherever you have to go.
9:22 AM: The advisory has been extended until noon – forecasters believe the fog will linger longer.
(WSB photo: Marjorie Prince during a solo protest this summer)
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Driving or riding past the corner of 35th and Edmunds, near Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor), you might have noticed someone standing on the corner, holding a sign in quiet protest. From stricter gun legislation to ending the war in Gaza, many issues have kept Marjorie Prince standing in vigil every day for nearly seven months, protesting what she calls the Trump Administration’s “active dismantling” of the United States.
We first met Prince, a former political-science professor and lifelong Democrat whose experience protesting stretches back to the 1968 Nashville Civil Rights protests, this summer. Since then, something has changed. Prince isn’t alone any more.
(Photo by Kathryn Rawle)
For weeks, she’s been joined by a larger group of friends and activists every Monday, each inspired in their own way by watching her protest. As temperatures drop, and even when reception from some is colder than the weather, the group continues to protest because, as protester and former journalist Kathy Rawle put it, “We found our community here.”
The idea of gathering with Prince on her vigil started with organizers Mary Jo Bukovik and Story Squires, both members of Postcards 4 Democracy, which gathers in West Seattle weekly to write and send notes to voters in undecided and underrepresented areas across the country.
Both organizers met Prince during their time working at The Mount, and what started as a conversation over lunch one day quickly evolved into Mondays With Marjorie. Every Monday, from 3:00 to 3:30 pm on the corner of 35th and Edmunds, anyone is welcome to join Prince in protest.
“Marjorie is an inspiration,” said Bukovik, in between drivers honking to express support while passing the group this pas Monday. Sally, another protester, keeps track of every honk they get- some days over 300. Bukovik believes the protest vigil is important to keep the issues they care about in the forefront of people’s minds, and hopefully, she said, inspire them to get out and protest too. “Everybody needs to do something.”
Rawle, who helped start Postcards 4 Democracy in 2017, says it’s all about finding your passion. “Find your lane,” she said, “get in it, do it, and then pass it along to someone else. Talk to the people you know, make sure they know what’s going on, because sometimes that’s the hardest thing to do.”
Also out in protest on Monday was Heidi, who found her lane in Mondays with Marjorie. This kind of protesting is more her speed than larger, louder rallies, she said. In addition to her sign, she also brought backup in the form of the group’s resident protest pups.
Squires, who helped start the meetings with Bukovik, still remembers seeing Prince’s door at The Mount covered in political slogans, long before the two started protesting together. Since then, both Prince and Bukovik have inspired her to think about protesting critically. For over 200 days, Prince’s quiet dedication has continued to draw a crowd, and amidst the chatter and new friendships being built around her, Squires pointed out that she remains, for the most part, silent. Focused on her work. That, more than anything else, is her biggest inspiration.
“When we gather out here, there’s a lot of chatting,” Squires said, “but if you ever look at Marjorie, she doesn’t talk. Every person who drives by, every person who honks, she’s looking at them. She’s looking at people.”
Thanks to Steve Pumphrey for sending the photo! On New Year’s Eve, the Space Needle will put on a light show before the fireworks and drones, and those looking that way across Elliott Bay got a preview tonight. Here’s the official schedule for Wednesday night:
10:00 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
10:30 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
11:00 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
11:30 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
11:53 PM – Show begins
12:00 AM – Happy New Year!
12:09 AM – Show ends
If you don’t have, or don’t want to go out and find, a view of the Space Needle, you can watch it live via KING or KONG, as also explained here.
You still have an hour-plus to get over to Bear Island – the creativity hub in what used to be the Admiral Church basement – and help Lori Kothe and friends old and new celebrate Almost Day. You can even write up what almost happened to you this year – good, bad, otherwise – and hang it on the Almost Tree:
Or just have a baked potato – Lori says they bought 50 and still have some waiting for late drop-ins:
Lori had the “Almost Day” idea recently after learning about Bear Island – and she said its spirit inspired her to contribute an end-of-year gathering to help people connect, something so many are yearning to do in this otherwise-siloed, as evidenced by the turnout at the recent West Seattle Joiner Jamboree. So this is about as low-key a party as you’ll find, with some crafting, some chatting.
As we reported earlier this year. Bear Island is a “just show up and see what happens” kind of place; the old church marquee currently reads, “Maybe All Magic.” Until 9 pm, you can stop by, make a suncatcher or write down your “almost,” sit and chat or just sit and observe (and ask Lori about her backyard-bird book!).
Thanks to Brooke Gosztola for that view of tonight’s sunset! The original forecast for a mostly cloudy day didn’t bear out, but just enough clouds sneaked in by day’s end to catch the color. So far, the forecast looks dry all the way until New Year’s Day night! Not too cold either – daytime highs in the mid-40s, nighttime lows in the mid-30s. (And water temperature in the mid-to-upper 40s, if you’re planning on Thursday morning’s Polar Bear Swim!)
An alert from WSDOT:
tate Route 99 lanes and on- and off-ramps near the downtown Seattle tunnel will see four nights of closures beginning Monday, Jan. 5, for landscaping and maintenance.
People traveling through the area between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. nightly should expect:
Monday, Jan. 5 and Tuesday, Jan. 6: The 6th Avenue north on-ramp to southbound SR 99 and the left lane of the northbound SR 99 off-ramp to Alaskan Way/Dearborn Street (milepost 30) will close.
Wednesday, Jan. 7: The two left lanes of the southbound SR 99 near Harrison Street (milepost 33) will close.
Thursday, Jan. 8: The left lane of the northbound SR 99 near Harrison Street (milepost 33) will close.
Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will use the nightly lane closures to remove vegetation to prepare for later replanting.
Today we’re welcoming our newest WSB sponsor, Wolfpack Cellars in the heart of White Center’s main business area. New sponsors get the chance to tell you about themselves – here’s the Wolfpack Cellars story!
Welcome to the Pack: A New Kind of Wine Experience in White Center
Wolfpack Cellars is a local family-run winery where pups abound and our mission is to bridge the gap between high-end winemaking and approachable community vibes. We want to welcome every visitor as a member of our family. We have been producing wines from our home in Burien since 2019 and recently opened our first tasting room at 9617-B 16th Ave SW on the main street of White Center — a space that rose from the ashes of the 2021 fire that impacted seven local businesses. We aren’t just a storefront; we are part of the neighborhood’s rebirth.
From the Columbia Valley to White Center
While our production “magic” happens in Burien, our White Center tasting room is designed as your neighborhood living room. We source our grapes from Washington’s most prestigious AVAs — to bring the best of the state right to your backyard. Wolfpack Cellars started off focusing on traditional French wines like Syrahs, Malbecs, and Cabernets. Over the last couple years, our members have been especially excited about our newer wines: Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Nero d’Avola, sparkling rosés, and even orange Riesling!
Why You’ll Love the Pack
We know West Seattle Blog readers love their dogs and a great story. Here is what makes a visit to Wolfpack unique:
Warm & Welcoming to Everyone: In our cozy tasting room, we want to show how small batch wineries can greatly enhance the quality of wine. We welcome everyone from new wine lovers to advanced sommeliers with no pretentiousness.
Dog & Family Friendly: We don’t just “allow” pups and kids; we welcome them as part of the pack. We have various dog treats and even juices for the children to enjoy.
Generous Club Discounts: Being part of the pack gets you an almost-unheard of discount of 20%/25% off wine purchases. That’s not just bottle purchases, it includes glass pours and limited free tasting flights when you need to come in for a relaxing evening.
Who says you can’t choose your family? At Wolfpack Cellars, we believe the best “packs” are the ones we build ourselves. Born from a shared dream between a family of choice, our winery was founded on the idea that world-class Washington wine should be available and enjoyed by all. We chose the vibrant White Center community as our home because it reflects our own values: resilient, diverse, and always lively!
Visit Us Soon
Ready to join the pack? We are located just south of West Seattle in the heart of White Center. We’re open later than most wineries because the community of White Center is the place to be in the evening, so whether you’re looking for a cozy date spot or a place to catch up with friends, we have a seat waiting for you.
Location: 9617-B 16th Ave SW, Seattle WA 98166
Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays (4-8 pm), Fridays (4-9 pm), Saturdays (2-9 pm), Sundays (2-7 pm)
We thank Wolfpack Cellars for choosing to advertise their business by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in joining our sponsor team in 2026? Please email WSBadvertising@wsbsales.com for information – thank you!
1:08 PM: We requested and obtained the police report today for an incident we heard over emergency radio last night – police arrested two people after finding them in a stolen car detected by Automated License Plate Recognition. According to the report, the plate reader flagged a 2003 gray Dodge Dakota in the former Walgreens parking lot (9464 16th SW) as a potential stolen vehicle. Inside they found two men, ages 25 and 46, one in the front passenger seat, one in the back seat, and took them into custody; the report says, “The rear driver side window of the vehicle was smashed in and the ignition to the vehicle was punched. There was also a pile of trash in the driver seat that was preventing exit or entry from the driver side door.” Both men claimed to be unaware that the pickup was stolen, but they also said they didn’t know its owner’s name. After determining that there was no way they could have gotten into the vehicle without seeing the evidence it was stolen, police arrested them for investigation of possession of a stolen vehicle. Both are still in jail; for the younger man, it’s his fourth booking this year, cumulatively totaling about five weeks in the King County Jail, with other cases involving theft, assault, and property destruction; for the older man, it’s his fifth booking of 2025, totaling 12 days so far, in criminal-trespass cases.
9:58 PM: Checked the jail register. The older suspect has been released; the younger one (who was in the front seat, which might have made a difference in the probable-cause finding) is still in.
We’d already mentioned that Mayor-elect Katie Wilson would take the oath of office on January 2nd (this Friday) – now the official invitation is out, in case you want to be there:
Inauguration of Katie B. Wilson set for Friday, Jan 2nd at 10 am
“This is your city”Katie B. Wilson will be inaugurated as Seattle’s next mayor this Friday in a public ceremony that marks the start of a new era at City Hall. The oath of office will be administered, Wilson will deliver her inaugural address, and several guest speakers will offer reflections on her roots as a community organizer and her commitment to the vision that all of us should have the opportunity to shape Seattle’s future together. Once sworn in, the new mayor will get to work on her key priorities, including taking on the affordability crisis, bringing people inside, and making our city a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
The ceremony and speeches are planned in City Hall’s first-floor lobby (600 4th Avenue, downtown). Wilson’s spokesperson Sage Wilson (no relation) says it’s open to anyone who wants to attend, and they’re requesting (but not requiring) RSVPs for planning purposes – here’s the form.
First on today’s list, we’re spotlighting a first-ever West Seattle “New Year’s Eve Eve” event – newly announced “Almost Day,” happening tonight:
“Almost Day” 2025 West Seattle Gathering: Art, Reflection, Joy & Connection
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
5-9pmBear Island (former Admiral Church basement)
4320 Southwest Hill StreetFree event
All ages welcome
Hosted by Lori KotheBring or make friends! Reflect on what ALMOST happened in 2025. Celebrate being present. Make art, cards & suncatchers. Eat baked potatoes. Come stop by and check out the Bear Island temporary art & community space in the former Admiral Church basement anytime 5-9pm to celebrate Almost Day (Dec 30) with your community. Hang out with old, new, and future friends, make music and art, and enjoy casual, all-ages, unstructed space and time to connect, share, and reflect. Introverts welcome! We’ll provide baked potatoes, toppings, and water (while supplies last). Feel free to bring drinks, snacks, a musical instrument, sketchbook, friends, games, or just yourself! We will also celebrate that local artist and Bear Island building manager Mike Henderson will soon to be walking again as he recovers from a falling accident. RSVP appreciated for planning, but feel free to share and just show up! Free event. All welcome.
Now, here’s the rest of the list of today’s daily event notes/reminders, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. Note that some regular events are canceled today, and we’ve made note of those; if you know of any other cancellations, please comment, or text us at 206-293-6302 if it’s today/tonight, email westseattleblog@gmail.com for dates beyond:
FAUNTLEROY CHURCH FESTIVAL OF TREES: Visit the church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW) before noon to see the themed trees and place food donations beneath your favorite(s) to “vote” for them.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Indoor play at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is on break until the New Year.
KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: Also on break until the New Year.
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Yes, it’s happening today, organizers confirm! New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: No meeting today.
CHESS CLUB: Not happening today, as the Center for Active Living is closed.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: Not happening at High Point Library during winter break.
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, Tickets and info here; first entry time tonight is 5 pm.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Lessons return tonight after last week’s break, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), details in our calendar listing.
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.
BINGO: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 5: Five locations for trivia tonight – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 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, free, prizes. (2306 California SW) … Trivia at Christos on Alki (2508 Alki SW), 7:15 pm.
If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB file photo, Clothesline’s current location)
If you need to visit the West Seattle Food Bank‘s clothing bank, the Clothesline, today’s your last day to do it before the Clothesline’s temporary closure. We reported in August that the Clothesline needed to find a new home; WSFB says it’s found one and needs to close temporarily for the move. WSFB hasn’t yet announced the new location – that’s expected in January, with the new location opening in February. Clothesline hours are 10 am-1 pm today at 4425 41st SW.
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, December 30, 2025, New Year’s Eve-Eve.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast says it’ll be mostly cloudy, high in the mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 7:57 am (as late as it gets, and it’s staying there for another week); sunset at 4:26 pm.
(Monday sunset, photographed by Bob Burns)
SCHOOL’S STILL OUT
Winter break continues for a second week (most if not all schools reopen Monday, January 5).
TRANSIT TODAY & BEYOND
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule. The Water Taxi will NOT run on New Year’s Day, but will run fare-free on New Year’s Eve (all day Wednesday).
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route has its third boat back and is now on the winter schedule, per WSF’s alerts page. A weekend schedule is planned for New Year’s Day.
Metro buses – They’re back on the regular weekday schedule and routes in our area; they’ll be fare-free from 3 am Wednesday until 3 am Thursday (New Year’s Eve/Day)..
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already at the scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
10:06 PM: Police are investigating gunfire at 27th/Roxbury. No one injured, but they’ve found at least two casings “in the intersection.” The person who says they saw it happen described the shooter as an “unknown-race male, 20s,” with a backpack and a handgun, on foot when he fired the gun, then walking north.
ADDED 11:36 AM TUESDAY: Here’s SPD’s summary of the incident:
At 2140 hours, a man on foot in the area of 27 Av SW and SW Roxbury St fired two shots from a handgun toward a woman who honked her horn at him for walking into traffic. Nobody was injured. The suspect fled the area on foot prior to the arrival of officers, as seen later on surveillance footage. Spent rounds of ammunition were recovered at the scene. The area was contained and K-9 responded, but the suspect could not be located.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Though the employment picture is cloudy in some industries, others are desperate for more trained workers, and some of those booming fields are at the heart of programs at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge.
One of them – Automotive Technology – is celebrating the recent arrival you see above: A uniquely configured training vehicle for students to learn how to work on EVs.
We were there as it was shown off during an event at the campus’s Steve and Sharon Huling Automotive Technology Center, with one of its namesakes on hand, as well as educators, local advisers, SSC president Dr. Monica Brown, and a leader from the college system’s fundraising foundation.
The training vehicle, created by Consulab from a car it purchased from Tesla, offers invaluable visuals – a college one-sheet explains that it “exposes every component — motors, batteries, charging systems, power electronics —while using a high-voltage emulator for safe, hands-on diagnostics and troubleshooting.” It’s the latest addition to what SSC notes is the only independent – not tied to a specific manufacturer – EV training program in the area.
SSC’s Dean of Automotive, Aviation, Heavy Diesel, and Welding, Ferdinand Orbino, said the high-tech addition underscores the skill sets needed for automotive technology now – “part electrician, part coder, part mechanic:
After he spoke, it was back out into the learning area, where Automotive Technology faculty member Teryn Kilgore explained what the Consulab trainer can be used for and how it works:
The Consulab trainer was obtained with the help of a $147,000 state grant. It’s being incorporated gradually into the program. The Seattle Colleges not only continue to seek grant funding but also are happy to have supporters like the Huling family, as Dr. Brown noted in her remarks:
Steve Huling also spoke, talking about how he got involved, and how much growth he’s seen in the program:
Other participants in the event included Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor) owner Todd Ainsworth, a member of the program’s Technical Advisory Committee; his business now services EVs, and he verified the need for technicians to get training.
As more funding is sought and obtained, the next major step for SSC is to launch a Battery Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Training certificate program next fall; they’re exploring evening class times so currently employed technicians can attend after work to “upskill.” In the longer run, Battery Electric and Hybrid Vehicle training will also become part of the two-year Associate of Applied Science program. Details about Automotive Technology training, teaching, and giving at SSC can be found here.
Seattle Public Utilities’ policies/schedule regarding Christmas-tree disposal:
Customers can compost trees and holiday greens for free from December 26 – January 31! Remove all decorations, cut into sections 4-foot or less, and place trees or bundled greens next to your Food & Yard Waste cart on your regular collection day. Apartment residents may place up to two trees next to each Food & Yard waste cart at no charge. You can also drop off up to 3 trees less than 8 feet in length at a Transfer Station.
And also, a reminder that the “regular collection day” is disrupted for some again this week:
No change for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday pickup customers, but no collection on Thursday, so Thursday customers will get pickup on Friday, Friday customers will get pickup on Saturday. The transfer stations are closed on New Year’s Day too. So bottom line, you have until the end of January for free tree disposal – but if your tree is drying out, better to avoid fire risk by not letting it stay until it’s unsafe.
That’s the burglar who broke into West Seattle Nursery on Christmas morning, as reported here over the weekend. Today the nursery has provided that image as well as an update on its recovery:
We’ve repaired our back gate, cleaned up glass from the two doors that were forced open (one to our Garden Center and one to our Greenhouse), and secured the damaged doors with bolted wood. Please excuse the slight draft until we are able to replace our doors.
We’re still taking inventory to determine everything that was stolen, which includes all our jewelry, some tools, a laptop, our walkie talkies, and even a garbage can used to carry items away. If you have any information on who the person in the picture is, please let us know. They were masked, but they appear to have long dark hair and black Adidas Samba shoes.
While this thief may have stolen items and broken our doors (and our spirits for a moment), we are grateful that all of our customers and employees are safe. Thank you to the employees who helped clean up the glass, temporarily secure the doors, and continue reviewing our missing inventory. Please be safe out there!
According to the police report – incident # 2025-376533 if you have any information – security video indicated the burglar arrived just before 5 am Christmas Day. Owner Marcia Bruno told us this was their first burglary in years; our archives show one in summer 2019.
(Of course the Space Needle has fireworks and drones again. Above, January 1, 2019 photo by Robert Spears)
Just two days until New Year’s Eve. All the info we have is in our West Seattle Holiday Guide – including two big parties in The Junction:
MASQUERADE at Revelry Room/Jet City Labs (info here)
THE FINAL TOAST with West Seattle Supper Club at Phoenecia (info here)
We’ve also previewed West Seattle’s only NYE parade and NYE/NYD walks, plus of course the Alki Beach Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s morning. And we’ve even found a library branch celebrating 2026 twelve hours early.
What are we missing? Not too late to add. westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
1:05 PM: Thanks for the tip! While at least one West Seattle school is planning to bring in new portable classrooms – as reported here – old ones are being demolished right now at another local Seattle Public Schools site. After the reader tip, we checked city records, which show that demolition-permit applications were filed back in March for three portables on the northeast side of the old Roxhill Elementary site at 9430 30th SW, issued weeks later, and a crew is there doing teardown (and ensuing debris cleanup, as shown in our video above) today. The permits are only for the portables; files show no demolition application or permit for the campus buildings. You might recall that the SPS School Board gave its approval last summer to new locations for the programs that had been using the old school site; at the time, the district declined comment on future plans for the site, so in light of the demolition work, we’re asking again, and will update with whatever we hear back.
2:30 PM: SPS spokesperson Teresa Shaw replied to our inquiry, saying there are no updates regarding plans for the site, and as for why they’re tearing these portables down instead of moving them: “The portables are being demolished because we cannot move them to another location as they do not have a Labor & Industries (L&I) certification label/tag, which is required to legally move them to another location within Washington State.”
Though our area escaped the deluge that had catastrophic effects for many people elsewhere in our state, we’re affected too – particularly because of the huge losses suffered by regional farmers. Three local restaurants are part of an upcoming benefit for them – the announcement comes from the event host, Alki’s 
Driftwood Restaurant:
Seattle’s restaurant community is coming together to support the farmers who make our work possible.
On January 5, over 40 Seattle-area businesses and restaurants will unite for a fundraiser benefiting The Good Farmer Fund, providing emergency relief to Washington farmers impacted by recent flooding and extreme weather. The fundraiser will take place during Driftwood’s 3rd Anniversary Party, hosted at Driftwood Restaurant in West Seattle.
Farmers are the foundation of our industry. They grow our food, care for the land, and sustain our local food system often while operating on razor-thin margins. When disaster strikes, restaurants feel it too. This event is our chance to give back and show up for the people who make what we do possible.
100% of the raffle tickets sold will benefit The Good Farmer Fund, a program of Neighborhood Farmers Markets, which has distributed more than $790,000 in emergency financial relief to small farms across Washington since 2008.
Raffle items include:
Gift Cards
Tasting Menus
Private Dinners
Cooking Classes
Coffee Experiences
Baked Goods
Sport TicketsParticipating restaurants of note include:
Atoma
Archipelago
Beast and Cleaver
Corson Building
Driftwood
Il Nido
Off Alley
Pancita
Pidgin Cooperative
Surrel
TOMOThe event will be an open-house–style anniversary celebration on January 5 at 4 pm till 8 pm. Drawing happens at 8 pm, Event Ticket includes light bites, Coffee, Music and Fellowship. Drinks will be made available for purchase throughout the night.
Raffle Tickets Can be Purchased here: givebutter.com/GoodFarmerFundEvent
Entry tickets to the event sold separately here: 3rd Anniversary Celebration!
Driftwood is at 2722 Alki Avenue SW.
(Sunday sunset at Constellation Park – photo by Jen Popp)
For today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE: Still a few more days to bring donations of warm clothing to the bin at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (3435 California SW; WSB sponsor), 9 am-5 pm again today.
FAUNTLEROY FESTIVAL OF TREES: The Fauntleroy Church Festival of Trees is open for public drop-in viewing, 9 am-noon Monday through Wednesday. You can vote for your favorite(s) by bringing nonperishable food-bank donation(s) to stack beneath it/them! (9140 California SW)
STORY TIME & WINTER CELEBRATION AT SW LIBRARY: 10:30 am-noon, Southwest Library celebrates winter: “Join us for an all-ages story time on the main floor of the branch. Afterwards stay for hot cocoa, cookies, crafts and jigsaw puzzles.” (9010 35th SW)
CRAFTY NIGHT AT TIM’S: 6-9 pm at Tim’s Tavern (9655 16th SW, White Center):
Bring your yarn, your needles, your sketchbook, painting, or whatever project you’ve been “meaning to get back to” and come hang out with other crafty humans in a low-pressure, come-as-you-are space. No agenda, no workshop, no rules. Just a cozy Monday night to stitch, knit, crochet, embroider, sketch, glue-gun, bead, or quietly curse at your current work-in-progress alongside folks who get it. All skill levels welcome. Grab a drink, grab a seat, and make something.
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group gathering for people experiencing grief – participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee; RSVP here. (4034 California SW)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 4: Four venues for trivia/quiz tonight! … Every-other-week Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm sessions … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
ALKI MEDITATION, TAKING A BREAK: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC is canceled again this week, resuming January 5.
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players – enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night music with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, sing karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks as always to everybody who sends info for our calendar and Holiday Guide; if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
| 1 COMMENT